WO2016014843A1

WO2016014843A1 - Fodder production apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2016014843A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/041816
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jon Baker; Mahlon John STOLTZFUS; Russell Ames BLACK
Original assignee: Foddertech America, Llc
Priority date: 2014-07-23
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

A number of fodder production apparatus are disclosed. A fodder production apparatus may include a plurality of elongated troughs having an opened end and a closed end; a structure configured to hold the plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; and one or more doors coupled with the structure and disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

Description

FODDER PRODUCTION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a fodder production apparatus and systems.

BACKGROUND

There are some systems proposed for the intensive production of fodder in order to provide feed for livestock. Systems have been proposed that range from simple trays in which seeds are grown, through hydroponic systems to various automated systems. The main difficulty with all of these systems for producing fodder is achieving sufficient fodder production in an economical manner.

Systems involving the production of fodder in trays are a batch-wise process that results in the harvesting of large quantities of fodder which needs to be stored for later use. The next batch of feed only becomes available once the next crop of fodder has been grown ready for harvest.

These batch-wise systems may be staggered in planting and result in a more evenly distributed production of fodder. However these systems require considerable manipulation of the trays at planting, throughout the growth of the fodder and upon harvesting. The manipulation of trays of fodder is often difficult because of the weight of the trays as the fodder grows and is often generally inconvenient, labor intensive and results in an uneven growth of fodder.

Automated units have been constructed in which trays are mechanically moved along a conveyor system whereby trays sown with seeds are picked up and trays of fodder are then harvested from the other end of the production unit. The capital outlay required for such a system is often prohibitive and as a result automated systems have not generally found acceptance in the production of fodder for livestock.

A number of hydroponic systems have also been used to produce fodder. These systems require the controlled supply of water and nutrients to the germinating seeds and growing sprouts and are generally used in a batch-wish cropping system.

The cost of the hydroponic system and the controlled provision of nutrients is generally either uneconomic or labor intensive.

SUMMARY

A fodder production apparatus is disclosed. The fodder production apparatus may include a plurality of elongated troughs having an opened end and a closed end; a structure configured to hold the plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; and one or more doors coupled with the structure and disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

A number of fodder production apparatus and systems are disclosed. One fodder production apparatus comprises a plurality of elongated troughs having an opened end and a closed end; a structure configured to hold the plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; and one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members comprise one or more doors coupled with the structure with one or more hinges. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members comprise one or more doors. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members are disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs at an angle less than 90 degrees and greater than 75 degrees. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members may be in contact with a top portion of at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs and not in contact with a bottom portion of the at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members are disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs with a gap between the one or more vertical planar members and a bottom portion of the elongated troughs. In some embodiments, the one or more vertical planar members are disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs such that water may flow between the one or more vertical planar members and the trough.

In some embodiments, each of the one or more vertical planar members includes a water collection gutter positioned on an interior bottom portion of the corresponding vertical planar member lower than one or more of the lowest elongated troughs of the plurality of elongated troughs.

In some embodiments, the fodder production apparatus further comprises a plurality of casters coupled with the structure. In some embodiments, the fodder production apparatus may include a water collection device disposed beneath and at least proximate to an end of the water collection gutter, wherein the water collection device is configured to collect water from the water collection gutter.

A system is also disclosed that includes a first fodder production apparatus and a second fodder production apparatus. The first fodder production apparatus may include a first plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; a first structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; casters that allow the fodder production apparatus to move in one dimension; and a first water conduction system. The second fodder production apparatus may include a second plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; a second structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; casters that allow the fodder production apparatus to move in one dimension; and a second water conduction system. In some embodiments, the first fodder production apparatus includes one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs; and the second fodder production apparatus includes one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

In some embodiments, the system may include a roller conveyor disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs. The system may also include a bin that can be placed on the roller conveyor. In some embodiments, a height of the bin and the roller conveyor may be less than a height of a bottom edge of the one or more vertical planar members and/or less than a height of a bottom edge of one or more lowest elongated troughs on the fodder production apparatus. In some embodiments, the height of the bin and the roller conveyor may be greater than a height of the bottom edge of one or more of the lowest elongated troughs. In these and other embodiments, the fodder may be lifted from the lowest elongated troughs into the bin. In some embodiments, the height of the bin and the roller conveyor may be greater than a height of the bottom edge of the one or more vertical planar members. In some embodiments, the casters of the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder production apparatus are fixed in a parallel configuration.

A system is also disclosed that includes a first fodder production apparatus and a second fodder production apparatus. The first fodder production apparatus may include a first plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; and a first structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end. The second fodder production apparatus may include a second plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; and a second structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end. The system may include a roller conveyor extending between the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder growing apparatus. The open ends of the first plurality of troughs may be disposed facing the roller conveyor. The open ends of the second plurality of troughs may be disposed facing the roller conveyor. A height of the roller conveyor may be less than a height of at least one open end of the first plurality of troughs and less than a height of at least one open end of the second plurality of troughs.

In some embodiments, the hopper may be disposed in a chamber below a floor. In some embodiments, the fodder transport system may include a lid configured to seal the hopper in the chamber below the floor.

The system may include a hopper at one end of the roller conveyor. The system may also include a discharge conveyor that may be angled and may extend from beneath the hopper to above ground. A fodder seed delivery head is also disclosed. The fodder seed delivery head may include a body; a fodder inlet port coupled with the body; a front surface of the body having a plurality of apertures that are smaller than the size of a fodder seed yet large enough to allow water to pass through; and a rear aperture with a fixed height where fodder seed may be deposited after some of the water has passed through the front surface apertures. These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the disclosure, but to provide examples to aid understanding thereof. Additional embodiments are discussed in the Detailed Description, and further description is provided there. Advantages offered by one or more of the various embodiments may be further understood by examining this specification or by practicing one or more embodiments presented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A illustrates an example fodder production apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. IB illustrates an example fodder production apparatus having open doors according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1C illustrates an example fodder production apparatus having one or more doors coupled with a water collection gutter according to some embodiments;

FIG. ID illustrates an example fodder production apparatus having a transparent window fitted into a frame of a door of the fodder production apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIGs. IE- IF illustrate an example fodder production apparatus with an example water pipe configuration according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1G is a top view of an example fodder production apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a close up view of an example fodder trough and an example door according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example water collection trough according to some embodiments; FIG. 4A illustrates an example water collection gutter coupled with an example door according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the water collection gutter of FIG. 4A coupled with the door according to some embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of an example fodder production apparatus having closed doors and sloped water collection gutters according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an example fodder growing system with a water collection drain according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7A is a top view of an example fodder growing system with a water collection trough that spans the width of multiple fodder production apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 7B illustrates of the fodder growing system of FIG. 7A according to some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a top view of an example fodder growing system with a fodder transport system having multiple fodder production apparatus arranged relative to one or more roller conveyors according to some embodiments; FIGs. 9A-9C illustrate example fodder growing and transport systems according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10A is a top view of an example discharge point according to some embodiments;

FIG. 10B is a side view of the discharge point of FIG. 10A according to some embodiments;

FIG. 11A is a front view of an example header device according to some embodiments;

FIG. 1 IB is a side view of the header device of FIG. 11A inside a fodder trough;

FIGs. 12A-12B are top views of example bins that may be used in a fodder transport system; and

FIG. 13 is a side view of an example fodder production apparatus with an example fodder transport system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are disclosed for fodder production apparatus and systems according to some embodiments. Systems and methods are also disclosed for fodder transport systems according to some embodiments. Additionally or alternatively, systems and methods are disclosed for water collection troughs for fodder production apparatus. Moreover, systems and methods are also disclosed for water collection gutters for fodder production apparatus and systems according to some embodiments. Furthermore, systems and methods are also disclosed for a header device that may be used to transfer fodder seed to the fodder production apparatus.

At least some embodiments may relate to a fodder production apparatus configured to support a plurality of fodder troughs used for fodder production. In some embodiments, the fodder troughs may be supported by one or more horizontal members, which may be connected to at least two vertical members. In some embodiments, the fodder troughs may be sloped from one end to another to facilitate flow of water through the fodder troughs. For example, the horizontal members near a capped end of a particular fodder trough may be positioned higher relative to the horizontal members near an uncapped end of the particular fodder trough to permit water to flow from the capped end to the uncapped end. One aspect may include one or more doors, which may be coupled with a vertical member. In some embodiments, when closed, the doors may be in contact with the top of the fodder troughs but not in contact with the bottom of the fodder troughs, which may result in a gap between the door and the troughs along the bottom of the fodder troughs. The gap may be sized to allow water to flow through the gap but may block seeds from passing through the gap. The water may flow along an inner surface of the door and may be collected, for example, using a water collection trough positioned underneath the doors and/or water collection gutters coupled with the doors. A water collection gutter may be disposed, for example, on an interior bottom portion of a door. When the door is closed, for example, the water collection gutter may be positioned beneath an uncapped end of a fodder trough. In some embodiments, the collected water may be transported, via one or more pipes, to a drain or a water supply, which may include a storage tank, a filter, and/or a pumping system.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example fodder production apparatus 100 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fodder production apparatus 100 may include a structure that includes at least two vertical members 106 connected by one or more horizontal members 108. In these and other embodiments, the vertical members 106 may also be coupled with a base 110 and a top member 111. In some embodiments, the base 110 may include a plurality of casters 115. In some embodiments, a structure of the fodder production apparatus 100 may be designed and constructed to carry the weight of the various other components of the fodder production apparatus and/or make it possible for the fodder production apparatus 100 to be moved between various positions. In some embodiments, the various components of the structure may be constructed from metal, composite, plastic, or other materials. Also, in some embodiments, the various components may be constructed from box beams, I-beams, U-beams, etc.

The structure of the fodder production apparatus 100 may support a plurality of fodder troughs 105. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, for example, sixteen (16) fodder troughs 105 may be supported by the horizontal members 108. In some embodiments, each of the horizontal members 108 may support one or more fodder troughs 105 on each side of the vertical members 106. In some embodiments, the fodder troughs 105 may be used to house seeds and/or water, which may include nutrients for fodder growth and production. In some embodiments, the fodder troughs 105 may be securely and/or removably attached to the structure such as, for example, with one or more of the horizontal members 108. In some embodiments, each fodder trough 105 may have an elongated cuboid shape that is open on the top and open at one end. The two open surfaces of the elongated cuboid, for example, may be roughly orthogonal. Each fodder trough 105 may have any size or configuration. For example, the fodder troughs may be 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. meters long along the elongated length. For example, the fodder troughs 105 may be 9" wide and 3" deep. Various other sizes and/or dimensions may be used. In some embodiments, each fodder trough 105 may generally have a trough shape that may be open top along one elongated length and one end. Each fodder trough 105, for example, may have a capped end 114 and an uncapped end 116 on opposite ends of the trough. In this way, each fodder trough 105 may be a partially closed trough.

Various fodder production apparatus 100 configurations may be used. For example, a fodder trough 105 may be used with both ends capped and an open top. A lower portion of one end of the fodder trough 105 may include one or more gaps, slits or holes that are sized smaller than a seed but large enough for water to pass through. The one or more gaps, slits or holes may have one or more dimensions equal to or less than 1.5 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.125, 0.1 mm, etc.

In some embodiments, the fodder troughs 105 may be arranged within the fodder production apparatus 100 at an angle to permit water to flow from the capped end 114 to the uncapped end 116. The troughs, for example, may be arranged at angle of 0.5°, 1°, 1.5°, 2°, 2.5°, 3°, 3.5°, 4°, 4.5°, 5°, etc. relative to horizontal. In other embodiments, for example, the troughs may be arranged at an angle greater the 5° from horizontal. This angled configuration may be made in a number of ways. In some embodiments, two horizontal members 108 supporting each trough may be positioned at different vertical positions on the vertical members 106. For example, the horizontal members 108 near the capped end 114 may be positioned higher relative to the horizontal members 108 near the uncapped end 116 of the fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the casters 115 coupled with the base 110 may include vertical adjustment mechanisms. In this embodiment, the casters 115 near the capped end 114 of the fodder troughs 105 may be adjusted to increase the height of the fodder production apparatus 100 near the capped end 114 of the fodder troughs 105 relative to the uncapped end 116 of the fodder production apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, the fodder production apparatus 100 may include one or more doors 140. In some embodiments, the doors 140 may be coupled with a vertical member 106. In these and other embodiments, the vertical member 106 may be coupled with the end of one or more portions of the structure such as horizontal members 108. When closed, the doors 140 may be positioned at an angle, φ, relative to the fodder troughs 105. For example, if the fodder troughs 105 are oriented at an angle relative to horizontal to encourage water flow through the fodder troughs 105, then the doors 140 may be positioned less than 90° relative to the troughs when the doors 140 are closed. In some embodiments, the doors 140 may be positioned vertically, or 90° relative to horizontal, and the fodder troughs 105 may be angled at less than 5° relative to horizontal.

In some embodiments, the doors 140 may be transparent, which may, for example, allow a person to check a drainage state of the water with the naked eye. As illustrated in FIG. ID, in some embodiments, a transparent pane 156 may be fitted into a frame 157 of the door 140.

In some embodiments, an inner surface of the doors 140 may contact the top of the fodder trough 105 but may not contact the bottom of the fodder trough 105, which may result in a gap along the bottom of the fodder trough. Referring to FIGs. 1A and FIG. 2 in combination, FIG. 2 is a close up side view of a fodder trough 105 and a single door 140 when closed according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the fodder trough 105 may be positioned at an angle, Θ, relative to horizontal. In some embodiments, the door 140 may be positioned vertically. In this way, the fodder trough 105 and the door 140 may not be disposed at right angles relative to one another. This non-square configuration may result in the door 140, when closed, being in contact with the top of the fodder trough 105 but not in contact with the bottom of the fodder trough 105 as illustrated in FIG. 2, which may result in a gap 160 along the bottom of the fodder trough. The gap 160, for example, may be equal to or less than 5 mm, 4.5 mm, 4 mm, 3.5 mm, 3 mm, 2.5 mm, 2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.125 mm, etc. This gap 160, in some embodiments, may be sized to allow water to flow through the gap 160 but block seeds from passing through the gap 160. Thus, the door 140, when closed, may be configured to transfer water that flows from the fodder trough 105 down the face of the door 140 to a water collection trough 150, a water collection gutter 142 (see FIG. 1C), or another water collection system.

Referring back to FIG. 1 A, while two doors 140 are illustrated, a single door may be used. In some embodiments, the one or more doors 140 may be hinged or pivoted from any location on, near or off the structure and/or on, near, or off the fodder troughs 105. For example, a single door 140 may have one or more hinges on the vertical member 106. As another example, a single door 140 may have one or more hinges above the various fodder troughs 105 and may swing downward to close and swing upward to open. As another example, a single door 140 may have one or more hinges below the various fodder troughs 105 and may swing upward to close and swing downward to open. As another example, a single door 140 may have one or more hinges on one side of the structure. The hinges may allow the doors 140 to be opened.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more of the doors 140 may be replaced with any vertical planar member or a structure having one or more planar surfaces. In some embodiments, a vertical planar member may include a wall, a screen, a sheet, a lid, a box, or any other apparatus or any combination thereof that allows the flow of water out the opened end 116 of the fodder trough 105 yet retains the seeds in the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the vertical planar member may be secured to the troughs and/or structure any number of ways such as for example, using bungee cords, screws, bolts, clamps, knobs, locks, buttons, snaps, hooks, straps, screws, bolts, clips, Velcro®, resistance forces, etc. In some embodiments, the vertical planar member may be rolled in order to access one or more fodder troughs 105.

For example, the vertical planar member may include a sheet spooled from a top of the fodder production apparatus 100 or another level of the fodder production apparatus 100. The sheet may be raised and/or lowered using a pull string. The pull string may be pulled, for example, to unwind the sheet from a spool or spindle. The pull string may be connected to the fodder production apparatus 100 at any number of locations, such as, for example, beneath one or more lowest fodder troughs 105 of the fodder production apparatus. An inner surface of the sheet may contact the top of the fodder trough 105 but may not contact the bottom of the fodder trough 105, which may result in a gap along the bottom of the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the vertical planar members and/or the doors 140 may be constructed of wood, metal, plastic, transparent plastic, rubber, foam, membranes, Styrofoam, Plexiglas, Lexan, etc, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the vertical planar members and/or the doors 140 may be constructed of a stretchable and/or flexible plastic, such as, for example, polyethylene and/or nylon. In some embodiments, an inner surface of the vertical planar member and/or the door 140, along which water may flow, may be constructed of acrylic or a similar material. In some embodiments, an inner and/or an outer surface of the vertical planar members and/or the doors 140 may be smooth, rough, or any variety of textures. In some embodiments, the vertical planar members and/or the doors 140 may be constructed of a flexible material. In some embodiments, the vertical planar members and/or the doors 140 may be constructed of a rigid material.

In some embodiments, the one or more doors 140 may be replaced with a removable cap that may be secured on the uncapped end 116 of the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the removable cap may include a gap disposed at the bottom of the cap and/or between the cap and the bottom of the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the gap may be sized and/or positioned to allow water to flow from the fodder trough 105 yet small enough to restrict the flow of seeds outwardly from within the fodder trough 105. The cap may be removable to allow for harvesting of the fodder. The cap may be removably attached with the fodder troughs 105 using bungee cords, screws, bolts, clamps, knobs, locks, buttons, snaps, hooks, straps, screws, bolts, clips, Velcro®, resistance forces, etc.

Some embodiments may include one or more small doors coupled with each tray that include a gap or slit sized and/or positioned to allow water to flow from the fodder trough 105 yet small enough to restrict the flow of seeds outwardly from within the fodder trough 105. The one or more small doors may be hinged from the top, side or bottom of each trough to allow the doors to be opened and the fodder removed from the fodder troughs 105. Various other configurations of doors, large or small, may be used without limitation.

In some embodiments, an attachment mechanism may be used to secure the doors 140 in a position coupled with a portion of the fodder troughs 105. The attachment mechanism may include a bungee cord, a latch, a lock, etc.

FIG. IB illustrates an example fodder production apparatus 100 having open doors 140 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the doors 140 may be coupled with the vertical member 106 that may be disposed between the fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the doors 140 may swing from this central location of the fodder production apparatus 100. Each door 140, in this embodiment, may open independently in a bat wing configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1G. Moreover, the doors 140, in an open configuration, may allow for removal of fodder and/or troughs through the end of the fodder production apparatus 100 without interference by the doors 140. For example, once the doors have been opened, the fodder grown or growing with the fodder troughs 105 may be slide out of the troughs through an open end of the troughs and into a bin. The term "bin" as referred to in the present disclosure may include any variety of containers, tubs, racks, baskets, plates, holders, etc.

Various other door and/or door opening configurations may be used. For example, a single door may swing from one side of the fodder production apparatus 100. As another example, a single door may swing from the top of the fodder production apparatus 100. As another example, two doors may swing from the outside of the fodder production apparatus 100 and close toward the center of the fodder production apparatus 100. Regardless of the door swing and/or location, in the closed position the doors 140 may be touching the top of the uncapped end of the fodder troughs 105.

In some embodiments, the fodder production apparatus 100 may include a plurality of water pipes. The water pipes may include a central pipe that transports water from a water supply to the plurality of fodder troughs 105. As illustrated in FIGs. 1A-1C, in some embodiments, the central pipe may transport water from one end of the fodder production apparatus 100 to the other end. In some embodiments, the central pipe may include a horizontal pipe 130 coupled with a vertical pipe 131 and a vertical pipe 132. In these and other embodiments, the vertical pipe 132 may be coupled with a plurality of water delivery pipes 107 that channel water into the plurality of fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the water delivery pipes 107 may be positioned near the capped end 1 14 of the fodder trough 105. The vertical pipe 131 may be coupled with a water supply, which may include a storage tank, a filter, and/or a pumping system. Various other water pipe configurations may be used. For example, as illustrated in

FIGs. 1E-1F, the vertical pipe 132, which may be coupled with a water supply 161, may be located at a back of the fodder production apparatus 100. The vertical pipe 131 may be coupled with a plurality of water delivery pipes 107 that channel water into the plurality of fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, a particular water delivery pipe 107 may be connected to a capped end of a particular fodder trough 105. In these and other embodiments, the water delivery pipes 107 may each include a control valve 158 to control flow of water to the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, a transfer pipe 159 may be coupled with the water collection trough 150 and may transfer water from the water collection trough 150 to the water supply 161. In some embodiments, the water collection trough 150 may be included. The water collection trough 150 may be positioned underneath the doors 140 in order to collect the water. The water collection trough 150 may have a length that may be longer than the width of a single fodder production apparatus 100 or a length that spans the width of multiple fodder production apparatus 100 (see FIG. 7A-7B). The casters 155 may be used to slide the water collection trough 150 away from the fodder production apparatus 100 when the doors are opened to remove fodder from within the troughs. In some embodiments, multiple water collection troughs 150 may be coupled together with pipes, flexible tubes, hoses, etc.

In some embodiments, the water collection trough 150 may be sloped from one end to another to facilitate flow of water through the water collection trough 150 from one end to another. In some embodiments, each end or a single end of the water collection trough 150 may be capped. In some embodiments, a lower capped end may be coupled with a tube, hose, or pipe that may be connected to a drain or water supply, which may include a storage tank, a filter, and/or a pumping system.

FIG. 1C illustrates a fodder production apparatus 100 where each of one or more doors 140 include a water collection gutter 142 according to some embodiments. The water collection gutter 142 may be used in addition to or as an alternative to the water collection trough 150. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may include a half pipe, which may be used to catch, hold, and/or drain water from the fodder production apparatus 100 that trickles from the fodder troughs 105 down the door 140. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be positioned at a bottom of the door 140 lower than a lowest fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be extend inwardly on an interior side of the door 140, and when the door 140 is closed, the water collection gutter 142 may be positioned beneath the opened end 116 of the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may have a length approximately equal to a width of the door 140 and/or one or more fodder troughs 105 from which the water collection gutter 142 collects water. In some embodiments, each end or a single end of the water collection gutter 142 may be capped. In some embodiments, an end of the water collection gutter 142 may be disposed above and/or at least proximate to a funnel 144 with which water may be directed. Alternatively or additionally, one end of the water collection gutter 142 may be uncapped and the other end of the water collection gutter 142 may be capped. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be disposed horizontally and may not be sloped. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be sloped from an upper end of the water collection gutter 142 to a lower end of the water collection gutter 142 to facilitate flow of water through the water collection gutter 142 from the upper end to the lower end. In these and other embodiments, both ends of the water collection gutter 142 may be uncapped. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be sloped towards the funnel 144, which may be disposed beneath and at least proximate the lower end of the water collection gutter 142, facilitating flow of water through the water collection gutter 142 to the funnel 144.

In some embodiments, the funnel 144 may be disposed beneath and at least proximate the ends of multiple water collection gutters 142. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the funnel may be disposed beneath the ends of two water collection gutters 142 coupled with two doors 140 of the fodder production apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, the funnel 144 may be replaced by another water collection device, such as, for example, a pipe. In some embodiments, the funnel 144 may be coupled with a tube, hose, or transfer pipe 159 that may be connected to a water supply 161 as shown in FIG. IE. In some embodiments, the funnel 144 may be spaced apart from the water collection gutters 142 so as to allow the doors 140 to open and close freely. However, in some embodiments, the funnel 144 and/or the transfer pipe 159 may be directly connected to an end or a bottom of the water collection gutter 142.

In some embodiments, the water collection gutters 142 may be secured to the doors 140 any number of ways such as, for example, using screws, bolts, clamps, knobs, locks, buttons, snaps, hooks, straps, clips, Velcro®, resistance forces, etc. In some embodiments, the water collection gutters 142 may be selectively removable from the doors 140.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the water collection trough 150 according to some embodiments. The water collection trough 150 may include a half pipe 152 and casters 155. Various pedestals, supports, or bases may be included between the half pipe 152 and the casters 155. While only two casters 155 are illustrated, any number of casters may be used. The half pipe 152 may be used to catch, hold and/or drain water from the fodder production apparatus 100 that trickles from the fodder troughs 105 down the doors 140. In some embodiments, the water collection trough 150 may be positioned to catch water flowing from a fodder production apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the water collection trough 150 may be constructed from a 2", 4", 6", 8", 10", etc. pipe hat is cut in half longitudinally. In some embodiments, the water collection trough 150 may include caps on one or both ends. In some embodiments, the water collection trough may include two or more casters 155 that allow the water collection trough to be moved from one location to another. In some embodiments, these casters 155 may be held in a fixed position to allow the water collection trough to move along a line. In some embodiments, the casters 155 may be equipped with one or more locks to keep the casters from moving in other dimensions and/or to lock the wheels in place. In some embodiments, the half pipe 152 may include a port in one or both ends from which water may be drained or pumped from the half pipe 152.

FIGs. 4A-4B are illustrations of a water collection gutter 142 coupled with a door 140 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be positioned to catch water flowing from a fodder production apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be constructed from a 1", 2", 4", 6", 8", 10", etc. pipe hat is cut in half longitudinally. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may include caps on one or both ends. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be open on both ends. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be sloped from an upper end of the water collection gutter 142 to a lower end of the water collection gutter 142 to facilitate flow of water through the water collection gutter 142 from the upper end to the lower end. As illustrated in FIGs. 4A-4B, in some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may be disposed horizontally and may not be sloped. In these and other embodiments, a single end of the water collection gutter 142 may be uncapped and disposed above and at least proximate to the funnel 144 or another water collection device. In some embodiments, the water collection gutter 142 may include a port in one or both ends from which water is drained or pumped from the water collection gutter 142. The port may also be disposed on a bottom of a half pipe of the water collection gutter 142. FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of an example fodder production apparatus 100 having closed doors and sloped water collection gutters 142 according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 5, in some embodiments, each of the water collection gutters 142 may be sloped from an upper end of the water collection gutter 142 to a lower end of the water collection gutter 142 to facilitate flow of water through the water collection gutter 142 from the upper end to the lower end. In some embodiments, the lower end may be disposed above and at least proximate to the funnel 144 or another water collection device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a fodder growing system 162 having multiple fodder production apparatus 100 according to some embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates the funnel 144, which may be coupled with a tube, hose, or transfer pipe 159. The transfer pipe 159 may transport water from the funnel 144 disposed at one end of the fodder production apparatus 100 to the other end of the fodder production apparatus 100. An end of the transfer pipe 159 opposite the funnel 144 may be at least proximate to a water supply 161 (not illustrated in FIG. 6), a drain 165, another pipe, and/or a water transfer system. In some embodiments, the transfer pipe 159 may transport the water directly to the water supply 161, the drain 165, the other pipe, and/or the water transfer system. As illustrated in FIG. 6, multiple transfer pipes 159 may be disposed at least proximate to the drain 165, the other pipe, and/or the water transfer system, which may be disposed at least proximate to ends of the fodder production apparatus 100 opposite the funnels 144 and/or the uncapped ends 116.

FIG. 7A is a top view of a fodder growing system 164 having multiple fodder production apparatus 100 according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 7A, eight (8) fodder production apparatus 100 may be arranged next to each other in a fodder growing area, such as, for example, a shed, barn or warehouse, etc. Each fodder production apparatus 100 may be movable relative to the other fodder production apparatus 100 to create an aisle in order for a worker to gain access to one side or both sides of a given fodder production apparatus 100. The fodder growing system 164 may be used to maximize the floor space and/or allow more fodder production apparatus 100 to be used within the floor space.

The fodder growing system 164 may use various water collection systems, such as any of those illustrated in FIGs. 1-6. As illustrated in FIG. 7, two elongated water collection troughs 150 may each be used to collect water from multiple fodder production apparatus 100. While FIG. 7 illustrates four (4) fodder production apparatus 100, a particular elongated water collection trough 150 may be used to collect water from any number of fodder production apparatus 100, such as, for example, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 50, etc. The water collection troughs 150 may have a length that spans the width of the multiple fodder production apparatus 100. In some embodiments, each set of the multiple fodder production apparatus 100 may constitute a block, as will be explained later in greater detail. In some embodiments, the water collection troughs 150 may be positioned on both sides of the fodder growing system 164 as illustrated in FIG. 7. In some embodiments, the water collection troughs 150 may be positioned underneath the doors 140 in order to collect the water, which are opened and configured in the bat wing configuration in FIG. 7A. In some embodiments, the casters 155 may be used to slide the water collection trough 150 away from the fodder production apparatus 100 when the doors are opened to remove fodder from within the troughs. In some embodiments, multiple water collection troughs 150 may be coupled together with pipes, flexible tubes, hoses, etc.

In some embodiments, a flexible and/or expandable water conduction umbilical may connect the water pipes of each fodder production apparatus 100. The water conduction umbilical may include pipes, tubes, and/or hoses. In some embodiments, the flexible and/or expandable water conduction umbilical may expand or contract as a fodder production apparatus 100 is moved relative to another fodder production apparatus 100.

FIG. 7B illustrates the fodder growing system 164 having multiple fodder production apparatus 100 that may be moved together to eliminate one or more aisles, according to some embodiments. While each fodder production apparatus 100 may be moved relative to the other fodder production apparatus to create an aisle in order for a worker to gain access to one side or both sides of a given fodder production apparatus 100, the casters 115 may also be configured to allow the fodder production apparatus 100 to move at least proximate to each other to eliminate one or more aisles. In some embodiments, the casters 115 may be configured to be aligned with the horizontal members 108, as illustrated in FIG. 7B. In some embodiments, the casters 115 of a first fodder production apparatus 100 and the casters 115 of a second fodder production apparatus 100 may be fixed in a parallel configuration. For example, each of the casters 115 of the first fodder production apparatus 100 may be configured to be parallel to each other and fixed in the positions illustrated in Figure 1 and/or Figure 7B. Similarly, each of the casters 115 of the second fodder production apparatus 100 may be configured to be parallel to each other and fixed in the positions illustrated in Figure 1 and/or Figure 7B. In some embodiments, a particular fodder production apparatus 100 with the casters 115 fixed in a parallel configuration may move in a single direction. In some embodiments, the casters 115 may be non- fixed. For example, the casters 115 may be configured to pivot or swivel about a rotational axis at any angle, such as, such as, for example, 90, 180, or 360 degrees.

Also, in some embodiments, the casters 115 of the first fodder production apparatus 100 may be fixed and parallel to the casters 115 of the second fodder production apparatus 100, which may also be fixed. The first and second fodder production apparatus 100 may be arranged side by side and face in a same direction. The first and second fodder production apparatus 100 may be in a same block or may be in different blocks.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a fodder growing system with a fodder growing and transport system 166 having multiple fodder production apparatus 100 arranged relative to one or more roller conveyors according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fodder growing system may include or correspond to the fodder growing system 164 of FIG. 7. Also, the fodder growing and transport system 166 may use various water collection systems, such as any of those illustrated in FIGs. 1-6.

In some embodiments, the fodder growing and transport system 166 may include one or more roller conveyors 168, for example, roller conveyors 168a and 168b, which may be collectively referred to in the present disclosure as roller conveyors 168. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may each include two parallel, elongated support members. In some embodiments, the support members may support a plurality of rollers. For example, the rollers may have bearing assemblies carried by extended shafts, and the ends of the extended shafts may be held in cutouts or slots in the support members. In some embodiments, the rollers may be tubular and may rotate about the extended shafts freely or in a single direction. In some embodiments, the support members and/or the rollers may be constructed of stainless steel and/or aluminum, which may prevent rust and mold. In some embodiments, the support members and/or the roller may be constructed from another material.

In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may have a low profile. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed on the floor. In such embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may not include legs or may include very short legs such as, for example, legs less than or equal to two (2) inches in length. In some embodiments, the rollers may be between one (1) to three (3) inches from the floor. In some embodiments, a height of the roller conveyors 168 may be less than or equal to three (3) inches from the floor. In some embodiments, the height of the roller conveyors 168 and the height of a bin may together be less than the height of the lowest fodder trough 105 on the fodder production apparatus 100 and/or a bottom edge of the doors 140, which may allow the fodder to be removed from the fodder troughs 105, including the lowest fodder trough 105, and placed in the bin on a particular roller conveyor 168. For example, a user may slide the fodder out from a fodder trough 105 into the bin placed on the particular roller conveyor 168. In some embodiments, the user may slide the fodder out of the fodder trough 105 after opening the doors 140 to access the fodder within the fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the height of the lowest fodder trough 105 may be less than or equal to eighteen (18) inches. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be below grade. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be electrically powered conveyors or gravity conveyors. A number of different types of conveyors may be used instead or in addition to the roller conveyors 168. For example, one or more modular belt conveyors may be used. FIG. 8 illustrates a plurality of fodder production apparatus 100 arranged in one or more blocks 170a, 170b relative to the roller conveyors 168 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, at least some of the fodder production apparatus 100 in the block 170a may be arranged so that the uncapped ends of one or more fodder troughs of the fodder production apparatus 100 in the block 170a may be disposed facing the roller conveyor 168a and/or an uncapped end of a fodder trough of a fodder production apparatus of another block on an opposite side of the roller conveyor 168a (not illustrated in FIG. 8). In some embodiments, at least some of the fodder production apparatus 100 in the block 170b may be similarly arranged so that the uncapped ends of one or more fodder troughs 105 of the fodder production apparatus 100 in the block 170b may be disposed facing the roller conveyor 168b and/or an uncapped end of a fodder trough 105 of a fodder production apparatus of another block on an opposite side of the roller conveyor 168b (not illustrated in FIG. 8).

In some embodiments, the uncapped end of at least some of the fodder troughs 105 may be disposed next to the roller conveyors 168 to allow for a worker to slide the fodder from the trough through the uncapped end past an open door and into a bin on the roller conveyors 168. In some embodiments, the doors of at least some of the fodder troughs 105 may be disposed next to the roller conveyors 168 to allow for a user to open the doors and slide the fodder into a bin on the roller conveyors 168.

In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed as close as possible to the fodder production apparatus without inhibiting or touching the fodder troughs 105 and/or the doors 140. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed beneath the fodder production apparatus 100, which may facilitate transfer of fodder from the fodder troughs 105 to the bins on the roller conveyors 168 without the fodder dropping on the floor. In these and other embodiments, one or more water collection troughs 150 may be removed. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed as close as possible to the water collection troughs 150 without inhibiting or touching the water collection troughs 150. FIG. 9A is an illustration of a fodder growing system with a fodder transport system 172 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, some of a plurality of fodder production apparatus of the fodder growing system may be arranged parallel to each other in blocks 174, which may be separated by one or more aisles 176. Each of the blocks 174 may include any number of the fodder production apparatus 100, such as, for example, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 100, etc. Indeed, any number of fodder production apparatus may be used. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed along one or more of the aisles 176. In some embodiments, arrangement of the fodder production apparatus with the uncapped end of a fodder trough, such as, for example, the uncapped end 116 of the fodder trough 105 illustrated in FIGs. 1A-1G, facing the roller conveyors 168 may allow easy removal of fodder from the fodder production apparatus into the bins on the roller conveyors 168.

The aisles 176 may be any width, such as, for example, five (5) feet. In some embodiments, the width of the aisles 176 may allow the user to move in the aisles. In some embodiments, a particular roller conveyor 168 may be moved relative to the fodder production apparatus depending on, for example, a width of a walkway for the user in the aisle in which the particular roller conveyor 168 may be disposed. For example, the particular roller conveyor 168 may be moved towards one side of a particular aisle 176 so that the user may move in the walkway on the other side of the particular aisle. In some embodiments, an extension may be coupled with one or more of the roller conveyors 168 to allow the user on one side of a particular roller conveyor 168 to handle the fodder in a fodder production apparatus on the other side of the particular roller conveyor 168. For example, the bins may be placed on the extension, and the user may place the fodder into the bins and then place the bins on the particular roller conveyor 168. In some embodiments, the extension may include, for example, a short bridge roller conveyor or similar roller conveyor.

In some embodiments, the fodder from the fodder production apparatus may be transported using the fodder transport system 172 to a discharge point 178. In some embodiments, one or more of the roller conveyors 168 may deliver fodder to the discharge point 178. In some embodiments, the fodder may be discharged from the bins at the discharge point 178. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may be disposed along the blocks 174 and may reach the discharge point 178. In some embodiments, the discharge point 178 may include a hopper. In some embodiments, fodder may be placed into the hopper. In some embodiments, the hopper may be disposed at or below grade and/or below the height of the roller conveyors 168, which may allow the fodder to be discharged from the fodder production apparatus 100 into the hopper.

In some embodiments, the fodder may move through the hopper and may be discharged onto one or more discharge conveyors 180. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may include a stacking conveyor, a belt conveyor, a paddle belt conveyor, a gravity roller conveyor, or another type of conveyor. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may carry the fodder from inside a fodder growing area to outside the fodder growing area. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may carry the fodder from the hopper (e.g., upwards from a below grade hopper), and discharge the fodder into a transportation vehicle 182, such as, for example, a feed wagon, total mixed ratio (TMR) wagon, a truck, a trailer, etc. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may discharge the fodder into the transportation vehicle 182 in whole strips. In some embodiments, the transportation vehicle 182 may deliver the fodder to the livestock for feeding and/or to a storage location. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may be angled and may extend from a below grade hopper to above ground.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A-9C, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the roller conveyors 168 may extend in parallel to each other. In some embodiments, one or more of the blocks 174 may be disposed between the roller conveyors 168. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may connect to a seed preparation or seed soaking area 184. In some embodiments, the roller conveyors 168 may begin at the seed soaking area 184 and may extend through one or more of the aisles between the blocks 174, which may allow transport of seeds to the one or more blocks 174. In some embodiments, the fodder transport system 172 may be used to transport the fodder from the blocks 174 to the discharge point 178, and at a same or a different time, transport the seeds from the seed soaking area 184 to the blocks 174. In some embodiments, the seeds may be prepared, soaked, and/or transported in the bins.

In some embodiments, the fodder growing system may also include one or more of the following: a grain silo 186, a pencil auger 188, a sump tank 190, a filter 192, a water pump 194, and a water supply 196, with example locations illustrated in FIG. 9A-9C.

FIG. 9B is an illustration of the fodder growing system with a fodder transport system 198 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fodder transport system 198 may correspond to the fodder transport system 172. As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the roller conveyors 168 extending through different aisles 176 may reach different discharge points 178 or hoppers.

FIG. 9C is an illustration of the fodder growing system with a fodder transport system 200 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the fodder transport system 200 may correspond to the fodder transport system 198 and/or the fodder transport system 172. As illustrated in FIG. 9C, in some embodiments, one or more discharge points may be located outside the fodder growing area. For example, the roller conveyors 168 may extend through an opening 202 in a wall of the fodder growing area. In these and other embodiments, when the bins are outside the fodder growing area, they may be removed from the roller conveyors 168, and the fodder may be dumped from the one or more bins into the feed wagon. In some embodiments, when the roller conveyors 168 are not in use, the opening may be covered or closed with a flap, a door, or other cover. In some embodiments, the door may be metal or a similar material. In some embodiments, the door may seal the opening to prevent any pests from entering the fodder growing area and to prevent disruption of the growing environment.

In some embodiments, the discharge point 178 may include a hopper. In some embodiments, fodder may be placed into the hopper. In some embodiments, the hopper may be disposed at or below grade and/or below the height of the roller conveyors 168, which may allow the fodder to be discharged from the fodder production apparatus 100 into the hopper.

FIG. 10A is a top view of an example discharge point 178 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the discharge point 178 may include a hopper 204, which may be disposed below grade. In some embodiments, the bin 206 containing the fodder may be transported on a roller conveyor 168 to the hopper 204. In some embodiments, an end of the roller conveyor 168 next to the hopper 204 may include a stop 208. In some embodiments, the bin 206 may be emptied manually into the hopper 204 by tipping or rolling the bin 206 when the bin 206 reaches the stop 208. In some embodiments, one or more of the roller conveyors 168 may automatically tip the bins to empty the fodder and may prevent the bin 206 from falling into the hopper 204. In some embodiments, an end roller conveyor 168 disposed next to the hopper 204 may be self-discharging. In some embodiments, a discharge conveyor may not extend through an opening in a wall 210, which may limit pests' ability to enter the fodder growing area. FIG. 1 OB is a side view of the discharge point 178 according to some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, in some embodiments, a cover or lid 212, which may be constructed of, for example, metal, may be disposed over the floor above the below grade hopper 204 and may seal the hopper beneath the floor and seal a chamber 214 when harvesting may not be occurring, which may prevent pests from entering the fodder growing area. In some embodiments, the chamber 214 may be made of, for example, cement or another material.

In some embodiments, the fodder may move through the hopper and may be discharged onto a discharge conveyor 180. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may include a stacking conveyor, a belt conveyor, a gravity roller conveyor, or another type of conveyor. As illustrated in FIG. 10B, the discharge conveyor 180 may also include a paddle belt conveyor, with one or more paddles 216 that may be used to transport fodder 218 at an angle from inside a fodder growing area to outside the fodder growing area. In some embodiments, the discharge conveyor 180 may carry the fodder 218 upwards from beneath the below grade hopper 204, and discharge the fodder 218 into a transportation vehicle 182, such as, for example, a feed wagon, total mixed ratio (TMR) wagon, a truck, a trailer, etc.

In some embodiments, each of the bins 206 may hold thirty (30) to sixty (60) gallons of fodder. In some embodiments, each of the bins 206 may be two (2) feet long, three (3) to four (4) inches tall, and sixteen (16) inches wide, for example. In some embodiments, two or more different sizes of bins 206 may be used. For example, a taller or deeper bin 206 that holds more fodder may be used when harvesting fodder from one of the upper fodder troughs 105, and a bin 206 with a smaller height may be used when harvesting fodder from one of the lower fodder troughs 105. FIG. 11A illustrates a front view of an example header device 220 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the header device 220 may include a header. In some embodiments, the header device 220 may be used to transfer dry and/or wet fodder seed from a seed preparation and/or soaking location to the fodder troughs 105. For example, the header device 220 may transfer fodder seed to the fodder troughs 105 from a seed soaking area, such as, for example, the seed soaking area 184 of FIGs. 9A-9C. In some embodiments, the header device 220 may transfer the fodder seed and/or water to the fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the header device 220 may be coupled with a hose 222, which may extend from an upper surface of a body 224 of the header device 220 or another portion of the body 224. In some embodiments, the hose 222 may transport the fodder seed and/or water to the body 224 of the header device 220 from another location, such as a bin, to the body 224.

In some embodiments, a vacuum pump or other depressurizing device may be coupled with the header device 220 and/or the hose 222 in order to suck the dry and/or wet seed from the soaking location to the header. Alternately or additionally, the soaker area may be pressurized so that wet seed may be pushed through the hose 222. In some embodiments, the fodder seed may be dumped, for example, into a hopper, and may enter a pneumatic conveying system that includes the header device 220 and/or the hose 222. In some embodiments, pressure to transport the fodder seed and/or water may be provided by water and/or air.

A front portion of the body 224 may include multiple apertures (or holes), which may be sized to allow the water to flow through the apertures but may block the wet fodder seeds from passing through the apertures. A rear portion of the body 224 may include a rear aperture 226 which may be sized and configured at a fixed height at which the fodder seed may be laid in a bottom of the fodder trough 105. In some embodiments, the height of the aperture 226 may be adjustable. For example, an upper edge of the rear aperture 226 may be spaced apart from a bottom surface of the body 224 by a distance that may be equal to a height at which the fodder seed may be placed or planted in the fodder trough 105. The upper edge of the rear aperture 226 may be, for example, 1/16", 1/8", 3/16", 1/4", or 1/2" from the bottom surface of the body 224.

In some embodiments, the front and/or bottom portion of the body 224 may be curved and/or bent. In these and other embodiments, one or more of the apertures of the front portion of the body 224 may be at least proximate to a bottom surface of the body 224 and/or may contact the fodder trough 105 when the header is inserted in the fodder trough 105.

In some embodiments, a width of the body 224 may correspond to a width of the fodder trough 105, which may allow seed to be placed along the entire width of the fodder trough 105. For example, the width of the body 224 may be about 9 inches. In some embodiments, parallel sides of the body 224 may be at least proximate to parallel inner surfaces of sides of the fodder troughs 105. In some embodiments, the body 224 may be positioned above and spaced apart from the bottom of the fodder trough 105 and may be sized and configured to fit on one or more edges along the elongated length of the fodder trough 105 and move along the edges.

As illustrated in FIG. 11B, the header device 220 may be placed in one end of the fodder trough 105 and then moved from one end of the fodder trough 105 to the other while wet seeds are deposited and/or leveled along the bottom of the fodder trough 105 through the rear aperture 226.

FIGs. 12A-12B illustrate top views of an example soaking bins 306 according to some embodiments. The bins 306 may be used to soak seeds in water in preparation for growing within a fodder trough 105. The bins 306 may be constructed and/or arranged in a number of different ways. In some embodiments, the bins 306 may be constructed of plastic or another material. In some embodiments, at least a portion of each of the bins 306 may be open to ambient air. In alternative embodiments the bins 306 may be closed in order to provide a positive pressure when conducting the seed to the header device 220. In some embodiments, the bins 306 may include one or more jets 230, which may facilitate seed wetting and ensuring that all the seeds are mixed in the water. As illustrated in FIG. 12A-12B, the jets 230 may be disposed in one or more walls of the bins 306. In some embodiments, the jets 230 may be disposed in one or more corners of the bins 306. In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 12B, the jets 230 may be disposed around an inner perimeter of the bins 306. Further, in some embodiments, a hose or pipe may be inserted through a wall of the bins 306 to supply and/or remove water from the bins 306.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a fodder production apparatus 100 with a fodder transport system 232 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the bins 206 may be disposed on a particular roller conveyor 168 that may allow a worker to slide the fodder out of the fodder troughs 105 and into the bin 206. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the bins 206 may be held by a user and then placed on the particular roller conveyor 168 after the user slides the fodder, and the fodder falls into the bin 206. As illustrated in FIG. 13, in some embodiments, a height of the bin 206 and the roller conveyor 168 may together be less than a height of a bottom edge of the door 140, which may allow for removal of fodder through the end of the fodder production apparatus 100 and placement of fodder in the bin 206 without interference by the doors 140.

In some embodiments, the one or more doors 140 (or the vertical planar member or removable end caps) may allow for harvesting of fodder within the fodder troughs 105 without complete or partial removal of the troughs from the structure. In some embodiments, the one or more doors 140 (or the vertical planar member or removable end caps) and lack of caps on end of the fodder troughs 105 may allow for harvesting of fodder by sliding the fodder out the uncapped end 116 of the fodder trough 105. Moreover, in some embodiments, the gap 160 (or any gap like opening) located between the bottom of the troughs and the one or more doors 140 (or the vertical planar member or removable end caps) may allow water to flow from one end of a trough and out the other end of the trough through the gap 160 while stopping seeds from flowing out the trough as well. Moreover, in some embodiments, the gap 160 (or any gap like opening) located between the bottom of the troughs and the one or more doors 140 (or the vertical planar member or removable end caps) may discourage rotten or moldy fodder growth in the troughs near the one or more doors 140 (or the vertical planar member or removable end caps).

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the fodder growing system described in the present disclosure with multiple fodder production apparatus 100 that are moveable relative to one another may be useful, for example, to allow users to access fodder within the fodder troughs 105. This access may be useful in connection with the one or more doors 140 to allow the user to slide the fodder out of the fodder troughs 105 onto a conveyor, wheelbarrow, wagon, trailer, etc. The various embodiments may be useful, for example, for increasing the speed and ease with which fodder may be harvested from fodder production apparatus or systems. The various embodiments may be useful, for example, for increasing the ease with which troughs may be cleaned after harvest. The various embodiments may be useful, for example, for increasing the ease with which the fodder may be handled after harvesting and/or with which fodder growing may be started.

Numerous specific details are set forth in the present disclosure to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, or systems that would be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described in detail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for-purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations, and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS That which is claimed:

1. A fodder production apparatus comprising:

a plurality of elongated troughs having an opened end and a closed end; a structure configured to hold the plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end; and

one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

2. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical planar members comprises one or more doors coupled with the structure with one or more hinges.

3. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical planar members are in contact with a top portion of at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs and not in contact with a bottom portion of the at least one of the plurality of elongated troughs.

4. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical planar members are disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs with a gap between the one or more vertical planar members and a bottom portion of the elongated troughs.

5. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical planar members are disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs such that water may flow between the one or more vertical planar members and the trough.

6. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of casters coupled with the structure.

7. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more vertical planar members includes a water collection gutter positioned on an interior bottom portion of the corresponding vertical planar member lower than one or more of the lowest elongated troughs of the plurality of elongated troughs.

8. The fodder production apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a water collection device disposed beneath and at least proximate to an end of the water collection gutter, wherein the water collection device is configured to collect water from the water collection gutter. 9. A system comprising:

a first fodder production apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end;

a first structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end;

casters that allow the fodder production apparatus to move in one dimension; and

a first water conduction system; and

a second fodder production apparatus comprising:

a second plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end;

a second structure configured to hold the first plurality of elongated troughs at an angle sloping downward from the closed end to the opened end;

a second water conduction system.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the first fodder production apparatus further comprises one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs; and the second fodder production apparatus further comprises one or more vertical planar members disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs.

13. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a roller conveyor, wherein the roller conveyor is disposed near the opened end of the plurality of elongated troughs. 12. The system according to claim 10, further comprising a bin, wherein when the bin is placed on the roller conveyor, a height of the bin and the roller conveyor is less than a height of a bottom edge of the one or more vertical planar members.

13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the casters of the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder production apparatus are fixed in a parallel configuration.

14. The system according to claim 9, further comprising: a water conduction umbilical coupled with the water conduction system of the first fodder production apparatus and the water conduction system of the second fodder production apparatus, wherein the water conduction umbilical allows one of the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder production apparatus to move relative to the other fodder production apparatus while maintaining water conductivity between the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder production apparatus.

3. A fodder transport system, comprising:

a first fodder production apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; and

a second fodder production apparatus comprising:

a second plurality of elongated troughs each having an opened end and a closed end; and

a roller conveyor extending between the first fodder production apparatus and the second fodder growing apparatus,

wherein:

the open ends of the first plurality of troughs are disposed facing the roller conveyor;

the open ends of the second plurality of troughs are disposed facing the roller conveyor; and

a height of the roller conveyor is less than a height of at least one open end of the first plurality of troughs and less than a height of at least one open end of the second plurality of troughs.

4. The fodder transport system of claim 3, wherein the hopper is disposed in a chamber below a floor,

wherein the fodder transport system further comprises a lid, wherein the lid is configured to seal the hopper in the chamber below the floor.

5. The fodder transport system of claim 3, further comprising a hopper at one end of the roller conveyor.

6. The fodder transport system of claim 5, further comprising a discharge conveyor, wherein the discharge conveyor is angled and extends from beneath the hopper to above ground.

7. A fodder seed delivery head comprising:

a body;

a fodder inlet port coupled with the body;

a front surface of the body having a plurality of apertures that are smaller than the size of a fodder seed yet large enough to allow water to pass through; and

a rear aperture with a fixed height where fodder seed may be deposited after some of the water has passed through the front surface apertures.