Adjustable Conveyor Cutting for Elongated Food Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting technologies for elongated food products are inefficient, laborious, and costly, particularly due to the presence of substances like latex that can damage equipment and reduce product quality, and there is a need for flexible and cost-effective solutions.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with adjustable conveyor belts and a cutting element that accommodates varying product sizes and shapes, using a spring compressor system to maintain product stability and position, followed by a washing mechanism to remove undesired substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional cutting methods are used for elongated food products, then cutting can be performed, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming requiring manual handling and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with an automated conveyor system that transports elongated food products through the cutting apparatus. The conveyor belt automatically positions and feeds products to the cutting element, eliminating the need for manual handling and significantly increasing cutting speed and productivity.
2Productivity
If cutting is performed on elongated products with substances like latex, then cutting can be completed, but equipment damage and reduced useful life occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes substances like latex from the surface of elongated food products before cutting using a washing mechanism. This preprocessing step eliminates harmful substances that would otherwise damage the cutting element and conveyor belt, thereby extending equipment useful life while maintaining high cutting throughput.
3Productivity
If conveyor belts are used to transport freshly cut products, then continuous processing is achieved, but latex accumulation on the belts occurs requiring laborious cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes latex and other substances from product surfaces before they contact the conveyor belt, preventing accumulation. By performing this extraction in advance through washing mechanisms, the conveyor belt remains clean and requires minimal maintenance while continuous processing continues uninterrupted.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed conveyor system is used, then structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying product sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable conveyor belts with variable spacing and positioning capabilities that can dynamically adapt to different product sizes and shapes. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the same conveyor system to handle various elongated food products efficiently without requiring multiple specialized systems.
5Reliability
If washing is performed to remove latex, then product quality is maintained, but additional liquid and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs washing to remove latex and other substances as a preliminary action before cutting and conveyor transport. By removing harmful substances in advance, the process prevents equipment damage and product quality degradation downstream, making the overall process more efficient despite the additional initial washing step.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cutting an elongated food product that includes providing a first conveyor belt portion and a second conveyor belt portion for forming opposed first and second sides of a passageway. A third conveyor belt portion can be disposed adjacent the first conveyor belt portion and the second conveyor belt portion for forming a third side of the passageway. The elongated food product can be delivered to an entrance of the passageway and transported through the passageway to an outlet of the passageway. The elongated food product from the outlet can be cut to provide cut food product. An apparatus of cutting an elongated food product is provided.