Poultry Crop Protection Device with Adjustable Elastic Straps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing poultry protection devices fail to provide adequate support and protection for the crop area, particularly the upper chest, which is prone to pecking and over-plucking, leading to potential infection and death, and they lack flexibility and a comfortable, adjustable fit for birds of varying sizes and weights.
Innovation Solution
A poultry crop support and protection device with a body portion covering the crop, featuring adjustable securing straps that extend beyond the edges for a non-constricting and secure fit, made from materials like elastic, lycra, and cotton, with attachment options such as bows, knots, and fasteners, ensuring customizable fit and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If prior art poultry protection devices are used, then they provide basic coverage, but they fail to cover the upper chest area and provide inadequate support for the crop
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion covering the crop area, an outer panel extending over the upper chest, and an inner liner. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function - the body portion provides crop support while the outer panel protects the chest area from pecking and plucking.
Solution Approach 2:
The device extends coverage from merely the crop area to include the upper chest region by adding the outer panel that overlaps the body portion. This dimensional extension ensures comprehensive protection of both the crop and chest areas simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art devices are used, then they provide fixed sizing, but they lack flexibility and adjustable fit for birds of varying sizes and weights
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates elastic material in the body portion and securing straps that can be adjusted in length and tension. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to different bird sizes and weights while maintaining a secure but non-constricting fit through adjustable fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses adjustable parameters including strap length, fastener position, and elastic material properties to accommodate varying bird dimensions. These parameter adjustments enable a customized fit for each bird without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If securing straps are made long to extend beyond edges for adjustable fit, then they provide flexibility, but they require complex securing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The securing straps are designed to be simple enough that the bird or handler can easily adjust and secure them without complex mechanisms. The straps use basic fasteners that can be quickly adjusted or removed as needed, maintaining simplicity while providing adjustability.
Data Source
AI summary
A poultry support and protection device includes a body portion shaped to cover a crop of poultry. The body portion has opposing top and bottom edges (defining a width) separated by opposing side edges (defining a length). First and second securing straps are attached respectively to the first and second side edges. Each of the first and second securing straps extend longitudinally along an entirety of the body portion length and have a strap length greater than the body portion length such that each securing strap extends beyond at least one of the top and bottom edges. The first and second securing straps are operable to be releasably secured at a back of the poultry to attach the device to the poultry such that the body portion substantially covers the crop and to provide a non-constricting and adjustably secure fit.