Coaxial Meat Grinding System for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern meat grinding systems face challenges such as contamination spread across multiple meat lots due to delayed secondary processing, increased pathogen growth from extended storage at elevated temperatures, human interaction exposure, additional costs and complexity from a second drive system, and inefficiencies in transporting undesirable material, leading to cross-contamination and processing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage coaxial meat grinding system where a single drive shaft powers both grinders, with a perforated plate and screw configuration that separates undesirable material in the first stage and further processes it in the second stage without a separate drive system, using backpressure to manage material flow and minimize human exposure, and optimizing the design to reduce contamination risks and processing time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate second drive system is used for the second grinder, then the undesirable material can be further processed to reclaim meat, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive systems of the first and second grinders into a single integrated drive shaft. The drive shaft extends through both grinder assemblies, allowing one motor to power both grinding operations sequentially. This eliminates the need for a separate second drive system, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to process undesirable material from the first grinder through the second grinder for meat reclamation.
2Loss of time
If undesirable material is stored in a container for extended periods, then it can be processed later, but pathogen growth increases at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a continuous processing flow where undesirable material from the first grinder is immediately fed into the second grinder through direct mechanical connection via the drive shaft and auger system. The continuous operation eliminates idle storage time, ensuring material moves continuously through both grinding stages without being held at elevated temperatures, thereby preventing pathogen growth while maintaining processing flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If a valve is used to restrict flow of undesirable material, then the system can control material movement, but additional components increase system complexity and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the natural density difference between desirable meat and undesirable material, combined with the mechanical action of the auger and centrifugal force from rotation, to automatically control material flow and separation. The system self-regulates the movement of undesirable material from the first grinder to the second grinder without requiring external valves or flow control components, eliminating additional parts that would increase complexity and maintenance requirements.
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 system minimizes contamination risks, reduces pathogen growth, eliminates the need for a second drive system, and enhances processing efficiency by integrating the secondary processing stage with the primary stage, thereby reducing cross-contamination and processing time while maintaining product quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Centrifugal force generated by the pump or rotating screw drives the meat toward the edges of the plate and concentrates the undesirable material near the center of the plate
Implementation Method 2
A pressurized system is coupled to the outlet of the second grinder to adjust the backpressure of the undesirable material on the meat in the second grinder
Data Source
AI summary
A meat grinding reclamation system is disclosed herein. The system uses a first meat grinder coaxially coupled to a second meat grinder. The first meat grinder separates meat from undesired material such as gristle, hard fat, connective tissue, sinew, and bone. Most of the meat is ground, while the undesired material is remixed into a small portion of the meat and is moved from the first grinder into the second grinder. The second grinder separates remaining meat and carrier meat from the undesired material, grinding the reclaimed meat and moving it into a bin with the originally separated meat. The waste material is moved to a waste bin. Pressurized air may be used to prevent the waste material from becoming clogged in the system.