Verified Enriched Shell Egg Production via Vaccination and Feed Modification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current egg production methods fail to adequately eliminate Salmonella Enteritidis contamination and do not sufficiently enhance the nutritional content and physical properties of eggs, leading to potential health risks and negative consumer perceptions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving specific vaccination schedules, nutritional supplementation with vitamins D and E, Omega-3 fatty acids, and rigorous testing and verification processes to ensure eggs are free from Salmonella contamination and have improved nutritional and physical qualities, including the use of feed mixtures with canola oil and flaxseed to enhance nutrient levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current FDA guidelines and procedures are used for egg production, then the production process is simple and costs are low, but Salmonella Enteritidis contamination cannot be adequately eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelimination of Salmonella Enteritidis contaminationVSAvoidcomplexity of production process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary vaccination of pullets against Salmonella Enteritidis before they begin laying eggs. Environmental testing is conducted at multiple predetermined time points (14-16 weeks, 40-45 weeks, and after molt) to proactively identify and eliminate contamination risks before they affect the egg product. This preliminary action approach prevents contamination rather than merely detecting it after occurrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback system where environmental test results directly trigger subsequent actions. If environmental tests are positive, egg testing is immediately conducted and production is adjusted. This closed-loop feedback ensures that contamination risks are rapidly identified and addressed, improving reliability while managing process complexity through systematic response protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If egg testing is conducted routinely for Salmonella Enteritidis, then contamination detection is improved, but production time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of Salmonella Enteritidis contaminationVSAvoidtime for egg testing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial testing by conducting egg testing selectively based on environmental test results rather than routinely testing all eggs. Egg testing is performed within two weeks of the start of laying only if environmental tests are positive, and a sufficient number of negative egg tests are required before allowing eggs to enter the market. This partial action approach maintains detection reliability while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Quantity of substance

If nutritional supplements are added to feed to enhance egg nutritional content, then beneficial nutrients are increased, but saturated fat content may increase and production costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutritional content of eggsVSAvoidsaturated fat content

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the composition parameters of the feed by incorporating specific supplements including vitamins D and E, Omega-3 fatty acid sources (canola oil, flaxseed), and reducing saturated fat content. This parameter change approach transforms the egg nutritional profile to enhance beneficial nutrients while minimizing harmful factors, addressing the contradiction between increasing nutritional value and reducing saturated fat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If multiple environmental tests are conducted at different time points, then Salmonella Enteritidis contamination is better prevented, but production time and monitoring complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of Salmonella Enteritidis contaminationVSAvoidegg production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic environmental testing at strategically determined intervals: at 14-16 weeks of age, at 40-45 weeks of age, and 4-6 weeks after each molt. This periodic action approach maintains high reliability for contamination prevention by testing at critical life stages while managing productivity by avoiding excessive testing frequency. The timing is optimized to detect contamination risks when they are most likely to occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10197543B1Method for the production of a verified enriched shell egg

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 EGGLANDS BEST

AI summary

A method, apparatus and computer readable storage medium for producing a verified enriched shell egg (VESE) and the resulting VESE therefrom can comprise a method of production and verification. The method of production and verification can ensure that the VESE has a reduced risk of presence of Salmonella enteritidis, has high desirable nutrient contents, low undesirable nutrient contents, and good egg and shell qualities. Additionally, a method of tracking the VESE throughout the entire process can be included, as well as a method for indicating an egg has been produced as part of the VESE method.