Sack Container for Agricultural Material Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional method of collecting and processing pruned runners in agricultural settings is inefficient and harmful, as it requires frequent transportation of heavy chopped material, which can lead to pathogenic issues and is time-consuming, and does not allow for proper drying of the material.

Innovation Solution

A processing apparatus using a sack container that can be suspended off the ground, allowing for flexible handling and transportation, with built-in chopping mechanisms to produce uniform material sizes suitable for further use, and air-permeable sacks for drying the material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If chopped material is accumulated in a metal tank, then the material can be collected, but the tank becomes heavy and requires frequent transportation to collection means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial collection capacityVSAvoidtank weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid metal tank with a flexible sack container that can be easily detached and transported. The sack is suspended during operation and can be emptied directly at the processing site, eliminating the need for heavy metal tank transportation. This flexible container solution reduces both the weight of the moving object and the frequency of transportation operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Productivity

If runners are chopped and accumulated directly in a body, then collection is efficient, but the material cannot be dried if too moist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection efficiencyVSAvoiddrying capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamically adjustable sack suspension system that can be raised or lowered based on operational needs. The sack can be suspended during collection operations for efficient gathering, then lowered to the ground for drying operations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt between collection efficiency and drying versatility as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a special apparatus is used to collect runners, then pathogenic micro-organisms are prevented, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepathogenic micro-organism contaminationVSAvoidapparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the collection function from a complex specialized apparatus and implements it using a simple detachable sack container. By separating the collection container from the processing apparatus, the system prevents pathogenic contamination while minimizing apparatus complexity. The sack can be easily removed, emptied, and replaced, eliminating the need for complex cleaning and sterilization systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If the sack is suspended off the ground during operation, then handling is convenient, but the sack must be released and left on the ground for emptying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling convenienceVSAvoidemptying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the sack suspension system such that the sack can be preliminarily filled while suspended, then conveniently lowered to the ground for emptying. The suspension system is designed to allow easy lowering and raising operations, enabling workers to efficiently empty the sack at the processing site without requiring complex lifting equipment or excessive time for the emptying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution reduces the need for frequent transportation, minimizes pathogenic risks, allows for convenient handling and drying of the material, and facilitates more efficient processing and use of the chopped plant material in applications like fuel production.

Implementation Method 1

a sack container which, in the normal operating condition, is suspended off the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir permeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP1721517B1Apparatus and bag for processing a material
Publication Date: 2012.02.15 NOBILI
  • EP1721517B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1721517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1721517B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A process and an apparatus for the recovery of material of plant origin, in particular in the form of runners or the like, involves chopping the material and putting the material in a suitable collection container (17). Advantageously, a sack container (17) is used as the collection container (17).