Stackable Poultry Container with Integrated Feeder and Waste Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The care and feeding of young poultry, such as turkey poults and chicks, pose challenges due to the need for sanitary spaces with access to feed, especially when these conditions must be maintained during transport.
Innovation Solution
A stackable poultry container system with integrated feeder apparatus and waste apertures that allow for feed distribution and waste management without unstacking, featuring waste shields to prevent contamination and promote animal mobility and feeding access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If waste apertures are made larger to improve waste passage, then waste removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of hock-lock (bird becoming trapped) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste aperture geometry is modified by adding protrusions that extend inward from the sides, changing the shape from a simple circular opening to a more complex form with narrowed sections. This parameter change allows the aperture to maintain adequate waste passage while preventing bird leg entrapment through the geometric modifications
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the waste aperture have different properties - the protrusions create localized constrictions in specific areas while maintaining larger opening areas in other regions. This local quality variation allows waste to pass through the larger areas while the constricted regions prevent bird legs from becoming trapped
2Volume of moving object
If containers are stacked to improve space utilization, then transport efficiency is improved, but feed distribution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feed distribution functions are merged into a single uppermost feeder apparatus. This single device serves all stacked containers simultaneously through vertical feed delivery and lateral distribution mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate feeders in each container and simplifying the overall feed distribution system
Solution Approach 2:
The uppermost feeder apparatus is designed with multi-functionality to perform multiple tasks: storing feed, vertically distributing feed to lower containers, laterally distributing feed within each container level, and preventing waste contamination. This universal device replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate feeding systems
3Object-affected harmful factors
If waste shields are added to prevent contamination, then sanitation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Waste shields are introduced as intermediary components positioned between the waste apertures of upper containers and the floors of lower containers. These shields act as mediators that intercept waste material before it can contaminate lower container environments, while their simple shield-like structure adds minimal complexity to the overall system
Data Source
AI summary
Stackable poultry container systems are described herein along with methods of using the systems in connection with the care of poultry. The stackable poultry container systems described herein may include feeder apparatus that allow for the distribution of feed to all of the containers within a stack of containers through the feeder apparatus provided in the uppermost container in the stack. The stackable poultry container systems described herein may include a floor that has waste apertures formed therein to allow waste from animals located in the container to fall through the floor to improve sanitation for the animals located in the container system. The stacks of poultry containers may include waste shields located beneath each floor such that waste falling through the floor of a container does not pass into the container located below when the containers are stacked on top of each other.