Batter Overflow Device for Food Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating devices for food products lack sufficient control over the formation of the lower batter layer, particularly with batter of lower viscosities, and impose restrictions on system configuration due to the conveyor belt's path through the batter storage container.
Innovation Solution
A batter overflow device with a perforated surface below the entry section of the conveyor belt, connected to a batter pump, supplies batter to form a lower layer on the conveyor belt, ensuring better coverage of the food product's lower surfaces, even when the conveyor belt does not run through the batter container during its return run.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveyor belt runs through the batter storage container during its return run to provide under bed batter, then a lower batter layer is formed, but the system configuration is restricted and control of the lower batter layer quality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the batter application into two independent sections: an upper batter applicator for top coating and a lower batter applicator for bottom coating. The lower applicator is positioned independently below the conveyor belt without requiring the belt to pass through the storage container, enabling separate control of upper and lower batter layers while improving system flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The lower batter applicator is positioned in a different spatial dimension (below the conveyor belt) rather than requiring the belt to pass through the storage container. This dimensional change allows independent batter application to the bottom surface of products without constraining the overall system layout
2Ease of operation
If the conveyor belt runs through the batter storage container to provide under bed batter, then batter is supplied to the lower surface, but the machine layout is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The batter supply system is segmented into independent upper and lower applicators, each with its own batter delivery mechanism. The lower applicator receives batter separately and applies it to the bottom surface, eliminating the need for the conveyor belt to pass through the storage container and simplifying machine layout
Solution Approach 2:
The lower batter applicator acts as an intermediary device positioned below the conveyor belt, receiving batter from the storage container and delivering it to the lower surface of products. This intermediary approach enables bottom coating without requiring direct belt passage through the container
3Manufacturing precision
If batter is supplied only from above to the upper surface, then the upper surface is coated, but the lower surface coverage is insufficient especially for non-flat surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The coating system is divided into two independent applicators: an upper applicator for top surface coating and a lower applicator for bottom surface coating. Each applicator is optimized for its specific surface, ensuring complete coverage even for non-flat products where single-sided application would leave gaps
Solution Approach 2:
Each batter applicator is specifically designed and positioned to address the local requirements of different product surfaces. The lower applicator is positioned to target the bottom surface area, providing locally optimized batter application that complements the upper applicator's top surface coverage
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
This solution enhances the control and consistency of the lower batter layer on food products, improving coverage especially for non-flat surfaces and reducing contamination risks, while allowing for more flexible machine layout.
Implementation Method 1
batter flows through the perforated surface and forms a lower batter layer on top of said surface
Implementation Method 2
batter to be dragged with the conveyor belt and/or the front roller upwards towards the entry section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Apparatus (1) for coating a food product (10) with a batter, comprising a frame in which an endless conveyor belt (15, 15') is mounted, the endless conveyor belt having a transport run (15) to advance a food product (10) from an entry section (A, B) towards a discharge section (D) in a first transport direction (T) and a return run (15'), the coating apparatus further comprises a batter pump (50) for pumping batter from a batter container (51) towards upper batter applicator means (40), which are positioned over the conveyor belt (15) and configured to form, a stream of batter flow from the applicator means (40) to the conveyor belt (15) in order to provide batter to an upper surface of the food product (10), wherein the front roller (16) is positioned at the food product entry section and configured to provide a layer of batter on the conveyor belt (15) at the entry section by means of a thrust on the batter towards the entry section by the front roller (16) and/or the conveyor belt, the coating apparatus further comprising a batter overflow device (45, 46, 47) positioned at the entry section, upstream the upper applicator means (40) and downstream of the front roller (16) in the first transport direction, which batter overflow device is mounted between the transport run (15) and the return run (15') of the conveyor belt, and is in fluid connection with the batter pump (50) and configured to supply batter from the batter container (51) to a lower surface of the food product.