GB2331002A

GB2331002A - Pan feeder system

Info

Publication number: GB2331002A
Application number: GB9822300A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward Bates
Original assignee: E B EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: E B EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 1997-11-05
Filing date: 1998-10-13
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-13
Also published as: GB2331002B; GB9822300D0

Abstract

A feed dispenser for poultry uses a first delivery auger 20, to deliver feed from a main hopper 10 to a plurality of intermediate storage units 30 and ensure that these are maintained at a predetermined fill level. A second delivery auger 40 delivers feed from each intermediate storage unit 30 to feeder pans 50 at regular intervals. Demand detection is disclosed.

Description

FEED DISPENSER FOR POULTRY The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing feed, and in particular but not exclusively to a feed dispenser for poultry.

An aim of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for reliably dispensing a controlled amount of feed to a plurality of feeding stations within a relatively short period of time.

According to the present invention there is provided a feed dispenser for poultry, comprising: first delivery means for delivering feed; a plurality of intermediate storage means coupled to receive feed delivered by said first delivery means; and second delivery means for delivering feed from each said intermediate storage means to a corresponding plurality of output means.

Preferably, the poultry feed dispenser is arranged to be suitable for dispensing a flowable granular feed such as grain or pellets. Each delivery means is preferably an auger working on the principle of a centreless Archimedean screw to convey the feed along a tube. Ideally, the first delivery means is arranged above the second delivery means such that feed falls by gravity from the first delivery means into each said intermediate storage means, and from each said intermediate storage means into the second delivery means.

In the preferred embodiment, the first delivery means comprises a single elongate tube coupled to each one of the intermediate storage means which are arranged, for example, approximately every metre along the tube.

Preferably, the first delivery means is demand driven such that the auger is rotated until feed is delivered to fill every intermediate storage means to a predetermined level, thus ensuring an even distribution of feed.

Preferably, the second delivery means comprises a similar single elongate tube ideally arranged substantially parallel to said first delivery means with the intermediate storage means coupled therebetween. Each output means preferably comprises a feeder pan ideally close coupled to the second delivery means such that feed exiting an aperture in the tube is distributed evenly around the feeder pan.

Preferably, the first delivery means is driven relatively quickly to fill the intermediate storage means on demand, governed for example by a proximity switch at an end of the first delivery means remote from a main feed hopper. By a contrast, the second auger is preferably driven relatively slowly, at a speed difference of the order of 5:1, such that feed from each intermediate storage means is not carried past a corresponding output means.

Preferably, the second delivery means is coupled to timing means for driving the delivery means for a predetermined period to thus deliver a predetermined quantity of feed per time interval. Ideally, the second delivery means delivers feed in a range of 4g to 400g per second and optimally 40g per second to each of the plurality of output means. The timing means preferably drives the second delivery means for a preset period preferably at regular preset intervals. Suitably, the preset period is in the range 1 to 20 seconds, most suitably of the order of 10 seconds. Suitably, the preset interval is in the range of 2 to 6 hours, and preferably 4 to 6 hours.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for dispensing feed to poultry, comprising the steps of providing first and second delivery means linked by intermediate storage means, providing a corresponding plurality of output means coupled to the second delivery means, and operating the first and second delivery means such that feed is delivered to the output means at a rate in the region of 4g to 400g per second.

The poultry feed dispenser has many advantages. In particular, the use of intermediate storage means ensures even distribution of the feed throughout the length of the dispenser. Feed is distributed accurately and evenly by the second delivery means to the plurality of output means and the amount of feed may be continuously varied by varying the drive period of the timing means.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a preferred poultry feed dispenser.

Referring to Figure 1, the preferred feed dispenser is intended for poultry, and in particular may be used for high quality breeding stock in a commercial house having hundreds of birds without requiring penning. All the birds have equal opportunity to receive equal amounts of feed, and the amount of feed delivered for each bird may be accurately controlled and varied. For example, it is desired to vary the amount of feed depending on the age and weight of the birds from day to day and also over the course of a day.

The feed dispenser shown in Figure 1 comprises a main storage hopper 10 coupled to a first auger 20 driven by a motor unit 21 in response to demand as identified by a proximity sensor 22. The motor unit 21 suitably comprises a drive motor and a gear unit. The hopper 10 and the motor unit 21 are conveniently located at opposite ends of the auger 20 such that feed is drawn from the hopper 10 substantially all the way along the auger 20 toward the motor unit 21.

A plurality of intermediate storage containers 30 are coupled at convenient points along the first auger 20, shown in Figure 1 at a regular spacing of the order of one metre. Each container 30 is conveniently a polypropylene hopper. The proximity switch 22 is arranged with respect to the last hopper 30a closest to the motor unit 21. The motor unit 21 is driven at around 300rpm until the last hopper 30a is full as determined by a proximity sensor 22 thus ensuring that all previous hoppers 30 are also full.

The lower end of each hopper 30 is coupled to a second auger 40 having a corresponding plurality of output apertures coupled to feeding pans 50. Conveniently, each feeding pan is designed to evenly distribute the feed around the pan for consumption by up to 20 birds simultaneously.

In operation, a second motor unit 41 drives the second auger 40 to deliver feed from each intermediate hopper 30 to a corresponding feed pan output 50. As shown in figure 1, feed is delivered over a relatively short distance of the second auger 40. Suitably, the diameter of each inlet aperture of the second auger 40 is different from and ideally smaller than the diameter of each corresponding outlet aperture, which together with the pitch and speed of rotation of the second auger ensure that all feed taken from the hopper 30 reaches the feed pan 50 and none is carried past the outlet aperture to lie in the second auger 40 as waste. Preferably, the ratio of inlet to outlet diameter is of the order of 1:2. Conveniently, each inlet aperture is of the order of 25mm diameter and each output aperture is of the order of 40mm diameter, with the second auger preferably being driven at around 60rpm. In a second embodiment, the inlet is a slot of the order of 68mm x 30mm, the outlet of the order of 28mm x 54mm and the motor unit driven at around 50rpm. This second embodiment improves the pickup of feed from the hoppers 30.

The motor unit 41 of the second auger 40 is driven for a predetermined period at preset intervals controlled by any suitable timing means (not shown) including for example a mechanical timer, an electronic timer, or ideally a computer controlled timer. The preferred feed dispenser shown in Figure 1 dispenses at a rate of 40g per output pan per second, equivalent to 2g of feed per bird per second. Conveniently, the drive period is linearly proportional to the amount of feed delivered to each feed pan 50 and may be readily calculated by the operator.

Accurate control of the amount of feed has a number of advantages as under-feeding inhibits bird growth and overfeeding increases costs and has an environmental impact with increasing ammonia and nitrate levels in the bird litter. Delivering a precisely controlled amount of feed at predetermined intervals gives the optimum conditions for bird growth and performance.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A feed dispenser for poultry, comprising: first delivery means for delivering feed; a plurality of intermediate storage means coupled to receive feed delivered by said first delivery means; and second delivery means for delivering feed from each said intermediate storage means to a corresponding plurality of output means.
2. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1, for dispensing a flowable granular feed including grain and/or pellets.
3. A dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first delivery means comprises an auger arranged to rotate within an elongate tubular casing.
4. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second delivery means comprises an auger arranged to rotate within an elongate tubular casing.
5. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first delivery means is arranged above the second delivery means such that feed falls by gravity from the first delivery means into each said intermediate storage means, and from each said intermediate storage means into said second delivery means.
6. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 3 to 5, wherein said tubular casing of said first delivery means is coupled to each one of said plurality of intermediate storage means.
7. A dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein said intermediate storage means are arranged at predetermined intervals along said first delivery means.
8. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, comprising demand detection means for detecting a demand for feed.
9. A dispenser as claimed in claim 8, wherein said first delivery means is driven in response to said demand detection means such that feed is delivered to fill each one of said plurality of intermediate storage means to a predetermined level.
10. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said second delivery means is arranged substantially parallel to said first delivery means, with said plurality of intermediate storage means coupled therebetween.
11. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein each said output means comprises a feeder pan.
12. A dispenser as claimed in claim 11, wherein said output means is arranged with respect to said second delivery means in a close coupled manner, such that feed exiting said second delivery means is distributed evenly around said feeder pan.
13. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12, wherein said first delivery means is coupled at a first end to a main feed hopper, and said demand detection means is arranged at a second end of said first delivery means remote from said main hopper.
14. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims 3 to 13, wherein said second delivery means is driven slower than the first delivery means.
15. A dispenser as claimed in any of claims, wherein said second delivery means is coupled to a timing means arranged to control driving of the second delivery means to deliver feed for a predetermined period at predetermined intervals.
16. A method for dispensing feed to poultry, comprising the steps of providing first and second delivery means linked by intermediate storage means, providing a corresponding plurality of output means coupled to the second delivery means, and operating the first and second delivery means such that feed is delivered to the output means at a rate in the region of 4g to 400g per second.
17. A dispenser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
18. A method for dispensing feed to poultry, substantially as hereinbefore described.