Multi-Hole Cold-Smoking Housing for Pet Treat Odor Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reducing or eliminating the odor of pet treats like bully sticks are inefficient and time-consuming, particularly when smoking a high volume of treats.
Innovation Solution
A cold smoking apparatus and method using multiple holes for introducing cold smoke at controlled temperatures to efficiently reduce or eliminate odor from pet treats, such as bully sticks, within a housing with racks for multiple treats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional smoking methods are used to reduce odor from pet treats, then the odor reduction effect is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient for high volume production
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple compartments with separate smoke introduction holes distributed throughout the structure. This segmentation allows smoke to be introduced at multiple locations simultaneously, increasing the surface area exposed to smoke and reducing the overall smoking time while maintaining effective odor reduction across all pet treats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-point or surface-level smoking to a three-dimensional smoke distribution system. Multiple holes are positioned at different locations and orientations within the housing, enabling smoke to penetrate and circulate through the entire volume of the housing, thereby efficiently treating high volumes of pet treats in less time.
2Productivity
If multiple pet treats are smoked simultaneously to increase productivity, then the volume of treats treated increases, but the complexity of managing multiple treats and smoke distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the pet treats, distributes smoke through multiple holes, and manages the smoking process for high volume production. The multiple holes are integrated into the housing walls and ceiling, creating a unified system that handles both smoke generation and distribution without requiring separate complex equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different holes are positioned at specific locations within the housing to target different regions where pet treats are placed. Each hole is strategically located to optimize smoke distribution to its adjacent treats, ensuring uniform treatment across all items while simplifying the overall system design through localized optimization rather than requiring complex centralized control.
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 apparatus and method effectively reduce or eliminate odor from pet treats in a shorter time frame, providing a smoky flavor that is appealing to both pets and owners, while maintaining efficiency and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus and method provide a smoke flavor to, e.g., bully sticks and other pet treats sourced from animals, via the use of a relatively more efficient cold smoking procedure
Data Source
AI summary
A method of smoking and reducing or eliminating the odor of pet treats, comprising placing one or more pet treats within an internal cavity enclosed by a housing having one or more side walls, a rear wall, a top cover, a bottom floor, and a door; introducing smoke into the internal cavity using a cold smoker connected to one or more holes in at least one of said one or more side walls, wherein the smoke has a temperature below 86° F.; and removing the one or more pet treats from the internal cavity after being exposed to the smoke for a time period in the range of 3 hours to 8 hours. An apparatus for smoking and reducing or eliminating the odor of pet treats is also disclosed.