Dough Portioning Roller Assembly With Asymmetric Nozzle Spraying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dough portioning devices face challenges in efficiently separating dough portions while minimizing oil contamination and residue accumulation, and achieving consistent release of dough portions without tearing.
Innovation Solution
A portioning roller assembly with strategically positioned nozzles for release agent application and a stripping device to remove residues, combined with controlled rotational speeds and surface properties on the rollers to optimize dough separation and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the nozzle is positioned close to the portioning roller to improve release agent application efficiency, then the release agent can be applied more effectively to the recesses, but the spray cone may cause oil to reach beyond the intended target area causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating asymmetric nozzle positioning where different distances are maintained to different separating edges. The nozzle is positioned at a first distance from a first separating edge and a second distance from a second separating edge, where these distances differ. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the spray cone covers the recess effectively while the larger distance to one edge prevents overspray contamination, thus achieving both efficient application and contamination prevention in different locations.
2Quantity of substance
If the spray cone is allowed to widen naturally to cover the recess surface, then complete coverage is achieved, but the release agent may be sprayed beyond the farther separating edge causing oil contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning the nozzle at unequal distances from different separating edges. Specifically, the nozzle is positioned at a first distance from a first separating edge and a second distance from a second separating edge, where the second distance is larger than the first distance. This asymmetric configuration allows the spray cone to adequately cover the recess surface area while the larger offset to one edge acts as a buffer that prevents the spray from reaching beyond that edge and causing contamination.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a stripping device is added to remove dough residues and excess release agent, then residue accumulation is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stripping device operates on the principle of self-service by automatically removing dough residues and excess release agent from the portioning roller surfaces through the relative motion between the rollers and the fixed stripping elements. The system uses the existing operational motion of the portioning rollers to bring the roller surfaces into contact with the stripping elements, eliminating the need for additional powered stripping mechanisms while effectively preventing residue accumulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the separation process by reducing oil contamination, ensuring consistent and orderly dough portion release, and minimizing residue accumulation on the rollers.
Implementation Method 1
The release agent application device comprises a nozzle which is configured to generate a spray cone
Data Source
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AI summary
A portioning roller arrangement (4) configured to produce portions of dough (5) from a dough mass (3) comprises a first portioning roller (6) having multiple separating edges (12, 13) and being rotatably mounted about a first axis of rotation (8), and a second portioning roller (7) having multiple separating edges (15, 16) and being rotatably mounted about a second axis of rotation (9), wherein the first and/or the second portioning roller (6, 7) each has a plurality of recesses (14, 18) each provided between two separating edges (12, 13, 15, 16). The portioning roller arrangement (4) further comprises a release agent application device (36) configured to apply a release agent to a surface (23) of a recess (14) of the plurality of recesses (14) of the first portioning roller (6), wherein the release agent application device (36) comprises a nozzle (37) configured to generate a spray cone (38).When the first portioning roller (6) is arranged in a spray position (S), the nozzle (37) has a first distance (42) from a first separating edge (12) defining the recess (14), measured in a spray direction (39) oriented parallel to a spray cone axis (40) of the spray cone (38), which is smaller than a second distance (43) of the nozzle (37) from a second separating edge (13) defining the recess (14), measured in the spray direction (39). Furthermore, when the first portioning roller (6) is arranged in a spray position (S), the nozzle (37) has a first transverse distance (44) from the first parting edge (12) bounding the recess (14), measured in a transverse direction (41) that is oriented orthogonally to the spray direction (39), which is smaller than a second transverse distance (45) of the nozzle (37) from the second parting edge (13) bounding the recess (14), measured in the transverse direction (41).