AU2001100641B4 - Dual directional granular dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Australia Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Innovative Patent Dual Directional Granular Dispenser The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me; Page 1 Dual Directional Granular Dispenser This invention relates to improvements in devices for dispensing granulated products, such as plant grain used in animal feeding eg wheat, barley, processed grain pellets and derivates.

These products are used extensively for feeding animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs poultry.

To administer these feeds at a prescribed rate requires the accurate delivery of an amount to a specific point.

Previous devices use individual dispensing containers, which are manually or automatically activated to administer granular products, referred to as a ration.

These dispensers have the disadvantage that they require multiple drive systems to dispense each ration. This involves the cost of purchase, cost of installation and additional space required for each dispenser to do each separate ration.

These problems are overcome by the present invention, which utilises a single dispenser comprising of a container fitted with a single power source, and incorporates the use of Sprag clutch bearings to dispense two separate rations.

Granulated products are stored separately in the divided container .The ration is then conveyed, one at a time, towards the central lower discharge outlet. The power source is fitted to a single drive shaft that only conveys one side at a time, as a result of the Sprag clutch bearing mechanism.

To assist in understanding the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show one example of the invention.

In the drawings; Figure 1; Shows one example of a Dual Directional Granular Dispenser according to the invention.

Figure 2; Shows the application of such a, Dual Directional Granular Dispenser device to deliver a ration.

Figure 3; Gives information on the Sprag clutch bearing devices.

Page 2 Referring to Figure 1, This shows a container fabricated from a suitable material such as steel, plastic or fibreglass comprising of five openings or ends.

The top two openings allow entry of products. The left hand and right hand openings are for assembly of internal components and are fitted with removable end caps.

The lower discharge outlet allows for the exit of the products such as grains, pellets etc.

The Internal components are a metal drive shaft connected to a power source to give rotational driving action. This connection is via a transmission coupling The drive shaft passes through the centre of two spiral augers which are inside the container The spiral augers are a standard commercially manufactured component, fabricated from metal, which are used to convey products such as grains.

Fitted to one end of each opposing auger is a metal housing into which is fitted a Sprag clutch bearing. See Figure 3 for explanation.

The Sprag clutch bearing is also a standard commercially manufactured component, fabricated from steel.

The Clutch bearing (9,10) has the outer diameter locked to the housing the inner diameter of the clutch bearing (9,10) is locked to the drive shaft The principle of a clutch bearing (9,10) is to allow rotation in one direction only.

See Figure 3.

The two clutch bearings (9,10) are mounted in the container in opposing directions, as in facing the centre of the container The only connection between the drive shafts and the Spiral augers is through the clutch bearing unit with its inherent mechanism.

Page 3 Rotating shaft clockwise will turn the left-hand auger therefore conveying the product or ration to the central opening, at the same time, auger will remain stationary.

Rotating shaft anti-clockwise will turn the right hand auger and convey this product or ration to the central opening, at the same time auger will remain stationary.

The power source is/or can be controlled by an electric or electronic signal, which is activated for a specified period. This allows a controlled ration to be dispensed by the invention.

The container has a top section, which provides separated storage capacity for granular products. This is attached by welding or fastened to the lower dispensing section which is tubular in shape. The spiral augurs fit with a close tolerance inside the tubular steel section. Standard augers consist of a hollow pipe centre with a flat steel strip helically coiled around the pipe centre at a predetermined pitch. The housings are welded to each of one end of the spiral augers The tubular section of the container has end caps, fabricated from metal or plastic, screwed to it, therefore preventing the product or ration from discharging. The drive shaft passes through these end caps via a close tolerance hole to prevent leakage of product.

Figure 2 shows the dual Directional Granular Dispenser in operation. It can be seen that the two product delivery systems can fill the container When the invention is activated both of these rations can be discharged individually to a receivable unit located under the central opening.