GB2210281A

GB2210281A - Mixing and dispensing animal feed

Info

Publication number: GB2210281A
Application number: GB8822822A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-09-28
Filing date: 1988-09-29
Publication date: 1989-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2008-09-29
Also published as: IE59113B1; IE872622L; GB8822822D0; GB2210281B

Abstract

An apparatus for mixing and dispensing animal feed material comprises a container having a closable outlet aperture (17) (Figure 1). The container has mounted therein a plurality of mixing paddles 25, which are arranged to mix material in the container and move it towards the dispensing aperture (17). A dispensing paddle 32 is also rotatably mounted within the container and is arranged to discharge material, in the container through the dispensing outlet (17). The container may be pivotally mounted on a trailer provided with a load indicator. <IMAGE>

Description

APPARATUS FOR MIXING AND DISPENSING MATERIAL The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing and dispensing material. In particular the invention relates to an apparatus for towing behind a tractor and for mixing and dispensing animal feed.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for mixing and dispensing material comprising, a container having a closable dispensing outlet and a mixing means comprising, a plurality of mixing paddles rotatably mounted within the container and arranged to move material in the container towards the dispensing outlet, and at least one dispensing paddle rotatably mounted within the container, the dispensing paddle arranged to discharge material in the container through the dispensing outlet.

Preferably the mixing paddles and dispensing paddle(s) are mounted on a rotatable support shaft mounted in the container.

Preferably, each mixing paddle comprises a plate member fixed at one end of a support member the other end of which is fixedly mounted on the rotatable support shaft, the support member projecting radially from the support shaft.

The plate of each mixing paddle is preferably inclined at an angle of approximately 150 to 550 relative to the axis of rotation. Most preferably, the mixing paddles are inclined at an angle of approximately 400 to the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, the dispensing paddle comprises a plate fixed to one end of a support member, which is mounted on the support shaft. The plate is preferably inclined at an angle of between 0 to 550 relative to the axis of rotation.

The container is preferably mounted on a chassis and lifting means is provided at one end of the chassis to tilt the container upwards slightly so that the dispensing outlet is lowermost.

The lifting means preferably comprises at least one hydraulic ram arranged to lift the rear end of the container approximately twelve inches. The hydraulic pressure required to lift the container is measured by suitable means to provide an indication of the weight of material in the container.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for mixing and dispensing material according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mixing and dispensing means of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b are perspective and side views respectively of the lifting means of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of reduction gearing provided in the apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of mixing and dispensing means according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts there is shown therein an apparatus for mixing and dispensing material generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The apparatus 10 comprises a container 11 mounted on a chassis 12 having wheels 13 (only one shown). A connecting hitch 14 is provided on the chassis 12 for releasably attaching the apparatus 10 to a tractor (not shown).

The container 11 is fabricated from sheet steel plates, the lower part of the container comprising a curved base region 15 as will be explained below.

Further, the sidewall 16 of the container 11 has an outlet aperture 17 which is closable by means of a cover plate 18. The cover plate 18 is slidable along the container sidewall 16 in upper and lower guides 19 and movement of the cover plate 18 is effected by means of an hydraulic ram 20 which is operated from the tractor hydraulic system. The operating arm 21 of the hydraulic ram 20 is connected to a bracket 22 fixed to the cover plate 18.

As shown in Figure 2 a rotatable support shaft 23 is mounted within the container 11 in the region of the curved base region 15. Mounted on the support shaft 23 are four mixing paddles A, B, C, and D each of which comprises a plate 25 fixed to a respective support member 26 which in turn is fixed to the support shaft 23 by means of a respective collar 27. The mixing paddles A to D thus rotate with the support shaft 23. As shown, the planar faces 28 of the plates 25 are inclined at an angle + of approximately 400 to the axis of rotation of the shaft 23, so that as the shaft 23 rotates in the direction of arrow X, the faces 28 of the mixing paddles trace out a circular path inclined towards the front 30 of the container 11.The paddles A,B are arranged on the support shaft 23 to be displaced approximately 1800 relative to each other about the axis of rotation of the shaft 23, as are the paddles C and D.

In addition, the support shaft 23 carries two dispensing paddles E,F constructed similarly to the mixing paddles A to D. However, the planar faces 31 of the plates 32 of the dispensing paddles E,F, are inclined 0 at an angle + of approximately 40 to the axis of rotation of the shaft 23. It will be noted that each plate 32 is fixed to a respective support member 33 which in turn are fixed to a common collar 34 on the support shaft 23. The dispensing paddles E,F are mounted on the support shaft 23 so as to rotate in the region of the dispensing outlet 17.

The support shaft 23 is arranged to be rotated by means of a conventional tractor power take off shaft (not shown) via a speed reducing and transmission mechanism 40 (Figure 4).

The mechanism 40 is mounted at the front end 30 of the container 11 and externally of the container and is enclosed within a housing 41 (Figure 1). The tractor PTO shaft is in use connected to a spindle 49 connected to a cog wheel 42 which drives cogwheel 43 via a chain 44. A cogwheel 45 rotates with cogwheel 43 and drives cogwheel 46 via a second chain 47. The support shaft 23 is connected to and rotates with cogwheel 46. The speed reducing and transmission mechanism 40 is supported on the chassis 12 by means of a frame support 48 as shown.

It will be understood that suitable bearings (not shown) are provided to facilitate ready rotation of the support shaft 23 which preferably rotates at approximately 12 rpm.

As shown in Figure 1, a dispensing conveyor 50 is pivotally mounted on the chassis 12 in the region of the dispensing outlet 17. A hydraulic ram 51 fixed to the sidewall 16 of the container 11 is connected to the dispensing conveyor 50 so that the conveyor may pivot from a position substantially perpendicular to the sidewall as shown in Figure 1, to a position substantially parallel to the sidewall 16. A drive means 52 is provided to operate the conveyor so that material falling onto the conveyor 50 is carried outwardly of the container 11. The drive means may be operated manually or from a suitable power supply.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3k, the chassis 12 is fixed to a sub frame 55 by means of a rod 56 secured to a bracket 57 on the chassis 12 and a bracket 58 fixed on the subframe 55.

A pair of hydraulic rams 60 (only one shown) are also fixed to the subframe 55 and are connected to the chassis 12 so that in use the chassis 12 and thus the container 11 may be pivotted upwards relative to the subframe 55 so that the rear end 61 of the container 11 is at a higher location than the front end 30, preferably about twelve inches.

The hydraulic rams 60 and 20 are operated from the tractor hydraulic system. The hydraulic pressure required to raise the chassis 12 a predetermined distance is measured by means of a hydraulic gauge 62 mounted at the front end 30 of the container 11. The hydraulic gauge 62 is calibrated so as only to indicate the weight of material loaded in the container 11.

In use, the apparatus 10 is hitched to a tractor by means of the hitch 14. The PTO shaft of the tractor is connected to the spindle 49. The hydraulic rams 20, 60 and 51 are connected by suitable conduits (not shown) to the tractor hydraulic system.

With the dispensing outlet 17 closed by cover plate 18 as shown in Figure 1, animal feedstuff is delivered into the container 11. The weight of material loaded into the container 11 may be simply checked by operating the hydraulic rams 60 to produce a reading on the gauge 62. The material in the container can be readily mixed by operating the tractor PTO shaft to rotate the paddles A to E.

When it is desired to dispense the animal feedstuff material, the apparatus is located at a dispensing location for example a trough, so that the conveyor is located above the trough. Next, the hydraulic ram 60 is energised to raise the rear end 61 of the container 11 about twelve inches above the subframe 55. The rod 56 enables the chassis 12 to be raised relative to the subframe 55.

The hydraulic ram 20 is then operated to move the cover plate 18 rearwardly on the container 11 and thus open the dispensing outlet, 17. The animal feedstuff material in the container 11 is then dispensed by the dispensing paddles E,F through the outlet 17, and onto the conveyor 50, so that operation of the conveyor 50 enables the material on the conveyor 50 to be carried outwardly until it falls into a trough located below the free end of the conveyor.

During rotation of the paddles A to F, the mixing paddles A to D effect efficient mixing of the animal feedstuff material and because of the orientation of the faces 28 of the plates 25, the animal feedstuff is caused to slowly move towards the front end 30 of the container 11 and thus into the region of the rotating dispensing paddles E,F. The orientation of the faces 31 of the plates 32 relative to the axis of rotation, enables the plates 32 to readily receive material carried forward by the paddles A to D and thereafter to eject the material through the dispensing outlet 17. It has been found that with the rear end 61 of the container raised approximately twelve inches, combined with the orientation of the paddles A to D, material in the container 11 is effectively moved towards the front end 30 of the container 11.

It will be understood that the conveyor 50 may be replaced simply by a downwardly sloping dispensing chute if desired.

In Figure 5 there is shown another embodiment of mixing and dispensing means generally indicated at 70 according to the invention. In this embodiment only one dispensing paddle 71, similar to the paddle F in Figure 2, is provided on the support shaft 23. However, rather than a second dispensing paddle, there is provided a radial agitator arm 72 fixed to the support shaft 23 rearwardly of the dispensing paddle 71. Further, the shaft 23 carries axially spaced support arms 26 each of which carries a mixing paddle (plate) 25 (only two shown) similar to the mixing paddles A to D in Figure 2.

However, there is also provided a further agitator arm 73 adjacent to support arm 26 but axially spaced therefrom along the support shaft 23, in a direction towards the dispensing paddle 71. It has been found that the agitator arms 72, 73 enhance the efficiency of the apparatus and effect a greater flow movement of the material in the container 11.

In this embodiment of the invention it has been found that optimum efficiency of the mixing and dispensing means is achieved with the paddles 25 forming an angle + of approximately 400 relative to the rotation axis of the shaft. This arrangement has been found by experiment to provide an efficient mixing and axial movement of material in the container 11.

The advantages of the embodiment of the invention are that it provides a relatively simple mechanical construction for mixing and dispensing animal feed material. Further, the power requirement is minimal and the arrangement of the paddles effects turbulent mixing of material and, in particular, mixing of material having a length of greater than two inches. In this regard it is noted that the power requirement to drive an auger mixer increases with the size of material and an auger is very inefficient and will tend to clog up if it is mixing material greater than two inches in length.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for mixing and dispensing material comprising, a container having a closable dispensing outlet, and mixing means comprising, a plurality of mixing paddles rotatably mounted within the container and arranged to move material in the container towards the dispensing outlet, and at least one dispensing paddle rotatably mounted within the container, the dispensing paddle arranged to discharge material in the container through the dispensing outlet.

2. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the mixing paddles and dispensing paddle are mounted on a rotatable support shaft mounted in the container.

3. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the mixing and dispensing paddles each comprise a plate member fixed at one end of a support member, the other end of the support member is fixedly mounted on the rotatable support shaft, the support member projecting radially from the support shaft.

4. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the plate member of the mixing and dispensing paddles in inclined at an angle of between 150 to 550 relative to the axis of rotation.

5. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 wherein the plate member of each mixing paddle is inclined at an angle of 400 relative to the axis of rotation.

6. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 to 5 wherein the plate member of the dispensing paddle(s) is inclined at an angle of 5 to 150 relative to the axis of rotation.

7. An apparatus according to any one of Claims 2 to 6 wherein the rotatable support shaft further carries radially extending agitator arms.

8. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein an agitator arm is provided adjacent to the dispensing paddle.

9. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 or Figure 5.