Recloseable Granular Material Container With Wheeled Spreader Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material spreaders are cumbersome, wasteful, and prone to over-fertilization due to their bulky design and lack of efficient material handling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A recloseable packaging container with a dispensing opening, combined with a wheeled spreader unit featuring a container holder and base hopper, allows for controlled dispensing and collection of granular materials, preventing excess material from being spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a bulky hopper is used to hold granular material, then the material spreader can hold more material, but the device becomes heavier and more cumbersome to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The granular material container is divided into two separate parts: the original spreader hopper and the packaging container. The packaging container serves as a portable, pre-filled reservoir that can be detached and replaced, allowing the spreader mechanism itself to remain lightweight while still providing access to sufficient material through multiple containers.
2Ease of operation
If a permanent tear is made in the box for material discharge, then material can flow easily, but the contents are no longer sealed and attract pests
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing opening is made dynamic rather than permanent - it can be opened when material discharge is needed and closed when not in use. The flaps are designed to be movable, allowing the opening to be sealed by folding the flaps back into position, thus preventing pest attraction while maintaining ease of operation during active use.
3Loss of substance
If the box is stored upside down to prevent material flow, then material loss is reduced, but the box cannot be properly sealed
Solution Approach 1:
The recloseable dispensing opening with movable flaps acts as an intermediary mechanism that eliminates the need for upside-down storage. By providing a controllable seal at the dispensing point, the container can be stored upright in a proper sealing position while preventing both material loss and pest/moisture intrusion simultaneously.
4Strength
If a robust frame is used to support the hopper, then the spreader is more durable, but it becomes more expensive and difficult to store
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy-duty frame structure is extracted from the overall system by removing the bulky hopper that required it. The spreader mechanism itself can remain simple and lightweight since it no longer needs to support a large, heavy hopper. The packaging container is handled separately as a disposable or replaceable component, allowing the permanent structure to be minimized.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure pertains to an assembly (1) and method for spreading a granular material, the assembly (1) comprising: a recloseable packaging container (11) for granular materials, provided with a dispensing opening (90), formed by an ensemble of a tab (72) and a second tongue (83), which dispensing opening (90) is openable and recloseable; and a wheeled spreader unit (100), said spreader unit (100) containing: a frame (110); a container holder (170) mounted on said frame (110) for receiving and maintaining said packaging container (11) in a predetermined position, enabling the outflow of granular material from said opened dispensing opening (90), through an opening (176) in said container holder (170) coinciding with said dispensing opening (90) of said packaging container (11), when placed upon the container holder (170); a base hopper (120); and an impeller (150).