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

• US 7,537,375 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Issued: 05/26/2009
• 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:
  US11/676,123
• Publication Number:
  US 20070159918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 119/51.01, 366/141, 366/163.1, 366/163.2, 366/348, 366/349, 222/1, 222/77, 177/1, 141/9, 141/83
• 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 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.

2. A method, as claimed in claim 1 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.

3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, 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.

4. A method, as claimed in claim 1 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.

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

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

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

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

7. 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 storing temporarily 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 means for storing.

8. A method, as claimed in claim 7, 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.

9. A method, as claimed in claim 7, 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.

10. A method, as claimed in claim 7, 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.

11. A method, as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

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

12. 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 storing temporarily 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, means for storing, and transport line.

13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, 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.

14. A method, as claimed in claim 12, 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.

15. A method, as claimed in claim 12, 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.

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

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

17. 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 addittion 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.