WO1999009812A1

WO1999009812A1 - A feeding device

Info

Publication number: WO1999009812A1
Application number: PCT/DK1998/000362
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingolf Echberg
Original assignee: Echberg Foderanlæg A/S
Priority date: 1997-08-21
Filing date: 1998-08-20
Publication date: 1999-03-04
Also published as: DK172689B1; AU8798298A

Abstract

A feeding device (1) is described. The feeding device is capable of providing, in a simple manner, an accurate dosing of feed on a feed plate (3) by a vertical displacement of a feed tube (4) communicating with a feed container (5). The upper end (9) of the feed tube (4) is positioned in a space (36) formed between the first cylindrical part (33) and the second cylindrical part (35) encircling the outlet opening (7) of the container. To create a sealing which prevents the ingress of moisture and which simultaneously allows an elastic returning of the feed tube (4) when said feed tube is swung, there is provided a ring-shaped elastic gasket means in the form of lamellas (39) or an O-ring (42) between the upper end (9) of the feed tube and the cylindrical parts (33, 35). When the feed tube (4) is in contact with the feed plate (3), it will be possible to hose down the container without the risk of ingress of moisture in the feed.

Description

A FEEDING DEVICE

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a feeding device for feeding animals, preferably pigs or hogs, and which comprises

- a base member provided with a feed plate,

- a frame fastened to the base member,

- a funnel shaped feed container fastened in the frame in a position above the feed plate, - a substantially stiff tube communicating with the outlet opening of the feed container and extending downwards towards the feed plate, the lower end of the tube being positioned at a small distance above the feed plate and in combination therewith defines an outlet opening, said tube being pivotably suspended in the frame or the container, - a adjusting device mounted between the frame and the tube and allowing of longitudinal displacement of the tube,

- at least one restriction means fastened to the frame at a position above the feed plate, and adapted to cooperate with the tube to restrict its transverse movement

Feeding devices of this kind are known from German Patent No. 2,652,788. The known feeding device is a container and a feed tube connected via a funnel-shaped elastic sleeve. The upper end of this sleeve is fastened to the outlet of the container and the lower end of the sleeve is fastened to the upper end of the discharge tube. The discharge tube is provided with a restriction means in the shape of an annular brace allowing the transverse displacement of the discharge tube in the brace. The feeding device is provided with an adjusting device in the form of sliding bushes on which the actual container is placed. This adjusting device further cooperates with the brace which also contributes to regulate the amount of feed which is delivered when the animal transversely displaces the tube. Thus, it is possible to displace the brace be- tween an upper and a lower position. This allows greater or less swinging of the tube and thereby dosing of a larger or smaller amount of feed. It is also possible to regulate the amount of feed by displacing the entire container and the discharge tube fastened thereto. Hereby the discharge opening of the tube may be positioned at a greater or smaller distance above the feed plate and thereby define a larger or smaller discharge opening.

Said feeding device involves a disadvantage as the vertical displacement of the feed tube cannot take place in a simple manner. Especially if the container is filled with feed, a vertical displacement of the tube will be practically impossible. Furthermore, regulating the amount of feed by displacing the brace is very difficult. As there is a big difference in the amount of feed to be dosed to piglets and hogs, respectively, it is a disadvantage that there is no easy way of adjusting the height of the discharge opening above the feed plate.

Furthermore, it is difficult to regulate the amount in a sufficiently simple and accurate manner as the position of the feed tube will depend on the degree of filling and the amount of feed in the funnel-shaped sleeve. As the funnel-shaped sleeve is an elastic sleeve, a larger or smaller amount of feed will press on the sleeve and thereby affect the position of the feed tube and consequently the dosed amount of feed. This is disadvantageous, as there is a risk of dosing too small an amount of feed which will result in the animals not achieving the optimal growth desired. Alternatively, too large a dosage of feed will result in the feed just lying on the feed plate. As it is the nature of animals to seek fresh feed, feed which has been just lying on the feed plate will be pushed aside, and there will consequently be a risk of bacterial growth and disease germ developing in old feed accumulating on the feed plate and/or in water troughs normally surrounding the feed plate.

The brace is located in a position in which the animals, e.g. pigs or hogs, can reach it causing the risk of impurities collecting in and around the brace and the bush by means of which the brace is mounted on vertical guide rails.

Because of the risk of impurities in and around the brace and the fastening thereof, there is a risk of bacteria and disease germ collecting in the construction. Furthermore, the construction is not easy to clean, because of many projecting parts, and as it is not possible to hose down a livestock building without the risk of moisture penetrating the feed in the feeding device. This causes the risk of clogging and arch formation in the feed in the device and/or a decomposition of the feed with the risk of bacterial growth.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple feeding device whereby it is possible to regulate and establish, in an accurate manner, a correct feed dosage, and which simultaneously prevents ingress of moisture and permits a hosing on or around the feeding device without water penetrating the feed in the device.

This object is achieved with a feeding device characterised in that the outlet opening of the feed container has a first substantially cylindrical part adapted to enter the upper end of the feed tube, and a second substantially cylindrical part adapted to encircle the upper end of the feed tube, said cylindrical parts permitting the longitudinal displacement of the tube, and that in the space between the upper end of the feed tube and the cylindrical parts, there is provided an elastic gasket means which fills said space in radial direction.

In a feeding device with the above features, the feed tube may advantageously be displaced up and down through activation of the adjusting device. The upper end of the feed tube is freely displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the tube in the space formed between the first and the second cylindrical parts of the feed container. As the first cylindrical part of the feed container extends into the feed tube, feed will be led, in an accurate manner, from the feed container into the feed tube. The second cylindrical part encircles the upper end of the feed tube, and placing the gasket means in the space will consequently support the feed tube and may prevent ingress of moisture and possibly penetration of water when hosing down the tube.

Furthermore, penetration of water will be prevented in a particularly safe manner where the elastic gasket means is ring-shaped and is positioned between the outside of the upper end of the feed tube and the inside of the second cylindrical part. Thus, there is formed a water proof gasket which not only prevents the ingress of moisture when hosing, but also if the feeding device is used in an environment with a high humidity. In such an environment, the gasket will also prevent the ingress of moisture. If the container is provided with a lid covering the top side of the container, it is thus possible to keep the feed in the container and in the tube dry.

As the gasket means is elastic, it will ensure a sealing of the space even if the animals touch the lower end of the feed tube and thereby make it swing sideways in such a manner that also the upper end of the tube will swing at the motion of the tube around the restriction means, which is commonly a ring-shaped bush.

The feed tube is preferably suspended to the frame via the adjusting device. The adjusting device comprises a rod fastened to the feed tube by means of a cross stick or the like and extending up through the feed tube and the container. Said adjusting rod is mounted in a bearing fastened to a cross bar fastened to the container and/or the frame. From here, a lever extends crosswise to a position outside the container, where there is an operating handle at a suitable working height. Via adjustment of said operating handle, the adjusting rod and thereby also the feed tube are raised and lowered.

The feed tube can be lowered down into contact with the feed plate. When the feed tube is in this position, the upper end of the feed tube will still be located in the space which is formed between the first and second cylindrical parts of the feed container. In this condition, the feed will be sealed off and it is possible to undertake a hosing without the risk of moisture accumulating in the feed.

The elastic ring-shaped gasket means may provide a further advantage contributing to a correct dosage. If the gasket means is dimensioned such that the elastic resilience is sufficiently high, the elasticity will contribute to return the feed tube towards a vertical position. This reduces the risk of an unnecessarily large amount of feed running out of the outlet opening. Once an animal has imparted a sideways movement to the lower end of the feed tube and thereby discharged feed on the feed plate, the animal will start eating this amount of feed. When the animal eats the amount of feed, the tube will return to the vertical position on account of its own weight, but this return to the vertical position is further secured by the influence of the elastic gasket means on the upper end of the feed tube. The elastic influence will contribute to swing back the feed tube about the restriction means towards a vertical position. This minimises the outlet opening and thereby reduces the amount of feed which will lay around the outlet opening when the tube is not activated by an animal.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a side view, partly in section, through the feeding device shown in Fig.

1, Fig. 3 shows an enlarged partially section view through a part of the feeding device, Fig. 4 shows a section view, on an enlarged scale, corresponding to Fig. 3 of a sec- ond embodiment of the feeding device according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows a section view through an element intended for positioning around the outlet opening of the funnel, and Fig. 6 shows a plane view of the element shown in Fig. 5.

In the Figure of the drawing identical or like elements will be referred to with the same reference numerals. Such elements will not be explained in detail in connection with each Figure.

A feeding device 1 according to the present invention comprises a base member 2 provided with a feed plate 3. Above the feed plate 3, there is provided a vertical feed tube 4 which communicates with a funnel-shaped feed container 5 fastened to the base member 2 via a frame 6. The feed container 5 is fastened above the feed plate 3. The tube 4 communicates with the outlet opening 7 of the container 5 (see Fig. 2) at the upper end 8 of the tube. The lower end 9 of the tube is positioned at a small distance 10 above the feed plate 3 and, in combination therewith, defines an outlet opening 11 for feed. The tube 4 is suspended on the frame 6 by means of an adjusting device 12 which permits displacement of the tube 4 in the longitudinal direction 13 and simultaneously permits a swinging of the tube 4 transversely to the longitudinal direction 13. The adjusting device 12 comprises a rod 14 fastened to the tube 4 via a cross stick 15. The rod 14 extends up through the tube 4 and the container 5. At its upper end, the rod 14 is fastened via fittings 16 to a swivel joint 17 pivoting about an axle of rotation 18. The axle of rotation 18 is mounted on a cross beam 19 at the top of the container 5. The cross beam 19 is fastened to the container 5 together with the frame 6 by means of screws 20.

The swivel joint 17 is connected at its upper end to a transverse lever 21 which passes through a hole 22 in the side of the container 5. At the outside, the lever 21 is connected to a handle 23 which may be adjusted to different positions by means of positioning holes 24 in a positioning plate 25 fastened to the frame 6. By activating the handle 23 which is positioned at a convenient working height, it is possible for the user to adjust the vertical position of the tube 4 and, thus, the distance 10 of the tube 4 above the feed plate 3, just as it is possible to bring the lower end of the tube 4 in contact with the feed plate 3.

The container 5 may be filled by means of automatic feed supply systems discharging at the top of the container 5. The container 5 may be provided with a lid 5' which fits tightly to the upper edge 26 of the container 5.

The feed plate 3 is formed in a feed trough 27 which has two depressions 28 on each side of the feed plate 3. These depressions serve as drinking trough being supplied with water via water pipes 29 which are provided with drinking valves 30 at their lower ends.

The feeding device 1 furthermore comprises restriction means in the form of two rings 31 encircling the feed tube 4 with a certain clearance. The rings 31 are fastened to the frame 6 via flanges 32 in a position above the feed plate. The clearance which is between the inside or the ring 31 and the outside of the tube 4 allows a transverse movement of the feed tube. Depending on the dimensions of the ring and the position of the ring above the feed plate, this transverse movement may be adjusted to allow of the possibility of dosing larger or smaller amounts of feed.

In the shown situation, the rings 31 are fastened to the frame. Alternatively, the rings

31 may be positioned displaceably in vertical direction to allow greater or less swinging movement of the tube 4 and thereby a possibility of dosing larger or smaller amounts when an animal pushes the lower end 9 of the feed tube.

The connection between the feed tube 4 and the container 5 is most clearly seen from the fragmentary section views in Figs. 3 and 4. A common feature of these embodiments is that there is provided for the possibility of displacing the tube 4 in the longitudinal direction 13 without hitting the outlet of the container 5, and the possibility of the swinging movement of the tube 4 relative to the fixedly held container 5.

The outlet opening 7 of the feed container 5 is formed of a first substantially cylindrical part 33 adapted to enter the upper end 8 of the feed tube 4. In the shown embodiment, the upper end 8 of the feed tube is bent out 34. However, the feed tube 4 may also be made of a straight tube which is not bent out. The feed container 5 furthermore comprises a second substantially cylindrical part 35 fitted to encircle the upper end 8 of the feed tube 4 in the space 36 which is formed between the two cylindrical parts 33,35. In the space 37 which is formed between the inside of the second cylindrical part 35 and the outside of the upper end 8 of the tube, there is provided a ring-shaped elastic gasket means 38 encircling the space 37 in radial direction. In axial direction it is not necessary to fill out the whole space 37.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the gasket means 38 is made in the form of a number of ring-shaped lamellas 39 which are made integral with the second cylindrical part 35 and which slants downwards, inward towards the central axis 40 of the tube. The outside at the upper part of the tube as a smooth surface which cooperates with the lamellas which preferably have a blunt edge 41 co-operating with the feed tube. The lamellas 39 will prevent moisture from penetrating into the space 36 and thereby into the feed in the container and the feed tube. Because of the elasticity, the sealing will continue irrespective of whether the tube 4 is swung. Simultaneously, the elasticity will contribute to establish a restoring moment on the tube 4 such that it will be pressed back towards a vertical position when the lamellas 39 are deformed.

Fig. 4 illustrates a second embodiment of a feeding device wherein the gasket means 38 is provided in the form of a loose sealing ring 42 of a rubber elastic material. The ring 42 may be a so-called O-ring. In the second cylindrical part 35, there is formed a groove 43 which serves to partly receive the ring 42. Hereby there is ensured a correct positioning of the ring. This ring 42 ensures a sealing of the space 36 and will contribute to establish a restoring moment on the tube by means of its elasticity

In the shown embodiments, the second cylindrical part 35 is shown as a separate ele- ment. This element is welded or glued at an upper cylindrical sleeve 44 to the outside

45 of the container 5. Alternatively, the applied cylindrical part 35 may be a separate element fastened to the outside of the container by means of mutually engaging beads or by means of mechanical engaging means in the form of spring locks and the like.

However, it is preferred that the two cylindrical parts are made integral with the container which is made by injection moulding. Container and cylindrical parts are preferably made from plastic, especially polyvinyl chloride. By using transparent plastic, there is achieved an advantage of visual control of the contents in the container 5 and in the tube 4.

In the shown embodiment, the tube 4 is bent out 34, the upper part of said tube having a substantially cylindrical form. Alternatively, the bent out part may be formed at an angle. Only it is important that between the bent out part 34 and the outlet opening 7 of the container, there is formed a ring-shaped clearance 46 allowing the free swinging of the tube 4 relative to the container 5. In Figs. 5 and 6 there are shown a section view and a plane view, respectively, of a separate element 47 providing the second cylindrical part 35. At the cylindrical sleeve 44 the element 47 has a number of projecting bosses 48. Said bosses are intended to co-operate with grooves at the outside 45 of the container 5. The grooves may be L- shaped bayonet grooves. Alternatively, the grooves may be a ring-shaped groove for snap fit-receiving the projecting bosses 48. In the said embodiment, the gasket means 38 is comprised of a number of lamellas 49 formed integral with the second cylindrical part and extending axially, slanting inwards towards a central axis of the tube 4. The lamellas 49 have blunt edges 41 cooperating with a smooth outside surface of the feed tube 4. In this embodiment, there will be an access of air to the interior of the feed tube 4 in the space 50 between the lamellas 49. If it is desired to produce a complete sealing of this embodiment, this may be achieved by placing an annular sealing ring at a position 51 below the lamellas 49. Such a sealing ring may be fastened by various means, for example by a ring-shaped lid partly covering the sealing ring, but allowing the upper part of the feed tube 4 to enter the element 47. Separate element 47 with the axially extending lamellas 49 is, technically, simple to manufacture by injection moulding. The lamellas 49 work in substantially the same way as described above in connection with the lamellas 39.

Claims

1. A feeding device for feeding animals, preferably pigs or hogs, and which comprises

- a base member (2) provided with a feed plate (3), - a frame (6) fastened to the base member,

- a funnel shaped feed container (5) fastened in the frame in a position above the feed plate,

- a substantially stiff tube (4) communicating with the outlet opening (7) of the feed container and extending downwards towards the feed plate, the lower end (9) of the tube being positioned at a small distance (10) above the feed plate and in combination therewith defines an outlet opening (11), said tube being pivotably suspended in the frame or the container,

- a adjusting device (12) mounted between the frame and the tube and allowing of longitudinal displacement of the tube, - at least one restriction means (31) fastened to the frame at a position above the feed plate, and adapted to cooperate with the tube to restrict its transverse movement, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the outlet opening (7) of the feed container has a first substantially cylindrical part (33) adapted to enter the upper end (8) of the feed tube, and a second substantially cylindrical part (35) adapted to embrace the upper end of the feed tube, said cylindrical parts (33,35) permitting the longitudinal displacement of the tube (4), and that in the space (36,37) between the upper end of the feed tube and the cylindrical parts there is provided an elastic gasket means (38,39,42) which fills said space in radial direction.

2. A feeding device according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the gasket means (38,39,42) is ring-shaped and positioned between the outside of the upper end (8) of the feed tube and the inside of the second cylindrical part (35).

3. A feeding device according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the gasket means is comprised of a number of lamellas (39) formed integral with the second cylindrical part (35), and slanting inwards towards the central axis of the tube, and that the tube (4) has a smooth outside surface for cooperating with the edge of the lamellas.

4. A feeding device according to claim 1, characterised in that the gasket means is comprised of a separate sealing ring (42).

5. A feeding device according to claim 4, characterised in that the second cylindrical part comprises a groove (43) for partly receiving the sealing ring (42).

6. A feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the container (5) is a plastic container made by injection moulding with the two cylindrical parts (33,35) formed integrally with the funnel shaped container.

7. A feeding device according to any one of the claims 1-5, characterised in that the second cylindrical part is comprised of a separate sleeve (47) the first end of which has an internal diameter corresponding to the external diameter of the cylindrical outlet opening (7), that the sleeve (47) is fastened around the outlet opening via said first end, and that the other end of the sleeve has a larger internal diameter and is adapted to encircle the upper end (8) of the feed tube.

8. A feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the upper end (8) of the tube is bent outwards (34) and forms a sleeve adapted to receive a correspondingly bent out outlet opening with a clearance permitting the free swinging of the tube relative to the container.

9. A feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the tube and the container are made from a transparent material, preferably polyvinyl chloride.

10. A feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal displacement of the tube is made so as to bring the lower end (9) of the tube in contact with the feed plate (3), and that the container is provided with a lid (5') covering the top side of the container.