Abstract:
A feed metering device for distributing feed, that is fodder or drink, or both, in metered portions to an animal. The device comprises a feed unit for receiving and containing said feed which includes an entrance opening and receives said feed from a feed supplying device. The amount of feed provided by the feed supplying device to the feed unit is governed by data from an animal identification device which identifies the animal that will consume feed in the feed unit and a weighing device that determines the amount of feed remaining from the last feeding in the feed unit. Deterring devices include animal deterring means which may be a loudspeaker produce an animal frightening sound or a light producing element comprising an animal frightening light. Also a safety bracket is provided for the feed unit to prevent injury to the feed unit in the event that an animal feeding therefrom pushes the feed unit downwardly with force or the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a division of U.S. Application Ser. No. 09/828,911, filed Apr. 10, 2001, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,584 B2, on Nov. 25, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a feed metering device for distributing fodder or drink, or both, in metered portions to an animal. Such a feed unit may include a manger or feeding trough, or both, or a unit provided with a nipple such as may be provided for calves. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Such a feed metering device is known from European Patent Application 0610171 A2, of Vogl, published Aug. 10, 1994. By means of a control unit the closing means of this known feed metering device is actively retained in the position in which it closes the manger or feeding trough. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is one of the objectives of the present invention to provide an alternatively feed metering device for distributing fodder or drink, or both, in metered portions to an animal, which device, on the one hand, deters in a constructively simple efficient and inexpensive manner animals that are not eligible for being fed from putting their heads into the feed unit, and, on the other hand, offers additional advantages. 
   For this purpose, in accordance with the invention, a metering device of the above described type is characterized by the closing means rotating about an axis, such rotation being driven by a roll in contact with the closing means which roll is driven by a motor. 
   The feed metering device preferably includes an animal identification device, the roll being controlled with the aid of data from the animal identification device. 
   In an embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention, a compact construction is provided when the roll is located below the entrance opening. Preferably a housing in which the roll is mounted is disposed at such location. 
   The closing means may be formed by a separate component, but is preferably constituted by the feed unit itself, which is designed as a movable one. As a result the number of components is limited and the feed metering device can be manufactured economically. 
   In order to prevent fodder or drink, or both, from falling from the feed unit in certain positions of the feed unit, the latter comprises a well portion for catching fodder or drink, or both, remaining in the feed unit. Said wall portion can also act as a feed guide means for fodder or drink, or both, that is supplied by the feed supplying device to the feed unit. 
   An enduring and firm construction is provided when the feed unit bears on the housing via the roll. 
   The motor is preferably included in such housing, so that a compact construction is obtained. The housing also serves to protect the motor against contamination, damage and the like. 
   A quick and accurate identification of animals is obtained when the animal identification device is included in the housing, the animal identification device then also being guarded against contamination, damage and the like. 
   The feed metering device preferably comprises further deterring means for deterring an animal, which includes a loudspeaker for producing an animal-frightening sound. Certain animals have appeared to be highly sensitive to certain sounds, so that a loudspeaker is appropriate for deterring such animals. Moreover, such a loudspeaker may be used for producing calming or stimulating sounds when an animal uses the feed metering device correctly. 
   Alternatively or additionally, the further deterring means may include means for generating an animal-frightening light. In particular when a plurality of feed metering devices are disposed side by side, the use of a frightening light is desirable, as this light can be directed in such a manner that its effect is limited to one particular feed metering device. 
   The further deterring means may include a voltage emitting device for emitting an animal-frightening electric voltage. Sound and light have proved to be effective for deterring unwanted animals, but have the disadvantage of being sometimes discernible at a greater distance than necessary and for their purposes from the relevant feed metering device. Animals that undesirably visit a feed metering device often make contact with the feed metering device, usually with their noses. By linking the components likely to be touched the animals with a voltage emitting device it is possible to deter undesired animals. Alternatively, a forced air flow may be used for deterring the animal. 
   A preferred embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention is characterized in that the feed metering device is provided with means for weighing the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit, which weighing means relates to improvement of the feed unit in a pivoting, rotating manner. Thus it is possible to determine how much fodder or drink, or both, is consumed by a particular animal. On the basis thereof the amount of fodder or drink, or both, consumed by an animal can be determined over the course of time whereupon the health condition of an animal can be deduced; for, when an animal unexpectedly consumes smaller amounts of fodder or drink, or both, this may be a sign that the animal is ill. Moreover, it is undesirable when an animal leaves a certain amount of fodder or drink, or both, that such leftover fodder or drink, or both, supplied to the next animal at the feed unit is not taken into account. The means for weighing the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit is thus preferably linked with the feed supplying device for supplying an amount of fodder or drink, or both, to the relevant feed unit with the aid of data both from the animal identification device and the weighing means. 
   The means for weighing the fodder or drink present, or both, in the feed unit may comprise a feed unit which is pivotable about a hinge pin, the degree of pivoting being determined by the weight of the fodder or drink present in the feed unit, and a device for determining the degree of pivoting, that is the angular movement of the feed unit and for deducing, from the degree as determined, the weight of the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit. The degree of pivoting of the feed unit depends on the amount of fodder or drink, or both, in the feed unit. The more fodder or drink, or both, the greater the degree of pivoting. The exact correlation between the degree of pivoting and the amount of fodder or drink, or both, can previously have been determined by means of simple calibration tests. 
   A compact construction of the feed metering device is obtained when the device for determining the degree of pivoting of the feed unit and for deducing from such degree of angular displacement, the weight of the amount fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit, is integrated in the animal identification device. 
   When the device for determining the degree of pivoting of the feed unit and for deducing, from the degree as so determined, the weight of the amount of fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit comprises a measuring roll which is in contact with the feed unit, it is possible to determine from the degree of rotation of a roll, the degree of pivoting and thus the amount of fodder or drink, or both, is in the feed unit. 
   Alternatively or additionally, the device for determining the degree of pivoting of the feed unit and for deducing, from the degree as so determined, the weight of the amount of fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit, may comprise a load sensor, the feed unit bearing on the load sensor. The load sensor is preferably included in the animal identification device. 
   In order to be able to measure even a small difference in weight, in a preferred embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention, the hinge pin and the load sensor and the measuring roll, respectively, are located so as to be closely proximate each other. 
   In order to prevent for example the load sensor from being damaged in the undesired event of a defect, there is provided a safety supporting bracket from the feed unit. 
   A preferred embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention is characterized in that the means for weighing the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit comprises a movable feed unit, a motor for moving the feed unit, a device for measuring the magnitude of the torque during movement, and for deducing, from the magnitude of the torque measured, the weight of the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit. The magnitude of the torque generated by the movement of the feed unit depends on the amount of fodder or drink, or both, in feed unit. Also in this situation, the exact correlation between torque and amount of fodder or drink, or both, in the feed unit can previously be determined by means of simple calibration tests. 
   A compact feed metering device is obtained when the motor for moving the feed unit and the device for measuring the magnitude of the torque during movement and for deducing, from the magnitude of the torque measured, the weight of the fodder or drink, or both, present in the feed unit, are integrated with the animal identification device. 
   A mechanically simple but accurate construction is obtained when the motor for moving the feed unit drives a torque roll, said torque roll being in contact with the feed unit. 
   According to the invention, the means for deterring an unwanted animal and the means for measuring the amount of fodder or drink, or both, in the feed unit can be combined in one means, in that the roll for driving the feed unit as a closing means and as the torque roll used for measuring the torque are the same roll. 
   In order to be able accurately to perform animal identification and to obtain at the same time a compact construction, a feed metering unit according to the present invention is characterized in that the animal identification device is disposed in a location below the entrance opening, including the vicinity thereof. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be explained hereinafter in further detail with reference, by way of example, to the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  which shows a second embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2  which shows a third embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  which shows a fourth embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIGS. 1 through 4  which shows a fifth embodiment of a feed metering device according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows schematically a first embodiment of a feed metering device I according to the invention. Feed metering device  1  distributes fodder or drink, or both, which for the sake of simplicity will hereinafter be denoted as “feed,” by which is meant fodder or drink, or both, in metered portions to an animal, and is provided with a feed unit  10 , also called a manger or feeding trough, for containing feed. An entrance opening  11  makes feed unit  10  accessible to an animal, for example but not exclusively, a cow. An animal identification device  12 , known per se, recognizes a particular animal that approaches the feed unit  10  and wishes to use it. The animal identification device  12  is preferably disposed in feed metering device  1 , but may alternatively also be disposed at a distance therefrom. A feed supplying device  13  supplies an amount of feed to the feed unit  10 , possibly with the aid of data from the animal identification device  12 , feed from a non-shown feed stock entering the feed unit  10  via a valve provided for such purpose and a chute  14 . 
   Thus it is possible for the feed metering device  1  to recognize a particular cow by means of a transponder fitted to or on the cow. Feed supplying device  13  is controlled in a manner well known in the art which is controlled by software that ensures that the right amount of feed is distributed to the relevant cow. 
   The feed metering device  1  according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  may be provided with a closing means as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Feed metering device  1  may additionally be provided, on a closing means, with deterring means  15  or  16  for deterring an animal that visits the feed unit at an undesired point of time and wishes to use it. The deterring means are preferably controlled with the aid of data from the animal identification device. This provides an additional manner to deter animals that are not then eligible for being fed, in a simple, efficient and inexpensive way, from putting their heads into the feed unit. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the deterring means includes a loudspeaker  16  for producing an animal-frightening sound. Alternatively or additionally, the further deterring means may include a lighting device  15  for emitting an animal-frightening light. In particular when a plurality of feed metering devices are disposed side-by-side, the use of a frightening light may be desirable inasmuch as this light can be directed in such a manner so its effect is limited to one particular feed metering device. 
     FIG. 2  shows schematically an embodiment of a feed metering device  2  according to the invention. In this embodiment the closing means  25  is constituted by a separate vessel-like element which is capable of rotating about an axle  26  and is movable across entrance opening  21 . When closing means  25  is moved across entrance opening  21 , the contents of the feed unit  20  can be made inaccessible to a particular animal. 
   Additionally, there may be provided further deterring means in the form of a voltage emitting device  27  for emitting an animal-frightening electric voltage to closing means  25 . Animals that undesirably approach the feed metering device  2  often contact feed metering device  2 . In particular they will touch closing means  25  with their noses. By linking voltage emitting device  27  with those components of the feed metering device that are likely to be touched by the animals, it is possible locally to deter a particular animal as an additional measure. This second embodiment of a feed metering device  2  according to the invention also comprises a feed supplying device  23  and a chute  24  for the feed. 
     FIG. 3  shows schematically a third embodiment of a feed metering device  3  according to the invention. In this embodiment the closing means is constituted by the feed unit  30  itself, which is designed to be movable. In the embodiment shown feed unit  30  is rotatably disposed about an axis  36 . In order to prevent, in the position in which the feed unit  30  closes the entrance opening  31 , feed from falling from feed unit  30 , feed unit  30  comprises a wall portion  35  for catching remaining feed. Said wall portion  35  can also act as a feed guide means for feed that is supplied to feed unit  30  via chute  34  of feed supplying device  33 . 
   For the purpose of providing, a simple reliable and compact construction, according to the invention a roller  29  or  39  is driven by a motor  28  or  38 , respectively, which roller  29  or  39 , contacts the closing means  25  or  30  respectively. Preferably feed unit  30  thus bears on the animal identification device  32  via roll  39 . Roll  39  is also preferably driven by a motor such as motor  28  or motor  38 . 
   An extremely compact construction is obtained when motor  28 , motor  38  and roll  29  or roll  39 , respectively, are included in a housing B or C, respectively, which is disposed below the entrance opening or in the vicinity thereof. Preferably the housing also contains the relevant animal identification devices  22  or  32 , respectively. 
   According to the invention, the feed metering device may be provided with means for weighing the feed present in the feed unit, which means moves the feed unit in a pivoting, rotating manner. With the aid of said means it is possible to determine how much feed is consumed by a particular animal, and at the same time whether remaining feed is present in the feed unit. The means for weighing the feed present in the feed unit is preferably connected to the feed supplying device for supplying an amount of feed to the feed unit with the aid of data both from the animal identification device and the weighing means, so that the amount of feed left by the previous animal can be taken into account. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , means for weighing the feed present in feed unit  10  comprises a feed unit  10  which is pivotable about a hinge pin  17 . The degree of pivoting is determined by the weight of feed present in feed unit  10 . A device  18  is provided for determining the degree of pivoting of feed unit  10  for deducing therefrom the weight of feed present in feed unit  10 . Device  18  for determining the degree of gravity of feed unit  10  comprises a measuring roll  19  which is in contact with the feed unit. From the degree of rotation of roll  19  the degree of pivoting and thus the amount of feed in feed unit  10  can be determined. 
   Due to the fact that device  18  and roll  19  for determining the degree of pivoting of feed unit  10  are integrated in housing A, in animal identification device  12 , a compact construction of the feed metering device is obtained. Alternatively, device  18  and roll  19  may be located outside housing A. 
   As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , device  201  for determining the degree of pivoting of feed unit  20  and for deducing therefrom the weight of the feed present in feed unit  20  may alternatively or additionally comprise a load sensor  202 . In the embodiment shown feed unit  20  bears on load sensor  202  via a supporting arm  203 , while the feed unit  20  pivots about a hinge pin  204 . Load sensor  202  is preferably included in housing B. 
   In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , even small differences in weight can be measured due to the fact that the hinge pins  17  and  204  and measuring rolls  19  and  29 , respectively, as well as load sensor  202 , are located small distances from each other. 
   In order to prevent the measuring roll, the load sensor or similar component from being damaged when, for example, the animal pushes the manger downwardly with force there may be provided in both embodiments safety supporting brackets  101  ( FIG. 1 ) or  205  ( FIG. 2 ) respectively, for supporting feed units  10  or  20 , respectively. 
   In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the means for weighing the feed present in the feed unit comprises a movable feed unit  30 . Feed unit  30  is moved in a reciprocating manner by motor  38  by which roll  39  is driven. As a result of this movement a torque occurs, the magnitude of which is determined by a device  301  for measuring torque magnitude. Device  301  deduces the weight of the feed present in the feed unit from torque as so determined. The exact correlation between torque and amount of feed can previously be determined by simple calibration tests. 
   The embodiment according to  FIG. 3  has a compact construction due to the fact that motor  38  for moving feed unit  30  and device  301  for measuring torque magnitude during movement and for deducing, from the magnitude of the torque measured, the weight of the feed present in the feed unit  30 , are integrated in housing C. 
   Although in addition to roll  39 , a separate torque roll may be provided, roll  39  preferably functions as a drive of the closing means, in this situation constituted by feed unit  30  itself, as well as functioning as a torque roll and as a measuring roll. 
   The fourth embodiment of a feed metering device  4  according to the present embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , comprises means for deterring an animal from using feed unit  40  before the animal is eligible to use such feed unit. This is accomplished with the aid of data from animal identification device  42 , as well as means for weighing the feed present in feed-unit  40 . 
   The closing means  46 , which is rotatable about an axle  45 , is set in rotation by a roll  47  which can come into contact with the closing means  46 . Roll  47  is driven by a motor  48  which is controlled with the aid of data from animal identification device  42 . 
   In this embodiment the weighing means comprises feed unit  40  which is rotatable about an axle  49 . Feed unit  40  can be brought into contact with roll  47 , and is subjected to a reciprocating motion by correctly controlling motor  48  that drives roll  47 . By movement of feed unit  40  a torque is generated that can be measured by a torque measuring device  401 . 
   In the situation shown in  FIG. 4 , roll  47  contacts feed unit  40  whereupon the latter is set in motion to determine the amount of feed present in feed unit  40 . After an animal has consumed feed therein, the amount of remaining feed, if any, can be determined by torque measurement. Then roll  47  is controlled by motor  48  so that feed unit  40  is partially located in entrance opening  41 . A catching element  402  on feed unit  40  moves closing means along with it until closing means  46  contacts roll  47 . Roll  47  then controls closing means  46  so that it covers the entire entrance opening  41 . As a result of the fact that feed unit  40  is no longer in contact with roll  47 , feed unit  40  falls back to the starting position in which feed, if desired, can be added by the feed supplying device  43  via a chute  44 . 
   The fifth embodiment of a feed metering device according to the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 5 , differs from that of  FIG. 4  by the position of the hinge pin  59  about which feed unit  50  rotates. The hinge pin  59  is thus positioned close to roll  56  for driving feed unit  50  and measuring the torque, for measuring very small differences in the amount of feed. There is also provided a stop  58  for preventing superfluous movement of feed unit  50 . Closing means  55  for closing entrance opening  51  pivots about axle  57 . 
   For the purpose of being able accurately to perform animal identification and to obtain at the same time a compact construction, a feed metering device according to the present invention is characterized in that the animal identification device  52  is disposed in the housing E which is located below the entrance opening or in the vicinity thereof. 
   Notwithstanding, that the invention has been described on the basis of an animal identification device, which may be provided with weighing means or deterring means, or both, which is stationary in the sense that it is normally fixed in position, it is also possible to dispose the animal identification device or the weighing means or the deterring means on a mobile feed unit. 
   Although I have disclosed the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that it is capable of other adaptations and modifications within the scope of the following claims.