IE20100086U1 - An animal feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT A feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus (10) comprising a pair of adj acently disposed containers (11); each container (11) comprising a top opening (5), a mixing shaft (30) rotatably mounted inside the container (11); a base portion (5 0) having an outlet opening (40) for dispensing feed; and a shutter member controllabiy movable and to open and to sealingly close the outlet opening (40). A tubular duct (7) extends between the outlet openings (40) and is arranged in sealed communication with each outlet opening (40) for receiving feed from each container (11). A transfer auger is rotatably mounted inside the duct (7) for transferring the feed to a discharge opening l (70) of the duct (7) remote the outlet openings (40). ' The duct (7) comprises an upwardly extending length (12) remote the outlet openings (40) so that the discharge opening (70) is elevated from the ground and a portion of the transfer auger is disposed in the upwardly extending length (12).

Description

The present invention relates to an animal feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus.

Prior art feed mixing and dispensing apparatus comprises a downwardly tapered container having a mixing auger rotatably mounted inside the container and an outlet opening near the base of the container for dispensing the mixed feed. A dispensing auger is often provided at the outlet opening to facilitate the discharge of the feed. The disadvantages of such a known apparatus include its limited capacity, limited mobility, lack of hygiene, unsuitability for storage and lack of control over the dispensing process.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved feed mixing and dispensing apparatus having enhanced capacity and improved means of dispensing the mixed material.

The present invention provides a feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus comprising at least a pair of adjacently disposed containers, each container comprising a top opening and a mixing shaft rotatably mounted within the interior of the container, the mixing shaft being connected to a drive means; wherein each container has a base portion having an outlet opening through which the feed is dispensed under gravity and a shutter member sealingly closing the outlet opening, the shutter member being movable by a further drive means to controllably move the shutter to open and close the outlet opening; the apparatus further comprising a tubular duct extending between the outlet openings of each container, the duct being arranged in sealed communication with each outlet opening for receiving feed from each container; the duct being substantially sealed except for a discharge opening provided in the duct remote the outlet openings of the containers for discharging the feed to a desired location; and a transfer auger rotatably mounted along the interior of the duct for transferring the feed dispensed from the outlet openings of the containers to the discharge opening, the transfer auger being connected to and driven by a motor.

The apparatus of the present invention is superior over the prior art apparatuses in that it provides for considerable flexibility and convenience of the use of the containers. For example, it provides for a possibility for simultaneous mixing in one container and dispensing of mixed feed from the other container. Alternatively, while one container can be used for mixing and dispensing at a given time, the other container can be used for storing mixed feed, thereby eliminating the need for a separate storage arrangement.

Furthermore, different feeds can be prepared in the containers. The shutters keep the outlet openings of the containers sealed when the feed is not being dispensed thereby minimising the risk of contamination of the interior of the containers and contents. A further advantage resides in that a single transfer auger mechanism is used to discharge the feed from each container. The provision of the duct and its discharge opening remote the outlet openings of the containers allows the discharge of the feed directiy to a desired location, for example, a location where the feed is to be consumed, without the need for a separate loading/unloading vehicle, and, at the same time, reduces loss of feed during transfer. ideally, the motor of the transfer auger is arranged to move the shutters and a control means is provided operable to control selectively the operation of the shutters. so that one or both shutters can be opened or closed when required or desired. ideally a ram, preferably an hydraulic ram, is provided for moving the shutter.

Advantageously, the duct comprises a substantially upwardly extending length remote the outiet openings of the containers, so that the discharge opening of the duct is disposed elevated from the ground and a length of the transfer auger is disposed in the upwardly extending length of the duct. This arrangement provides the advantage in that the feed can be discharged directly to a desired tocation, for example, a location at which the feed is consumed, in particular, where such a location is not easily accessibie. Accordingly, loss of feed during transfer to the desired location is reduced significantly. Conveniently, a latch mechanism is provided configured to secure the upwardly extending length of the duct to the nearest container. Preferably, the upwardly extending length of duct extends laterally in relation to the portion of the duct extending between the outlet openings of the containers.

Preferably the motor of the transfer auger is an hydraulic motor.

Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention is mounted on a chassis and connectable to a vehicle, such as for example a tractor. Conveniently, the drive means of mixer shaft is configured to be coupled with and driven by the drive mechanism of the vehicle. ldealiy, the container comprises downwardly tapering walls for directing the feed to the outlet opening.

Preferably, a vibrating mechanism is provided connected with the interior of each container for agitating the feed. The vibrating mechanism can be arranged to be driven by the motor of the transfer auger.

In a preferred embodiment, the mixing shaft is mounted substantially horizontally across the Preferably the mixing shaft comprises a plurality of blades for mixing the feed. interior of the container. ldeaily a flexible cover is provided at the top opening of the container, the cover being spreadable substantially sealingly across the top opening of the container to cover the top opening and gatherable to uncover the top opening. Ideally, a mechanism, such as for example, a ratchet, is provided for operating the cover remotely from the top opening.

Preferably, the cover is a rollable cover. the shutters ensures that the feed remains fresh and uncontaminated during storage and The provision of the cover in combination with transportation.

Advantageously, the duct comprises a vent opening for adding feed supplements, the vent opening being provided intermediate the discharge opening of the duct and the outlet opening of the container nearest to the discharge opening of the duct, the vent comprising a cover for closing and opening the vent. Preferably, the vent opening inctudes a receptacle suitably shaped for receiving the feed supplements.

Conveniently, the apparatus comprises a compartment for storing feed supplements.

It will be appreciated that more that two containers can be provided in the apparatus of the present invention.

The invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by the way of example only, an embodiment of a feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the apparatus of Figure 1 showing the interior of the containers; and Figure 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, showing the transfer auger.

Referring to the drawings, the feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus 10 of the invention comprises at least a pair of adjacently disposed containers 11. Each container 11 comprises a top opening 5 and a mixing shaft 30 rotatably mounted within the interior of the container 11. The mixing shaft 30 is connected to a drive means (not shown).

Each container has a base portion 50 having an outlet opening 40 through which the feed is dispensed under gravity and a shutter member (not shown) sealingly closing the outlet opening 40. The shutter member is controllably movable and to open and close the outlet opening 40.

The apparatus 10 further comprises a tubular duct 7 extending between the outlet openings 40 of each container 11. The duct 7 is arranged in sealed communication with The duct 7 is substantially sealed except for a discharge opening 70 provided in the duct 7 remote the each outlet opening 40 for receiving feed from each container 11. outlet openings 40 of the containers 11 for discharging the feed to a desired location. A transfer auger (not visibie in the drawings) is rotatably mounted along the interior of the duct 7 for transferring the feed dispensed from the outlet openings 40 of the containers 11 to the discharge opening 70. The transfer auger is connected to and is driven by an hydraulic motor 19.

The motor 19 of the transfer auger is also arranged to move the shutters and a control means is provided operable to control selectively the operation of the shutters, so that one or both shutters can be opened or closed when required or desired. An hydrauiic ram 16 is provided for moving each shutter.

The duct 7 comprises a substantially upwardly extending length 12 remote the outlet openings 40 of the containers 11, so that the discharge opening 70 of the duct 7 is disposed elevated form the ground and a length of the transfer auger is disposed in the upwardly extending length 12 of the duct 7. discharged directly to desired, for example, a location at which the feed is consumed, in Due to this arrangement, the feed can be particutar, where such a location is not easily accessible. A latch mechanism 26 is provided for securing the upwardly extending length 12 of the duct 7 to the nearest container 11. The upwardly extending length 12 of duct 7 extends laterally in reiation to the portion of the duct 7 extending between the outlet openings 40 of the containers 11 for compactness and easy access to the desired discharge iocation.

The apparatus 10 is mounted on a chassis 60 and connectable to a vehicle (not shown), such as for example a tractor. The drive means of mixer shaft 30 is configured to be coupled with and driven by the drive mechanism of the vehicle.

Each container 11 comprises downwardly tapering walls 51 for directing the feed to the outlet opening 40.

A vibrating mechanism 15 is provided connected with the interior of each container 11 for agitating the feed. The vibrating mechanism 16 is preferably arranged to be driven by the motor 19 of the transfer auger.

The mixing shaft 30 comprises a plurality of blades 31 for mixing the feed and is mounted substantially horizontally across the interior of the container 11.

A rollable cover 27 is provided at the top openings 5 of the containers 11. The cover 27 is spreadable substantially sealingiy across the top openings 5 of the containers 11 to cover the top openings 5 completely. The cover 27 can be rolled back to uncover the top openings 5. A ratchet mechanism 25 is provided for operating the cover 5 remotely from the top openings 5. The provision of the cover 27 in combination with the shutters at the outlet openings 40 ensures that the feed remains fresh and uncontaminated during storage and transportation.

The duct comprises a receptacle 18 for adding feed supplements. The receptacle 18 is disposed intermediate the discharge opening 70 of the duct 7 and the outlet opening 40 of the container 11 nearest to the discharge opening 70 of the duct. The receptacle 18 comprises a cover 18a for closing and opening the receptacle. The provision of the receptacle 18 allows supplements to be added to the feed as the feed is being dispensed.

A compartment 20 for storing feed supplements is attached to one of the containers 11. it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of exampie only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the invention.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS:

1. A feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus comprising at least a pair of adjacently disposed containers, each container comprising a top opening and a mixing shaft rotatably mounted within the interior of the container, the mixing shaft being connected to a drive means; wherein each container has a base portion having an outlet opening through which the feed is dispensed under gravity and a shutter member sealingly closing the outlet opening, the shutter member being movable by a further drive means to controllably move the shutter to open and close the outlet opening; the apparatus further comprising a tubular duct extending between the outlet openings of each container, the duct being arranged in sealed communication with each outlet opening for receiving feed from each container; the duct being substantially sealed except for a discharge opening provided in the duct remote the outlet openings of the containers for discharging the feed to a desired location; and a transfer auger rotatably mounted along the interior of the duct for transferring the feed dispensed from the outlet openings of the containers to the discharge opening, the transfer auger being connected to and driven by a motor.

2. A feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mixing shaft is mounted substantially horizontally across the interior of the container; optionally, wherein the mixing shaft comprises a plurality of blades for mixing the feed; optionally, wherein the apparatus is mounted on a chassis and is oonnectable to a vehicle, wherein the drive means of the mixer shaft is configured to be coupled with and driven by a drive mechanism of the vehicle; and optionally, wherein the motor of the transfer auger is arranged to move the shutters and a control means is provided operable to control selectively the operation of the shutters, so that one or both shutters n be opened or closed when required or desired.

3. A feed mixing, dispensing and storage apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the container comprises downwardly tapering walls for directing the feed to the outlet opening; optionally, wherein the duct comprises a substantially upwardly extending length remote the outlet openings of the containers, so that the discharge opening of the duct is