Overhead Feed Loading and Mixing to Cut Handling Losses

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing feed production and transportation process is time-consuming, expensive, and prone to significant losses due to manual operation, equipment maintenance challenges, and commodity loss during loading, transportation, and unloading, with on-site maintenance posing safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a primary carriage movable along a track overhead commodity bays, a secondary carriage with a scoop array for loading commodities, and a mixer assembly for mixing, which allows for simultaneous measurement, loading, and transportation of feed materials, reducing manual labor and equipment downtime.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manually operated vehicles are used to transport and load commodities, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the process is time-consuming and expensive with significant feed loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed production efficiencyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical vehicles with an automated overhead conveyor system that uses a carriage, scoop array, and mixer assembly to transport and mix commodities. This substitution eliminates the need for multiple manually operated vehicles, significantly reducing time consumption and operational costs while improving feed production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (transportation, loading, mixing, and weighing) into a single integrated overhead system. The carriage simultaneously performs transportation, the scoop array performs loading, the mixer assembly performs mixing, and load measurement mechanisms perform weighing, all in one coordinated operation, thereby eliminating the sequential processes required by manual vehicles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If multiple manually operated vehicles are used for commodity transportation and loading, then the system is flexible, but feed loss and operational costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed production efficiencyVSAvoidcommodity and feed loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The automated overhead system replaces manual vehicles, eliminating the loading and unloading operations that cause feed loss. The direct transfer from scoop array to mixer assembly through the overhead conveyor prevents spillage and shrinkage associated with manual handling and ground-level vehicle operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If stationary mixers are used for feed mixing, then the mixing process is stable, but maintenance must be performed on-site which is dangerous and disrupts production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemixing process stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance safety and continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a stationary mixer to a movable mixer assembly that can be relocated along the overhead track. This dynamic positioning allows the mixer to be moved to maintenance stations or removed from the production line for servicing, enabling maintenance to be performed safely away from active feed production areas while minimizing disruption to overall operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing system is segmented into a movable mixer assembly that can be independently maintained. The overhead conveyor system allows the mixer to be separated from the main production flow during maintenance, enabling technicians to service the mixer in isolated, safer locations without completely shutting down feed production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If manual vehicles are used for commodity loading, then the equipment is simple, but the process is expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple manual loading vehicles with an automated overhead loading system featuring a carriage, scoop array, and integrated weighing mechanisms. While the device complexity increases, the automation eliminates manual labor, reduces loading time, and improves precision through integrated load measurement, making the time savings and efficiency gains far outweigh the increased mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12622412B2Overhead animal feed loading, transporting and mixing system

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 POSTHUMUS ALBERT

AI summary

According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a system for loading, mixing and transporting feed. The system includes a scoop assembly and a mixing tub that are movable overhead a series of storage bays. The scoop assembly may retrieve commodities from the storage bays and load measured quantities of the commodities into the mixing tub.