Automated Food Packaging System for Hygienic Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The food industry faces challenges in reducing costs and ensuring food safety by minimizing human contact with food products to prevent microbial contamination during handling and processing.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a Gathering System to compactly arrange and fill Dispenser Packs, which are then automatically loaded and unloaded by the Dispensing System, eliminating human contact through robotic processes, and maintaining food safety with refrigeration and minimal contamination risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automated systems replace human workers to reduce labor costs, then productivity and cost efficiency improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelabor cost reductionVSAvoidautomation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated packaging system is divided into distinct functional modules: a gathering system that collects food products, a packaging system that forms dispenser packs, and a dispensing system that unloads and dispenses products. Each module operates independently but integrates through standardized interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser pack serves as an intermediary carrier between the gathering system and dispensing system. It pre-packages food products in a compact, transportable format that can be automatically handled, stored, and dispensed without requiring complex real-time coordination between production and dispensing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If human contact with food products is eliminated to prevent microbial contamination, then food safety improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood safetyVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs all food handling operations autonomously without human intervention. The gathering system automatically collects products, the packaging system automatically forms dispenser packs, and the dispensing system automatically unloads and dispenses food. This self-service capability eliminates microbial contamination risks while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The automated systems act as intermediaries between human operators and food products. All interactions with food are mediated through robotic grippers, conveyors, and dispensing mechanisms, creating a barrier that prevents direct human contact and associated microbial contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If food products are compactly arranged in dispenser packs for efficient storage and transport, then volume efficiency improves, but ease of manufacture worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidpackaging complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system uses periodic cyclic operations to form dispenser packs. The gatherer repeatedly performs the same sequence of actions: positioning food products, applying the consumable conveyor belt, and sealing the pack. This repetitive periodic process simplifies manufacturing complexity while achieving compact arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex manual packaging operations with automated mechanical systems. The gatherer uses robotic positioning and automated belt application mechanisms to create compact dispenser packs, substituting skilled manual labor with programmable mechanical systems that are easier to manufacture and maintain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If optical or magnetic sensors are used to count food products without contact, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecounting accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Optical or magnetic sensors serve as non-contact intermediaries for counting food products. These sensors detect products through their packaging or container without requiring physical contact, providing accurate counts while maintaining the barrier that prevents microbial contamination. The sensors integrate with the automated gathering system through standard signal interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10842160B2Method and apparatus for automatically packaging and dispensing food products

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 DRAKE FR CO

AI summary

A food product gathering and dispensing system is disclosed. The food product is generally a flat disc shaped article dispensed onto a consumable strip of food product conveyer material. The food product is fed to single, or series related, spools that wind up the consumable conveyer material and food product into a removable roll or stack. The roll or stack is placed into a dispenser pack, optionally subject to further environmental treatment, and refrigeration. The pack is then installed within a refrigerated dispenser system where the food product and consumable material are collectively unwound and/or separated, as the food product is fed into a processing system, i.e., a cooking device. The consumable conveyer material is collected and separately discarded.