Device for dispensing granulated feed

DESCRIPTION

Device for distribution of granulated feed.

The invention relates to a device for distributing granulated feed on the ground, particularly applicable for the feeding of young hens that occupy ships or chicken coops of considerable dimensions.

It is usual that the distribution of feed was made by feeders that extend, at a low height from the ground, through the interior of the chicken coop where the birds are found; This way of proceeding presents marked inconveniences, among which the following are worth mentioning: the large area occupied by these feeders, which results in a reduced use of the chicken coop; and the increase in accidents, lamenesses and inequalities derived from raising birds at high densities amidst the obstacles that represent the feeders.

Given this situation, it has been thought of suppressing these feeders, but replacing them with a manual distribution of feed has been prohibitive because of the high cost of labor.

The invention intends to overcome the indicated drawbacks and this purpose is achieved with a device that is characterized by comprising: a hopper provided with a franking bottom opening; a feeder formed by at least two mutually related tubular bodies telescoopically and defining an upper mouth of the feed receiving feeder, and a lower mouth of the feed spreader feeder to the hopper, this lower mouth being above said lower opening of said hopper and at an adjustable distance thereof; means for regulating said distance; a horizontal stage equipped with the possibility of rotation, located a distance below said lower opening and in vertical alignment therewith; and rotating actuation means of said stage.

The device is placed suspended in the upper part of the chicken coop and its dimensions and the number of the necessary ones are based on the surface of the chicken coop.

With the device object of the invention it is possible to distribute the granulated feed in 90% of the total surface of a chicken coop and the feed grains acquire a speed and an oangule falls that is not harmful to the birds. The following advantages can be cited: its cost is less than that of a conventional feeder; allows the number of birds to be folded to the surface of the chicken coop; birds grow more evenly, due to a more homogeneous distribution of feed; it allows males and females to breed together; the soil is completely free, which avoids the possibility of mechanical accidents; at the end of each farm, it is not necessary to disassemble and assemble the device (as is the case with the conventional feeder) since the device is airborne and has no surfaces that can become dirty; In general, the soil is kept in perfect condition due to the action of the birds when they remove it to look for food.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention can be seen from the following description, in which, without any limiting character, a preferred mode of realization of the invention is described, mentioning the accompanying drawings. The figures show:

Fig. 1, a top perspective view of the device object of the invention.

Fig. 2, a top plan view thereof.

Figs. 3 and 4, elevation views of the device, a view rotated 90 ° sexagesimal with respect to the other.

Fig. 5, a schematic perspective view, partially sectioned, of a ship or chicken coop containing the present devices.

Fig. 6, a partial schematic view of the device, partially sectioned, showing the volume reached by the granulated feed from a certain height of the lower mouth of the feeder.

Fig. 7, a top plan view of a stage.

A device 2 comprises a hopper 4 which, for reasons of cost, is preferably of an inverted pyramidal configuration, although the invention also comprises any other suitable configuration, such as a truncated conical configuration. It is not necessary to cover its upper major base and in its lower part it has an opening 6 that is open, nor is it necessary to have means for its closure. The device has means for air suspension in an elevated part of the ship, such as the roof, a beam or other resistant element; among these means, the rings 8 can be mentioned, capable of receiving cables or the like (not shown) that allow the aforementioned suspension.

An organ of outstanding importance of the device 2 is the feeder 10, which was formed by two or more tubular bodies 12 telescopically related to each other; the upper body 12 defines a top mouth 14 of the feeder 10 and this mouth 14 is the one that is intended to receive the feed 15 (Fig. 6), as indicated below; on the other hand, the lower body 12 defines a lower mouth 16 of the feeder 10, from where the pouring of the feed into the hopper takes place; obviously, this lower mouth 16 is above the lower opening 6 of the hopper.

The connection of the feeder 10 with the hopper 4 can take place through any conventional means; in the figures there are shown braces 18 fixed in the upper vortices of the hopper and in the upper edge of the body 12 located at a higher height.

Between the lower mouth 16 of the feeder 10 and the lower opening 6 of the hopper 4 there is an adjustable distance and the device includes means for regulating such distance; preferably these means comprise one or more filiform elements 20, that is cables, ropes, chains or similar elements. A first section 22 of the filiform elements 20 starts at a first end 24 fixed to the lower tubular body 12 and from this end extends above this lower mouth 6. It is preferred that

EN 2 080 652 A2 the first section 22 has a continuation 26 that runs through pulleys 28 that modify its direction; This continuation has an end in which there is a retaining element 30, such as a ring, hook or other. In addition, the device preferably has a plurality of fixing points 32 (Fig. 3), in each of which the retaining element 30 can be retentively inserted. It is particularly preferred that these fixing points are located in an alignment 34 related to an outer surface of the hopper.

Below and aligned vertically with the franking bottom opening 6 of the hopper 2 and a small distance thereof, a substantially horizontal stage 36 is provided and provided with the possibility of rotation. This stage 36 receives the granulated feed that falls from the lower opening 6; when turning and by presenting a plurality of nerves 37 he says goodbye to this feed that falls to the floor of the chicken coop where he is ready to be eaten by birds. Fig. 7 it is limited to representing an arrangement of said ribs 37, which may be more than two and have different shapes compatible with the intended function, although it is preferred that they have a substantially radial orientation.

Preference is given to the existence of an individual electric motor 38 whose axis is coaxial with the stage 36 and whose drive involves the rotation of the latter. Obviously, other solutions are possible, such as fixed pulleys, each coaxial with the deck of a device 2 and a system of mechanical connections with a central motor.

The operation of the device is obvious from the preceding description. A ship or chicken coop 40 (Fig. 5) is in the vicinity of a silo 42; in this, a duct 44 is started, which is suitable for transporting the granulated feed contained in the silo, either by means of a pneumaotic system, or by a mechanical means; the conduit 44 runs over the devices 2 and is in communication with them through the corresponding feeder 10.

Upon reaching the first device, the granulated feed falls through a secondary conduit 46, enters through the upper mouth 14 and exits through the lower mouth 16 (whose height has been previously graduated), continues through the hopper 4 leaving through the lower opening 6, until stage 36 is reached, which is stopped. During this fall, the feed does not behave like a liquid, and continues to fall until its level 48 (Fig. 6) compares relatively with the level of the lower mouth itself 16; at this time the feed stops falling to the first device 2 and continues to move along the conduit 44 until reaching the next secondary conduit, where the operation described is restarted until the next device is regulated, and roasted successively until reaching the last device 2 . It is advisable that the amount of feed extracted each time from the silo 42 is approximately the amount necessary for the regulated filling of all the devices, whereby the conduit 44 is substantially empty at the conclusion of the operation described. From this moment, the motors 38 can be driven and with them the corresponding plates 36 rotate; then an expulsion of the granulated feed begins, which is projected around each stage falling by gravity and distributed with remarkable homogeneity in the soil, until all the granulated feed contained in each hopper is exhausted.

At the end of the indicated projection, the system is in conditions to restart the cycle, although usually it was only done once a year.

The alignment 34 was calculated and performed based on the number of birds to be fed, the number of existing devices and the age - in weeks - of the birds; Each week that passes, the retention element 30 is made to vary an interval in alignment 34.

For the use of this device, feed with strict control of coccidiostats and granules of the appropriate size should be used; The granule must have a high hardness to avoid loss of feed and also to prevent the formation of dust, since otherwise there is a danger involved in concentrations of cereal dust in enclosed spaces.

As an example of a constructive example, indicative measures of an adequate proportion between the different magnitudes of the device are provided. These measures are:

- length of one side of the main base of the hopper: 100 cm;

- hopper height: 56cm;

- length of an inclined edge of the hopper: 93 cm;

- length of one side of the minor base of the hopper: 4 cm;

- distance between the lower opening of the hopper and the stage: 2 cm;

- vertical distance between the main base of the hopper and the upper mouth of the feeder: 40 cm;

ES 2 080 652 A2