# US 10,479,575 B2 · Animal feed covers and systems and methods for their production and use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,575 B2 - Document ID: US10479575B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/013,533 - Filed: 2018-06-20 - Published: 2018-10-18 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-31 - Assignees: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC - Applicants: Purina Animal Nutrition LLC - Inventors: Benjamin R. Danenberg; Michael J. Gabriel; Michael S. Burr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479575B2 ## CPC - B65D 65/02: Wrappers or flexible covers - A23K 40/30: by encapsulating; by coating - A23P 10/00: Shaping or working of foodstuffs characterised by the products - B32B 1/00: Layered products having a non-planar shape - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 3/28: characterised by a layer comprising a deformed thin sheet {, i.e. the layer having its entire thickness deformed out of the plane}, e.g. corrugated, crumpled (B32B29/08 takes precedence) - B32B 7/022: Mechanical properties - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)} - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/10: of paper or cardboard - B32B 29/002: {as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/06; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/06; next to a water-setting substance layer B32B13/08; next to a metal layer B32B15/12; next to a glass layer B32B17/065; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/046; next to a wood layer B32B21/06; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/06; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/06; next to a synthetic resin layer B32B27/10)} - B32B 29/08: Corrugated paper or cardboard - B65B 25/001: {of foodstuffs, combined with their conservation (B65B25/041, B65B25/062, B65B25/067 take precedence)} - B65D 81/245: {Internal membrane, floating cover or the like isolating the contents from the ambient atmosphere (loosely-attached linings B65D25/16; dispensing pistons B65D83/76; flexible bags for expelling the contents B65D83/771)} - B65D 85/72: for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials - B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer - B32B 2255/24: Organic non-macromolecular coating - B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption - B32B 2307/726: Permeability to liquids, absorption - B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties - B32B 2307/746: Slipping, anti-blocking, low friction - B32B 2435/02: for containers - B32B 2439/70: Food packaging - B65B 7/2842: {Securing closures on containers (in general B65B51/00)} - B65B 25/00: Packaging other articles presenting special problems (bundling B65B27/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - A23K: FODDER - A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) ## Abstract Methods of covering an animal feed product involve depositing in an open end of a container an animal feed. Placing a cover on an exposed surface of the feed at the open end of the container, where the cover includes a flowable coating arranged on one side of a flexible film and a rigid or semi-rigid layer bound to an opposite side of the film. The exposed surface of the feed comprises irregular surface structures due to feed components positioned at the exposed surface. A central portion of the flexible film of the placed cover conforms to the irregular surface structures at the exposed surface of the feed upon the flowable coating reaching a temperature of at least about 125° F. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of covering an animal feed product, comprising: depositing in an open end of a container an animal feed; placing a cover on an exposed surface of the feed at the open end of the container, the cover comprising a flowable coating arranged on one side of a flexible film and a rigid or semi-rigid layer bound to an opposite side of the film, wherein the exposed surface of the feed comprises irregular surface structures due to feed components positioned at the exposed surface, wherein a central portion of the flexible film of the placed cover conforms to the irregular surface structures at the exposed surface of the feed upon the flowable coating reaching a temperature of at least 125° F. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a primer arranged between the flexible film and the flowable coating. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the primer is configured to facilitate retention of the flowable coating to the film upon the flowable coating reaching a temperature of at least 125° F. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the primer is configured to facilitate release of the flowable coating from the film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the rigid or semi-rigid layer has a thickness of 10 pt. to 46 pt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises an adhesive layer arranged between the rigid or semi-rigid layer and the flexible film. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to facilitate removal of the rigid or semi-rigid layer from the flexible film. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to maintain a bond between the rigid or semi-rigid layer and the flexible film during removal of the cover from the container. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein a total surface area of the rigid or semi-rigid layer is smaller than a total surface area of the flexible film. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible film comprises a plurality of radial slits or notches arranged along an outer circumference, the radial slits or notches adapted to facilitate the flexible film conforming to the exposed surface of the feed at an inner circumference of the container. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein after placing the cover on the exposed surface of the feed, the method further comprises stacking a second container on top of the cover while the temperature of the flowable coating remains at 125° F. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible film seals against the exposed surface of the feed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising applying an external heat source to the cover to facilitate bonding between the flowable coating and the exposed surface of the feed. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the exposed surface of the feed includes a coating of fat or molasses. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein an outer circumference of the flexible film is substantially similar to an inner circumference of the open end of the container such that the flexible film contacts, or is proximate, a circumferential sidewall of the container upon placement of the cover on the exposed surface of the feed product. ### Claim 16 A method of covering an animal feed product, comprising: depositing in an open end of a container an animal feed, the animal feed at a temperature of at least 125° F; placing a cover on an exposed surface of the feed at the open end of the container, the cover comprising a flowable coating arranged on one side of a flexible film and a rigid or semi-rigid layer bound to an opposite side of the film, wherein the exposed surface of the feed comprises irregular surface structures due to feed components positioned at the exposed surface, wherein a central portion of the flexible film of the placed cover conforms to the irregular surface structures at the exposed surface of the feed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein an outer circumference of the flexible film is substantially similar to an inner circumference of the open end of the container such that the flexible film contacts, or is proximate, a circumferential sidewall of the container upon placement of the cover on the exposed surface of the feed product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the flexible film comprises a plurality of radial tabs or wedge-shaped notches arranged along an outer circumference, the radial tabs or wedge-shaped notches adapted to facilitate the flexible film conforming to the exposed surface of the feed at an inner circumference of the container. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein a width of each of the tabs is about 2 inches. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein a depth of the tabs or wedge-shaped notches is equal to a difference in diameter between the flexible film and the rigid or semi-rigid layer.