The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 26, 2008
Filed:
Aug. 22, 2000
Karel Van Den Berg, Bleskensgraaf, NL;
Karel van den Berg, Bleskensgraaf, NL;
Lely Research Holding AG, Zug, CH;
Abstract
An apparatus for feeding and providing water to animals, such as cows or goats, comprises a framework having a central axis. A plurality of reservoirs are connected to a framework in its upper aspects and feeding troughs are disposed below the reservoirs. At least one metering device for metering feed or drink or both to the feeding troughs is provided between the reservoirs and feeding troughs. Each feeding trough has a sensor for identifying an animal feeding at the feeding trough. The metering device which delivers feed or water or both to the feeding trough is controlled by a computer memory to deliver selected fodder from the reservoirs to each feeding trough in accordance for the nutritional needs of the animal which is at said trough. The control of the fodder relates both to the speed that the animal is eating and to data stored in the memory as to the nutrition needs of that animal. Vertical partitions are disposed between feeding troughs and separate same sufficiently so that the animals do not disturb each other. A magnetic separation member, which may be an electromagnet, is provided to remove any metal which may be mixed with the fodder delivered to the feeding troughs. The components of the apparatus can be connected to the framework without tools.