Animal Bedding Reprocessing System with Shaker Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for disposing and recycling animal bedding materials are inefficient, costly, and environmentally problematic due to the high volume of waste generated by large animals, with existing recycling processes altering the material's structure and appearance, and lacking widespread acceptance in the agricultural community.
Innovation Solution
A system and process for reprocessing soiled animal bedding by separating manure, cleaning, rinsing, and drying the bedding material, which can then be reused as bedding or further processed into other products like fuel or fertilizer, involving multiple shaker/screener steps, cleaning agents, rinsing, and optional steps for color restoration and compaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional disposal methods (landfilling, stockpiling, spreading) are used, then waste removal is achieved, but environmental pollution and high disposal costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by collecting used bedding material that would normally be discarded and processing it through a series of steps (shaking, cleaning, rinsing, drying) to recover it for reuse. This transforms a disposal problem into a resource recovery solution, eliminating environmental pollution associated with landfilling and stockpiling while reducing the need for virgin bedding materials.
2Loss of substance
If bedding material is reused without processing, then disposal costs are reduced, but animal waste contamination remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the used bedding material into separable components through shaking and screening processes. The manure and organic matter are separated from the reusable bedding material (wood shavings, pellets, etc.), allowing the clean bedding material to be reused while the waste portion is composted or disposed of separately. This segmentation enables cost-effective reuse while eliminating contamination concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies taking out (extraction) by removing the harmful animal waste components from the bedding material through mechanical separation processes. The shaking and screening equipment extracts manure, urine-soaked material, and organic debris from the reusable bedding substrate, leaving clean material that can be safely reused without animal waste contamination.
3Loss of substance
If existing recycling processes are used, then some waste reduction is achieved, but the material's structure and appearance are altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using gentle mechanical shaking and screening processes rather than aggressive processing. The cleaning and rinsing steps are designed to remove waste without over-processing the material. This partial action approach achieves sufficient waste reduction while preserving the original structure, texture, and appearance of the bedding material, making it acceptable for animal reuse.
4Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps (shaking, cleaning, rinsing, drying) are implemented, then bedding quality is preserved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by combining multiple processing functions into an integrated system. The shaking, cleaning, rinsing, and drying operations are organized as a coordinated sequence within a single processing facility, with materials flowing through each stage automatically. This merging reduces operational complexity compared to separate manual processes while maintaining high bedding quality through consistent processing parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing processing equipment that performs multiple functions. For example, the shaking and screening equipment simultaneously separates waste, dries material, and prepares bedding for reuse. The drying apparatus also serves to sanitize and preserve the material. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining comprehensive processing quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process effectively recycles animal bedding, reducing waste disposal costs, preserving the material's quality for reuse, and providing environmentally beneficial end-products such as fuel and fertilizer, while addressing environmental concerns.
Implementation Method 1
separating said soiled bedding material in a first shaker/screener
Implementation Method 2
separating said soiled bedding material in a first shaker/screener to send at least a preponderance of said manure to a holding tank and a remainder of said soiled bedding to a second shaker/screener
Implementation Method 3
drying said bedding to form cleaned recycled bedding material
Implementation Method 4
drying said bedding to form cleaned recycled bedding material
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system reprocess soiled animal bedding material commingled with animal manure. In one aspect the soiled animal bedding material is separated in a shaker to send at least a preponderance of the manure to a holding tank. In another aspect the bedding is cleaned, rinsed and color is restored. The bedding material is subsequently dried and a bedding product, fertilizer product, and/or compacted product is formed. Alternatively, the bedding material is dried (without a compacting step) to form a product. In yet another aspect, the steps of separation, cleaning, rinsing and/or color restoration may be omitted.