Advanced Multi-Industry Mixing Technology Patent
Legal Citation
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent, 'Mixing apparatus for mixing an additive with food while the food is falling', has limitations in its application to specific industries. This new invention addresses these limitations by adapting the core technology to tackle distinct challenges in diverse fields, such as optimizing livestock feed, reducing environmental impact, improving cosmetics manufacturing, enhancing bioremediation, and creating customized 3D printing materials.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel applications and use cases that were not considered in the original patent. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the core technology to address specific challenges in distinct industries, resulting in a versatile mixing apparatus with broad commercial potential.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include modifications to the hopper design, spray device configurations, and material handling systems to accommodate specific industry requirements. Variations may also involve integrating sensors, automation systems, or data analytics to optimize the mixing process and improve product quality.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The invention has significant commercial potential in various industries, including livestock feed, industrial farming, cosmetics manufacturing, bioremediation, and 3D printing. The market demand for efficient and uniform mixing technologies is substantial, and this invention is poised to capture a significant share of the market by offering a versatile and adaptable solution.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A23 | A23P20/18 |
| A | A23 | A23G3/0095 |
| A | A23 | A23G3/26 |
| A | A23 | A23L7/109 |
| A | A23 | A23P20/13 |
| A | A47 | A47J31/401 |
| A | A47 | A47J31/402 |
| A | A47 | A47J31/404 |
| A | A47 | A47J31/465 |
| A | A47 | A47J31/54 |
| A | A61 | A61J3/005 |
| B | B01 | B01F25/721 |
| B | B01 | B01F33/813 |
| B | B01 | B01F35/7548 |
| B | B01 | B01J2/12 |
| B | B05 | B05B13/025 |
| B | B05 | B05B13/0257 |
| A | A23 | A23V2002/00 |
| B | B05 | B05C3/00 |
| B | B05 | B05C3/08 |
| B | B05 | B05D3/12 |
| B | B67 | B67D1/0016 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Food processing, material handling, and industrial mixing technologies involving additive distribution systems, with expertise in mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, and process optimization across multiple industrial domains
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A skilled engineer with advanced technical training in mechanical design, process engineering, and material handling techniques, capable of adapting mixing technologies across diverse industrial applications
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize the fundamental mixing apparatus design from US 11856977 can be readily adapted to multiple industrial contexts by substituting the input materials and modifying the spray device configuration. The core technological principle of mixing an additive with a falling material through a multi-hopper system remains consistent across the disclosed variations, representing predictable engineering extensions of the source patent's core technological concept.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,856,977 |
|---|---|
| Title | Mixing apparatus for mixing an additive with food while the food is falling |
| Assignee(s) | AJINOMOTO CO., INC., MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD. |