Pet Feeder with Hermetic Portion Packages and Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic feeding devices for pets using RFID technology often result in food spillage and are less appetizing due to the use of pelleted food, which also has a shorter shelf life compared to hermetic food, and lack the ability to ensure regular feeding when pets are alone.
Innovation Solution
An automatic feeding device equipped with an RFID reader and magazines for hermetically sealed portion packages of various pet foods, featuring an automatic opening mechanism using a knife or steel wire, and a compression system to manage packaging, allowing for varied and healthy feeding schedules, even in the absence of supervision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If pelleted food is used in automatic feeding devices, then the feeding process is automated and convenient, but food spillage occurs and the food becomes less appetizing
Solution Approach 1:
The food is segmented into individual portion packages (6) that are distributed one at a time. Each package is a self-contained unit that prevents spillage during handling and dispensing, while still enabling automated feeding through the magazine system
Solution Approach 2:
The portion packages utilize flexible packaging materials that can be sealed hermetically. The flexible nature allows the packages to be compressed after use, reducing volume in the magazine, while the sealed structure prevents spillage and maintains food quality
2Extent of automation
If pelleted food is used in automatic feeding devices, then the feeding process is automated, but the food has shorter shelf life compared to hermetic food
Solution Approach 1:
The food supply is divided into multiple sealed portion packages rather than one large open container. Each package maintains hermetic sealing until use, preventing degradation and extending the effective shelf life of the food in the automatic feeder
Solution Approach 2:
The portion packages are hermetically sealed to create a protective environment that excludes oxygen and moisture, preventing food degradation and extending shelf life while enabling automated storage and dispensing
3Reliability
If portion packages are used in the automatic feeding device, then food freshness is maintained, but the device complexity increases due to the need for opening and compression mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The portion packages are designed to be automatically opened by the existing magazine mechanism without requiring separate complex opening devices. The package structure itself facilitates easy opening through the magazine's normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
After the portion package is emptied, the compression mechanism compacts the empty packaging material. This reduces the volume occupied by waste packages in the magazine, effectively increasing storage capacity without adding significant complexity
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 device ensures efficient, spill-free, and appetizing feeding by automatically opening and compressing hermetic food packages, maintaining food freshness and variety, while monitoring food intake and alerting owners to maintenance needs through WiFi connectivity.
Implementation Method 1
RFID reader for reading of one or more ID tags that are attached to one or more pets
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Automatic feeding device (1) for pets associated to a RFID reader (3) for reading of one or more ID tags that are attached to one or more pets. The automatic feeding device (1 ) comprises one or more magazines (4) for portion packages (6) with food, and an automatic opening mechanism (7) for opening of the portion packages (6) and serving of the content.