METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADMINISTERING MICRO-INGREDIENT FEED ADDITIVES TO ANIMAL FEED RATIONS

• US 20080283551A1
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Animal Health International Incorporated (Patterson Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Animal Health International Incorporated (Patterson Cos., Inc.)
• Inventors: Moore, Greg, Hoff, Charles H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,496,135 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 5/0283 by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 7/02 Automatic devices ; Medication dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 13/026 by mechanical conveying means, e.g. belt or vibratory conveyor

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.

Claims

1. A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising:

storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;

weighing the micro-ingredient;

transferring the micro-ingredient to a product collection tank, wherein the product collection tank comprises a funnel like portion, a flush chamber protruding from the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber, said outlet being oriented substantially horizontal; and

simultaneously activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring connected to the product collection tank and activating a conveyance pump to convey the micro-ingredient.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said conveyance pump includes two conveyance pumps.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flush chamber comprises about 10% of a width of said production collection tank.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a flush chamber bottom surface of said flush chamber slopes downward toward said outlet.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flush ring comprises a front flush ring and a rear flush ring, said front and rear flush rings having a plurality of first perforations, said front flush ring further comprising a plurality of second perforations, wherein said second perforations provide at least a portion of the flush ring water to a sidewall of said flush chamber.

6. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flush chamber further comprises a sloping bottom surface.

7. A method, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said sloping bottom surface comprises a bottom angle between about 1 to 10 degrees from horizontal.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said outlet is substantially horizontal.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said product collection tank further includes an extension portion connected to said funnel like portion.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

a side wall of said flush chamber is substantially vertical.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

an end wall of said flush chamber is substantially vertical.

12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said flush chamber includes a pair of side walls interconnected by an end wall.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said flush chamber includes side walls and an end wall, said side walls and said end wall being orientated substantially vertical, and further wherein said side walls are substantially triangular shaped and said end wall is substantially rectangular shaped.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said funnel like portion comprises a plurality of planer sloping surfaces.