IE55052B1

IE55052B1 - Apparatus for mixing and dispensing material

Info

Publication number: IE55052B1
Application number: IE983/83A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Keenan Richard; Keenan Richard Michael Jr; Keenan Gerard John; Keenan Thomas Anthony; Keenan Noel Patrick; Smyth Bernadette Mary; Maher Valerie Marian
Priority date: 1983-04-29
Filing date: 1983-04-29
Publication date: 1990-05-09
Also published as: BE899533A; IE830983L; GB8410544D0; GB2139911B; IE55053B1; GB2139911A

Abstract

The apparatus (1) which is particularly for mixing and dispensing animal feed and for trailing behind an agricultural tractor comprises a container (2) mounted on a chassis framework (3, Fig. 1) with ground engaging wheels (4, Fig. 1). The container (2) has a mixing compartment (9) and a dispensing compartment (10). A mixing rotor (45) mixes the animal feed in the mixing compartment (9), and the feed is discharged through a dispensing outlet (55) in the dispensing compartment (10) by an auger (57). A closure member (26) which is provided between the compartments (9) and (10) can be lowered to isolate them from each other when mixing the animal feed (Fig. 5), or raised to allow discharge of the mixed feed (shown here). The closure member (26) is moved by an hydraulic ram (29, Fig. 6). Helical blades or augers may also be used as the mixing means (45). <IMAGE> [GB2139911A]

Description

- 2 - - 2 - S5052 The present invention relates to apparatus for mixing and dispensing material, and in particular, for trailing behind an agricultural tractor for mixing and dispensing animal feed.

Such animal feed mixers and dispensers are known, one such apparatus comprises a large elongated container in which a pair of parallel augers are mounted in the container. One auger, usually the larger of the two conveys the animal feed from one end of the container 10 to the other while at the same time mixing the material, the other auger conveys the material in the reverse direction. The principle behind the operation of such apparatus is that the larger auger of the two in conveying the material also causes it to be mixed. It 15 has been found, however, that such apparatus does not fully mix the materials. In fact, in general, it has been found that the first batch dispensed tends to be virtually unmixed. A further and very important disadvantage of this type of apparatus is that a relatively high power requirement is necessary to drive 20 the augers. Furthermore, it has been found that because of the high power used, washing out of the fines occurs. In other words, the high food value fines in the feed, for example, the juice of - 3 - - 3 -ssosa soya bean is squeezed out of the feed and leaks from the mixer and accordingly is lost.

There is therefore a need for apparatus to overcome this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such apparatus.

According to the invention, there is provided apparatus for mixing and dispensing material comprising an elongated container having a mixing compartment and a dispensing 10 compartment, a mixing means being provided in the mixing compartment and a dispensing means being provided in the dispensing compartment to dispense the material through a dispensing outlet in the dispensing compartment, the mixing and dispensing compartments extending parallel to 15 each other longitudinally of the container and communicating with each other over the length of the container, a closure plate member being provided between the two compartments to isolate one compartment from the other, the closure plate member being vertically movable 20 from a raised open position with the compartments communicating to a closed lowered position with the compartments isolated. - 4 - - 4 -55052 Advantageously, the mixing compartment is partly cylindrical.

Preferably, the mixing compartment comprises a pair of spaced-apart side walls terminating in a lower 5 substantially semi-cylindrical base portion and a pair of end walls at each end extending between the side walls and the lower base portion, the side walls and end walls defining a material inlet.

Typically, the dispensing compartment extends sidewardly 10 from the mixing compartment intermediate the base portion and one of the side walls, the end walls of the mixing compartment extending to form the end walls of the dispensing compartment.

Advantageously, the cylindrical portion is joined to the 15 side wall by a substantially flat plate member extending the length of the dispensing compartment and to the base portion by a substantially flat plate member extending substantially the length of the dispensing compartment. - 5 - - 5 - 55052 Advantageously, the closure member is a plate member mounted within the mixing compartment adjacent to and substantially parallel to a side wall.

Preferably, the closure member is slidable in tracks on 5 the end wall and is movable by a hydraulic ram through a cranked linkage.

Preferably, the mixing means is a rotor coaxial with the cylindrical portion of the container, and advantageously the rotor comprises a rotor shaft rotatable in the end 10 walls having a plurality of radial arms extending radially from the rotor shaft and terminating in elongated blades extending longitudinally of the mixing compartment, advantageously, alternate blades are provided with flexible strips of plastics material.

In another embodiment of the invention the dispensing means is an auger coaxial with the cylindrical portion of the dispensing compartment and rotatable in the end walls.

Preferably, the auger flights terminate just before the 20 dispensing outlet, and the pitch of the flight of the auger reduces just before the outlet. Advantageously, radial spikes are provided from the auger shaft at the dispensing outlet for dispensing material, and - 6 - - 6 - SS«S2 preferably, the spikes are provided on a helical path along the shaft.

Preferably the dispensing outlet is closed by a door.

In a further embodiment of the invention the auger and 5 mixing rotor are driven through a sprocket chain drive.

Advantageously, the container is mounted on a chassis framework with ground engaging wheels and the framework is adapted for mounting to a tractor, preferably the container is mounted on the framework through load 10 cells for weighing the container.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 15 Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of apparatus according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 1 of the apparatus with portions of the apparatus in a different position, 20 Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus 7 - 55052 of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a perspective view of portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1, 5 Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4 of the apparatus of Fig. 1, with part of the apparatus in a different position, Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, 10 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of details of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 8 is a side view of portion of the details of Fig. 7, Fig. 9 is a partly cut-away view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, 15 Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 11 is a side view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of a further detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of portion of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. - 8 - - 8 - 55053 Referring to the drawings there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for mixing and dispensing animal feed. The apparatus 1 comprises a container 2 5 mounted on a chassis framework 3 with ground engaging wheels 4. A hitch 5 on the framework 3 connects the apparatus 1 to a tractor 6 shown in outline in Fig. 3.

The container 2 is constructed of metal plate and comprises two compartments namely, a mixing compartment 9 and a 10 dispensing compartment 10, see Figs. 4 and 5. The mixing compartment 9 comprises a pair of side walls 11 and 12 and end walls 14 and 15. The side walls 11 and 12 terminate in a cylindrical base portion 17 which is substant ially formed by a semi-cylindrical base 18. The top 15 defined by the end and side walls is open for receiving animal feed. The dispensing compartment 10 extends sidewardly of the mixing compartment 9 and is mounted between the side wall 11 and the cylindrical base 18.

The dispensing compartment 10 comprises a partly 20 cylindrical wall 20 joined at its lower end to the cylindrical base 18 by a plate .21 with a .step 23. The top of the cylindrical portion 20 is joined to the side wall 11 by a substantially flat plate member 22 bent at 24. The end walls 14 and 15 extend to close the ends 25 of the dispensing compartment ΙΟ* - 9 - 9 5 5052 The mixing compartment 9 and the dispensing compartment 10 communicate with each other through the elongated opening 25. A closure member 25, in this case, provided by a metal plate, closes the opening 25 to permit animal feed to be mixed in the mixing compartment 9 independently of the dispensing compartment 10. The closure member 26 as can be seen is substantially parallel to the side wall 11 and runs in tracks formed by angle brackets 27 welded to the end walls 14 and 15.

The closure member 26 is movable from the open position illustrated in Fig. 4 to the closed position illustrated in Fig. 5 by a hydraulic ram 29 mounted on a subframework 31. The subframework 31 comprises a pair of longitudinal struts 28 and 30, extending between the end walls 14 and 15, see Figs. 6 to 8. The strut 28 is of box section steel, and is welded to the plate member 22. The strut 30 is of angle section and is welded to the side wall 11. Two vertical struts 37 extend between the struts 28 and 30, and are secured by screws 32 to brackets 33 which are in turn welded to the struts 28 and 30. The ram 29 is pivotally mounted by a pivot bracket 34 to the strut 28. A pair of cranked members 35 and 36 operatively connects the ram 29 to the closure member 26. Each of the cranked members are pivotal at their cranked portions on pivot pins 38 extending between the struts 37 and side wall 11. A pivot pin 39 - 10 - - 10 - 55052 connects the ram 29 to one end of the cranked member 35 and a linkage arm 40 connects the two cranked members 35 and 36 together. The linkage arm 40 engages the pivot pins 39 on both cranked members. Link 5 members 41 pivotally extending from the other ends of the cranked members 35 and 36 on pivot pins 42, pivotally engage the bottom of the closure member 26 by pivot pins 43. Openings 44 in the plate member 22 accommodate the link members 41 , see Fig. 6.

As the ram 29 is extended, the linkage arm 40 moves in the direction of the arrow A, thereby pivoting the cranked members 35 and 36 in the direction of the arrow B, and closing the closure member 26. To raise the closure member 26, the ram 29 is retracted.

A mixing means in this case, a mixing rotor 45, is mounted in the mixing compartment 9 to mix the animal feed therein. In this case, the rotor 45 comprises a shaft 46 rotatable in bearings 48 mounted in the end walls 14 and 15. Four mixing blades 49 formed by 20 angle iron are connected to the rotor shaft by pairs of radial arms 50. As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5 the blades sweep through a circular arc just less than the radius of the cylindrical base 18. Flexible wipers to wipe against the cylindrical base 18 are provided by 25 strips of plastics material 51 and extend radially 55053 - η - outwardly from each alternate mixing blade 49. The mixing rotor 45 is driven at approximately 10 revs.per min. through a sprocket 52 and chain 53 as will be described below.

A means for dispensing the animal feed through a dispensing outlet 55 in the dispensing compartment 10 is provided in this case by an auger 57. The auger shaft 58 is rotatable in bearings 59 in the end walls 14 and 15. The auger flight 61 terminates just before the outlet 55 and as can be seen in Fig. 9 the pitch of the auger flight at 60 adjacent the dispensing outlet 55 is less than the pitch upstream of the auger. This, it has been found, improves dispensing of the material through the outlet 55. Radial dispensing spikes 63 extend from the auger shaft 58 at the outlet 55. The spikes extend from the auger shaft 58 on a helical path.

The helix is of reverse hand to that of the auger flight. In fact, it has been found that dispensing of the material through the outlet 55 can be improved if the pitch of the helix of the first few spikes 63 adjacent the auger 60 is of a pitch substantially similar to the reduced pitch of the auger. The pitch of the helix of the downstream spikes is slightly greater than the pitch of the upstream spikes. Further, the trailing portion of the tips of the spikes are relieved by radiusing the tips at 66. This can be seen in Fig. 7. - 12 - - 12 - 550 5 2 The auger shaft 58 is driven.at approximately 90 revs, per min. by a sprocket 67 and chain 68 from a sprocket 69 driven by.a stub shaft 70 adapted for connection to the power take-off shaft of the tractor 6. A rein-5 forcing member 75 is provided on the front end wall 14 to support the shafts 46 and 58 of the mixing rotor and auger. The reinforcing member 75 is of channel section and secured to channel members 77 and a channel bracket 78 which are welded to the front wall 14. Flanged 10 bearings 79 and 80 are mounted on the reinforcing members 75 to support the rotor shaft 46 and auger shaft 58 respectively. A second sprocket 82 is mounted fast on the auger shaft 58 and drives the sprocket 52 through the chain 53 with a ratio of 9:1. A tension-15 ing sprocket 84 is provided to tension the chain 68.

As can be seen in Figs. 10 and 11 the sprocket 52 which drives the mixing rotor 45 is formed of plate metal 87 with portions 88 removed to reduce the weight. Blocks 89 with chain engaging teeth 90 are provided spaced-apart 20 around the periphery of the plate 87. This, it will be appreciated, considerably reduces the cost of the sprocket 52.

The sprocket 69 and stub shaft 70 are mounted in bearing blocks 94 which are mounted in a bracket member 95 25 welded to the front end wall 14. - 13 - - 13 - 55052 A door 97 closes the dispensing outlet 55 and is operatively connected to the ram 29 fay a chain 99. As can be seen in Fig. 8 the chain 99 is connected to a steel rope 100 which in turn is anchored to the linkage arm 39 at 96. The rope 100 passes around a pulley 93 on the strut 28. Thus, when the closure member is raised to the open position as illustrated in Fig. 4 the door 97 is opened for dispensing animal feed. A chute provided by a plate 105 is hinged at the lower edge of the outlet 55 by hinges 106 connected to the cylindrical portion 20 of the dispensing compartment 10. Chains 108 connected to the chute 105 are releasably connected to hook members 109 on the door 97. Accordingly, on opening of the door 97, the chute is raised to the position illustrated in Fig. 7 for dispensing animal feed.

Four load cells 115 mounted on the chassis framework 3 support the container 2. Thus, the quantity of feed in the container may be weighed. This has particular advantage where the animal feed is a mixture of a number of constituents. Each constituent may be weighed as it is being delivered into the mixing compartment 9. An electronic digital display 117 is provided on an electronic control box 118 mounted on a bracket 119 which is pivotally mounted on a pivot bracket 120 on the front end wall 14. Electric cables (not shown) - 14 - - 14 - 55058 are provided to deliver power to the control box 118 from the tractor generator (not shown). A cable (also not shown) connects the control box 118 to the load cells 115.

A platform 125 extends across the rear end wall 15 to 5 permit an operator to inspect the.interior of the container 2. The platform 125 is constructed from box section steel and also acts as a reinforcing member to reinforce the end wall 15. Brackets 126 and 127 are provided to secure the platform 125 to the end wall 15.

Handrails 128 and foot rungs 129 are also provided on the rear end wall to facilitate access to the platform 125.

A reinforcing strut 133 substantially similar to the strut 28 extends between the front and rear end walls 14 15 and 15 adjacent the side wall 12 to reinforce the side walls 12 where it meets the cylindrical base portion 17.

A pair of covers 130 are hingedly connected by hinges 131 to the front end wall 14 to cover the drive sprockets.

An opening 132 is provided at the lower end of one of the 20 covers 130 so that the drive shaft from the PTO Of the tractor may be connected to the stub shaft 70. A cover 135 is hinged to the strut 30 to cover the ram 29 and linkage assembly. - 15 - - 15 - 55052 In use, the apparatus 1 is hitched by the hitch 5 to the tractor 6. The PTO shaft of the tractor is connected to the stub shaft 70. The cable 121 is connected to the tractor electrics. With the closure member 26 in the closed position as illustrated in Fig. 5 the animal feed is delivered into the mixing compartment 9 of the container 2. Where the feed comprises a number of constituents to be mixed together by weight ratio, the various constituents of the mix are delivered into the mixing compartment 9 separately and the weight of each constituent added may be read off on the digital display 117. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that in this way accurate measuring of the constituents of the feed mix may be achieved. While the constituents are being added they are mixed by the mixing rotor 45 rotating. When all constituents have been adequately mixed, the closure member 26 is raised into a position illustrated in Fig. 4 thus permitting feed into the dispensing compartment 10. The door 97 of the dispensing outlet 55 is simultaneously opened. The mixing rotor 45 rotates in the direction of the arrow C of Fig. 6 and accordingly, it can be seen that the blades as they move upwardly in the direction of the arrow C from the base portion 18 deliver the feed into the dispensing compartment 10. The auger rotating in the direction of the arrow 0, see Fig. 6 delivers the feed through the dispensing compartment and out to the dispensing outlet - 16 - - 16 - 5 5 0 5 3 55. The dispensing spike 63 provide a more even distribution of dispensing to the outlet 55. The apparatus is then driven to a trough, or a desired position of field to dispense animal feed.

Fig. 13 is a top perspective view of the container portion 2 of apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention. The apparatus according to this embodiment is substantially similar to that described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12, and similar components 10 are identified by the same reference numerals. For convenience, only the container portion 2 is illustrated. Needless to say, it will be appreciated that the container is mounted on a chassis framework similar to that of the earlier embodiment of the invention. The 15 main difference between this embodiment of the invention and that just described, is in the mixing rotor 45. In this case, the mixing rotor 45 comprises a forward portion 160 and a rearward portion 161, The forward portion 160 comprises a pair of mixing blades 49 connected to the 20 shaft 46 by radial arms 50. The blades 49 of the forward portion 160 extend over the first half of the container 2.

The rearward portion 161 of the rotor 45 also comprises a pair of blades 49 joined to the shaft 46 by radial arms 50. Again, the blades 49 of the rearward portion 161 25 extend over the rear half of the container. The blades 49 of the rearward portion 161 are disposed at 90 degrees - 17 - - 17 - 550S3 to the blades 49 of the forward portion 160. In the case of all four mixing blades 49, a wiping member 51 extends from the blades 49. It has been found that by using the mixing rotor 45 according to this embodiment of the invention, the power requirement to drive the rotor 45 is reduced.

It will be appreciated that a particular advantage of the invention is the fact that because the dispensing compartment 10 and the mixing compartment 9 may be isolated from each other, feed may be mixed in the mixing compartment 9 without any being discharged through the dispensing compartment 10. In other words, mixing can take place totally independently of dispensing. This is a particular advantage in that it enables all the feed in the mixing compartment 9 to be fully and adequately mixed prior to it being dispensed. This has been a particular problem with other mixing and dispensing apparatus known heretofore. In fact, the feed may be mixed while the apparatus is being trailed prior to or between dispensing stops. Furthermore, because the mixing takes place in the mixing compartment independently of the dispensing compartment, considerably less power is required, since only the mixing rotor acts on the feed. Additionally it has been found that a more even mix of the feed is achieved by avoiding the auger coming in contact with the feed during mixing. It has also been found that the auger may in certain cases disrupt the mixing where it comes in contact with the feed during mixing.

And furthermore, avoiding contact of the auger with the feed during mixing avoids the problems of apparatus known heretofore, where fines are washed out and wasted. - 18 - - 18 - 55052 It will be appreciated that while a particular construction of apparatus has been described with reference to the drawings, many other constructions and shapes could be used without departing from the scope of 5 the invention. For example, it is envisaged that it may not be necessary for the container to be mounted on a chassis framework. It could in certain cases be mounted directly onto an axle or stub-axle assembly having ground engaging wheels. Indeed, in certain cases, the ground 10 engaging wheels could be rotatable on stub axles extending sidewardly from the lower portion of the container.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for the container to be mounted on load cells.

In certain cases it is envisaged that it may be directly 15 mounted onto the chassis framework or other mounting means without the use of load cells at all. Needless to say, in such a case it would not be possible to weigh the quantities of the constituents of the mixture being delivered into the container, unless the apparatus was 20 positioned on a weigh bridge.

It will of course be appreciated that the platform and ladder at the rear end wall could be dispensed with and in many cases this may be preferable. It is envisaged in certain cases that the dispensing compartment could be provided towards the bottom of the lower portion of the mixing compartment.

Of course it will be appreciated that while the closure member has been described as being a plate movable by a hydraulic ram through a linkage mechanism, any other suitable closure member could be used. Similarly, other means of moving it could be used and such means will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In certain cases it is envisaged that the ram may be mounted directly to the closure member, or alternatively two rams may be provided one at each end of the container. Further, a winch mechanism or an electric or servo motor could be used.

It will also be appreciated that while a particular type of mixing rotor has been described for mixing the animal - 20 - - 20 - 55052 feed in the mixing compartment any other suitable types of mixing means could be used. In fact, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the blades could be of helical shape and indeed, in certain cases it is 5 envisaged that the mixing means could be provided by an auger, or indeed, a pair of side by side augers.

It is also envisaged that other means for dispensing the feed through the dispensing compartment may be used. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a 10 dispensing disc mounted on one end of pneumatic or hydraulic ram could be provided to discharge the material through the dispensing compartment, or indeed, any other suitable dispensing arrangement could be used. In certain cases, it is envisaged that the auger 15 may extend the full length of the auger shaft across the dispensing outlet. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in certain cases it is envisaged that the flight of the auger may be of a fixed constant pitch for its entire length or in certain other cases, 20 the pitch may vary along the entire length of the auger It will also be appreciated that the dispensing outlet could be provided at any suitable location in the dispensing compartment. For example, in certain cases it is envisaged that it may be provided at the end of 25 the compartment. For example, the dispensing outlet - 21 - - 21 - 55052 could be provided in either front or rear end walls. Needless to say, if the dispensing outlet were provided in the rear end wall then the auger would be reversed. Indeed, it will be appreciated that if desired the outlet could be provided in the cylindrical portion towards the rear end of the apparatus, and in this case it will be necessary for the auger to be reversed. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the spikes on the auger shaft may not be arranged in a helical path. In other cases where the spikes are in a helical path they may be of the same hand as the auger flight.

It will also be appreciated that while the apparatus has been described as being driven from the PTO shaft of a tractor, this is not necessary, it could be driven by any suitable means, for example, it is envisaged that the mixing rotor and auger could be driven by hydraulic motors powered from the hydraulic system of the tractor, or alternatively powered by a hydraulic pump driven by the PTO shaft. It is also envisaged in certain cases that the speed of rotation of the mixing rotor and auger may be any other speed faster or slower than 10 RPMs and 90 RPMs as already described. Indeed, in certain cases it is envisaged that other ratios between the speeds of the rotor and auger could be used. Further, of course, it will be appreciated that other drive trains could be used instead of sprockets and chains, for example, the drive could be transferred through gears, or gear boxes. Indeed, it is envisaged that other sprockets than those described could be used. For example, in the case of - 22 - - 22 - 55052 the sprocket driving the mixing rotor shaft, a sprocket with teeth extending completely around the periphery could be used. Further, it will be appreciated that where load sensors are used, the 5 control apparatus could be mounted in the tractor cab so that the weight readings could be read off in the tractor cab.

Needless to say, while particular types of doors and chutes have been described for the dispensing, other 10 suitable arrangements could be used. It will also of course be appreciated that is is not necessary for the dispensing compartment or the mixing compartments to be cylindrical, semi-cylindrical or partly cylindrical, it could be of any suitable desired shape.

While the apparatus has been described for mounting to a tractor for trailing it will be appreciated that in certain cases it could have its own inboard engine, which would drive the apparatus independently of a tractor, in which case it would have a suitable number 20 of ground engaging wheels.

Further, it will be appreciated that while the apparatus has been described for mixing and dispensing animal feed, it could be used for mixing and dispensing any other type of material. It will also of course be - 23 - - 23 - 55052 appreciated that it is not necessary that the apparatus should be mounted on ground engaging wheels. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the apparatus if built on a smaller scale could be mounted 5 directly onto the back of a tractor. For example, onto the three point linkage of the tractor.

It is also envisaged that in certain cases each of the mixing blades could be provided with a flexible wiping member instead of each alternate one. In fact, in 10 certain cases, it is envisaged that the flexible members may be dispensed with altogether, although, they do have the advantage of wiping the cylindrical portion of the mixing compartment and thereby ensuring better mixing of the constituents of the mix. It will 15 of course also be appreciated that any desired number of mixing blades could be used more or less than four and where blades are used they could be connected by any suitable means to the rotor shaft, for example, many more radial arms could be used to connect the 20 blades and in certain cases, it is envisaged that blades of other shapes and sizes may be used. In fact, it is envisaged that considerably wider blades may be used and in certain cases the blades need not extend the full length of the mixing compartment.

Claims

1. Apparatus for mixing and dispensing material comprising an elongated container having a mixing compartment and a dispensing compartment, a mixing means 5 being provided in the mixing compartment and dispensing means being provided in the dispensing compartment to dispense the material through a dispensing outlet in the dispensing compartment, the mixing and dispensing compartments extending parallel to each other 10 longitudinally of the container and communicating with each other over the length of the container, a closure plate member being provided between the two compartments to isolate one compartment from the other, the closure plate member being vertically movable from a raised open 15 position with the compartments communicating to a closed lowered position with the compartments isolated.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the mixing compartment is partly cylindrical.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the 20 mixing compartment comprises a pair of spaced-part side walls terminating in a lower substantially semi-cylindrical base portion and a pair of end walls at each end extending between the side walls and the lower base portion, the side walls and end walls defining a material inlet.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the dispensing compartment extends sidewardly from the mixing compartment intermediate the base portion and one of the side walls, the end walls of the mixing compartment extending to form the end walls of the dispensing compartment.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 when dependent on Claim 2 in which the cylindrical portion of the dispensing compartment is joined to the side wall by a substantially flat plate member extending the length of the dispensing compartment and to the base portion by a substantially flat plate member extending substantially the length of the dispensing compartment.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 5 in which the closure member is slidable in tracks on each end wall.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the closure member is movable by a hydraulic ram.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 in which the closure member is connected to the hydraulic ram by a cranked linkage, one end of the linkage being connected to the ram, the other end being connected to the closure member - 26 - - 26 -SS6S2 and the cranked linkage being pivoted on the side wall at its cranked portion.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mixing means is a rotor coaxial with the cylindrical 5 portion of the mixing compartment.

10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 in which the rotor comprises a shaft rotatable in the end walls and a plurality of radial arms extending from the shaft terminating in elongated mixing blades extending 10 longitudinally of the mixing compartment.

11. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 in which four mixing blades are provided substantially equi-spaced relative to each other and each being connected to the rotor shaft by a pair of radial arms.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 10 or 11 in which a flexible member is provided extending radially outwardly from each alternate blade of the rotor to wipe the walls of the cylindrical portion of the mixing compartment.

13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 in which the 20 flexible member is a strip of plastics material.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which - 27 - - 27 -5*053 the dispensing means is an auger coaxial with the cylindrical portion of the dispensing compartment and rotatable in the end walls.

15. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 14 in which the 5 dispensing outlet is provided in the cylindrical portion at the downstream end of the dispensing compartment.

16. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15 in which the auger flight terminates just before the dispensing outlet.

17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 in which the pitch 10 of the auger flight reduces just before the dispensing outlet.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 in which radially dispensing spikes extend radially outwardly of the auger shaft adjacent the dispensing outlet.

19. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 18 in which the radial spikes adjacent the auger flight extend from the shaft on a helical path.

20. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 in which the pitch of the helix is substantially similar to the pitch of the 20 auger flight adjacent the dispensing outlet, but of the reverse hand. - 28 - - 28 -55052

21. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 19 or 20 in which the radial spikes are on a helical path.

22. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dispensing outlet is closed by a door.

23. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22 in which the door is operatively connected to the closure member and opening of the closure member opens the door.

24. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 23 in which the door is operatively connected to the closure member by a chain.

25. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 24 in which a dispensing chute is provided from the dispensing outlet, the dispensing chute being formed by a plate member operatively connected to the door so that on opening of the door the chute is raised to its dispensing 15 position,

26. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dispensing auger and the mixing rotor are driven through a chain sprocket drive, the dispensing auger being driven at a faster rate than the mixing auger.

27. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 26 in which the ratio - 29 of the speed of the auger to the mixing rotor is 9:1.

28. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the container is mounted on a chassis framework.

29. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 28 in which a pair of 5 ground engaging wheels are mounted on the chassis f ramework.

30. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 28 or 29 in which the chassis framework is adapted for mounting to a tractor.

31. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 28 to 30 in which the 10 container is mounted on the chassis framework through load cells for weighing the container.

32. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim for mixing and dispensing animal feed.

33. Apparatus substantially as described herein with 15 reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.

34. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 13 of the accompanying drawings. *#0»3 - 30 - Dated this 26th day of April 1984 F.F. GORMAN & CO. BY:_EXECUTIVE Agents for the Applicants, Clifton House, Lower Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.