Feeding system and feeding device

Abstract

To provide a feeding system that reduces a workload in breeding poultry.SOLUTION: A feeding system includes at least one feeding device. The feeding device includes a bottom part that receives feed supplied from a feeding port of a conveyor for feed supply. In the feeding system, the bottom part can automatically move in a lower direction and / or an upper direction with a first shaft as a central axis. The first shaft passes at least a part of an outer periphery of the bottom part or a side surface of the bottom part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeding system and a feeding device. [Background technology]

[0002] Efforts are being made to improve the efficiency of work at farms where poultry such as broilers are raised. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a feeding device that allows for efficient feeding work. The feeding devices in Patent Document 1 are attached to a number of feed conveyors for feeding feed. By using the feeding devices, workers introduce feed from the feed port of the conveyor, pass it through the drop hood of the feeding device, and distribute the feed onto the feeding trays below. However, when cleaning the feeding device in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to remove the feeding trays from each feeding device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-092947 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] At least one object of the present invention is to provide a feeding system that reduces the workload involved in raising poultry. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to [1] A feeding system comprising at least one feeding device, wherein the feeding device includes a bottom portion that receives feed supplied from a feed port of a feed feeding conveyor, and the bottom portion is automatically movable downward and / or upward around a first axis that passes through the outer periphery of the bottom portion or at least a part of the side surface of the bottom portion; [2] The feeding system according to [1], comprising at least one rod and at least one thread-like member, a first portion of the thread-like member attached to the bottom portion, a second portion of the thread-like member attached to the rod, and the bottom portion moving downward by moving the rod in a first direction along the longitudinal direction of the rod, and the bottom portion moving upward by moving the rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction; [3] A feeding system comprising at least one feeding device, at least one rod, and at least one filament, wherein the feeding device includes a bottom portion that receives feed supplied from a feed port of a feed conveyor, a first portion of the filament attached to the bottom portion, a second portion of the filament attached to the rod, and the bottom portion moves downward by moving the rod in a first direction, and the bottom portion moves upward by moving the rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction; [4] The feeding system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the feeding system comprises two or more of the feeding devices, and the bottoms of the two or more feeding devices move downward and / or upward in conjunction with each other; [5] The feeding system according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the feeding system comprises two or more of the feeding devices, the bottoms of the feeding devices are opened by moving the bottoms downward a predetermined distance, and the feed receiving surfaces of the opened bottoms of the two or more feeding devices are facing the same direction; [6] The feeding system according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the feeding device includes a connecting part that is connected to the feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor, and the connecting part can be connected to the feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor without using an external fixing device; [7] The feeding system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the feeding device includes an intermediate section into which feed supplied from a feeding port of a feed feeding conveyor flows, the intermediate section including an adjustment section that is movable in the vertical direction, the bottom section including a feeding tray and a frame section that is movable in the vertical direction relative to the feeding tray and surrounds the outer periphery of the feeding tray, and the frame section moves in conjunction with the vertical movement of the adjustment section; [8] A feeding device including a bottom portion that receives feed supplied from a feeding port of a feed feeding conveyor, and an attachment portion to which a first portion of a filamentous member can be attached, wherein the bottom portion is movable upward by attaching the first portion of the filamentous member to the attachment portion and pulling the filamentous member in a predetermined direction; This can be solved by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, a feeding system can be provided that reduces the workload involved in raising poultry. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a partial configuration of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a partial configuration of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view of a feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a partial configuration of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is an enlarged perspective view showing a partial configuration of a feeding system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the opening and closing operation of the feeding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10A to 10C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the opening and closing operation of the feeding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments unless it is contrary to the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the description of the effects is one aspect of the effects of the embodiments of the present invention, and is not limited to those described here. In the drawings described below, the same or corresponding components are assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0009] In the following, the direction in which the conveying pipe 52 of the feed supply conveyor 50 (also referred to as conveyor 50) extends is defined as the front-rear direction. The up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the feeding apparatus 10. The front-rear direction is perpendicular to the up-down direction. The direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction. Note that the left-right direction and the front-rear direction are directions defined for the convenience of explanation. Therefore, the left-right direction and the front-rear direction do not have to match the left-right direction and the front-rear direction when the feeding apparatus 10 is in use. The left direction and the right direction may be interchanged, and the front direction and the rear direction may be interchanged.

[0010] In this specification, the term "a member extending upward" includes cases where the member is parallel to the upward direction and cases where the member is tilted relative to the upward direction, in which case the angle formed between the member and the upward direction is 40 degrees or less.

[0011] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing feeding device 10 in an enlarged form. Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing rod 60 and pulley 70 in an enlarged form.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base 3 of feeding apparatus 10 can move up and down. It can be in a feeding state (also referred to as the first state) in which the upper surface of base 3 contacts the lower surface of outer frame 4, or a cleaning state (the second state) in which base 3 moves downward and at least a portion of the upper surface of bottom 3 does not contact the lower surface of outer frame 4. The first and second states can be freely switched by the user. The perspective views shown in Figures 1 and 3 show feeding system 100 and / or feeding apparatus 10 in the second state. The perspective view shown in Figure 2 shows feeding system 100 and feeding apparatus 10 in an example of the first state. The perspective views in Figures 1 and 2 show a simplified view of the connector 1 of feeding apparatus 10.

[0013] A feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to feed poultry, particularly chickens. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one feeding device 10, at least one rod 60, and at least one filament 80. The feeding system 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes feeding devices 10a, 10b, and 10c, rods 60a and 60b, and filament 80a and 80b for each feeding device 10. The feeding system 100 may include two or more feeding devices 10, two or more rods 60, and two or more filament 80.

[0014] Feeding device 10 is attached to conveyor 50 by connecting part 1. Conveyor 50, for example, has a screw conveyor (not shown) arranged inside conveying pipe 52, which conveys feed. Conveying pipe 52 extends in the front-to-rear direction. Conveying pipe 52 has feeding openings provided at predetermined intervals. The feeding openings are provided below conveying pipe 52. Feeding device 10 is attached to conveying pipe 52 in correspondence with the feeding openings, and feed is supplied to feeding device 10 through the feeding openings.

[0015] Rods 60a, 60b extend in the front-to-rear direction along conveying pipe 52. Conveying pipe 52 and rods 60a, 60b are located above bottom 3 of feeding apparatus 10. Feeding system 100 may include, for example, a device (not shown) that can move rods 60a, 60b forward or backward near either end of conveyor 50 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0016] The rod 60a includes an attachment portion 62a that attaches the thread-like member 80a to the rod 60a. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 62a is provided rearward relative to the pulley 70a. The thread-like member 80a extends forward from the attachment portion 62a, passes over the upper surface of the pulley 70a, and then extends downward and forward. A first end of the thread-like member 80a is attached to the attachment portion 62a, and a second end of the thread-like member 80a is attached to an attachment portion 38a (described below). The rod 60b also includes an attachment portion 62b that attaches the thread-like member 80b to the rod 60b. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 62b is provided frontward relative to the pulley 70b. The thread-like member 80b extends rearward from the attachment portion 62b, passes over the upper surface of the pulley 70b, and then extends downward and rearward. A first end of the thread-shaped member 80b is attached to the attachment portion 62b, and a second end of the thread-shaped member 80b is attached to the attachment portion 38b, which will be described later.

[0017] The method for attaching the thread-shaped member 80 to the attachment portion 62 is not particularly limited, and the thread-shaped member 80 can be attached by, for example, caulking, adhesive, etc. Note that the thread-shaped member 80 does not necessarily have to be attached to the attachment portion 62 or the attachment portion 38 at its end, but may be attached to the attachment portion 62 or the attachment portion 38 at a first portion or a second portion of the thread-shaped member 80.

[0018] There are no particular limitations on the material of the thread-like member 80 as long as it has a predetermined flexibility and a predetermined strength. Examples of materials for the thread-like member 80 include fishing line, synthetic fiber, shaped alloy, and wire rope.

[0019] [Feeding device] Next, each component of feeding apparatus 10 will be described.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of feeding apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of feeding apparatus 10 viewed from the rear toward the front. FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional perspective views of feeding apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional perspective views of feeding apparatus 10 perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction, viewed from the rear toward the front. The perspective views shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 show feeding apparatus 10 before adjustment unit 22 has moved upward. The perspective view shown in FIG. 7 shows feeding apparatus 10 after adjustment unit 22 has moved upward. FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged perspective views of a portion of feeding system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing coupling unit 1 in an enlarged view. The perspective view shown in FIG. 8 shows coupling unit 1 before it is connected to conveyor 50. The perspective view shown in FIG. 9 shows coupling unit 1 connected to conveyor 50.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1 or 5, feeding apparatus 10 includes a connecting portion 1, a middle portion 2, a bottom portion 3, and an outer frame portion 4. Also, as shown in Figure 1, 5, or 8, feeding apparatus 10 includes a hinge portion 36 and an attachment portion 38.

[0022] Connector 1 connects feeding device 10 to the feeding port of conveyor 50. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, connector 1 includes connector main body 12, cover 14, and fixing portions 16a to 16d.

[0023] The connecting body 12 has a cylindrical shape that penetrates vertically. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the right and left sides of the connecting body 12 are formed to fit along the right and left sides of the conveying pipe 52. The front and rear sides of the connecting body 12 are formed to fit along the lower side of the conveying pipe 52.

[0024] The cover part 14 is detachable from the connecting part main body 12. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cover part 14 has a semicircular cylindrical shape formed to fit along the upper side surface of the conveying pipe 52. The cover part 14 extends in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The fixing portions 16a to 16b fix the connecting portion main body 12 and the cover portion 14. The lower ends of the fixing portions 16a and 16b are attached to the right surface of the connecting portion main body 12, and the lower ends of the fixing portions 16c and 16d are attached to the left surface of the connecting portion main body 12. Locking portions for locking with the cover portion 14 are formed at the upper ends of the fixing portions 16a to 16b.

[0026] The feed supplied from the feed port of the conveyor 50 flows into the intermediate section 2. As shown in FIGS.

[0027] The adjustment part 22 is attached to the inlet part 24 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The adjustment part 22 has a circular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the adjustment part 22 is located below the connecting part 1 and extends downward from the connecting part main body 12 of the connecting part 1.

[0028] The inlet portion 24 has a cylindrical shape that extends in the vertical direction. The inlet portion 24 includes an outer cylindrical portion of the adjustment portion 22 and a tapered portion that extends outward from the outer cylindrical portion. The adjustment portion 22 and the inlet portion 24 are coaxial and extend in the vertical direction. The inlet portion 24 is fixed to a protrusion 324 (described below) via a fixing portion 26.

[0029] The bottom portion 3 receives feed supplied from a feed port of the feed feeding conveyor 50. The bottom portion 3 includes a feed tray 32 and a frame portion .

[0030] The feeding tray 32 receives the feed that has fallen through the intermediate section 2 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the feeding tray 32 includes a dish portion 322, a convex portion 324, and a bottom surface 326, and has a shallow dish shape. The dish portion 322 has a circular shape when viewed from above. The dish portion 322 extends diagonally upward from the circular bottom surface 326. A convex portion 324 is provided on the bottom surface 326, which is the bottom surface of the feeding tray 32. The convex portion 324 has a conical shape that protrudes upward. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the convex portion 324 has an isosceles triangular shape that protrudes upward in a cross section perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction. The dish portion 322 and the convex portion 324 may be formed integrally. Alternatively, the dish portion 322, the convex portion 324, and the bottom surface 326 may be formed integrally.

[0031] A gap exists between the protrusion 324 and the tapered portion of the inlet portion 24. Since the inlet portion 24 is fixed to the protrusion 324 by the fixing portion 26, the size of the gap remains constant even when the adjustment portion 22 moves in the vertical direction.

[0032] The frame 34 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the feeding tray 32 and surrounds the outer periphery of the feeding tray 32. The frame 34 moves in conjunction with the vertical movement of the adjustment unit 22. As shown in Figures 3, 6, and 7, the frame 34 has a circular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The frame 34, feeding tray 32, adjustment unit 22, and inlet 24 are coaxial and extend in the vertical direction.

[0033] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a locking portion for locking the feeding tray 32 is formed at the lower end of the frame 34. The locking portion is formed so that its diameter decreases as it goes downward on the frame 34. The feeding tray 32 is attached to the frame 334. More specifically, the tray portion 322 of the feeding tray 32 is located inside the frame 34.

[0034] The hinge portion 36 connects the frame portion 34 and the ring portion 46 of the outer frame portion 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the hinge portion 36 is provided at the left end portion of the frame portion 34. The hinge portion 36 is attached so that the bottom portion 3 can be opened and closed relative to the outer frame portion 4 and the intermediate portion 2, with a first axis extending in the front-to-rear direction as the central axis (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The first axis passes through the outer periphery of the bottom portion 3 or at least a part of the side surface of the bottom portion 3. In this embodiment, the extending directions of the first axis, the rod 60, and the conveying pipe 52 are the same.

[0035] The attachment portion 38 is provided on the outer surface of the frame portion 34 (see FIG. 5). The attachment portion 38 allows the first portion of the thread-like member 80 to be attached to the bottom portion 3. There are no particular limitations on the method for attaching the thread-like member 80 to the attachment portion 38, and the attachment can be performed, for example, by caulking, adhesive, or the like.

[0036] In this embodiment, feeding apparatus 10 includes mounting portions 38a and 38b. Mounting portion 38a is provided below arm 44e (described below), and mounting portion 38b is provided below arm 44c (described below). The locations at which mounting portions 38a and 38b are provided are not particularly limited, but they are preferably provided at positions that are symmetrical in the front-to-rear direction with respect to a plane that includes hinge portion 36 and is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction.

[0037] The outer frame portion 4 includes a ring portion 42, arms 44a to 44f, and a ring portion 46. The outer frame portion 4 is movable in the up and down direction in conjunction with the movement of the adjuster 22 in the up and down direction.

[0038] 5, the ring portion 42 has a circular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The ring portion 42 is fixedly attached to the adjustment portion 22. The arms 44a to 44f extend radially downward from the ring portion 42. Poultry can peck at feed through gaps between the arms 44a to 44f.

[0039] A ring portion 46 is connected to the lower ends of the arms 44a to 44f. As shown in FIG. 3, the ring portion 46 has a circular cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. When the bottom portion 3 moves upward, the lower surface of the ring portion 46 comes into contact with the upper surface of the frame portion 34. The diameter of the ring of the ring portion 46 is approximately the same as the diameter of the ring of the frame portion 34. The ring portion 46 extends a predetermined length from the upper end of the ring shape along the arm 44 toward the center of the ring.

[0040] The arms 44a to 44f are provided with guides 442. The guides 442 are guides that guide the thread-like member 80 attached to the attachment portion 38 upward. The guides 442 regulate the movement of the thread-like member 80 so that the thread-like member 80 follows the arms 44.

[0041] The guide 442 is a member provided at the outer end of the arm 44 and extends along the arm 44. For example, the guide 442 opens to the left near the lower end of the arm 44c, opens to the right at the center of the arm 44c, and opens to the left near the upper end of the arm 44c. Because the opening directions of the guide 442 alternate between left and right, the movement of the thread-like member 80b along the arm 44c can be restricted.

[0042] [Supply method] Next, the feeding method of feeding system 100 will be described. Feed transported through conveyor pipe 52 of conveyor 50 flows into middle section 2 from the feeding port. As middle section 2 is hollow, the feed falls onto convex section 324. The feed is supplied to dish section 322 through the gap between inlet section 24 and convex section 324.

[0043] [Connection method] Next, a method for connecting feeding apparatus 10 to conveyor 50 will be described. In this embodiment, connecting unit 1 can be connected to the feeding port of feed-feeding conveyor 50 without using external fasteners. Examples of external fasteners include nuts and bolts. Therefore, when a user connects feeding apparatus 10 to conveyor 50, the user first places removed cover 14 on conveying pipe 52 and moves connecting unit main body 12 below cover 14. Next, the user engages fastening units 16a-16d with cover 14, thereby securing connecting unit main body 12 and cover 14 together. In this manner, the user can connect connecting unit 1 to conveyor 50 without using external fasteners.

[0044] The fixing portion 16 may be attached to the cover portion 14. In this case, a locking portion for locking with the connecting portion main body 12 is formed at the lower end of the fixing portion 16. The number of fixing portions 16 is not particularly limited. For example, fixing portions 16 may be provided on both the left and right sides via the conveying pipe 52. The shape of the fixing portion 16 is not particularly limited. For example, a strip-shaped member or a rubber-like member may be used as the fixing portion 16.

[0045] The configuration of connector 1 is not particularly limited as long as it allows feeding apparatus 10 to be connected to the feeding port of conveyor 50 without the use of external fasteners. For example, instead of fasteners 16a and 16b, connector body 12 and cover 14 may be connected by a hinge.

[0046] Alternatively, a convex portion may be provided on the underside of cover 14, and a hole 54 may be provided on the upper surface of conveying pipe 52 (see FIG. 8). Hole 54 is provided in a position corresponding to the feeding inlet in the vertical direction. When connecting feeding apparatus 10 to conveyor 50, the user may insert the convex portion provided on cover 14 into hole 54 and place cover 14 on conveying pipe 52. Alternatively, the convex portion of cover 14 may have a cylindrical shape that penetrates cover 14.

[0047] [How it works] Next, the operation of feeding system 100 will be described. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the opening and closing operation of a feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the opening and closing operation of a feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, feeding system 100 has bottom part 3 that can automatically move downward and / or upward with the first axis (Ax) as the central axis.

[0048] As shown in Figure 11, the bottom portion 3 moves downward around the first axis Ax, which allows the entire bottom portion 3 to move and widen the bottom of the feeding tray 32. This allows the feed remaining in the middle portion 2 and feeding tray 32 to be easily removed and allows the feeding apparatus 10 to be easily cleaned with cleaning water. It also prevents cleaning water from accumulating in the feeding tray 32.

[0049] In this embodiment, "the bottom 3 moves downward" does not simply mean that the bottom 3, which is positioned parallel to the left-right direction, moves downward, but also means that the bottom 3 moves downward around the first axis Ax as a central axis. For example, the downward movement of the bottom 3 means that the entire bottom 3, which is positioned parallel to the left-right direction, moves downward, as shown in Fig. 10, and also includes that the right end of the bottom 3 moves downward and left around the first axis Ax as a central axis, as shown in Fig. 11.

[0050] On the other hand, "the bottom 3 moves upward" does not simply mean that the bottom 3, which is positioned parallel to the vertical direction, moves upward, but also means that the bottom 3 moves upward around the first axis Ax as the central axis. For example, as shown in Fig. 10, the bottom 3 moves upward means that the entire bottom 3, which is positioned parallel to the horizontal direction, moves upward, and as shown in Fig. 11, the bottom 3 moves upward means that the right end of the bottom 3 moves upward to the upper right around the first axis Ax as the central axis.

[0051] In the present embodiment, "bottom 3 opens" or "feeding apparatus 10 opens" refers to a state in which bottom 3 has moved downward a predetermined distance. "Bottom 3 opens" or "feeding apparatus 10 opens" includes, for example, when the length of thread-like member 80 between bottom 3 and ring 46 reaches a certain length (e.g., 3 cm) or more, when the angle between bottom 3 and ring 46 when viewed from the rear reaches a predetermined angle (e.g., 45°) or more, or when bottom 3 has moved downward to the maximum extent of its movable range.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, "the bottom part 3 moves automatically" means that the bottom part 3 moves without an operator directly touching the feeding device 10. For example, if the bottom part 3 is moved by operating a button or lever provided on the feeding system 100, the bottom part 3 moves automatically. For example, the bottom part 3 can be moved automatically by operating the rod 60.

[0053] In the feeding system 100, a first end of the thread-like member 80a is attached to the mounting portion 38a of the bottom portion 3, and a second end of the thread-like member 80a is attached to the mounting portion 62a of the rod 60a. A first end of the thread-like member 80b is attached to the mounting portion 38b of the bottom portion 3, and a second end of the thread-like member 80b is attached to the mounting portion 62b of the rod 60b.

[0054] Therefore, when rod 60a is moved in a first direction (forward) along the longitudinal direction of rod 60a and rod 60b is moved in a second direction (rearward) opposite to the first direction along the longitudinal direction of rod 60b, thread-like members 80a and 80b become loose. When thread-like members 80a and 80b become loose, bottom portion 3 moves downward due to gravity. In other words, when mounting portions 62a and 62b move in a direction approaching feeding apparatus 10, bottom portion 3 moves downward due to gravity.

[0055] Furthermore, when rod 60a is moved in the second direction (rearward) and rod 60b is moved in the first direction (forward), loosened thread members 80a, 80b are pulled in the respective directions (see the arrow directions in FIG. 3 ). This causes bottom portion 3 to move upward. In other words, when attachment portions 62a, 62b move in a direction away from feeding apparatus 10, bottom portion 3 moves upward due to the tension of thread members 80.

[0056] The movement of the rod 60 in the first direction or the second direction may be performed by manually rotating a lever attached to the rod 60, or by rotating a motor connected to the rod 60. It is preferable that the movement amounts of the rods 60a and 60b be controlled to be the same.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, feeding system 100 has multiple feeding apparatuses 10 (e.g., feeding apparatuses 10a-10c) connected to a single conveyor 50. The bottoms 3 of two or more feeding apparatuses 10 move downward and / or upward in unison. More specifically, feeding apparatuses 10a-10c have the same structure as feeding apparatus 10 described above. Furthermore, thread-like members 80 in feeding apparatuses 10a-10c are attached to the same rods 60a and 60b, respectively. Therefore, when rod 60a is moved forward and rod 60b is moved backward, thread-like members 80a and 80b attached to the bottoms 3 of feeding apparatuses 10a-10c loosen. This causes the bottoms 3 of feeding apparatuses 10a-10c to move downward. Furthermore, when rod 60a is moved rearward and rod 60b is moved forward, loosened thread members 80a, 80b are tightened. This causes bottoms 3 of each feeding apparatus 10a-10c to move upward. In this way, bottoms 3 of two or more feeding apparatuses 10 can move downward and / or upward in unison.

[0058] Furthermore, in this embodiment, feeding system 100 has two or more feeding apparatuses 10, with the open bottoms 3 of the feeding apparatuses 10 facing the same direction. Feeding apparatuses 10 facing the same direction are adjacent feeding apparatuses 10. More specifically, feeding apparatuses 10a-10c have the same structure as feeding apparatus 10 described above. Furthermore, the thread-like members 80 of feeding apparatuses 10a-10c are attached to the same rods 60a, 60b, respectively. Furthermore, feeding apparatuses 10a-10c are attached to conveying pipe 52 in the same orientation. That is, feeding apparatuses 10a-10c are connected to conveying pipe 52 so that the hinges 36 of each feeding apparatus 10a-10c are positioned on the left side of conveying pipe 52. As a result, the central axes along which the bottoms 3 of feeding apparatuses 10a-10c move are parallel to each other. Therefore, when the bottoms 3 of feeding apparatuses 10a-10c are moved downward, the surfaces of the open bottoms 3 that receive the feed face in the same direction. Therefore, when cleaning multiple feeding apparatuses 10 while moving from front to back or back to front, an operator does not need to move to the left or right side of conveying pipe 52 with feeding apparatus 10.

[0059] In this embodiment, the surface of the bottom 3 that receives feed is the upper surface of the feeding tray 32. The direction in which the surface of the bottom 3 that receives feed faces can be defined as the normal direction to the upper surface of the feeding tray 32, more specifically, the upper surface of the bottom portion 326. The feed-receiving surfaces of the bottom 3 facing the same direction may mean that the normal directions of the feeding trays 32 are parallel, or that the dot product of the unit vectors corresponding to the normal directions is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (e.g., 0.5 or greater).

[0060] Furthermore, the phrase "the surfaces of the bottom 3 that receive feed face in the same direction" also includes the case where the normal directions of the first feeding tray 32 and the second feeding tray 32 face in the same direction with respect to the conveying pipe 52. For example, if the conveying pipe 52 is arc-shaped when viewed from above and below, the surfaces may be considered to face in the same direction when their normal directions face outward or inward relative to the conveying pipe 52.

[0061] In feeding system 100, it is sufficient that the feed-receiving surfaces of the bottoms 3 of adjacent feeding apparatuses 10 face the same direction. In other words, feeding system 100 may include feeding apparatuses 10 whose feed-receiving surfaces of the bottoms 3 do not face the same direction as the bottoms 3 of the other feeding apparatuses 10.

[0062] Here, a large number of feeding apparatuses 10 are attached in a suspended state to conveying pipes 52. Conveying pipes 52 are movable up and down by a hanging device (not shown). In this embodiment, feeding apparatus 10 has frame 34 that moves in conjunction with the up and down movement of adjustment unit 22. For example, during the chick growing stage, conveying pipe 52 is lowered so that frame 34 and the bottom of feeding tray 32 are in contact with the floor, as shown in Figure 6. This makes feeding tray 32 shallower, allowing chicks to easily enter feeding tray 32 and peck at the food.

[0063] As the chicks grow, the conveying pipe 52 is raised. As a result, the feeding tray 32 remains in contact with the floor, but the frame 34 is raised, so that the depth of the feeding tray 32 gradually increases to accommodate the chicks' growth. As shown in Figure 7, when the conveying pipe 52 is further raised after the lower end of the frame 34 comes into contact with the feeding tray 32, the feeding tray 32 is also raised, and the feeding apparatus 10 is lifted off the floor.

[0064] By lifting the conveying pipe 52, multiple feeding apparatuses 10 are suspended. Because the bottom 3 automatically moves downward, cleaning a large number of feeding apparatuses 10 can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, because the bottom 3 is attached to the feeding apparatus 10 by the hinge 36, there is no need to worry about where to place the bottom 3 when the feeding apparatus 10 is open. Furthermore, since there is no need to place the bottom 3 on the floor, this is also hygienic. Furthermore, because the bottom 3 can be automatically moved upward after cleaning the feeding apparatus 10, the task of closing the feeding apparatus 10 can be performed efficiently. Furthermore, by automatically moving the bottom 3 upward and closing the feeding apparatus 10 while multiple feeding apparatuses 10 are suspended, the feeding apparatus 10 does not get in the way when performing tasks such as removing chicken manure from the poultry house, improving work efficiency. Furthermore, because bottom 3 of feeding apparatus 10 can be closed automatically, there is more room for the ceiling height from which feeding apparatus 10 is suspended and the suspension height, increasing the degree of freedom in design.

[0065] In the above description, the opening and closing operations of feeding apparatus 10 are performed using thread-like member 80 and rod 60, but the opening and closing operations of feeding apparatus 10 are not limited to this. For example, instead of thread-like member 80 and rod 60, a motor could be provided in hinge 36 to perform the opening and closing operations of feeding apparatus 10.

[0066] Additionally, for example, feeding apparatus 10 may be provided with a locking unit that locks bottom 3 and outer frame 4 together. Feeding apparatus 10 may also be provided with a release unit that remotely releases the locking unit. By sending a release command to the release unit, the lock is released and bottom 3 of feeding apparatus 10 can be moved downward.

[0067] Feeding system 100 may also include one rod 60 and one filamentous member 80 for one feeding apparatus 10. In this case, one pulley 70 is provided for one feeding apparatus 10. Rod 60 may be located below bottom 3. Feeding system 100 may also omit pulley 70.

[0068] Feeding apparatus 10 may omit ring 42 and arms 44. The number of arms 44 can be set as appropriate. From the standpoint of strength, outer frame 4 preferably includes two or more arms 44. Feeding apparatus 10 may omit protrusion 324, inlet 24, and / or fixing portion 26.

[0069] Note that one feeding apparatus 10 may be provided with only one hinge 36. In this embodiment, the bottom 3 can automatically move downward and / or upward around the first axis Ax, and the shapes of the frame 34 and the ring 46 are substantially the same. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 , the bottom 3 can move downward and left, opening the entire bottom 3 so that the entire feeding tray 32 of the bottom 3 faces rightward. In other words, in one feeding apparatus 10, when the bottom 3 moves downward, the surface of the bottom 3 that receives the feed faces in one direction. In this case, the bottom 3 opens downward, as in a so-called one-sided opening.

[0070] Note that one feeding apparatus 10 may be provided with multiple hinge sections 36. In this case, the bottom section 3 is divided into multiple sections by each hinge section 36. That is, the bottom section 3 corresponding to the first section can automatically move downward and / or upward around a first axis as its central axis, and the bottom section 3 corresponding to the second section can automatically move around a second axis different from the first axis as its central axis. In other words, in one feeding apparatus 10, when the bottom section 3 moves downward, the surface of the bottom section 3 that receives the feed faces in two or more directions. In this case, the bottom section 3 opens downward like a double door.

[0071] Although the above description has been given of feeding apparatus 10 with bottom 3 that can automatically move upward and downward, bottom 3 may also be automatically movable only upward or downward. That is, feeding apparatus 10 may be opened automatically, and closed by an operator operating feeding apparatus 10. Alternatively, feeding apparatus 10 may be closed automatically, and opened by an operator operating feeding apparatus 10.

[0072] In this way, a feeding system comprising at least one feeding device, wherein the feeding device includes a bottom that receives feed supplied from a feeding port of a feed feeding conveyor, and the bottom can be automatically moved downward and / or upward around a first axis that passes through the outer periphery of the bottom or at least part of the side of the bottom as a central axis, thereby reducing the workload when raising poultry.

[0073] In this way, the feeding system comprises at least one rod and at least one thread-like member, a first portion of the thread-like member attached to the bottom and a second portion of the thread-like member attached to the rod, and by moving the rod in a first direction along the longitudinal direction of the rod, the bottom can move downward, and by moving the rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the bottom can move upward.

[0074] In this way, a feeding system includes two or more feeding devices, and the bottoms of the two or more feeding devices move downward and / or upward in unison, allowing multiple feeding devices to be operated simultaneously. In this way, the bottoms open when they move downward a predetermined distance, and in two or more feeding devices, the surfaces that receive the feed on the opened bottoms face the same direction, reducing the burden of cleaning work.

[0075] In this way, the feeding device includes a connecting part that connects to the feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor, and the connecting part can be connected to the feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor without using external fixing devices, thereby preventing poultry from pecking at the detached external fixing part and introducing foreign matter.

[0076] In this way, the feeding device includes an intermediate section into which feed supplied from the feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor flows, the intermediate section including an adjustment section that can move in the vertical direction, the bottom section including a feeding tray and a frame section that can move in the vertical direction relative to the feeding tray and surrounds the outer periphery of the feeding tray, and the frame section moves in conjunction with the vertical movement of the adjustment section, so that the height of the feeding device can be adjusted according to the growth of the poultry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 100: Feeding system 10, 10a to 10c: Feeding device 1: Connecting part 12: Connecting part body 14: Cover part 16: Fixing part 2: Middle part 22: Adjustment part 24: Inflow part 26: Fixed part 3: Bottom 32: Feeding tray 322: Dish part 324: Convex part 326: Bottom part 34: Frame portion 36: Hinge portion 38, 38a, 38b: Mounting portion 4: Outer frame portion 42: Ring portion 44, 44a to 44f: Arms 442: Guide 46: Ring section 50: Feed feeding conveyor 52: Conveyor pipe 54: Hole 60, 60a, 60b: Rod 62, 62a, 62b: Mounting portion 70, 70a, 70b: Pulley 80, 80a, 80b: thread-like members

Claims

1. A feeding system comprising at least one feeding device, The feeding device comprises: The bottom part that receives feed supplied from the feed inlet of the feed conveyor Including, A feeding system in which the bottom portion is automatically movable downward and / or upward around a first axis that passes through the outer periphery of the bottom portion or at least a portion of the side surface of the bottom portion.

2. At least one rod and at least one thread-like member; a first portion of the thread-like member attached to the bottom; a second portion of the thread-like member attached to the rod; The rod is moved in a first direction along the longitudinal direction of the rod, whereby the bottom portion moves downward; 2. The feeding system of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion moves upward by moving the rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. A feeding system comprising at least one feeding device, at least one rod, and at least one thread-like member, The feeding device comprises: The bottom part that receives feed supplied from the feed inlet of the feed conveyor Including, a first portion of the thread-like member attached to the bottom; a second portion of the thread-like member attached to the rod; A feeding system in which moving the rod in a first direction causes the bottom to move downward, and moving the rod in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the bottom to move upward.

4. a feeding system comprising two or more of the feeding devices; The feeding system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottoms of two or more of the feeding devices move downward and / or upward in unison.

5. a feeding system comprising two or more of the feeding devices; The bottom portion opens when the bottom portion moves downward by a predetermined distance, 4. The feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the feed receiving surfaces of the open bottoms of the two or more feeding devices face the same direction.

6. The feeding device includes a connection part that is connected to a feeding port of the feed feeding conveyor, 4. The feeding system according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connectable to the feed inlet of the feed feeding conveyor without using any external fasteners.

7. The feeding device comprises: The middle section where feed supplied from the feed feeding conveyor flows in. Including, The intermediate portion is an adjustment portion that can move in the vertical direction. Including, The bottom portion is A feeding tray and a frame portion that is movable in the up and down direction relative to the feeding tray and surrounds the outer periphery of the feeding tray; Including, The feeding system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame portion moves in conjunction with the vertical movement of the adjustment portion.

8. a bottom portion for receiving feed supplied from a feed port of a feed feeding conveyor; a mounting portion on the bottom portion to which a first portion of a thread-like member can be attached; Including, A feeding device in which the bottom portion can be moved upward by attaching a first portion of the thread-like member to the mounting portion and pulling the thread-like member in a predetermined direction.

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