Computerized automatic cattle-feeder system
AssigneeMicro-Contact Inc.
InventorsGaetan Beaudoin, Jacques Cimon
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a computerized automatic feeder system for feeding individualized prescribed rations to cattle confined in successive individual stalls aligned along a set path. The system comprises an apparatus capable of moving to each stall successively and having appropriate devices for preparing, at each stall, an individualized ratio for the cattle head in that stall and delivering it to the animal. A computer is mounted on the apparatus for controlling the operations of moving the apparatus to the stalls and preparing and delivering the rations.
Claims17
A computerized automatic cattle feeder system for feeding individualized prescribed portions to cattle heads confined in successive individual positions aligned along a predetermined path, said feeder system comprising:
- a ration preparing and distributing apparatus;
- means for moving said apparatus along said path successively to each of said positions;
- in said apparatus, means capable of preparing individualized rations, each of said rations being intended for one of said cattle heads and prepared when said apparatus reaches said individual positions;
- and means in said apparatus for delivering said prepared rations at said positions, and
- computer means for ensuring sequential operation of said moving means, said ration preparing means and said ration delivering means;
- said ration-preparing means comprising a first hopper defining two independent compartments for containing two different ration ingredients, one in each compartment;
- each compartment having a bottom, and, at said bottom, a first device for discharging the ration ingredients contained therein;
- said delivering means comprising a first endless conveyor disposed for receiving said ration ingredients from said first hopper and for delivering said rations out of said apparatus for feeding said cattle heads;
- and
- said apparatus-moving means comprising:
- an overhead beam extending along said path;
- a pair of carriers mounted at one end on top of said first hopper, one behind the other in the direction of said path;
- said carriers having rollers mounted on said beam for allowing movement of said carriers and of said apparatus along said beam;
- a pair of belt drives on one of said carriers operatively connected to two drive rollers of said one carrier, said drive rollers being spaced from one another across said beam;
- motor means connected to said belt drives to actuate said drives;
- and
- support means mounting said motor means on said one carrier for allowing oscillation of said motor means and of said belt drives about two axes extending respectively lengthwise and crosswise of said beam.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.