GB2105965A - Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus according to the invention comprises an elongate feeding trough 11, a foodstuffs supply member 12 movable along the length of said trough, a dispensing head 26 movable along the length of said trough by said supply member and movable vertically in use relative to said supply member, said supply member in use supplying foodstuffs to said trough through an outlet and said dispensing head, and, a plurality of bearer members 23 fixed to said trough and spaced along the length thereof, said dispensing head running on said bearer members as it traverses the length of the trough whereby said bearer members support the weight of the dispensing head, and the trough through the intermediary of said bearer members determines the vertical position of the dispensing head relative to the supply member, said head having a trailing edge 38 extending transverse to the length of the receiver and determining, by its spacing from the base of the trough, the depth of foodstuffs dispensed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs in particulate granular or like form, particularly, but not exclusively, for use in a chicken battery.

In our British Patent No. 1489347 there is disclosed apparatus for dispensing accurately metered quantities of foodstuffs into the feeding trough of a battery cage arrangement. The trough contains a foodstuffs receiver of elongate ladder-like form which extends through a dispensing head receiving foodstuffs from a hopper. The head moves with the hopper along the length of the trough with the receiver extending through the head. In effect therefore the receiver passes through the head and in so doing withdraws a metered volume of foodstuffs from the head per unit length of the receiver.During movement of the head along the length of the trough the receiver is lifted from the trough base by the head and the metered volume of foodstuffs is dispensed in each pass of the head along the receiver irrespective of whether or not there is foodstuffs remaining in the trough from a previous pass. Generally no foodstuffs should remain in the trough since the apparatus is adjusted to deliver a volume just sufficient for the requirements of the birds in the period between consecutive operations of the apparatus. Apparatus in accordance with our British Patent 1489347 has proved very successful, but since it is to deliver an accurate volume at each pass, and since it needs to be adjustable to accommodate different feeding requirements then it is a relatively compiex apparatus and is thus relatively costly.Moreover, adjustment of the apparatus is necessary at least initially during setting up of the apparatus. Use of such apparatus presupposes a desire to feed in what many people consider to be the most economical manner, that is to say feeding the theoretically required volume of foodstuffs.

It has become apparent that while many poultry farmers require a mechanical foodstuffs dispenser for quickly and conveniently supplying foodstuffs along the length of their battery cage feeding troughs, not all wish to feed on the basis of supplying only the theoretical requirement. Some prefer to feed on demand, that is to say to provide a supply in excess of the birds requirements so that the birds can feed at will. Apparatus in accordance with our Patent 1489347 could of course be set to supply sufficient foodstuffs on each pass to meet this requirement. However the primary purpose of the apparatus in accordance with 1489347 is to supply accurately metered volumes of foodstuffs and where accurately metered volumes are not required it is clearly preferable not to encounter the relative complexity and expense of the apparatus of 1489347.

Clearly it would not be satisfactory merely to maintain the trough full with foodstuffs since this would be wasteful in that foodstuffs would be scattered from the trough by the birds during feeding, and in that foodstuffs towards the bottom of the trough would not be touched, and would spoil.

Desirably therefore a predetermined maximum volume of foodstuffs is provided in the trough. It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs wherein the aforementioned problems are minimized.

Apparatus according to the invention comprises an elongate feeding trough, a foodstuffs supply member movable along the length of said trough and having an outlet th rough which foodstuffs passes in use into said trough, a dispensing head movable along the length of said trough by said supply member and movable vertically in use relative to said supply member, said supply member in use supplying foodstuffs to said trough through said outlet and said dispensing head, and, a plurality of bearer members fixed to said trough and spaced along the length thereof, said dispensing head running on said bearer members as it traverses the length of the trough whereby said bearer members support the weight of the dispensing head, and the trough through the intermediary of said bearer members determines the vertical position of the dispensing head relative to the supply member, said head having a trailing edge extending transverse to the length of the receiver and determining, by its spacing from the base of the trough, the depth of foodstuffs dispensed.

Preferably the apparatus further includes an elongate foodstuffs receiver within the trough and extending along the length thereof, said receiver having therein apertures through which the dispensed foodstuff passes, said bearer members being arranged in first and second parallel rows on opposite sides respectively of said receiver and the dispensing head having first and second walls extending longitudinally of the trough and projecting downwardly on opposite sides respectively of the receiver to engage respective rows of said bearer members.

Desirably said bearer members of said first row are each part of a bearer unit which includes a corresponding bearer member of the second row, each bearer unit including a strip extending transversely of the trough and joining to two bearer members.

Conveniently the two bearer members and the strip of each bearer unit are integral parts of a single moulding.

Preferably the upper surface of each bearer member is convex.

Desirably the lower edges of said dispensing head walls include bearing components of a material compatible with the material of the bearer members.

Preferably said foodstuffs receiver is located against movement in a direction transverse to the trough length by engagement between said first and second rows of bearer members.

Desirably at least some of the bearer members The drawing(s) originally filed were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy.

have fixed thereto means for securing the receiver against vertical movement relative to the trough.

Preferably said means is joined to said strip of a or each bearer unit.

Preferably said receiver includes a pair of spaced parallel side pieces extending longitudinally of the trough, and a plurality of transversely extending connections joining said side pieces and spaced along the length thereof, said apertures being defined by the side pieces and the connectors.

Desirably said side pieces of the receiver are side walls upstanding from the base of the trough, the strips of said bearer units passing beneath the side walls and the means for securing the receiver against vertical movement comprises a part integral with each bearer unit strip and upstanding therefrom between the receiver side walls and a flange extending longitudinally of the receiver from the upper free end of each of said parts, each flange overlying a respective connector of the receiver.

Preferably each of said parts is spaced from the adjacent connectors of the receiver to permit move mentofthe receiver relative thereto in the direction of the length of the receiver for example as a result of thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver.

Conveniently the flanges of said parts are all arranged to extend from their respective parts in the same longitudinal direction and are so dimensioned as to be able to pass through the apertures of the receiver whereby the receiver can be removed from the trough by moving the receiver longitudinally relative to said flanges to align an aperture of the receiver with each flange, and then lifting the receiver from the trough.

Desirably said head includes a trailing edge at each end thereof so that the apparatus is operative irrespective of its direction of movement relative to the receiver.

Preferably the vertical position of the or each trailing edge relative to the remainder of the head is adjustable, whereby within predetermined limits the depth of foodstuffs being dispensed can be set by an operator.

In a foodstuffs dispensing apparatus wherein a supply member moves along the length of a trough carrying with it a head which can move vertically relative to the supply member and through which foodstuffs is directed from the supply member into the trough, irrespective of whether the head has its vertical position defined by the trough as in the arrangements specified above, or by other means such as engagement of the head with the receiver, it is found that on occasions the pressure of foodstuffs within the supply member and the head, and acting upon the receiver and/or the trough, can impede movement of the supply member and head along the length of the trough, and it is an object of a second aspect of the present invention to provide apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs wherein this problem is minimized.

Apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a head carried in use along the length of an elongate feeding trough by a foodstuffs supply member, said head being vertically movable relative to the supply member and serving, in use, to guide foodstuffs from said supply member into said trough, there being provided within the foodstuffs supply member, adjacent its outlet end, means restricting the internal cross-section of the supply member so that the whole of the area of the head, and the trough below the head, are not subject to the weight of foodstuffs in the supply member.

Conveniently said means comprises a slidable baffle plate movable relative to the supply member to block alternative regions ofthe internal cross section of the supply member.

Alternatively said means comprises at least one fixed, and inclined guide plate overlying part of the open lower end of the head.

Preferably said guide plate is disposed at one longitudinal end of the supply member and is inclined downwardly and inwardly, and a second similar guide plate is provided at the opposite longitudinal end of the supply member, said second guide plate being inclined opposite to the inclination of the first mentioned guide plate so that it also extends downwardly and inwardly.

Desirably a central region of the supply member, between said first and second guide plates, is provided with a guide member of generally triangular cross-section disposed with its apex uppermost.

One example of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of an apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs; Figure 2 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the trough assembly of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Fig ure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but also illustrating, partly broken away, parts of the foodstuffs dispensing components of the apparatus; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bearing unit; Figure 5 is a broken away perspective view of part of a foodstuffs supply member; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the member shown in Figure 5 and broken along the line 6-6 in Figure 5; Figure 7 is a sectional view of an alternative construction of the member of Figure 5; and Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 in Figure 7.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes an elongate, sheet metal, feeding trough 11 of generally conventional form, the feeding trough 11 extending, for example, along the front of a row of battery cages containing chickens. A generally conventional foodstuffs supply member or hopper 12 is mounted in known manner on rails for movement along the length of the trough 11. The hopper 12 is also formed from sheet metal, and is of generally rectangulartransverse cross-section. The drawings illustrate only the lowermost end of the hopper, and thus the reference numeral 12 can be considered to illustrate the outlet end extension of the hopper.

Within the trough 11 and supported by the base 13 thereof is an elongate foodstuffs receiver 14. The foodstuffs receiver 14 extends along the length of the base of the trough 11 and comprises a pair of elongate parallel synthetic resin side walls 15, 16, the side walls 15,16 being interconnected at spaced points along their length by moulded synthetic resin partition wall members 17. The partition wall members 17 maintain a desired spacing between the side walls 15, 16 and are engaged as a snapfit with the side walls 15, 16 conveniently in the manner disclosed and claimed in our British Patent 1554705.

Secured to the base 13 of the trough 11 area plurality of bearing units 18 (Figure 4). The bearing units 18 are spaced apart along the base 13 of the trough 11 by a distance which conveniently is equal to the distance of the spacing between three parti- tion wall members 17 of the receiver 14. Each bearing unit 18 is a synthetic resin moulding, and comprises a thin strip-like base 19 having a central aperture 21. The bearing units are placed in the trough 11 with their base 19 in facial contact with the base 13 of the trough 11, and extending transverse to the length of the base 13. A pop-rivet or like securing device extends through the aperture 21 and a corresponding aperture in the base 13 of the trough 11 to secure each bearing unit 18 to the base 13 of the trough 11.At each end of the base 19 of each bearing unit 18, and integral therewith, are bearer members 22, 23. The bearer members 22, 23 are each in the form of approximately half of a circular cylinder and are positioned with their cylindrical axes coextensive, and transverse to the length of the trough. The bearer members 22, 23 thus present convex cylindrical surfaces upwardly from the base of the trough 11. A wall part 24 is integral with, and upstanding from, one edge of the base 19 of each unit 18, and at its upper, free edge is formed with a right-angle flange 25 which thus extends parallel to, but in the opposite direction, to the base 19.The width of the wall parts 24 and flange 25 is less than the spacing between the innermost faces 22a, 23a of the bearer members 22,23 and thus a gap 24a, 24b exists at each side of the wall part 24 on the one hand between the edge of the wall part 24 and the face 22a, and on the other hand between the opposite edge of the wall part 24 and the face 23a.

The bearing units 18 in effect form part of the base 13 of the trough 11 and co-act with the receiver 14 to retain the receiver 14 in position on the base 11. For this reason, the bearing units 18 are aligned with one another along the length of the base 13 of the trough 11. The receiver is engaged with the trough 11 by placing the receiver 14 onto the base of the trough 11 such that the wall part 24 and flange 25 of each bearing unit 18 passes through an aperture defined between the side walls and a pair of adjacent partition wall members of the receiver 14. The length dimension of the flange 25 is chosen to be less than the spacing between adjacent partition wall members of the receiver 14.The partition wall members thus engage in the gaps 24a, 24b and the spacing between the faces 22a, 23a of the bearer members correspond to the spacing between the outer faces of the side walls 15, 16 of the receiver 14 so that the faces 22a, 23a of the bearing units 18 locate the receiver 14 transversely with respect to the base of the trough 11. Thereafter, the receiver 14 is moved longitudinally of the trough 11 so that every third partition wall member 17 ofthe receiver slides beneath a respective flange 25 of a bearing unit 18.

The height of the wall parts 24 is so chosen that the respective partition wall members 17 will be a close fit beneath the flanges 25 to effect a trapping of the receiver 14 against vertical movement relative to the base of the trough 11. The longitudinal movement of the receiver 14 relative to the base of the trough is effected to position each relevant partition wall member 17 beneath its respective flange 25 and approximately mid-way between the free edge of the flange 25 and the wall part 24. Thereafter one end of the receiver 14 is secured to the trough 11 by a releasable securing device for example a wing-nut and bolt co-operating with a bracket affixed to the receiver.It will be recognised therefore that since the partition wall members 17 are positioned beneath their respective flanges 25, substantially mid-way between the ends of the flanges then longitudinal movement of the receiver resulting from, for example, thermal expansion and contraction is permitted by sliding movement of the respective partition wall members beneath their respective flanges 25.

The manner in which foodstuffs is dispensed into the trough 11 will be described in more detail hereinafter, but it will be noted that the vast majority of the foodstuffs is delivered into the confines of the receiver 14. The chickens feeding from the trough 11 can reach into the receiver 14, and the receiver 14 by virtue of the side walls and transverse partition wall members constitutes an elongate apertured member within the trough which restricts the free movement of food within the trough. Thus the chickens can feed in the region of the trough immediately in front of them, and any tendency to flick food around in the trough, and of course out of the trough, is restricted by the side walls and partition wall members of the receiver 14.

As mentioned previously the part 12 illustrated in the drawings is the lower end extension of a conventional foodstuffs supply member or hopper.

The foodstuffs contained by the hopper are generally in particulate or granular form, and the foodstuffs can flow under gravity to an outlet 12a at the lower end of the extension 12. The extension 12 is rectangular in cross-section, and thus the outlet 1 2a is a rectangular aperture. The outlet 1 2a is positioned generally above the receiver 14 and if desired a closure member (not shown) can be provided in the extension 12 to prevent flow of foodstuffs therethrough.

Associated with the lower end of the extension 12, for guiding the foodstuffs into the receiver 14, is a dispensing head 26. The head 26 can be considered as an extension of the extension 12, being rectangular in cross-section, and having side walls 27, 28 and end walls 29,31. The upper end lower faces of the head 26 are open, the lower end of the extension 12 extending into the open upper end of the head 26.

The spacing between the side walls 27, 28 of the head 26 at its lower end is greater than the spacing of the side walls 15, 16 of the receiver 14 and the end walls 29, 31 of the head 26 are recessed at their lowermost edges so that the lower edge regions 27a, 28a of the side walls 27,28 of the head 26 can extend dcwnwardly towards the base 13 of the trough 11 on 'he outside of the side walls 15, 16 of the receiver respectively. The regions 27a, 28a of the side walls 27, 28 are provided with moulded synthetic resin bearing shoes 32, 33 of U-shaped cross-section. The shoes 32,33 extend along the whole length of their respective side wall regions 27a, 28a and rest upon the tops of the bearer members 23.Thus the weight of the head 26 is accepted by the bearer members 23 which thus support the head 26 and permit the head 26 to move freely along the length of the receiver 14, the spacing of the bearer members 23 in relation to the length of the head 26 being such that the bearing shoes 32,33 are always bridging at least a pair of bearer members 23. If desired the extreme ends of the bearing shoes 32, 33 can be curved to facilitate smooth engagement with the bearer members 23 as the head traverses the length of the trough in either direction.

Extending upwardly from each of the end walls 29, 31 of the head 26 is a slotted strip 34 which is rigidly secured at its lower end to the respective end wall of the head 26. Projecting outwardly from each end wall of the hopper extension 12 are a pair of screw-threaded shanks 35, one being positioned vertically above the other. The shanks 35 extend through the slot of each strip 34 and engaged with the shanks are respective wing nuts or other screw fastening devices 36. The nuts 36 are not tightened, and merely serve to prevent the shanks being pulled back through their respective slots. Thus the head 26 can move freely relative to the extension 12 in a vertical direction within the limits imposed by the ends of the slots in the strips 34.However, the use of a pair of screw threaded shanks at each end, with one shank vertically above the other ensures that the head 26 cannot move any significant distance in a direction transverse to the length of the trough relative to the extension 12. The slotted strips and shanks thus guide the head for vertical movement relative to the hopper extension 12 and it will be appreciated that the vertical position of the head 26 relative to the hopper extension 12 is determined solely by the level of the base 13 of the trough 11 since the head runs on the bearer members 23 which are fixed to the base 13.

Since the bearing shoes 32,33 and the bearer members 23 are formed from synthetic resin material, the materials can be chosen to be compatible to ensure that wear and friction during longitudinal movement of the extension 12 and head 26 relative to the trough 13 is minimized. It will be noted that no part of the head 26 engages or is in any way guided by the receiver 14.

In operation, assuming that the hopper, and therefore the head 26 is at one end of the trough and the receiver 14 is empty then as the hopper is moved along the length of the trough foodstuffs from the hopper will fall through the head 26 to occupy the space between the side walls of the receiver 14. The depth of foodstuffs dispensed as the head trans verses the length of the receiver, will be determined by the height of the trailing edge of the head 26.

Clearly in the apparatus so far described a fixed depth will be dispensed, the depth being determined by the extent to which the end walls 29,31 are recessed to accommodate the receiver 14. In practice however it is desirable to provide some adjustment of the depth of foodstuffs dispensed, and for this reason the end walls 29,31 of the head 26 are recessed to an extent equivalent to the maximum depth of foodstuffs which will ever need to be dispensed. Slidably mounted on each of the end walls 29, 31 is a depth control plate 37 which, conveniently, is provided with a moulded synthetic resin bearing slipper 38 at its lowermost edge. Each of the depth control plates 37 is formed with a vertically extending slot 39 through which a screwthreaded shank 41 projecting outwardly from the respective end wall of the head 26 extends.A nut, conveniently a wing nut 42 is engaged with the screw threaded shank, and can be used to clamp the respective plate 37 in any chosen vertical position relative to the head 26 within the limits imposed by the length of the slot 39. Thus the plate 37 at each end of the head 26 can be set to obscure more or less of the recessed end wall and thus permit a lesser or greater depth of foodstuffs to be dispensed. In its lowermost position each plate 37 may lightly touch the tops of the side walls 15, 16, so that the minimum quantity of foodstuffs dispensed is at a depth level with the top edges of the side walls 15, 16. It will be understood that even with the plates 37 in their lowermost position the weight of the head 26 is accepted by the bearer members 23 and not by the tops of the side walls of the receiver.

Since there is a depth control plate 37 at both ends then control is effected irrespective of the direction of traverse of the head.

Assuming now that some of the foodstuffs is eaten by the chickens prior to the next pass of the hopper along the length of the trough, then during the next pass the level of foodstuffs in the receiver will be restored to the level set by the trailing depth control plate 37. However in the event that no foodstuffs has been removed from a particular section of the receiver then of course no additional foodstuffs will be deposited in that region of the receiver during the subsequent pass.

Where it is desired that a reduced quantity of foodstuffs should be provided adjacent particular cages of a row of battery cages, for example when those cages are not occupied by a live bird, then a blocking member can be engaged within the receiver 14 at the point at which reduced quantities of foodstuffs are required. If necessary the blocking member can fill the whole of the particular part of the length of the receiver associated with a particular cage or in the event that the cage contains a reduced number of birds then a smaller blocking element can be used so that the birds receive an appropriate amount of foodstuffs in the associated region of the receiver. Conveniently the blocking members are engaged as a snap-fitwith projecting posts integral with the partition wall members. Clearly control of the amount of foodstuffs delivered to a region of the receiver containing a blocking member can be effected by using blocking members of different length, or different height, or both of these para meters.

It will be recognised that many existing battery cage installations will have an elongate trough and a hopper which traverses the length of the trough to deliver foodstuffs. Thus in such an existing arrangement the present invention can be employed by providing the extension 12 attached to the lower end of the existing hopper, the head 26, and the receiver 14 and bearing units 18 which are located within the conventional trough.

It will be recognised that in the apparatus so far described the weight of the foodstuffs stored in the hopper 12 acts over substantially the whole area of the receiver 14 and trough 11 beneath the open end of the dispensing head 26. It is found that in certain circumstances with particular types of foodstuffs, this weight of foodstuffs can give rise to resistance to movement of the hopper and head 26 along the length of the trough 11. In order to minimise this problem the side walls of the hopper extension 12 are provided internally with means for restricting the cross-sectional area of the extension 12. This means for restricting the cross-sectional area can take the form of the baffles shown in Figures 5 and 6, orthe form of a sliding partial closure plate of the kind shown in Figures 7 and 8.

Referring particularly to Figures 5 and 6 the baffles or guide members are illustrated at 43, 44, and 45 respectively. The baffles 43 and 44 are in the form of flat aluminium or galvanised mild steel plates which extend across the full width of the extension 12 and which are inclined at around 45" to the vertical. Each baffle 43, 44 thus extends from its respective end wall of the extension 12 both downwardly and inwardly terminating adjacent the open lower face 1 2a of the extension 12. The effect of the baffles 43, 44 is to guide foodstuffs towards the centre of the outlet face 1 2a of the extension 12 and thus the regions of the trough 11 and receiver 14 lying beneath the baffles 43, 44 are, in use, relieved of the weight of the foodstuffs in the hopper and extension 12.The baffle 45 is disposed mid-way between the baffles 43 and 44 and is in the form of a pair of aluminium or galvanised mild steel plates disposed at right angles to one another. The right angled corner between the two plates is disposed uppermost and thus the two plates lie at 45O to the vertical.

Again the full width of the extension 12 is spanned by the baffle 45 and the two faces thereof act to guide foodstuffs generally towards the end walls of the extension 12. It will be recognised therefore that the area of the trough 11 and receiver 14 lying beneath the two plates constituting the baffle 45 are relieved of the weight of foodstuffs in the hopper.

It will further be recognised that the baffle 45 can be formed from a single plate bent to an L-shape.

The baffles are secured to the extension 12 by any convenient means, for example by being provided with flanges riveted to the walls of the extension 12.

While in some instances it is preferred to use all of the baffles illustrated in Figure 6 there may be instances where only one, or only a pair of the three baffles is required.

In the alternative arrangement illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 the side walls of the extension 12 are provided with horizontally extending slots 46 within which is slidably received a baffle plate 47. The plate 47 is formed from aluminium, or galvanised mild steel sheet, and occupies the full width, and approximately half of the length, of the interior of the extension 12. Additionally the plate 47 includes one or more pairs of oppositely directed tongues 48 which project through the slots 46 to support the plate within the extension 12, and additionally to facilitate gripping the plate to move the plate within the extension 12. The side walls of the extension 12 are conveniently formed with outwardly turned flanges defining the edges of the slots 46 so that an adequate bearing surface is provided for the plate 47.

It will be recognised that where the plate occupies half of the length of the extension 12 then half of the area of the trough 11 and receiver 14 immediately below the open end of the head 26 will be relieved of the weight of the foodstuffs in the hopper and extension 12.

Using baffles or the plate 47 it is to be understood that notwithstanding the fact that the weight of foodstuffs is removed from part of the area below the head 26, nevertheless the whole of the area below the head 26 can be supplied with foodstuffs flowing through the open part of the extension 12 and flowing beneath the baffles or the plate 47. In the case of the plate 47 it is found that optimum results are obtained when the plate 47 overlies the leading half of the area beneath the head 26. Thus with reference to Figure 8 the plate 47 will be in the position shown when the extension 12 and the head 26 are moving to the right. For movement of the extension 12 and head 26 in the opposite direction the plate 47 will be moved to the opposite end of its travel along the slots 46 so that once again it is overlying the leading half of the area beneath the head 26.

It will be recognised that the apparatus disclosed above can be utilized with differing forms of receiver 14. Thus while the construction of the receiver disclosed above is preferred, other forms of apertured receiver are possible. Moreover, the bearing units 18 with or without the provision for securing of the receiver can be used, to advantage, with other forms of receiver.

The hopper extension arrangement utilizing baffles or sliding baffle plate can of course be used with other forms of dispensing head arrangement. Thus baffles or a sliding baffle plate can be utilized in arrangements where the dispensing head runs, for example, on the receiver or the trough walls rather than the trough base. The concept of baffles or sliding baffle plate to reduce the resistance to movement of the dispensing head can thus be used with advantage in any "fioating" dispensing head arrangement.

It will be recognised that the flange 25 of each bearing unit 18 can, if desired, be reduced in width so as to obscure less of the receiver. Alternatively the flange could be bifurcated by a parallel sided or "V"-shaped slot having its open end at the free edge of the flange 25.

Claims (30)

1. Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs comprising an elongate feeding trough, a foodstuffs supply member movable along the length of said trough and having an outlet through which foodstuffs passes in use into said trough, a dispensing head movable along the length of said trough by said supply member and movable vertically in use relative to said supply member, said supply member in use supplying foodstuffs to said trough through said outlet and said dispensing head, and, a plurality of bearer members fixed to said trough and spaced along the length thereof, said dispensing head running on said bearer members as it traverses the length of the trough whereby said bearer members support the weight of the dispensing head, and the trough through the intermediary of said bearer members determines the vertical position of the dispensing head relative to the supply member, said head having a trailing edge extending transverse to the length of the receiver and determining, by its spacing from the base of the trough, the depth of foodstuffs dispensed.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided an elongate foodstuffs receiver within the trough and extending along the length thereof, said receiver having therein apertures through which the dispensed foodstuff passes, said bearer members being arranged in first and second parallel rows on opposite sides respectively of said receiver and the dispensing head having first and second walls extending longitudinally of the trough and projecting downwardly on opposite sides respectively of the receiver to engage respective rows of said bearer members.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bearer members of said first row are each part of a bearer unit which includes a corresponding bearer member of the second row, each bearer unit including a strip extending transversely of the trough and joining to two bearer members.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the two bearer members and the strip of each bearer unit are integral parts of a single moulding.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface of each bearer member is convex.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the lower edges of said dispensing head walls include bearing components of a material compatible with the material of the bearer members.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said foodstuffs receiver is located against movement in a direction transverse to the trough length by engagement between said first and second rows of bearer members.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein at least some of the bearer members have fixed thereto means for securing the receiver against vertical movement relative to the trough.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means is joined to said strip of a or each bearer unit.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein said receiver includes a pair of spaced parallel side pieces extending longitudinally of the trough, and a plurality of transversely extending connections joining said side pieces and spaced along the length thereof, said apertures being defined by the side pieces and the connectors.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, where dependent upon claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said side pieces of the receiver are side walls upstanding from the base of the trough, the strips of said bearer units passing beneath the side walls and the means for securing the receiver against vertical movement comprises a part integral with each bearer unit strip and upstanding therefrom between the receiver side walls and a flange extending longitudinally of the receiver from the upper free end of each of said parts, each flange overlying a respective connector of the receiver.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11,wherein each of said parts is spaced from the adjacent connectors of the receiver to permit movement of the receiver relative thereto in the direction of the length of the receiver for example as a result of thermal expansion and contraction of the receiver.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flanges of said parts are all arranged to extend from their respective parts in the same longitudinal direction and are so dimensioned as to be able to pass through the apertures of the receiver whereby the receiver can be removed from the trough by moving the receiver longitudinally relative to said flanges to align an aperture of the receiver with each flange, and then lifting the receiver from the trough.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said head includes a trailing edge at each end thereof so that the apparatus is operative irrespective of its direction of movement relative to the receiver.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical position of the or each trailing edge relative to the remainder of the head is adjustable, whereby within predetermined limits the depth of foodstuffs being dispensed can be set by an operator.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided, within the foodstuffs supply member, adjacent its outlet end, means restricting the internal cross-section of the supply member so that the whole of the area of the head, and the trough below the head, are not subject to the weight of foodstuffs in the supply member.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means comprises a slidable baffle plate movable relative to the supply member to block alternative regions of the internal cross section of the supply member.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said means comprises at least one fixed, and inclined guide plate overlying part of the open lower end of the head.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said guide plate is disposed at one longitudinal end of the supply member and is inclined downwardly and inwardly, and a second similar guide plate is provided at the opposite longitudinal end of the supply member, said second guide plate being inclined opposite to the inclination of the first mentioned guide plate so that it also extends downwardly and inwardly.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein a central region of the supply member, between said first and second guide plates, is provided with a guide member of generally triangular cross-section disposed with its apex uppermost.

21. Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs including a head carried in use along the length of an elongate feeding trough by a foodstuffs supply member, said head being vertically movable relative to the supply member and serving, in use, to guide foodstuffs from said supply member into said trough, there being provided within the foodstuffs supply member, adjacent its outlet end, means restricting the internal cross-section of the supply member so that the whole of the area of the head, and the trough below the head, are not subject to the weight of foodstuffs in the supply member

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means comprises a slidable baffle plate movable relative to the supply member to block alternative regions of the internal cross section of the supply member.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said means comprises at least one fixed, and inclined guide plate overlying part of the open lower end of the head.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said guide plate is disposed at one longitudinal end of the supply member aad is inclined downwardly and inwardly, and a second similar guide plate is provided at the opposite longitudinal end of the supply member, said second guide plate being inclined opposite to the inclination of the first mentioned guide plate so that it also extends downwardly and inwardly.

25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein a central region of the supply member, between said first and second guide plates, is provided with a guide member of generally triangular cross-section disposed with its apex uppermost.

26. Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1,2,3,4,5, and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

27. Apparatus for dispensing animal foodstuffs substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3,4,7, and 8 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A bearer unit for use in apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims the bearer unit comprising a pair of spaced bearer members each having a convex upper surface, and a thin strip interconnecting the bearer members in the appropriate spaced relationship.

29. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 28, wherein said strip includes an upstanding wall part carrying at its free end a flange which extends parallel to, but in the opposite direction from, said strip.

30. A bearer unit as claimed in claim 28 or claim 29, wherein the components of the unit are integral with one another by virtue of being parts of a common moulding.