GB2242109A - Livestock liquid feed dispenser actuator - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid feed activator has a central closed column 2 in which a shaft 3 is raised by the animals action to actuate the control valve which is housed in a sealed box 7. The action of the control valve 5 is to drive the liquids dispenser. An animal actuator as described would normally be mounted adjacent or in the trough or receptacle positioned to receive the dispensed liquid. <IMAGE>

Description

LIVESTOCK LIQUID FEED DISPENSER ACTUATOR This invention relates to animal nourishment being controlled by animal demand.

Water, feed etc. are normally available to livestock either in a restricted (by time or weight) manner or ad-libition i.e. available in front of the animal to be eaten as required.

The former can lead to stress in some animals where there appetite is not being satisfied (when fed in grouped numbers on an average intake basis) or putting on too much weight where the required intake is exceeded.

The latter method can lead to souring feed if it stands in an open container or wasted, where by animal activity feed is constantly released without being used.

Restricted 'ad-lib' systems are available but tend to be expensive and furthermore still give rise to some wasting of ingredients.

According to the present invention the animal would activate the distribution of nourishment on demand which would normally result in cessation of the activation whilst intake requirement was being satisfied.

If the animal results to playing with the activator the dispensing pipe has an automatic cut off resulting in no loss of liquids, by overflow.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 - shows the animal operated actuator Figure 2 - shows a typical dispenser controlled by such an actuator.

Referring to the drawings the actuator can be seen to comprise of a disc 1 ended rod 3 sliding for protection, in a heavy duty sleeve 2.

On the top of the actuator rod 3 is a cap 4 which, when the rod 3 is lifted by the animal operates the valve 5.

The valve 5 is a bi-directional valve which vents air, connected to the input and output ports of the valve 5 and by air line 7 to the control valves shown on figure 2.

The action of the alternating air flow from the valves allows for the discharging of feed from the dispenser into the animals trough and subsequent recharging of the dispenser for the next feed call.

Should the animals resort to playing with the activator discharging of feed must cease when the end of the dispensing pipe is covered by the liquid thus excluding more air from entering the pipe and so no further liquid can be dispensed as such the system becomes fail safe.

The system can be totally inhibited by use of the mechanical pin 6 locking the mechanism through the hole 8.

Claims (2)

1. A mechanical activator which can be operated by livestock to provide a method of dispensing liquids or wet feed on demand.

2. A mechanical activator as claimed in claim 1 whereby the means are provided to control measure amounts of feed or liquids to be dispensed.