Reinforced feeder for livestock

Abstract

A livestock feeder with improved corrosion resistance and collapse resistance is described. The feeder comprises a polymeric cylinder with an open top and an interior surface. The interior surface defines a hollow interior where feedstuffs can be placed. One or more feeding portals extend through the cylinder to provide livestock access to feedstuffs. The feeding portals include a lower ledge against which livestock exerts a force while accessing feedstuffs in the feeder interior. A reinforcing annulus extends around the interior surface of the feeder proximate to and below the lower feeding portal ledge. The reinforcing annulus may be integrally formed with the polymeric cylinder or separately formed and attached to the polymeric cylinder. The feeder can withstand repeated feedings without collapse.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A livestock feeder, comprising:
 (a) a polymeric cylinder defining a radial axis and a height axis and having an open top, an interior surface, and at least one feeding portal with a lower ledge in a vertical arcuate sidewall section; and   (b) a reinforcing annulus located along the interior surface beneath the lower ledge along the height axis, wherein the reinforcing annulus projects inwardly from the interior surface along the radial axis and has a radius of curvature substantially the same as a radius of curvature of the polymer cylinder at the interior surface.   
     
     
         2 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus is a unitary assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus comprises multiple arcuate segments. 
     
     
         4 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus is integrally formed with the polymeric cylinder. 
     
     
         5 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the feeder is capable of withstanding a force on the lower ledge exerted by livestock feeding through the feeding portal. 
     
     
         6 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus is secured by fasteners to the interior surface of the vertical sections at the lower ledge of each feeding portal of the polymeric cylinder. 
     
     
         7 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric cylinder has an upper rim defining the open top, and wherein feedstuff can be placed within the interior surface without disruption by the presence of the reinforcing annulus attached to the interior surface at the lower ledge of the feeding portal. 
     
     
         8 . The feeder of  claim 7 , further comprising a second reinforcing annulus attached on the interior surface of the upper rim. 
     
     
         9 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric cylinder has a molded polymeric structure of vertical polymer reinforcing posts on the interior surface, and wherein the reinforcing annulus provides horizontal hoop strength at the elevation of the lower ledge on the interior surface. 
     
     
         10 . The feeder of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vertical reinforcing posts having a height along the height axis, wherein each of the vertical posts is spaced apart from the at least one feeding portal along the entirety of the reinforcing post's height. 
     
     
         11 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric cylinder is formed from high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus is attached to the interior surface by being embedded into the polymeric cylinder itself. 
     
     
         13 . The feeder of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one vertical rib interconnecting the reinforcing annulus at the lower ledge and the second reinforcing annulus at the upper rim. 
     
     
         14 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one feeding portal has a width that increases when moving from the lower ledge of the at least one feeding portal along the height axis. 
     
     
         15 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing annulus has a diameter of from about 2.54 cm to about 7.62 cm. 
     
     
         16 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric cylinder has a circumference, the at least one feeding portal comprises a plurality of feeding portals spaced apart from one another around the circumference of the polymeric cylinder, and the feeder further comprises a plurality of vertical posts, wherein each post is located between and spaced apart from adjacent feeding portals from the plurality of feeding portals around the circumference of the polymeric cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The feeder of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric cylinder has a circumference and a closed skirt segment beneath the lower ledge of the at least one feeding portal, and the closed skirt segment extends around the circumference of the polymeric cylinder.