Method and Apparatus for Administering Micro-Ingredient Feed Additives to Animal Feed Rations

• US 20070159918A1
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Animal Health International Incorporated (Patterson Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lextron, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoff, Charles, Freeman, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,537,375 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/133
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0216 for the distribution of liquid fodder A01K9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 23/54 wetting solids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/85 wherein the particles fall onto a film that flows along the inner wall of a mixer
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/1453 by means of jets of fluid, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71731 using a hopper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/881 by weighing, e.g. with automatic discharge
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/883 using flow rate controls for feeding the substances

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.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

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.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

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.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said weigh hopper includes a plurality of weigh hoppers wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered to a corresponding weigh hopper, each weigh hopper weighing the micro-ingredient therein prior to transfer of the micro-ingredient to the transport line.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said weighing step is achieved by measuring the gain of weight by addition of the micro-ingredient to the weigh hopper.

23. A method, as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.

15. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

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.

16. A method, as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

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.

17. A method, as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with the flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.

18. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said means for temporarily storing includes a plurality of means for temporarily storing wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each storage bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into a corresponding means for temporarily storing.

24. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:

said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.

19. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

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.

20. A method, as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

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.

21. A method, as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and

introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with the flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.

22. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein:

said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said means for temporarily storing includes a plurality of means for temporarily storing wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each storage bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into a corresponding means for temporarily storing.

25. A method, as claimed in claim 19, wherein:

said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.

26. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:

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.