Patent ID: 7353772
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: A01K

Abstract:
1. A structure for feeding a plurality of animals which number N comprising an imaginary vertical axis surrounded by a plurality of substantially identical feeding troughs, said feeding troughs as seen in plan view, being disposed at a fixed distance from said imaginary vertical axis on a part p of the circumference of a circle, p being in the range 0<p<1, said feeding troughs overlapping each other as seen in plan, a first of said feeding troughs having a width t, said width t being defined by the greatest distance between a first point on an opening of said feeding trough and a second point on said opening of said feeding trough, said first and second points being located at a fixed distance x from said imaginary vertical axis to form a first isosceles triangle with a base equal to t, a vertex angle defined as φ, and first and second sides each having a length x, said sides extending from said imaginary vertical axis to the respective said first and second points, and a second feeding trough having a width t to form a second isosceles triangle with a base equal to a length t, a vertex angle φ, and first and second sides having a length x, which said second feeding troughs partially overlaps said first feeding trough through an angle α which is defined as the angle between said second side of the first isosceles triangle and said first side of said second isosceles triangle, the overlap as so determined by ε being defined as ε=1−α/ε whereby the minimum fixed distance x is defined by the formula: