TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a feed dispenser for the feeding of pelleted animal feed (concentrate), comprising a first tube, a conveyor screw arranged in the first tube and configured to displace the pelleted animal feed in a first direction in the first tube, a second tube connected to a lateral side of the first tube and configured to enable the pelleted animal feed to be fed through the second tube in a longitudinal direction of the second tube into the first tube in a region of the conveyor screw.

The invention also relates to a feeding station for the feeding of animals, which comprises a stand, to which a feed dispenser according to the invention is attached, and that a longitudinal centre axis of the first tube has an inclination angle of 20° - 70°, or preferably 30° - 60°, in relation to a horizontal plane. The second tube has a substantially vertical orientation, so that the pelleted animal feed will fall through the second tube by means of gravity.

The invention also relates to a method of feeding pelleted animal feed to an animal by means of a feeding station according to the invention.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

A milking robot or voluntary milking system, VMS, comprises a feed dispenser for the feeding of pelleted animal feed (concentrate) to an animal to be milked. The milking robotA/MS is provided with an identification reader or sensor for permitting access and sensing when the individual animal enters the milking robotA/MS. The milking robotA/MS is hereby provided with a control unit, which is configured to activate the feed dispenser to provide an amount of pelleted animal feed to a feeding place/manger in the milking robotA/MS as a response to the identification by the reader/sensor of the animal entering the milking robot/VMS. A predetermined amount of pelleted animal feed (concentrate) may for instance be dispensed at regular intervals during a milking session in the milking robot.

The feed dispenser is connected to a feed container in which pelleted animal feed is contained. The feed dispenser (in for instance the VMS) comprises a first tube and a conveyor screw arranged in the first tube and configured to displace the pelleted animal feed in a first direction in the first tube to a feeding place or manger. There is also provided a second tube which is arranged below the feed container and connected to or in communication with the feed container such that the pelleted animal feed from the feed container will fall into and through the second tube as a consequence of gravitational force. The second tube is connected to a lateral side of the first tube and configured to enable the pelleted animal feed to be fed through the second tube in a longitudinal direction of the second tube into the first tube in a region of the conveyor screw. The conveyor screw is driven by an electric motor.

Occasionally, for a given capacity of the electric motor which is normally sufficient for conveying the pelleted animal feed through the first tube, the electric motor and conveyor screw may get stuck. This problem typically occurs in connection to the start of a feeding session. One solution to this problem is to increase the capacity of the electric motor (by providing a stronger electric motor or transformer for the electric motor). However, it would be advantageous if the problem could be solved without increasing the motor capacity.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a design of the feed dispenser that alleviates this problem and facilitates the feed transport provided by the (electric) motor and conveyor screw. In other words, the invention seeks to present a simple and cost-efficient design, which does not require increased motor capacity and allows the use of an existing relatively weaker electric motor.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is achieved by means of a feed dispenser for the feeding of pelleted animal feed, comprising - a first tube,

- a conveyor screw arranged in the first tube and configured to displace the pelleted animal feed in a first direction in the first tube,

- a second tube connected to a lateral side of the first tube and configured to enable the pelleted animal feed to be fed through the second tube in a longitudinal direction of the second tube into the first tube in a region of the conveyor screw, wherein, on an inner peripheral surface of the second tube there is provided a first projecting baffle, which has a first surface which is a remote surface of the first projecting baffle with regard to the first tube and which slopes in a direction from the inner peripheral surface of the second tube towards the first tube and towards a longitudinal centre axis of the second tube.

The design of the feed dispenser thereby provides a reduced pressure or counterforce by the pelleted animal feed against the displacement thereof through the first tube. The mass of pelleted animal feed in the second tube will generate a pressure on the conveyor screw and the pelleted animal feed present in the first tube in the region where the second tube is attached to the first tube. This pressure will contribute to an increased counterforce against displacement of pelleted animal feed in the first tube by the conveyor screw. By providing the first projecting baffle in the second tube, the pressure from the pelleted animal feed in the second tube onto the conveyor screw is reduced, since some of the pressure generated by the mass of the pelleted animal feed in the second tube will be absorbed or supported by the first projecting baffle rather than by the conveyor screw. Hence, the first projecting baffle hereby covers a segment of the second tube. The inner free edge of the first projecting baffle may be straight (i.e. forming a chord as seen in a crosssection of the second tube) and the first sloping surface of the first projecting baffle is preferably flat. According to one embodiment, the angle between the longitudinal centre axis of the first tube and the longitudinal centre axis of the second tube is acute, i.e. it is smaller than 90°. According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second tubes are coplanar, i.e. they extend in the same plane. The feed dispenser comprises a motor, preferably an electric motor, configured to drive the conveyor screw. According to one embodiment, there is further provided a second projecting baffle on the inner peripheral surface, the second projecting baffle having a first surface which is a remote surface of the second projecting baffle with regard to the first tube and which slopes in a direction from the inner peripheral surface of the second tube towards the first tube and towards the longitudinal centre axis of the second tube. This enables a further reduction of the pressure on the conveyor screw that is caused by the mass of pelleted animal feed in the second tube. The second projecting baffle is preferably formed of same size and shape as the first projecting baffle. Hence, the first surface of the second projecting baffle is of the same size and sloping at the same angle as the first surface of the first projecting baffle. The first surface is also preferably flat and the inner free edge of the second projecting baffle may also be straight (i.e. form a chord as seen in a cross-section of the second tube).

According to one embodiment, the second projecting baffle is displaced in a circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the second tube in relation to the first projecting baffle. The second projecting baffle will hereby cover a different segment of the second tube compared to the first projecting baffle. In this way the mass of the pelleted animal feed in the second tube will be absorbed or supported by both the first and second projecting baffles positioned at different circumferential positions of the second tube.

According to one embodiment, the second projecting baffle is positioned opposite to the first projecting baffle on the inner peripheral surface of the second tube.

According to one embodiment, the second projecting baffle is displaced in relation to the first projecting baffle in said longitudinal direction. Thereby, each projecting baffle may occupy a relatively large portion of the cross-section of the second tube, while still allowing the pelleted animal feed to smoothly pass the projecting baffles on its way towards the first tube.

According to one embodiment, the second tube has an inner diameter D, and the intersection between said inner peripheral surface and the first surface of the second projecting baffle is displaced at least 0.2D in the longitudinal direction of the second tube in relation to the intersection between said inner peripheral surface and the first surface of the first projecting baffle. Thereby, a spacing between the projecting baffles is provided in the longitudinal direction for facilitating an unobstructed smooth flow of the pelleted animal feed through the second tube. As previously mentioned, the first surfaces of the projecting baffles may hereby have the same size and the same angle in relation to the inner peripheral surface from which they project.

According to one embodiment, a channel defined by the second tube has a cross- sectional area A and wherein, when projected onto a cross-section of the second tube, the first and second projecting baffles has an area a between them where they do not overlap each other, wherein 0.2A < a < 0.5A. This provides a good balance between said relief of the pressure from the pelleted animal feed on the conveyor screw and ensuring a relatively unobstructed smooth flow of pelleted animal feed through the second tube and the entire feed dispenser.

According to one embodiment, the second tube has an inner diameter D in the range of 50-200 mm. According to one embodiment, the first tube has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the second tube.

According to one embodiment, the second tube has an inner diameter D and wherein a minimum distance d between the first projecting baffle and the second projecting baffle is within the range of 0.3D - 0.6D.

According to one embodiment, the first surface of the first and/or second projecting baffle is sloping at an angle a in relation to the inner peripheral surface of the second tube, as seen in a longitudinal section along the longitudinal centre axis of the second tube, wherein 110° < a < 160°. If the angle is too small, for example 90°, pelleted animal feed may get stuck on the first surface of the respective projecting baffle. If the angle is too large, the effect of the projecting baffle as a pressure reducer will be insufficient or the length of the second tube is required to be unreasonably long.

According to one embodiment, 125° < a. According to one embodiment, a < 145°.

The object of the invention is also achieved by means of a feeding station for the feeding of animals, wherein the feeding station comprises a stand, to which the above mentioned feed dispenser is attached, wherein a longitudinal centre axis of the first tube has an inclination angle of 20° - 70°, or preferably 30° - 60°, in relation to a horizontal plane. Accordingly, the first tube slopes upwards such that the conveyor screw will displace the pelleted animal feed in a direction sloping upwards. This prevents leakage of pelleted animal feed and provides accurate dosage of pelleted animal feed in the feed dispenser. The feed dispenser of the present invention is beneficially used in such a feeding station, since the gravitational force on the animal feed in the first tube will additionally have to be overcome by the electric motor and the conveyor screw. The pressure relief provided by the feed dispenser will thereby aid the pelleted animal feed transport through the upwardly sloping first tube. The second tube may hereby have a substantially vertical orientation in relation to the horizontal plane. The angle between the longitudinal centre axis of the first tube and the longitudinal centre axis of the second tube is hereby acute, i.e. it is smaller than 90°. According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axes of the first and second tubes are coplanar, i.e. they extend in the same plane, preferably the same vertical plane. According to one embodiment, the feeding station forms part of a milking station, preferably in a milking robot or voluntary milking system, VMS. However, the feeding station may also form a standalone station that can be located at a suitable place inside a bam for feeding pelleted animal feed (concentrate) to the animals.

According to one embodiment, the feeding station comprises a feed container connected to an upper end of the second tube and configured to house pelleted animal feed that is allowed to fall from the feed container into the second tube as a result of the gravitational force acting on the pelleted animal feed.

The object of the invention is also achieved by means of a milking robot comprising a feeding station according to the invention, wherein said milking robot comprises an identification sensor configured to identify an animal entering the milking robot, and a control unit configured to control the feed dispenser and activate the conveyor screw as a response to such identification. The amount of pelleted animal feed may thereby also be adapted to the individual animal, since it is also detected which specific animal that has entered the milking robot.

The objective of the invention is also achieved by means of a method of feeding pelleted animal feed to an animal by means of a feeding station according to the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of -filling the second tube with animal feed, and

-activating the conveyor screw to feed the pelleted animal feed, introduced into the first tube via the second tube, in said first direction through the first tube, and

-wherein the animal feed is in the form of pellets having a maximum length in the range of 2-15 mm, preferably 5-10 mm.

The pellets may of any suitable shape, such as cylindrical or spherical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a feeding station according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a cross section of a feed dispenser according to the present invention,

Fig. 3 is a cross section of an embodiment of a second tube of the feed dispenser according to the present invention, and

Fig. 4 is a top view of the second tube in fig. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 shows a part of a feeding station comprising a feed dispenser according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows the feed dispenser more in detail.

The feed dispenser comprises a first tube 1 and a conveyor screw 2 arranged in the first tube 1 and configured to displace pelleted animal feed (concentrate) in a first direction in the first tube 1 .

The feed dispenser further comprises a second tube 3 connected to a lateral side of the first tube 1 and configured to enable animal feed to be fed through the second tube 3 in a longitudinal direction of the second tube 3 into the first tube 1 in a region of the conveyor screw 2.

On an inner peripheral surface 4 of the second tube 3 there is provided a first projecting baffle 5, which has a first surface 6 which is a remote surface of the first projecting baffle 5 with regard to the first tube 1 and which slopes in a direction from the inner peripheral surface 4 of the second tube 3 towards the first tube 1 and towards a longitudinal centre axis x2 of the second tube 3. The feed dispenser also comprises an electric motor 11 configured to drive the conveyor screw 2.

There is also provided a second projecting baffle 7 on the inner peripheral surface 4. The second projecting baffle 7 has a first surface 8 which is a remote surface of the second projecting baffle 7 with regard to the first tube 1 and which slopes in a direction from the inner peripheral surface 4 of the second tube 3 towards the first tube 1 and towards the longitudinal centre axis x2 of the second tube 3.

The second projecting baffle 7 is displaced in a circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface 4 of the second tube 3 in relation to the first projecting baffle 5. More precisely, the second projecting baffle 7 is positioned opposite to the first projecting baffle 5 on the inner peripheral surface 4 of the second tube 3.

The second projecting baffle 7 is displaced in relation to the first projecting baffle 5 in the longitudinal direction of the second tube 3.

The second tube 3 in this specific embodiment has an inner diameter D of 100 mm, and the intersection between said inner peripheral surface 4 and the first surface 8 of the second projecting baffle 7 is displaced 50 mm in the longitudinal direction of the second tube 3 in relation to the intersection between said inner peripheral surface 4 and the first surface 6 of the first projecting baffle 5. The first surfaces 6, 8 of the projecting baffles 5, 7 have the same size (area) and the same angle a in relation to the inner peripheral surface 4 from which they project. The angle a in the shown embodiment is 135°.

A channel defined by the second tube 3 has a cross-sectional area A which is IT x 50 ² = 7850 mm ² . When projected onto a cross-section of the second tube, the first and second projecting baffles has an area a between them where they do not overlap each other, wherein a =2000 mm ² in this specific embodiment.

The first tube 1 has a diameter corresponding to the diameter D of the second tube 3.

A minimum distance d (see Fig. 3) between the first projecting baffle 5 and the second projecting baffle 7 is approximately 55 mm. The feeding station comprises a stand 9, to which the feed dispenser is attached. The feed dispenser is in this specific embodiment positioned such that a longitudinal centre axis x1 of the first tube has an inclination angle of 45° in relation to a horizontal plane. The shown second tube 3 hereby has a vertical orientation (an inclination angle of 90°) in relation to the horizontal plane. The first tube 1 slopes such that the conveyor screw 2 will displace the animal feed in a direction sloping upwards. An angle between the longitudinal centre axis x1 of the first tube 1 and the longitudinal centre axis x2 of the second tube 3 is 45°. The longitudinal axes x1 , x2 of the first and second tubes 1 , 3 extend in the same plane, which is a vertical plane.

The feeding station comprises a feed container 10 connected to an upper end of the second tube 3 and configured to house pelleted animal feed that is allowed to fall from the feed container 10 into the second tube 3 as a result of the gravitational force acting on the pelleted animal feed.

The feeding station preferably forms a part of a milking robot, wherein the milking robot comprises an identification sensor configured to identify an animal entering the milking robot, and a control unit configured to control the feed dispenser and activate the conveyor screw 2 as a response to such identification.

A method of feeding animal feed to an animal by means of a feeding station according to the invention comprises the steps of filling the second tube with pelleted animal feed, and activating the conveyor screw to dispense the pelleted animal feed, introduced into the first tube via the second tube, in said first direction through the first tube. The filling of the second tube 3 is a consequence of the filling of the feed container 10 with pellets, and the activation of the conveyer screw 2 is a response to a detection of the entering of an animal into the feeding station.

In an exemplifying embodiment the pellets are cylindrical and have a length of 7.5 mm.