Coextrusion Head Segmented Receiving Chamber for Multi-Material Casing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current co-extrusion machines are limited to applying only one type of casing material to food strands, preventing the simultaneous co-extrusion of food masses with multiple different casing materials.
Innovation Solution
A co-extrusion head with a receiving chamber divided into multiple compartments, each connected to a nozzle opening, allowing for the separate and simultaneous application of different casing materials, which are guided through fluid passages to ensure isolation and controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single receiving chamber is used in the coextrusion head, then the device structure is simple, but only one casing material can be applied to the food strand at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving chamber is divided into multiple receiving compartments (first receiving compartment, second receiving compartment, etc.), each capable of receiving a different casing material. This segmentation allows multiple casing materials to be stored and dispensed simultaneously through a single coextrusion head, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple receiving compartments are introduced to hold different casing materials, then multiple casing materials can be applied simultaneously, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple receiving compartments and their associated fluid passages are merged into a single coextrusion head assembly. This integration allows the system to handle multiple casing materials simultaneously without requiring separate extrusion devices, thus achieving versatility while controlling overall device complexity through consolidation.
3Productivity
If receiving compartments are fluidically connected to the nozzle opening, then multiple casing materials can be dispensed through the same nozzle, but material mixing may occur within the receiving chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving chamber is segmented into multiple independently fluidically connected receiving compartments, each with its own fluid passage leading to the nozzle opening. This segmentation allows simultaneous dispensing of multiple casing materials through the same nozzle while preventing mixing within the receiving chamber, as each compartment remains separately enclosed until the materials are dispensed.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a coextrusion head (10) for coextruding a food mass (102) and a casing (104), comprising an inner tube (14) for guiding the food mass (102), a housing (15) surrounding the inner tube (14), a receiving chamber (25) formed between the inner tube (14) and the housing (15) for receiving casing material (106, 108) for the casing (104) surrounding the strand, and a nozzle opening (32) formed corresponding to the inner tube (14) for dispensing casing material (106, 108) from the receiving chamber (25). The invention proposes that the receiving chamber (25) comprises a plurality of receiving compartments (25.1, 25.2) connected fluid-conductingly to the nozzle opening (32), wherein each receiving compartment (25.1, 25.2) is assigned a housing inlet (18.1, 18.2) for introducing covering material (106, 108) into the respective receiving compartment (25.1, 25.2).The invention further relates to a food processing machine (1) and a method (100) for co-extruding a food mass (102).