Continuous Baking Apparatus with Detachable Mold Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial ovens for producing filled baked products operate intermittently, limiting capacity and increasing production costs due to the need for step-by-step processes for filling, folding, baking, and removing products, which does not allow for continuous operation or easy replacement of damaged or dirty baking molds without interrupting the process.

Innovation Solution

A baking device with movable baking tongs on an endless conveyor that can open and close, allowing for continuous operation, with detachable mechanical connections to the conveyor, a removal station for exchanging tongs, and preheating to maintain temperature consistency, enabling continuous production and mold exchange without stopping the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If intermittent batch processing is used for filling, folding, baking and removing products, then each process step can be performed in dedicated stations, but the production capacity is limited and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction capacityVSAvoidmulti-station intermittent processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous baking by moving the baking mold halves along an endless conveyor through the baking chamber, eliminating the intermittent batch processing of traditional multi-station systems. The baking molds are continuously fed, baked, and discharged in an unbroken stream, maintaining constant production flow without stopping for loading or unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The baking molds are designed to be movable rather than stationary, allowing them to be dynamically positioned on the endless conveyor. The mold halves can be opened and closed at different locations along the conveyor, enabling continuous operation while maintaining the ability to perform different operations (loading, baking, unloading) at optimal positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If traditional intermittent ovens are used, then the process can be simplified, but damaged or dirty baking molds cannot be replaced without interrupting production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebaking mold replacement capabilityVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The baking system is segmented into multiple independent mold halves that can be individually replaced. The endless conveyor is divided into separate sections that can handle different mold sets, allowing damaged or dirty molds to be removed and replaced with clean ones without affecting the entire production line.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Clean baking molds are prepared and positioned in advance on the endless conveyor or in ready positions, so that when damaged or dirty molds need replacement, clean substitutes are already available. This preliminary preparation ensures that mold replacement can occur quickly without interrupting the continuous baking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If continuous operation is implemented, then production capacity increases, but maintaining consistent baking temperature becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous production outputVSAvoidbaking temperature consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The endless conveyor maintains continuous movement through the baking chamber, ensuring that baking molds are constantly exposed to uniform heating conditions. The continuous flow prevents temperature fluctuations that occur during loading and unloading operations in batch systems, as the conveyor operates without interruption throughout the baking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The endless conveyor acts as an intermediary between the loading station and the product removal station, transporting baking molds through the baking chamber while maintaining thermal stability. The conveyor system is designed to minimize heat loss and maintain consistent temperature conditions throughout its length, ensuring uniform baking regardless of the continuous flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables high-output continuous production of filled baked products by allowing continuous operation and easy exchange of baking molds, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency by maintaining a consistent baking temperature and preventing interruptions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one baking plate (24) is provided, which can be heated by a heating device (16) to the baking temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2945486B1Baking apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
  • EP2945486B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2a
  • EP2945486B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~2b
  • EP2945486B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

A baking device for producing baked goods, in particular for producing filled baked goods, includes baking presses that can be swung open and closed, can be moved from a feeding device through the baking chamber of the oven and to a goods removal device on a continuously moving continuous conveyor that circulates in the longitudinal direction of the oven. The baking presses have a lower baking mold and an upper baking mold, each movable between open and closed positions about a baking-press axis. The baking presses are connected to the continuous conveyor by releasable mechanical connections. The baking device also has a baking-press removal station at at least one point of the continuous conveyor, at which baking-press removal station baking presses can be removed and reattached. The removal and redelivery of the baking presses are performed on the continuously moving continuous conveyor.