Edible Feed Supplement Structure with Corrugated Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal feed supplements often result in waste due to non-edible packaging and lack of structural support, which can lead to instability and inefficiency in storage and consumption.
Innovation Solution
An edible support structure made from materials like corrugated cardboard is integrated into the feed supplement, providing structural rigidity and allowing the entire supplement to be consumed, reducing waste and enhancing stability during storage and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-edible packaging is used for feed supplements, then structural support and stability are improved, but waste is increased and consumption efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging material is made homogeneous with the feed supplement material itself - both are edible and consumable by the animal. The supplement block and packaging are essentially the same material (molasses-based mixture) in different forms, eliminating the distinction between edible content and non-edible packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-edible packaging component is extracted and removed from the system entirely. Instead of having separate packaging, the structural support function is achieved through the edible support structure within the supplement block itself, which is fully consumable.
2Device complexity
If solid feed supplement blocks are manufactured without internal support structure, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but stability and shape retention under varying conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supplement block is segmented into two functional components: an edible support structure (skeleton) and feed supplement material (filling). The support structure provides the structural framework while the filling provides the nutritional content, creating a composite structure with enhanced stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The supplement block uses a composite structure combining an edible support framework with feed supplement material filling. This composite design provides both structural integrity and nutritional function, improving shape retention and stability under varying conditions.
3Loss of substance
If edible support structure is integrated into feed supplement, then waste is reduced and sustainability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and process difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process merges the production of packaging and supplement into a single integrated process. The edible support structure and feed supplement material are formed together in one molding operation, eliminating separate packaging steps and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The edible support structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support during storage and transport, acts as packaging containment, and serves as additional feed material for the animal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and processes.
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 edible support structure ensures that the feed supplement is fully consumed, maintains shape under varying conditions, and provides a refillable solution with reduced waste and improved handling, making it more sustainable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
heating molasses to evaporate the moisture content, creating a viscous candy-like substance
Implementation Method 2
poured chemical hardening... initiate a gelling reaction in the presence of a molasses to produce a solidified product
Implementation Method 3
The reaction is typically exothermic, resulting in the product curing under the heat of reaction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
An edible support structure 10 for an animal feed supplement which permits the supplement to be used as a refill. The structure 10 is formed from corrugated cardboard and can be folded along fold lines 14 to provide a circular base 18 with an upstanding wall 20 with flutes 22 surrounding the base 18, into which an animal feed material can be poured.