Patent ID: 7681715
Filing Date: 2010-03-23
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for discharging material at spaced intervals, said apparatus comprising: a supply of material to be discharged; a conveying tube extending between a first end connected to the supply of material and a second end spaced from the first end, the conveying tube being supported to define a substantially horizontal path along which material can travel; a trough extending below the conveying tube; a conveying mechanism arranged to move material along the conveying tube from the supply at the first end of the conveying tube to the second end of the conveying tube; and a plurality of discharge elements at spaced apart positions along the conveying tube between the first and second ends of the conveying tube, each discharge element comprising a discharge opening positioned on the conveying tube so as to be arranged to discharge the material in the conveying tube therethrough from the conveying tube to the trough below the conveying tube at the spaced apart positions along the conveying tube; the conveying tube comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections connected inline with one another, each longitudinal section having a plurality of the discharge elements therein; the longitudinal sections of the conveying tube being independently rotatable relative to one another about a longitudinal axis of the conveying tube such that at least some of the discharge openings are adjustable in elevation relative to other ones of the discharge openings; at least one discharge element of each section of the conveying tube further comprising: a movable blocker member supported on the conveying tube; a tube opening in the conveying tube; and a blocker opening in the blocker member; wherein the blocker member is movable to selectively block or open the tube opening and wherein overlap between the tube opening and the blocker opening defines the discharge opening; the discharge openings of the discharge elements being arranged to be located in a descending configuration in relative elevation along the conveying tube from the first end of the conveying tube to the second end of the conveying tube such that the discharge opening nearest the first end of the conveying tube is greater in elevation relative to said conveying tube than the discharge opening nearest to the second end of said conveying tube opposite the first end.