Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations
First Claim
1. A system for measuring, dispensing and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration comprising:
- a weigh hopper;
a storage bin including an auger mounted thereto, said auger for metering a desired amount of a micro-ingredient into said weigh hopper;
A scale mounted to said weigh hopper for determining the weight of the micro-ingredient metered into said weigh hopper from said auger, said auger being activated to meter the desired amount of the micro-ingredient based upon weight indicated by said scale;
a product collection tank for receiving the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper, said product collection tank comprising a flush chamber;
a flush ring interconnected to said product collection tank for providing flush water to said product collection tank;
at least one conveyance pump interconnected to an outlet located near a bottom of said flush chamber; and
a transport line for delivering the micro-ingredient to the feed ration from the conveyance pump.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Transport by a liquid carrier such as water may be achieved by providing one or a plurality of conveyance pumps connected to a transport line. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for measuring, dispensing and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration comprising:
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a weigh hopper;
a storage bin including an auger mounted thereto, said auger for metering a desired amount of a micro-ingredient into said weigh hopper;
A scale mounted to said weigh hopper for determining the weight of the micro-ingredient metered into said weigh hopper from said auger, said auger being activated to meter the desired amount of the micro-ingredient based upon weight indicated by said scale;
a product collection tank for receiving the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper, said product collection tank comprising a flush chamber;
a flush ring interconnected to said product collection tank for providing flush water to said product collection tank;
at least one conveyance pump interconnected to an outlet located near a bottom of said flush chamber; and
a transport line for delivering the micro-ingredient to the feed ration from the conveyance pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising:
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providing a bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a weigh hopper;
weighing the micro-ingredient in the weigh hopper;
transferring the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper to a product collection tank, the product collection tank comprising a funnel-like portion having a flush chamber and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber;
activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring interconnected to the product collection tank; and
activating a conveyance pump to convey a backfill water, the flush ring water and the micro-ingredient from the product collection tank to the feed ration. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A product collection tank for receiving a micro-ingredient from a weigh hopper of a system for measuring, dispensing and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, the product collection tank comprising:
a funnel-like portion having a flush chamber and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber, said flush chamber having a width less than a width of said funnel-like portion. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification