In-Container Grilling Marks for Packaged Fish Fillets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current grilling methods for foodstuffs, especially those intended for packaging in containers like cans, require additional handling steps, leading to increased costs and material loss due to the need for conveyor-based processing.

Innovation Solution

A method and installation that apply a grilled appearance marking directly to foodstuffs within their containers, using a marking surface that fits the container's opening to grill the exposed surface of the foodstuffs, eliminating the need for conveyor-based handling and allowing for efficient packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If foodstuffs are grilled using conveyor-based methods before packaging, then a grilled appearance can be achieved, but additional handling steps are required which increase costs and material loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrilled appearance markingVSAvoidhandling process
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the grilling operation with the packaging process by placing the marking means directly inside the container. The foodstuff is packaged in a container with an opening, and the marking surface is positioned within the container to grill the exposed surface of the foodstuff, eliminating the need for separate conveyor-based grilling operations before packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container serves as an intermediary structure that enables the grilling operation. By positioning the marking means inside the container, the container becomes the medium through which the grilled appearance is achieved without requiring external conveyor systems or additional handling equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If foodstuffs are grilled on a conveyor before packaging, then marking can be applied, but additional steps for depositing and recovering foodstuffs are needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking applicationVSAvoidprocess efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the marking operation with the packaging process. The marking means is positioned inside the container so that marking is applied during or after packaging, eliminating the need for separate steps of depositing foodstuffs on a conveyor, grilling them, and then recovering them for final packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If conveyor-based grilling is used, then foodstuffs can be marked, but material loss and labor costs increase due to additional handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrilled markingVSAvoidmaterial loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the grilling operation from the external conveyor system and places it directly inside the container. This eliminates the need to transfer foodstuffs between conveyor and packaging equipment, reducing material loss and labor costs associated with additional handling steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach simplifies the process, reduces costs, and ensures a consistent grilled appearance on the visible surface of packaged foodstuffs without additional handling steps, enhancing product quality and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a grilling step during which said marking with a grilled appearance is applied to said free surface of the foodstuffs present in container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2988612B1Method and equipment for obtaining foodstuffs packaged in a container and comprising marking with a grilled appearance
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 SAUPIQUET SA
  • EP2988612B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2988612B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP2988612B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining foodstuffs (1), such as fish fillets, packaged in a container (2), the at least one said foodstuff (1) comprising marking (111) with a grilled appearance, said method comprising the following steps: - a step (A) of providing the foodstuffs (1) to be packaged, - a step (B) of depositing the foodstuffs (1) in said container (2), the container comprising an access opening (23), such that one free surface (11) of said foodstuff (1) extends opposite the access opening (23) of the container (2), and such that said foodstuffs rest on a rigid support surface (22), and - a grilling step (D) during which the said marking (111) with a grilled appearance is applied on the said free surface (11) of the foodstuff (1) present in the container (2).