Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Crop Processing Agricultural Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856884_0003_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Synergistic Combinations

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Crop Processing Agricultural Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856884_0003_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856884_0003_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 limitation of concentrated crop flow streams behind counter-rotating disc cutters in agricultural vehicles. However, it did not provide a comprehensive solution for optimizing crop material processing, tracking, and distribution. This new invention addresses these limitations by incorporating synergistic combinations of distinct technologies to create a more powerful system.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce novel combinations of AI, IoT, blockchain, and renewable energy with the original agricultural header, providing a synergistic system that is more efficient, autonomous, and sustainable than the original invention. The inventive step lies in the integration of these distinct technologies to create a comprehensive crop material processing system.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include different AI algorithms, various IoT sensor arrays, or different blockchain platforms. Variations may include integrating the agricultural header with other technologies such as robotics, drones, or satellite imaging.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

This invention has significant commercial potential in the agricultural industry, particularly in precision agriculture, autonomous farming, and sustainable crop material processing. The target market includes agricultural companies, farmers, and suppliers of agricultural equipment and services.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01D34/667
A A01 A01D41/1243
A A01 A01D43/10

Field of Art

Agricultural machinery and harvesting equipment, specifically header systems for crop processing with expertise in mechanical design, agricultural engineering, and automated crop handling technologies

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A skilled engineer with a degree in agricultural engineering or mechanical engineering, familiar with crop processing equipment, sensor technologies, and emerging agricultural automation techniques

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that integrating digital technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain with existing agricultural header systems represents a predictable evolution of agricultural machinery. The fundamental mechanical principles of the source patent's swath gate and crop material handling remain unchanged, while digital systems provide enhanced monitoring and optimization capabilities. These technological integrations represent standard design improvements that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner seeking to enhance agricultural equipment functionality.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Header frame with swath gate for spreading and converging crop material
PTD Variation
Adding IoT sensors to monitor crop moisture levels and soil conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating sensors for real-time environmental monitoring is a known technique in precision agriculture, representing a predictable application of existing sensor technologies to improve equipment performance
Source Patent Element
Agricultural header with mechanical crop material handling mechanism
PTD Variation
Implementing AI-based autonomous navigation and control systems
Obviousness Reasoning
Autonomous control of agricultural machinery is a well-established trend, with numerous existing technologies demonstrating predictable methods of integrating computer guidance into mechanical systems
Source Patent Element
Mechanical header system for crop processing
PTD Variation
Blockchain-based supply chain tracking for crop material distribution
Obviousness Reasoning
Applying blockchain tracking to agricultural product management represents a standard digital transformation approach, utilizing known information management techniques to enhance existing mechanical systems
Source Patent Element
Agricultural header with mechanical crop material handling
PTD Variation
Integrating renewable energy power generation for equipment operation
Obviousness Reasoning
Powering agricultural equipment with renewable energy sources is a known and predictable design choice, representing a standard approach to improving equipment sustainability
Source Patent Element
Mechanical swath gate for crop material spreading
PTD Variation
Machine learning algorithms for real-time adjustment of crop material processing parameters
Obviousness Reasoning
Adaptive control systems using machine learning represent a standard approach to optimizing mechanical system performance, providing predictable improvements in equipment functionality
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856884 and the associated Published Technical Disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious, as they represent predictable combinations of existing mechanical agricultural header technologies with standard digital monitoring, control, and optimization techniques. The disclosed variations do not introduce non-obvious technological innovations but instead represent standard evolutionary improvements in agricultural machinery design.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,884
TitleAgricultural header with swath gate for spreading and converging crop material
Assignee(s)CNH Industrial America LLC