Abstract: Feed hopper for a sow has opening at bottom surrounded by a seat upon which a ball check is adapted to rest, thereby to seal the opening and prevent the discharge of feed therethrough. A sow can nudge upwardly the ball check, unsealing the opening and permitting the discharge of feed from the hopper. Vertically adjustable means limit upward movement of the ball check so as to limit the maximum extent to which the opening can be unsealed. A water button, operatively connected to a source of water, can be nudged by the sow to discharge water for her.

Abstract: The present invention provides an animal feeder comprising a hopper and a feed tray into which feed is gravity fed from the hopper. The hopper has an inverse funnel shape to prevent feed jams. The feeder is formed from two halves with a metering gate that meters the feed fed from the hopper to the tray. The metering gate has a limited swing with pegs mounted thereon to further agitate jammed feed inside the hopper as the animal feeds from the tray.

Abstract: A feeding device (1) for feeding hogs and pigs. The feeding device (1) consists of a tube (2) mounted on a frame (7) which is fixedly mounted on a base (3). The tube (2) is suspended in at least two members (5, 6); in a suspension member (5) and a guiding member (6). The tube (2) is suspended freely rotatably in the suspension member (5). The guiding member (6) may be displaced in vertical direction on the frame (7) and is provided on its inner side with an elastic, flexible annular body (10). The elastic flexible, annular body (10) of the guiding member (6) will actuate the tube (2) so that after a swing it will return to its neutral, vertical original position. This feature combined with the vertical displacement of the guiding member (6) makes the feeding device easily adaptable to animals of different sizes.

Abstract: A clog resistant animal feeder for providing an animal feeder, especially for pigs, which is clog resistant and which is adjustable for allowing only a specified amount of feed to be dispensed at a time. The inventive device includes a storage bin having slanted side walls, a first tube within a lower portion of the bin, and a support member horizontally positioned within the bin, an elongated frame adjustably attached to the support member projecting downwardly through the side walls about the first tube, and a second tube pivotally attached to the elongated frame about the first tube. A pair of chains are preferably connected to the second tube for allowing an animal to engage the chain with their nose portion for manipulating the second tube where after any clogged feed within the first tube is jarred loose where it is dispensed out from the second tube.

Abstract: A feeder for pig-raising which can discharge a fixed quantity of food in a good condition at all time, which can adjust a discharge quantity of food relatively simply, and which can feed efficiently at all time in consideration of a habit of pigs. A suspension rod is suspended within a feeding tank formed at a lower end with a food outlet, and a food-quantity adjusting member is disposed below the suspension rod. The food-quantity adjusting member comprises a conical portion having an upper end smaller in diameter than the food outlet of said feeding tank, being gradually enlarged in diameter downward, and a lower end slightly larger in diameter than the food outlet, and a disk-like portion secured to the lower end of said conical portion. Food is supplied to a bottom plate from a gap between the food outlet of the feeding tank and an inclined peripheral surface of the food-quantity adjusting member.

Abstract: A pig feeder wherein the pigs feed from opposite side of a firmly fixed feed tray. The feed tray is fed with feed from an overhead hopper firmly fixed by means of a frame having two legs only which lie in diametrically opposite positions relative to the tray, and from the hopper there is a feed passage through which the feed passes to an outlet over the tray. In the feed passage is positioned a dispensing mechanism which is operated by a bar member which is moved by the feeding pigs. The feed falls from the outlet into the tray and the arrangement is that there is sufficient unobstructed clearance under the outlet to enable the pigs, which are aggressive animals, to compete vigorously with each other for the feed which falls on to the tray as the pigs can reach across the tray under the outlet.

Abstract: An improved animal self-feeder that has a feed reservoir vertically disposed above a trough and that has an intermediate feeding plate disposed between the reservoir and the trough. The self-feeder includes an outlet for discharging feed downwardly from the reservoir onto the intermediate feed plate from which the animal can feed or can knock the feed into the trough below to feed. The self-feeder further includes an agitation assembly for agitating the feed within the reservoir to enhance its flow through the outlet. The agitation assembly is rotationally mounted within the reservoir such that it is rotatable through a complete circle, or 360.degree.. In a preferred embodiment the present invention further includes a jack screw and crank for changing the elevation of the agitation assembly and feed plate.

Abstract: An animal feeder having a feed trough and a feed hopper, located above the feed trough and having a discharge opening, for storing feed and dispensing feed through the hopper discharge opening to the feed trough. The animal feeder has a gate associated with the feed hopper which is movable through a range of positions to vary the size of the hopper discharge opening. The feeder is provided with a rotatable gate adjustment mechanism for changing the position of the gate and a gate support which includes a support member. The gate adjustment mechanism has a locking mechanism having an L-shaped stop member coupled to the gate adjustment mechanism. The stop member has two arms which are disposed substantially at a right angle.

Abstract: A feeding device for feeding animals, such as pigs or hogs, includes a tubular feed reservoir (16) and a feed discharge tube 27 having a feed discharge opening at its lower end (17) above a base member (10) defining a feed support surface (12). Troughs (11) may be arranged adjacent to the feed support surface (12), and the bottom surfaces (13) of the troughs are located on a lower level than the feed support surface (12). The feed reservoir (16) is suspended at its upper part in a pendulum-like manner and transverse movement of the reservoir is restricted by an encircling ring member (18). Animals being fed may push the lower end of the feed discharge tube (27) so that the lower end thereof is moved transversely. The lower length (31) of the feed discharge tube (27) is elastically flexible such that it may be flexed by larger pigs or animals, whereby the lower end of the feed discharge tube (27) may be moved further relative to the base member (10).

Abstract: An animal feeder has a hopper provided with an adjustable dispensing valve which is operated by an animal. The lower part of the hopper terminates in a funnel forming a lower neck to which is attached a dispensing body consisting of a one-piece plastic part with a lower chamber in which a piston operates. The piston forms an integral part of a metal sluice which pivots about an axle which can be removed in order to disassemble the sluice. The sluice has a rear plate having a forward movement which is stopped by a vertically adjustable rod and a return movement which is stopped by a projection of the dispensing valve. An upper support for the rod consists of a small box provided with an upper slot along whose edge are provided reference marks which are pointed to by an indicator of a control mechanism. A plate which receives the feed is removably attached to a surrounding tubular body by means of a number of elastic tabs which are introduced into holes provided therein.

Abstract: An animal feeder comprising a circular trough having a raised platform at its center which is positioned directly below the lower end of a vertically disposed feed supply tube. The raised platform includes a first inclined wall which terminates in a substantially vertically disclosed wall portion having a second inclined wall extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower end thereof. A U-shaped water receiving portion is provided at the lower end of the second inclined wall and has an outer side wall extending upwardly therefrom. A moisture sensor is mounted on the second inclined wall above the U-shaped water receiving portion to halt the flow of water to a water nozzle mounted on the second inclined wall, when moisture comes into contact with the moisture sensor. Divider panels are secured to the trough and the feed supply tube to define eating spaces and to import movement to the feed supply tube to prevent bridging of the feed.

Abstract: An animal feeder is actuable by an animal to provide and dispense an individual portion of feed thereto. The feeder includes a feed transport that is contained between an upper drop hole in the bottom portion of a hopper and a lower drop hole so that when the feed transport is actuated by the animal, feed is transported from the upper drop hole to the lower drop hole to fall into an animal feed station.

Abstract: A livestock feeder which includes a feed trough and a feed storage bin above the trough in which an agitator operated by the feeding animal enables efficient movement of feed into the trough with an adjustable meter gate controlling the rate of feed flow. The feeder can be used as a dry feeder or a wet feeder with a wet nipple at each feeding station. The structure of the feeder provides more even distribution of feed, efficient feed discharge and a feeder in which it is easy to maintain sanitary conditions by being able to completely close the meter gate and by moving dividers above the feed trough into an out-of-the-way position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hog feeder for one sow. The sow hog feeder comprises a circular trough that includes an agitating star wheel rotatably mounted in the bottom of the trough. A feeding tube is supported on a frame structure that extends upwardly from the round trough and receives and holds a feeding tube in an offset relationship with respect to the center of the round trough. The relationship of the offset feeding tube with respect to the agitating star wheel and round trough assures that hog feed is not wasted or caked around the sides of the container.

Abstract: A hog feeder having dry feed fed by gravity to a trough includes a supply of water thereto. A liquid sensor, relay and solenoid valve are used to maintain the water in the trough at a predetermined level. The liquid sensor used to maintain the liquid level at a predetermined level includes an electrically operated sensor that does not malfunction due to abuse by hogs or due to becoming caked with dirt or feed.

Abstract: The device for the automatic feeding of domestic animals, in particular pigs, with pourable feed has a feed trough in a housing above which there is a cone-shaped feed container with an opening in the floor and a vibrating device which passes through this opening. The front wall of the housing has an opening which fits the head of the animal to be fed, located underneath the hopper wall of the feed container, between the latter and the trough. In addition, there is a vibrating device with a vibrating plate which is larger than the opening in the container floor. The distance between the vibrating plate and the container floor can be adjusted to the relevant grain size of the feed.

Abstract: An animal feeder having a hopper (A) with a shelf-like bottom (B) dispenses a predetermined amount of animal feed into an animal feeding bowl (F). The bowl is supported by a vertical rod (D), which is supported by the bottom and which protrudes through a central passage therein. The act of feeding by the animal moves the bowl, agitating the rod and thereby causing the predetermined amount of feed to be discharged through the central passage and into the bowl.

Abstract: This is concerned with a hog feeder which has a center feed supply with a feeding trough around it with vanes which move the feed out from a plateau in the center under the feed supply and a ledge which prevents the feed from falling into the trough by gravity or vibration thus requiring a hog to move the vanes to get feed.

Abstract: An animal feeder comprises a trough and a hopper located above the trough. The hopper has a bottom discharge opening the size of which is determined by a slideable gate positioned by an adjusting mechanism. Structure is provided to permit animal actuated movement of the gate upwardly and inwardly relative to the discharge opening. A shelf located above the trough and below the hopper discharge opening receives feed from the hopper and holds it there. Structure is provided which prevents the animal from feeding directly from the shelf but permits the animal to sweep feed with its snout from the shelf into the trough.

Abstract: An animal feeder for individual animal self-regulated release of free flowing particulate animal feed (e.g. meal or pellets) from an elevated feed supply hopper into a subjacent feed trough. The hopper has a feed outlet in the form of a slot extending longitudinally between opposite sides of the feeder and with its width defined between the bottom edge of an inclined hopper wall and the hopper rear wall. The slot is normally closed by a plurality of tubular segments or rings resting in end-to-end elongated tube-forming relationship on the upper side of the slot. A rod (solid or hollow) rests loosely within the tubular segments and extends from one end segment to the opposite end segment. A horizontal segment restraining member or bar is mounted above the segments which limits excessive lifting of the segments.

Abstract: A mechanism for permitting enclosed animals, such as laboratory specimens, to arbitrarily cause a portion of food to be available; the mechanism includes an activating member, a first cam-activated, trip member operating as a function of the activating member, and a delay mechanism for periodically disrupting the activation of the trip member by the activating member.

Abstract: A hog feeder is disclosed including an annular trough having an upstanding center member with a horizontal top surface. A vertical post extends upwardly and rotatably supports a tapered hopper having a discharge opening located above the plateau. A plurality of radial arms carried by a polygonal plate rotate between the plateau and hopper, the arms including outer ends engageable by hogs' snouts. A removable link interconnects these arms to the hopper. The hopper is vertically adjustable to control the feed rate. A watering system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A creep feeder furnishes a blow molded container with an inner chamber, a top port and a bottom port. The top port provides passage for feed into the inner chamber and is closed by a snap fit cap. The bottom part provides a throat, narrowing valve seat and narrower delivery tube. A blow molded, hollow valve is enclosed in the bottom part and operates with the valve seat to dispense feed upon demand of an animal. The valve has a bulbous head with a gradually narrowing under surface that engages with the valve seat to close the bottom port. A narrower valve stem hangs in the delivery tube, and the delivery tube keeps the valve substantially aligned in the bottom port to insure proper sealing between the head and valve seat. The device dispenses feed upon an animal pushing up the bottom end of the stem and spacing the head from the seat. Feed in the chamber then flows down through the bottom port.

Abstract: A feeder unit for animals, particularly pigs, provides feed in either wet or dry condition and comprises a trough and a shelf positioned above the trough with a water supply duct beneath the shelf for directing water through valves actuated by the pig into the trough. A hopper positioned above the shelf directs material continuously onto the shelf to be retained on the shelf by the repose angle. The pig can thus either eat directly from the shelf the feed in dry condition or can brush the feed into the trough for mixing with water and eating in wet condition.

Abstract: A granular food dispensing machine capable of being operated by a domestic animal and having a housing with a faceplate and a discharge chute having an entrance adjacent to the interior of the faceplate, and a food supply reservoir mounted upon the housing to create a gravity flow of food into the chute is provided with a metering device for controlling the flow of food into the chute. The metering device has a hopper portion coextensive with the chute entrance and mounted to the faceplate interior at the entrance for axial rotation between a first holding position and a second discharge position. A spring-biased, animal-operated reciprocating actuator is engaged to the hopper through the faceplate to control the amount of food which is discharged.

Abstract: An animal feeder which includes a trough and a feed-containing hopper. The trough includes a rotatable feed wheel connected to a rotatable distributor plate which dispenses the feed from the hopper into the trough. The hopper includes up to three stationary deflectors which limit the amount of feed bearing on the distributor plate at one time to assure a steady, continuous flow of feed from hopper to trough. The position of the distributor plate is also adjustable to vary the predetermined flow rate of feed.

Abstract: A feeder (10) for dispensing feed to livestock includes a hopper (14), a discharge opening (28) in a lower portion (18) of the hopper (14), a vertical shaft (32) in the hopper (14) that extends downward through the discharge opening (28), an animal-actuated actuator arm (66) that extends radially outward from the shaft (32) below the discharge opening (28), and a flexible agitator (70) that is disposed in the hopper (14) that has a tip (88) at a first radial distance (74), and that elastically bends to reduce the first radial distance (74) to smaller (96, 106, and 110) radial distances in response to various resistances of packed feed, thereby reducing the torque that is required to agitate packed feed.

Abstract: An animal-actuated feeding apparatus of the type that includes a feeding trough located beneath the discharge opening of a hopper containing the feed. The feed flows by gravity from the hopper through the discharge opening into the trough, but the feed flow is controlled by an animal-actuated dispensing mechanism. This mechanism includes a cradle-wiper assembly in which the cradle is rocked by the animal moving a paddle that extends into the trough area. Rocking of the cradle also agitates the feed stored in the hopper to prevent bridging across the hopper discharge opening. Manually adjustable means is also provided to control feed flow rate.

Abstract: A feeder unit for animals, particularly pigs, provides feed in either wet or dry condition and comprises a trough and a shelf positioned above the trough with a water supply duct beneath the shelf for directing water through valves actuated by the pig into the trough. A hopper positioned above the shelf directs material continuously onto the shelf to be retained on the shelf by the repose angle. The pig can this either eat directly from the shelf the feed in dry condition or can brush the feed into the trough for mixing with water and eating in wet condition.

Abstract: A livestock self-feeder includes a main feed storage hopper supplying feed to a retaining area in which the height of feed is constant and independent of the amount of feed in the main hopper. The feed is then dispensed from the retaining hopper through an adjustable feed gate.

Abstract: An animal feeder, with separate pivotally supported gates on each side thereof which are generally vertically adjustable by adjustment means readily accessible at each side of the apparatus for varying the size of the respective feed discharge openings, is provided with means for permitting enhanced agitation of the feed in the hopper and means for improving the control of feed from the hopper including means overlapping with the ends of the pivotally supported gates for preventing feed from the feeder storage hopper from flowing around the side ends of the gates, and also with locking means for many easily securing the gates in desired vertically adjusted positions while permitting increased agitation of the feed in the hopper.

Abstract: A feeder for dispensing feed to livestock which includes a trough having a surface adapted to receive the feed thereon and a hopper positioned above the trough surface. The hopper has a bottom with an aperture therethrough and a side wall. A feed wheel is rotatably mounted on the trough and includes a radially extending spoke engageable by livestock. A deflector having an upwardly tapering cross-sectional configuration is positioned in the hopper and includes a lower edge positioned above the hopper bottom and terminating inwardly of the hopper side wall and outwardly of the hopper bottom aperture. Sweep means is positioned below the deflector lower edge and adapted for sweeping feed in the hopper to the aperture.

Abstract: An improved swine feeding apparatus of the type having a feed storage unit (11) operably connected to a feed receiving and dispensing trough unit (16). The improvements include an interior feed retaining wall (41) to assist in maintaining all feed within access of a feeding swine. The improvements further includes an improved agitator unit (17) whereby a swine operated agitator member (49) may rotate and pivot freely to agitate feed. Finally, the invention includes an improved feed gate unit (18) wherein the threaded connection between the feed gate shaft (29) and the crank handle (32) is protected against contact with the feed.

Abstract: A hog feeding device comprising at least a lower unit having a bottom portion with opposite end walls and spaced apart side walls extending upwardly therefrom to define a central feed storage area therebetween. A plurality of horizontally spaced apart feed bowls are provided at the lower ends of the side walls which are in communication with the central feed storage area. A feed flow adjustment assembly is mounted within the feed storage area to control the amount of feed passing from the central feed storage area to the feed bowls. An agitator assembly is also mounted in the feed storage area which is activated by the hogs, during feeding, to prevent the feed from clogging or plugging in the feed storage area. The lower unit is of monolithic concrete construction.

Abstract: An animal feeding apparatus includes a bunk, or trough for receiving solid feed and water and animal actuated hopper means disposed over the trough. The water dispensing function is provided by a plurality of valves having operators to be actuated, preferably, by the snout of an animal and which are configured and disposed to inhibit actuation by the animal at such times as the level of liquid in the bunk exceeds a predetermined depth. The feed dispensing function is provided by the simultaneous actuation of an elongated agitator, disposed on one side wall of the hopper and in a dispensing slot in the bottom of the hopper, and a grate, disposed above the agitator and adjacent the slot and the opposite side wall of the hopper, by an agitator arm connected to the agitator and the grate, and extending downwardly into the bunk for actuation by an animal. The agitator and the grate are pivotable about a common axis to provide different radii of oscillation.

Abstract: A self feeder for livestock is provided which comprises a base member having a surface for receiving feed thereon and a hopper positioned thereabove. The hopper is adapted for containing feed therein and has a bottom with an aperture for allowing feed to flow therethrough and into said base member receptacle. A plurality of hopper support members are each connected respectively to the base member and the hopper and are also adapted for separating feeding animals. A feed wheel rotatably mounted in the receptacle includes an upright member rotatably mounted in the receptacle. The upright member extends through the hopper bottom aperture with upper and lower portions respectively above and below the level of the hopper bottom. An agitating rod extends from the upright member upper portion for agitating feed within the hopper as the feed wheel is rotated. The feed wheel lower portion includes a spoke extending from the upright member which is movable by an animal to rotate the feed wheel.

Abstract: A livestock feeder, which serves as a storage bin for feed as well as a feeder, has a plurality of partitioned feeding troughs into which selective amounts of feed may be directed through the movement of an agitator operated by the feeding livestock. Additionally, an adjustable feed gate is provided which governs the amount of feed directed to the feeding troughs during the movement of the agitators.

Abstract: An animal feeder apparatus is provided with a separate pivotally supported gate on each side thereof which is generally vertically adjustable by adjustment means extending above the feed storage bin of the apparatus so as to be readily accessible at each side of the apparatus for varying the size of respective feed discharge openings below opposite side walls of the storage bin.

Abstract: An animal feeder is disclosed which comprises a feed trough and a hopper mounted above the trough for automatically feeding stored food into the feed trough as it is consumed by animals feeding therein. Flow of food from the hopper into the feed trough is controlled by an agitator or butt plate located within the trough and spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom of the trough. A wire grid extends from the butt plate upwardly into the hopper such that agitation or movement of the butt plate by animals feeding within the trough causes corresponding movement of the wire grid. To control the flow of food from the hopper into the trough, the butt plate is adjustable relative to the trough so as to vary the size of the opening through which the food must flow in order to become accessible to animals feeding in the trough. This adjustment is effected by a rotatable screw and nut feed which is controlled by a handle located in the open top of the hopper.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing container for containing and dispensing granular material is disclosed which may be constructed from a single piece of sheet material to form a container having an internal ramp partition. The ramp serves to direct the material by force of gravity toward and through a dispensing orifice having a configuration which impedes the free flow of material. The rate at which the material is dispensed is controlled by a structure integral with the ramp which, when moved, serves to assist the flow of material through the orifice.

Abstract: An animal feeding device for delivering feed to animals and particularly for delivering feed to pigs and the like. The feeder includes an open lid hopper having a swingable front partition, operable by an animal, the upper section of which is downwardly disposed from the horizontal by at least the angle of repose of the feed. The lower section of the partition, with no external forces applied thereto, is maintained in parallel spaced relationship with respect to a vertical rear wall. The hopper communicates with a feed trough having a rear portion upwardly disposed from its substantially horizontal base portion by at least the angle of repose of the feed. The rear portion of the trough also serves as a deflecting device for feed passing from the hopper into the trough. Also included are a plurality of low profile divider bars having a loose fit extension into the hopper for agitating the feed.

Abstract: An animal feeder is disclosed which comprises a feed trough and a hopper mounted above the trough for automatically feeding stored food into the feed trough as it is consumed by animals feeding therein. Flow of food from the hopper into the feed trough is controlled by an agitator or butt plate located within the trough and spaced a predetermined distance from the bottom of the trough. A wire grid extends from the butt plate upwardly into the hopper such that agitation or movement of the butt plate by animals feeding within the trough causes corresponding movement of the wire grid. To control the flow of food from the hopper into the trough, the butt plate is adjustable relative to the trough so as to vary the size of the opening through which the food must flow in order to become accessible to animals feeding in the trough. This adjustment is effected by a rotatable screw and nut feed which is controlled by a handle located in the open top of the hopper.