Removable Adapter for Wildlife Feeder Bag Cutting

Solution Overview

Problem

Large wildlife feeders require time-consuming and labor-intensive refilling processes, often resulting in spillage, especially for retirees, due to the need to manually open and pour heavy bags of feed into large capacity feeders.

Innovation Solution

A removable multipurpose adapter in the shape of a truncated funnel that simultaneously opens the bag and funnels the feed into the feeder, reducing spillage and increasing refilling efficiency for both barrel and bulk type feeders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual refilling of large wildlife feeders is performed by pouring from heavy bags, then the feeder can be refilled, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary device between the feed bag and the feeder. It includes a blade that cuts open the bag and a funnel that directs the feed into the feeder, eliminating the need for manual pouring and significantly reducing refilling time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter combines multiple functions into a single device: bag cutting, feed channeling, and spill prevention. By merging these operations into one tool, the refilling process becomes much faster and more efficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If heavy bags of feed are manually handled and poured, then the feeder can be refilled, but spillage occurs on the ground

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The funnel portion of the adapter acts as an intermediary that guides the feed from the bag directly into the feeder opening, preventing spillage on the ground while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter concentrates the feed flow through a specific funnel shape that directs material precisely into the feeder opening, rather than allowing scattered pouring, thus reducing spillage in the critical area around the feeder opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adapter is designed to work with both barrel type and bulk type feeders, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both barrel type feeders with wire ropes and bulk type feeders on the ground. The funnel and mounting structure are configured to work with different feeder configurations without requiring multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter is divided into functional segments: a mounting portion that attaches to different feeder types, a blade portion for cutting bags, and a funnel portion for directing feed. This segmentation allows versatility while keeping each component relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 adapter significantly reduces the time and effort required to refill large feeders, minimizing spillage and allowing for faster replenishment of feeders, even those holding over 1000 pounds, by efficiently directing feed from heavy bags into the feeder.

Implementation Method 1

A heavy bag of feed is dropped on the elongate blade in the adapter which causes one side of the bag to burst open

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

the adapter funnels the feed into the wildlife feeder without waste

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The removable multipurpose adapter is formed in the shape of a truncated funnel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFunnel: Funnel

Data Source

PatentUS8534224B2Removable adapter to facilitate manual filling of animal feeders

Publication Date: 2013.09.17

AI summary

The removable multipurpose adapter can be used to facilitate the refilling process of large wildlife feeders. A bag of feed is dropped onto an elongate blade positioned in the adapter accomplishing two tasks almost simultaneously. First the elongate blade instantly opens the bag and the feed promptly falls from the bag if properly manipulated, without spillage. The adapter may be formed from a truncated funnel defining an inlet and an outlet. An elongate slot may be formed in the adapter to allow placement of the adapter on wildlife feeders that are raised and lowered with a wire rope which is not detached during the refilling process. The elongate blade may be offset from the center of the adapter to avoid tearing pieces of the bag which can jam the distribution assembly if allowed to fall into the feeder. The removable multipurpose adapter may be formed from a single piece or it may be formed from multiple parts.