Coated feeder

Abstract

In one illustrative embodiment of a coated feeder, a coating is integrated into the structural components of the feeder. The coated feeder may include a base, ridge, and back, which may all be integrally formed with one another. The coating may include an exterior surface opposite concrete. The surface of the coating adjacent the concrete may include at least one tab, at least one linear protrusion, at least one hook, and at least one channel.

1 . A coated feeder comprising:
 a. a base;   b. a ridge engaged with said base at a base/ridge interface;   c. a back engaged with said base at a base/back interface; and, d. a coating engaged with a portion of said base, a portion of said base/ridge interface, and a portion of said base/back interface, wherein said coating is formed with at least one linear protrusion extending inward into said base, and wherein said coating is formed with a smooth exterior surface.   
     
     
         2 . The coated feeder according to  claim 1  wherein said ridge is further defined as being generally perpendicular with respect to said base. 
     
     
         3 . The coated feeder according to  claim 1  wherein said back is further defined as being angled with respect to said base by an amount between 80 and 160 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The coated feeder according to  claim 1  further comprising a reinforcement structure positioned adjacent said coating. 
     
     
         5 . The coated feeder according to  claim 4  wherein said reinforcement structure is further defined as being embedded in a portion of said base, a portion of said ridge, and a portion of said back. 
     
     
         6 . The coated feeder according to  claim 5  wherein said base, ridge, and back are further defined as being formed of a concrete. 
     
     
         7 . The coated feeder according to  claim 6  wherein said reinforcement structure is further defined as interconnected wire. 
     
     
         8 . The coated feeder according to  claim 7  wherein said reinforcement structure further comprises a coating engager configured to directly engage a portion of said coating. 
     
     
         9 . A method of feeding a cow comprising the steps of:
 a. positioning a coated feeder within range of said cow, wherein said coated feeder comprises:
 i. a base; 
 ii. a ridge engaged with said base at a base/ridge interface; 
 iii. a back engaged with said base at a base/back interface; 
 iv. a coating engaged with a portion of said base, a portion of said base/ridge interface, and a portion of said base/back interface, wherein said coating is formed with at least one linear protrusion extending inward into said base, and wherein said coating is formed with a smooth exterior surface; 
   b. placing a first portion of feed on said coated feeder adjacent said coating on said smooth exterior surface thereof;   c. allowing said cow to consume substantially all of said first portion of feed though engaging said smooth exterior surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said ridge of said coated feeder is further defined as being generally perpendicular with respect to said base. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said back is of said coated feeder further defined as being angled with respect to said base by an amount between 80 and 160 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said coated feeder further comprises a reinforcement structure positioned adjacent said coating. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein said reinforcement structure is further defined as being embedded in a portion of said base, a portion of said ridge, and a portion of said back. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein said base, ridge, and back are further defined as being formed of a concrete. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14  wherein said reinforcement structure is further defined as interconnected wire. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein said reinforcement structure further comprises a coating engager configured to directly engage a portion of said coating. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein said coating further comprises a channel extending inward into said base. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17  wherein said channel is further defined as being positioned along a first peripheral edge of said coating. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18  wherein said coating further comprises a second channel, and wherein said second channel is positioned along a second peripheral edge of said coating. 
     
     
         20 . A coated feeder comprising:
 a. a base;   b. a ridge engaged with said base at a base/ridge interface;   c. a back engaged with said base at a base/back interface, wherein said base, ridge, and back are further defined as being formed of a concrete; and,   d. a coating engaged with a portion of said base, a portion of said base/ridge interface, and a portion of said base/back interface, wherein said coating is formed with at least one linear protrusion extending inward into said base, and wherein said coating is formed with a smooth exterior surface.