Patent Application
20070280041
An external animal management system 10 communicates with a micro-ingredient delivery system master controller 11. The external animal management system specifies the types of rations that are to be prepared to include the particular micro-ingredients that should be added to designated feed rations. The information from the management system may be received electronically, as through a communications network such as a local area network, the Internet, or others. The master controller 11 may include both a computing devices such as a personal computer 14, and a PLC 18. The computing device 14 has a user interface/monitor 12 enabling a user to view functions of the micro-ingredient delivery system to include the amounts and types of micro-ingredients to be conveyed to the feed mixer, along with any other information that may be necessary for an operator to control the micro-ingredient delivery system. Typically, the master controller is user name/password protected for access to the automated delivery sequence operations. As one part of the overall computer software program for the delivery system, access is provided to the bins by user interfaces made available on the master controller. A conventional data input device 16, shown as a keyboard, is used to provide the operator with the ability to generate commands in order to control the system, to include functions associated with access control. Those skilled in the art can envision other data input devices to include mouses, touch screens, and others, it being understood that such input devices could also be placed at remote locations from the computing device in order to provide the most user-friendly control of the delivery system. The PLC 20 as shown may include its own user interface screen as necessary to best provide user control. In lieu of the use of a PLC, the personal computer may nave an input/output card allowing the computer to send the appropriate signals to the various pieces of equipment in the system and to receive signals back from the equipment for processing.
The micro-ingredient delivery system typically includes a number of storage bins or bins that hold the micro-ingredients. In the example of
Those skilled in the art can envision other methods by which both the solid and the liquid micro-ingredients may be dispensed and conveyed to the feed mixer/feed truck, it being understood that the present invention is not strictly limited to any particular method.
A bar code reader device 50 communicates with the computing device 11 for scanning a bar code associated with each package of micro-ingredients. The bar code fields include data on the packaged micro-ingredient such as the type of micro-ingredient, the weight of the micro-ingredient in the package, the manufacturer, the manufacturer lot number, and any additional information that may be provided by the micro-ingredient manufacturer/distributor. The scanned information is transferred and stored in the computing device, and the data is used in providing the instructions to the PLC in executing an automated delivery sequence of selected micro-ingredients. Assuming the correct micro-ingredient has been scanned, this would enable the corresponding assigned bin 22/40 to be opened by placing the corresponding locking device 54 in an unlocked position.
The locking device 54 may include any number of commercially known locking devices that enable the cover or lids of the bins to be secured to the bin bodies. One example of a locking device that may be incorporated includes solenoid cabinet locks, such as those sold by Securitron Magnalock Corporation of Sparks, Nevada. These types of cabinet locks include a lock body that mounts on the fixed body of the bin, and a keeper that mounts on the cover or lid. A solenoid controlled locking element 55 is actuated to lock or unlock the lock body to the keeper. As best seen in
Although
By the controlled bin access of the present invention, some problems can be eliminated or greatly reduced with respect to the delivery of the correct micro-ingredients to a feed ration. Controlled bin access in accordance with the present invention prevents any reasonable likelihood that the wrong micro-ingredient will be added to a bin. Thus, cross-contamination between micro-ingredients added to a feed ration can also be greatly reduced. Overall system security is improved by providing restricted access to the bins. By use of the bar scanning device enabling direct transfer of data regarding micro-ingredients added to the bins, more accurate inventory control can be achieved which, in turn, allows more accurate reporting capabilities. Clearly, lot number tracking is made easier by entry of the lot number information directly from the bar codes, and calculations made regarding the dispensing of the micro-ingredients from the bins allows accurate estimation as to lot numbers for each feed ration batch. Because information can be recorded with respect to when the bins are opened and closed, this information can be used to determine if there were any unauthorized actions taken to access the bins, it being presumed that all access actions can be recorded as to their purpose, such as charging a bin or performing maintenance on the bin. Data indicating that the bins were accessed at odd times or not during scheduled maintenance times may provide a warning that some unauthorized access has been made to the bins.
In accordance with the method of the present invention, batch ingredient requirements are first established, such as those requirements that may be directed by the external animal management system. In other words, batch orders may be received from the management system directing the type of feed rations to be prepared to include the mix of micro-ingredients to be added to the bulk ingredients at the feed mixer/feed truck. The various bins available in the micro-ingredient delivery system must then be designated to hold assigned micro-ingredients based on the batch orders from the management system. Minimum bin loading requirements must also be established for each bin to hold an amount of the designated micro-ingredient to satisfy the batch orders for the day or other designated time period. Access conditions are also established to define when and under what circumstances the bins can be accessed. For example, as discussed above, there may be times when the bins should be made available for maintenance while at other times, no access to the bins should be granted, except for perhaps supervisor/administrator level access. As also discussed above, access to the bins would be denied if the wrong micro-ingredient package was scanned in an attempt to charge a particular bin with that micro-ingredient. Access security levels must also be established in order to grant access to authorized individuals. As also discussed above, the access control device can be used for access to the bins for maintenance personnel or others who have a need to access during times in which the micro-delivery system is not operating and no operators/supervisors are available for granting access. After achieving the foregoing steps, micro-ingredient delivery system operations can take place where the bin locks are opened or closed in accordance with commands generated from the master controller and/or the access control device. Various user interfaces can be provided, such as user interface screens, printed reports, or audible or visual warning devices in order to convey the access statuses of the bins.
The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and other various modifications required by their particular application or use of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the claims be construed to include the alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
