Patent ID: 8277111
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: A23K,B01F

Abstract:
1. A micro-ingredient livestock feed additive dispensing and mixing apparatus comprising: a vibratory tray having a discharge end; a plurality of micro-ingredient bin containers oriented above, and operable to dispense micro-ingredient additives into, the vibratory tray; a weigh scale operable to weigh the vibratory tray; a drive actuator operable to vibrate the vibratory tray, and thereby cause micro-ingredient additives dispensed into the vibratory tray to spill off of the discharge end of the vibratory tray; a catch basin situated below the discharge end of the vibratory tray in order to receive the discharged additives; a plurality of flush nozzles situated adjacent an upper portion of the catch basin and operable to direct a liquid fluid into the catch basin; an eductor situated below an outlet of the catch basin, the eductor comprising a Venturi chamber, an eductor nozzle located on one side of the chamber, an eductor outlet located on an opposite of the Venturi chamber, and a suction inlet adjacent the eductor nozzle in fluid connection with the catch basin outlet; a pump for supplying pressurized liquid fluid to the eductor nozzle; a batch mixing tank operable to mix the additives with a batch of livestock feed; a plurality of batch mixer nozzles situated above the batch mixing tank operable to spray the additives into the batch of livestock feed; and a delivery conduit providing a fluid connection between the eductor outlet and the batch mixer nozzles.