Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a feeding trough which includes an open reservoir formed by a central part having the same cross-section along the entire length, and which is connected with an end piece at each end and made of a plastic material by extrusion or pultrusion, and which is provided with a bottom connected by two sidewalls which are terminated by a free edge, where at least one free edge is provided with a protecting profile, at which at least one of the edges of the trough is provided with enlarged cross-section in the outermost free edge area compared with the remaining part of the sidewall, where the protecting profile is a slotted profile with an inner cross-section corresponding to, but greater than, the enlarged edge area of the sidewall, and having a slot with a width corresponding to, but greater than, the thickness of the sidewall in a border area adjoining the enlarged cross-section in order to cover the enlarged edge area.

The invention furthermore concerns a method for making a feeding trough which includes an open reservoir formed by a central part which has the same cross-section along the entire length, and which is connected with a piece at each end, and which is made of a plastic material, having edges provided with a metal profile, and which at the outer side is provided with fittings.

Background of the Invention

It is known with feeding troughs that are made of plastic material. These are made by injection moulding or by plastic sheets that are bent into shape.

The limitation of injection moulded feeding troughs is that they are only able to be produced with a limited length.

For long feeding troughs there is often used polymeric concrete which has limited length as well. Therefore, it is often necessary to make up a feeding trough of several elements in order to cover e.g. the width of a pigsty. The joints necessarily arising have to be sealed before putting the trough into use. Thus tools are needed in connection with joining and separating, and these operations are time-consuming as well. In addition, hygienic problems may arise from feed remains at the sealings.

The problem of limitations in length has been sought relieved by making the troughs from sheets that are bent into shape. This is time-consuming and is moreover associated with significant limitations with regard to shape and function of the troughs. The sheet material is typical metal, but also plastic materials are used.

Some prior art feeding troughs furthermore have a reinforced edge, but the mounting of these is disadvantageous in that the protecting profile may easily be taken off if it is not screwed or bolted securely on.

From GB 1 542 250 is known a trough of the kind mentioned in the introduction where the protecting profile is used for reinforcing a relatively flexible plastic profile. There is no specific description of the usability of a such reinforcing rail for protection against bites and impacts.

Besides the above mentioned problem of the length of the troughs, supply of feed and liquid is a characteristic of a feeding trough, which is effected by installation of separate feeding facilities, as these properties can not be incorporated in the function of the troughs with the present technique without substantial complications.

Object of the Invention

It is the object of the invention to indicate a feeding trough and a method of the type specified in the introduction where the trough may be adapted to an arbitrarily chosen length and which in a technically simple way can be produced with a reinforced edge that may resist bites, impacts and jerks from animals, and which also easy to transport, assemble and disassemble by using a minimum of tools, and which at the same time enables delivery of feed and liquid in longitudinal direction. Description of the Invention

According to the present invention, this is achieved by a feeding trough of the type mentioned in the introduction which is peculiar in that the protecting profile is provided as a slotted metal profile with an inner cross-section corresponding to, but greater than, the enlarged edge area of the sidewall, and which has a slot with a width corresponding to, but greater than, the thickness of the sidewall in a border area adjoining the enlarged cross-section for covering the enlarged edge area.

The method according to the invention is peculiar in that the central part is extruded or pultruded, and that edges are subsequently applied slotted metal profiles by displacement in parallel, and that the feeding trough is fitted with feet.

Extrusion is a moulding process by which a body appears continuously on the background of a given profile through which melted plastic material is pressed.

Pultrusion is also a continuous moulding process by which the body appears by drawing fibres through a given profile.

Both production processes include a continuous uninterrupted feeding, and it may therefore produce feeding troughs with a length which is only limited by the production machine and the supply of materials, and in practice the external conditions around the machine and transport of feeding troughs.

The production process is thus well suited for co-ordinating and combining various functions in the profile defining the cross-section of the feeding trough. However, particularly in the rim areas or edges of the feeding trough there is a need of reinforcements. These reinforcements are to diminish the action of animals' and particularly pigs' biting in the feeding trough such that the service life of the feeding trough is extended. Also, it is important that these reinforcements can be mounted as simply as possible, and that the reinforcements do not afterwards cause undue accumulation of feed residue, for example, and thereby hygienic problems. As the profile is designed with an enlarged cross-section at the outermost free edge area relative to the sidewall of the feeding trough, it will be possible to apply a rail in parallel with the longitudinal direction as reinforcement and for protecting the edge of the feeding trough. This rail will, however, typically be of metal, but may be of other tough material which is, however, characterised in that the shape of the rail corresponds to the enlarged edge of the feeding trough, as the shape of the rail is enlarged such that the rail, the slot of which just fitting the thickness of the outer wall of the feeding trough, may only be mounted by displacing it in longitudinal direction of the feeding trough.

Hereby is ensured that the protecting rail is mounted in a way such that it partially encloses the edge, protecting it against e.g. bite from animals, impacts, jerks and the like, thereby extending the service life of the feeding trough.

Since the material chosen for the protecting rail is of such rigidity that the profile cannot be changed readily, at the same time it will mean that the rail will not be removed from the feeding trough itself by bites and jerks, as the rail profile precisely fits the rim area of the feeding trough.

Making by extrusion or pultrusion causes that the enlarged edges can be made in a simple way with a cavity which is intended established in the entire longitudinal direction of the trough. This cavity may be a closed cavity or a cavity provided with a longitudinal slot running in longitudinal direction of the trough, and which has appeared by the making of the central part. Such a slot will simplify the production of the central part, and will furthermore facilitate mounting of possible wires and pipes for conducting liquid and feed. Such wires and pipes can be mounted in the cavity through the slot which is subsequent closed by the protecting profile.

In addition to an immediate saving of material, the cavity may also be used for conducting e.g. liquid and feed along the feeding trough. Conduction of liquid, which will most often be water, but may be envisaged to be medicine-containing or in other ways contain nutrition, vitamins and growth- promoting drugs, will be the most obvious use of the cavity.

The liquid is intended to be conducted to the trough itself through holes/perforations over the entire length by e.g. controlling the supply of liquid from a main tap which can be regulated centrally. Alternatively, the holes disposed in longitudinal direction may be equipped with water outlet means which in the form of drinking valves can be actuated by the animals according to need. Finally, these two methods may of course be combined.

The cavity may also be used for conveying feed in longitudinal direction of the trough. The conveying may be effected by means of a screw or a conveyor belt which is embedded in the cavity. The cross-section of the cavity thus depends on the selected conveying method or vice versa.

The rail is best secured on the feeding trough in that the enlarged edge area has a geometrical shape which may be enclosed by the protecting rail, as a slot in the rail is provided with a width corresponding exactly to the thickness of the outer wall of the feeding trough. It will be natural if the shape of the enlarged edge area is a circular or rectangular cross-section, but in general these geometrical cross-sections may also be oval or polygonal.

The envisaged protecting rail is moreover smooth along its entire length, and the above descriptions ensure that it is not required to use screws, brackets or straps for securing the rail to the feeding trough. This property of the protecting rail contributes to reduce accumulation of feed residue and other contaminants.

Alternatively, fastening brackets may, however, also be provided spaced apart along the length of the trough in order to retain the protecting rail. Such brackets are then screwed into feet or a base which via the brackets are clamped to the underside of the trough. The brackets are secured by screws in a base. The feet or base will hereby via the brackets be clamped to the underside of the trough. Plastic and metal are hereby not screwed directly onto each other, and different longitudinal expansion in the central part and in the protecting rail, respectively, may occur without risking deformation of the plastic.

The intended method of applying the protecting rail furthermore reduces the need of tools in connection with mounting and installing of the feeding trough itself, whether speaking of installation in a stable or in a field outdoors. Also, the need for tools when disassembling the feeding trough is reduced.

The central part of the trough is made by extrusion or pultrusion, and this central part will subsequently be applied a metal profile on the edges. The trough feet may either be applied along the entire length or with regular spacing at points in longitudinal direction of the feeding trough.

According to one embodiment, the feeding trough of the invention is peculiar in that the central part is optionally V-shaped, U-shaped, or a combination of the two shapes, respectively.

The choice of V-shape or U-shape as profile for the central part of the feeding trough provides saving of material, and efficient stacking of the feeding troughs in connection with production and transport to the installation site is enabled.

A further advantage may be achieved by combining one or more V- or U-shapes, which is to be considered in connection with the possibility of feeding animals from both sides as animals of different sizes then can be fed differently. Moreover, one vessel in the central part of the feeding trough may e.g. be provided for water and the other be provided for feed.

The invention is furthermore peculiar in that the central part is provided with a detachable base plate which is intended for disposition at the outer side of at least one of the sidewalls. That the feeding trough and the trough feet are produced separately primarily provides for efficient stacking of the feeding troughs and the trough feet, thereby saving space which is of great significance in connection with production, storage, transport and installation in stables.

The connecting means at the outer side of the side walls are also provided by being part of the extruded profile and thereby accessible along the entire length of the feeding trough, whereby the trough feet may optionally be disposed at arbitrary positions along the feeding trough, alternatively being closed along the entire length of the feeding trough.

In total, the above mentioned elements of the feeding trough are characterised by being formed in the making such that their interfaces fit together so that the feeding trough can be assembled by applying reinforcing metal profiles on the edges by parallel displacement, as well as the trough feet also may be applied by displacement in parallel. These are then locked by the end pieces being mounted as ends. In principle, the feeding trough may thus be assembled without using tools.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will be explained more closely below with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 shows an isometric drawing of a feeding trough;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of a feeding trough with base;

Fig. 3 shows an isometric detail of a feeding trough edge provided with water outlet means; Fig. 4 shows a partial exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a feeding trough according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 shows the trough of Fig. 4 in assembled condition.

In the explanation of the Figures, identical or corresponding elements will be provided with the same designations in different Figures. Therefore, no explanation of all details will be given in connection with each single Figure/embodiment. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a feeding trough 1. The trough consists of a central part 2 with uniform cross-section which is characterised by enlarged edge areas 3. The central part is closed at respective ends by an end piece 4. The central part 2 interacting with the end pieces 4 forms an open reservoir 1 which is intended for both wet and dry feeding of animals. The feeding trough 1 will preferably be used for feeding large domestic animals like pigs, cows and sheep.

The edges 3 on the feeding trough 1 are enlarged and provided with a cutout in the profile which forms a cavity 6, 6' in the longitudinal direction. The shapes of the edges 3 may be oval, polygonal or may have an arbitrary shape in cross-section and are here shown as rectangular 6 and circular 6'. The enlarged edges 3 are furthermore provided with reinforcing metal rails 7, 7', the inner cross-sections of which are congruent with, but larger than the edge area 3, and which have a slot with a width corresponding to the outer wall of the central part of the feeding trough 2.

The feeding trough 1 also has a base plate 5 which may be applied to at least one of the sidewalls of the central part of the feeding trough 2.

The feeding trough 1 is made of a plastic material which is suited for extrusion while at the same time having good durability. The feeding trough 1 may be used indoors as well as outdoors.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the extruded central part 2 and is an example of realisation of a trough base or foot 5 which is seen mounted thereon her.

The enlarged edge area of the central part 2 of the feeding trough 1 appears to have hollow profile 6, 6' with an arbitrary cross-section, here rectangular 6 and circular 6'. The enlarged edge area is furthermore enclosed by a reinforcing metal rail 7, 7', the cross-section of which being congruent with, though enlarged in relation to, the edge areas of the feeding trough 1. The metal rails 7, T also have a slot with a width corresponding to, but greater than, the thickness of the sidewall of the central part 2 of the feeding trough 1. The metal rails 7, 7' are here illustrated as rectangular 7 and circular T profiles, respectively.

Fig. 3 shows an isometric view of the edge area 3 of feeding trough 1. The cavity 6 in longitudinal direction of the central part 2 of the feeding trough 1 is here made for being used for conducting water, as the enlarged edge area 3 is perforated in longitudinal direction 9. The metal rail 6 is provided with water outlet means 10 which may be drinking valves. The end piece 4 is also here provided with a water conduit 11 which is intended for connection to an external water supply.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment where the enlarged edge area 3 is made with a cavity 6, 6' having a longitudinal slot 11. This slot can be produced in a simple way by extrusion or pultrusion. Furthermore, fastening brackets 12 are shown here provided spaced apart along the length of the trough in order to retain the protecting rail 7, 7'. The brackets 12 are secured by screws 13 in a base 14. The feet 14 or base will hereby via the brackets 12 be clamped to the underside of the trough. The central plastic part 2 and the metal rail 7, 7' are hereby not screwed directly to each other.

Fig. 5 shows how the trough 1 appears in assembled condition. It appears that the protecting rail 7, 7' is retained by the brackets 12 which simultaneously ensure that the base 14 is secured to the trough, and at the same time screws are avoided in the thin- walled central part 2.