GB2367476A

GB2367476A - Mobile animal feed dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2367476A
Application number: GB0119178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John O'neill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-08-11
Filing date: 2001-08-06
Publication date: 2002-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-06
Also published as: GB0119178D0; IES20010725A2; GB2367476B

Abstract

A feed dispensing device comprises a hopper having a first aperture for receiving feed and a second aperture through which feed is, in use, dispensed to a feeding trough disposed below the hopper and extending in opposite directions away from the second aperture. A feed dispensing component is disposed within the second aperture and adapted to move from a first state in which the feed dispensing component receives feed from the hopper to a second state in which the feed dispensing component substantially closes the second aperture. The dispensing component dispenses a predetermined amount of feed towards the trough, and a deflector is operative to direct dispensed feed towards a selected side of the trough.

Description

A Feed Dispenser Field of Invention The present invention relates to a feed dispensing device.

Disclosure of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a feed dispensing device comprising: a) a hopper having a first aperture for receiving feed and a second aperture through which feed is, in use, dispensed to b) a feeding trough disposed below said hopper and extending in opposite directions away from said second aperture, c) a feed dispensing component disposed within said second aperture and adapted to move from a first state in which said feed dispensing component receives feed from said hopper to a second state in which said feed dispensing component substantially closes said second aperture and dispenses a pre-determined amount of feed towards said trough, and d) deflector means operative to direct dispensed feed towards a selected side of said trough.

Preferably, said feed dispensing component is divided into a number of compartments, and in said second state feed held in each compartment is dispensed at spaced points along the selected side of said trough for consumption by respective animals.

Brief Description of the Drawings The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a feed dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention mounted on a trailer ; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a feed dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the feed dispenser of figure 2; Figure 4 is a detailed view of a dispensing cylinder for the feed dispenser of figure 2; Figure 5 is a diagram of the feed dispenser in use, wherein a deflector plate is oriented to the left; and Figure 6 is a diagram of the feed dispenser in use, wherein a deflector plate is oriented to the right.

Description of Invention Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a feed dispenser (10) according to a first embodiment of the invention mounted on a trailer (100). The trailer is mounted on a transverse axis with a pair of wheels (110) on either side. At its front end the trailer

comprises a hitch (112) for connecting the trailer to a towing vehicle. Each side of the trailer is divided into a number of openings by a plurality of uprights (114). A horizontal rail (116) runs along the top of the uprights along the sides of the trailer and between the front corners of the trailer. The rear of the trailer is open and is arranged to receive the feed dispenser (10). The dispenser comprises a hopper (12) supported above a feeding trough (14). In the first embodiment the hopper (12) is supported above the trough by the rail (116).

In the first embodiment, the hopper (12) can be filled with feed to be dispensed in two ways. A first mode employs a hinged hatch plate (42) which covers an aperture at the top of the hopper. At each end of the plate, beyond the hinge, a spring (43) connects the hatch plate to the hopper body, so that when the hatch plate is opened, it is held open by the springs, so enabling feed to be dispensed into the aperture. The hatch plate (42) may further be provided with catches (not shown) to lock the hatch plate down to the hopper body when in the closed position.

A second mode employs a pair of inlets (45) which run internally within the hopper body to respective outlets (47) located towards the top of the hopper. Feed may thus be delivered in bulk by connecting a bulk supply to one or both of the inlets (45) and pumping feed into the hopper where it is dispensed into the hopper from the outlets.

Figure 2 depicts a feed dispenser (10) (shown dismounted from a trailer) according to a second embodiment of the invention. Again the dispenser comprises a hopper (12) supported above a feeding trough (14) at its sides (18), shown in Figure 3.

Again, in this embodiment, the hopper is largely rectangular in horizontal cross-section with a wedge shaped roof (16) running parallel to the major axis of the hopper (pointed edge facing upwards). The roof (16) is equipped with a pair of hinged doors (42) through which the hopper (12) can be filled. In all other respects, the dispenser of the second embodiment operates as in the case of the first embodiment.

The hopper (12) comprises a pair of end walls (21) and a pair of internal slanted side walls (20), tapering from the top (relative to the roof (16) ) of the hopper towards the centre of the hopper, thereby giving a Vshaped profile to the hopper (12). The two side walls (20) do not meet and instead bend to provide a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart downwardly projecting flanges (44) running the length of the hopper. Between the flanges, there is defined a rectangular aperture (24) running along the length of the hopper (12). The free end of each flange (44) bends away from the aperture 24 to form a respective lip (46).

Within the aperture (24) there is disposed a dispensing cylinder (26) mounted via a pair of spindles 28, Figure 4, between the end walls (21) of the hopper (12). The cylinder (26) is in turn rotatable by an operator by means of a crank (30), attached to one of the spindles

(28) where it projects from one of the end walls (21) of the hopper (12).

Referring to Figure 3, the trough (14) is situated directly beneath the hopper (12). The trough (14) is largely rectangular in shape and is of roughly the same length and width as the hopper (12). The trough comprises a base divided into two flat, rectangular sections (34) extending from the side walls (18) of the trough (14) by a hollow chevron shaped divider (38) running along the length of the trough (14). The apex (40) of the divider (38) is located directly beneath the cylinder (26) in the hopper (12). The bottom portions (32) of the side walls (18) serve to contain any feed dispensed into the trough (14).

A rectangular deflector plate (48) is pivotally mounted on the apex of the divider 38. The deflector plate (38) is of sufficient height to enable contact with the flanges (44) and runs approximately the length of the trough. A spindle (not shown) projects from the end of the plate, at its fulcrum, enabling the plate to be pivoted by a crank (50) attached to the spindle. This pivoting enables the deflector plate (38) to make contact with either of the flanges (44) as required by the operator.

Figure 4 depicts the cylinder (26) which is located in the aperture (24) in the hopper (12). The cylinder (26) is a hollow tube closed at both ends. Entry and exit of materials from the cylinder (26) is provided by means of a series of slots (52) cut at regular intervals into the side walls (54) of the cylinder

(14). At one of the ends of the cylinder (26) there is shown the crank (30) which enables the operator to rotate the cylinder (26), and at the other base there is shown a spindle (28) about which the cylinder (14) rotates.

In use, when the cylinder (26) is rotated by the crank (30) so that the cylinder grooves (52) are facing the roof (16) of the hopper (12), the hopper's contents are funnelled by the internal side walls (20) through the aperture (24) and the cylinder grooves (52) into the cylinder (26). Similarly when the cylinder (26) is rotated by the crank (30) so that the cylinder grooves (52) are faced towards the trough (14), the contents of the cylinder (14) are emptied through the egress provided by the flanges (44). The material is then deflected into the feeding trough in the direction determined by the position of the deflector plate (48).

In figure 5, the deflector plate (48) has been set to point to the right via the deflection crank (50). The cylinder (26) is been filled and emptied as described above. The cylinder's (26) contents are deflected through the egress between the flanges (44), to the left, in accordance with the orientation of the deflection plate (48).

Figure 6 depicts a similar scenario, wherein the deflector plate (48) has been set to point to the left via the deflection crank (50). The cylinder (26) is been filled and emptied as described above. The cylinder's (26) contents are deflected through the egress between the extensions (44), to the right, in

accordance with the orientation of the deflection plate (48).

Each rotation of the cylinder thus dispenses a series of measured portions of feed, (one portion per slot (52) ), into whichever side of the trough is selected by the operator. Animals typically line up along each side (18) of the feed dispenser, and so by setting the number of slots to correspond with the number of animals fitting against the side of the feed dispenser, the operator can be assured that each animal is receiving approximately a measured amount of feed.

It should be recognised that the scope of the invention is not limited to the present embodiment but can also be extended to the case of a unitary cylinder system wherein the feed in the dispensing cylinder is channelled via fixed deflector plates in a given direction according to the direction of rotation of the cylinder. Thus, if the cylinder is rotated anticlockwise, corresponding to Figure 5, feed is dispensed to the left and if the cylinder is rotated clockwise, Figure 6, feed is dispensed to the right.

Similarly the scope of the invention may be extended to a deflector plate entrained to the dispensing cylinder, wherein rotation of the dispensing cylinder also serves to alter the orientation of the orientation of the deflection plate.

It should also be seen that the general shape and configuration of the feed dispenser can be adapted according to its conditions of use. For example, where it is envisaged for use on very hilly terrain, then partitions can be incorporated within the dispensing cylinder between the slots 52. This should stop feed dropping from one end of the cylinder to the other under the force of gravity. Similarly, the dispensing cylinder need not have a strictly circular crosssection, only that it should be capable of drawing feed from the hopper and being rotated to dispense feed towards the trough while closing off the hopper.

Claims

Claims : 1. A feed dispensing device comprising : a) a hopper having a first aperture for receiving feed and a second aperture through which feed is, in use, dispensed to b) a feeding trough disposed below said hopper and extending in opposite directions away from said second aperture, c) a feed dispensing component disposed within said second aperture and adapted to move from a first state in which said feed dispensing component receives feed from said hopper to a second state in which said feed dispensing component substantially closes said second aperture and dispenses a pre-determined amount of feed towards said trough, and d) deflector means operative to direct dispensed feed towards a selected side of said trough.
2. A feed dispensing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said feed dispensing component is divided into a number of compartments, and in said second state feed held in each compartment is dispensed at spaced points along the selected side of said trough for consumption by respective animals.
3. A feed dispensing device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the device is arranged to be mounted on a trailer having a front end arranged to connect to a towing vehicle and wherein said second aperture is arranged to run from the front end to a rear end of the trailer.
4. A feed dispensing device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sides of said trailer are divided into a plurality of openings each adapted to enable an animal to feed from said trough.
5. A feed dispensing'device as claimed in claim 4 wherein each of said compartments is arranged in register with a respective opening in the side of said

trailer.
6. A feed dispensing device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.