Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations

• US 20050024988A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Animal Health International Incorporated (Patterson Cos., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lextron, Inc.
• Inventors: Freeman, Steve R., Hoff, Charles H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/141
• 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. A system for measuring, dispensing and pneumatically 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 transport line for delivering the micro-ingredient to the feed ration;

means intermediate said weigh hopper and said transport line for introducing the micro-ingredient in the transport line;

an eductor mounted in line with said transport line; and

means for supplying pressurized air through said eductor and through said transport line, wherein said eductor facilitates movement of the micro-ingredient through said means for introducing and through said eductor into said transport line.

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

said bin includes a plurality of bins each having a corresponding auger for metering separate micro-ingredients into said weight hopper.

3. A system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

said weigh hopper includes a plurality of weigh hoppers;

said bin includes a plurality of bins each having a corresponding auger for metering separate micro-ingredients from each of said bins into corresponding weigh hoppers of said plurality of weigh hoppers; and

said means for introducing includes a plurality of means for introducing enabling the separate micro-ingredients to be introduced into the transport line.

4. A system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said scale includes a plurality of scales, one scale of said plurality of scales being mounted to each weigh hopper of said plurality of weigh hoppers for separately determining the weight of micro-ingredients in each of said weigh hoppers.

5. A system, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:

said transport line includes a plurality of transport lines for separately conveying the micro-ingredients, said means for supplying pressurized air communicating with each of said plurality of transport lines thereby causing transport of the micro-ingredients through the plurality of transport lines.

6. A system, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said means for supplying pressurized air includes a plurality of means for supplying pressurized air so that each transport line of said plurality of transport lines has a dedicated means for supplying pressurized air therethrough.

7. A system, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a discharge device attached to a discharge end of said transport line, said discharge device providing a curtain of liquid surrounding said micro-ingredient as said ingredient exits the discharge end of said transport line.

8. A system, as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a mixing manifold connected to a discharge end of said transport line for mixing a stream of liquid and the micro-ingredient passing therethrough.

9. A system, as claimed in claim 8, wherein:

said mixing manifold includes a plurality of inlet ports which receive the micro-ingredient and the liquid therethrough, said manifold providing a common passageway for mixing of the liquid and the micro-ingredient after passing through the ports.

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.

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.

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.