Adaptive Sorting System: Multi-Industry Processing Innovation

Publication ID: 24-11856893_0007_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:New Applications & Use Cases

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Adaptive Sorting System: Multi-Industry Processing Innovation,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856893_0007_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856893_0007_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. 11,856,893.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a concave changing system for a combine harvester. However, the limitations of this system are that it is specifically designed for agricultural applications, and its adaptability to other industries is restricted. The present invention addresses this limitation by applying the core technology to new industries, solving the problem of inefficient sorting and processing in these domains.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce a novel application of the concave support and adjustment system, extending its use beyond agricultural applications to various industries. The inventive step lies in the recognition of the system's adaptability to different domains and the development of modular designs that can be easily integrated into these industries.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different types of separators, such as air-based or water-based systems, or varying concave support and adjustment structures to accommodate specific industry requirements. Additionally, the system could be integrated with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence or robotics, to further enhance its efficiency and adaptability.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The invention has significant commercial potential in various industries, including recycling, agriculture, manufacturing, and food processing. The modular design and adaptability of the system make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality. The target market includes companies operating in these industries, as well as startups and research institutions developing innovative solutions for these domains.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A01 A01F12/28
A A01 A01F12/26

Field of Art

Agricultural and industrial material processing systems, focusing on rotary separation technologies with adjustable concave support structures, requiring expertise in mechanical engineering, agricultural equipment design, and material handling systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer with 5-7 years experience in industrial separation technologies, familiar with rotary threshing mechanisms, material transport systems, and adaptive mechanical designs across agricultural and manufacturing domains

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental adaptability of the concave support and adjustment system from the source patent, understanding that its core mechanical principles of rotary separation and adjustable positioning can be readily translated across different material processing contexts. The modular design inherent in the original combine harvester threshing system provides a clear technical framework for extending the technology to recycling, manufacturing, and sorting applications. The technical core of adjustable concave structures represents a generalizable mechanical solution applicable to multiple domains with predictable engineering modifications.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Rotary thresher with adjustable concave support structure for crop processing
PTD Variation
Rotary separator for recycling facilities with material-specific concave adjustments
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of adapting separation technologies across domains, with predictable results based on transferable mechanical principles of rotary motion and adjustable positioning
Source Patent Element
Frame-supported concave mechanism with motorized adjustment
PTD Variation
Modular inspection system with rotatable separator for quality control
Obviousness Reasoning
Predictable engineering extension applying known mechanical adjustment principles to alternative industrial contexts
Source Patent Element
Driving mechanism for rotating concave structures
PTD Variation
Control system for automated crop sorting in greenhouse environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Obvious combination of existing rotary separation mechanics with control system integration, representing a standard engineering design approach
Source Patent Element
Threshing system capable of accommodating different crop materials
PTD Variation
Manufacturing process separator adaptable to multiple product types
Obviousness Reasoning
Finite identified solution demonstrating systematic approach to creating versatile material processing technologies
Source Patent Element
Rotor-based threshing mechanism with adjustable concave positioning
PTD Variation
Food processing inspection system with dynamically adjustable separation parameters
Obviousness Reasoning
Known technique of translating mechanical separation principles across technical domains with minimal inventive complexity
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on US Patent 11856893's disclosure of a rotary threshing system with adjustable concave support structures, the present publication demonstrates that a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the extended applications in recycling, manufacturing, and quality control domains to be obvious variations. The technical teachings provide a generalizable mechanical framework for material separation technologies, rendering subsequent claims involving similar adaptive rotary separation mechanisms unpatentable as obvious combinations of prior art.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,893
TitleConcave support and adjusment system for combine harvester
Assignee(s)AGCO Corporation