Cantilevered Dough Rounding Device Hygiene and Space Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough rounding devices are difficult to clean, require large installation spaces, and are inefficient in producing a variety of doughs and dough weights, failing to meet increasing hygienic standards and flexibility requirements.

Innovation Solution

A dough rounding device with a cantilevered design that allows easy access for cleaning and tool changes, featuring a frame with a protective cover, adjustable deflection rollers, and interchangeable kneading tools, ensuring the operating side is free from mechanical parts and contamination, enabling flexible production and high hygiene standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional dough rounding devices are used, then dough pieces can be rounded, but the devices are difficult to clean and do not meet hygienic requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene standardVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes all bearings, drive elements, and mechanical parts from the dough contact area by using a cantilevered design where the knitting carriage is supported only at the rear end. This eliminates contamination sources and makes the operating side completely accessible for cleaning without disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is segmented into distinct zones: a contamination-prone rear area with mechanical parts and a clean front operating area. The knitting table and carriage are designed as separate, easily removable components that can be detached for thorough cleaning, separating the functional mechanical elements from the hygienic processing zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional dough rounding devices are used, then dough pieces can be rounded, but the devices require large installation spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverounding functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a traditional symmetric design to a cantilevered asymmetric configuration, utilizing the depth dimension more efficiently. The knitting carriage extends forward from the rear support, creating a compact footprint while maintaining all necessary rounding functions in a space-optimized arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If traditional dough rounding devices are used, then specific dough types can be processed, but the devices are inefficient for producing many different doughs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoiddough variety capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The knitting carriage and knitting table are designed as universal, interchangeable components that can accommodate different knitting tools and configurations. The cantilevered design with easy access from the front allows rapid tool changes and adjustments, enabling the same device to efficiently process multiple dough types and weights without reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates adjustable and interchangeable elements, including replaceable knitting tools on the carriage and adjustable knitting table positions. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different production requirements for various dough types, weights, and quantities, maximizing versatility while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3849319B1Hygienic rounding device for the production of bakery products
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 KOENIG MASCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3849319B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3849319B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3849319B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for rounding dough pieces, comprising a frame (1), a working slide (2) with a working head (7), on which a working plate (8) is arranged, in particular a replaceable working plate, wherein the working plate (8) has a number of working tools, in particular working bowls (9), for working dough, and the device (10) has a working table (3) lying opposite the working slide (2), said working table (3) being arranged below the working slide (2) in the gravitational direction. A working belt (4) is guided about the working table (3), and the dough pieces are placed on the working belt and can be transported along a transport direction. The working slide (2) has a working drive (21) by means of which the working plate (8) can be moved in an oscillating manner, and the working slide (2) has a lifting device (14) in order to change the distance between the working table (3) and the working tools. The device (10) also comprises an adjustment slide (12), on which the working slide (2) is arranged. The adjustment slide (12) is designed to be movable such that the working slide (2) can be moved together with the working belt (4). The working slide (2) is mounted on the adjustment slide (12) in an overhung manner, and the adjustment slide (12), the working table (3), and the working belt (4) are secured, arranged, and/or supported in and/or on the frame (1) in an overhung manner on one side in the transport direction of the working belt (4) next to the working table (3) such that the working slide (2), the working table (3), and the working belt (4) have an operating side opposite the frame (1), said operating side being free of the frame (1) and supports, and such that the working table (3), the working belt (4), and the working slide (2) are freely accessible to operating personnel on the operating side.