GB2299805A - Compact Animal Feed Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A compact animal feed dispenser has a storage body 1 that is used to store and transport feed or other materials. Vertical housing supports 4 surround the outer body 1 and are attached using securing rivets 5. Support legs 8 form part of the vertical support 4 and accommodate demountable leg extensions 9 which are applied to allow the container to stand vertically at the required height. Lifting points 6 are positioned along the vertical supports 4 and are used to engage with an hydraulic arm extended from a vehicle to enable the container to be transported when delivered or returned. Removable vessels or bags are placed under or attached to a door 11 that allows the feed to be dispersed from beneath the container. Preferably the legs are adjustable in height. Preferably the door 11 is a sliding gate (Fig.3).

Description

Title : Compact Animal Feed Dispenser This invention relates to an animal feed container and dispenser that is able to be reused and transported for smaller specific feed requirements.

Animal feeds are normally supplied to cater for single larger quantities, and have been for a substansive period.

Suppliers have maintained delivery in bags, using larger permanent dispensers. The farmers need for individual and smaller quantities OI compound, that is able to be dispatched quickly and positioned in a wider range or areas has seemingly remained unattended.

Storage and dispensing containers of animal feeds are already known. These are normally large permanent freestanding units that store and supply, by filling bags or the like. The feeds supplied are of large quantities and of a single variety, at any given time during storage.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved method of supplying and storing smaller specific ranges of compounds, that may be used in a wider variation of locations, and may be removed and refilled as a continuous recycling system of supply.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage container body, having various forms of shape one of which is shown in Fig 1.

The body would be supported by a series of brackets attached to its outer surface having the ability to provide support for the storage container. a method by which it may be lifted and transported, and a method of allowing it to stand, and be moved to various locations. Removable legs give the ability to allow freestanding at the desired height, and on removal the ability to transport the container during delivery or on its return when used.

An embodiment of how the invention works will now fDllow, with reference to the Four accompanying diagrams.

Figure 1 Shows a full representation ot one side of the assembled unit.

Figure 2 Shows a full representation ot one side with optionally additional support bars Figure 3 Shows the outlet door, troni which feed is suppliea to bags or similar containers beneath.

Figure 4 : Shows a closea view of the leg attachment.

The compact animal feed dispenser is generally designated 1 and comprises a storage container 1 which is of various suitable shapes, having a possible opening to the head 2 as shown in Fig 1, being used for possible entrance of stored material, but possibly being a sealed area with no access.

The body 1 would normally benefit from being rounded to the outer contours of its side walls and to the lower region of the opening duct 3. Vith the opening duct 3 being shaped in the form of a rounded sloping contour toward the outlet neck 10, any material present would be encouraged toward the point of opening at the outlet door 11, as shown in Fig 1 & BR< Fig 2.

To the outer surface of the body 1 are attached vertical housing supports 4. These would comprise of strong bars cut to various lengths offering sufficient vertical hold to the container body 1. It nay be possible to have any number of supports of this nature, in Fig 1 we suggest four, with the opposite pair not being viable due to the angle of the diagram. but being directly being the ones shown, to afford a correct level of balance. rhese vertical housing supports 4 would normally require attachment using a forni of rivet 5, to allow the body 1 to form a solid association with the numerous supports 4.As shown in Fig 2 it may be possible to allow the audition of several horizontal rings or bars, that may be cross attached around the outside of the container body 1. these are shown in Fig 2 as broken lines.

To the lower region of the vertical housing supports 4 is an angled leg 8 that would favourably form a single part of the support 4. This smaller solid housing support leg 8 would require an attachment stop 7 to be present as a raised flange or protrusion to its outer surface. In this manner the container 1 as a whole may be transported with the outlet door 11 being closed once the unit has been sufficiently filled or emptied. To allow transportation the body 1 would be lifted via a vehicle lifting system having a holding brace comon to these methods of hydraulic lifting.

The holding brace would seat within the lifting point locators 6 as shown in Fig 1 & Fig 2. The lifting point locators 6 are positioned along the vertical housing supports 4 equally levelled st a point that would allow a balanced lift to be achieved, and it may be possible to have no locators 6 to some of the numerous supports 4. and still achieve a successful lifting of the container body I.

Once mounted onto the vehicle, with the leg extensions y separately storea. it may be transported toward its destination. The container body 1 would be fillea with the desirea animal feed 12 or other reauired compound on an outwara supply tourney, and would be empty on a normal return. tor the feed 12 to be refilled and either dispatched to the same location or reusea at another. On arrival the container boay l is bemountca ani leg extensions 9 are attached to the housing support leg S. Shown being installed on Fig 4. and installed on Fig l.

The leg extension 9 would normally derive from a nollow or semi-hollow length of cylindrical material of good strength, and would be of a greater diameter than that of its location male fixture 8. As its diameter is slightly larger it is able to pass over the support leg 8 and cover it to a point where it contacts with the protruding attachment stop 7, as shown in Fig 4, and Fig 1. it may be possible to apply a bolting method through both united legs 8 and 9, not shown.

This would acid possible support to the play between the two lengths, normally compensated due to the through length passing within the leg extension 9 from the support leg 8, and the close proximity of their fit. It may be noted that the upport leg 8 may be designed to receive the extension leg 9 within, having a diameter that is greater than 9, this would require a stop 7 to be located within the finishing point of the housing leg 8. It may also be noted that the Body 1 with the extension legs 9 may be transported assembled, either before or after the lift to the vehicle.

It may also be demounted as a single assemblea unit, depending on requirements and methods of lifting.

Once freestanding on its numerous leg extensions Y, the container body 1 would appear as a vertical presence as shown in Fig 1 & Fig 2.

To the lower region of the container body 1 is located the outlet door 11, this would normally require a neck 10 to control the release flow of the material within. The door 11 may be of various opening methods exampled as a sliaing shutter in Fig 3. The door slides along a housing of grooved rails 14 and is aided by a handle 13. Once the door 11 is slid open the stored feed 12 or compound is able to release due to natural gravitation. A receiving utensil, normally a bag, not shown, would be placed below the door 11, possibly being attached to a rail located below and designed to hold the neck of the bag open. Once filled with the desired material the bag may be removed and the door 11 closed.

Should the container body 1 become empty it may be removed by the vehicle method previously described and refilled to be returned for reuse.

It may be noted that the leg extensions 9 may be made adjustable to the differing levels of ground that may be present in rural areas. This is shown on Fig 2 as small holes lined along the vertical length of the extension leg 9. The holes would possibly pass through the entirety of both the outer extension leg 9 and the enlosed housing support leg 8. When the extension leg 9 is fully housed over the enclosed housing support leg 8 the holes would align to allow a pin, not shown, to pass through the two fitted legs 8 & 9, allowing them to be braced into position.

Should a desired new height be required of any one of the extension legs 9, to accommodate for uneven terrain. the leg 9 may be further extenaed or distended to allow for the differing height levels. The pin or other bracket, not shown, would be inserted through any two holes providing they are both aligned. Bracing the extension leg 9 in its new position. This addition would be optional, ana would depenci on the areas in which the unit was being positioned and on the needs of the individual.

Delivery of filled and the return of empty used containers would be a continued process. with each container being refilled and used many times. As the concept is to supply filled containers from a service point and return them to be refilled a service and product are combined to fulfil a need.

Claims (13)

1) A compact animal feed dispenser has a container body that is used for storing animal feeds and other materials. leans to support the container body is provided by a series of attached Vertical supports that are bolted to the outer surface of the container. Legs with extensions are provided to stand the container vertically at the required height for filling removal vessels. positioned below the container.

leans to fill the container and removal vessels or bags is provided by an outlet door at the containers underside. To allow the container to be transported to various locations it may be lifted aboard a transport vehicle. leans to allow the container to be lifted are provided by cut away lifting points on a section of the vertical supports.

2) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein. a container body is used to store and transport animal teed and other materials.

3) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein4 the container body is used to store animal tees, and is held vertically by support brackets.

4) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the support brackets are long and are attached to the outer body of the container.

5) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the attached support brackets have removable extension legs to allow the container to stand at the correct height.

6) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein, the extension legs allow the transported container CLAIMS to stand at the required height once delivered, to allow removal vessels or bags to be placed below the container for filling.

7) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 6 wherein. removal vessels or bags are filled from the larger container using a door outlet to its underside.

8) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the door outlets may also be used to fill the larger container before delivery.

9) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 8 wherein, the door outlet may be used to insert feed into the container before delivery, or a second inlet may be provided for this purpose.

10) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 9 wherein, the container and support legs may be transported to various locations using a vehicle.

11) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 10 wherein, the container and support legs may be transported using a transport vehicle, and are lifted aboard by means of provided cut away sections to the vertical supports.

12) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 11 wherein, the cut away sections provided on the support brackets, connect with an hydraulic lifting brace extending from a transport vehicle.

13) A compact animal feed dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the container is returned and refilled when empty.