North Dakota Patent of the Month – July 2021

Malt is a cereal grain that is dried in a process called malting. The malting process begins by steeping the grain in water, then moving it to a separate container for germination and kilning, where it expands and dries. During this germination stage, the material must be agitated or else it overheats and matts together, becoming spoiled. Most setups use a vertical auger which moves back and forth to agitate the material. However, vertical agitators are known to be rigid, reducing the flexibility in operation. Intelligent Malt LLC has designed an alternative material agitator which offers more flexibility and can handle a variety of materials.

The agitator is designed with a shaft and an arm that extends out. Multiple knives extend down from the arm and a rake is also attached. The rake prevents matting along the floor and sides of the receptacle. In addition, an agitator is positioned between each knife. The knives break up the material and support the agitator elements as well. The spacing between agitators are also modifiable by an operator, helping to adjust tension and improve motor efficiency. Between the knives, rakes, and agitators and adjustable tension and positioning, this material agitator is better equipped to handle a variety of materials and grain sizes. Intelligent Malt LLC is made up of committed industry professionals who know malting and brewing inside and out, so they work hard to develop innovative solutions and enhanced performance.

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