Refrigerated Livestock Container Handling to Limit Farm Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collection systems for dead farm animals face challenges such as delayed collection, leading to decay and health hazards, and the risk of contamination spread between farms due to manual handling by drivers.
Innovation Solution
A dead livestock collection system comprising a refrigerated container with a refrigeration unit, a collection vehicle with a top-loading opening and a loading mechanism for grasping and tipping the container, and a refrigeration chamber with a door actuation unit and container translation unit for efficient and sanitary collection and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the driver manually handles the container at the collection site, then the collection operation can be completed, but the risk of contamination spread between farms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated robotic arm system. The robotic arm is mounted on the collection vehicle and can automatically grasp, lift, and transport the container between the collection site and the vehicle without human intervention, thereby eliminating the contamination risk associated with drivers stepping on the ground at collection sites
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the container and the driver. It performs the intermediate function of transferring the container, allowing the driver to remain inside the vehicle and avoid direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces at the collection site
2Device complexity
If the container is stored without refrigeration, then the system complexity is reduced, but decay and health hazards occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the container before dead livestock are deposited into it. The refrigeration unit is activated in advance to maintain the container at a temperature of 0°C to 4°C, ensuring that any livestock placed inside are immediately cooled to prevent decay and the release of harmful gases and liquids
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the container environment from ambient temperature to controlled refrigeration temperatures (0°C to 4°C). This parameter change prevents biological decomposition processes that would otherwise occur at higher temperatures, eliminating the generation of harmful gases and liquids
3Adaptability or versatility
If collection timing is delayed, then the farmer has more flexibility, but decay and gas release increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous refrigeration action from the moment dead livestock are deposited into the container until collection. The refrigeration unit operates continuously to maintain the temperature between 0°C and 4°C, preventing decay processes regardless of how long the livestock remain in the container, thus allowing flexible collection scheduling without compromising sanitary conditions
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 system improves sanitary safety by maintaining refrigeration to prevent decay, reduces contamination risk through automated handling, and ensures timely collection, minimizing health hazards and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration unit arranged to maintain the container refrigerated
Implementation Method 2
The refrigeration unit is arranged to maintain the refrigeration chamber at or below a predetermined temperature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a dead livestock collection system comprising: a container (1) located at a collection site (2) close to a delimiting perimeter (3) of a farm; a collection vehicle (6) having a collection box (8) with a top opening (9); a loading mechanism (10) of the collection vehicle (6) for grasping the container (1), lift and tip it to unload the dead livestock into the collection box (8); wherein the collection site (2) has an inner access side (2a), through which the container (1) is accessible from inside or through the delimiting perimeter (3), and an opposite outer access side (2b) through which the container (1) is accessible to the collection vehicle (6) from outside the delimiting perimeter (3); the system further comprising: a refrigeration chamber (4) for refrigerating the container (1) and provided with a door (11); a door actuation unit (12) of said door (11); and a translation unit (13) for moving the container (1) from the refrigeration chamber (4) to the collection site (2) and vice versa while said door (11) is open.