AU596022B2

AU596022B2 - Animal feed and separating apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU596022B2
Application number: AU19034/88A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Phillip Rodney Boyce; David John De Chastel; David Teal Kerr; Russel James Rankin; Robert William Tritchler; Graeme Leslie John Westcombe; Raymond Malcolm White
Original assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO
Current assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization CSIRO
Priority date: 1983-11-28
Filing date: 1988-07-14
Publication date: 1990-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2004-11-28
Also published as: AU1903488A

Description

f7l A U ST RA LIA PATENTS ACT COMPLETE SPECIFICATION OR I G I NA L (FOR OFFICE USE) C I 14

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C C t 4: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Published: Pr ior i ty Related Art: Class mnt Class 596022 Name of Appl icant (s):UMN J .I .NT.I.F.I.C. AN.q I.ND.QSTI.jAL..

.R.S-ARH.. Q.RAN J.AT. IQ.R Address of App i cant Cn r.Creek. and. WynQp.R4ads Cqa~nnHl I u e n A ct ualI Inventor PhJ.Illi P. .one Bopyc Pavid. John. Dp sa.te., .David Teal..Kerr., R~se ae a~in.Rbr i .Tr e Graeme Leslie 4 Westcom .,Raymond Malcolm White Address for Service: PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES 26 Ellingworth Parade, Box Hill, Victoria 3128 Complete specification for the invention entitled: ANIMAL FEED AND SEPARATING APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, i n cIu d ing the best method of performing it known to us 0.- TT2.

I U I 111Z LU111111I 'i 11CI U I 'I y This invention relates to apparatus for handling animals, particularly for feeding and separating animals. It has particular application in abattoirs, although the invention is also ap'plicable to other animal processing means.

Spe,=:O i c zhkt Nt> 16 q 94- In our Australian Patent there is described a method and apparatus for processing animals, particularly for processing cattle in an abbatoir. The animals must be fed individually into an animal capture arrangement Swhere each animal in turn is restrained for stunning or etce .19 >slaughter or other animal handling requirements. The process and apparatus described in that patent application require each animal to be completely separated from a following animal.

However this can be difficult to achieve, part-icularly automatically since animals in a feed race of the kind used for leading animals to the capture assembly will frequently crowd forwardly so that a following animal can move forwardly and be partially beside the leading animal. Also two animals can wedge in the race halting the flow of animals through the race. In particular the following animal frequently places its head beside the rump or over the rump of the lead animal making it difficult for automatic separation of the two animals, particularly if a mechanism such as a horizontally sliding gate is attempted to be inserted in between the two animals upon sensing of the passing of the lead animal.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an animal feed and separating apparatus which is effective in operation and which is susceptible to automatically separating animals in a feed race.

A. 01 A T 7 paticuarly forfeedng ad searaing nimas.MIoha It is a further and preferred object of the present invention to provide an animal feed and separating apparatus capable of automatically separating animals in single file in a feed race in which the animals are continually urged forwardly.

It is a further and preferred object of the present invention to provide an animal feed and separating apparatus capable of separating animals in a feed race without substantial risk of injuring the animals or stressing the animals which fil affects meat quality.

VI According to the present invention there is provided an animal feed and separating apparatus comprising a feed race along which animals are fed in single file, separating means for positively separating a lead animal from an immediately following animal, the separating means comprising an engaging "a means operative to continually engage with the lead animal as 44 the lead animal in the feed race relatively passes the separating means, the engaging means being operative to move in between the lead animal and the following animal to positively Sseparate the two animals enabling the lead animal to be further handled completely separately from the following animal.

Preferably the engaging means comprises side engaging means operative to engage with a side of the lead animal, e.g. about mid wa.y along the animal, as the lead animal relatively passes the separating means. The side engaging means may be operative to engage with both sides of the lead animal and to move relatively towards each other between the lead animal and following animal so as to positively separate the two animals.

In the preferred embodiment the side engaging means has associated therewith biasing means operative to bias the side 3 L 21 .I II II I engaging means into engagement with the lead animal so that as the lead animal relatively moves past the side engaging means, the side engaging means follows the contours of and substantially continually maintains contact with the side of the lead animal.

The side engaging means may include rolling contact means for engaging with the side of the lead animal, the rolling contact means engaging with the animal side with a rolling movement so as not to injure the animal. Preferably the rolling one, I contact means comprises a resilient roller which is arranged o 0 o'o with its axis generally upright, the resilient roller being n4or S arranged to engage with the animal side as the animal relatively .omoves past the roller.

The apparatus may further include pusher means associated o 00 S with the feed race and operative to urge animals along the feed o' race by applying a force to the rearmost animal within the feed S race. The pusher means may comprise a pusher trolley movable o .4.

longitudinally in relation to the feed race, the pusher trolley including a selectively retractable pusher which is movable from a retracted position to an operative position, the pusher in the operative position engaging behind the rearmost animal in the feed race, the pusher trolley being driven along the feed race so as to thereby urge the animals along the feed race. The pusher means preferably includes a pressure sensing means operative to sense the pressure being applied to the rearmost animal within the feed race, the pusher means being deactivated upon a preselected pressure being applied by the pusher means as sensed by the sensing means. This is done to ensure that animals are not injured and in the case of a "downer" a fallen animal in the race) that cannot get up.

.4 Th The apparatus in the preferred embodiment further includes a final pusher associated with the separating means and operative after separation of the lead animal from the following animal by the separating means to move the lead animal away from the separating means for further processing of the lead animal, the final pusher thereby being operative to initiate further processing of the lead animal, the separating means after operation of the final pusher being opened to allow the o Following animal to move forwardly along the feed race. Also 0000 S:it 0 preferably the feed race includes a movable floor on which the oeoo animals are supported, the movable floor being operative to 0000 o cause or encourage the animals to move forwardly within the feed eooooo S face towards the separating means. There may be two movable floors a main floor in the race up to the dispenser gate, and a following floor operating after the dispenser gate. The 0 following floor moves slightly faster to help separation as G animals pass through the dispenser gate.

Possible and preferred features of the present invention o. will now be described with particular reference to the 0000 accompanying drawings. However it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention. In the drawings: FIG 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an animal processing apparatus having a lead-up or feed race and a capture assembly; FIG 2 is a side view illustrating the lead-up race; i FIG 3 illustrates typical cross-sectional views taken at the sections indicated in FIG 2; I *f II *e L t 20 411 FIG 4 is a front view of a preferred form of separating means; and FIG 5 is a side view of a pusher trolley for urging animals along the race.

Referring initially to FIGS 1 and 3 it will be seen that the animal processing apparatus 1 includes a lead-up or feed race assembly 2 along which animals are conveyed on a mobile conveyor floor 3, assisted by a first pusher trolley 4, to a separating or dispensing gate 5. The floor 3 has a first lower speed floor and a second higher speed floor starting near the dispenser gate The gate 5 separates individual animals into a holding station 6 from which individual animals are conveyed by a second pusher trolley 7 to a capture station 8. The race assembly 2 includes spaced upstanding side walls 3a which diverge at their upper ends to accommodate the horns of the cattle. The side walls 3a are maintained as close together as possible for a large portion of their height so as to inhibit any tendency of cattle therein to pass the beast directly in front.

Along the floor 3 is an inverted "Vee" 12 which the animals straddle. The Vee 12 steadies the animals and discourages them from rushing forwards. It encourages them to keep each foot on the correct side of the Vee 12. It also prevents the following animal from putting its head between the rear legs of the lead animal which is a normal tendency of animals in a race.

In FIG 2 the animal is shown in a position 9 prior to the pusher trolley 7 forcing the animal's forebody into engagement with the capture assembly 10 where the animal can be captured for stunning and slaughter when used in an abbatoir. Almost simultaneously with the animal being captured, the animal is 6

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If: 4t:stunned and slumps to be supported by a cradle assembly 11 which the animal initially straddles upon entering the capture station It will be seen from the sections in FIG 3 that the animals upon entering the lead-up race 2 straddle a central elongate upstand section 12 which terminates adjacent the cradle assembly 11 Referring in detail to the components of the above described apparatus it will be seen that the dispensing gate 5 illustrated in FIG 4, includes a pair of spaced posts 38 connected pivotally at their lower ends at 49 to the lead-up race frame whereby they S m' may be moved towards or away from one another to close or open the race 2. For this purpose the posts 38 are interconnected to S a lever 39 by respective links 40 and 41 and a double acting hydraulic ram 42 is provided to pivot the lever 39 and open or o* close the gates. Body contacting resilient rollers 43 are

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t mounted pivotally at their lower ends 44 to the inside faces of the posts 38 while their upper ends 45 are supported on respective bellcrank assemblies 46 which are biased by tension springs 47 to urge the upper ends 45 inwardly. A damper 48 is 0 4 t 2.Df connected between each bellcrank 46 and its supporting post 38.

Position sensing means such as micro switches are associated with each bellcrank 46 such that if the tension spring 47 pivots the bellcrank 46 to an inward position, the switches activate a pump to supply fluid to the ram 42 to bring the posts 38 closer together. Thus an animal moving through the open gate triggers the gate to begin closing.

When the rollers 43 contact an animal sides, e.g. the flanks or mid way along the animal, the posts 38 continue moving inwards until the bellcrank 46 is consequently pivoted outwards 4 S whereupon further switches are actuated to cause the fluid supply to the ram 42 to be reversed. The posts 38 will then move outwardly. As the rollers lose contact with the animal they are switched to begin closing again.The sensing switches are set up so that the rollers 43 will roll over the rump where they will close automatically behind each animal to a locked position so as to prevent the next animal from moving along the race 2 beyond the dispensing gate The pusher trolleys 4 and 7 are shown in FIG 5. Each assembly includes an overhead trolley 50 movable along rails 1d above the race 2 and having a pusher gate 52 which can move in a substantially vertical manner (as shown in dotted outline) From an elevated retracted attitude to a lowered pushing attitude.

The trolley 50 is adapted to be moved in either direction along its supporting rails by any suitable actuating means. The trolley 50 used in pusher trolley 4 is movable between the inlet gate 18 and the dispensing gate 5. The trolley is supported on four wheels 54 and provides spaced tracks 55 along which the S upper end of the inlet gate 53 can move. A control lever 56 is connected between a post 57 on the trolley 50 and a bracket 58 on the gate 52. A hydraulic ram 59 connects between a post at the opposite end of the trolley and the lever 56 such that extension of the ram causes the lower end of the gate 52 to move down in a substantially vertical direction whereby it can pass between the inlet gate 53 and the last animal in the race 2.

A pressure sensing switch (not shown) is fitted to the body contacting part of the gate 52 whereby the actuating arrangement which moves the trolley 50 will be automatically de-activated upon a preselected pressure being applied by the pusher gate 8 52. When the contact with the animal is released from the trolley 50, the latter reverts to its drive mode or fast speed.

When the dispenser gate is open and demanding an animal, the contact sensor is overridden to push with higher force to urge an animal along (slow speed). This has the overload sensor for a "downer". As the pusher trolley 4 travels along the race 2 the next charge of animals can be loaded immediately behind the pusher trolley 4 such that there is always a continuous line of animals in the race 2.

094 t O.Q A separate but similar pusher trolley 7 is mounted for will movement between the dispensing gate 13 and the capture station.

rir Since the travel of this pusher trolley 7 is relatively short a hydraulic ram or other suitable actuator is used to move the trolley 7 along its supporting rails. This pusher trolley 7 pushes the animal in the holding station 6 to the capture station 10. Both pusher trolleys 4 and 7 assist movement of the cattle on the conveying floors 3 along the race 2.

Preferably substantially all functions are controlled automatically by a controller. In use the programmable controller is set at "reset" and all equipment moves to a starting position. Cattle are manually herded into the race 2 through the open inlet gate 18, until the requisite number is held therein. The inlet gate 18 is manually actuated to close the gate and from thereon substantially all functions are If.7 controlled automatically. The pusher trolley 4 moves down i behind the last beast in the race 2 and simultaneously the dispensing gate 5 opens to admit the leading beast. The pusher trolley 4 co-operates with the floor conveyor 3 to urge the leading beast into the holding station 6. The two speed moving 9i J-144 floors 30, 31 with the second faster floor 31 pulling the forequarter through the dispenser gate 5 aiding separation. The contour following dispensing gates 5 close behind the leading beast separating the following animal even if it has its head partially beside the rump of the leading animal, and the pusher assembly 4 automatically stops. It is also commanded to stop if at any time pushing pressure is excessive. The second pusher trolley 8 engages behind the beast in the holding station 6 whereupon the gate 19 separating the holding station 6 and capture station 10 opens and the second pusher trolley 7 urges the beast into the capture station 10. The head position of the beast is also sensed such that the pusher 7 will continue to operate to force the beast to place its head through the aperture at the end of the capture station.

In the preferred form substantially all the operations described above are controlled by a programmable controller or 0 D040 0 #~06 00 60.0 J 00 ObO 20 6 00 06 O 0 0 r 6n 6 00 6 6 so 0 6 0 09 computer and accordingl apparatus has monitorin such things as travel pressures, carcass positi It will be seen that particularly illustrated enable animals to be and reliably separated bear against the animal contact with the anima y, each movement and/or section of the g means associated therewith for sensing limits, operative positions, operating ons and the like, as applicable.

the apparatus is herein described and with reference to the drawings will fed along a race and to be automatically by the separating gate 5. The rollers sides and by being urged into continual 1 sides, the rollers will follow the contours of the animal, preventing the following animal from passing. The rollers animal thus separating will close behind the rump of the lead the following animal. The apparatus is 0 r:: i.

reliable, does not injure the animals, and can be operated automatically.

It is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be made to the features of the possible and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention as herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

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Claims

1. An animal feed and separating apparatus comprising a feed race along which animals are -fed in single file, separating means for positively separating a lead animal from an immediately following animal, the separating means comprising an engaging means operative to continually engage with the lead animal as the lead animal in the feed race relatively passes the separating means, the engaging means being operative to move in between the lead animal and the following animal to positively OV separate the two animals enabling the lead animal to be further Sprocessed completely separately from the following animal. 0 2. Apparatus as cl ai med in claim 1 wherein the engaging means 0 comprises side engaging means operative to engage with a side of a4the lead animal as the lead animal relatively passes the separating means. o 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the separating means 04includes side engaging means operative to engage with both sides 0 it of the lead animal and to move relatively towards each other between the lead animials and following animal so as to '~positively separate the two animals.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the side engaging means has associated therewith biasing means operative to bias the side engaging means into engagement with the lead a n imalI so that as the lead animal relatively moves past the side engaging means, the side engaging means follows the contours of and substantially continually maintains contact with the side of the lead animal. 12 Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the side engaging means includes rolling contact means for engaging with the side of the lead animal, the rolling contact means engaging with the animal side with a rolling movement so as not to injure the animal.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rolling contact means comprises a resilient roller which is arranged with its axis generally upright, the resilient roller being arranged to engage with the animal side as the animal relatively moves past 16 the roller.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further including pusher means associated with the feed race and operative to urge animals along the feed race by applying a art- force to the rearmost animal within the feed race. S. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the pusher means comprises a pusher trolley movable longitudinally in relation to the feed race, the pusher trolley including a selectively retractable pusher which is movable from a retracted position to an operative position, the pusher in the operative position engaging behind the rearmost animal in the feed race, the pusher 01 Ii o..trolley being driven along the feed race so as to thereby urge the animals along the feed race.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the pusher means includes a pressure sensing means operative to sense the pressure being applied to the rearmost animal within the feed race, the pusher means being deactivated upon a preselected pressure being applied by the pusher means as sensed by the sensing means. 13 If 7b Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and further including a final pusher associated with the separating means and operative after separation of the lead animal from the following animal by the separating means to move the lead animal away from the separating means for further processing of the lead animal, the final pusher thereby being operative to initiate further processing of the lead animal, the separating means after operation of the final pusher being opened to allow the following animal to move forwardly along the feed race.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the feed race includes a movable floor on which the animals are supported, the movable floor being operative to cause or encourage the animals to move forwardly within the feed fe towards the separating means.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the movable floor comprises two floor sections movable at different speeds, the downstream floor section moving at high speed to assist t t separation of animals.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated this 7th day of July, 1988. PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for C. S. I. R.O.