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

• US 7,325,967 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 02/05/2008
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US10/633,463
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 366/141, 366/163.1, 366/163.2, 366/173.1, 366/156.2, 366/156.1, 366/101
• 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 and to receive the micro-ingredient metered from said auger;

an eductor mounted in line with said transport line;

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; and

a discharge device having an upstream end attached to a discharge end of said transport line, said discharge device further including a housing body an inner tube placed within said housing body, said inner tube communicating with said discharge end for receiving micro-ingredients moving through said transport line, wherein a cylindrical shaped gap defines an open space between an outer surface of said inner tube and an inner surface of said housing body, said inner tube and said body each having a downstream end terminating substantially coterminous with one another, and wherein a flow of liquid is provided through said housing body and then through said cylindrical shaped gap whereby as said micro-ingredients exit said discharge device, said liquid concentrically surrounds said micro-ingredients.

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; and

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.

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, wherein:

said discharge device further includes a flange connected to the downstream end of said inner tube wherein said flange acts as a nozzle to accelerate liquid flowing in said gap between said inner tube and said housing body.