GB1586931A - Feed dispensers - Google Patents

Description

(54) 1MPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FEED DISPENSERS (71) We, R.J. FULLWOOD & BLAND LIMITED, a British Company of Ellesmere, Salop, SY12 9DG, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates to feed dispensers, and especially to feed dispensers for use in connection with vacuum milking apparatus.

The invention provides a feed dispenser which comprises a hopper having a throat for the deliverv of feed. a container for feed delivered from the hopper, dispensing means movable to open and close the throat. pressure-sensitive control means arranged on alternate exposure to atmospheric pressure and to a reduced pressure to impart movement to the dispensing means, valve means arranged. in operation. to alternate continuouslv between two states to effect the alternate exposure of the pressure-sensitive control means. and means for stopping operation of the valve means when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container.

The feed dispenser of the invention is especiallv advantageous when used in connection with vacuum milking apparatus since the reduced pressure required can be derived from the vacuum pump of the milking apparatus. No additional luger or electric motor is needed to dispense feed from the hopper. and thus it is possible for the feed dispenser of the invention to be simplcr and more economical to produce than previously proposed- forms of feed dispenser.

Advantageously. the meins for stopping operation of the valve means is arrangedl to sense tlle weight of feed delivered to the container ind to stop the operation when a predeteriiined weight is reiched. With such in arrangement. l1() lel adjustment is nccessirv for different feedstuffs dispensed by the feeder to allow for differing bulk densities or particle size as is necessary with feeders dispensing a fixed volume of feed.

The means for stopping operation of the valve means is advantageously arranged to cut off communication between the valve means and the atmosphere or the source of reduced pressure when the predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container. The stopping means preferably comprises a balance device having the container on one arm and a counterweight acting on the other arm, the arrangement being such that when balance is reached the device moves to cut off communication. In this way it is possible to terminate rapidly the delivery of feedstuff to the container.

Advantageously. the container is pivotally mounted with respect to the apparatus and there is provided means operable pneumatically to pivot the container so as to dispense feed therein when the predetermined quantity has been delivered to the container. Preferably the pneumaticallyoperable means comprises a piston and cylinder. and the means for stopping operation of the valve means is also arranged to create a pressure difference across the piston when the predetermined quantity of feed has been delivered to the container.

The pressure-sensitive control means advantageously comprises a diaphragm arranged to flex on alternate exposure of one side of the diaphragm to atmospheric pressure and a reduced pressure. The valve means may be mechanically operable to effect the alternate exposure and may be operated by the diaphragm upon flexure.

Alternatively, the valve means mav be electrically or electro-magnetically operable to effect the alternate exposure.

Two forms of feed dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention will now be described bv way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I shows diagrammatically a section through a first form of feed dispenser; and Figure 2 shows diagrammatically a section through a portion of a modified form of feed dispenser.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in Figure 1 a bulk hopper 1 containing feedstuff 2 has a throat 3. Below the throat 3, a dispensing member, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4, comprises a horizontal plate 5 supported on a roller 6 and hinged to the lower edge of a vertical plate 7. The upper edge of the vertical plate 7 is rigidly secured to a lever 8 and is pivotally mounted in the apparatus so that the plate 7 and the lever 8 can together pivot about an axis P. The other end of the lever 8 is rigidly connected to an arm 9, which is, in turn, secured to the centre of a flexible diaphragm It) forming one wall of a chamber 11. The chamber 11 is in communication with a source of reduced pressure (not shown) through a nipple 12. The wall of the chamber opposite to the diaphragm is formed with an opening 13 allowing communication between the chamber and the atmosphere through a tube 14. In the opening 13 is positioned a poppet valve 15 which seats against the wall and has a stem 15a. The diaphragm 1() is arranged on flexure to contact the stem ISa to lift the valve 15 off its seating so that the chamber 11 can be in communication with the atmosphere through the tube 14. or to allow it to return to its seating so that the chamber 11 is in communication only with the source of reduced pressure.

Below the dispensing member 4 is a container 16 pivotallv secured to one end of a weighing beam 17 mounted on a knife edge 18. To the other end of the beam 17 is securd a counterweieht 19 of a weight corresponding to the desired weight of feedstuff to be dispensed. An arm 2() is secured to the beam 17 and carries a pad 21 which. when a weight of feedstuff has been delivered to the container In sufficient to cause the weighing beam to raise the counterweight 19. is brought into contact with the free end of the tube 14 cutting off com m Llnication between the chamber 11 and the atmosphere and allowing communication between the interior of the tube 14 and the interior of a cylinder 22 through a port 23 in the arm 5() and the pad 71. and a tube 24. A piston 25 in the cylinder 22 has a piston rod 26 secured to the cohtainer I 6.

In operation. with the chamber 11 in communication with the source of reduced pressure and the )()ppet valve IS resting against its seating. the diaphragm I (). cxposed on its other side to itmospheric pressure. is drawn into the chamber 11.

contracting the stem 15rr and pushing the poppet valve 15 upwardly off its seating.

The chamber 11 is then in communication with the atmosphere through the tube 14 and the pressure within the chamber 11 rises rapidly causing the diaphragm 10 to flex in the opposite direction. This allows the poppet valve 15 to return to its seating so that communication between the chamber 11 and the atmosphere is once again cut off and the operation starts again.

Flexure of the diaphragm 10 in this manner causes the vertical plate 7 to pivot and hence the horizontal plate 5 to move to and fro opening and closing the throat 3 so that the feedstuff 2 is dispensed to the container 16 in discrete quantities. When the desired weight has been delivered to the container 16 and balance is reached, the pad 21 is brought into contact with the tube 14 and communication with the atmosphere is cut off. The interior of the tube 14 is then at a reduced pressure which causes the diaphragm 10 to lift and open fully the poppet valve 15. The diaphragm 10 is held in its uppermost position because of the pressure gradient across it and the dispensing of feed to the container 16 is stopped. The interior of the tube 14. is then in communication with the interior of the cylinder 22 causing the piston 25 to move up the cylinder and the container 16 to pivot through an angle of 9() and empty its load into a manger.

Alternatively. the container 16 may be provided with a trap in the bottom which can be opened to allow feedstuff to be deposited in the manger.

The throat 3 can be made relativelv small so as to prevent loss of free flowing materials. The frequencv of the to and fro movement of the horizontal plate 5 can be such as to achieve a relatively high flow rate into the container. and delivery of feedstuff to the container can be stopped rapidly when balance is achieved. Further, since the amount of feedstuff delivered is determined by its weight no recalibration is necessary for different feedstuffs.

When the feed dispenser is used in connection with vacuum milking apparatus.

then the source of reduced pressure is the vacuum supplv of the milking apparatus.

In the modification of the apparatus shown in Figure 2. the poppct valve IS of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 is replaced by a solenoid valve. indicated generally by the reference numeral 27. 7. I he solenoid valve 27 comprises a valve chamber 28 and a solenoid 7() having an axial port 3() allowing communication between the interior of the valve chamber 28 and the interior of the tube 14 and hcnce the atmosphere. l'he chambcr 28 has two nipples 31 and 39.

respectively. the nipple i being in com- munication with a source of reduced pressure (not shown) and the nipple 32 being in communication with the interior of the diaphragm chamber 11. The solenoid 29 is electrically connected to a pulsed D.C.

supply of apprqximately equal on and off pulses at a suitable frequency for the feed rate required, for example 400 cycles per minute. A valve member 33 in the chamber 28 moves towards and away from the solenoid 29 in accordance with the pulses, causing the diaphragm chamber 11 to be in communication with the atmosphere through the tube 14 when the valve member seats against the nipple 31 and with the source of reduced pressure via the nipple 31 when the valve member seats against the port 30. The diaphragm 10 is thus causes to flex, oscillating the vertical plate 7 in the same manner as in the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

When the solenoid 29 is energised the valve member 33 seats against the solenoid and the interior of the tube 14 is cut off from the chamber 28. When the solenoid 29 is de-energised and the valve member 33 falls, there is a transient period of communication between the interior of the tube 14 and the source of reduced pressure through the nipple 31 which lasts until the valve member seats against the nipple 31. In addition the return of the diaphragm 1() to its lower position serves to reduce the pressure in the tube 14.

As with the apparatus shown in Figure 1, when the desired weight is reached in the container 16, the pad 21 is lifted against the open end of the tube 14. The reduced pressure within the tube 14 is then further reduced hecause air can now enter only through the leaks, but this reduction may still not be sufficient to ensure reliable operation of the piston 25 and cylinder 22 to cause the container 16 to pivot. To ensure reliable operation. a relay 34 is provided between the diaphragm chamber 11 and the tube 14. When the pad 21 is lifted against the tube 14 the reduced pressure in the tube 14 causes the relay 34 to open allowing direct communication between the tube 14 and the source of reduced pressure through the diaphragm chamber 11. increasing the pressure difference across the piston. This further reduction in the pressure within the tube 14 also serves to ensure that the diaphragm 1() is held in its uppermost position so that the supply of feed is stopped.

In the arrangements shown in Figure 1 and Figure 9. resettling to starting conditions can be achieved bv removal of the main vacuum supply. In the airnngement shown in Figure '. removal of the pulscd D.C.

supply for a period of I second or so can be sufficient.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A feed dispenser which comprises a hopper having a throat for the delivery of feed, a container for feed delivered from the hopper, dispensing means movable to open and close the throat, pressure-sensitive control means arranged on alternate exposure to atmospheric pressure and to a reduced pressure to impart movement to the dispensing means, valve means arranged, in operation, to alternate continuously between two states to effect the alternate exposure of the pressure-sensitive control means, and means for stopping operation of the valve means when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container.

2. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for stopping operation of the valve means is arranged to sense the weight of feed delivered to the container and to stop the operation when a predetermined weight is reached.

3. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for stopping operation of the valve means is arranged to cut off communication between the valve means and the atmosphere or the source of reduced pressure when the predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container.

4. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 3 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the stopping means comprises a balance device having the container on one arm and a counterweight acting on the other arm. the arrangement being such that when balance is reached the device moves to cut off communication between the valve means and the atmosphere or the source of reduced pressure.

5. A feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container is pivotally mounted with respect to the apparatus and there is provided means operable pneumatically to pivot the container so as to dispense feed therein when the predetermined quantity has been delivered to the container.

6. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 5. wherein the pneumaticallv-operable means comprises a piston and cylinder, and means for stopping operation of the valve means is also arranged to create a pressure difference across the piston when the predetermined quantity of feed has been delivered to the container.

7. A feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. wherein the pressuresensitive control means comprises a diaphragm arranged to flex on alternate exposure of one side of the diaphragm to atmospheric pressure and a reduced pressure.

8. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 7. wherein the valve means is mechanicallv operable to effect the alternate exposure by

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (11)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. communication with the interior of the diaphragm chamber 11. The solenoid 29 is electrically connected to a pulsed D.C. supply of apprqximately equal on and off pulses at a suitable frequency for the feed rate required, for example 400 cycles per minute. A valve member 33 in the chamber 28 moves towards and away from the solenoid 29 in accordance with the pulses, causing the diaphragm chamber 11 to be in communication with the atmosphere through the tube 14 when the valve member seats against the nipple 31 and with the source of reduced pressure via the nipple 31 when the valve member seats against the port 30. The diaphragm 10 is thus causes to flex, oscillating the vertical plate 7 in the same manner as in the apparatus shown in Figure 1. When the solenoid 29 is energised the valve member 33 seats against the solenoid and the interior of the tube 14 is cut off from the chamber 28. When the solenoid 29 is de-energised and the valve member 33 falls, there is a transient period of communication between the interior of the tube 14 and the source of reduced pressure through the nipple 31 which lasts until the valve member seats against the nipple 31. In addition the return of the diaphragm 1() to its lower position serves to reduce the pressure in the tube 14. As with the apparatus shown in Figure 1, when the desired weight is reached in the container 16, the pad 21 is lifted against the open end of the tube 14. The reduced pressure within the tube 14 is then further reduced hecause air can now enter only through the leaks, but this reduction may still not be sufficient to ensure reliable operation of the piston 25 and cylinder 22 to cause the container 16 to pivot. To ensure reliable operation. a relay 34 is provided between the diaphragm chamber 11 and the tube 14. When the pad 21 is lifted against the tube 14 the reduced pressure in the tube 14 causes the relay 34 to open allowing direct communication between the tube 14 and the source of reduced pressure through the diaphragm chamber 11. increasing the pressure difference across the piston. This further reduction in the pressure within the tube 14 also serves to ensure that the diaphragm 1() is held in its uppermost position so that the supply of feed is stopped. In the arrangements shown in Figure 1 and Figure 9. resettling to starting conditions can be achieved bv removal of the main vacuum supply. In the airnngement shown in Figure '. removal of the pulscd D.C. supply for a period of I second or so can be sufficient. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A feed dispenser which comprises a hopper having a throat for the delivery of feed, a container for feed delivered from the hopper, dispensing means movable to open and close the throat, pressure-sensitive control means arranged on alternate exposure to atmospheric pressure and to a reduced pressure to impart movement to the dispensing means, valve means arranged, in operation, to alternate continuously between two states to effect the alternate exposure of the pressure-sensitive control means, and means for stopping operation of the valve means when a predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container.

2. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for stopping operation of the valve means is arranged to sense the weight of feed delivered to the container and to stop the operation when a predetermined weight is reached.

3. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for stopping operation of the valve means is arranged to cut off communication between the valve means and the atmosphere or the source of reduced pressure when the predetermined quantity of feed has been dispensed to the container.

4. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 3 when dependent on claim 1, wherein the stopping means comprises a balance device having the container on one arm and a counterweight acting on the other arm. the arrangement being such that when balance is reached the device moves to cut off communication between the valve means and the atmosphere or the source of reduced pressure.

5. A feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the container is pivotally mounted with respect to the apparatus and there is provided means operable pneumatically to pivot the container so as to dispense feed therein when the predetermined quantity has been delivered to the container.

6. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 5. wherein the pneumaticallv-operable means comprises a piston and cylinder, and means for stopping operation of the valve means is also arranged to create a pressure difference across the piston when the predetermined quantity of feed has been delivered to the container.

7. A feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. wherein the pressuresensitive control means comprises a diaphragm arranged to flex on alternate exposure of one side of the diaphragm to atmospheric pressure and a reduced pressure.

8. A feed dispenser as claimed in claim 7. wherein the valve means is mechanicallv operable to effect the alternate exposure by

the diaphragm upon flexure.

9. A feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the valve means is electro-magnetically operable to effect the alternate exposure.

10. A feed dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

11. Vacuum milking apparatus including a feed dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.