Precision medication dispenser
OwnerJim F. Teachey, Ben D. Pratteinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is described for dispensing precise quantities of particulate medication to livestock, in particular sows during gestation. The apparatus includes a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening; a mechanically or electrically actuated measuring valve including a chamber having a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage. The chamber is movable between a first position in which the chamber inlet is aligned with the hopper discharge opening and a second position for discharging medication from the chamber. A discharge conduit extends downwardly from the chamber discharge opening, and has outlet end positionable adjacent the area where the medication is to be dispensed. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes wheels and a counter.
Claims21
An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate medication onto a livestock feed area comprising:
- a) a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening;
- b) a measuring valve with a chamber having a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage, an inlet between said chamber and said hopper discharge opening for transferring medication from said hopper to said chamber, and a discharge opening;
- c) a discharge conduit extending downwardly from said valve discharge opening, said conduit having an outlet end positionable adjacent said feed area;
- and
- d) a wheeled support.
An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate medication onto a livestock feed area comprising:
- a) a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening;
- b) a measuring valve including a chamber having a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage, said chamber having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, said chamber being movable between a first position in which said chamber inlet opening is aligned with said hopper discharge opening and a second position for discharging medication from said chamber through said chamber discharge opening;
- c) a discharge conduit extending downwardly from said chamber discharge opening, said conduit having an outlet end positionable adjacent said feed area;
- d) a wheeled support for said hopper;
- and
- e) an elongated handle.
A wheeled apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate medication onto a livestock feed area comprising:
- a) a wheeled support having a rearwardly extending elongated handle with a distal end;
- b) a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening carried on said support;
- c) a measuring valve with a horizontal sleeve having an upper inlet in communication with said hopper discharge opening and a lower outlet, said outlet being offset from said inlet, and a plunger including a chamber having an upper inlet, a lower outlet, and a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage, said plunger being slidable within said sleeve between a first position in which said chamber inlet is aligned with said sleeve inlet to fill said chamber with medication and a second position in which said chamber outlet is aligned with said sleeve outlet to discharge a measured dosage of medication from said valve;
- d) a discharge tube extending downwardly from said valve discharge opening and to the side of said support, said conduit having a proximal end in communication with said sleeve outlet and a distal end positionable adjacent said feed area;
- and
- e) an actuator for moving said plunger between said first and second positions.
An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of particulate medication onto a livestock feed area comprising:
- a) a medication hopper having a lower discharge opening;
- b) a measuring valve with a chamber having a volume corresponding to the volume of the desired medication dosage, an inlet between said chamber and said hopper discharge opening for transferring medication from said hopper to said chamber, and a discharge opening;
- c) a discharge conduit extending downwardly from said valve discharge opening, said conduit having an outlet end positionable adjacent said feed area;
- and
- d) a counter for counting the number of times said chamber is moved to said second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.