Patent Description:
Every day a calf must consume enough milk to cover its growth needs.

In all breeding modes, a small quantity of feed or other type of fodder is also introduced into the feed of each calf. The intake of plant fibres makes it possible to take into account the physiological evolution of the animal's digestive system, as required by European legislation.

The lactation feed, a compound of powdered milk and dietary supplements, is a complete and balanced foodstuff. It is distributed to the calves diluted in hot water.

In specialized breeding farms, calves take their ration whenever they want, through automatic milk dispensers, or twice a day, when the breeder brings them the milk.

In most breeding farms, the distribution of milk, or of another feeding liquid, and of a solid feed is made by one or more operators who have to feed a large number of livestock once or twice a day on a daily basis, in addition to normally carrying out other tasks related to the management of the breeding farm.

The activities related to animal feeding are very time-consuming and labour-intensive, and also require a great deal of experience in the preparation of the chosen foodstuffs which must be given to the animals in the right quantities and at the right times.

Related prior art feeders are known from <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

The task of the present invention is to develop a machine for the feeding of quadrupeds, and in particular of calves, capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the known art.

In particular, an object of the invention is to develop a machine that in a breeding farm allows saving in terms of labour for the activities of delivering foodstuffs to livestock.

Another object of the invention is to develop a compact machine that can also transit in the already existing feeding lanes.

A further object of the invention is to develop a machine that operates automatically with precision and speed that are higher than what is normally achievable by a human operator.

Still, an object of the invention is to develop a machine that respects the needs and health of the animals to which it confers the foodstuffs.

The task as well as the aforementioned objects are achieved by a machine for the feeding of quadrupeds and in particular of calves according to claim <NUM>, and by a breeding system comprising such a machine according to claim <NUM>. Further characteristics of the machine according to claim <NUM> are described in the dependent claims.

The task and the aforesaid objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:.

With reference to the cited figures, a machine for the feeding of quadrupeds according to the invention is indicated as a whole with the number <NUM>.

This machine <NUM> comprises a load-bearing frame <NUM>, on which there are mounted:.

In the embodiment of the machine <NUM> according to the invention described herein, to be understood by way of example and not limitation of the invention itself, the load-bearing frame <NUM> comprises a base frame 11a with reinforcing crosspieces 11b.

The load-bearing frame <NUM> also comprises a plurality of perimeter uprights 11c. The load-bearing frame <NUM> also comprises a cover 11d.

This discharge chute <NUM> is clearly visible in <FIG>.

The outlet opening 16c of the first hopper <NUM> is not visible but is to be understood as being a through opening defined on the wall of the first hopper <NUM> at the bottom 16b.

The upper loading opening 16a is closed by an openable cover 16e.

In the first hopper <NUM> there is a level sensor 16d, schematized in <FIG>.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein, by way of example and not limitation of the invention itself, the lifting means <NUM> comprise a lifting tube <NUM> inside which there is a screw, driven by a motor <NUM>, which causes the ascent of said solid feed from the outlet opening 16c to a discharge port <NUM>.

The discharge port <NUM> is configured and positioned such that said solid feed falls from the discharge port <NUM> onto the discharge chute <NUM>.

The path of the solid feed from the first hopper <NUM> to the discharge chute <NUM> is schematically represented in hatching in <FIG> and is indicated with the number <NUM>.

According to the invention, the discharge chute <NUM> is telescopic, and is actuated by a corresponding actuator <NUM>.

This actuator <NUM> is to be understood as being pneumatic.

Alternatively, said actuator <NUM> is of the electric type.

In particular, as shown in <FIG>, the discharge chute <NUM> comprises a fixed part 18a and a movable drawer 18b configured to translate with respect to the fixed part 18a in a direction Y of lengthening and shortening of the discharge chute <NUM>.

The movable drawer 18b of the discharge chute <NUM> supports a level sensor <NUM> configured and positioned to detect the level of solid feed present inside a feeder <NUM>, the machine <NUM> being positioned such that the discharge chute <NUM> allows the descent of the solid feed from the discharge port <NUM> to a loading window <NUM> of the feeder <NUM>, as schematized in <FIG>.

The feeder <NUM> is to be understood as consisting of a box comprising a loading window <NUM> available for the introduction of a solid feed, and an opening for use, not illustrated for simplicity's sake and to be understood as known, from which an animal accesses the solid feed present in the same feeder <NUM>.

This first group <NUM> is obviously mounted on board the load-bearing frame <NUM>.

The suction nozzle <NUM> comprises a teat.

The doser <NUM>, exemplified in <FIG>, comprises a second hopper 26d inside which a mixing tool operates, to be understood as of known type and not illustrated for simplicity's sake, driven by a first motor 26a.

The first motor 26a is to be understood as being able to be an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, or a motor of another type depending on the needs and technical requirements.

The doser <NUM> comprises a transfer screw 26b driven by a second motor 26c.

The second motor 26c is to be understood as being able to be an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, or a motor of another type depending on the needs and technical requirements.

The transfer screw 26b is configured to transfer the powdered foodstuff contained in the doser <NUM> from the bottom of the doser <NUM> to a first loading port 27a of the mixer <NUM>.

This transfer screw 26b has a substantially horizontal axis.

The mixer <NUM> therefore comprises a first loading port 27a for the introduction of the powdered foodstuff P from said doser <NUM>, and a second loading port 27b for the introduction of water W from the first tank <NUM>.

The mixer <NUM> is driven by a corresponding third motor 27c.

This third motor 27c is to be understood as being able to be an electric motor or a pneumatic motor, or a motor of another type depending on the needs and technical requirements.

The mixer <NUM> comprises a heating plate configured to keep the temperature of the water inside the mixer <NUM> itself constant.

Also the second tank <NUM> comprises a heating plate configured to keep constant the temperature of the feeding liquid accumulated inside the second tank <NUM> itself.

The weighing device <NUM> consists essentially of scales, which scales are configured and positioned so as to measure the decrease in weight of the doser <NUM> following each dosing operation, i.e. after the exit of a quantity of powdered foodstuff P from the doser <NUM> towards the mixer <NUM>.

As well schematized in <FIG>, the transfer line <NUM> comprises:.

The connection line <NUM> also comprises a first valve 30c, of the two-way type, located downstream of the pump 30b and upstream of the second tank <NUM>.

Said first valve 30c is configured to cause the opening or closing of the connection duct 30a.

This first valve 30c is, for example, of the pneumatically controlled type.

In an alternative embodiment, the first valve 30c is to be understood as being able to be of a different type of actuation, for example of an electrically actuated type.

The second group <NUM> comprises a heating system <NUM> for the water contained in said first tank <NUM>.

Such heating system <NUM>, by way of not limiting example, is of the type comprising an electrical water heating resistance, which electrical resistance is placed inside the first tank <NUM> itself.

Also the connection line <NUM> comprises a heating system configured to keep constant the temperature of the water flowing in the same connection line <NUM>.

By way of example, said heating system of the connection line <NUM> comprises heating bands placed so as to surround the connection duct 30a.

The first tank <NUM> comprises a first level sensor 25a and a first temperature sensor 25b.

The second tank <NUM> comprises a second level sensor 29a and a second temperature sensor 29b.

These level sensors 25a and 29a and these temperature sensors 25b and 29b are schematized in <FIG>.

The first tank <NUM> is connected to the mixer <NUM> through a first pipe <NUM>; the water passes from the first tank <NUM> to the mixer <NUM> by gravity.

The first pipe <NUM> comprises a second valve 40a configured to cause the opening or closing of the first pipe <NUM>.

The first pipe <NUM> also comprises an electronic meter configured to measure the passage of a predetermined quantity of water.

This second valve 40a is, for example, of the pneumatically controlled type.

In an alternative embodiment, the second valve 40a is to be understood as being able to be of a different type of actuation, for example of an electrically actuated type.

The second group <NUM> also comprises a washing circuit <NUM> for washing said mixer <NUM>, said second tank <NUM>, said transfer line <NUM> and said suction nozzle <NUM>. Said washing circuit <NUM> comprises:.

The return duct <NUM> is connected to the second tank <NUM> and to the suction nozzle <NUM> by means of a third valve <NUM>.

This third valve <NUM> is of the three-way type.

This third valve <NUM> is, for example, of the pneumatically controlled type.

In an alternative embodiment, the third valve <NUM> is to be understood as being able to be of a different type of actuation, for example of an electrically actuated type.

This third valve <NUM>, in particular, is of the 'T'-three-way type.

The return duct <NUM> is connected to the outlet of the mixer <NUM> and to the connection duct 30a by means of a fourth valve <NUM>.

This fourth valve <NUM> is of the three-way type.

This fourth valve <NUM> is, for example, of the pneumatically controlled type.

In an alternative embodiment, the fourth valve <NUM> is to be understood as being able to be of a different type of actuation, for example of an electrically actuated type.

This fourth valve <NUM>, in particular, is of the 'L'-three-way type.

The return duct <NUM> also comprises a discharge branch <NUM>.

This discharge branch <NUM> comprises a fifth valve <NUM>.

This fifth valve <NUM> is of the two-way type.

This fifth valve <NUM> is configured to cause the opening or closing of the discharge branch <NUM>.

This fifth valve <NUM> is, for example, of the pneumatically controlled type.

In an alternative embodiment, the fifth valve <NUM> is to be understood as being able to be of a different type of actuation, for example of an electrically actuated type.

In the present example embodiment of the invention, which is to be intended as exemplary and non-limiting the invention itself, the detergent delivery group <NUM> comprises at least one detergent tank 42a connected to a dispensing pump 42b that pushes the detergent from the tank 42a to the mixer <NUM> through a tube for the detergent 42c.

Advantageously, the detergent delivery group <NUM> comprises two detergent tanks 42a and 42d connected to a respective dispensing pump 42b and 42e.

In particular, and preferably, a first tank 42a contains a disinfectant detergent, and the second tank 42d contains an alkaline detergent, particularly effective against greases.

The dispensing pumps 42b and 42e push the detergent from the respective tanks 42a and 42d to the mixer <NUM> through a common tube for the detergent 42c.

The dispensing pumps 42b and 42e are controlled to operate alternately, so that the two detergents are used alternately, first the one then the other.

The machine <NUM> comprises a ground guide system <NUM> configured to lead said machine <NUM> along a predetermined path <NUM>.

A predetermined path <NUM> is schematized in <FIG> and <FIG> with a dashed line.

In the embodiment of the invention described herein, by way of example and not limitation of the invention itself, the ground guide system <NUM> comprises:.

The sliding profile <NUM> comprises, for example, a 'U'-shaped section profile with the opening facing downwards, said sliding profile <NUM> having a sliding channel shaped so as to allow the passage of the guide reliefs <NUM> therein.

The sliding profile <NUM> has a funnel-shaped front end 38a, that is, comprising centring sidewalls that widen frontward so as to facilitate coupling with the guide reliefs <NUM> arranged along the predetermined path <NUM>.

The motorized means <NUM> for the sliding on the ground, for the movement of the load-bearing frame <NUM>, comprise, by way of not limiting example, four wheels 12a and 12b, of which at least two drive wheels 12b.

The drive wheels 12b are driven by an electric motor 12c, exemplified in <FIG>.

The wheels 12a and 12b are placed to slide directly in contact with the ground of a feeding lane.

A breeding system <NUM>, particularly for calves, schematized by way of example in <FIG>, is also intended to form the object of the invention.

said breeding system <NUM> being characterized in that it comprises a machine for the feeding of quadrupeds <NUM> as described above, arranged to transit in said feeding lane <NUM>.

An example of operation of a quadruped feeding machine <NUM> and of a breeding system <NUM> according to the invention is described below.

Initially, the heating system <NUM> is switched on, in order to bring the water present in the first tank <NUM> to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>.

When the water in the first tank <NUM> has reached the set temperature, a certain quantity of this water is transferred to the mixer <NUM> and from here, through the pump 30b, it is circulated in the second tank <NUM>, in the return duct <NUM> and, through the fourth valve <NUM>, again in the connection duct 30a of the transfer line <NUM>.

Some heating cycles with circulation of the heated water are performed until both the transfer line <NUM> and the return duct <NUM> are brought to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>.

At the end of the heating cycles, the water used for these heating cycles is discharged to the outside through the discharge branch <NUM> which is opened by the fifth valve <NUM>.

The second group <NUM>, for preparing and making available the feeding liquid, is ready to operate correctly.

The preparation of the first feeding for a first calf V includes the following steps:.

At the same time, the machine <NUM> moves along the predetermined path <NUM> to move at a first box <NUM> for feeding a first calf V.

After mixing, the first valve 30c and the fourth valve <NUM> are controlled so that the feeding liquid can be pumped from the mixer <NUM> to the second tank <NUM>.

The pump 30b is then operated to pump the feeding liquid from the mixer <NUM> to the second tank <NUM>.

The feeding liquid, i.e. the powdered milk-based preparation, is accumulated in the second tank <NUM> at a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>; the temperature of the feeding liquid is controlled by means of the second temperature sensor 29b.

When the level sensor 29a of the second tank <NUM> signals the end of the meal and emits a signal for the delivery of milk to the next calf V, the third valve <NUM> is switched so that the feeding liquid descends from the second tank <NUM> to the suction nozzle <NUM>.

At the same time, the first group <NUM> dispenses the solid feed into the corresponding feeder <NUM>.

When the third valve <NUM> is switched to allow the calf V to suckle from the suction nozzle <NUM>, a time-stamping device, i.e. a timer to be understood of a per se known type, counts the elapsing of a preset opening time interval of said third valve <NUM>, for example <NUM> seconds.

After the preset time interval has elapsed, the third valve <NUM> is switched into a closing setup such that the passage of the feeding liquid is not allowed either towards the suction nozzle <NUM> or towards the return duct <NUM>.

It is detected by means of the level sensor 29a of the second tank <NUM> whether the feeding liquid has been consumed by the calf V or not.

If the level sensor 29a signals that the minimum level of feeding liquid has not been reached, that is, if it signals that the feeding liquid has been consumed only partially or not at all, an electronic control unit associated with the machine <NUM> processes a signal of failure of feeding by the calf V.

If the calf V consumes all the feeding liquid prepared in the second tank <NUM> before the preset time interval has elapsed, the level sensor 29a of the second tank <NUM> signals that the minimum level has been reached and the machine <NUM> automatically starts a new preparation cycle for a next calf V.

After the preset time interval has elapsed, and immediately after the detection of either no consumption or completed consumption, the third valve <NUM> is switched so that the unconsumed feeding liquid is discharged through the return duct <NUM> and the discharge branch <NUM>.

Subsequently, a new cycle of preparation of feeding liquid in the mixer <NUM> and of filling of the second tank <NUM> begins as described above, while the machine <NUM> moves autonomously towards a next box <NUM> along the predetermined path <NUM>.

The second tank <NUM> has a vent for the exit of air during the filling steps of the tank itself.

At this vent there is a closing device <NUM> configured to close the vent during the washing and sanitizing steps of the second group <NUM>.

Such closing device <NUM> comprises for example one or more pneumatic valves.

In particular, the closing device <NUM> closes the vent during a washing step of the suction nozzle <NUM> from the inside.

The closing device <NUM> is configured to allow the passage of a flow of pressurized air from the outside towards the inside of the second tank <NUM>.

The machine <NUM> also comprises an on-board compressor <NUM>, not illustrated for simplicity's sake and to be understood as being of a per se known type.

This compressor <NUM>, schematized in <FIG>, is configured to serve the pneumatic drives that are on board the machine <NUM> itself.

The pressurized air introduced into the second tank <NUM> allows washing from the inside the suction nozzle <NUM>.

The electric motors on board the machine <NUM> are powered by cable, or alternatively they are powered by respective on-board batteries.

Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects.

In particular, with the invention a machine has been developed that in a breeding farm allows saving in terms of labour for the activities of delivering foodstuffs to livestock.

In addition, with the invention a compact machine has been developed that can also transit in the already existing feeding lanes.

Furthermore, with the invention a machine has been developed that operates automatically with precision and speed that are higher than what is normally achievable by a human operator.

In addition, with the invention a machine has been developed that respects the needs and health of the animals to which it confers foodstuffs.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

In practice, the components and materials used, as well as the dimensions and contingent shapes, provided they are compatible with the specific use, may be any depending on the needs and the state of the art.

Claim 1:
Machine (<NUM>) for the feeding of quadrupeds and in particular of calves, comprising a load-bearing frame (<NUM>), on which there are mounted:
- motorized means (<NUM>) for sliding on the ground, for the movement of said load-bearing frame (<NUM>);
- a first group (<NUM>) configured for the automatic dispensing of solid feed, said first group (<NUM>) comprising a first hopper (<NUM>) for a solid feed with an upper loading opening (16a) and a bottom (16b) with an outlet opening (16c), said first group (<NUM>) comprising lifting means (<NUM>) configured to lift said solid feed from said outlet opening (16c) to a discharge chute (<NUM>);
- a second group (<NUM>) comprising a suction nozzle (<NUM>), said second group (<NUM>) being configured for preparing and making available a feeding liquid by means of said suction nozzle (<NUM>);
characterized in that said discharge chute (<NUM>) is telescopic, and is actuated by a corresponding actuator (<NUM>).