GB2499315A

GB2499315A - Animal feed system with bypass line

Info

Publication number: GB2499315A
Application number: GB1301595.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Regan; Leo Storey
Original assignee: IRISH DAIRY SERVICES PORTLAOISE Ltd
Current assignee: IRISH DAIRY SERVICES PORTLAOISE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-09
Filing date: 2013-01-30
Publication date: 2013-08-14
Also published as: IE20130025A1; GB201301595D0; IE86336B1

Abstract

An animal feed system 1 has a main feed line 2 and more than one feed station. For each feed station there is a feed doser 3 feeding a down-pipe 4 to deliver a set quantity of fodder. The system also has an auxiliary valve 5 for each feed station. Each auxiliary valve feeds a by-pass pipe 11 which joins the down-pipe at a Y-junction 12. By opening the auxiliary valve while keeping the doser closed a small quantity can be dispensed, for example 100g rather than lkg. This is advantageous for example for encouraging cows to quickly enter stalls in a milking parlour.

Description

-1 -

"An Animal Feed System"

Introduction

5 The invention relates to animal feed systems.

It is known to provide a main pipe for animal fodder and a number of valves which deliver feed from it to individual stalls so that each animal receives a set quantity of fodder.

10 However there is little versatility in the quantities dispensed, and there are times when a smaller quantity is desired. For example, the system might be able to deliver a minimum of 1kg to each station, but only 200g might be required at certain times.

US5351649, DE19905863, and W02010/018180 describe feed systems.

15

The invention is directed towards providing a system which allows both larger and smaller doses in a manner which is simpler, and/or can be easily retro-fitted to existing systems.

Summary of the Invention

20

According to the invention, there is provided an animal feeding system comprising:

a fodder supply conduit;

a plurality of feed stations, each comprising:

a main valve on the supply conduit, arranged to divert a quantity of fodder; and 25 a secondary valve on the supply conduit and arranged to deliver a smaller quantity of fodder in a conduit by-passing the main valve.

In one embodiment, the secondary valves are each arranged to deliver fodder in a path which is parallel to the associated main valve.

30

In one embodiment, each secondary valve is arranged to feed into a conduit which by-passes the associated main valve and into a common conduit also fed by the main valve.

Preferably, the secondary valves are operated by a common control mechanism.

-2-

In one embodiment, said mechanism comprises a cable linked with a pivoting control arm on each secondary valve.

5 In one embodiment, at least some secondary valves comprise a disc which is rotatable to open and close.

Preferably, at least some secondary valves comprise a body having a shape to form a T junction in the supply conduit. In one embodiment, the body is generally funnel shaped.

10

In one embodiment, the system further comprises a control system adapted to simultaneously close a main valve and open a secondary valve.

In another aspect, the invention provides a milking parlour system comprising a plurality of 15 milking stalls and a feed system as defined above in any embodiment having a feed station at each of a plurality of said stalls.

Detailed Description of the Invention

20 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figs. 1 and 2 are front views of a part of a feed system for two stations,

25

Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a small-doses valve of the system; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are partly cut away perspective views showing the small-doses valve in use.

30 Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 an animal feed system 1 comprises a main feed line 2 through which fodder in granular form is pushed by an auger. For each feed station there is a feed doser 3 feeding a down-pipe 4 to deliver a set quantity of fodder, in this case 1kg. This quantity can be varied from 1kg upwards. Each feed doser 3 comprises a slide 3(a) in the top left corner as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. This slides from front to back to allow feed to drop. The feed doser 3 is

-3-

of the volumetric type, with a conical bung in the lower end at the discharge opening. The feed doser 3 is not of itself part of the invention, and an example of it is described in ES2025446 (Tigsa).

5 The system 1 also comprises an auxiliary valve 5 for each feed station. Each auxiliary valve 5 has a control arm 6 connected to a control cable 7 trained through a bracket 8, and terminating in a handle 9. Each valve 5 feeds a by-pass pipe 11 which joins the down-pipe 4 at a Y-junction 12 with a vertical section 13 in-line with the down-pipe 4.

10 Referring particularly to Figs. 3 to 6 each valve 5 comprises a generally funnel-shaped body 20, semi-circular seals 21 for joining to the main pipe 2, a flange 23 for joining with a top part (not shown), and an outlet 24. There is a valve disc 25 in the outlet 24, and this is fast on the control arm 6.

15 Fig. 5 shows the closed position with the disc 25 horizontal, and Fig. 6 shows the open position with the disc 25 tilted through about 45°. The disc 25 may be alternatively connected to the arm 6 at one side so that tilting is in one direction only. For example, it may be arranged to tilt up to open and fall back to a default closed position resting against a stop.

20 Each auxiliary valve 5 allows a small quantity of fodder to be dispensed independently of the associated doser 2, and the amounts may be as small as lOOg for example. A control system achieves this by ensuring that the doser 3 is closed while the valve 5 is operated to dispense a small quantity.

25 It will be appreciated that this provides excellent versatility for animal feeding. Also, the auxiliary valves may be retro-fitted to an existing system with little difficulty. Also, the system is considerably less complex than prior art systems devised to provide small doses. It may advantageously be used, for example, for encouraging cows to enter their stalls in the milking parlour - at the cost of only a small amount of fodder when feeding in the stalls is not otherwise 30 required. In this case there would be one feed station per stall.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described but may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the auxiliary valves may be controlled by any other suitable control mechanism such as a rigid rod or spindle, or by solenoid, or by a pneumatic actuator.

35

Claims

An animal feeding system comprising:

a fodder supply conduit;

a plurality of feed stations, each feed station comprising:

a main valve on the supply conduit, arranged to divert a quantity of fodder; and a secondary valve on the supply conduit and arranged to deliver a smaller quantity of fodder in a conduit by-passing the main valve.

An animal feeding system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the secondary valves are each arranged to deliver fodder in a path which is parallel to the associated main valve.

An animal feeding system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each secondary valve is arranged to feed into a conduit which by-passes the associated main valve and into a common conduit also fed by the main valve.

An animal feeding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the secondary valves are operated by a common control mechanism.

An animal feeding system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mechanism comprises a cable linked with a pivoting control arm on each secondary valve.

An animal feeding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least some secondary valves comprise a disc which is rotatable to open and close.

An animal feeding system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least some secondary valves comprise a body having a shape to form a T junction in the supply conduit.

An animal feeding system as claimed in claim 7, wherein this body is generally funnel shaped.

An animal feeding system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a control system adapted to simultaneously close a main valve and open a secondary valve.

-5-

10. A milking parlour system comprising a plurality of milking stalls and a feed system as claimed in any preceding claim having a feed station at each of a plurality of said stalls.

5

•.'????.• INTELLECTUAL

*.*. .V PROPERTY OFFICE

6

Application No: GB1301595.3 Examiner: Mrs Nicola Payne

Claims searched: 1-10 Date of search: 30 May 2013

Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17

Documents considered to be relevant:

Category

Relevant to claims

Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance

X

1 at least

GB2259652 A

(DANMOUNT) See especially figure 6 and page 9 line 8 to page 10 line 16

A

"

EP2502489A

(SCHAUER) See especially figure and EPODOC abstract

A

"

SU865239 A1

(NONBLACK) See especially figure and WPI abstract Accession No. 1982-J4224E

A

FR2540337 A1

(DUPONT) See especially figures and WPI abstract Accession No. 1984-226898

Categories:

X

Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive

A

Document indicating technological background and/or state

step

of the art.

Y

Document indicating lack of inventive step if

P

Document published on or after the declared priority date but

combined with one or more other documents of

before the filing date of this invention.

same category.

&

Member of the same patent family

E

Patent document published on or after, but with priority date

earlier than, the filing date of this application.

Field of Search:

Search of GB, EP, WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKC :

International Classification:

Subclass

Subgroup

Valid From

A01K

0005/02

01/01/2006

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk