Method and apparatus for administering micro-ingredient feed additives to animal feed rations

A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising:

• metering a micro-ingredient from storage to a weighing device;
• weighing the micro-ingredient on the weighing device;
• transferring the micro-ingredient from the weighing device to a product collection tank, the product collection tank comprising a funnel like portion, a flush chamber connected to the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber, said flush chamber having a width less than width of said funnel like portion;
• activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring connected to the product collection tank;
• and
• activating a conveyance pump to convey a back-fill water from a previous delivery, the flush ring water and the micro ingredient from the product collection tank to the feed ration;
• and
• maintaining an amount of backfill water in the product collection tank for use in subsequent micro-ingredient delivery.

A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising:

• storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
• weighing the micro-ingredient;
• transferring the micro-ingredient to a product collection tank, wherein the product collection tank comprises a funnel like portion, a flush chamber protruding from the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber, said outlet being oriented substantially horizontal;
• simultaneously activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring connected to the product collection tank and activating a conveyance pump to convey the micro-ingredient;
• and
• said simultaneously activating step further includes activating the conveyance pump to convey the micro-ingredient and a backfill water retained in the product collection tank from a previous delivery.

A method of measuring, dispensing, and delivering micro-ingredients to a feed ration, said method comprising:

• storing a quantity of a micro-ingredient;
• weighing the micro-ingredient;
• transferring the micro-ingredient to a product collection tank, wherein the product collection tank comprises a funnel like portion, a flush chamber protruding from the funnel like portion, and an outlet interconnected to the flush chamber, said outlet being oriented substantially horizontal;
• and
• activating a flush ring pump to provide a flush ring water to a flush ring connected to the product collection tank and activating a pair of conveyance pumps to convey (i) a backfill water from a previous delivery, (ii) the flush ring water and (iii) the micro-ingredient, all from the product collection tank to the feed ration.