Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus are provided for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations. The apparatus may be referred to as a system which includes a number of discrete components which cooperate together to ultimately deliver micro-ingredients to a desired location, such as a feed mixer containing a feed ration. Structure is provided for storing, measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically conveying the micro-ingredients. Measuring of the micro-ingredients may be achieved by loss in weight, gain in weight, or volumetric metering methods. Pneumatic transport may be achieved either by a single transport line, or a plurality of transport lines. The system is operated by a control unit which controls components of the system to achieve delivery of specified amounts and types of micro-ingredients to the feed ration.
1. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a weigh hopper;
weighing the micro-ingredient in the weight hopper;
providing a transport line and an eductor placed in line with transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper and into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration without the addition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the transport line, bin and hopper.
2. A method, as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
providing a flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device.
3. A method, as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.
4. A method, as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said weigh hopper includes a plurality of weigh hoppers wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered to a corresponding weigh hopper, each weigh hopper weighing the micro-ingredient therein prior to transfer of the micro-ingredient to the transport line.
5. A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said weighing step is achieved by measuring the gain of weight by addition of the micro-ingredient to the weigh hopper.
6. A method, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.
7. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a storage bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a means for storing temporarily the metered micro-ingredient;
recording the loss of weight in the bin after the micro-ingredient has been metered to the means for storing, the recorded loss of weight corresponding to the amount of the micro-ingredient metered to the means for storing;
providing a transport line and an eductor mounted in line with the transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the means for storing into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration, said transferring step being achieved without the addition of liquid in the transport line, bin, and means for storing.
8. A method, as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
providing a flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device.
9. A method, as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with the flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.
10. A method, as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:
said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said means for temporarily storing includes a plurality of means for temporarily storing wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each storage bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into a corresponding means for temporarily storing.
11. A method, as claimed in claim 7 , wherein:
said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.
12. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a storage bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a means for storing temporarily the metered micro-ingredient, said metering step resulting in delivery of a predetermined and desired quantity of the micro-ingredient to the means for storing;
providing a transport line and an eductor mounted in line with the transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the means for storing into the transport line; and
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration, without addition of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the bin, means for storing, and transport line.
13. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
providing a flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device.
14. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
providing a mixing device at a discharge end of the transport line; and
introducing a flow of liquid through the mixing device simultaneous with the flow of the micro-ingredient thereby resulting in a slurry mixture of the micro-ingredient and liquid.
15. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , wherein:
said storage bin includes a plurality of bins and said means for temporarily storing includes a plurality of means for temporarily storing wherein separate micro-ingredients are stored in each storage bin, and each micro-ingredient is metered into a corresponding means for temporarily storing.
16. A method, as claimed in claim 12 , wherein:
said transferring step is achieved without re-circulation of the micro-ingredient through said transport line.
17. A method of measuring, dispensing, and pneumatically delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a bin for storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
metering the micro-ingredient from the bin to a weigh hopper;
weighing the micro-ingredient in the weight hopper;
providing a transport line and an eductor placed in line with transport line;
pressurizing the transport line and eductor by a source of pressurized air;
operating the eductor to draw the micro-ingredient from the weigh hopper and into the transport line;
pneumatically transferring the micro-ingredient to the feed ration without the addittion of liquid to the micro-ingredient while the micro-ingredient is in the transport line, bin and hopper;
providing a discharge device at a discharge end of the transport line;
providing a flow of liquid through the device creating a curtain of liquid surrounding the micro-ingredient as the micro-ingredient exits a discharge end of the discharge device conveying the micro-ingredient to a feed mixer containing an animal feed ration, wherein the micro-ingredient is delivered to the feed ration without recirculating the micro-ingredient through the transport line and wherein the flow of the liquid prevents loss of micro-ingredients as they enter feed mixer.