GB2387311A

GB2387311A - Hay and feed steamer

Info

Publication number: GB2387311A
Application number: GB0306805A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Ben Bottomley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-25
Filing date: 2003-03-25
Publication date: 2003-10-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-25
Also published as: GB0306805D0; GB2387311B

Abstract

A steamer capable of holding hay and feed of any required quantity comprises an Outer Container (1) fitted with an electric heating element (5). The base of the Outer Container acts as a water reservoir. The Inner Basket (2) is supported by the Inner Basket Support (3) above the maximum water level. The Inner Basket (2) holds the hay or feed for steaming. A lid (4) is placed on top of the Outer Container. A Boiling Chamber (6) is fitted around the heating element to restrict the water volume and assist boiling. The steam produced escapes from the top of the Boiling Chamber through holes, a cover plate attached to the Boiling Chamber prevents feed falling onto the Chamber and helps disperse the steam.

Description

238731 1

HAY AND FEED STEAlvl" This steamer would be used to steam hay and other suitable feed for horses and, or other animals. The steaming process could be timed either manually or electronically according to the requirements of the feed used. The purpose of the steamer would be to remove or damp down dust from the feed as well as softening the feed prior to feeding it to the horse or animal.

The steamer would be capable of holding at least one haynet of hay (approximately 151bs) with larger capacities also available.

The steamer could be free standing.

The steamer could be made of metal, plastic, any other heat and water resistant material or combination of these materials.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the . accompanying (.rawlag.

COMPONENTS AS SHOWN IN TIIE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING FIGURE 1.

1. Outer Container.

2. Inner Basket.

3. Inner Basket support.

4. Lid. 5. Heating element.

6. Boiling Chamber and cover.

7. Drain tap.

1. OUTER CONTAINER. The outer container would be manufactured to any suitable shape depending on the quantity of hay or feed required to be steamed. It can be round, oval, square or oblong. It could be of metal, plastic or other heat and water resistant material, or combination of these. It will act as a water reservoir and a containing receptacle for the inner basket. It will be fitted with a lid, which will not allow pressure to build up. It will have a device in the base to drain away the reservoir water when required. It will have a heating element in the container to heat the water. The Element will have a chamber around it, which will restricted the volume of water to the element to assist in faster boiling of the water in order to produce steam. The steam produced will be taken above the level of the water reservoir and into the main outer container space.

2. INNER BASKET. The inner basket will be a basket of mesh style construction to hold the hay or feed. The mesh will be small enough to contain the hay or feed and large enough to allow the steam to penetrate the feed. The outer wall of the inner basket should be at least 1 to 2 inches away from the inner wall of the outer container to allow the steam to circulate.

3. INNER BASKET SUPPORT. This could sit loosely inside the outer container and support the inner basket above the maximum water level of the water reservoir. It could be a cross shape with 5 supporting legs to hold the cross above the water level. There could be one leg on each spoke of the cross and one in the middle. The inner basket could just rest on the support.

4. LID. The lid will be placed on top of the outer container to contain the steam, but it will not allow pressure to build up.

5. lIEATING ELEMENT. The heating element will run from mains current voltage. The element can be either of conventional tube style or a plate. It could be fitted to the wall of the outer container below the water level.

6. BOILING CHAMBER AND COVER A small chamber of any suitable shape and size will enclose the heating element. This will separate and restrict the water from the main water reservoir entering the chamber. This will allow a smaller volume of water around the element to be boiled more quickly. It could be located by a right angled rail on either side, this will allow it to be slid in and out easily for cleaning. It will have holes in the top which will be above the maximum water level, which will allow the steam produced to escape into the outer container. There could be a flat cover above the chamber to prevent feed falling onto the boiling chamber. This plate will also help to disperse the rising steam. 7. DRAIN TAP. A drain tap will be fitted in the water reservoir to drain the water in the reservoir. FIGURE 2. This shows the view from the top and the side of the Inner Basket Support.

FIGURE 3. This shows an angled view of the boiling chamber and cover. This also shows the steam holes in the top and the water inlet holes. These holes could be of any shape, size or number.

Claims

1. The steamer consists of an Outer Container housing an Inner Basket to hold hay or feed which is steamed by boiling water using an electric element or plate.

2. The electric element or plate as claimed in Claim 1 is housed in a chamber.

3. The Chamber as claimed in Claim 2 limits the volume of water around the heating element or plate to assist boiling the water more quickly and then releases the steam produced above the maximum water level of the water reservoir.

4. A steamer as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic, any heat resistant material or from a combination of these materials.

5. A steamer substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

/+ Amended claims have been filed and are incorporated as follows 1. The steamer consists of an Outer Container housing an Inner Basket to hold hay or feed which is steamed by boiling water using an electric element or plate situated inside the Outer Container.

2. A steamer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the electric element or plate is housed in a chamber. 3. A steamer as claimed in claim 2 wherein the chamber limits the volume of water around the heating element or plate to assist boiling the water more quickly and then releases the steam produced above the maximum water level of the water reservoir. 4. A steamer as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic, any heat resistant material or from a combination of these materials.