GB2608370A

GB2608370A - Pig feeder

Info

Publication number: GB2608370A
Application number: GB2109267.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harvey John
Original assignee: John Harvey Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: John Harvey Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-28
Filing date: 2021-06-28
Publication date: 2023-01-04
Also published as: GB202109267D0

Abstract

A modular pig feeder having a first assembled state, comprising a plurality of modular panels, the modular panels comprising a trough panel 12 with an elongate trough 36 for receiving feed, and a feed delivery panel 14 for delivering feed with a plurality of dividers 22 spaced apart to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions, the modular panels providing a contained hopper space above the trough panel to receive pig feed, wherein the panels are removably attached to each other, e.g. using bolts, such that the modular pig feeder can be disassembled from its first assembled state into a second disassembled state and assembled from its disassembled state into its first assembled state by action of the removable attachment. There may be end plates 16 18. In one embodiment there may be a second feed delivery panel located on the opposite side to the first, also with dividers, to create a double-sided feeder. The panels may be shaped such that similar panels stack together when disassembled. The panels may be flat or curved, e.g. semi circular, to create a circular shaped feeder (Fig 6).

Description

Pig Feeder

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular pig feeder and a method of adapting the same.

Background and Prior Art

In the pig farming industry devices are known that provide feed and drinking water to pigs.

This enables the control of the amount and quality of the feed and water, which results in improved health and development of the farmed pigs.

There are devices that provide feed, known as pig feeders, devices that provide drinking water, known as pig drinkers, and devices that provide both feed and water, known as pig feeder/drinkers.

A known design of pig feeder is to provide a trough into which feed is deposited. Such troughs may be elongate for feeding a plurality of pigs simultaneously. Such elongate troughs may also comprise dividers so that each pig can feed from their own section of the trough without needing to compete with another pig. The width of such dividers is often tailored to the size of the pig, so that troughs with more closely spaced dividers are employed when the pigs are young and more widely spaced as they develop and become larger.

Feeder troughs may be single sided, where the pigs can access the trough from only one side, or they may be double sided, allowing pigs to feed from both sides of the trough.

Such troughs generally comprise a hopper to facilitate the deposition of feed into them.

Improvements in this area would be desirable.

Brief Description of the Invention

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a modular pig feeder having a first assembled state, comprising a plurality of modular panels, the modular panels comprising a trough panel, the trough panel comprising an elongate trough for receiving and making available feed for pigs, and a feed delivery panel for delivering feed to pigs, the feed delivery panel comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions along a first side of the trough, such that a pig positioned at each feeding position can access feed from the elongate trough, the modular panels providing a contained hopper space above the trough panel to receive pig feed, wherein the panels are removably attached to each other by removable attachment means such that the modular pig feeder can be disassembled from its first assembled state into a second disassembled state and assembled from its disassembled state into its first assembled state by action of the removable attachment means.

Thus the feeder is in modular form and can be assembled from panels of assembly. As it is in modular form, the panels can be made in advance of being required and are conveniently storable prior to the assembly of the modular feeder. Additionally, variants in the size and dimensions of the panels can be manufactured in advance and conveniently stored. When a pig feeder of a particular specification is desired, such a feeder may be simply assembled from the judicious selection of the panels required form the pre-manufactured supply of stored panels.

Thus, the removable attachment means provide a non-destructive and reversible attachment function, such as screws or luce pins. This allows the modular pig feeder to be freely converted between its first assembled state and second disassembled state and vice versa.

Additionally, if the requirements of a feeder change with time, e.g. increased capacity or to change the size of pig feeding positions to suit a different size of pig, then the feeder can be disassembled, panels exchanged as desired, and reassembled without needing to replace the entire feeder.

The contained hopper space is an enclosed volume supported by surrounding panels, which holds and received pig feed for delivery to the trough panel by gravity. Optionally, the pig feeder may comprise a lid to cover the hopper space to prevent the entry of undesirable material.

The trough panel may also comprise a choke, so as to control the flow of pig feed from the hopper space to the trough. This is typically simply a moveable constriction, e.g. a sliding panel.

In one embodiment, the modular pig feeder comprises a first end panel and/or a second end panel, the end panels enclosing the ends of the trough to provide the contained hopper space in combination with the feed delivery panel and/or the trough panel. In a preferred embodiment the trough panel is a straight trough, with the end panels facing each other. The end panels may be made from flat panels or can be curved, as discussed below.

When the modular pig feeder is intended to delivery feed from one side of the trough only, the trough panel preferably comprises an upstanding rear panel. This provides for the contained hopper space above the trough together with the feed delivery panel and optional end panels.

When the modular pig feeder is intended to deliver feed from both sides of the trough, the modular pig feeder preferably comprises a second feed delivery panel, comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough, to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions along a second side of the trough.

Preferably the trough panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar trough panels may be stacked together for storage. Self-complimentarity means that multiple panels may be stacked together efficiently to produce a stack that increases in height only by the thickness of the panel being added to the stack, by virtue of the panels fitting together neatly. This is due to the fact that the outer profile is essentially the same on the two outer faces of the panel. Preferably the first end panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar first end panels may be stacked together for storage. Preferably the second end panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar second end panels may be stacked together for storage.

Preferably the feed delivery panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar trough panels may be stacked together for storage, when the dividers are removed from the panel.

In a preferred embodiment the pig feeder is rectangular in shape the trough panel and/or feed delivery panel when the dividers are not present, are made from a substantially rectangular planar panel that has been folded to form each panel.

Although the pig feeder may be rectangular in nature with end panels facing each other, it may alternatively be curved or comprise curved regions, wherein at least one feed delivery panel is curved, e.g. semi-circular, so as to present a curved outer region providing the plurality of pig feeding positions along a first side of the trough. Additionally, the pig feeder may comprise at least one curved trough panel.

For example, the modular pig feeder may comprise a circular trough panel, which may e.g. be made from one circular or two semi-circular trough panels, and two semi-circular feed delivery panels. In this arrangement the area within the circle provides the contained hopper space above the trough panel.

It will be noted that when curved, there may be no need for first and second end panels, as the trough panel and feed delivery panel may curve around and connect to each other to provide the pig feeder with the contained hopper space above the trough.

In another example, the modular pig feeder may comprise a mix of both rectangular and curved trough panels and feed delivery panels. For example, two rectangular trough panels may be connected at their respective ends by semi-circular trough panels, providing a racetrack shape. Corresponding straight and curved feed delivery panels can then be employed. The enclosed space between the feed delivery panels then provides the contained hopper space above the trough panel.

As the modular pig feeder can be expanded as desired, it may comprise an additional feed delivery panel comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough removably attached. Additionally or alternatively, an additional trough panel may be provided, removably attached to provide an extended length of trough.

Preferably pig feed is contained within the elongate trough so that pigs can access the feed via the feeding positions.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of adapting a modular pig feeder as described herein, wherein the pig feeder is disassembled into its second disassembled state, a panel is replaced and/or one or more panels are added or removed followed by assembling the modular feeder into an assembled state.

The invention will now be illustrated, by way of example, and with reference to the following figures, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first modular pig feeder according to the present invention in its first assembled state.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the modular pig feeder shown in figure 1 in its second disassembled state.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view through the modular pig feeder shown in figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second modular pig feeder according to the present invention in a first assembled state.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a third modular pig feeder according to the present invention in a first assembled state.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a fourth modular pig feeder according to the present invention in a first assembled state.

is Turning to the figures, figure 1 shows a modular pig feeder 10 according to the present invention, in its first assembled state, comprising a trough panel 12, a feed delivery panel 14, first end panel 16 and second end panel 18. The panels are removably attached to each other by screws 20 acting as removable attachment means, such that the modular pig feeder 10 can be disassembled from its first assembled state into a second disassembled state as shown in figure 2. Together, the panels provide a contained hopper space 25 above the trough panel 12 to receive pig feed. An optional lid can be placed over the contained hopper space 25 to prevent the ingress of undesirable material.

The feed delivery panel 14 comprises a plurality of dividers 22 spaced apart along the length of the trough 12 to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions 24 along a first side of the trough, such that a pig positioned at each feeding position 24 can access feed from the elongate trough 12. The feed delivery panel 14 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, that has been bent into shape to form a lower vertical portion 26, a sloping mid section 28, a vertical upper portion 30 and a top lip 32. The dividers 22 are manufactured separately and are bolted into position on the lower vertical portion 26 and sloping mid section 28. For storage a plurality of feed delivery panels may be stacked prior to the addition of the dividers 22, as it has a self-complimentary shape, i.e. its profile on both faces is essentially the same, as most clearly seen from figure 3.

Trough panel 12 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, which has been bent into shape to form a front sloping trough wall 34, a horizontal trough base 36, a rear sloping trough wall 38, an upstanding rear panel 40 and a top lip 42.

The upstanding rear panel 40 can be attached to a wall of a building, for example, by conventional mountings.

First end panel 16 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, and comprise three positioning lips 17. Similarly, second end panel 18 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, and comprises three positioning lips 19.

The modular pig feeder 10 can be pre-assembled into its four panels i.e. the trough panel 12, the feed delivery panel 14, first end panel 16 and second end panel 18. When it is desired to assemble the pig feeder the panels can be attached together by action of the screws 20. The trough panel 12 and feed delivery panel 14 is screwed to the positioning lips 17, 19 to provide the arrangement shown in figure 1.

If desired, the pig feeder may be disassembled into its second disassembled state, as shown in figure 2, a panel may be replaced and/or one or more panels are added followed by assembling the modular feeder into an assembled state. For example, a replacement feed delivery panel may replace the previous feed delivery panel, or the modular feeder may be expanded by additional trough panels and feed delivery panels.

In use, pig feed is deposited from above so that it is funnelled along onto sloping mid section 28 and onto trough base 36 so that it can be accessed by a pig present in a feeding position.

Figure 4 shows a second modular pig feeder 100 according to the present invention in its first assembled state, comprising a trough panel 112, a feed delivery panel 114, first end panel 116 and second end panel (not shown). The panels are removably attached to each other by screws 120 acting as removable attachment means. Together, the panels provide a contained hopper space 125 above the trough panel 112 to receive pig feed. An optional lid can be placed over the contained hopper space 125 to prevent the ingress of undesirable material.

The trough panel 112 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, which has been bent into shape to form a pair of front sloping trough walls 134, two horizontal trough bases 136, and two rear sloping trough wall 138. Thus two troughs are provided so that pigs may feed from the feeder from both sides of the feeder 100. In addition, an additional trough panel 113 is removably attached thereto, in order to provide greater feeding capacity to the feeder 100.

First end panel 116 consists of a generally rectangular panel, which may be made from metal or plastic, and comprise three positioning lips 117. A similar second end panel is provided but is not shown for ease of illustration.

It will be noted that the modular pig feeder 100 is ready to have installed additional feed delivery panels, which are not shown for ease of illustration.

If desired, the pig feeder may be disassembled into its second disassembled state, a panel may be replaced and/or one or more panels are added followed by assembling the modular feeder into an assembled state. For example, a replacement feed delivery panel may replace the previous feed delivery panel, or the modular feeder may be expanded by additional trough panels and feed delivery panels or may be contracted by removal of panels.

Figure 5 shows a third modular pig feeder 200 according to the present invention in its first assembled state, comprising an elongate trough panel 212, a feed delivery panel 214 and first end panel 216. The panels are removably attached to each other by screws 220 acting as removable attachment means. Together, the panels provide a contained hopper space 225 above the trough panel 212 to receive pig feed. An optional lid can be placed over the contained hopper space 225 to prevent the ingress of undesirable material.

The pig feeder 200 also comprises an additional trough panel 212a and a second additional trough panel 212b that is semi-circular so as to present a curved outer region providing the plurality of pig feeding positions 224.

The pig feeder 200 also comprises an additional feed delivery panel 214a, a second additional feed delivery panel 214b, and a third additional feed delivery panel 214c that is semi-circular. Third additional feed delivery panel 214c presents a curved outer region providing a plurality of pig feeding positions 224. Thus, a second end panel is not required due to the curved third additional feed delivery panel 214c providing the function of enclosing the hopper space for receiving pig feed.

Figure 6 shows a fourth modular pig feeder 300 according to the present invention in its first assembled state, comprising an elongate trough panel 312 and a feed delivery panel 314.

Together, the panels provide a contained hopper space 325 above the trough panel 312 to receive pig feed. An optional lid can be placed over the contained hopper space 325 to prevent the ingress of undesirable material.

The pig feeder 300 also comprises an additional trough panel 312a. The trough panels 312, 312a each comprise an upstanding rear panel 340, 340a. For storage when disassembled a plurality of trough panels 312, 312a may be stacked, as it has a self-complimentary shape, i.e. its profile on both faces is essentially the same.

The pig feeder 300 also comprises an additional feed delivery panel 314a. The feed delivery panels 314, 314a comprise a plurality of dividers 322 spaced apart along the length of the trough 312 to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions 324 along a first side of the trough, such that a pig positioned at each feeding position 324 can access feed from the elongate trough 312. The dividers 322 are bolted onto the feed delivery panel 314 and are removable therefrom. For storage when disassembled and when the dividers are removed, a plurality of feed delivery panels 314, 314a may be stacked, as it has a self-complimentary shape, i.e. its profile on both faces is essentially the same.

Together, the curved panels provide a circular perimeter, providing a plurality of pig feeding positions 324. It will be noted that there is no need for end panels in this arrangement.

Claims

Claims 1. A modular pig feeder having a first assembled state, comprising a plurality of modular panels, the modular panels comprising a trough panel, the trough panel comprising an elongate trough for receiving and making available feed for pigs, and a feed delivery panel for delivering feed to pigs, the feed delivery panel comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions along a first side of the trough, such that a pig positioned at each feeding position can access feed from the elongate trough, the modular panels providing a contained hopper space above the trough panel to receive pig feed, wherein the panels are removably attached to each other by removable attachment means such that the modular pig feeder can be disassembled from its first assembled state into a second disassembled state and assembled from its disassembled state into its first assembled state by action of the removable attachment means.
2 A modular pig feeder according to claim 1, which comprises a first end panel and/or a second end panel, the end panels enclosing the ends of the trough to provide containment of feed in the trough.
3. A modular pig feeder according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the trough panel comprises an upstanding rear panel.
4. A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a second feed delivery panel, comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough, to provide a plurality of pig feeding positions along a second side of the trough.
A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the trough panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar trough panels may be stacked together for storage.
6 A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first end panels is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar first end panels may be stacked together for storage.
7 A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the second end panels is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar second end panels may be stacked together for storage.
8 A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the feed delivery panel is self-complimentarily shaped such that a plurality of similar trough panels may be stacked together for storage, when the dividers are removed from the panel.
9 A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second end panels, trough panel and/or feed delivery panel when the dividers are not present, are made from a substantially rectangular planar panel that has been folded to form each panel.
10. A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one feed delivery panel is curved, preferably semi-circular, so as to present a curved outer region providing the plurality of pig feeding positions along a first side of the trough.
11. A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises an additional feed delivery panel comprising a plurality of dividers spaced apart along the length of the trough removably attached.
12. A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises an additional trough panel removably attached to provide an extended length of trough.
13. A modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein pig feed is contained within the elongate trough.
14. A method of adapting a modular pig feeder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pig feeder is disassembled into its second disassembled state, a panel is replaced and/or one or more panels are added or removed followed by assembling the modular feeder into an assembled state.