Adaptive Swath Gate: Multi-Industry Material Flow Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856884_0002_PTD

Published: October 26, 2025

Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Swath Gate: Multi-Industry Material Flow Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856884_0002_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856884_0002_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,884.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent addressed the issue of concentrated crop flow streams in agricultural vehicles. However, the core technology of the swath gate can be repurposed to tackle similar flow management challenges in other domains. The new invention leverages this concept to provide efficient material handling solutions in diverse industries.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new invention lies in the unexpected application of the swath gate technology to non-agricultural fields, overcoming the limitations of the original patent. The inventive step involves recognizing the versatility of the core technology and adapting it to address distinct material management challenges in various industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include adjustable swath gates, modular header designs, or integrated sensing systems to optimize material flow and processing. Variations could involve different materials, shapes, or sizes of the swath gate, as well as customized header configurations for specific industries or use cases.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This invention has significant commercial potential in various industries, including urban waste management, construction material recycling, autonomous lawn care, stormwater runoff reduction, and efficient snow removal. The adaptive swath gate technology can improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance environmental sustainability in these markets.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A01	A01D34/667
A	A01	A01D41/1243
A	A01	A01D43/10

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

▼

Field of Art

Agricultural and industrial material processing systems, focusing on cutting, conveying, and managing material flows using mechanical headers and gate mechanisms

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

An engineer with expertise in agricultural machinery design, mechanical engineering, and material handling systems, familiar with modular design principles and cross-industry technology adaptation

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental principles of the source patent's swath gate technology as universally applicable across different material handling contexts. The core mechanical concepts of cutting, spreading, and converging material flows can be readily translated to alternative domains by substituting specific material types and adjusting mechanical parameters. The disclosed variations represent predictable engineering adaptations that leverage the fundamental mechanical principles established in the original agricultural header design.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Counter-rotating disc cutters for crop material processing

PTD Variation

Applying disc cutter technology to construction material recycling and waste management

Obviousness Reasoning

Known cutting mechanism with predictable performance when applied to similar material processing challenges, representing a straightforward design transfer

Source Patent Element

Swath gate for spreading and converging crop material flow

PTD Variation

Adapting swath gate mechanism for snow removal and stormwater management

Obviousness Reasoning

Mechanical flow control principles are consistent across different material types, with modifications being routine engineering design choices

Source Patent Element

Header frame with integrated cutting and conveying mechanisms

PTD Variation

Robotic lawn mower header design with similar structural and functional configuration

Obviousness Reasoning

Modular design principles allow direct translation of mechanical subsystems between similar material processing applications

Source Patent Element

Roll-based material conveyance system with defined flow gaps

PTD Variation

Waste collection vehicle header with analogous material transport mechanisms

Obviousness Reasoning

Fundamental material transport principles are consistent, with specific geometric adaptations being within ordinary skill of a PHOSITA

Source Patent Element

Rearwardly disposed processing mechanisms

PTD Variation

Integrated processing systems for different material types following initial cutting/spreading

Obviousness Reasoning

Systematic approach to material processing is generalizable across domains, representing a predictable engineering solution

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856884's disclosure of agricultural header technology, the present publication demonstrates that a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the claimed variations obvious through routine engineering adaptation. The fundamental mechanical principles of material cutting, spreading, and processing can be readily translated across diverse technical domains, rendering subsequent claims involving similar mechanisms prima facie obvious under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,856,884
Title	Agricultural header with swath gate for spreading and converging crop material
Assignee(s)	CNH Industrial America LLC