WO1992010109A1

WO1992010109A1 - Soaking device

Info

Publication number: WO1992010109A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/002214
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Davidge
Original assignee: Peter Davidge
Priority date: 1990-12-13
Filing date: 1991-12-12
Publication date: 1992-06-25
Also published as: GB9027096D0; GB2250673A

Abstract

A device (2) is disclosed for soaking solid materials in liquids, for example for soaking hay in water. The device includes a container (4) for liquid and a pivotably mounted retaining means (6) in the form of a grid. Rotation of the grid causes solid material thereon to be moved into the liquid, and solid material in the liquid to be forced out onto the grid.

Description

SOAKING DEVICE

This invention relates to a soaking device, and more specifically to a device for soaking animal feedstuffs such as hay. It has long been recognised that, before feeding hay to animals such as horses, it is advisable to soak the hay for a considerable period of time. This ensures that any fungal spores contained in the hay are taken into the animal's digestive system, rather than into the respiratory tract. Thus, it is common for bales of hay, contained in nets, to be soaked in containers of water before being transported to the stables where they are to be used. However, soaked hay is of course very much heavier than dry hay, making it difficult and inconvenient to carry the soaked material. Even if the water container is placed within the stable, the hay absorbs such large quantities of water that it can be difficult to lift sufficient soaked hay even to form one feed. Powered systems are also known, but these require access to an electrical supply, which is not always available in stables.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a soaking device which at least alleviates the problems associated with known methods of soaking materials. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a soaking device comprising: a first container, for liquid and for solid material which is soaking; and a retaining means, the retaining means supporting dry or soaked solid material outside the first container and being movable relative to the first container so as to move the dry or soaked solid material into the first container and to move the soaking solid material out of the first container. Preferably, the retaining means is pivotably mounted to the container.

Preferably, the retaining means is pivotable relative to the first container about a horizontal axis such that, when the retaining means is rotated about the axis, solid material on the retaining means is moved into the first container and solid material in the first container is moved on to the retaining means. This has the advantage that a single mechanical movement of the retaining means causes the soaking material to be removed from the liquid at the same time as a new load of material is introduced into the liquid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first container has a part-circular cross-section with its axis being the axis of rotation of the retaining means. This construction means that it is easier to rotate the retaining means, since the solid material within the container will rotate with the retaining means. In addition, this will have the advantage that it makes the device self-cleaning since matter will tend to be swept out of the bottom of the container by rotation of the retaining means.

In a further preferred embodiment, the retaining means is a planar grid.

This has the advantage that liquid trapped within the soaked solid material will be allowed to drain out of the material through the grid back into the container.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the device further comprises an outlet hose for draining liquid from the first container, a first end of the hose being connected to the bottom of the first container, and the device having a temporary mounting point, higher than the intended liquid level within the first container, for a second end of the hose.

The provision of a hose means that the first container can easily be drained, simply by detaching the second end of the hose from the temporary mounting point, and moving it to a level below that of the bottom of the first container. Preferably, the device has a concave lid, pivotably mounted to an upper edge of the device and pivotably movable between a first position, in which it prevents access to solid material on the retaining means, and a second position lying along one side of the first container.

Thus, in the first position, the lid can serve to prevent an animal from obtaining access to food on the retaining means, or can itself serve as a feed bowl with a relatively small capacity, while, in the second position, the lid can provide further reinforcement for the side of the container while the animal is feeding.

Preferably, the retaining means is provided with a handle which is rotatably connected thereto and rotatably movable between first and second positions such that, with the retaining means in a first position and the handle in a first position, the handle may be engaged with a first connection point located above the first container, while with the retaining means in a second position and the handle in a second position, the handle may be engaged with a second connection point located above the first container.

This has the advantage that the handle can always be locked into place to prevent inadvertent rotation of the retaining means, and has the further advantage that the connection points are both located above the first container, thus reducing the possibility that the connection points will become clogged with waste material.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be brought into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figures la and lb show a device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the device shown in Figure la; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the device showing Figure la.

Figure la shows a soaking device, generally indicated by the reference numeral 2. The device includes a container 4 for holding water. A wire grid 6 is pivotably mounted to the walls of the container 4 at pivot points 8, 10, allowing the grid 6 to be rotated about the axis A-A. Located at one end of the grid 6 is a handle 12, rotatably mounted to the grid 6 about a pivot point 14. A locking mechanism 16 is provided at the upper end of the handle 12, and engaged at a mounting point 17.

Also located at the end of the grid 6 are a pair of loops 18, to which bales of hay in hay nets may be tied when they are placed on the grid 6. Located around the upper rim of the container 4 are a number of slots 20, to which connecting devices such as straps 21 may be fixed. Connecting devices 21 may be fixed to a number of the slots 20, so that the container 4 can be mounted to a wall, or to two walls, for example in a corner of a stable. A concave lid 22 is provided for the container 4. Along one edge of the lid 22 are protrusions 24, which form a hinge with slots 26 in another edge of the upper rim of the container 4. Thus, the lid 22 is pivotably mounted to the container 4. Located on the opposite edge of the upper rim of the container 24 are turnbuckle clips 27, which engage with the lid 22 to lock it in place. The lid may also be locked into position, when it has been pivoted to be along the side wall of the container, by further clips (not shown). A hose 28 is connected to an outlet 30 at the bottom of the container 4, and its other end can be temporarily located in a mounting 32 adjacent the upper rim of the container 4. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through the centre-line of the device 2, in the direction of the arrow B, with the lid 22 in position on the container 4. Figure 3 is a plan view of the device, with the lid 22 pivoted so that it lies along the side wall of the container 4.

As can be seen most clearly from Figure 2, the container 4 has a semi-circular lower portion 34, while the upper portion 36 of the container 4 forms the upper part of the feed container. In use of the device, it is filled with water up to the level of the top of the lower portion 34. A bale of hay in a hay net is then placed on the grid 6, and tied to the loops 18. The grid 6 is then rotated so that^* the hay is soaked in the water. This is done firstly by unlocking the handle 12 from the mounting point 17, by means of a locking mechanism 16 which prevents inadvertent operation by a user, or by an animal such as a horse. The grid 6 is then rotated, in the direction of the arrow C, through an angle of approximately 90°. In this position, the handle 12 can be rotated relative to the grid 6 about the pivot point 14. The handle is rotated through 180", and the grid 6 is then rotated about the axis A by a further 90° in the direction of the arrow C. The grid is then again horizontal, with the hay bale soaking in the water, and the handle 12 is again directed vertically upwards so that it can be locked into the second mounting point 38 at the opposite end of the container.

When the hay has soaked for a sufficient time, for example twelve hours, a further bale can be secured to the upper side of the grid 6, and the grid can again by rot ed so that that second bale of hay is soaked in the water and the first bale is removed from the water. Water from the first bale is then able to drain through the grid back into the lower portion 34 of the container. The semi-circular profile of this lower portion 34 means that it is relatively easy to rotate the grid 6, since material in the lower portion is swept around the profile during rotation. This sweeping action also means that the device is self- cleaning.

When the hay has been soaked, and returned to the upper side of the grid 6, it can be reached by a horse through the open end of the container 4. There is thus no need to transport the wet, and therefore heavy, hay after it has been soaked.

Obviously, some water will be absorbed by the hay during the soaking process, and thus it will be necessary periodically to top up the level of water within the device. Moreover, it may be advisable periodically to drain the device using the drainage hose 28. When not in use, the hose 28 is stored with its free end mounted to the mounting point 32, located near the upper rim of the container 4, and thus above the maximum water level within the container. When it is desired to drain the container, the free end of the hose 28 is simply removed from the mounting point 32 and lowered so that water from the container 4 drains out. The hose 28 needs to be of relatively large diameter, for example 25mm, so that it does not become clogged with waste material.

As mentioned previously, the lid 22 is pivotably mounted to the container 4 by means of a hinge formed from the protrusions 24 and slots 26. In its first position, the lid 22 covers the open top of the container 4, thus preventing the animal from reaching hay which is in the container. In this position, the concave upper surface of the lid 22 can act as a feed bowl for holding a short feed. When it is desired that the animal should be able to reach feed material within the container, the lid 22 can be pivoted about the hinge to rest on the side wall of the container 4. In this position, the lid 22 provides extra reinforcement for the container, thus helping to reduce the possibility that it will be accidentally damaged. It is envisaged that the container 4 will be made from rotationally moulded plastic, and be approximately

750mm x 400mm, with an appropriate depth. However, any appropriate size and any appropriate material may of course be used. To allow easy rotation of ^'the grid 6 within the lower part 34 of the container, it is preferable for there to be a gap between the edge of the grid 6 and the inner surface of the lower part 34 container. This gap may advantageously be in the region of 50mm.

There is thus provided a device which can provide a continuous supply of soaked hay, without requiring the transportation of the soaked hay to a stable, and without requiring a power source within the stable.

Claims

CLRIMS

1. A soaking device comprising: a first container, for liquid and for solid material which is soaking; and a retaining means, the retaining means supporting dry or soaked solid material outside the first container and being movable relative to the first container so as to move the dry or soaked solid material into the first container and to move the soaking solid material out of the first container.

2. A soaking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining means is pivotably mounted to the container.

3. A soaking device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retaining means is pivotable relative to the first container about a horizontal axis such that, when the retaining means is rotated about the axis, solid material on the retaining means is moved into the first container and solid material in the first container is moved on to the retaining means.

4.^" A soaking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first container has a part-circular cross-section with its axis being the axis of rotation of the retaining means.

5. A soaking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means is a planar grid.

6. A soaking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises an outlet hose for draining liquid from the first container, a first end of the hose being connected to the bottom of the first container.

7. A soaking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device has a concave lid, pivotably mounted to an upper edge of the device and pivotably movable between a first position, in which it prevents access to solid material on the retaining means, and a second position lying along one side of the first container .

8. A soaking device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the retaining means is provided with a handle which is rotatably connected thereto and rotatably movable between first and second positions such that, with the retaining means in a first position and the handle in a first position, the handle may be engaged with a first connection point located above the first container, while with the retaining means in a second position and the handle in a second position, the handle may be engaged with a second connection point located above the first container.

9. A soaking device, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.