WO1999021783A1

WO1999021783A1 - Adjustable unloader for regulating the amount of feed carried by a feed conveyor

Info

Publication number: WO1999021783A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/022840
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugene B. Pollock
Original assignee: The Gsi Group, Inc.
Priority date: 1997-10-29
Filing date: 1998-10-28
Publication date: 1999-05-06
Also published as: AU1203799A

Abstract

An unloader (1) of this invention receives a fluent material (e.g., animal fluent material) from a source (BFT) and delivers the fluent material into a conveyor (1) which is in fluent material receiving relation with the unloader. The unloader comprises an unloader body or housing (35) adapted to receive the fluent material from the source of the fluent material. The body has an inlet (53) and an outlet (55) for receiving a conveyor. The conveyor enters the unloader via the inlet, picks up the fluent material within the unloader, and conveys it therefrom via the conveyor outlet. A regulator tube (59) at least in part surrounds the conveyor as the latter passes through the unloader body. The regulator tube (59) has a regulator opening (61) therein. The regulating tube is rotatable with respect to the unloader body between a closed position (as shown in Fig. 5A) in which the regulator opening is closed block the flow of fluent material from within the unloader body through the regulatory opening to the conveyor and an open position (as shown in Figs. 5B and 5C) in which the regulator opening receives the fluent material from within the unloader body and permits the fluent material to be delivered to the conveyor.

Description

ADJUSTABLE UNLOADER FOR REGULATING THE AMOUNT OF FEED CARRIED BY A FEED CONVEYOR

Technical Field This invention relates to an unloader for unloading a flowable material, such as animal or poultry feed, from a bulk source of the feed into a conveyor in such manner that the amount of feed carried by the conveyor can be accurately regulated. Background Art In automated animal or poultry feeding systems, a flowable (fluent) feed mixture is typically delivered to the farm via trucks and is stored in a bulk feed tank or the like. On demand, a feed conveyor is actuated to unload feed from the bulk feed tank and to deliver it via an automated feed conveying system to a series of feeding stations (feeders) where it is dispensed for consumption by the animals or poultry. While this feed unloader will be hereinafter described in the environment of a poultry house, it will be understood that such unloaders may have application in any kind of feed conveying system and may, for example, be used in a swine feeding system or the like. It will also be understood that the unloader of this invention may also have application in the outlets of bulk feed tanks or the like so as to prevent over-filling of the feed conveyor with a consequent jamming of the feed conveyor due to excess feed being forced into the conveyor such that the power of the driving mechanism cannot effectively move the conveyor element within the feed conveyor tube, either on startup or during continuous operation. Reference here may be made to the co-assigned U. S. Patents 5,335,619,

5,513,597 and 5, 697,437which disclose feed intake cups for supplying feed from a bulk feed source to a feed conveyor in which overloading of the feed conveyor is prevented thus enabling an axially movable auger propelled around an endless loop within an endless loop conveyor tube without overloading the conveyor so as to jam the auger within the conveyor tube and to permit continuous operation of the conveyor without jamming of the conveyor. Reference should also be made to U. S. Patents 3,776,191 and 4,850,307 which, respectively, disclose a feed conveying system for the equalized distribution of feed to a number of trough type poultry feeders and an intake cup apparatus which prevents overfilling of an auger conveyor by forming voids within the intake cup body. While the feed intake cups of the above-noted co-assigned patents did overcome long-standing problems on feed conveyor systems in that they stripped excess feed from the conveyor auger thus positively prevented overloading of the auger with feed which in turn could cause jamming of the auger within the conveyor tube, particularly in conditions where the conveyor continues to operate for some time after all of the feeders in the conveyor line have been filled with feed. However, while such prior feed intake cups did effectively prevent such jamming of the conveyor auger within the conveyor tube, it was not possible to regulate the amount of feed carried by the auger. There has long been a need for a feed intake cup (also referred to as an unloader) in which the amount of feed carried by the conveyor can be regulated (i.e., fully closed or block, partially opened, or fully opened) so that the conveyor will carry only a desired amount of feed. This is particularly important where the feed conveyor is supplying feed to an open trough feeder or the like in which a constant depth of feed in the trough feeder is desired. Disclosure of Invention

Among the several objects and features of the present invention may be noted the provision of an unloader in which the amount of feed carried by a feed conveyor may be regulated between a minimum and a maximum amount such that the conveyor only carries a predetermined amount of feed; The provision of such an unloader which prevents undue compaction of the feed within the conveyor tube which could lead to jamming of the auger within the conveyor tube.

The provision of such an unloader which positively displaces excess feed carried by the conveyor element (auger) as the auger passes through the unloader; The provision of such an unloader which may be used in conjunction with two feed hoppers in line with the feed conveyor (for example, the feed discharge hoppers of two bulk feed tanks or two feed supply hoppers) so as to allow regulation of the flow of feed from each of the hoppers without overloading of the feed conveyor;

The provision of such an unloader which insures a continuous and uniform flow of feed to the conveyor and which prevents bridging or jamming of the feed within the unloader; and

The provision of such an unloader which is of simple and economical construction, which is easy to use, and which is reliable in operation.

Briefly stated, an unloader of the present invention receives a fluent material (e.g., animal fluent material) from a source (e.g., one or more bulk feed tanks or feed supply hoppers) and delivers the fluent material into a conveyor which is in fluent material receiving relation with the unloader. The unloader comprises an unloader body adapted to receive the fluent material from the source of the fluent material. The body has an inlet and an outlet for receiving a conveyor. The conveyor enters the unloader via the inlet, picks up the fluent material within the unloader, and conveys it therefrom via the conveyor outlet. A regulator tube at least in part surrounds the conveyor as the latter passes through the unloader body. The regulator tube has a regulator opening therein. The regulating tube is rotatable with respect to the unloader body between a closed position in which the regulator opening is closed block the flow of fluent material from within the unloader body through the regulator opening to the conveyor and an open position in which the regulator opening receives the fluent material from within the unloader body and permits the fluent material to be delivered to the conveyor.

Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a feed conveying system within a poultry house or the like for supplying feed from a bulk feed tank located outside of the poultry house (not shown in Fig. 1, but similar to the bulk feed tank shown in Fig. 4) to a multiplicity of poultry feeders (either trough feeders as shown in Fig. 3 or drop feeders as shown in U. S. Patent 5,462,017) spaced along a conveyor tube arranged in an endless loop in which a flexible auger (or other conveyor element) is axially driven within the conveyor tube to convey feed from an unloader of the present invention to a number of feeders supplied by the unloader;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of the feed conveying system shown in Fig. 1 taken along line 2 - 2 of Fig. 1 showing a drive motor for axially driving the flexible auger around the endless loop of the feed conveyor, and hopper downstream from the drive for allowing feed to be loaded into the conveyor with the hopper having a feed regulator of the present invention incorporated therein for regulating the amount of feed fed into the conveyor tube so as to prevent overloading of the conveyor and to prevent jamming of the conveyor, and portions of trough poultry feeders upstream and downstream from the drive and hopper;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the portion of the conveyor system shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a poultry house having a bulk feed tank located on the outside of the house for supplying poultry feed therefrom so as to supply the feed via an overhead supply conveyor system to one or more of the hoppers shown in Figs. 2 and 3:

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross section on an enlarged scale of a portion of the unloader or regulatory of the present invention taken along line 5 - 5 of Fig. 2 showing the regulator or unloader of the present invention; Figs. 6A - 6C are cross sectional views taken along line 6 - 6 of Fig. 5 illustrating an operating member coupled to the above-noted regulator member for adjusting the amount of feed discharged from the unloader hopper into the auger conveyor therebelow;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross section of an unloader of the present invention similar to Fig. 5 illustrating that the feed conveyor is a chain-type conveyor which is driven axially through the feeder; Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross section similar to Fig. 5 of a somewhat different embodiment of the unloader of this invention in which the regulating tube may be adjusted in any desired position between its closed and its fully open positions; Figs. 9A - 9C are end views similar to Figs. 6A - 6C of the unloader shown in Fig. 8 illustrating the infinite adjustment of the regulating tube of the unloader in its fully closed position (Fig. 9A), in and intermediate position (Fig. 9B), and in a fully open position (Fig. 9C);

Figs. 10A - IOC illustrate the infinite feed regulator or unloader of Figs. 7 - 9 in its fully open position and with the corresponding feed level an open trough feeder (as shown in Fig. 10A), in an intermediate position with the corresponding feed level in an open trough feeder (see Fig. 10B), and with the feed adjustment in a nearly closed position with a corresponding minimal feed level in a trough feeder (Fig. IOC); Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the unloader of the present invention having the infinite feed adjustment shown in Figs. 6, and 8 - 10 having an agitator driven by movement of the auger conveyor differing in shape from the agitator shown in Figs. 2 and 5;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the unloader shown in Fig. 11 showing a lower portion of the agitator in driven engagement with the flights of the auger conveyor with a portion of the agitator rod in a lower position between adjacent flights of the auger and being cammingly engaged by the auger flights;

Figs. 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of the unloader of Fig. 12 showing the range of movement of the agitator when the latter is driven by the moving auger with the agitator breaking up feed above the unloader so as to insure a uniform flow of feed to the unloader;

Figs. 14A - 14C illustrate another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention in which the unloader opening is opened and closed by an axially movable tube rather than by a rotatably movable tube as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 8 - 13; Fig. 15 is an end cross sectional view of another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention in which the flow of feed from the unloader into the conveyor is regulated by means of a slide plate adjustably movable along a slope sheet within the unloader so as to open and close the flow of feed into the conveyor, with the slide plate being adjustable for the exterior of the unloader;

Fig. 16 is a side elevational view of the unloader shown in Fig. 15 illustrating the movement of the slide plate from the exterior of the unloader;

Fig. 17 is an end elevational view of still another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention in which the flow of feed from the unloader into the conveyor is regulated by means of an axially adjustable tube movable in axial direction with respect to the unloader tube so as to permit the opening to the conveyor to be selectively open or closed and to thereby regulate the flow of feed from the unloader body into the conveyor; Fig. 18 is a side elevational cross sectional view of the unloader of Fig.

17 illustrating an adjustment rod extending axially through one end of the unloader for effecting axial movement of the regulating tube relative to the feed inlet into the feed conveyor;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal cross sectional view of another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention which has a main or outer tube within which is located an regulator tube movable axially within the outer tube between a closed or off position and a fully open position;

Figs. 20A - 20C illustrate the embodiment of Fig. 19 in its fully closed or off position, an intermediate position, and its fully open position, respectively, so as to control the flow of feed from the unloader hopper into the feed conveyor;

Fig. 21 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 21 - 21 of Fig.

19 illustrating the relationship of the feed conveyor auger, the inner regulator tube, and the outer tube and further illustrating how the agitator is in driven engagement with the auger by means of a slot provided in the main or outer tube; Fig. 22 is a top plan view of the outer or main tube as shown in Fig. 19 having an elongate slot therein through which an adjustment rod coupled to the inner or regulator tube may pass so as to allow axial adjustment of the inner tube with respect to the main tube; Fig. 23 is a top plan view of the inner or regulator tube;

Fig. 24 is a top plan view of a somewhat different embodiment of the inner or regulator tube shown in Fig. 23 which is preferably used to regulate the flow of fluent material from two hoppers installed in line with one another on a conveyor, as illustrated in Fig. 26; Fig. 25 is a top plan view of a somewhat different embodiment of the outer tube as shown in Fig. 22; and

Fig. 26 is a side elevational view of two hoppers installed on a feed conveyor in line with one another for supplying feed from a source to the feed conveyor with the feed conveyor at each of the hoppers being provided with an unloader or feed supply regulator of the present invention so as to regulate the flow of feed from the supply hoppers to the feed conveyor

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several view of the drawings. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 a feed conveyor is indicated in its entirety by reference character 1. This feed conveyor is shown to have a conveyor tube 3 arranged in an endless loop within a poultry house H (see Fig. 4) in which a flock of birds (chickens) is housed. The conveyor has a plurality of feeders F spaced at intervals along the length of conveyor 1. As shown in Figs. 1 - 3, feeders F are open trough feeders which may be used to feed chickens housed in cages in an egg laying operation or the like. An endless auger A (as shown best in Fig. 5) is disposed within conveyor tube 3. Auger A is a co-called "centerless" auger in that it has no center shaft. The auger is similar to a stretched coil spring and has a plurality of substantially equally spaced auger helical flights AF. As shown in Fig. 5, auger flights AF are of substantially rectangular cross section and are spaced from one another at regular intervals referred to as pitch P. Within the broader aspects of this invention, augers of any diameter and pitch may be used. Still further, conveyors of different construction (e.g., chain conveyors, as illustrated in Fig. 7) may be used with the regulator of this invention. Auger A is axially driven or propelled around the endless loop of feed conveyor 1 by one or more auger drives, as generally indicated at 5. This drive may be a rotary driven gear in mesh with the flights of the auger, as described in U. S. Patent 4,460,230 or by a drive such as described in the co-assigned U. S. Patent Application No. 08/708,408 filed September 5, 1996, herein incorporated by reference. As will be described in greater detail, feed is supplied to hoppers 7 from one or more bulk feed tanks BFT (see Fig. 4) located outside poultry house H. Feed from hopper 7 is delivered to an unloader 9 of the present invention from overhead drop tubes (as shown in Fig. 2) and the feed from within the hopper is supplied to unloader 9 of the present invention which in turn unloads the feed into the feed conveyor which passes through the unloader so as to insure that the feed conveyor carries a predetermined amount of feed for delivery to a plurality of feeders F located downstream from unloader 9, as will be described in detail hereinafter. It will be understood that hundreds of feeders F may be coupled to feed conveyor 1 and that the endless loop of feed conveyor 1 may be more that 400 feet (120 meters).

Bulk feed tank BFT has hopper 10 which leads downwardly to a boot 11 at its lower end which receives the feed from within the tank. An unloading conveyor 13 conveys feed from the bulk feed tank by means of a rotary driven centerless auger 15. The rotary auger 15 is disposed within an auger tube 17 and is rotatably driven by a drive motor 19. The rotary auger 15 thus serves as a screw conveyor and conveys feed from the bulk feed tank and up the inclined feed conveyor tube to drop tubes 21 located within poultry house H. As the feed encounters a drop tube 21, the feed from conveyor 13 drops downwardly and is received in a hopper 7 for supplying unloader 9 of the present invention with feed. It will be understood that any conventional feed conveying systems (including gravity flow systems) may be used in place of auger 15 to convey feed (or other fluent material) from the bulk supply to the unloader 9 of the present invention.

As noted, the feed conveyor 1, as shown in Fig. 1, is preferably an axial conveyor in which the auger A is propelled axially within its conveyor tube 3 around the endless loop. In this manner, the auger A picks up feed from unloader 9 and drags it axially through the conveyor tube 3. As the feed conveyed by the auger enters a trough feeder F, the feed will form a level within the trough (as shown in Figs. 10A - IOC). It will be appreciated that as feed builds to a level within the open trough feeder F, the axially propelled conveyor auger A will convey feed from the first trough feeder and re-enter the feed into a length of conveyor tube 3 connected to another trough feeder in line with the conveyor and will continue in this manner until all of the trough feeders F are filled to a desired level and until feed is returned around the loop to unloader 9 which removes excess feed and which refills the conveyor auger A to a desired level which in turn fills the trough feeder to a desired level. While the unloader 9 of the present invention is particularly well suited for use with trough feeders F, it is also suited for use with drop feeders, such as shown in the co-assigned U. S. Patent 5,462,017.

In accordance with this invention, if the feed carried by the returning auger flights AF is overly full (i.e., if excess feed is carried on the outside of the auger as it re-enters the unloader 9), such excess feed will be stripped from the auger (in a manner as will hereinafter be described) and fresh feed will be added (if there is sufficient space within the auger flights). However, the total amount of feed carried by the auger exiting unloader 9 is limited to an amount less than will fill conveyor tube 3 thereby to insure that the amount of feed carried by the auger does not exceed a predetermined amount of feed.

More specifically, unloader 9 of the present invention limits the amount of feed to a quantity less than will fully fill the interior or conveyor tube 3 thus insuring that a partial void, as indicated at VI, V2, or V3 in Figs. 6A, 6B, 6C, respectively, is formed within conveyor tube 3. As described in the co-assigned U. S. Patent 5,513,597 (which is herein incorporated by reference), by insuring that a partial void is formed within the conveyor tube, jamming of the auger within the conveyor tube, as may be caused by compacting excess feed within the conveyor tube, is prevented thus insuring that the feed conveyor may be operated continuously even after all of the feeders F have been filled with feed. Even when operation of the conveyor fully filled with feed is stopped, the conveyor may be readily re-started.

As described above, and as will be primarily referred to in the remainder of this disclosure, the preferred feed conveyor 1 is the above described auger A which is axially propelled around the endless loop of conveyor tube 3, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the unloader 9 of the present invention may be used with other types of conveyors to regulate the amount of feed dispensed into these other conveyors. For example, unloader 9 may be used with a so-called rotary auger conveyor 23, as shown in Fig. 3. Rotary auger conveyor 23 comprises a rotary auger 25 housed within a conveyor tube 27. The auger is rotatably driven by a drive motor 29 at one end of the conveyor tube. In this manner, auger 25 is rotated within conveyor tube 27 and serves as a screw conveyor to screw convey feed axially within the conveyor tube. A series of poultry feeders F is carried by conveyor tube 27 and these feeders are supplied with feed from unloader 9 and by conveyor 23. It will be understood that feeders F are also installed on the endless loop feed conveyor tube 3, as shown in Fig. 1. For example, such feeders may be those shown in the co-assigned U. S. Patent 5,311,839. Feed is supplied to a hopper 33 (similar to hopper 7) from a bulk feed tank BFT or the like by means of the conveying system, as illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be noted that the rotary auger 25 does not move axially with respect to its conveyor tube 23. While such rotary auger conveyors do not move their auger in an endless loop and return excess feed to the unloader (as previously described in regard to the endless loop conveyor as shown in Fig. 1), unloader 9 of the present invention may nevertheless be used in conjunction with such rotary auger conveyors so as to regulate the amount of feed dispensed to the rotary auger conveyor feeder while it is in operation. Referring now to Fig. 5, the unloader 9 of the present invention comprises an unloader housing as generally indicated at 35 having end walls 37a, 37b which are generally perpendicular to the direction of travel of conveyor auger A through the unloader. Housing 35 further has a pair of spaced side walls 39 joining the end walls with the side walls sloping inwardly and downwardly toward the conveyor auger within the housing. Flanges 41 are provided on the upper ends of the end walls and the side walls so that the housing 35 may be secured (bolted) to the bottom of hopper 7. In this manner, housing 35 may receive feed from its hopper 7 thereabove. As indicated at 43, a slope sheet angling downwardly from trailing end wall 37b is provided within housing 35 so as to divide the interior of the housing into a feed receiving chamber 45 and an overflow chamber 47. Feed receiving chamber 45 receives feed from hopper 9 and directs this feed downwardly for unloading of the feed into the spaces between the flights AF of auger A as the latter is axially propelled through the unloader housing 35. Housing 35 further includes an inner end wall 49 which separates end wall 37a from feed receiving chamber 45 and for creating a space 51 between end wall 37a and inner end wall 49 for purposes as will appear. As indicated at 53, an auger inlet is provided in end wall 37b and an auger outlet 55 is provided in end wall 37a. Auger A thus enters unloader housing 37 via the auger inlet 53 passes through the housing, and exits the housing via the auger outlet 55 from whence it re-enters conveyor tube 3 which is sealably joined (coupled) to the end of an outlet 56. An inlet tube 57 is provided on wall 37b and forms part on inlet 53. Inlet tube 57 is coupled to conveyor tube 3 and thus axially receives auger A. An outlet tube 58 is in line with outlet 57. This outlet tube receives auger A as it exits the unloader and the outlet tube is connected to conveyor tube 3 such that the auger re-enters the conveyor tube 3 downstream from unloader 9.

Unloader 9 further has a regulator member or tube 59 located within housing 35. As shown in Fig. 4, auger A passes through this regulating tube for purposes as will appear. Regulating tube 59 is rotatably mounted within housing 35 for rotation about its longitudinal axis which is generally coaxial with the longitudinal axis of auger A. A stop S is secured to the inside face of outlet tube 57 proximate the downstream end of tube 59 such that the end of tube 59 engages the stop and thus the stop prevents movement of the regulating tube with the axially movable conveyor auger. Regulating tube 59 has a regulating opening 61 therein. When this regulating opening 61 is in communication with feed in feed receiving chamber 45, the feed from within chamber 45 is free to flow through opening 61 and to be loaded into the spaces between auger flights AF as auger A is axially moved through the regulating tube. More specifically, regulating tube 59 is rotatably movable between a closed position (as shown in Fig. 5 A, in which opening 61 is out of register with feed receiving chamber 45) thereby to block the flow of feed from within chamber 45 to auger A as the latter moves axially through the regulating tube, to one of a plurality of intermediate positions (as shown in Fig. 6B) in which a part of opening 61 is in register with chamber 45 thereby to permit a restricted (or regulated) amount of feed to flow from chamber 45 into auger A as it passes through the regulating tube, to a fully open position (as shown in Fig. 5C) in which a maximum amount of feed from within chamber 45 is permitted to flow into the auger as the latter passes through the regulating tube. As shown, regulating opening 61 in regulating tube 59 is of an irregular shape (i.e., nearly trapezoidal) having a lower edge 63, a leading end 65 facing toward inlet 53, a trailing end 67 toward outlet 55, and a tapered upper wall 69 opening upwardly from the leading to the tailing end of the opening. An upper horizontal edge 71 joins the upper end of tapered edge 69 and trailing edge 67. As shown in Figs. 6A - 6C, a curved stationary plate 73 cradles and supports regulating tube 59 within housing 35. This stationary plate 73 has an upper edge 75 which cooperates with opening 61 in tube 59 to form a progressively larger or smaller opening through which feed from within chamber 45 may flow for being unloaded into auger A. Alternatively, when regulating tube 59 is in its fully closed position (Fig. 5A), all flow of feed from within chamber 45 to auger A is blocked. While opening 61 was described above as being or irregular (nearly trapezoidal) in shape, it will be understood that openings of other shape (e.g., rectangular or even circular) in regulating tube 59 are contemplated within the broader aspects of this invention.

With the regulating tube 59 positioned in its closed position (as shown in Fig. 6A), opening 61 faces generally downwardly and the wall of tube 59 blocks the flow of feed from chamber 45 to the auger within the regulating tube. As shown in Fig. 6A, another slope sheet as hereinafter described and as hereinafter indicated by reference character 103, prevents feed from chamber 45 from flowing over the top of regulator tube 59 and entering opening 61 when the opening is rotated past the lower edge of the slope sheet 103 which is substantially slidably sealed with respect to the upper surface of the regulator tube 59.

As the regulating tube 59 is rotated in counterclockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 6B), the upper horizontal edge 71 of opening 61 is will rotate upwardly above edge 75 of stationary plate 73 thus creating an opening, as defined by edge 75 of the stationary plate and by edge 71 and the upper portions of edges 67 and 69 of opening 61 in regulating tube 59, through which feed from within chamber 45 is dispensed into auger A. Upon continued counterclockwise rotation of the regulating tube, progressively more of opening 61 will be exposed to the feed in chamber in 45 thus allowing progressively more feed to flow from chamber 45 into regulating tube 59 to be picked up and conveyed by auger A.

An operating arm or member 77 is affixed to regulating tube 59 and extends radially therefrom within space 51 between end wall 37a and inner end plate 49. As shown in Figs. 6A - 6C, an arcuate slot 79 is provided in end wall 37a. A tab 81 extends axially from operating arm 77 and is received within slot 79. As indicated at 83, a plurality of radially extending spaced slots are provided in end wall 37a thus defining a plurality of fixed adjustment positions for receiving tab 81 thereby to fix or lock regulating tube 59 in either its closed position (as shown in Fig. 6A), its fully open position (as shown Fig. 5C), or in any one of a number on intermediate positions (as shown in Fig. 6B). It will be understood that regulating tube 59 is loosely received within unloader housing 35 and is held in its desired position by being cradled on stationary member 73. The regulating tube may be shifted axially with respect to housing 35 a short distance (e.g., less than an inch) by manually grasping tab 81 and pushing tab 81 inwardly toward wall 37a. This will allow a shoulder 85 on tab 81 to move axially into space 51 such that the shoulder 85 is clear of the slots 83 in end wall 37a thereby enabling rotation of regulating tube relative to housing 35 between its above stated open and closed positions (or to any intermediate partially open position). With the regulating tube positioned in a desired rotary position with respect to housing 35 thus exposing a desired amount of regulating opening 61, regulating tube may be shifted axially relative to housing 35 such that shoulder 85 enters a selected slot 81 thus fixing the regulating tube in a desired rotary position with respect to housing 35 and thus exposing a predetermined amount of progressive regulating opening 61 to feed within feed chamber 45 of unloader housing 35. In order to secure operating arm 77 in one of its desired rotary positions, with shoulder 85 received in a selected slot 83, a washer 87 having an elongate slot 89 therein is installed on tab 81 and a keeper pin (not shown) is installed through a hole 91 in tab 81 thereby to prevent washer 87 from becoming dislodged from tab 81. As shown in Fig. 5, an agitator, as generally indicated at 93, is mounted within housing 35 for being driven by movement of auger A to agitate the feed within chamber 45 above regulating opening 61 in regulating tube 59 thereby to insure the free flow of feed from hopper 7 into the upper end of housing 35 and to further insure the free flow of feed to auger A via regulator opening 61. Specifically, agitator 93 is shown to be a one-piece bent rod having a horizontal portion 95 extending generally parallel to auger A and being rotatably mounted to side sheet 39 by means of clips 97. Agitator 93 further has a drive section 99 which extends radially inwardly above auger A within overflow chamber 47. This drive section 99 is engageable by the upper surfaces of auger flights AF as the auger moves axially into housing 35 via inlet 53. Since agitator is freely journalled by clips 97, it is gravity biased such that drive section is contacted by each auger flight as the auger flights move past the drive section thus causing the drive section to move upwardly relative to the auger. This upward movement of the drive section causes the horizontal section of the agitator to rotate within clips 97. As indicated at 101, an upwardly extending agitator arm is thus caused to rotate back and forth in an arc toward and away from opposite side walls 39. It will be understood that arm 101 is surrounded be feed flowing from hopper 7 to outlet opening 61 in regulator tube 59 within chamber 45 and thus continuously loosens the feed and insures that it flows freely. In the event the feed would tend to bridge or otherwise jam within chamber 45, such bridging feed is positively broken up by arm 101.

As shown in Fig. 5, slope sheet 43 not only separates overflow chamber 47 and main chamber 45, but slope sheet 43 directs the flow of feed within chamber 45 forwardly toward regulator opening 61 in regulator tube 59. As shown in Figs. 6 A - 6C, another slope sheet, as indicated at 103, is provided within chamber 45 for directing the flow of feed within chamber 45 to the side of the regulating tube having regulating opening 61 therein when the opening is fully open. More specifically, slope sheet 103 is affixed to the flange 41 on the upper edge of the left-hand side sheet (as shown in Figs. 6A - 6C) and it substantially sealingly engages the upper surface of regulator tube 59 generally along the vertical centerplane of the regulating tube thereby to prevent the flow of feed from within chamber 45 to the side of the regulating tube opposite opening 61. It will be appreciated that feed on the side of regulating tube opposite opening 61 will not be able to enter auger A and by blocking feed from the backside of regulating tube 59. As shown in Fig. 5, auger A has an outer diameter Di.. For example, the outer diameter of auger A may be about 1.438 inches (3.65 cm.). The end of conveyor tube 3 which is coupled to inlet tube 57 has an enlarged bell end which fits over the outside of inlet tube 57. In this manner, conveyor tube 3 and inlet tube 57 may have substantially the same inner diameter D₂. For example, this inner diameter D₂ may be about 1.68 inches (4.26 cm.). Regulator tube 59 may, in this example, have an inner diameter D₃ only slightly larger than the outside diameter Di of auger A so that if auger A carries any excess feed on the exterior of the auger (i.e., out beyond outer diameter Di), such excess feed will be stripped from the outside of the auger as it enters the inlet end of the regulating tube. Such excess feed stripped from the auger is thus allowed to accumulate within overflow chamber 47 within housing 35. It will be appreciated that with some excess feed accumulated within overflow chamber 45, in the event a portion of the auger enters housing 35 which is not fully filled with feed, such excess feed within the overflow chamber will fully fill the auger. For example, the inside diameter D₃ of regulating tube may be about 1.51 inches (3.83 cm.). As noted above, the inside diameter Di. of conveyor tube 3 is about 1.68 inches (4.27 cm.). Of course, as more feed is loaded into the space between auger flights AF as the auger passes by regulating opening 61, the inner diameter D₃ of regulator tube 59 limit the quantity of feed conveyed by the auger to an amount less than will fill conveyor tube 3 downstream from unloader 9. As described in the above-noted co-assigned U. S. Patent 5,513,597 that by insuring that the inner diameter of the regulating tube to be less than in inner diameter Di of the conveyor tube 3 insures that the conveyor tube will not be overfilled with feed which can lead to jamming of the auger within the conveyor tube. Specifically, as the feed carried by auger A enters conveyor tube 3 downstream from unloader 9, the larger diameter of the conveyor tube will result in the formation of a partial void within the conveyor tube which in turn prevents overfilling of the conveyor tube. Thus, once all of the feeders F supplied feed by feed conveyor 1 (as shown in Fig. 1) have become filled with feed such that no more feed is dispensed to the feeders on each pass of the auger, the auger will return to the inlet end on unloader 9 substantially with its full amount of feed. By stripping excess feed from the auger and my limiting the amount of feed to a quantity less than will fill completely fill conveyor tube downstream from the unloader, the conveyor system 1 may be operated for a considerable period (continuously) after all of the feeders have been fully filled with feed without causing jamming of the auger within conveyor tube 3, as may be caused by overfilling the conveyor tube and compacting the feed therein. As shown in the above drawings and as above described, the unloader of the present invention has been described primarily in conjunction with a poultry feeding system. It will be understood, however, that the unloader of this invention may be readily used with automated feeding systems for swine, or in conveying any other type of fluent material (i.e., a dry, flowable material) through a conveyor in which it is desired to regulate the amount of feed carried by the conveyor. Those skilled in the art with also recognize that which the conveyor described herein was an auger type conveyor, other types of conveyors including chain conveyors, cable conveyors and the like may also be used with unloader 9 of the present invention.

As described above, regulating member 59 is shown to be a tube which is rotatable with respect to the unloader body or housing to selectively open or close regulating opening 61. However, within the broader scope of this invention, it will be understood that the regulating member may be a slide gate positioned with respect to opening 61 to move axially thereto to open and close the opening. Alternatively, the regulating member could be a slide gate disposed to move radially with respect to the regulating opening to open and close the latter. The advantage of having a slide gate that moves radially relative to the opening is that the manner in which the opening is opened or closed is similar to that described above when regulating tube 59 is rotated relative to the auger. In contrast, if a slide gate is moved axially with respect to the opening, the opening is opened from front to rear of the opening and the auger may not sufficiently fill with feed when the opening is only partially opened. However, this will depend on the diameter of the auger and the axial speed at which the auger is driven through the conveyor tube.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the unloader shown therein is similar in construction and operation to the unloader 9 described above. The primary differences between the unloader shown in Fig. 7 and the unloader 9 shown in Figs. 1 - 5 are that the feed conveyor in the feeder of Fig. 7 is a chain conveyor, as generally indicated at 101, instead of an flexible auger A, as shown in Figs. 1 - 5. Further, the unloader of Fig. 7 differs in that it has a control opening 61' of rectangular shape rather than the generally trapezoidal shape as shown in Fig. 5. Referring now to chain conveyor 101, this is shown to comprise a plurality of links CL joined together in a typical chain construction. Alternating links have a molded-in-place conveying disk 105 thereon with the diameter of these disks being as indicated by diameter Dj_.. The axial spacing between disks 103 is referred to as the pitch P' of the conveyor chain. The diameter Di of disk 101 may, for example, be the same as the diameter Di described above for auger flights AF. The diameters D and D₃ of the intake tube 57 and the regulating tube 59 are similar to the diameters D₂ and D₃ described above in regard to the embodiment of the unloader shown in Figs. 1 - 6.

Referring now to Figs. 8 - 11, a variation of the unloader of this invention is indicated 9'. In essence, the unloader 9' is similar to unloader 9 shown in Fig. 5 except for the manner in which regulating tube 59 is adjusted between its open position and its closed position. Similar reference characters are used in Figs. 8 - 11 to indicate parts having a similar construction and operation and a description of these parts will not be presented in regard to the unloader 9' shown in Figs. 8 - 11. Parts having a similar function, but a somewhat different construction are "primed" and a detailed description of these "primed" components will not be herein described in detail. The primary difference between unloader 9 and unloader 9' is the construction and operation of the adjustment of regulating tube 59. As described above in regard to unloader 9, regulating tube 59 is rotated about its centerline axis between a fully closed position (as shown in Fig. 6A), to a plurality of fixed intermediate positions (as determined by the location of notches 83 along arcuate slot 79 in end sheet 37a, one intermediate position being shown in Fig. 6B), to a fully closed positions (as shown in Fig. 6C). As noted, this arrangement in unloader 9 establishes of plurality of fixed or discrete intermediate positions of the regulating tube between its open and closed positions. As shown in Figs. 6A - 6C, ten such intermediate positions are shown, as established by the position of notches 83. With unloader 9', the fixed adjustment mechanism of unloader 9 is replaced with an infinitely variable adjustment mechanism, as shown in Figs. 8 - 11, in which the arcuate slot 79' does not have notches 83 therealong. Instead, arm 77' cantilevered from regulating tube 59 carries a threaded stud 201 which extends outwardly through slow 79'. A wingnut 203 is threaded on stud 201 so as to grip the sheet metal defining the edges of slot 79' arm 77' and a suitable washer 205 carried on the stud so as to clamp the surrounding sheet metal therebetween thereby to hold the arm in any desired adjusted position along the length of arcuate slot 77'. In this manner, regulating tube may be adjusted to any position along the arcuate slot and the adjustment need not correspond to the position of notches 83. The above-described construction of the regulating tube adjustment may be preferred over the adjustment shown in Figs. 6A - 6C because with prior described adjustment, it was necessary to shift regulating tube 59 in axial direction so as to move a portion of tab 81 clear of the notches 83 thereby to permit the arm to rotate relative to the arcuate slot. With the adjustment shown in Figs. 8 and 9A - 9C, it is not necessary to axially shift the regulating tube before adjusting the regulating tube to control the flow of feed.

Turning now to Figs. 12 and 13, another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention is indicated by reference character 301. Unless otherwise noted, the construction of unloader 301 is similar to the other embodiments of the unloader heretofore described. Specifically, it will be noted that agitator 93' is of a generally similar shape to agitator 93 shown in Fig. 5 except that the vertical reach 101' of agitator 93' extends upwardly into the feed a considerable distance above the unloader so as to better insure that feed blockages above the unloader will be mechanically broken up thereby to better facilitate the flow of feed to the unloader. It will also be noted that the agitator 93' is secured to the unloader wall by means of U-bolts 97' instead of sheet metal clips 97. As shown in Fig. 12, agitator drive section 99' extends downwardly within the auger between adjacent auger flights and the leading end of the drive section 99' is cammingly engaged by each auger flight AF as the auger moves axially through the unloader. This, in turn, causes the drive section 99' to be forcefully driven upwardly from the position shown in Figs. 12 and 13B to the raised position shown in Fig. 13 A. In turn, this oscillatory movement of the drive section 99 causes agitator section 101 ' to oscillate between the positions shown in Figs. 13 A and 13B thereby to break up bridging feed above the unloader.

In Figs. 14A - 14C, still another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention is indicated in its entirety at 401. For the sake of brevity, it is assumed that unloader 401 has the same construction and operation of the other embodiments of the unloader of this invention heretofore described unless otherwise herein noted. It will be noted that the opening to the feed conveyor from the unloader body is controlled by a regulating tube 403 mounted on the exterior of a stationary tube 405 with the regulating tube 403 being axially movable relative to the stationary tube 405 between an open position (as shown in Fig. 14A) to an intermediate position (as shown in Fig. 14B), to a fully closed position (as shown in Fig. 14C) thereby to regulate the flow of feed from the unloader body into the feed conveyor by moving a regulating opening 407 in the axially movable tube 403 relative to a corresponding stationary opening 409 in stationary tube 405. An actuating rod 411 is connected to axially movable regulating tube 403 with the actuating rod extending axially through an end wall 413 of the unloader such that a user may manually grasp the rod and effect axial movement of the regulating tube relative to the stationary tube 405 thereby to effect adjustment of the regulating opening between its open and closed position. The actuating rod 411 is provided with a threaded end which allows the actuating rod to be threadably locked in a desired adjusted position thereby to prevent movement of the regulating tube from a desired adjusted position.

Still another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention, as generally indicated at 501, is illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16. Unless otherwise noted, the construction and operation of unloader 501 is similar to the construction and operation of the other embodiments of the unloader heretofore described. In unloader 501, the flow of feed from within the unloader body to the conveyor is regulated by means of an plate 503 movable along a slope sheet 505 to open or close the flow of feed downwardly within the unloader body to the conveyor opening 63 within tube 57. Plate 503 may be selectively secured to slope sheet 505 by means of a clamping bolt or the like 507 carried by plate 503 which extends exteriorily of the unloader. A nut on the exterior of the unloader may be loosened thus allowing the operator to slide plate 503 up or down on slope sheet 505 so as to selectively open or close the flow of feed into opening 63. Specifically, it will be noted that sheet 503 is movable in a planar direction (i.e., in the plane of slope sheet 505) direction to open or to block the flow of feed from within said unloader to said regulator opening 63 in a plane generally toward or away from said regulator tube.

As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, still another embodiment, as indicated at 601, of the unloader of the present invention is shown. Unloader 601 has a regulating sheet 603 slidably mounted on a slope sheet 605 with the regulating sheet 603 being axially slidable on slope sheet 605 to open or close opening 63 in tube 57. As shown, a control rod 607 extends axially through one end of the unloader and this control rod is secured to regulating sheet 603. The regulating sheet 603 has a bolt 607 secured thereto which extends through slope sheet 605 and carries a nut 609 on the outside of the unloader body such that when the nut is tightened, the regulating sheet is clamped (secured) to the slope sheet in a desired adjusted position with a desired amount of the regulating opening 63 uncovered. Of course, with the nut loosened, an operator may readily move the regulating tube in axial direction by grasping the control rod 611 and sliding regulating sheet 603 on slope sheet 605. When the regulating sheet is in its new adjusted position, the nut may be re-tightened thus locking the regulating sheet in its newly adjusted position. Like in unloader 501, it will be noted that sheet 603 is movable in a planar direction (i.e., in the plane of slope sheet 605) direction to open or to block the flow of feed from within said unloader to said regulator opening 63 in a plane generally toward or away from said regulator tube.

It will be understood that as sheet 603 is moved axially to the position shown in Fig. 18, a slot (not shown) may be provided that will accommodate agitator bar 93. While the regulator and unloader of the present invention has been herein shown installed on a closed loop conveyor system in which an endless conveyor, it will be understood that the unloader of this invention is also operable on rotary auger conveyors. It is preferred that the unloaders of the present invention be constructed of suitable galvanized sheet metal in accordance with convention sheet metal fabrication methods and techniques. However, within the broader scope of this invention, the unloaders may be constructed of other materials, depending on the application. It will be understood that the rotary tube 59, as shown in Fig. 5, the axially movable tube 403 shown in Figs 14A - 14C, the slidable plate 503 shown in Figs. 15 and 16, and the axially slidable plate 605 shown in Figs. 17 and 18 constitute means for selectively opening and closing their respective regulator opening thereby to selectively open communication between said fluent material in the unloader body and the conveyor and to block the flow of said fluent material from within the unloader body through the regulator opening to the conveyor so that a predetermined amount of feed (i.e., fluent material) is conveyed by the conveyor within the conveyor downstream from the unloader. Referring now to Figs. 19 - 23, still another embodiment of the unloader of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the regulator tube 705 is movable axially within the outer tube 703 between a closed position (as shown in Fig. 20A) and a fully open position (as shown in Fig. 20C). As shown, inlet openings 707 are provided in both sides of the regulator tube. Part numbers having a similar construction or function as parts heretofore described are indicated by reference characters 701 - 711 and the unloader operates in a similar fashion.

Referring now to Figs. 24 - 26, still another embodiment of the regulator of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is particularly well suited to regulating the flow of a fluent material such as poultry feed from two hoppers 7 installed in line with one another on a single conveyor 3 for supplying the fluent material to the conveyor in such manner as to regulate the amount (rate) of flow of the material into the conveyor so as fill the conveyor tube with a desired quantity of the material but to prevent overfilling (with possible consequent jamming of the conveyor). As shown in Fig. 26, one of the regulators 401a, 401b (as shown in Figs. 14A - 14C) is installed on each of the hoppers such that the regulators face in opposite directions with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor. Each of the regulators 401a, 401b has an inner regulator tube 405 having a regulator opening 407 therein. An outer regulator tube 403 receives its respective regulator tube 405 and may be slid axially with respect to the regulator tube by means of an actuating rod 411 to selectively open and close the regulator opening. The actuating rods 411 of each of the regulators are interconnected with one another such that adjustment of one of the regulators by moving its operating rod in one direction results in movement of the other regulating tube in the opposite direction. Thus, with the regulator 401a on the left adjusted such that its regulating opening 407a is closed, the regulating opening 407b of the other regulator 401b is fully open. As the operating rod 411 is moved axially so as to at least partially open regulating opening 407a of regulator 401a, the regulating opening 407b of the other regulator will be correspondingly closed a similar amount thus insuring that the fluent material discharged into the conveyor from the two hoppers 7 does not overfill the conveyor. Of course, with the regulating opening 407a of regulator 401a fully closed, the regulating opening 407b of regulator 401b will be fully open.

As shown in Fig. 24, outer tube 407a has an axial slot S in its end proximate the regulating opening 407a which is sized to receive the end 99' of agitator 93', as shown in Fig. 12, such that upon axial movement of the outer tube toward its nearly fully closed position in which flow is substantially blocked to the regulator outlet, the base of slot S is engaged by the end 99' of the agitator thereby to lift the portion of the agitator in driving relation with auger A clear of the auger thereby to de-activate the agitator when the flow of the fluent material is substantially blocked. By de-activating the agitator, upon continuous operation of the auger with the flow of the fluent material blocked, undue compaction of the fluent material in the hopper above the agitator is prevented. Upon moving the outer tube from its fully closed position, the end 99' of the agitator, upon being received in slot S, will thus be free to again engage the flights of the auger such that activation of the agitator is again initiated once the flow of fluent material into the auger is started.

It will be understood that the construction and operation of regulators

401a, 401b is similar to that of regulator 401 heretofore described in conjunction with Figs. 14A - 14C and thus, for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated. Figs. 24 and 25 illustrate the primary components of regulators 401a,

401b.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and features of this invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. An unloader for receiving a fluent material from a source and for delivery of said fluent material into a conveyor in fluent receiving relation with said unloader, said unloader comprising an unloader body adapted to receive said fluent material from said source, said body having a conveyor inlet and a conveyor outlet, said conveyor entering said unloader via said conveyor inlet, passing through a portion of said unloader where is picks up said fluent material from said unloader, and conveys it therefrom via said conveyor outlet, a regulator tube at least in part cooperating with said conveyor as the latter passes through said unloader body, said regulator tube having a regulator opening therein, said regulator tube being movable with respect to said unloader between a closed position in which said regulator opening is closed thereby to block the flow of said fluent material from within said unloader body through said regulator opening to said conveyor within said unloader and an open position in which said regulator opening receives said fluent material from within said unloader body and permits said fluent material to be delivered to said conveyor.

2. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator tube is movable to an intermediate position between said closed and said open position thereby to regulate the amount of fluent material received by said regulating opening which is delivered to said conveyor.

3. An unloader as set forth in claim 2 wherein said regulating tube is selectively adjustable to any selected one of a plurality of intermediate positions between said open and closed positions.

4. An unloader as set forth in claim 2 wherein said conveyor comprises an auger having a plurality of spaced flights and having an outside diameter, said auger being housed within a conveyor tube, and wherein said regulator tube has an inner diameter only somewhat greater than said outside diameter of said auger so that substantially all feed carried on the exterior of said auger is stripped from said auger upon flights of said auger entering said regulator tube.

5. An unloader as set forth in claim 4 wherein said unloader body has an overflow chamber therewithin for receiving said feed stripped from said auger.

6. An unloader as set forth in claim 4 wherein said inner diameter of said regulator tube is less than the inner diameter of said conveyor tube downstream from said unloader such that even when said auger is completely filled with feed as it exits said regulating tube, a partial void is formed within said conveyor tube downstream from said unloader thereby to prevent jamming of said auger within said conveyor tube.

7. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator tube is rotatable with respect to said unloader between its said open and closed positions, and wherein said unloader further comprises an operating member secured to said regulating tube for rotary movement of said regulating tube between its said open and closed and intermediate positions.

8. An unloader as set forth in claim 7 wherein said unloader body has an end substantially perpendicular to the axis of said regulating tube, and wherein said unloader body end has a series of stops receiving said operating member so as to hold said operating member and said regulator tube in any one of its said rotary positions.

9. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator tube is axially movable with respect to unloader for said movement between said open and closed positions.

10. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulatory tube is movable in a direction to open or to block the flow of feed from within said unloader to said regulator opening in a plane generally toward or away from said regulator tube.

11. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said conveyor is a flexible chain conveyor having a plurality of links joined together and a plurality of spaced disks carried by said chain for conveying said fluent material axially through said tube upon said chain being axially propelled within said tube.

12. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 wherein said source of fluent material is a hopper which holds a supply of said fluent material.

13. An unloader as set forth in claim 12 wherein said fluent material is poultry feed and wherein said hopper is located within a poultry house or the like and is adapted to hold a supply of said poultry feed to be dispensed from said hopper and to be metered via said regulator tube to said conveyor for supplying feed to one or more poultry feeders.

14. An unloader as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an agitator extending upwardly into the fluent material above said regulator opening with said agitator being driven by said auger so as to loosen said fluent material above said outlet opening and to facilitate the flow of fluent material to said regulator opening.

15. An unloader as set forth in claim 14 wherein said outer tube has means carried thereby for engagement with a portion of said agitator for disengaging said agitator from said auger as said outer tube substantially closes its respective regulating opening thereby to prevent continued operation of said agitator within the fluent material above said regulator when there is substantially no flow of the fluent material to the regulator opening and for enabling engagement of the agitator with the auger thereby to initiate operation of the agitator upon movement of the regulating tube to at least partially open said regulator opening.

16. An unloader as set forth in claim 13 wherein said poultry feeders are open trough feeders and wherein said regulating member permits continuous operation of said conveyor with said regulator in an operative position other than its fully closed position without overfilling of said trough feeders.

17. An unloader as set forth in claim 12 wherein said hopper is the boot of a bulk feed tank and wherein said regulator controls the amount of feed or the like discharged from the bulk feed tank into said conveyor.

18. An unloader as set forth in claim 12 wherein said source comprises two or more bulk feed tanks containing said fluent material, each of said bulk feed tanks having a bottom hopper with said conveyor being in fluent receiving relation with said hopper and with each of said bulk feed tank hoppers having one of said regulator tubes associated therewith for regulating the discharge of said fluent material from said bulk feed tanks into said conveyor.

19. An unloader as set forth in claim 18 wherein said regulating tubes associated with each of said bulk feed tanks are operatively connected to one another such that with one of said regulator tubes associated with one of said bulk feed tanks being in its fully open position while the regulator tube of the other bulk feed tank is in its fully closed position and with said one regulator tube being in its fully closed position the other regulator tube being in its fully open position thereby to prevent overfilling of said conveyor tube with possible consequent j amming of said conveyor.

20. An unloader as set forth in claim 17 further comprising an agitator extending upwardly into the fluent material above said regulator opening with said agitator being driven by said auger so as to loosen said fluent material above said outlet opening and to facilitate the flow of fluent material to said regulator opening.

21. An unloader as set forth in claim 20 wherein each of said regulators has means for disengaging said agitator from being driven by said auger as its respective regulator opening is substantially closed and for permitting the engagement of said agitator with said auger as the regulator opening is opened.

22. An unloader as set forth in claim 18 wherein said regulating tubes are further operatively connected such that with said one regulating tube being in an intermediate position, the other regulating tube may also be in an intermediate position.

23. An unloader for introducing fluent animal feed into an feed conveyor, the latter having a conveyor element movable axially around a closed loop conveyor path, a plurality of feeders connected to said closed loop conveyor path for receiving feed therefrom, a conveyor tube for housing said auger therein, and a drive for driving said conveyor element within said conveyor tube, said unloader comprising a housing, said housing having an inlet and an outlet connected to said conveyor tube with a section of said conveyor element passing through said housing, said housing being supplied with feed from a feed supply, said housing having a regulator member at least in part surrounding a portion of said conveyor element within said housing, said regulator member having a regulating opening therein, said regulator member being movable relative to said conveyor element between a closed position in which said regulator opening is closed such that no feed from within said housing is free to pass through said regulator opening to said conveyor element to an open position in which at least a portion of said opening is in position relative to said conveyor element and to said feed within said housing such that feed may flow through said regulator opening from said housing into said conveyor element.

24. An unloader as set forth in claim 23 wherein said regulator member has a plurality of intermediate positions between said closed and open positions in which intermediate quantities of feed may be dispensed from said unloader housing to said conveyor element.

25. An unloader as set forth in claim 24 wherein said regulator member has an operating member which may be manually operated so as to effect rotation of said regulator member between its said open, closed and intermediate positions.

26. An unloader as set forth in claim 25 wherein said operating member may be fixed relative to said housing so as to hold said regulator member in a selected one of said open, closed or intermediate positions.

27. An unloader as set forth in claim 23 wherein said regulating member is movable axially with respect to said conveyor for opening and closing said regulator opening.

28. An unloader as set forth in claim 23 wherein said regulating member is a rotatable with respect to said conveyor for opening and closing said regulator opening.

29. An unloader for receiving a fluent material from a source and for delivery of said fluent material into a conveyor in fluent receiving relation with said unloader, said unloader comprising an unloader body adapted to receive said fluent material from said source, said body having a conveyor inlet and a conveyor outlet, said conveyor entering said unloader via said conveyor inlet, passing through a portion of said unloader where is picks up said fluent material from said unloader, and conveys it therefrom via said conveyor outlet, a regulator tube at least in part surrounding said conveyor as the latter passes through said unloader body, said regulator tube having a regulator opening therein, and means for selectively opening and closing said regulator opening in said regulating opening thereby to selectively open communication between said fluent material in said unloader body and said conveyor and to block the flow of said fluent material from within said unloader body through said regulator opening to said conveyor so that a predetermined amount of said fluent material is conveyed by said conveyor within said conveyor downstream from said unloader.