Agitating – With weighing
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-16
2003-12-16
Cooley, Charles E. (Department: 1723)
Agitating
With weighing
C366S297000, C366S314000, C366S603000, C241S101761, C241S605000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06663275
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mixer apparatus for mixing livestock feed. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vertical auger mixer having at least one auger.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
Cattle farming requires the mixing of various livestock feeds for subsequent distribution. Additionally, mixers can be used for mixing other materials such as composts and the like. Sometimes such mixing of feeds includes depositing at least one bale of hay into a mixer container together with other additives. The materials within the container are mixed by means of at least one auger which rotates within the container so that an intimate mixing of the contents of the container is obtained. Although many mixers employ a pair of horizontal interacting augers extending longitudinally along the container, several mixers have been proposed in which the auger or augers are disposed vertically.
In the prior art mixers of the vertical auger type, such mixers sometimes include a pair of augers in which the rotational axes of the augers are disposed spaced and approximately parallel relative to each other. Furthermore, each of such augers is driven by a separate drive which supplies rotary motion to each of the augers from below.
Also, some mixers have a single auger. However, the aforementioned twin auger mixers suffer from the following drawbacks. First, the provision of two 90 degree drives and associated planetary reduction gearboxes is extremely expensive and involves the manufacture of many parts. Second, access to such gearboxes requires removal of the gearboxes from underneath the mixer and then disassembly of such gearboxes. Third, the augers include continuous flighting which provides less agitation of the feed. Fourth, at the end of a mixing operation, an operator will usually find it necessary to rev up the power take off in an attempt to throw materials centrifugally away from the augers so that the augers are cleaned. Fifth, when weighing materials to be mixed, inaccurate measurements are made when the mixer is on uneven ground. Such inaccuracies are caused mainly because when a load cell is disposed at the hitch of a drawbar, the reading reflects a vector rather than a vertical weight when the mixer is tilted. Most of the aforementioned drawbacks are also applicable to single auger mixers and the cost of providing a planetary gearbox and other parts is considerable.
The present invention provides a vertical auger mixer apparatus which overcomes all of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art arrangements.
Therefore, it is a primary feature of the present invention to provide a mixer apparatus which overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art vertical auger mixers and which provides a significant contribution to the art of mixing animal feeds and the like.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mixer apparatus that reduces the cost of manufacture thereof.
A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a mixer apparatus that permits vertical removal of the auger or augers together with the associated driven gear.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mixer apparatus that enhances the mixing of the livestock feed.
Yet another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mixer apparatus that assists in the cleaning of the augers after a mixing operation.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a mixer apparatus which includes a more accurate means for weighing the livestock feed.
Throughout the description of the various embodiments of the present invention, the term auger or augers is to be understood to include paddle arrangements and that the flighting includes screw and/or helix type arrangements which may be continuous or non-continuous and would include segmented augers. Also, throughout the description and claims of the present invention, the term animal feeds is to be understood as including composts and other materials that require mixing.
Other features and advantages of the mixer apparatus according to the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art by a consideration of the detailed description contained herein of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present invention relates to a mixer apparatus for mixing livestock feed and the like. The apparatus includes a container for the reception therein of the feed. The container includes a housing and a wall extending away from the housing. The wall defines an opening which is disposed remote from the housing for the reception therethrough of the feed. The arrangement is such that the housing and the wall define therebetween an enclosure for the feed received through the opening. An auger is disposed within the enclosure, the auger having an axis of rotation which extends through the housing. The mixer apparatus further includes a further auger which is disposed within the enclosure, the further auger having a rotational axis disposed approximately parallel to and spaced from the axis of rotation of the auger. The mixer also has a drive wheel which is common to the auger and the further auger, the drive wheel having a further axis of rotation which is disposed spaced from and approximately parallel relative to the axis of rotation of the auger and the rotational axis of the further auger.
In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the mixer apparatus also includes a final driven wheel disposed within the housing, the final driven wheel being rotatable about the axis of rotation. The final driven wheel is drivingly connected to the auger so that when the final driven wheel is rotated within the housing, the auger is rotated therewith within the enclosure for mixing the feed, the final driven wheel being driven by the drive wheel.
Also, the container further includes a frame for supporting the housing thereon and a plurality of wheels rotatably secured to the frame for permitting transportation of the mixer apparatus.
Additionally, the container further includes a hitch bar secured to the frame for facilitating transportation of the mixer apparatus by a tractor or the like.
Also, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the concept of the present invention can be applied equally to an arrangement in which the container is carried by a truck or the like so that the hitch bar and tractor become redundant.
The housing includes a base and a rim having a first and a second end. The first end of the rim is secured to the base and a floor is disposed between the auger and the final driven wheel. The floor is secured to the second end of the rim such that the base, the rim and the floor define therebetween an encasement for the final driven wheel.
Moreover, the floor defines an access hole for permitting removal and replacement therethrough of the final driven wheel.
Also, the floor includes a cover for covering the access hole, the cover defining an aperture through which the axis of rotation extends so that driving of the auger by the final driven wheel is permitted.
The cover includes a bearing which extends through the aperture, the bearing being disposed between the auger and the final driven wheel for bearingly supporting the auger and the final driven wheel for permitting rotation of the auger and the final driven wheel when the final driven wheel is being driven.
Additionally, the floor defines an array of bores disposed around the access hole and the cover has a peripheral edge which defines a plurality of holes. A plurality of fasteners are provided with each fastener extending through a hole of the plurality of holes and an aligned bore of the array of bores for removably fastening the cover to the floor.
Furthermore, the encasement is filled with lubricant for lubricating the final driven wheel.
Also, the wall extends angularly away from the housing, the wall defining a discharge outlet for the discharge therethrough of the fe
Archer David J.
Cooley Charles E.
Sorkin David
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