Food Coating Roller with Longitudinal Channels and Vibration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High adhesion properties and moisture levels in food coating materials lead to bridging, clumping, and clogging issues in continuous coating processes, resulting in flow interruptions and inconsistencies, which decrease system throughput and lead to product rejection or lower prices, causing significant losses for food processors.
Innovation Solution
A food coating system incorporating a conveyor system, a coating distribution roller with longitudinal channels, a vibratory device, and a sifting device, along with a sprinkling assembly and outlet covers with specific geometries to distribute and break up coating material effectively, ensuring consistent application even with high moisture content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coating material with high adhesion properties and high moisture level is used, then coating effectiveness and product adherence are improved, but bridging, clumping, and clogging occur leading to flow interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibratory device with an eccentric weight that generates mechanical vibrations to agitate the coating material in the pan. This vibration prevents the material from bridging, clumping, and clogging while maintaining its high adhesion properties and moisture level, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable coating adherence and continuous productive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and flow characteristics of the coating material by controlling its temperature and moisture content parameters. By maintaining specific parameter ranges, the material retains high adhesion for effective coating while preventing the conditions that lead to bridging and clogging, thereby sustaining both reliability and productivity
2Reliability
If coating material with high moisture content is used, then coating flexibility and adhesion are improved, but flow consistency and distribution uniformity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The vibratory device creates continuous agitation that prevents moisture-induced clumping and ensures uniform distribution of the high-moisture coating material. This mechanical energy input maintains flow consistency while preserving the material's adhesive properties, resolving the contradiction between coating flexibility and distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary agitation and distribution of the coating material before actual coating application. The vibratory device pre-mixes and evenly distributes the material in the pan, ensuring that when coating is applied, the material flows consistently and adheres uniformly, thus achieving both high adhesion and manufacturing precision
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
The system provides continuous and consistent coating results, reducing clogs and material bridges, thereby maintaining system throughput and product quality, and minimizing losses by ensuring even distribution and adherence of coating materials across food products.
Implementation Method 1
The vibratory device has a configuration selected from the group consisting of a squirrel cage, a pervious belt, and a plurality of spokes
Implementation Method 2
the coating distribution roller includes a plurality of longitudinal channels for receiving and dispensing the coating material
Data Source
AI summary
A coating system (20) includes a conveyor system (22), a coating distribution assembly (24), and a coating adherence system (26). The coating material (M) may be recycled via a coating collection and return system (30). The coating distribution assembly (24) includes a container (64) for receiving and distributing the coating using a coating distribution roller (74). The roller (74) has a plurality of longitudinal channels (78) extending along the length of the roller to receive the coating material and apply the coating material onto food products by rotation of the distribution roller. A coating distribution device distributes the material metered by the coating distribution roller onto the food products.