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 funnel like portion and a flush chamber protruding from the funnel like portion;
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.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
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 funnel like portion and a flush chamber protruding from the funnel like portion; 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, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification