Multiple product, multiple step optimization methods
AssigneeNestec S.A.
InventorsDaniel E. Ames, II, Robert Leslie Hunt, Wayne R. Peterson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Multiple product, multiple step optimization methods useful for manufacturing products. The optimization methods comprise defining a first group and a second group. The first and second groups each comprise at least two subgroups. One or more of the subgroups for each group comprises one or more variables and one or more constraints. The variables are optimized to obtain final values for the variables based on a defined objective subject to the constraints.
Claims18
A computer-implemented optimization method for manufacturing food products comprising:
- defining a first group comprising at least two subgroups, at least one of the subgroups of the first group comprising at least one variable and at least one constraint;
- defining a second group comprising at least two subgroups, at least one of the subgroups of the second group comprising at least one variable and at least one constraint, wherein the first group comprises a first pet food formulation and the second group comprises a second pet food formulation, and wherein the variables of the first and second groups each comprise a single ingredient of the first and second pet food formulations;
- defining at least one common constraint between the first and second groups;
- optimizing the variables using a computer processor to obtain final values for the variables of the first group and the second group based on a defined objective subject to the at least one common constraint of the first group and the second group;
- and
- optimizing the first pet food formulation and the second formulation based on the final values for the variables of the first group and the second group.
A computer-implemented method of optimizing food formulations comprising:
- defining a first food formulation comprising at least two subgroups, at least one of the subgroups of the first food formulation comprising at least one variable and at least one constraint;
- defining a second food formulation comprising at least two subgroups, at least one of the subgroups of the second food formulation comprising at least one variable and at least one constraint;
- defining at least one common constraint between the first and second food formulations;
- optimizing the variables using a computer processor to obtain final values for the variables of the first and second food formulations based on a defined objective subject to the at least one common constraint of the first and second food formulations;
- and
- optimizing the first food formulation and the second food formulation based on the final values for the variables of the first food formulation and the second food formulation.
A computer-implemented method of optimizing food formulations comprising:
- defining a plurality of food formulations, each food formulation comprising a plurality of subgroups, at least one of the subgroups of each food formulation comprising at least one ingredient variable and at least one constraint;
- defining at least one common constraint between the plurality of food formulations;
- and
- obtaining final values for the variables of the food formulations based on optimizing the variables based on a defined objective using a computer processor, wherein the defined objective is minimizing manufacturing costs of the food formulations, and the optimizing is subject to the at least one common constraint;
- and
- optimizing each of the food formulations based on the final values for the variables of the food formulations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.