Automated Food Composition Filling for Repeatable Contamination-Free Prep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation systems are prone to human error, non-repeatability, and contamination risks due to operator involvement, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies in producing packaged food compositions.
Innovation Solution
An automated system comprising a collecting, weighting, mixing, and filling unit controlled by a central unit, which transfers and processes food ingredients according to a stored recipe, ensuring minimal human supervision, low error rates, and consistent product quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators handle machines for food preparation, then operational flexibility is maintained, but error rate increases and repeatability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automated food preparation system performs all tasks independently - collecting ingredients, weighting them, mixing, and filling packages without human intervention. The control unit manages the entire process automatically, eliminating operator-related errors while maintaining consistent repeatability across production cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations by human operators are replaced with automated mechanical systems. The patent substitutes human hands and judgment with automated transferring units, weighting units with sensors, mixing units with controlled agitation, and filling units with precise dosing mechanisms, all coordinated by a control unit to ensure repeatable results.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If human operators are involved in food preparation, then adaptability to changes is maintained, but risk of foreign body contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
Human operators are completely extracted from the food preparation process. The system removes all potential sources of foreign body contamination associated with human presence - hair, skin particles, jewelry, and other contaminants - by replacing human hands with automated transferring units that mechanically move ingredients through sealed pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a controlled environment where food ingredients are processed in isolation from human contact. The automated units operate in a controlled space with sealed transferring mechanisms, minimizing exposure to external contaminants and maintaining a clean processing environment throughout the preparation cycle.
3Productivity
If automated systems are implemented for food preparation, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated food preparation system is divided into distinct functional modules: a collecting unit for gathering ingredients, transferring units for moving materials between stages, a weighting unit for measuring ingredients, a mixing unit for combining components, and a filling unit for packaging. Each module performs a specific function independently, allowing for optimized productivity while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously - it coordinates the transferring units, operates the weighting unit, controls the mixing unit, and manages the filling unit. This centralized control mechanism reduces overall system complexity by providing a single point of coordination rather than requiring separate control systems for each component.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If human operators work extended hours, then production continuity is maintained, but loss of time due to sick leave increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system enables continuous operation without interruption by eliminating dependencies on human operators who may take sick leave or require breaks. The system can run continuously 24/7 with consistent performance, as the automated units do not experience human-related interruptions and maintain steady-state operation throughout extended production periods.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for the preparation of a packaged food composition, wherein the system comprises a collecting unit, a weighting unit, a mixing unit, a filling unit, transferring units and a control unit.