WO1998016100A1

WO1998016100A1 - Set for feeding apparatus for animals, especially pigs, use of the feeding apparatus and a feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1998016100A1
Application number: PCT/DK1997/000408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mogens Hubert Jensen
Original assignee: M.H. Jensen Maskinfabrik Aps
Priority date: 1996-10-15
Filing date: 1997-09-26
Publication date: 1998-04-23
Also published as: AU4549797A; DK172729B1; DK114396A

Abstract

A set for feeding apparatus/magazines for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe for the supply of foodstuff, one end of said supply pipe being connected to the feeding apparatus, and also where the other end (4) of the supply pipe branches out to form at least two connection pipes (6) which are angularly inclined in relation to the centre axis of the supply pipe and downwards towards the feeding place (8), and where the supply pipe (2) with connection pipes (6) is connected in a rotatable manner to the feeding apparatus/magazine or an associated connection part (9). It is hereby achieved that the feeding area for the animals is increased, so that crowding around the feeding place is reduced, while at the same time the risk of the pipes getting blocked is minimized.

Description

SET FOR FEEDING APPARATUS FOR ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY PIGS, USE OF THE FEEDING APPARATUS AND A FEEDING APPARATUS

The invention concerns a set for feeding apparatus/maga- zines for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe for the supply of feedstuff, the one end of said supply pipe being connected to the feeding apparatus, and also the use of the feeding apparatus.

The invention also concerns a feeding apparatus for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe for the supply of feedstuff to the feeding place.

From Danish utility model no. DK 94 00227 and Danish utility model no. DK 94 00123 there are known feeding apparatus of the type which can be used for the feeding of pigs, and which comprise a frame in which there is mounted a pipe for supplying the feedstuff. A dosing of the relevant feedstuff is effected via the pipe.

These publications disclose the possibility of providing the supply pipe for the feedstuff with a certain degree of movement in the horizontal direction, so that the feedstuff can flow freely out through the slot which is between the end of the pipe and the feeding place. This can be solved either by suspending the pipe in a flexible arrangement or also by producing the pipe itself in a flexible material.

However, these apparatus suffer the disadvantage that the feeding area becomes relatively small, in that the pipe's radius of movement is minimal, while at the same time herewith there consequently arises a great crowding of the pigs around the feedstuff .

Moreover, the construction gives rise to clumping together of the feedstuff due to it being mixed with water in the adjacent vessels with the supplied feedstuff, which thus results in a risk of the pipe getting blocked.

It is the object of the invention to provide a set for use for feeding apparatus which provides the possibility of a greater feeding area for the animals, especially pigs, so that crowding around the feeding place is reduced, while at the same time minimizing the risk of the pipe getting blocked.

Finally, the number of feeding apparatus in comparison with that which is otherwise seen as known is minimized, in that each individual apparatus provides a greater feeding area.

This object is achieved by means of a set of the kind disclosed in the preamble, and where also the supply pipe in the other end branches off into at least two supply pipes which are angularly inclined in relation to the centre axis of the supply pipe and downwards towards the feeding place, and the supply pipe with connection pipes is pivotably connected to the feeding apparatus/magazine or a connection part for the feeding apparatus .

In that the animals crowd around the feeding place, they are able via their snouts to cause a movement of the pipe construction in the horizontal direction, so that this moves and results in the feedstuff being distributed over a larger area. This effect is increased in that the feed- stuff is not supplied through only one pipe, but through at least two or more.

In that there are several passages for the feedstuff to pass through, and at the same time that these are pivot- ably mounted, the distribution of the feedstuff is effected over a larger area, so that less crowding occurs around the feeding place. Furthermore, a self-cleaning effect of the construction is achieved as mentioned earlier, in that the clumps which may arise by the mixing of the feedstuff and water are not given the possibility of congealing and clumping due to the rotating movement of the supply pipes around the feeding place.

Finally, the result of the construction is that fewer units are needed, in that a greater number of animals can be fed with a feeding apparatus which is provided with a set according to the invention than that which is otherwise known from the known technique.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 2, a simple and expedient configuration of the set is achieved.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 3, the area over which the feedstuff can reach out is large and yet well-defined.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 4, a controlled depositing of the feedstuff is achieved. If, for example, there are four connection pipes, it is expedient that the pipe can be moved in an open interval from 0-90°, in that the discharge of feedstuff from the one pipe thus does not overlap that of the others.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 5 or 6, there is achieved an expedient distribution of the feedstuff with regard to amount in relation to area.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 7, a further possibility of control is achieved for regulating the supply of feedstuff.

By configuring the set according to the invention as disclosed in claim 8, it is achieved that the animals can not damage the pipe, for example with their teeth, due to the excellent material characteristics of the stainless steel. At the same time, the material is resistant against the attacks by ammonia which will typically exist in the environment as disclosed.

By configuring the invention as disclosed in claim 9, an expedient connection of the set to the feeding apparatus is achieved.

The invention also concerns the use of a feeding apparatus, especially for pigs, on which is mounted a set according to any of the aforementioned claims.

The invention also discloses a feeding apparatus for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe for the supply of feedstuff to a feeding place, in that the one end of the supply pipe which faces towards the feeding place branches off into at least two connection pipes which are angularly inclined in relation to the supply pipe's centre axis downwards towards the feeding place, and that the supply pipe with the connection pipes is pivotably connected to a connection part on the feeding apparatus .

Such a feeding apparatus thus has a set which is otherwise described in the remaining claims as an integral part of its construction.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the drawing, where

fig. 1 shows an example of a set with two connection pipes ,

fig. 2 shows a feeding magazine for a feeding apparatus, in the one end of which is incorp- orated the connection part for the set,

fig. 3 shows an example of a feeding apparatus mounted with a set of the kind shown in fig.

1,

fig. 3a shows a section through a trough in which a platform is laid,

fig. 4 shows the pattern of movement made by the connection pipes shown in fig. 1 when this is seen from the end of the connection pipes,

fig. 5 shows an example of a set with three connection pipes .

An example of a set 1 for feeding apparatus is shown in fig. 1, and comprises a supply pipe 2 in the one end 3 of which the connection to the remaining part of the feeding apparatus is effected. The other end 4 of the supply pipe is branched, in this case to form two connection pipes 6, said branching taking place in a branching area 5.

The angle between the supply pipe ' s two centre axes 7 and the centre axes 19 of the connection pipes 6 lies within 20-75 degrees, and preferably in the order of 20-40 degrees .

At their far ends, the connection pipes 6 are cut off close to the feeding place 8, so that the cut surface is parallel with the flat plane of the feeding place, whereby the cut surface on the connection pipes will be oval in cross-section. The diameter of the supply pipe and connection pipes is typically 50 mm. On the centre parts of the supply pipe 2 there is provided a stud 17, which stud upon connection of the supply pipe to the remaining parts of the feeding apparatus contributes towards providing an interval in which the connection pipe can turn, in that the stud acts as a stop.

The set is preferably configured in stainless steel, in that this is a material which the animals, especially pigs, are unable to damage while they are feeding. Moreover, the steel is resistant against the corrosion resulting from the the vapours which can arise in such an environment, where here there is envisaged especially ammonia vapour.

Fig. 2 shows a part for a feeding apparatus and comprises a feeding magazine 11 with a connection part 9 for the set provided in its far end. This is typically a ballbearing, which can thus give rise to a free rotation in the horizontal direction, in that the supply pipe 2 is inserted into and sits clamped inside the central opening of the ball-bearing. Provided in the end surface of the connection part 9 there are one or more studs/springs 16 which act as stops against the turning of the set, in that upon assembly the set has the one end 3 of the supply pipe inserted in the connection part, whereby the projecting stud 17 in the supply pipe lies between the projecting studs 16 on the connection part. In this manner, the rotation of the connection pipe can be deter- mined so that the intervals can lie from a few degrees and up to x times 360 degrees.

The feeding magazine is made of steel and is specially produced, so that the one end is adapted to suit the existing feeding apparatus and the other end for the mounting of the set. In the cases where the number of connection pipes 6 comprises four, it will be expedient to place two studs 16 with a distance of 90 degrees between them, and to position the stud 17 on the supply pipe between two of these so that the set can only execute a turn of up to 90 degrees. Since the four connection pipes will be symmetrically disposed around an imaginary centre axis, the effect when they are moved will be that the feedstuff which passes through the pipes will not overlap each other's feeding places.

Fig. 3 shows a feeding apparatus 10 on which a set 1 such as that shown in fig. 1 has been mounted. The feeding apparatus comprises a feedstuff pipe 20 which is typically made of clear plastic, in that it can thus be seen how much feedstuff there can be in the apparatus. This is coupled at the bottom to a feeding magazine 11, in the lower end of which there is mounted a connection part 9, e.g. in the form of a ball-bearing.

The set 1 thus engages with its one end 3 up in the connection part 9, and can now execute a turning movement in the horizontal plane. As disclosed earlier, the set branches out into several connection pipes 6, and in this case there are shown two connection pipes.

The feeding apparatus 10 itself is secured to a rack/- frame 12, and is provided uppermost with a feedstuff filling part which can possibly receive feedstuff by mechanical means. The feedstuff pipe 20 can be adjusted up and down by means of a regulating bracket 15, so that the overall positioning of the apparatus can be regulated in the vertical direction. Moreover, a slide bracket 13 is mounted in the form of a semi-circular band adjoining or secured to the frame 12, and in which the pipe or the feeding magazine 11 is disposed. The apparatus is also provided with a guide-ring 14 in order to ensure the cor- rect vertical movement of the pipes. By making the pipes movable in the vertical direction, it is thus possible to control the amount of feedstuff which runs out from the end of the set 1.

To the frame 12, for example, water pipes 18 can be connected which lead water down into the trough 21 and close to the feedstuff outlet. The feeding place 8 is disposed directly under the outlet from the set 1.

The apparatus now functions in that way that the animals, especially pigs, will collect around the outlet pipe or connection pipes of the set 1 from which the feedstuff is discharged. Since the set is suspended in a rotatable manner in the remaining part of the apparatus, displacement of the set by the pigs will give rise to its movement in the horizontal direction. This in itself will have the effect that a greater amount of feedstuff can be discharged, and that the area of the feeding place is increased in relation to that which is otherwise known. The feeding place can comprise a specially produced platform which can either be welded to the apparatus or can possibly be allowed to stand loose under the set. The platform can be mounted afterwards in all forms of feed- stuff discharge units, and can be either round, square, oblong or oval with a flat surface. The characteristic feature of such a platform is that it raises the horizontal level of the feeding place, so that the feedstuff lies at a level above the water. Consequently, the use of such a trough is necessary only when it is desired to hold the feedstuff and the water separated.

Due to the rotation of the set, the risk of the feedstuff clumping together at the end and thus cause a blocking of the feedstuff supply will be minimal. As disclosed earlier, the distance between the platform 8 and the outlet can be adjusted and, depending on the feedstuff type, can typically lie at distances from 1/2 to 20 mm.

Fig. 3a shows a cross-section of a trough with a platform mounted, and where the platfrom is raised up to the upper edge of the trough, and where the water lies at a level under the platform and in the space beneath.

In fig. 4 is seen the feedstuff discharge place seen from the end, where the discharge ends of two connection pipes are indicated. These are shown in three positions, where position I, II and III indicate that a rotation can take place, and that the feedstuff can thus lie in the whole of the area from position III over position I to position II, in that the rotation in this case is shown to be 90 degrees. There will thus be some areas between position II and position III, marked IV, where no feedstuff will be discharged from the pipe.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the set 1, in that this set 1 is configured with three connection pipes 6. The connection pipes 6 branch out from the second end of the supply pipe 2, and from the one end of the connection pipes 2 there is thus connection to the rest of the feeding apparatus, possibly to a feeding magazine. On the supply pipe 2 there is also seen a protruding stud 17 which, as mentioned earlier, must serve to control the rotation of the set around the remaining part of the construction.

The actual feeding area (the feedstuff table) can be covered by many different positions of the discharge pipes, depending entirely on how many feeding pipes are mounted. There is no risk of old feedstuff piling up in the centre of the outlet, in that the effect of the rotatable set's outlet is that the centre is continuously held free. The set can also be mounted with a loose feedstuff magazine which is manually supplied with feedstuff via a funnel opening.

Claims

C A I M S

1. Set (1) for feeding apparatus/magazines (10, 11) for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe (2) for the supply of feedstuff, said supply pipe (2) being connected at the one end ( 3 ) to the feeding apparatus/magazine, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the other end ( 4 ) of the supply pipe branches out into at least two connection pipes ( 6 ) which are angularly inclined in relation to the centre axis of the supply pipe and downwards towards the feeding place ( 8 ) , and in that the supply pipe (2) with connection pipes (6) is connected in a rotatable manner to the feeding apparatus/magazine or an associated connection part ( 9 ) .

2. Set according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supply pipe (2) with connection pipes (6) is rotatable around a substantially vertical axle.

3. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the supply pipe ( 2 ) with connection pipes (6) can be turned up to 360°.

4. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the supply pipe (2) with connection pipes (6) can be turned in an interval, said interval being a function of the number of connection pipes ( 6 ) .

5. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the number of connection pipes (6) is 2-6 pipes, and preferably 4.

6. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a - r a c t e r i z e d in that the angle between the centre axis of the supply pipe (2) and the centre axis of the connection pipes (6) is 20-75°, preferably 20-40°.

7. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the supply pipe ( 2 ) can be displaced in the vertical direction.

8. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that this is made of stainless steel.

9. Set according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the connection part ( 9 ) comprises a feedstuff container (11) which at the one end is connected to the feeding apparatus and at the other end is provided with a rotatable pipe stub or mechanism, for example a ball-bearing.

10. Use of a feeding apparatus mounted with a set according to any of the foregoing claims for the feeding of animals, especially pigs.

11. Feeding apparatus for animals, especially pigs, comprising a supply pipe (2) for the supply of feedstuff to a feeding place (8), c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the one end ( 4 ) of the supply pipe ( 2 ) which faces towards the feeding place (8) branches out to form at least two connection pipes ( 6 ) which are angularly inclined in relation to the centre axis of the supply pipe (2) downwards towards the feeding place, and in that the supply pipe ( 2 ) with the connection pipes ( 6 ) is con- nected in a rotatable manner to a connection part on the feeding apparatus (10).