Method and Apparatus for Administering Micro-Ingredient Feed Additives to Animal Feed Rations
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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 pneumatically conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Pneumatic transport may be achieved either by a single transport line, or a plurality of transport lines. 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
26 Claims
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1-9. -9. (canceled)
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10. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
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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 weight hopper;
providing a transport line and an eductor placed in line with transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper and into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration without the addition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the transport line, bin and hopper. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 23)
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15. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a storage bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a means for temporarily storing the metered micro-ingredient;
recording the loss of weight in the bin after the micro-ingredient has been metered to the means for storing, the recorded loss of weight corresponding to the amount of the micro-ingredient metered to the means for storing;
providing a transport line and an eductor mounted in line with the transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the means for storing into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration, said transferring step being achieved without the addition of liquid in the transport line, bin, and hopper. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 24)
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19. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a storage bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a means for temporarily storing the metered micro-ingredient, said metering step resulting in delivery of a predetermined and desired quantity of the micro-ingredient to the means for storing;
providing a transport line and an eductor mounted in line with the transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the means for storing into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration, without addition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the bin, hopper and transport line. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 25)
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26. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
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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 weight hopper;
providing a transport line and an eductor placed in line with transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper and into the transport line;
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration without the addition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the transport line, bin and hopper;
providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line;
providing a flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device conveying the micro-ingredient to a feed mixer containing an animal feed ration, wherein the micro-ingredient is delivered to the feed ration without recirculating the micro-ingredient through the transport line and wherein the flow of the liquid prevents loss of micro-ingredients as they enter feed mixer.
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Specification