Patent Application
20120104032
The invention relates to a dispensing machine, in particular, it relates to a feed dispensing machine for delivering a quantity of bulk material based on selected weight.
In order to feed their livestock, farmers are required to pick up pre-filled containers of feed or have a large quantity of bulk feed delivered locally. Horse breeders or owners are required to do the same. The amount and type of feed given will depend on the animal's type, age, weight, health, workload, the climate and what is locally available. While pre-filled containers of feed can accommodate use of varying feed, the pre-filled containers are generally expensive and cumbersome to transport and store. Even delivery of a large quantity of bulk feed is problematic, since the feed needs storage and the required type of feed may change over time. As a result, there is a need to provide feed in a better way.
Bulk food vending is well-known wherein a customer interacts with a user interface to select and pay for supply stored within a vending machine. A supplier may position the vending machine strategically, which is stationed wherever substantial numbers of customers will have ready access to them. The customer generally has varying options. There are essentially two basic types of such vending machines recognizably known. The first type of vending machine is a package vendor, which includes a number of pre-filled containers. The second known type of vending machine utilizes a control mechanism to select product by volume. For instance, many candy vending machines control the amount of bulk supply through an adjustable wheel, which measures out the supply in sized containers, and delivers the product through a supply duct. These machines are not very accurate in dispensing repeatably consistent amounts of product, since the dispensing is performed by volume and not weight.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved feed dispensing machine strategically stationed for ready access by users.
The feed dispensing machine includes a controller, a storage container, a surge container, a first conveyor system, a level sensor, a weighing mechanism, and a second conveyor system. The first conveyor system connects the storage container to the surge container. The level sensor is positioned within the surge container and signals capacity of bulk material within the surge container. The weighing mechanism includes a scale and connects to the controller. The second conveyor system connects the surge container to the weighing mechanism, and is positioned above the scale.
The invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to embodiments, referring to the appended drawings, in which:
In the embodiment shown, the housing 10 is shaped as a shed or barn. However, the housing 10 can be any type of housing 10, which is capable of sealing and protecting stored feed and the mechanical components housed inside the feed dispensing system 1. The housing 10, as shown, includes a door 4 and a number of inlets 6 rising from the housing 10. A maintenance worker can access the inside of the housing 10 through either the door 4 or the inlets 6. However, the door 4 provides access to perform maintenance and repairs on the internal components, while the tower 6 opens to easily supply and/or re-supply feed into the feed dispensing system 1.
In the embodiment shown, the user interface 12 includes a controller 100, such as a computer microprocessor, a money acceptor, and a user panel. The user interface 12 is positioned on an outside of the housing 10, and extends into the interior of the feed dispensing system 1. The user interface 12 sends signals to a controller 100, which commands internal components to perform functions. Also, the user interface 12 includes all external controls and displays, through the user panel, which allows a user to conduct orders or requests from outside the feed dispensing system 1. For instance, in the embodiment shown, the user interface 12 includes a digital display unit, buttons, and a payment device. The display unit provides instruction and order details, while the payment device allows the user to pay for the order/request. The buttons are included with the user interface 12 to allow the user to select order specifications, including size, payment, and receipt.
In the embodiment shown, the supply duct 14 is a structural passageway for transporting bulk material 2 from inside the feed dispensing system 1. The supply duct 14 is inclined, extending through the housing 10 of the feed dispensing system 1.
In another embodiment, a second housing (not shown) is provided, which covers an area around the user interface 12 and supply duct 14. Accordingly, this second housing is an overhead roof or structure further projection from the housing 10. The second housing is used to provide shelter for a customer. The second housing would be both self supporting and connect to the adjacent housing 10, and include an opening (i.e. door, ramp, etc.) that leads into an interior of the second housing (not shown). Lighting and other practical affects may be utilized to provide for a safe and user friendly environment.
Now with respect to
The user interface 12, the level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c, the first conveyor system 30, the second conveyor system 50, and weighing mechanism 60 connect to the controller 100, which is used to command functions that control movement of bulk material through the feed dispensing system 1. In the embodiment shown, the controller 100 is integrated with the user interface 12, into a microprocessor of the feed dispensing system 1. However, it is possible that the controller 100 is a standalone component of the feed dispensing system 1, and functions separately from the user interface 12, but performs commands when signals are received from the user interface 12. Fundamentally, the controller 100 controls the working components, by starting and stopping operations, controlling transportation of bulk material, and discharge of bulk material 2 to the customer.
The storage container 20, as shown in
In the embodiment shown, the framed hopper 22 includes upper and lower walls 24, 26. The upper walls 24 connect to the lower walls 26, which narrow toward a bottom surface of the framed hopper 22. However, it is possible that framed hopper 22 only include a set of upper walls 24, where one or more upper walls 24 is angled and/or narrowing toward the bottom surface of the framed hopper 22.
Along the bottom surface of the framed hopper 22 is a running passageway 27 which encloses the transport mechanism 28. In the embodiment shown, the bottom surface opens into an interior of the framed hopper 22. The transport mechanism 28 (i.e. auger, conveyor belt) extends from opposite lower ends of the storage container 20 and across the interior of the running passageway 27. The transport mechanism 28 runs to the first conveyor system 30, and is controlled by the controller 100. When activated, the transport mechanism 28 moves bulk material 2, stored in the storage container 20, to the first conveyor system 30. It is also possible, that the transport mechanism 28 is a grain blower that blows bulk material 2 to the first conveyor system 30. Other suitable conveyor systems known to the art may be used.
In other embodiments, it is possible that the transport mechanism 28 is removed and replaced with a angled running passageway 27, which is angled in such a way that bulk material 2 moves into the first conveyor system 30 by gravity or without assistance of a transport mechanism 28.
The storage container 20 stores a large quantity of bulk material 2 (i.e. tonnage of bulk material). In the embodiment shown, the storage container 20 does not include a lid. However, it is possible to provide a lid to seal bulk material 2 in storage container 20, in order to preserve and/or bulk material 2 for sale. The storage container 20 is accessible in several ways. As discussed, a door 4 in the housing 10 provides access for a vendor to supply or re-supply bulk material 2 into the storage container 20, as well as a maintenance worker to perform maintenance. Additionally, a number of inlets 6 are positioned along a roof of the housing 10. These inlets 6 open into the interior of the housing 10. In the embodiment shown, at least one inlet 6 is positioned above the storage container 20. The vendor can access the storage container 20 through the inlets 6, and supply or re-supply bulk material 2 accordingly.
The first conveyor system 30 is shown in
The first conveyor system 30, in the embodiment shown, has an upright design, where the shaft 32 and transport mechanism 34 extend from the floor 8 vertically. However, it is also possible that the first conveyor system 30 is angled.
The shaft 32 covers the transport mechanism 34, both holding and protecting the bulk material 2, as the bulk material 2 travels up the shaft 32. In addition, the shaft 32 includes channel portions 32a, which precisely direct flow of bulk material 2 from the storage container 20 to the surge container 40. Accordingly, the bulk material 2 is deposited into the surge container at a high rate and without loss of bulk material 2 outside the first conveyor system 30.
The surge container 40 is shown in
In the embodiments show, three level sensors 70a, 70b, 70 are positioned along inner surfaces of surge container 40 in order to detect capacity of bulk material in the surge container. While the embodiment shows three level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c, the surge container 40 could include more or less sensors.
As shown in
The full level sensor 70a is positioned at an approximate upper most region of the surge container 30, while the empty level sensor 70c would be positioned at a lower most region of the surge container 40. In the embodiment shown, the low level sensor 70b is positioned in an approximate middle of surge container 40. Accordingly, the low level sensor 70b is positioned where bulk material 2 would be at approximately half capacity within the surge container 40. However, the placement and positions of these level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c could vary, as a matter of function for detecting levels of capacity within the surge container 40.
The low level sensor 70b detects when the bulk material 2 is running low in the surge container 40. As bulk material 2 is feed into the surge container 40, the bulk material 2 will maintain a level approximately above the level sensor 70b. When the low level sensor 70b detects that the level of bulk material 2 is below the low level sensor 70b, then a signal is sent to the controller 100 to start flow of bulk material from the first conveyor system 30 and storage container 20. The full level sensor 70a detects when bulk material reaches a substantial maximum in the surge container 40. Therefore, the full level sensor 70a sends a signal to the controller 100 to stop flow of bulk material from the first conveyor system 30 and storage container 20. On the other hand, the empty level sensor 70c detects when bulk material 2 is empty in the surge container 40, or below a satisfactory level determined by the vendor. If the empty level sensor 70c detects that the level of bulk material 2 is below a satisfactory level, then the empty level sensor 70c will send a signal to the controller 100 that prepares a signal displayed on the user interface 12, identifying that the feed dispensing system 1 is empty. The controller 100 shut downs the internal components within the feed dispensing system 1.
Additionally, in the embodiment shown, a transceiver is connected to the controller 100 within the user interface 12. The transceiver sends signals to the vendor that the bulk material 2 is at low capacity or that the feed dispensing system 1 requires maintenance.
As shown in
The second conveyor system 50 delivers bulk material 2 more slowly than the first conveyor system 30. The second conveyor system 50 delivers feed from the surge container 40 up the shaft 32 by the transport mechanism 54. The transport mechanism 54 is another bulk material handling system, such as an auger, as shown. However, the transport mechanism 54 could also be a belt conveyor or bucket elevator, or another type of bulk material handling system, capable of transporting bulk material to the weighing mechanism 60 without a pulsing effect on the weighing mechanism, where the weighing mechanism can efficiently and effectively measure out bulk material for customer orders.
The second conveyor system 50 is angled in the embodiment shown. Additionally, the second conveyor system 50 is connected to the controller 100, which not only activates the second conveyor system 50, but further controls the speed of the second conveyor system 50 in order to control the amount of bulk material 2. More specifically, the controller 100 can control the speed at which the second conveyor system 50 operates.
The second conveyor system 50, in the embodiment shown, includes the shaft 52 that covers the transport mechanism 54. In addition, the shaft 52 includes channel portions 52a to precisely direct flow of bulk material 2 from the surge container 40 to the weighing mechanism 60.
The weighing mechanism 60, according to the invention, and shown in
As discussed, the second conveyor system 50 is capable of transporting bulk material 2 at various speeds, including a crawling speed where the feed dispensing system 1 can measure out a predetermined amount of bulk material efficiently and approximately. In the embodiment shown, the control mechanism 66 is part of the controller 100 housed in the user interface 12. However, the control mechanism 66 could be a separate control unit, which communicates with the controller 100.
In order to operate the feed dispensing system 1, a user selects a quantity of bulk material using a user interface 12. The user interface 12 and controller 100 send signals to the second conveyor system 50 to transport bulk material 2 from a surge container 30 to the weighing mechanism 60. The bulk material 2 is uniformly dispersed into or onto the weighing mechanism 60, which measures the quantity of the bulk material on the weighing mechanism 60. The second conveyor system 50 slows as the weighing mechanism 60 measures an approaching predetermined amount of ordered bulk material 2. Once bulk material 2 reaches the predetermined amount of ordered bulk material 2, the weighing mechanism 60 discharges bulk material through the supply duct 14.
Additionally, level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c monitor the capacity of bulk material 2 in the surge container 40. If the level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c determine that the capacity of bulk material 2 is low, as discussed above, the level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c send signals to the controller 100, which activates the transportation of bulk material 2 from the storage container 20 to the surge container 40. If the level sensors 70a, 70b, 70c determine that the amount of bulk material 2 is low within the feed dispensing system 1, a signal is sent from the transceiver to the vendor of the feed dispensing system 1.
The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents.
