Feed Container Retention Members Prevent Feed Spillage

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing livestock feed containers are prone to tipping over, causing hardened feed products like molasses to slide out and become damaged or contaminated when the container is not in an upright position.

Innovation Solution

A feed container with retention members molded or affixed to the inner sidewall, which extend into the storage area to grip and retain hardened feed products, preventing them from sliding out when the container is tipped or on its side.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If large containers are placed on the ground for livestock feeding, then the animals can eat from them, but the containers tip over when kicked or stepped on, causing feed to empty and become damaged or contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelivestock feeding accessibilityVSAvoidcontainer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment can be independently filled and will empty separately if the container tips, preventing a single catastrophic loss of all feed. This segmentation also allows the container to remain partially functional even when tipped, maintaining some feeding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls act as intermediaries between the feed and the external environment. When the container tips, the partitions prevent direct contact between the feed and ground contaminants, serving as a protective barrier that maintains feed integrity even during instability events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If feed containers are used in cold weather, then livestock can be fed, but hardened feed products slide out of the container when tipped, causing damage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelivestock feeding capabilityVSAvoidfeed damage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple compartments separated by partitions. Each compartment can be independently filled and will empty separately if the container tips, preventing a single catastrophic loss of all feed. This segmentation also allows the container to remain partially functional even when tipped, maintaining some feeding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls act as intermediaries between the feed and the external environment. When the container tips, the partitions prevent direct contact between the feed and ground contaminants, serving as a protective barrier that maintains feed integrity even during instability events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12213458B2Feed container with internal retention member

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 DURAPLAS LP

AI summary

A feed container for storing hardened livestock feed is disclosed. The feed container has a storage area defined by a bottom wall and a sidewall for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall. Also disclosed is a method for utilizing a feed container, having said storage area for retaining animal feed within the storage area when the feed is in a solid phase and the feed container is in a non-upward resting position or is on its sidewall.