Feeder for packaged food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaged food feeders for pets result in users getting their hands dirty due to excessive food being squeezed out, and there is a risk of food wastage.
Innovation Solution
A feeder with a housing and coupling element that holds a food package, featuring a movable squeezing element to apply radial pressure and a guide mechanism to ensure all food is extracted, minimizing hand contact and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the user squeezes out food from the food package, then the food can be extracted for the pet to lick, but the user's hands will get dirty with food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a feeder as an intermediary device between the food package and the pet. The feeder includes a food storage area that receives food from the package and an accommodating area that holds the package. The coupling element secures the package to the feeder, allowing food to be squeezed into the storage area without direct hand contact. This mediator (feeder) transfers the food extraction function while isolating the user's hands from food contamination.
2Quantity of substance
If the user squeezes out food from the food package, then the food can be extracted for the pet to lick, but too much food is squeezed out causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder provides visual feedback to the user during the food extraction process. The food storage area allows the user to observe the food being squeezed from the package and accumulate in the storage area. This visibility enables the user to stop squeezing when the storage area is sufficiently filled, preventing over-extraction and food waste. The feedback mechanism (visual observation) creates a natural stopping point that matches the actual need.
3Reliability
If a coupling element is added to hold the food package, then the food package can be securely positioned, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is segmented into two functional parts: a fixing strip that attaches to the housing and a protrusion that engages with the food package. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently - the fixing strip provides structural attachment while the protrusion provides package engagement. The modular segmentation simplifies the overall design compared to a monolithic coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element uses a nested structure where the protrusion is positioned within the context of the fixing strip and housing. The protrusion engages with the food package while being supported by the fixing strip attachment to the housing. This nesting arrangement allows the coupling function to be achieved with minimal additional components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable package positioning.
4Loss of substance
If a squeezing element is added to apply radial pressure, then complete food extraction is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The squeezing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies radial pressure to the food package for complete food extraction, and it is movable between an initial position and a final position to accommodate different stages of the squeezing process. This multi-functionality allows a single component to achieve complete food extraction without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a feeder for a packaged food, pertaining to the technical field of pet products. The feeder includes a housing and a coupling element. The housing includes a food storage area and an accommodating area in communication with the food storage area. The coupling element is attached to the housing, and is configured to hold a food package in the accommodating area. Food squeezed out of the food package by a user can be stored in the food storage area for a pet to lick. As such, the user will not get his or her hands dirty with food.