Oversized Casing Tube for Collagen Film Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for encasing meat products in double casings, particularly with collagen films, face challenges such as tearing due to the fragility of collagen and the difficulty in applying it using traditional shining arrangements, leading to wastage of meat, film, and operator time.
Innovation Solution
An encasing apparatus with a casing tube having a larger diameter than the meat stuffing horn, co-axially mounted with annular spacers and a fastening arrangement, allows for the expansion of collagen films and netting to a controlled ratio, reducing stress and the risk of tearing during the encasing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional shining arrangements are used to apply collagen film, then the encasing process can be performed, but the collagen film is fragile and difficult to apply, leading to tearing and wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen film is pre-applied to the casing tube in a controlled environment before the encasing process. This preliminary action allows the film to be positioned and prepared in advance, reducing the risk of tearing during the actual encasing operation. The film is stretched and secured on the tube beforehand, creating a stable base for the subsequent meat filling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing tube serves as an intermediary device between the collagen film and the meat product. The film is first applied to the tube, which then acts as a support structure during the encasing process. This intermediary approach allows the fragile film to be handled and positioned more easily without direct manipulation during the critical encasing phase.
2Adaptability or versatility
If longitudinal folds are introduced in collagen to facilitate radial expansion, then the collagen can expand as meat is extruded, but the folds can catch on each other preventing free expansion and leading to tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The collagen film is pre-stretched and secured on the casing tube before the encasing process. This preliminary stretching creates initial tension and positioning that facilitates smooth radial expansion during meat filling, eliminating the need for longitudinal folds. The film is prepared in advance to expand uniformly as the meat is extruded.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the collagen film by pre-stretching it to a specific tension and diameter before encasing. This parameter adjustment allows the film to expand more uniformly and predictably during the filling process, preventing the fold-catching problem that occurs with traditional folded configurations.
3Reliability
If the casing tube diameter is made larger to reduce collagen stress, then the risk of tearing is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting arrangements
Solution Approach 1:
The encasing apparatus uses a nested structure where the collagen film is applied to the casing tube, which is then mounted on the meat filling machine. The annular spacers are nested within the overall mounting arrangement, providing support while maintaining a compact configuration. This nesting approach reduces the visual and functional complexity of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular spacers serve multiple functions: they support the collagen film, maintain the casing tube position, and facilitate mounting on the meat filling machine. By designing components with multiple functions, the patent reduces the overall number of separate parts needed, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the risk of collagen film tearing by expanding it closer to its maximum stretched diameter, minimizing wastage and operator time, while allowing for efficient double casing of meat products with a controlled expanded diameter.
Implementation Method 1
the collagen is required to radially expand as it wraps and encases the meat
Implementation Method 2
pressure pushes the folds outward allowing radial expansion
Data Source
AI summary
An encasing apparatus for encasing meat products in a double casing including a combined film and a net is described. A casing tube is placed over a meat stuffing horn and is preloaded with a shirred film and net casing for double casing meat exiting the meat stuffing horn. To reduce the risk of tearing of the collagen as it is deshirred and stuffed, the casing tube is oversized with respect to the meat stuffing horn and has a first outer diameter within 10-20% of the diameter of the expanded collagen casing.