Abstract: An intake cup apparatus is provided for delivering feed from a drop tube to a rotating auger-like conveyor. The apparatus comprises a housing extending above and around the auger-like member and having a top inlet portion for connection to the drop tube for receiving feed therefrom; and a feed metering gate structure mounted interiorly of the housing for directing and controlling the rate of flow of the feed to the auger-like conveyor. This gate structure comprises a pair of generally parallel plates spaced apart by a dimension similar to the diameter of the auger-like conveyor and having lower edges thereof extending about the auger-like conveyor. These plates are vertically movable relative to the auger-like member to thereby control the flow rate of feed thereto.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding livestock comprises a pan accessible to the livestock for feeding therefrom, a container for holding a quantity of feed comprising dry powdered feed material and a mixing chamber. A dispensing mechanism dispenses measured increments of the feed to the mixing chamber and a control valve is coupled with a water supply line for dispensing measured increments of water to the mixing chamber. A mixer is selectively operable for mixing the water with the feed to produce a fluid feed mixture for delivery into the pan.

Abstract: A conveyor system for delivering feed to a plurality of animal cages arranged in rows said system comprises an endless conduit extending along a conduit run past at least one of the rows of cages and through a feed trough disposed adjacent the faces of the row of cages. An elongate, continuous, endless material moving element extends through the endless conduit run and is longitudinally movable therethrough, and a driver element advances the endless material moving element along and through the conduit run. The material moving element comprises an elongate helical member defining a longitudinal helix axis and bendable about this axis for following the endless conduit run. Cooperating structure on the driver element and on the helical member rotates the helical member about the helix axis thereof while simultaneously axially advancing the helical member along and through the conduit run.

Abstract: A feeding system for delivering feed to troughs associated with rows of animal confinement cages is disclosed. The system comprises mobile hopper means for carrying a load of feed past troughs associated with each row of animal confinement cages. Delivery means extend from the hoppers; these delivery systems each receive feed from the hopper and deposit the feed in the feed troughs. The delivery sub-systems include a tube extending from a hopper and hopper conveyor toward a distal tube end at the trough. A shoe is attached to the tube at the distal end so as to support that tube distal end at the location spaced above the trough bottom. A grader blade is pivotally attached to the shoe in such a position as to be located behind the tube when the shoe and tube are moving in a forward direction along the trough.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conveyor system for delivering feed to poultry cages which are organized in an oppositely facing, multi-level array. The system comprises a first endless conduit extending along an upper conduit run past an upper level of cages facing in a first direction, and extending along a lower conduit run past a lower level of cages facing in a second or opposite direction. A second endless conduit extends along an upper conduit run past an upper level of cages facing in that opposite direction, and extends along a lower conduit run past the lower level of cages facing in the first direction. Displaceable driver elements disposed in these endless conduits carry feed in trough runs past the adjacent cages. An overhead delivery conveyor delivers feed to these first and second conduits. First and second drop tubes permit the level of feed in the conduits to be adjusted. This adjustment discourages the poultry from playing with or raking the feed.

Abstract: A feeder for poultry and the like is disclosed. The feeder includes pan means for retaining and presenting delivered feed, and hollow drop tube means adapted to extend from a conveyor to a distal end adjacent the pan means. A first feed gate defined between the drop tube distal end and the pan permits feed to pass from the drop tube to an inner pan area for consumption by relatively mature poultry. A brood gate opening defined in the drop tube above its distal end permits feed to flow from the conveyor through at least part of the drop tube and out the brood gate opening to an outer portion of the pan for consumption by relatively immature poultry.

Abstract: A hanger for supporting an auger conveyor tube in a given angular position is provided. The hanger comprises a hanger element defining a hole for receiving the conveyor tube, and a number of recesses communicating with the tube hole. Each recess is adapted to mate with a tube flange, so as to locate the tube and a feed drop-out aperture in any of a first series of angularly discrete positions. A series of attachment holes at the hanger element top permit the hanger to be attached to support structure in any one of a second series of angularly discrete positions. In this way, a multiple series of angular positions is provided, so that the conveyor tube may be located in virtually any desired angular orientation.

Abstract: A nipple valve-type waterer is provided for a live stock watering system. This nipple valve comprises a generally cylindrical, tubular valve body of greater diameter than a tubular, water delivery manifold. The tubular valve body is provided in two valve body halves which interfit in surrounding relation with the manifold. The manifold is provided with a pair of coaxially aligned through openings, while a through axial bore in each tubular valve body half is coaxially aligned with one of these manifold through openings as the valve body halves are fitted in surrounding relation to the manifold. The nipple valve also provides a flow path for guiding water from the supply manifold to and through the valve body, and seals are carried in the valve body for preventing leakage between the manifold and the valve where they interfit.

Abstract: A novel feeding system and feeder unit for supplying feed to hogs and like animals is disclosed. The feeding system includes a plurality of the novel feeders, and a feed conveyor adapted to deliver feed to each feeder. Each feeder comprises an immobile pan, and superstructure affixed over and to the pan. A threaded shaft is journaled so as to extend upwardly from the pan. A rotor gate is journaled over the pan and is threaded on the shaft means. Under normal conditions, the rotor gate simply turns within the pan and agitates the feed being consumed by the hogs. However, when a latch is depressed, the threaded shaft is immobilized, and rotation of the rotor gate about the immobilized shaft acts to raise and lower the rotor gate relative to the pan. This relative motion adjusts the size of at least one feed-delivery gate space defined between the rotor gate and the pan.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing feed to caged poultry and the like is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongated trough for receiving feed, and an open-topped tube conveyor disposed within the trough. A clip is provided for securing the tube conveyor in and to the trough. A tube shield extends from a trough wall down over the conveyor tube. A baffle extends downwardly from the tube shield over each feed-dispensing tube aperture to prevent observation of feed particle dispensing motion by the receiving poultry.

Abstract: A thrust bearing comprises a pair of bearing members and an intermediate seat member. The two bearing members are mountable to a rotating shaft and each includes a substantially spherical bearing surface. The seat member is held between the bearing members, but is free of said rotating shaft. This seat member has oppositely facing, substantially spherical bearing surfaces for mating with and bearing against the substantially spherical bearing surfaces of the two bearing members.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for conveying feed to a plurality of groups of animals such as poultry. The system includes a feed conveying apparatus associated with each group of animals for conveying feed to each group of animals, a feed supply connected in common to all of the feed conveying apparatus for supplying feed thereto, and a control for sequentially operating the conveying apparatus one at a time. As a result, any number of animal groups may be fed even though the feed supply may have a limited feed supply rate capacity.

Abstract: A counting apparatus is provided for producing a countable signal in response to each object moving past a predetermined point in a predetermined path of travel. This counting apparatus comprises a lever interposed in the path of travel substantially adjacent to the predetermined point and movable in a first direction in response to passage of at least a portion of an object past the predetermined point, where the portion of the object is of a size which is within a predetermined range of sizes. A switch having a first signal state and a second signal state, is operatively coupled to a further coupling arrangement with the switch for actuating the switch means to its first state in response to movement of the lever in the first direction.

Abstract: A traveling hopper feed delivery system is disclosed. The system includes hoppers which carry loads of feed past elongated feed-receiving troughs. These troughs are located adjacent poultry-retaining cages. Auger distributor conveyors carried by the hoppers draw the feed from each hopper bottom and urge it toward each feed trough. Delivery tubes depend from the auger conveyors for directing limited amounts of feed from the conveyors to each trough. Return means return undelivered feed from the distributor conveyors back to the respective hoppers. Sensors disposed to extend into the troughs sense the amount of feed already present in the troughs, and adjust butterfly valves (located between the feed delivery tubes and the auger conveyors) in response to the sensed height of feed present in the troughs before additional feed is delivered.

Abstract: A method of feeding hogs is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing all the hogs with all the feed they care to consume for a limited feeding period of time, and thereafter denying all feed to all the hogs for a limited feedless period of time. Preferably, weaner hogs are provided with all the feed they care to consume during three separated, limited feeding periods of approximately two hours each per day. These feeding periods are alternated with three feedless periods during which all feed is denied to all the small hogs. This feeding regime is maintained until the hogs weigh approximately 100 pounds. Thereafter, two limited feeding periods are provided each day until the hogs reach market weight. In this way, hog weight gain per day is maximized and the amount of feed consumed per pound of hog weight gained is minimized.Apparatus for carrying out this feeding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel tube construction is provided for use in an auger feeder conveyor. The tube comprises a bi-edged tube sheet curved in a mediate portion to form a tube of substantially circular cross-sectional aspect. A portion adjacent a first sheet edge extends substantially radially outwardly to form a male flange. A portion adjacent a second sheet edge has a first element which extends substantially radially outwardly. That portion is reversely turned to provide a second flange element extending radially inwardly. The first and second elements thus form a female flange into which the male flange fits. In this way, a tube seam is formed which maintains the tube sheet in its cross-sectional aspect. A bell and spigot arrangement can be provided for interconnecting tube sections. Several ways are offered for arranging the tube sections in a progressively angularly offset array to encourage desired feed distribution action.

Abstract: A motor control circuit controls the speed of a single-phase split capacitor or shaded pole electric motor, and permits operation of the motor over a wide range of speeds without stalling. A first gated bilateral switch such as a triac is connected in series with the motor, and is fired by an integrating circuit through a second bilateral switch such as a diac. The integrating circuit charges through the start winding of the motor and a potentiometer which adjusts the rate of charging of the integrating circuit for the minimum speed setting desired. The motor control circuit also includes a temperature sensing bridge which becomes unbalanced as a function of increasing temperature. A light emitting diode connected to the bridge emits light as a function of the unbalance of the bridge.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for dispensing feed and water for livestock which includes a container arranged to receive the feed and water and is adapted to permit access to the feed and the water by the livestock for consumption. The system further includes a feed delivery means for dispensing feed into the container and water dispensing means for dispensing water into the container means. The water dispensing means includes a delivery portion extending into the container which houses a water level sensor. A control means is arranged to actuate the feed delivery means to dispense a controlled amount of feed into the container and is also arranged to actuate the water dispensing means to dispense water into the container through the delivery portion after actuation of the feed delivery means.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting eggs from a number of poultry cages is disclosed. The apparatus includes a collector conveyor belt for receiving the eggs from egg cages, and a ramp conveyor belt for de-escalating the eggs from the collector conveyor. The cage bottoms are extended to provide a trough in which the collector conveyor belt is carried. Opposite the cages, strips of low-friction material act as bumpers to maintain without damage eggs upon the collector conveyor. A diagonal fence is provided above the collector-ramp belt conveyor junction point to encourage easy, undamaged egg transfer action from the collector to the ramp conveyor. Resilient fingers mounted in rows upon the ramp conveyor encourage undamaged egg de-escalation. An accumulator belt conveyor receives the eggs from the ramp conveyor and carries the eggs to an accumulation point.