Patent ID: 7302912
Filing Date: 2007-12-04
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A discharge unit for removable installation at a lower extent of animal feeder having a hopper body and having sidewalls, a bottom wall region and a cover which together define an initially open interior adapted to contain particulate or granular animal feed, the bottom wall region of the feeder having a feed outlet opening through which the feed material passes, the discharge unit comprising: an upwardly extending coupling tube having an upper end and having a lower end, generally cylindrical sidewalls, an internal diameter and an external diameter which is sized to matingly engage the feed outlet opening of the feeder for attaching the discharge unit to the feeder; a plurality of generally cylindrical feeder tubes extending outwardly from the lower end of the coupling tube, each of the feeder tubes having an inner extent and an outer extent, and wherein the inner extents of the feeder tubes, together with the lower end of the coupling tube define a central chamber of the discharge unit; wherein the central chamber of the discharge unit has a floor region with a spreader cone extending upwardly therefrom within the central chamber in the direction of the internal diameter of the coupling tube, whereby feed passing from the feed outlet of the feeder passes through the internal diameter of the coupling tube of the discharge unit and over the spreader cone before passing through the central chamber and through the feeder tubes to be discharged from the feeder.