Rotating Dosing Container for Powder Fertilizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming plant nutrient solutions using powder fertilizer components are prone to errors due to the need for manual measurement with a spoon, leading to potential over- or underfeeding. Additionally, the large access opening in can-like containers causes fertilizer salts to crust and agglomerate, reducing their solubility and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A closed dosing container with a receiving bowl and dosing pipe is used, where the container is rotated to fill the bowl with powder fertilizer, and then rotated again to discharge a metered quantity through the dosing pipe directly into a carrier liquid, minimizing exposure to air and moisture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large access opening is used in a can-like container for easy access to fertilizer, then ease of operation is improved, but the fertilizer salts are exposed to atmospheric moisture leading to crusting and agglomerating, which worsens solubility and dosability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a closed container system with a flexible or sealable opening mechanism that allows access to fertilizer only when needed. The container can be sealed tightly to prevent moisture ingress during storage, and opened temporarily for dosing, thus protecting the fertilizer from atmospheric moisture while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed to create a protected environment for the fertilizer, either through tight sealing that excludes atmospheric moisture or by introducing an inert atmosphere (such as nitrogen or dry air) that prevents hygroscopic salts from absorbing moisture and crusting.
2Ease of operation
If manual measurement with a measuring spoon is used to dose powder fertilizer, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates leading to over- or underfeeding
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service dosing where the container itself automatically dispenses the correct amount of fertilizer without requiring external measurement tools. The container is designed with built-in dosing mechanisms such as pre-measured compartments, controlled release valves, or mechanical dosing chambers that automatically provide the precise fertilizer quantity needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fertilizer is pre-portioned or pre-measured during manufacturing or before use. The container may include pre-filled compartments with exact fertilizer amounts, or a dosing mechanism that pre-calculates and dispenses the correct dosage based on plant requirements, eliminating the need for manual measurement and ensuring precision.
3Ease of operation
If powder fertilizer is stored in a container with large access opening, then ease of operation is improved, but the fertilizer product becomes unusable over time due to crusting and agglomerating, which worsens longevity
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses sealable openings or flexible membranes that maintain an airtight seal during storage, preventing moisture ingress that causes crusting. The seal can be easily opened for dosing and then resealed to protect the remaining fertilizer, thus extending shelf life while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The container creates a protected atmosphere that excludes moisture and oxygen, preventing the chemical and physical degradation of hygroscopic fertilizer salts. This inert environment maintains fertilizer flowability and solubility throughout the storage period, significantly extending product longevity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and dosing container for forming a plant nutrient solution, particularly for plants in house and garden, wherein powder fertilizer components, particularly powder nutrient salts, are stored in a container, and the powder fertilizer components are added to a carrier liquid, wherein the plant nutrient solution is formed for fertilizing, characterized in that a closed dosing container having a discharge opening at a top end of the dosing container is used as the container, wherein a receiving bowl having a receiving opening directed towards the discharge opening of the dosing container and a dosing pipe extending from the discharge opening up into the region of the receiving bowl are arranged in the dosing container, and, in that, in order to dispense a metered quantity of powder fertilizer components, the receiving bowl is filled with a quantity of powder fertilizer components, in particular by turning around the dosing container from the top side to the bottom side and back, and once the receiving bowl has been filled, the dosing container is turned from the top side to the bottom side, wherein a metered quantity of powder fertilizer components is discharged from the receiving bowl via the dosing pipe in a targeted manner through the downwardly directed discharge opening, in particular directly into the carrier liquid.