Feed-dispensing device

Abstract

A feed-dispensing device for dispensing feed for animals, such as cattle, comprises a holder for receiving a batch of feed. The holder comprises a side wall with an elongated dispensing opening for dispensing feed from the holder. An elongated sliding door is displaceable upward from a closed state, in which the sliding door closes the dispensing opening, into an open state, in which the sliding door opens the dispensing opening over a dispensing height. An extraction device for extracting from the holder feed present in the holder comprises an elongated extraction body which is arranged in a rotatably drivable manner outside the holder, substantially parallel with and in front of the dispensing opening. The extraction body comprises a plurality of feed-gripping protrusions which are distributed over the extraction body at least in a height direction. On rotation of the extraction body, the protrusions move through the dispensing opening into the holder. The protrusions are distributed over the extraction body in a circumferential direction such that the extraction body has a rest state, in which all protrusions are situated outside the holder and the sliding door is displaceable downward from the open state into the closed state. A positioning device is provided for positioning the extraction body in a rotation direction into the rest state by rotation of the extraction body. The open state of the sliding door is settable such that the dispensing height is settable over a range between a minimum dispensing height and a maximum dispensing height. The protrusions of the extraction body are detachably fastenable at least over the settable range of the dispensing height.

Description

[0001] Feed-dispensing device

[0002] The invention concerns a feed-dispensing device for dispensing feed for animals, such as cattle, in particular by distributing the feed along a feed fence or similar.

[0003] WO2012 / 074377A1 discloses a feed-dispensing device which is provided with a holder for receiving a batch of feed. The holder comprises a side wall in which a dispensing opening is arranged. The dispensing opening is closable by a sliding door which is displaceable by sliding upward from a closed state into an open state. An extraction device for extracting from the holder feed present in the holder comprises an extraction body which is placed substantially in front of the dispensing opening and outside the holder, parallel with the side wall. The extraction body is rotatably driven and provided with a plurality of feed-gripping protrusions. At least several, and in particular all, protrusions extend through the dispensing opening into the holder on rotation of the extraction body. When the sliding door is opened, the protrusions move into the holder in order to extract feed from the holder. The protrusions are distributed over the extraction body in a circumferential direction such that the extraction body has a rest state, in which all protrusions are situated outside the holder and the sliding door is displaceable downward from the open state into the closed state. A positioning device is configured for rotating the extraction body into the rest state so as to allow the sliding door to be displaceable by sliding downward in order to close the dispensing opening.

[0004] In the open state of the sliding door, the dispensing opening is substantially completely open. For dairy cow rations which are mostly based on grass and / or silage, in some cases mixed with additives, the dispensing device works very well. When the dispensing device with an open sliding door moves along a feed fence for example, the feed can be distributed accurately along the feed fence by means of the rotating extraction body. But in the case of some rations, in particular for beef cattle, which contain more concentrate and / or corn, the feed flows out of the holder too quickly when the sliding door is in the open state, whereby the feed can be measured out less precisely.

[0005] An object of the invention is to provide an improved feed-dispensing device for dispensing feed for animals, which is in particular suitable for accurately dispensing a plurality of rations based on different types of feed.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a feed-dispensing device for dispensing feed for animals, such as cattle, wherein the feed-dispensing device comprises: a holder for receiving a batch of feed, which holder is provided with: • a side wall,

[0007] • a dispensing opening for dispensing from the holder feed present in the holder, which dispensing opening is arranged in the side wall,

[0008] • a sliding door which is displaceable by sliding upward from a closed state, in which the sliding door closes the dispensing opening, into an open state, in which the sliding door opens the dispensing opening over a dispensing height in order to dispense from the holder feed present in the holder,

[0009] - an extraction device for extracting from the holder feed present in the holder, which extraction device comprises:

[0010] • an extraction body which is arranged outside the holder, substantially parallel with and in front of the dispensing opening, so as to be drivable in rotation about a rotation axis, which extraction body is provided with a plurality of feed-gripping protrusions which are distributed over the extraction body at least in a height direction, and wherein several, and in particular all, protrusions move through the dispensing opening into the holder on rotation of the extraction body, and wherein the protrusions are distributed over the extraction body in a circumferential direction such that the extraction body has a rest state, in which all protrusions are situated outside the holder and the sliding door is displaceable by sliding downward from the open state into the closed state,

[0011] • a positioning device which is configured for positioning the extraction body into the rest state by rotation of the extraction body about the rotation axis, in particular to allow the sliding door to be displaceable by sliding downward from the open state into the closed state, wherein the open state of the sliding door is settable or adjustable such that the dispensing height is settable or adjustable over a range between a minimum dispensing height and a maximum dispensing height, and the protrusions of the extraction body are detachably fastenable at least over the settable range of the dispensing height.

[0012] The dispensing opening, the sliding door and the extraction body are in particular elongated. The sliding door is preferably operable or can be actuated between the set open and closed states by an electric door motor under control of a control system. In the feed-dispensing device according to the invention, the open state of the sliding door is settable for example by means of a limiting device which is configured for settably or adjustably limiting the upward displacement of the sliding door.

[0013] The limiting device may be configured in various ways. The limiting device comprises for example a first sensor which can be fastened to the side wall at various heights, and a second sensor which is arranged on the sliding door, in combination with a programmed control system. When the second sensor comes to lie next to the first sensor on the upward displacement of the sliding door, the set height of the open state is reached and the control system switches off the door motor. The limiting device may however also comprise a mechanical stop for the sliding door, which can be fastened to the side wall at various heights. The farmer can set the open state of the sliding door by means of the limiting device.

[0014] The setting of the open state of the sliding door corresponds to a setting of the dispensing height, over which the dispensing opening of the holder is opened in order to dispense feed present in the holder. When the open state of the sliding door is set so as to determine a maximum dispensing height, the sliding door is for example displaced completely upward and the dispensing opening is completely opened. This maximum dispensing height is in particular suitable for dispensing rations for dairy cows which contain a large amount of grass and / or silage.

[0015] However, rations for beef cattle often contain more concentrate and / or corn, whereby the feed would flow out of the holder too quickly when the sliding door is completely open. According to the invention, the open state of the sliding door can be set so as to open only a part of the dispensing opening. The set dispensing height is then smaller than the maximum dispensing height, such as between 0.1 and 0.8 times the maximum dispensing height. By setting the open state of the sliding door, the dispensing height can be set over an upper range between a minimum and a maximum dispensing height.

[0016] When the open state of the sliding door is set so as to make the dispensing height smaller than the maximum dispensing height, as stated in particular for beef cattle rations, then the feed-gripping protrusions lying above the set dispensing height would collide with the sliding door when the extraction body is driven in rotation. This is because, on rotation of the extraction body, the protrusions project at least partially through the dispensing opening into the holder in order to extract feed from the holder. On rotation of the extraction body, the circulating track of at least the ends of the protrusions intersects the track of the sliding door on its downward displacement from the open state into the closed state. Only when the extraction body is in the rest state are all protrusions situated completely outside the holder so that the sliding door is displaceable by sliding downward from the open state into the closed state without obstruction.

[0017] According to the invention, the protrusions are detachably fastenable at least over the settable range of the dispensing height. In other words, at least the protrusions which extend over a height of the extraction body, substantially parallel with and / or next to the settable range of the dispensing height of the dispensing opening, are detachably fastenable to the extraction body. The term "detachably fastenable" must be understood to mean that the protrusions are configured to be removed and then refastened. After detachment of the protrusions, the protrusions are substantially undamaged and / or are usable in order to be fastened again.

[0018] When a new dispensing device delivered from the factory is installed on a beef cattle farm, the extraction body can therefore easily be adapted to the ration to be supplied by setting the open state of the sliding door and removing from the extraction body the protrusions which are in the way in the set open state. The extraction body is only provided with feed-gripping protrusions below a lower edge of the sliding door in the set open state. In addition, in a dispensing device according to the invention, a farmer can refasten the detachably fastenable protrusions after removal thereof, for example on adaptation of the ration and associated adaptation of the open state of the sliding door.

[0019] Therefore, the feed-dispensing device according to the invention for dispensing feed for animals is suitable for accurately dispensing several rations based on different types of feed.

[0020] A further advantage of the detachably fastenable protrusions, in comparison for example with protrusions which are fixedly welded to the extraction body, is that it is not necessary to grind away the protrusions when installing a new dispensing device, delivered from the factory, on a beef cattle farm. Thus the installation of the new dispensing device is regarded more positively by the farmer. In addition, the installation is less labour-intensive and material wastage is reduced because the detachably fastenable protrusions can be reused, in contrast to protrusions which have been ground away.

[0021] In an embodiment, all protrusions of the extraction body are detachably fastenable. Thus the farmer can adapt the dispensing device to the ration to be fed to the cattle. The supplied ration is for example dependent on the season, the phase of the lactation process of a group of dairy cows, or the growing phase of a group of beef cattle. In other words, the supplied ration can change over time. By means of the detachably fastenable protrusions, the farmer can adapt the extraction properties of the extraction body as required. For example, the farmer can change the number of protrusions by removing or refitting protrusions distributed over the height of the extraction body so that the extraction body extracts less or indeed more feed from the holder. Thus the dispensing device can meter out the feed precisely according to the desired ration.

[0022] In an embodiment according to the invention, the protrusions of the extraction body form a first set of protrusions, wherein a second set of protrusions is provided which have a different shape and / or different dimensions from the protrusions of the first set, and are detachably fastenable to the extraction body in replacement for the protrusions of the first set. The second set of protrusions may for example be provided loose with a new dispensing device delivered from the factory, in some cases as an optional accessory, or be ordered separately by a farmer later, after commissioning of the dispensing device. By replacing the protrusions of the first set with the protrusions of the second set having the different shape and / or different dimensions, the farmer can change the extraction properties of the extraction body in order to adapt the extraction body to the ration to be supplied. Thus it is possible to feed particularly accurately.

[0023] According to the invention, it is preferred that the extraction body comprises a circumferential wall, which is provided with fastening openings for receiving the detachably fastenable protrusions, wherein the detachably fastenable protrusions comprise gripping means for detachably gripping on the fastening openings, and wherein the fastening openings with received protrusions are covered by closing plates which are detachably fastened to the circumferential wall of the extraction body such that said protrusions are blocked in the fastening openings and / or enclosed between the closing plates and the fastening openings, and wherein after release of said closing plates and after removal of the protrusions from said fastening openings, the same closing plates are detachably fastenable back to the circumferential wall of the extraction body such that said fastening openings are substantially completely covered by the closing plates, in particular sealed against feed.

[0024] According to this preferred embodiment, the closing plates have a double function. Firstly, the closing plates are configured for detachable fastening of the protrusions. After the protrusions have been received in the fastening openings, the closing plates are detachably fastened to the circumferential wall of the extraction body, for example by means of a bolt connection. The protrusions are then blocked by the closing plates, i.e. the protrusions are fixed to the extraction body by form fit. It is possible to remove the detachably fastened protrusions by taking off the closing plates and then taking the protrusions out of the fastening openings. After taking the protrusions away, the same closing plates can be detachably fastened again to the circumferential wall of the extraction body in order to substantially completely cover the fastening openings without protrusions. This prevents the feed from entering the fastening openings during operation on rotation of the extraction body in order to extract feed from the holder. This forms the second function of the closing plates.

[0025] According to the invention, it is possible that the fastening openings comprise a fastening edge, wherein the gripping means of the protrusions comprise at least a receiving slot which can slide over the fastening edge of the fastening openings in order for said protrusions to be received in the fastening openings. In a particular embodiment, the fastening openings comprise a bottom fastening edge which, viewed in the circumferential direction of the circumferential wall of the extraction body, comprises a stepped part on either side thereof, wherein the gripping means of the protrusions comprise a receiving slot on either side thereof, wherein the receiving slots of the protrusions can be pushed over the stepped parts in order for said protrusions to be received in the fastening openings. Each receiving slot forms a hook part which is configured to cooperate with the fastening edge of one of the fastening openings. Thus it is easy to connect the protrusions to the extraction body.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the closing plates are each detachably fastenable to the circumferential wall of the extraction body in a first position for fastening openings with received protrusions, in which the protrusions which are received in the fastening openings are blocked by a closing edge of the closing plates, and a second position for fastening openings without protrusions, in which said closing edge of the closing plates is displaced relative to the first position so as to substantially completely cover the fastening opening, in particular seal this against feed. For example, a bolt hole for receiving a bolt is associated with each fastening opening in the circumferential wall of the extraction body, while the closing plates are provided with an elongated hole for the bolt so as to allow the two positions of the closing plates.

[0027] In the first position, the protrusion received in the fastening opening is enclosed between the fastening edge of the fastening opening and the closing edge of the closing plate. When the protrusion is removed and the closing plate were refitted in the first position, there would be a slit-shaped gap between said edges. However, in the second position of the closing plate, the closing edge of the closing plate runs adjacent to or slightly overlapping with the fastening edge of the fastening opening. The fastening opening is then covered so that no feed can enter the interior of the extraction body.

[0028] In an embodiment according to the invention, the extraction body comprises a circumferential wall which is formed from flat plate parts which run at an angle relative to one another such that the circumferential wall has in cross-section the form of a regular polygon, in particular a hexagon, an octagon or a decagon, wherein the detachably fastenable protrusions are fastenable to the flat plate parts. For example, the abovedescribed fastening openings are arranged in the flat plate parts. The flat plate parts run at an angle relative to one another, so as to form a tubular circumferential wall. The flat plate parts form flat fastening surfaces to which the detachably fastenable protrusions can be fastened. Thus the protrusions can be fastened to the extraction body in a reliably detachable manner. In addition, the circumferential wall of the extraction body formed from flat plate parts has a high stiffness, which is favourable for extracting feed from the holder on rotation of the extraction body.

[0029] In an embodiment according to the invention, the protrusions have a tapering pointed form. This is favourable for the loosening behaviour of the protrusions, notably in the case of longer feed types such as grass and hay. Advantageous examples of this are a triangular tooth form, with or without rounded point, and a hooked tooth form.

[0030] As stated above, the dispensing device according to the invention comprises a positioning device for positioning the extraction body in a rotation direction into and / or up to the rest state by rotation of the extraction body. Furthermore, according to the invention, the "rest state" should be understood as an end state and not as a state which is passed through during rotation of the extraction body and which occurs once on each revolution.

[0031] The rotation into and / or up to the rest state may in principle take place by hand, for example by turning a handle. Preferably however, the extraction body is rotatably driveable by an electric extraction body motor, wherein the positioning device is provided with a sensor for measuring a rotational position of the extraction body and for emitting a measured position signal, and wherein the positioning device is furthermore provided with a control system for controlling the extraction body motor on the basis of the position signal, in order to rotate the extraction body into the rest state and / or stop it in the rest state. Therefore, it can be automatically guaranteed that the correct rest state is assumed.

[0032] The sensor is for example an angle or rotation sensor which is designed for example as an inductive, optical, magnetic or mechanical sensor. Thus a metal protrusion (such as a pin or similar) may be fastened to the extraction body, wherein an inductive sensor detects whether said protrusion is situated opposite the sensor.

[0033] It is preferred according to the invention that the extraction body, in particular the circumferential wall thereof, and / or the protrusions are made from stainless steel (RVS). Stainless steel is particularly resistant to the aggressive action of feed, for example silage, for cattle, such as dairy cows or beef cattle. The use of stainless steel has a positive influence on the service life of the extraction body and the protrusions.

[0034] In an embodiment according to the invention, the holder comprises a mixing and / or cutting member for mixing and / or cutting feed present in the holder, wherein the mixing and / or cutting member is arranged in the holder so as to be driveable and rotatable, preferably about a substantially vertical rotation axis. The mixing and / or cutting member is for example an auger. The feed present in the holder is partly carried along by the rotating mixing and / or cutting member during the mixing and / or cutting. The feed present in the holder moves slowly around in the holder. At the dispensing opening, the feed is extracted from the holder by the protrusions of the extraction body which move through the dispensing opening and grip on the feed. Preferably, the extraction body and the mixing and cutting member rotate in opposite directions. Thus the feed is dispensed from the holder particularly effectively and accurately.

[0035] In an embodiment according to the invention, the feed-dispensing device is a vehicle for dispensing and / or depositing feed along a feed fence for the animals. Preferably, the vehicle is self-propelled, unmanned and / or autonomous. In particular, the vehicle comprises a chassis with wheels, by means of which the vehicle can travel over a substrate such as a floor. The vehicle may however also be suspended from a guide rail. In the case of an autonomous vehicle for automatically depositing feed along a feed fence for the animals, the above-described technical advantages of the settable open state of the sliding door and the rotatably driveable extraction body with the detachably fastenable protrusions, according to the invention, are particularly pronounced.

[0036] According to the invention, it is possible that the sliding door is operable or can be actuated between the set open and closed states by an electric door motor under control of a control system, wherein the control system is programmed for operating the sliding door such that, when the vehicle moves in a travel direction along the feed fence in order to deposit feed there, the sliding door is in the set open state and feed present in the holder is discharged from the holder via the dispensing opening under the influence of the rotating extraction body. The combination of the sliding door with the settable open state and the rotatably driveable extraction body with the detachably fastenable protrusions forms a metering device for metering feed from the holder onto a substrate along the feed fence, for example a floor of a feed alley in a shed. By setting the open state by means of programming the control system, the feed can be distributed precisely.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the vehicle comprises a feed-pushing device which is configured for pushing residual feed which is present at the feed location, and feed which is dispensed through the dispensing opening, in a direction transverse to the travel direction of the vehicle, in particular in order to form a swathe-like heap of pushed feed along a feed fence. The dispensing opening is thus arranged on the vehicle relative to the feed-pushing device such that the feed discharged from the dispensing opening is also pushed. The pushed feed comprises the residual feed which is present at the feed location and the feed which has just been dispensed through the dispensing opening. By use of the rotating extraction body when metering out the feed, in combination with pushing the feed, a particularly evenly formed heap of feed is created at the feed location. Thus feeding can take place particularly accurately in accordance with the desired ration.

[0038] The invention also concerns a feeding system for feeding animals such as cattle, wherein the feeding system comprises:

[0039] - a feed fence, for example in a shed with an accommodation space for keeping animals, and

[0040] - a feed alley which extends along the feed fence, in particular on the side of the feed fence lying opposite the accommodation space, wherein the feeding system comprises a feed-dispensing device which is configured as a vehicle for dispensing feed along the feed fence as described above. Preferably, the vehicle is configured for travelling autonomously through the feed alley and dispensing feed along the feed fence.

[0041] The invention furthermore concerns a method for adapting a feeddispensing device as described above, in particular for installation and / or first commissioning of the feed-dispensing device, wherein the sliding door is in the closed state, and wherein the extraction body is positioned in the rest state and is provided with the detachably fastenable protrusions at least over the settable range of the dispensing height, and wherein the method comprises:

[0042] - setting the open state of the sliding door such that the set dispensing height is smaller than the maximum dispensing height,

[0043] - removing the detachably fastenable protrusions above the set dispensing height.

[0044] As explained above, by removing the protrusions above the set dispensing height, it is possible to rotate the extraction body when the sliding door is in the set open state. Since the protrusions above the set dispensing height have been removed, there are no protrusions in the way when the extraction body is rotated. The protrusions below the set dispensing height, which remain detachably fastened to the extraction body, on rotation of the extraction body move through below the lower edge of the sliding door and project through the dispensing opening in order to extract feed from the holder. This method for installing a feed-dispensing device delivered from the factory on a farm is simple, reliable and fast.

[0045] According to the invention, it is possible that the set dispensing height forms a first set dispensing height, wherein the set open state of the sliding door is adapted such that the first set dispensing height is increased to a second set dispensing height, wherein one or more of the removed protrusions are detachably fastened to the extraction body between the first and second dispensing heights. The farmer can adapt the ration, for example depending on the season. When the dispensing height is greater, the protrusions previously removed can be refitted over the range between the initially set dispensing height and the greater dispensing height. The re-use of the protrusions prevents wastage, in particular of material.

[0046] The invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment depicted in the figures.

[0047] Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of a feeding system for feeding animals, such as cattle, according to the invention.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a schematic, perspective view of a feed-dispensing device of the feeding system according to the invention illustrated in Figure 1 .

[0049] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an extraction body of the feeddispensing device illustrated in Figure 2.

[0050] Figure 4 shows an enlarged, perspective view of a part of the extraction body illustrated in Figure 3, wherein a first fastening opening is shown with a detachably fastenable protrusion, and a second fastening opening is shown before a detachably fastenable protrusion is fastened thereto.

[0051] Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show various stages for fastening, by means of a closing plate, a detachably fastenable protrusion to a fastening opening of the extraction body illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a fastening opening of the extraction body illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, wherein the fastening opening is not provided with a detachably fastenable protrusion and is covered by the closing plate.

[0053] Figure 7 shows a top view of a detachably fastenable protrusion of a second set for use in the extraction body illustrated in Figures 3 and 4.

[0054] The feeding system 1 for feeding animals, in particular cattle 4, such as dairy cows or beef cattle, is indicated as a whole with 1 in Figure 1. The feeding system 1 is arranged in a shed 2 with an accommodation space 3 for keeping the cattle 4, in which stalls or cubicles 5 are situated. In this exemplary embodiment, the accommodation space 3 comprises two feed fences 6. A feed alley 7 extends on the side of each feed fence 6 opposite the accommodation space 3.

[0055] In this exemplary embodiment, the feeding system 1 forms an automatic feeding system. The feeding system 1 comprises a feed-dispensing device 9 for dispensing feed to the cattle 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-dispensing device 9 is configured as a self-propelled, unmanned and autonomous vehicle for feeding the cattle 4 with feed from a feed storage system (not shown). The feed storage system contains for example several types of feed, such as silage, hay and corn. A quantity of feed for several days, e.g. 1 - 5 days, can be stored in the feed storage system.

[0056] In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-dispensing device 9 is configured as a self-propelled, autonomous feed carriage (see Figure 2). The feed-dispensing device 9 comprises a chassis with wheels 11 , by means of which the feed-dispensing device 9 can travel over a floor of the feed alley 7, the farmyard or another substrate. In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-dispensing device 9 comprises one front wheel and two rear wheels.

[0057] The feed-dispensing device 9 comprises a driving and steering system (not shown) for driving and steering the feed carriage. The driving and steering system comprises at least one electric drive motor. An electronic control system (not shown) is connected to the driving and steering system for controlling the latter. The feeddispensing device 9 furthermore comprises a battery system (not shown) for storing electrical energy. The battery system is connected to the driving and steering system and to the control system.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a charging station 8, with a charging system for charging the battery system of the feed-dispensing device 9, at the end of the feed alley 7. The charging system of the charging station 8 comprises a charging coupling 10a which can be brought into a releasable mechanical coupling state with a vehicle coupling 10b, so as to make a plug connection. In practice, the charging station 8 may be placed at the feed storage system (not shown). While the vehicle 9 is parked at the charging station 8 in order to charge the battery system, the vehicle 9 can be filled with feed. The charging station 8 then simultaneously forms a feed-loading station.

[0059] By controlling the driving and steering system, the speed and direction of the movement of the feed-dispensing device 9 can be determined. By means of the control system, the feed-dispensing device 9 can autonomously travel a route in order to deliver feed to the cattle 4. It is however also possible that the feed-dispensing device 9 is guided along a route by means of a guide rail. The feed-dispensing device 9 may for example be suspended from the guide rail which is fastened to the shed.

[0060] The vehicle 9 comprises a holder 12 for receiving a batch of feed. The holder 12 is arranged on the chassis of the feed-dispensing device 9. The holder 12 comprises a bottom 14 and a circumferential side wall 15 which extends upward from the bottom 14. A mixing and / or cutting member 13, for mixing and / or cutting feed present in the holder 12, is arranged in the holder 12. The mixing and / or cutting member 13 is driveable and rotatable about a substantially vertical rotation axis 16.

[0061] For dispensing feed from the holder 12, an elongated dispensing opening 20 is arranged in the side wall 15 of the holder 12. The dispensing opening 20 is closable by an elongated sliding door 21 . In the closed state of the sliding door 21 , the dispensing opening 20 is completely closed, i.e. the feed cannot leave the holder 12 via the dispensing opening 20. The sliding door 21 is displaceable by sliding upward from the closed state into an open state, in which the sliding door 21 opens the dispensing opening over a dispensing height h in order to dispense the feed from the holder 12. When the sliding door 21 is open, feed present in the holder 12 can be distributed along one or more of the feed fences 6 in the shed 2.

[0062] In order to meter out the feed evenly, the feed-dispensing device 9 comprises an extraction device for extracting the feed from the holder 12. The extraction device comprises an elongated extraction body 22 which is arranged outside the holder 12, substantially parallel with and in front of the dispensing opening 20, so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 17. The extraction body 22 is driveable by an electric extraction body motor 25 (indicated schematically in Figure 2). The extraction body 22 is shown in more detail in Figure 3.

[0063] The extraction body 22 is provided with a plurality of feed-gripping protrusions 23 which are distributed over the extraction body 22 in a height direction. On rotation of the extraction body 22, the protrusions 23 move through the dispensing opening 20 into the interior 24 of the holder 12. Thus the protrusions 20 grip on the feed in the holder 12. The protrusions 23 make it possible to extract feed from the holder 12 in a controlled and precise manner.

[0064] In this exemplary embodiment, the mixing and / or cutting member 13 rotates during the metering out, whereby the feed in the holder 12 is to some extent carried along in a circulating motion. The extraction body 22 and the mixing and cutting member 13 rotate in opposite directions, i.e. if for example the mixing and cutting member 13 rotates clockwise, the extraction body 22 rotates counterclockwise. Thus the feed is dispensed from the holder 12 particularly effectively and precisely.

[0065] The feed-dispensing device 9 comprises a feed-pushing device 18 for pushing residual feed situated along the feed fence 6, and feed which is dispensed through the dispensing opening 20, in a direction transverse to the travel direction T of the feed-dispensing device 9, in particular so as to form a swathe-like heap of pushed feed along a feed fence 6. In this exemplary embodiment, the feed-pushing device 18 comprises a circumferential skirt 19.

[0066] The dispensing opening 20 is located relative to the feed-pushing device 18 such that the feed discharged from the dispensing opening 20 is also pushed. The pushed feed along the feed fence 6 comprises the residual feed which was already lying along the feed fence 6 and the feed which has just been discharged through the dispensing opening 20. By using the rotating extraction body 22 while metering out feed, in combination with pushing the feed, a particularly evenly shaped heap of feed is created along the feed fence 6.

[0067] When the sliding door 21 is fully opened, i.e. the dispensing height is at a maximum (h=hmax), the extraction body 22 with the protrusions 23 can rotate without obstruction. But if the sliding door 21 were to be displaced from the fully open state into the closed state during rotation of the extraction body 22, the protrusions 23 would be in the way. On rotation of the extraction body 22, the circulating track of at least the ends of the protrusions 23 intersects the track of the sliding door 21 during the downward displacement from the open state into the closed state.

[0068] In order to allow the sliding door 21 to be displaceable by sliding downward from the open state into the closed state, the protrusions 23 are distributed over the extraction body 22 in the circumferential direction such that the extraction body 22 has a rest state in which all protrusions 23 are situated at a distance outside the holder 12. In other words, the extraction body 22 comprises a circumferential part without protrusions extending over the complete height, in particular a substantially smooth circumferential part which, in the rest state, faces the dispensing opening 20. In the rest state of the extraction body 22, all protrusions 23 are situated completely outside the holder 12 so that the sliding door 21 is displaceable by sliding downward from the open state into the closed state without obstruction.

[0069] In order to rotate into and up to the rest state, the extraction body 22 is driveable by the electric extraction body motor 25. A positioning device 26 for positioning the extraction body 22 comprises a sensor 27 for measuring a rotational position of the extraction body 22 and for emitting a measured position signal. The feed-dispensing device 9 comprises a control system 28 for controlling the extraction body motor 25 on the basis of the position signal, so as to rotate the extraction body 22 into the rest state and stop it in the rest state. Therefore, it can be automatically guaranteed that the correct rest state for closing the sliding door 21 is assumed.

[0070] The fully opened state of the sliding door 21 (dispensing height h=hmax) is suitable for dispensing dairy cow rations which contain a large amount of grass and / or silage. However, beef cattle rations, for example, often contain more concentrate and / or corn so that the feed would flow out of the holder 12 too quickly when the sliding door 21 is fully open. According to the invention, the open state of the sliding door 21 can be set so as to open only a part of the dispensing opening 20, as shown in Figure 2.

[0071] The setting of the open state of the sliding door 21 corresponds to a setting of the dispensing height h over which the dispensing opening 20 of the holder 12 is opened for dispensing feed. By setting the open state of the sliding door 21 , the dispensing height h is settable over a broad range Ah between a minimum dispensing height hmin and the maximum dispensing height hmax. The set dispensing height h is for example between 0.1 and 0.8 times the maximum dispensing height hmax-

[0072] In this exemplary embodiment, the sliding door 21 is operable or can be actuated between the set open and closed states by an electric door motor 29 under control of the control system 28. The open state of the sliding door 21 is settable by means of a limiting device for settably limiting the upward displacement of the sliding door 21 .

[0073] The limiting device may be configured in various ways. The limiting device comprises for example a first sensor 30 which can be fastened to the side wall 15 at various heights, while the sliding door 21 has a second sensor 31 which, on the upward displacement of the sliding door 21 , comes to lie next to the first sensor 30. The control system 28 is connected to the sensors 30, 31 and can be programmed such that the door motor 29 switches off when the sensors 30, 31 lie next to one another, i.e. when the set height of the open state of the sliding door 21 is reached. The lim iting device may however also comprise a mechanical stop (not shown).

[0074] When the open state of the sliding door 21 is set so as to make the dispensing height h smaller than the maximum dispensing height hmax, the feed-gripping protrusions 23 which lie above the set dispensing height h could collide with the sliding door 21 when the extraction body 22 is driven in rotation. According to the invention, the protrusions 23 are detachably fastenable at least over the settable range Ah of the dispensing height. In other words, at least the protrusions 23 which extend over a height of the protrusion body 22, substantially parallel with and / or next to the settable range Ah of the dispensing height of the dispensing opening 20, are detachably fastenable to the extraction body 22.

[0075] On installation of a new dispensing device 9 delivered from the factory on a beef cattle farm, the extraction body 22 can therefore easily be adapted to the ration to be supplied by setting the open state of the sliding door 21 to the desired height, and then removing from the extraction body 22 the protrusions 23 which are in the way in the set open state. The extraction body 22 is then still provided with the protrusions 23 only below a lower edge of the sliding door 21 in the set open state. After removing the detachably fastenable protrusions 23, a farmer can later refit said protrusions 23, for example on adaptation of the ration and an associated adaptation of the open state of the sliding door 21.

[0076] In this exemplary embodiment, all protrusions 23 of the extraction body 22 are detachably fastenable. Thus the farmer can adapt the dispensing device 9 further to the ration which is fed to the cattle. The supplied ration is for example dependent on the season, the phase of the lactation process of a group of dairy cows, or the growing phase of a group of beef cattle. In other words, the supplied ration can change over time. By means of the detachably fastenable protrusions 23, the farmer can adapt the extraction properties of the extraction body 22 as required.

[0077] In order to change the extraction properties of the extraction body 22, the farmer may for example change a number of protrusions 23, which are situated below the lower edge of the sliding door 21 in the set open state, by removing or refitting a number of protrusions 23 which are distributed in the height direction and / or the circumferential direction of the extraction body 22 so that on rotation, the extraction body 22 extracts less or indeed more feed from the holder 12.

[0078] It is also possible that the protrusions of the extraction body 22 shown in Figure 2 form a first set of protrusions 23, and the feeding system 1 comprises a second set of protrusions 23' which have a different shape and / or different dimensions from the protrusions 23 of the first set (see Figure 7). By replacing the protrusions 23 of the first set with the protrusions 23' of the second set having the different shape and / or different dimensions, the farmer can change the extraction properties of the extraction body 22 in order to adapt the extraction body 22 to the ration to be supplied.

[0079] The extraction body 22, the protrusions 23 and the detachable fastening of the protrusions 23 to the extraction body 22 may be configured in various ways. In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the extraction body 22 comprises a circumferential wall 32 which is formed from flat plate parts 34, which run at an angle relative to one another such that the circumferential wall 32 has in cross-section the form of an octagon. Evidently, the cross-sectional form may be a different regular polygon, such as a hexagon or a decagon.

[0080] Fastening openings 33 for receiving the detachably fastenable protrusions 23 are provided in the flat plate parts 34 of the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22 (see Figure 4). The fastening openings 33 each comprise a fastening edge 35 which is detachably grippable by gripping means of the protrusions 23. In this exemplary embodiment, the fastening edge 35 runs on the underside of the fastening openings 33. The bottom fastening edge 35, viewed in the circumferential direction of the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22, has a stepped part 35a on either side thereof.

[0081] In this exemplary embodiment, the gripping means of the protrusions 23 have a receiving slot 36 on either side (see Figure 5A). In order to fasten a protrusion 23 shown in Figure 5A to the fastening opening 33, the receiving slots 36 are pushed over the stepped parts 35a of the fastening edge 35 of the fastening opening 33. The protrusion 23 is then detachably received in the fastening opening 33. The protrusion 23 is hooked onto the fastening opening 33 by means of the receiving slots 36 (see Figure 5B).

[0082] Then the protrusion 23 is blocked in the fastening opening 33 by means of a closing plate 40 (see Figure 5C). The closing plate 40 has an elongated hole 41. The closing plate 40 is placed such that a bottom closing edge 42 rests from above on the protrusion 23. The closing plate 40 is then in a first position. In the first position, the closing plate 40 is detachably fastened to the flat plate part 34 of the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22 by means of a bolt connection 37.

[0083] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the protrusion 23 is then enclosed between the bottom closing edge 42 of the closing plate 40 and the fastening edge 35 of the fastening opening 33. In other words, the protrusion 23 is reliably mounted on the extraction body 22. At the same time, the fastening opening 33 is sealed by the closing plate 40, i.e. feed cannot enter the interior of the extraction body 22 through the fastening opening 33.

[0084] In order to remove the protrusion 23 from the fastening opening 33, the bolt connection 37 is released and the closing plate 40 removed. It is then possible to take the protrusion 23 out of the fastening opening 33. If, after the protrusion 23 has been removed from the fastening opening 33, the closing plate 40 were refitted in the first position, a slit-like gap would remain open between the bottom closing edge 42 of the closing plate 40 and the fastening edge 35 of the fastening opening 33.

[0085] The closing plate 40 is however detachably fastenable to the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22 such that the fastening opening 33 without protrusion 23 is completely covered by the closing plate 40. After removal of the protrusion 23, because of the shape of the hole 41 , the closing plate 40 can be arranged in a second position on the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22, in which the closing edge 42 of the closing plate 40 runs adjacent to or slightly overlapping with the fastening edge 35 of the fastening opening 33 (see Figure 6). In the second position, as shown in Figure 6, the bolt connection 37 is situated higher relative to the hole 41 and the bottom closing edge 42 of the closing plate 40 has moved, i.e. downward, relative to the first position in order to seal the fastening opening 33 again for feed.

[0086] Therefore, the closing plates 40 have a double function. Firstly, the closing plates 40 are configured for detachably fastening the protrusions 23, i.e. after the protrusions 23 have been received in the fastening openings 33, the closing plates 40 are detachably connected to the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22 by means of bolt connections 37. The protrusions 23 are then enclosed or blocked by the closing plates 40. Thus the protrusions 23 are reliably fixed to the extraction body 22.

[0087] After the protrusions 23 have been taken away, the same closing plates 40 can again be detachably fastened to the circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22, in order to substantially completely cover the fastening openings 33 without protrusions. Sealing the fastening openings 33 without protrusions 23, in order to prevent feed from entering the extraction body 22, forms the second function of the closing plates 40.

[0088] The circumferential wall 32 of the extraction body 22 and the protrusions 23 are made from stainless steel (RVS). Stainless steel is particularly resistant to the aggressive action of feed, for example silage, for cattle, such as dairy cows or beef cattle. The use of stainless steel has a positive influence on the service life of the components.

[0089] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. The feed-dispensing device need not be autonomous, for example, but may also be configured so as to be towed by a tractor.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Feed-dispensing device for dispensing feed for animals, such as cattle, wherein the feed-dispensing device (9) comprises:- a holder (12) for receiving a batch of feed, which holder is provided with:• a side wall (15),• a dispensing opening (20) for dispensing from the holder feed present in the holder, which dispensing opening is arranged in the side wall,• a sliding door (21 ) which is displaceable by sliding upward from a closed state, in which the sliding door closes the dispensing opening, into an open state, in which the sliding door opens the dispensing opening over a dispensing height (h) in order to dispense from the holder feed present in the holder,- an extraction device for extracting from the holder feed present in the holder, which extraction device comprises:• an extraction body (22) which is arranged in a rotatably drivable manner outside the holder, substantially parallel with and in front of the dispensing opening, which extraction body is provided with a plurality of feed-gripping protrusions (23) which are distributed over the extraction body at least in a height direction, and wherein several, and in particular all, protrusions extend through the dispensing opening into the holder on rotation of the extraction body, and wherein the protrusions are distributed over the extraction body in a circumferential direction such that the extraction body has a rest state, in which all protrusions are situated outside the holder and the sliding door is displaceable downward from the open state into the closed state,• a positioning device (26) which is configured for positioning the extraction body in a rotation direction into the rest state by rotation of the extraction body, characterized in that the open state of the sliding door is settable such that the dispensing height ( / ?) is settable over a range between a minimum dispensing height (hmin) and a maximum dispensing height (hmax), and the protrusions of the extraction body are detachably fastenable at least over the settable range of the dispensing height (Zl / ?).

2. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 1 , wherein all protrusions (23) of the extraction body are detachably fastenable.

3. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusions of the extraction body form a first set of protrusions (23), and wherein a second set of protrusions (23’) is provided which have a different shape and / or different dimensions from the protrusions of the first set, and are detachably fastenable to the extraction body in replacement for the protrusions of the first set.

4. Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction body comprises a circumferential wall (32), which is provided with fastening openings (33) for receiving the detachably fastenable protrusions, and wherein the detachably fastenable protrusions comprise gripping means for detachably gripping on the fastening openings, and wherein the fastening openings with received protrusions are covered by closing plates (40) which are detachably fastened to the circumferential wall of the extraction body such that said protrusions are enclosed in the fastening openings, and wherein after release of the closing plates and after removal of the protrusions from said fastening openings, said closing plates are detachably fastenable to the circumferential wall of the extraction body such that said fastening openings are substantially covered by the closing plates.

5. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 4, wherein the fastening openings comprise a fastening edge (35), and wherein the gripping means of the protrusions comprise at least a receiving slot (36) which can slide over the fastening edge of the fastening openings in order for said protrusions to be received in the fastening openings.

6. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the closing plates are each detachably fastenable to the circumferential wall of the extraction body in a first position for fastening openings with received protrusions, in which the protrusions which are received in the fastening openings are blocked by a closing edge (42) of the closing plates, and a second position for fastening openings without protrusions, in which said closing edge of the closing plates is displaced relative to the first position so as to substantially completely cover the fastening opening.

7. Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction body comprises a circumferential wall which is formed from flat plate parts (34) which run at an angle relative to one another such that the circumferential wall has in cross-section the form of a regular polygon, in particular a hexagon, an octagon or a decagon, and wherein the detachably fastenable protrusions are fastenable to the flat plate parts.

8. Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims,wherein the extraction body is rotatably driveable by an electric extraction body motor (25), and wherein the positioning device is provided with a sensor (27) for measuring a rotational position of the extraction body (22) and for emitting a measured position signal, and the positioning device is furthermore provided with a control system (28) for controlling the extraction body motor on the basis of the position signal, in order to rotate the extraction body into the rest state and / or stop it in the rest state.

9. Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the extraction body and / or the protrusions are made from stainless steel (RVS).

10. Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the holder is provided with a mixing and / or cutting member (13) for mixing and / or cutting feed present in the holder, wherein the mixing and / or cutting member is arranged in the holder so as to be driveable and rotatable, preferably about a substantially vertical rotation axis (16), and wherein the extraction body and the mixing and / or cutting member are rotatably driveable in opposite directions.11 . Feed-dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the feed-dispensing device is configured as a vehicle for dispensing feed at a feed location for the animals, in particular along a feed fence (6) for the animals, wherein the vehicle is preferably autonomous.

12. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 11 , wherein the sliding door (21 ) is operable between the set open and closed states by an electric door motor (29) under control of a control system (28), and wherein the control system is configured for operating the sliding door such that when the vehicle moves in a travel direction (T) along the feed location in order to dispense feed, the sliding door is in the set open state and feed present in the holder is dispensed from the holder via the dispensing opening under the influence of the rotating extraction body.

13. Feed-dispensing device according to Claim 11 or 12, wherein the vehicle is provided with a feed-pushing device (18) which is configured for pushing residual feed which is present at the feed location, and feed which is dispensed through the dispensing opening, in a direction transverse to the travel direction (T) of the vehicle, in particular in order to form a heap of pushed feed along a feed fence.

14. Feeding system for feeding animals such as cattle, wherein the feeding system (1 ) comprises:- a feed fence (6), for example in a shed (2) with an accommodation space (3) for keeping animals, and- a feed alley (7) which extends along the feed fence, in particular on the side of thefeed fence lying opposite the accommodation space (3), wherein the feeding system comprises a feed-dispensing device (9) according to one or more of Claims 11 -13, and the vehicle is preferably configured for travelling autonomously through the feed alley and dispensing feed along the feed fence.

15. Method for adapting a feed-dispensing device (9) according to one or more of Claims 1 -13, in particular for installation and / or first commissioning of the feeddispensing device (9), wherein the sliding door is in the closed state, and wherein the extraction body is positioned in the rest state and is provided with the detachably fastenable protrusions at least over the settable range of the dispensing height (Zl / ?), and wherein the method comprises:- setting the open state of the sliding door such that the set dispensing height ( / ?) is smaller than the maximum dispensing height (hmax),- removing the detachably fastenable protrusions (23) above the set dispensing height ( / ?).

16. Method according to Claim 15, wherein the set dispensing height forms a first set dispensing height, and wherein the set open state of the sliding door is adapted such that the first set dispensing height is increased to a second set dispensing height, and wherein one or more of the removed protrusions (23) are detachably refastened to the extraction body (22) between the first and second dispensing heights.

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