Patent Description:
Turning now to the poultry industry in particular, there are several current methods in which fertilized eggs or chickens are treated with medicine. These include:.

While the poultry industry spends over $<NUM> billion on vaccines and other pharmaceuticals on annual basis, the return on their investment is not guaranteed due to the challenges with the manner in which the vaccines or other substances are delivered. Each aforementioned method has shown noticeable and significant inadequacies. The automated vaccination in the hatchery performed in ovo on El8/<NUM> is highly popular. However, there are drawbacks with this method. In particular, many vaccines of interest are either not available for in ovo application and may not become available by the nature of the disease and/or the conjugates necessary to carry the active molecules/particles to be applied in ovo. In addition, current practice of in ovo vaccination requires the punching/piercing of a whole in the egg on day <NUM> or <NUM>. The delivery requires holding the egg in place by some mechanical means while extending a needle into the egg and administering the injection of the vaccine/drug. This practice may allow pathogens and bacteria to enter the egg and negatively impact the embryo. During the in ovo vaccination, undesirable eggs (rotten or eggs containing dead embryos) are also in contact with the mechanical means of holding eggs in a stationary position before getting punched/pierced and the needles. Thus there is a high probability of spreading undesirable contamination into other eggs and the vaccination system. Thus allowing transfer of contamination to subsequent live eggs during further processing.

To reduce the impact of this contamination transfer, the industry started to introduce and inject antibiotics into eggs as a part of in ovo vaccination. However, consumers are moving away from poultry treated with antibiotics. As such the industry is feeling the need to find alternative methods to treat the same diseases in a different manner that will maintain flock health while eliminating the use of antibiotics.

The "post-hatch" automated vaccination in the hatchery is performed after hatch but before chicks are counted and transported to a growth farm. The current post-hatch vaccination method utilizes a variety of mass sprayer systems which spray a large group of day old chicks with vaccines and other medication concurrently. These systems have proven to be inadequate in delivering of vaccines and medications to all chicks. The spray nozzles deliver an aspirated dosage to a group of chicks above their heads with the majority of droplets landing on the surface of the chick's heads and bodies resulting in chicks that do not receive the effective dosage. In addition, some chicks hide under the bodies of other chicks. As a result, they may not be exposed to the spray at all and thus not be effectively vaccinated. Chicks that are ineffectively vaccinated are a risk not only to themselves as they may catch a particular disease, but are also a risk to all of the other chicks around them. A single unvaccinated chick can spread disease to an entire farm and infect any other chick in the flock that was not vaccinated or not effectively vaccinated.

While "post-hatch" manual vaccination in the hatchery may be considered more reliable than other methods, studies have shown that this practice also is lacking in reliability and causes chick injuries and death. Hatcheries face challenges in finding reliable vaccinators and labor costs as increasing daily production rates. This heightens the challenge to ensure all chicks are effectively vaccinated which adds to the overall cost. In addition, because the chicks must be handled during vaccination, there is a risk of injury or death to the chick in the event the chick is harmed during handling. Moreover, because the workers must vaccinate multitudes of chicks, the workers are subject to repetitive stress injuries. This results in an economic and productivity loss to the poultry producers.

An alternative approach has been to add the vaccination/medication to the feed or water in the farm. This methodology has proven to be only partially effective, due to the fact that for the most part bacteria, pathogens and parasites in the chick's digestive system have become resistant to the drugs. Other factors that contribute to partial efficacy of this method include the lack of uniformity in the drinking lines, uneven doses delivered as a result of uneven amounts eaten or drunk, and that some vaccines have a very short half-life in water or feed.

The inadequacies of present vaccination methodologies combined with new market trends to eliminate the application of antibiotics in the poultry production, including the medicated feed additives ("MFAs"), are the main drivers for the embodiments described herein. Substance delivery via the mucosa, or mucous membrane, is effective and efficient when delivered properly. The challenge in mass delivery is ensuring that each animal has received the effective dose.

<CIT> discloses a method and system for recognizing, vaccinating, sorting and documenting alive fish.

<CIT> describes a system for vaccinating swine according to one embodiment includes a housing having an open first end and an open opposite second end. The housing has a pair of side walls that are angled and non-parallel to one another such that at the second end only a single piglet can exit at one time.

<CIT> discloses a method and apparatus for enriching the environment of an animal.

<CIT> describes an unmanned vehicle for supplying feed to an animal.

The present invention provides a system for automatically delivering a substance to a predetermined area of a poultry animal as recited in claim <NUM>.

Having thus described various embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale and do not include all components of the system, and wherein:.

The present disclosure is directed to automated systems and methods for effectively delivering a substance to an animal. Various aspects of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein.

One embodiment is directed to the delivery of a substance to chicken hatchlings after they have been separated from their shells and prior to departure from the hatchery. In addition, methods and systems according to aspects of the present disclosure relating to chicks may be used with any type of poultry including, but not limited to, chicken, turkey, duck, geese, quail, pheasant, ostrich, exotic birds, and the like.

<FIG> illustrates a simplified schematic top view of the overall system of the first embodiment <NUM>. The simplified view does not include some of the equipment provided in various areas of the first embodiment <NUM> which will be explained in detail below and shown in other more detailed views. Similarly, <FIG> illustrates a simplified schematic side view of the overall system of the first embodiment <NUM>.

The first embodiment <NUM> would likely be located in the day-of-hatch room in a chicken hatchery. The first embodiment <NUM> includes a chick/shell separator <NUM>. The chick/shell separator <NUM> provides a means for separating the hatchling from its shell. A first conveyor <NUM> moves the chick from the chick/shell separator <NUM> through an opening in the separating wall <NUM> to a second, wider conveyor <NUM> in the direction of arrow <NUM>. The separating wall <NUM> separates the shell separating process from the substance delivery process.

The second, wider conveyor <NUM> begins the spread the chicks out which makes processing each individual chick easier. From the second conveyor <NUM>, the chicks are transported in the direction of arrows <NUM> onto third, and forth conveyors <NUM>, <NUM> respectively, which are both wider than the conveyor <NUM>. A fifth conveyor <NUM> has dividers <NUM> which may be suspended from the top of the conveyance assembly. The dividers <NUM> create lanes <NUM> (shown in <FIG> and <FIG>) which help to move the chicks into narrow rows which eventually become single file rows (<FIG>).

A plurality of first presence sensors <NUM> are located along each lane <NUM> on the sixth conveyor belt <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. First cameras <NUM> are also located along each lane <NUM> on the sixth conveyor belt <NUM> and are located downstream from the direction of travel from the first presence sensors <NUM> and first cameras <NUM>. In addition, first spray heads <NUM> A-D are located in each lane <NUM> on the pathway of the sixth conveyor belt <NUM>. The first spray heads <NUM> A-D vary in height and location. In particular, as shown in detail in <FIG>, 37A is mounted in a taller position on the right hand side of the lane <NUM>. Spray head 37B is mounted in a lower position on the right hand side of the lane <NUM>. Conversely spray head 37C is mounted in a higher position on the left hand side of lane <NUM> and spray head 37D is mounted in a lower position on the left hand side. This is done so that the first spray heads <NUM> A-D will hit a predetermined target on the chick regardless of the chick's position in the lane <NUM>.

It should be noted that spray heads <NUM> A-D in <FIG> are designed to emit a cone shaped plume of spray. Thus when a chick passes the spray heads <NUM> A-D either the higher <NUM> A and C, or lower <NUM> B and D mounted heads will provide between them an area of spray that will ensure effective delivery of the substance. <FIG> and <FIG> show the expanse of the plume of spray.

A first strobe light <NUM> is also located proximate to the sixth conveyor belt <NUM>. The first strobe light <NUM> causes the chick to chirp and thus open its mouth. In the event the vaccination or other medicament is being delivered mucosally, the first strobe light <NUM> may be activated to aid in oral delivery.

The first presence sensors <NUM>, first cameras <NUM>, first spray heads <NUM> A-D and first strobe light <NUM> are all in communication with an automated substance delivery network <NUM>, shown schematically in <FIG>. The network <NUM> includes a computer processor <NUM> that enables network components such as the first presence sensor <NUM>, first camera <NUM> and first spray heads <NUM> A-C to communicate with each other. The function of the network <NUM> will be explained in more detail below.

A plurality of second presence sensors <NUM> are located at the end of the sixth conveyor belt <NUM> and along the angled conveyor belt <NUM> Each second presence sensor <NUM> is positioned to sense the presence of a chick moving along the lane <NUM> created by dividers <NUM> on either side of the angled conveyor belt <NUM>. Second cameras <NUM> and a second spray heads <NUM> A-D are also located along the pathway <NUM> of the angled conveyor belt <NUM>. Second presence sensors <NUM>, second cameras <NUM> and second spray heads <NUM> A-D are all in communication with the automated substance delivery network <NUM>.

As discussed above with respect to the first spray heads <NUM> (<FIG>), each second spray head <NUM> (<FIG>) has a spray range within which a plume of spray is delivered. When the chick encounters the plume of spray as it travels along the angled conveyor belt, an effective dosage of the sprayed solution is delivered. Each second spray head <NUM> is positioned to focus the plume of spray on a chick travelling along the pathway of the angled conveyor belt <NUM>. Multiple second spray heads <NUM> A-D may be positioned along the pathway of the angled conveyor belt <NUM> to ensure that at least one second spray head <NUM> will be able to deliver a plume of spray to each chick regardless of the chick's position. For example, there are four second spray heads <NUM> mounted along the pathway of the angled conveyor belt <NUM>: 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D as shown in <FIG>. Two second spray heads 42A, 42B are mounted on the right side of the pathway and the remaining two 42C, 42D on the left. One second spray head 42A on the right side is directed to the right upper half of a chick's body if the chick were travelling along the pathway in an upright position. The other second spray head on the right side 42B is directed to the right lower half of a chick's body if the chick were travelling along the pathway in an upright position. Similarly, the second spray head mounted on the left side 42C is directed to the left upper half of a chick's body if the chick were travelling along the pathway in an upright position and the other left mounted spray head 42D is directed to the left lower half of a chick's body if the chick were travelling along the pathway in an upright position. This mounting design allows for the delivery of sprayed solution into at least one eye, the nasal cavity and/or the mouth of a chick traveling along the angled conveyor belt regardless of its position.

Individual carrier devices <NUM> are located below the angled conveyor belt <NUM>. Each individual carrier device <NUM> is similar to a cup, cage or basket and sized to receive a single chick as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The individual carrier devices <NUM> are interlinked and travel along an individual carrier pathway advanced by a conveyor system. Each carrier device <NUM> is hingedly mounted relative to the conveyor system so that each device can rotate or pivot about its hinged connection as shown in <FIG>.

The third set of cameras <NUM> are located along the pathway of the individual carrier devices <NUM> in <FIG>. The third set of spray heads <NUM> are also mounted along the individual carrier device <NUM> pathway. Similarly to the first spray heads <NUM> and second spray heads <NUM> discussed above, each third spray head <NUM> has a spray range within which a plume of spray is delivered. Each third spray head <NUM> is positioned facing towards the individual carrier pathway and carrier device <NUM> so that when operated, the plume of spray would contact the chick in a predetermined area.

It is appreciated that the chicks may assume a variety of positions as each enters the individual carrier device <NUM> and moves along the individual carrier device pathway <FIG> & <FIG>. As a result, the third spray heads <NUM> must be arranged in such a manner as to ensure that the collective range of delivery of the spray heads <NUM> will reach the predetermined target area on each chick regardless of its position within the individual carrier device <NUM>.

To ensure that all chicks receive an effective dosage from the third spray heads <NUM> A-D, the third set of spray heads are fixedly mounted at varying heights and/or angles along the individual carrier pathway. In the first embodiment <NUM>, third spray heads <NUM> are fixedly mounted at higher 44A, 44C and lower 44B, 44D positions relative to the individual carrier devices <NUM>, as shown in detail in <FIG>. The purpose of this arrangement will become more apparent when the operation of the system is discussed in detail below.

Below the individual carrier devices <NUM> is a seventh conveyor belt <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. The seventh conveyor belt <NUM> moves the chicks as they are emptied out of the individual carrier devices <NUM> and into containers <NUM> (<FIG>) for transfer to a grow out farm where they will be grown for consumption.

Turning now to the operation of the first embodiment <NUM> described above, the chicks are moved from the chick/shell separator <NUM> onto the first conveyor <NUM> (<FIG>). As they move along the first conveyor <NUM>, the chicks pass through the separating wall <NUM> which separates the hatching process from the substance delivery process.

From the first conveyor <NUM>, the chicks are moved onto the second, third, and fourth conveyors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> respectively in the direction of arrows <NUM>. These conveyors <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are designed to move the chicks along the processing pathway and spread them out so that they are ready to form single rows with guidance as will be explained below. The chicks move from the fourth conveyor <NUM> to the fifth conveyor <NUM> which gradually widens and includes dividers <NUM>. The graduated width and dividers <NUM> aid in moving the chicks further apart and help form single rows. The chicks move in single rows from the fifth conveyor <NUM> onto the sixth conveyor <NUM>. The dividers <NUM> on the sixth conveyor <NUM> create single rows in which only a single chick can pass at any given point. This is shown in <FIG>.

Once the chick is on the sixth conveyor <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a first presence sensor <NUM> senses the presence of a chick within a given lane <NUM>. The first presence sensor <NUM> signals the automatic substance delivery system <NUM> which signals the first camera <NUM> (<FIG>). The first camera <NUM> creates at least one image of the chick as it advances along the lane <NUM> on the sixth conveyor <NUM>. The image is relayed back to the computer processor <NUM> within the automatic substance delivery system <NUM> which processes the image to determine the relative position of the targeted area on the chick. Based on the processor's determination of the position of the targeted area, the delivery system <NUM> signals one of the first spray heads <NUM> to activate. For example, if the image sent from the first camera <NUM> to the computer processor <NUM> indicates that the chick is lying on its back and the targeted area is predetermined to be the facial mucosa, then the computer processor would signal the shortest first spray head 37C to activate. The shortest first spray head 37C would deliver a plume of spray to the chick's facial region so that an effective dosage of substance would be delivered to the chick's eye, mouth and or nasal cavity.

In addition, the first strobe light <NUM> may (<FIG>) be activated by the computer processor <NUM>. This would result in the chick chirping upon seeing the intense pulses of light. The chick's open mouth may receive a dosage of substance either directly or indirectly from one or more of the spray heads <NUM>.

After the chick has traveled along the sixth conveyor belt <NUM>, the chick drops onto the angled conveyor belt <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The chick's presence on the single lane pathway of angled conveyor belt <NUM> created by the dividers <NUM> is signaled to the computer processor <NUM> by a second presence sensor <NUM>. The signal from the second presence sensor <NUM> activates the second camera <NUM>. Camera <NUM> captures at least one image of the chick as it passes along the pathway of the angled conveyor belt <NUM>. The image is transmitted to the computer processor <NUM> and processed to determine the position of the chick.

Once the position of the chick is determined by the computer processor <NUM>, a signal is sent to one of the second spray heads <NUM> at a particular location to activate at a particular time. The activation is timed so that the second spray head <NUM> delivers a plume of substance, such as a vaccine or other medicament, into the facial mucosa of the chick as it is passing along the angled conveyor pathway, as shown in <FIG>. For example, if the chick is traveling upright on its back along the angled conveyor belt <NUM>, the computer processor <NUM>, having determined the position of the chick and rate of travel, may activate the right upper second spray head 42A at a specific time. This will deliver a plume of spray into the right eye of the chick as it passes.

The timely activation of the second spray head <NUM> in <FIG> enables the substance to be distributed to all facial mucosa including the eyes, nasal cavity and mouth, without significant waste and at the effective dosage. In addition, the timely activation of the second spray head <NUM> ensures that each chick passing through the angled conveyor belt <NUM> will receive an effective dosage of the substance.

It is envisioned that additional second spray heads <NUM> may be provided to deliver more than one substance to the chicks traveling along the angled conveyor belt <NUM> as needed. For example, if spray heads 42A, 42B, 42C and 42D as described above, were delivering a first vaccine to a chick. Additional spray heads 42E, 42F, <NUM> and <NUM> may be similarly positioned as described above to deliver a second vaccine or other medicament to the chick as it travels along the angled conveyor belt <NUM> pathway as shown in <FIG>.

Once the chick has passed through the angled conveyor belt <NUM>, the chick lands within one of the individual carrier devices <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. A third camera <NUM> is mounted proximate to the location where the chick enters the carrier device <NUM>. The image is taken by the camera <NUM> of the chick in the individual carrier device <NUM>. The image is communicated to the computer processor <NUM> and processed to determine the relative position of the chick. Once the computer processor determines the relative position of the chick's facial mucosa while positioned within the individual carrier, then the computer processor <NUM> activates the third spray head <NUM> best positioned to achieve effective delivery. For example, if the chick is positioned upside down in the individual carrier device <NUM>, the computer processor may activate second spray head 44A at a specific time. In this manner, the chick will obtain a plume of spray in one of its eyes as its carrier device <NUM> passes spray head 44A (<FIG>).

As with the previous delivery, the third spray head <NUM> is able to deliver an effective dosage to the facial mucosa of each chick processed through the system. In this manner, each chick will receive the appropriate dosage and the flock as a whole will be healthier and more robust. Similarly as described above, it is envisioned that additional third spray heads may be employed to deliver additional substances to the chicks while they are positioned within the carrier devices <NUM>. For example, a medicament may be delivered to chicks by means of third spray heads 44A, and 44B, and a vaccine or other substance may be delivered to chicks by means of additional third spray heads 44C and 44D of low and high heights relative to the carrier device <NUM> respectively.

It should be appreciated that while the first embodiment <NUM> provides for delivery of a substance along the sixth conveyor belt <NUM>, the angled conveyor belt <NUM> and in the individual carrier device <NUM>, all are not necessary. For example, it may be appropriate in one situation to deliver substance to the chicks along the angled conveyor belt <NUM> while in another situation, it may be more appropriate to deliver substance to the chicks while they are in the carrier device <NUM>. Conversely, it may be appropriate to delivery different substances at varying stages of processing. For example, it may be desired to deliver a first substance or vaccine to the chicks as they travel along the sixth conveyor belt <NUM>, a second substance or vaccine as they travel along the angled conveyor belt <NUM>, and a third substance or vaccine as they travel in the individual carrier devices <NUM>.

At the end of travel of the carrier device <NUM>, the device pivots about its hinged connection and the chick is emptied out and placed on a seventh conveyor belt <NUM>. This seventh conveyor belt <NUM> drops the chicks into containers <NUM>. The containers <NUM> may travel along an eighth conveyor belt <NUM> before they are collected for moving to a different location for further processing.

It should also be noted that the first embodiment described above is directed to the automated delivery of a substance to the mucosa of a bird. The embodiments described herein would also apply to the automated delivery of a substance to the mucosa of any other animal, such as a human, and other livestock. It is envisioned that certain medicaments for cattle, or sheep may be delivered in an automated manner to either the facial mucosa or vaginally or anally as required in a particular application.

It is anticipated that the types of vaccines or other substances given to chicks by spray application to the mucosa may include, but not be limited to the following: vaccinations against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis virus, E coli, salmonella, coccidia, and camplyobactor.

It is also anticipated that the embodiments herein may apply to the automated delivery of substance to the mucosa of other animals and mammals, including humans. In particular, there may be certain applications that may be appropriate for automated delivery of a substance to the facial mucosa of an infant or child, or disabled person. In addition, the automated delivery system described herein may have applicability to other animals, such as livestock, rodents and other animals raised commercially.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>) for automatically delivering a substance to a predetermined area of a poultry animal comprising:
positioning device that positions a poultry animal singularly along a moving platform (<NUM>);
image capture device (<NUM>);
substance delivery system having a plurality of delivery outlets (<NUM>) of varied heights along the pathway of the moving platform; and
computer processor (<NUM>) in communication with the image capture device (<NUM>), and delivery system, whereby the image capture device (<NUM>) is configured to capture at least one image of the poultry animal and to share the image with the computer processor (<NUM>), the computer processor (<NUM>) is configured to process the image, to determine the relative position of the predetermined area on the poultry animal and to activate at least one of the plurality of delivery outlets (<NUM>) of the delivery system to deliver an effective dosage of the substance to the predetermined area on the poultry animal.