Animal Feed Cover with Flowable Coating Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal feed containers face challenges with moisture loss and damage due to the lack of effective sealing and protection for the feed products, especially when they are exposed to ambient temperatures during shipping and handling.

Innovation Solution

A cover system using a flexible film with a flowable coating and a rigid or semi-rigid layer that conforms to the animal feed surface, forming a seal at elevated temperatures to prevent moisture loss and mechanical damage, while being removable and adaptable to irregular feed surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid cover is used to protect animal feed, then mechanical damage is prevented, but the cover cannot conform to irregular feed surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against mechanical damageVSAvoidconformability to irregular surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover combines a rigid outer layer (cardboard or plastic) with a flexible inner layer (heat-activatable coating and flexible film) to simultaneously provide mechanical strength and conformability to irregular feed surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible film's physical state changes from rigid at room temperature to pliable when heated, allowing it to conform to irregular surfaces during application and then maintain structural integrity as it cools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sealing is performed at room temperature, then the feed is already hardened, but moisture loss occurs during the cooling period

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed hardness stabilityVSAvoidmoisture loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is applied to the feed while it is still warm and pliable, sealing in moisture before the feed fully hardens and cools, preventing moisture loss during the critical cooling period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible film alone is used to conform to feed surface, then irregular surfaces are accommodated, but mechanical strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to irregular surfacesVSAvoidmechanical protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If the cover is made fully rigid for structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but the cover cannot be removed easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical protectionVSAvoidremovability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-activatable coating transitions from a bonded state when warm to a separable state when cool, allowing easy removal of the rigid outer layer while maintaining protection during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cover system effectively seals and protects animal feed within containers, reducing moisture loss and mechanical damage, allowing for efficient handling and storage at elevated temperatures, and facilitating faster production and distribution by enabling sealing before the feed cools to room temperature.

Implementation Method 1

The animal feed may utilize an exothermic reaction for hardening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

applying heat to the cover to cause the flowable coating to reach a flow temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

The flexible film conforms to the exposed surface of the feed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

the cover forms a seal with the animal feed upon the flowable coating reaching the flow temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20200039712A1Animal feed covers and systems and methods for their production and use

Publication Date: 2020.02.06 PURINA ANIMAL NUTRITION LLC

AI summary

Methods of covering an animal feed product involve depositing in an open end of a container an animal feed. Placing a cover on an exposed surface of the feed at the open end of the container, where the cover includes a flowable coating arranged on one side of a flexible film and a rigid or semi-rigid layer bound to an opposite side of the film. The exposed surface of the feed comprises irregular surface structures due to feed components positioned at the exposed surface. A central portion of the flexible film of the placed cover conforms to the irregular surface structures at the exposed surface of the feed upon the flowable coating reaching a temperature of at least about 125° F.