Confectionery Coating Assembly Spout Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coating aerated confectionery products, such as marshmallows, result in high production costs due to excessive waste generated during the coating process.
Innovation Solution
A coating assembly comprising an endless transport conveyor and a header with a spout that extends inwardly against the conveyor, allowing a pressurized aerated semi-fluid edible coating material to flow and wrap around confectionery products efficiently, minimizing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional coating methods are used, then coating can be applied to confectionery products, but excessive waste is generated during the coating process
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is designed to be adjustable and adaptable to different product sizes and coating requirements. The system dynamically adjusts the coating material flow and spout positioning to match the conveyor speed and product dimensions, optimizing coating application and minimizing waste while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters such as coating material viscosity, pressure, and flow rate to optimize the coating process. By adjusting these parameters based on product type and desired coating thickness, the system achieves efficient coating with minimal material waste while maintaining rapid production speeds.
2Loss of substance
If the spout extends inwardly against the conveyor to wrap coating material, then coating efficiency improves and waste reduces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a flexible spout design that can bend and conform to the conveyor and product shape. This flexible structure allows the coating material to wrap around products efficiently without requiring complex rigid mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining low waste coating application.
Solution Approach 2:
The duct acts as an intermediary component that guides and shapes the coating material flow from the header to the spout. This intermediate structure simplifies the overall system by providing a controlled pathway for the coating material, enabling efficient wrapping without direct complex mechanical intervention.
3Reliability
If cross-sectional area of outlet is adjusted to be smaller than inlet port, then coating material fills the duct completely eliminating air bubbles, but pressure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses controlled pressure differentials between the inlet port and outlet to drive coating material through the duct. By optimizing the pressure gradient and using the cross-sectional area reduction to create suction at the outlet, the system ensures complete duct filling and air bubble elimination while managing pressure requirements through hydraulic principles.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
Invention relates to a coating assembly comprising an endless transport conveyor (10) and a header (30) provided over a line of confectionery product (50) in bar form moving on the conveyor (10) one after another and is confining an inner chamber (32) having an outlet (38) through which a pressurized aerated semi-fluid edible coating material is transferred. The coating assembly further comprises a spout (44) which is adapted to the outlet (38) and extending inwardly against line of the conveyor (10) such that the discharged coating material surrounds at least partly the outer side of each confectionery product (50).