Nested Lid Food Dispenser for Compact Chicken Feeder Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food vending machines for small animals, particularly chickens, require significant space for transport due to their dimensions, leading to high transport and packaging costs.
Innovation Solution
The design of the food vending machine includes a storage container and lid element that are dimensionally coordinated to allow the lid element to be positioned within the interior during transport, using a compact configuration that eliminates the need for additional packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the food dispenser is designed with a storage container and lid element of conventional dimensions, then the dispenser can function properly for dispensing food to small animals, but the dispenser requires considerable space for transport and incurs high transport and packaging costs
Solution Approach 1:
The lid element is designed to be insertable into the storage container, nesting one component within another. The lid element has a geometry that allows it to fit inside the storage container when removed from its operational position, effectively reducing the transport volume by utilizing the existing container space rather than requiring separate packaging.
2Reliability
If the lid element is designed to seal the opening of the storage container, then the food can be stored securely, but the lid element increases the overall dimensions and transport space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lid element is designed with a geometry that allows it to nest within the storage container when not in use. The lid element can be inserted into the storage container through the opening, utilizing the internal volume of the container for storage during transport, thereby eliminating the need for additional packaging space.
3Reliability
If the dispensing trough extends beyond the opening plane towards the container base, then liquid foodstuffs are prevented from flowing out uncontrolled, but the outer wall dimensions increase transport space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lid element is designed to nest within the storage container, and the dispensing trough is integrated into the lid element's structure. When the lid element is nested inside the storage container during transport, the dispensing trough becomes part of the nested configuration, reducing the overall transport volume while maintaining the liquid containment function during operational use.
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
This design enables compact shipping and assembly, reducing transport and packaging costs while ensuring secure and efficient operation for dispensing food or water to animals.
Implementation Method 1
in the operating position, in which the storage container is positioned above the lid element, allowing the food in the storage container to move into the dispensing trough due to gravity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a food vending machine for small animals, in particular chickens, comprising a hood-shaped storage container (2a, 2b) with an interior space (9) which is delimited by a circumferential side wall (11, 12), a container base (4) which adjoins the side wall (11, 12) on the one hand at the end face, and an opening (8) opposite the container base (4), and a cover element (5a, 5b) which can be releasably arranged on the storage container (2a, 2b) so as to cover the opening (8) in a use position, with a removal channel (6) which, in the use position, at least partially surrounds the storage container (2a, 2b) in the region of the opening (8), the outer wall (7) of which, in the use position, preferably extends beyond a plane formed by the opening (8) in the direction of the container base (4), and a connecting section (10a, 10b) which connects the removal channel (6) to the interior space (9).In order to provide a food dispenser for small animals which has a compact design for transport and only causes low packaging costs, it is provided that the lid element (5a, 5b) and the storage container (2a, 2b) are designed such that the lid element (5a, 5b) can be positioned in a transport position within the interior space (9).