Patent Publication Number: US-2006011141-A1

Title: Feed hopper

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to a poultry floor feeding system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a feed hopper for supplying feed to a feeder line and means for mounting the feed hopper such that the feed hopper can be easily removed from and replaced onto the feeder line for cleaning or repair.  
      Poultry floor feeding systems have been in use in poultry houses for many years in order to provide feed from a storage bin outside of the poultry house and into the individual feeders provided within the poultry house. One part of these poultry feeding systems, namely the steel feed hopper, has been virtually unchanged since the mid-1960&#39;s, even though the steel feed hopper is difficult to remove from the poultry feeding systems when cleaning is required or desired, and even though the steel feed hopper can create feeder suspension problems if it is not reinstalled properly. Also, the initial assembly of the steel feed hopper is time consuming for the installer.  
      Therefore, an improved poultry floor feeding system is needed. The present invention provides such a system. Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon a reading of the attached specification, in combination with a study of the drawings.  
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A primary object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which is easier to install for an installer than poultry floor feeding systems of the prior art.  
      Another primary object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which allows for the feed hopper to be easily removed and reinstalled by a producer.  
      Yet another primary object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which is at least partially formed of plastic such that it will be lighter in weight to handle.  
      Still another primary object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which is at least partially formed of a corrosion resistant material such that it will not rust.  
      An object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which eases the removal of parts thereof for clean out.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which enhances feed flow.  
      Yet another object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which utilizes a suspension system.  
      Still another object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which is lower in cost to produce in comparison to prior art poultry floor feeding systems.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a poultry floor feeding system which can be easily shipped and stored.  
      Briefly, and in accordance with the foregoing, a poultry floor feeding system is provided including a feeder line for conveying feed to feeders located at spaced locations thereon, a hopper boot located on the feeder line, a feed hopper for supplying feed to the feeder line, the feed hopper having a body portion which terminates in a discharge port at a lower end thereof, a mounting collar operatively associated with the discharge port of the feed hopper for connecting the feed hopper to the hopper boot on the feeder line, and securing means for releasably securing the mounting collar to the feed hopper such that the feed hopper can be easily removed from and replaced onto the feeder line for cleaning or repair. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are described in detail hereinbelow. The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a poultry house in which is installed the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the portion of the poultry floor feeding system as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the portion of the poultry floor feeding system as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the portion of the poultry floor feeding system as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the mounting collar of the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 6B  is a top elevational view of the mounting collar as illustrated in  FIG. 6A ;  
       FIG. 6C  is a bottom elevational view of the mounting collar as illustrated in  FIG. 6A ;  
       FIG. 6D  is front elevational view of the mounting collar as illustrated in  FIG. 6A ;  
       FIG. 6E  is a side elevational view of the mounting collar as illustrated in  FIG. 6A ;  
       FIG. 7A  is a side elevational view of a first half of a funnel portion of a feed hopper of the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention;  
       FIG. 7B  is a front elevational view of the first half of the funnel portion as illustrated in  FIG. 7A ;  
       FIG. 7C  is a front elevational view of a second half of the funnel portion of the feed hopper of the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a partial perspective view of a header drop tube secured to the feed hopper of the poultry floor feeding system of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT  
      While this invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.  
      A poultry floor feeding system  20  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 . The poultry floor feeding system  20  generally includes a feeder line  22 , a plurality of feeders  24 , a hopper boot  26 , a mounting collar  28 , a feed hopper  30 , a suspension member  32 , and suspension cables  34 . The hopper boot  26 , the mounting collar  28 , and the feed hopper  30  are all preferably made of a corrosion resistant material such that these parts of the poultry floor feeding system  20  will not rust. The hopper boot  26 , the mounting collar  28 , and the feed hopper  30  are all also preferably made of plastic such that the poultry floor feeding system  20  is lighter in weight, making it easier to handle; by forming the hopper boot  26 , the mounting collar  28  and the feed hopper  30  of plastic, these parts will weigh approximately ten to fifteen pounds whereas similar parts in prior poultry floor feeding systems could weigh upward of a few hundred pounds. The poultry floor feeding system  20  is typically provided in a poultry house  36 , such as the poultry house  36  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The size and positioning of the poultry floor feeding system  20  may differ from that as illustrated in  FIG. 1  depending on numerous factors. A feed storage bin  38  is typically located outside the poultry house  36  and provides feed to the poultry floor feeding system  20  by a header conveyor  40  and a header drop tube  42  by a manner which is known in the art and, therefore, will not be discussed in detail herein.  
      The feeder line  22  typically extends along a length of the poultry house  36  proximate to the floor of the poultry house  36 . The plurality of feeders  24  are operatively associated with the feeder line  22  and are spaced from one another. Each of the plurality of feeders  24  are configured such that they can receive feed from the feeder line  22  such that they can present the feed to the poultry within the poultry house  36 . It is to be understood that other types of feeders  24  can be used in the poultry floor feeding system  20  than those that are illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
      The feeder line  22  as illustrated in  FIG. 1  is attached at a first end  44  thereof to a hopper boot  26 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2-5 , the hopper boot  26  is preferably formed in a funnel-like configuration such that a top end  46  thereof is larger than a bottom end  48  thereof, in order to facilitate the flow of feed from the top end  46  of the hopper boot  26  to the bottom end  48  of the hopper boot  26 . A tube member  50  is associated with the bottom end  48  of the hopper boot  26 . The tube member  50  is configured to be operatively associated with the feeder line  22  such that feed in the hopper boot  26  will move through the tube member  50  and into the feeder line  22 . It is to be understood that the feeder line  22  may be attached at a middle portion of the feeder line  22  so long as the hopper boot  26  is provided with a pair of tube members  50 , each extending from opposite sides of the bottom end  48  of the hopper boot  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
      The top end  46  of the hopper boot  26  is preferably rectangular and is open such that feed can flow into the hopper boot  26 . The top end  46  of the hopper boot  26  is provided with flanges  52  extending therefrom. The flanges  52  are provided for supporting the mounting collar  28  and for securing the mounting collar  28  to the hopper boot  26 . The mounting collar  28  and the hopper boot  26  are preferably secured to one another by appropriate fastening means, such as a bolt or a rivet. It is to be understood that the hopper boot  26  can have other configurations than those as illustrated and described.  
      The mounting collar  28  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6E . The mounting collar  28  includes a base portion  54 . The base portion  54  is preferably rectangular such that a bottom surface  56  thereof is configured to be positioned on the flanges  52  of the top end  46  of the hopper boot  26 . The base portion  54  is further configured to be secured to the flanges  52  of the top end  46  of the hopper boot  26  by the appropriate fastening means as disclosed hereinabove. The base portion  54  also has an aperture  58  provided therethrough which is in communication with the interior of the hopper boot  26 , such that feed can flow through the aperture  58  of the base portion  54  and into the hopper boot  26 . The aperture  58  is preferably circular.  
      The mounting collar  28  further includes a right circular cylinder member  60  which extends upwardly from the top surface  62  of the base portion  54  of the mounting collar  28  to a top edge  64  thereof. The right circular cylinder member  60  is positioned around the aperture  58  of the base portion  54 . The right circular cylinder member  60  defines an inner surface  66  and an outer surface  68  and defines an aperture  70  which is in communication with the aperture  58  of the base portion  54 .  
      The mounting collar  28  further includes a hollow frustum member  72  defining a bottom circular edge  74 , a top circular edge  76 , and an angled wall  78  which connects the bottom circular edge  74  to the top circular edge  76 . The angled wall  78  defines an inner surface  80  and an outer surface  82  of the frustum member  72  and is preferably angled at about a sixty degree angle. The wall  78  is angled because the bottom circular edge  74  has a diameter which is less than a diameter of the top circular edge  76 . The diameter of the bottom circular edge  74  is preferably identical to a diameter of the top edge  64  of the right circular cylinder member  60  such that the bottom circular edge  74  is positioned on the top edge  64  of the right circular cylinder member  60 . As the frustum member  72  is hollow, the frustum member  72  defines an aperture  84  therethrough which is in communication with the aperture  70  of the right circular cylinder member  60 .  
      The mounting collar  28  further includes a pair of helical portions  84 ,  86 . A first end  88  of helical portion  84  is provided approximately equidistant between the top surface  62  of the base portion  54  and the top edge  64  of the right circular cylinder member  60 . The helical member  84  then curves around the mounting collar  28 , preferably in a counter-clockwise direction and ends at a second end  90  thereof, which is provided approximately equidistant between the bottom edge  74  and the top edge  76  of the frustum member  72 . The helical member  84  extends around the mounting collar  28  preferably less than 180 degrees. Likewise, a first end  92  of helical portion  86  is provided approximately equidistant between the top surface  62  of the base portion  54  and the top edge  64  of the right circular cylinder member  60 . The helical member  86  then curves around the mounting collar  28 , preferably in a counter-clockwise direction and ends at a second end  94  thereof, which is provided approximately equidistant between the bottom edge  74  and the top edge  76  of the frustum member  72 . The helical member  86  extends around the mounting collar  28  preferably less than 180 degrees. Preferably, the first ends  88 ,  92  of the helical members  84 ,  86 , respectively, are positioned 180 degrees apart from one another on the mounting collar  28 .  
      The helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  define recesses  96 ,  98  in the inner surfaces  66 ,  80  of the right circular cylinder member  60  and the frustum member  72 , respectively, such that the helical portions  84 ,  86  protrude from the outer surfaces  68 ,  82  of the right circular cylinder member  60  and the frustum member  72 , respectively.  
      The base portion  54 , the right circular cylinder member  60  and the frustum member  72  are all preferably integrally formed, but may be formed of separate pieces if desired.  
      The feed hopper  30  is formed of a funnel portion  100 , a cover member  102 , and a cross member  104 . The funnel portion  100  defines an inner surface  106  and an outer surface  108  and defines an aperture  110  therethrough. The funnel portion  100  includes a bottom right circular cylinder member  112  which has a bottom edge  114  and a top edge  116 . The bottom right circular cylinder member  112  acts as the discharge port of the feed hopper  30 . The bottom right circular cylinder member  112  has a pair of protrusions  118  which extend outwardly from the outer surface  108  of the funnel portion  100  which are positioned approximately 180 degrees apart from one another. The protrusions  118  are sized to mesh into the recesses  96 ,  98  of the helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  of the mounting collar  28  such that the protrusions  118  can be moved within the recesses  96 ,  98  of the helical portions  84 ,  86  in order to secure the bottom right circular cylinder member  112  to the mounting collar  28  or in order to release the bottom right circular cylinder member  112  from the mounting collar  28 . The helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  and the protrusions  118  work together for releasably securing the feed hopper  30  to the mounting collar  28 . Of course, it is to be understood that other items could be used to releasably secure the feed hopper  30  to the mounting collar  28 , such as, for instance a cotter pin.  
      The funnel portion  100  includes a frustum member  120  which has a bottom circular edge  122  and a top circular edge  124 . The bottom edge  122  has a diameter which is less than a diameter of the top circular edge  124  such that the frustum member  120  is angled upwardly and outwardly from the bottom edge  122  to the top edge  124 , preferably at an angle of about sixty degrees as such an angle has been found to help promote the flow of feed therethrough. The bottom edge  122  of the frustum member  120  is positioned on the top edge  116  of the bottom right circular cylinder member  112 . The frustum member  72  is configured such that it surrounds the frustum member  120  proximate to the bottom edge  122  thereof.  
      The funnel portion  100  includes a top right circular cylinder member  126  which has a top circular edge  128  and a bottom circular edge  130 . The bottom edge  130  of the top right circular cylinder member  126  is positioned on the top edge  124  of the frustum member  120 .  
      The funnel portion  100  is formed in two halves  100   a ,  100   b  which are secured to one another along flanges  132   a ,  132   b ,  134   a ,  134   b  which extend outwardly from the outer surface  108  of the funnel portion  100  by appropriate means, such as by bolts and nuts. Flange  132   a  is secured to flange  134   b  and flange  134   a  is secured to flange  132   b . Because the funnel portion  100  is formed from two halves  100   a ,  100   b , the flanges  132   a ,  134   a  are preferably positioned 180 degrees apart from one another, and the flanges  132   b ,  134   b  are preferably positioned 180 degrees apart from one another. The two halves  100   a ,  100   b  also allow for the funnel portion  100  to be easily shipped or stored as desired, as they are configured to be stackable upon one another.  
      The frustum member  120  and the top right circular cylinder member  126  may also be provided with a pair of raised portions  136 ,  138  along the outer surface  108  thereof for strengthening purposes. The raised portions  136 ,  138  are preferably positioned 180 degrees apart from one another and are preferably positioned 90 degrees apart from the flanges  132   a ,  132   b ,  134   a ,  134   b.    
      The feed hopper  30  also preferably has a cross member  104  which spans the aperture  110  and is connected to the inner surface  106  of the funnel member  100  proximate to the top edge  128  of the top right circular cylinder member  126  by appropriate means in order to stabilize the funnel member  100  and in order to help the funnel member  100  retain its shape. The header drop tube  42  may also be secured to the cross member  104  by appropriate means, such as that illustrated in  FIG. 8 , if desired.  
      The cover member  102  is preferably in the form of a frustum or a truncated cone such that it has a top edge  140  which has a diameter which is smaller than a diameter of a bottom circular edge  142  thereof. The cover member  102  is hollow such that an opening  144  is provided through the cover member  102  between the top edge  140  thereof. The bottom edge  142  is configured such that it can rest upon the top edge  128  of the top right circular cylinder member  126  of the funnel portion  100 , thus covering the aperture  110  of the funnel portion  100 , except for where the opening  144  of the cover member  102  provides access to the aperture  110 . The cover member  102  may be secured to the funnel member  100  by appropriate means. The header drop tube  42  may be inserted through the opening  144  of the cover member  102  in order to provide feed into the aperture  110  of the funnel member  100 . The feed in the aperture  110  of the funnel member  100  would then flow into the hopper boot  26 , through the feeder line  22  and into the plurality of feeders  24  in order to provide feed to the poultry within the poultry house  36 . The cylindrical and conical configuration of the funnel member  100  promotes easy flow of the feed through the funnel member  100 .  
      The suspension member  32  includes first, second, third and fourth members  146   a ,  146   b ,  146   c ,  146   d  which are formed together in a square or rectangle-like configuration such that first member  146   a  is connected to second and fourth members  146   b ,  146   d ; such that second member  146   b  is connected to first and third members  146   a ,  146   c ; such that third member  146   c  is connected to second and fourth members  146   b ,  146   d ; and such that fourth member  146   d  is connected to first and third members  146   a ,  146   c . The configuration of the first, second, third and fourth members  146   a ,  146   b ,  146   c ,  146   d  is such that the hopper boot  26  can be inserted therebetween and such that the flanges  52  of the hopper boot  26  rest on a top edge  148  of the suspension member  32 , in order to support the hopper boot  26 .  
      The suspension member  32  further includes a fifth and sixth member  146   e ,  146   f . The fifth member  146   e  extends outwardly from the connection of the first and fourth members  146   a ,  146   d  and the sixth member  146   f  extends outwardly from the connection of the third and fourth members  146   c ,  146   d  such that the fifth and sixth members  146   e ,  146   f  are capable of connecting to one another at  150  by appropriate means, such as by a bolt and a nut. Likewise, the suspension member  32  further includes a seventh and eighth member  146   g ,  146   h . The seventh member  146   g  extends outwardly from the connection of the first and second members  146   a ,  146   b  and the eighth member  146   h  extends outwardly from the connection of the second and third members  146   b ,  146   c  such that the seventh and eighth members  146   g ,  146   h  are capable of connecting to one another at  152  by appropriate means, such as by a bolt and a nut.  
      The suspension member  32  further includes first and second extension members  154   a ,  154   b . Extension member  154   a  is secured at a lower end thereof to the connection  150  of the fifth and sixth members  146   e ,  146   f  by appropriate means. Extension member  154   b  is secured at a lower end thereof to the connection  152  of the seventh and eighth members  146   g ,  146   h  by appropriate means. Suspension cables  34  are secured at upper ends of the extension members  154   a ,  154   b  and extend upwardly to either the roof of the poultry house  36  or to trusses of the poultry house  36 , or both. The suspension cables  34  suspend the poultry floor feeding system  20  from the poultry house  36  such that the poultry floor feeding system  20  does not come into contact with the floor of the poultry house  36 . The suspension cables  34  are preferably stabilized between the extension members  154   b  and their securement to the poultry house  36  by releasably securing them to the funnel member  100  proximate to the top edge  128  of the top right circular cylinder member  126  along the outer surface  108  of the funnel member  100 . The suspension cables  34  are preferably positioned between the flanges  132   a ,  134   b ;  132   b ,  134   a  and are snapped in therebetween as the flanges  132   a ,  134   b ;  132   b ,  134   a  preferably have some type of protrusion, such as a pin or a dimple, extending therefrom such that the suspension cables  34  must be forced past the protrusions to be secured. The suspension cables  34  can, of course, be removed from between the flanges  132   a ,  134   b ;  132   b ,  134   a  by supplying a force to the cables  34  to move them past the protrusions. The suspension cables  34  are preferably hung from the poultry house  36  at a distance which is less than where the suspension cables  34  are secured at the feed hopper  30 . The suspension member  32  and the suspension cables  34  allow for the adjustment of the feeder line  22  at different distances above the feeding surface.  
      Thus, the poultry floor feeding system  20  provides a number of advantages over other similar systems of the prior art. The capability of the protrusions  118  on the feed hopper  30  to be positioned in or mate with the recesses  96 ,  98  of the helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  of the mounting collar  28  allow for the feed hopper  30  to be easily secured or engaged to the mounting collar  28  by merely twisting or rotating the feed hopper  30  relative to the mounting collar  28  in a first direction. Thus, the protrusions  118  and the recesses  96 ,  98  of the helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  act as a securing member or securing means which secure the feed hopper  30  to the mounting collar  28 . Likewise, the capability of the protrusions  118  on the feed hopper  30  to be positioned in or mate with the recesses  96 ,  98  of the helical portions or mating threads  84 ,  86  of the mounting collar  28  allow for the feed hopper  30  to be easily released or disengaged from the mounting collar  28  by merely twisting or rotating the feed hopper  30  relative to the mounting collar  28  in a second direction. Thus, a worker in the poultry house  36  can easily remove the feed hopper from the poultry floor feeding system  20  in order to facilitate cleaning or repair. Also, as the feed hopper  30 , the mounting collar  28  and the hopper boot  26  are all preferably formed of a corrosion resistant material, these pieces will not rust over time as will similar parts used in the poultry floor feeding systems of the prior art. The feed hopper  30 , the mounting collar  28  and the hopper boot  26  are all also preferably formed of plastic such that it is easy to pick up or move any one of these pieces as they are formed of a lightweight material. The configuration of the poultry floor feeding system  20 , namely the mounting collar  28  and the feed hopper  30 , also allows for the feed hopper  30  to be released from, or secured to, the mounting collar  28  by hand, without the need for tools. As the funnel portion  100  of the feed hopper  30  is formed in two halves, the funnel portion  100  is formed in pieces which are stackable and, thus, facilitate shipment and storage. Finally, the poultry floor feeding system  20  is configured such that it can be adjustably suspended from the roof or trusses of the poultry house  36 . The configuration of the poultry floor feeding system  20  also allows for the feed hopper  30  to be removed and reinstalled without effecting the suspension of the system  20 .  
      While a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.