Segmented Cutting Head Clamping for Sanitary Food Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines, such as the Model CC7 machines, require numerous threaded fasteners and seals that create areas where food particles and residues can accumulate, complicating sanitation and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The cutting head design incorporates camming units and adjustment pins to secure and adjust components, reducing the need for threaded fasteners and seals, thereby enhancing sanitation and accessibility for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If threaded fasteners and seals are used to secure components, then assembly strength and sealing are improved, but food residue accumulation areas increase and sanitation becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly strengthVSAvoidfood residue accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes threaded fasteners and seals from the cutting head assembly, extracting the sources of food residue accumulation. Components are secured through interference fits and geometric constraints rather than threaded connections, eliminating crevices where food particles can trap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting head components are designed as disposable or easily replaceable units that can be quickly removed and discarded or replaced without extensive disassembly. This eliminates the need for complex fastening systems that create sanitation issues, as entire assemblies can be rapidly swapped out and cleaned or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If threaded fasteners and seals are used, then component securing is improved, but maintenance complexity and cleaning time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent securingVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting head is divided into modular segments that can be independently removed and replaced. Each segment is secured through simple geometric interlocks rather than threaded fasteners, allowing individual components to be quickly separated for cleaning or replacement without affecting other parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using fasteners to secure components together, the design uses interference fits and geometric constraints where components fit together through precise dimensional relationships. The components are designed to be pressed together rather than screwed together, reversing the traditional fastening approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design minimizes areas for food residue accumulation, promoting sanitary operation and maintenance by simplifying component assembly and disassembly, while maintaining cutting efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

first camming units engaging the first and second structural members and adapted to draw the first and second structural members together to releasably secure the support segments therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCamming mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

adjustment pins adapted to deflect the gates to alter the radial location of the cutting edges of the knives with respect to the axis of the cutting head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3906141B1Cutting heads, cutting machines equipped therewith, and methods of operation

Publication Date: 2026.03.18 URSCHEL LABORATORIES INC

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4

AI summary

Cutting heads and machines equipped therewith. The cutting heads include axially-spaced annular-shaped structural members and circumferentially-spaced support segments between the structural members. Each support segment has a leading edge and a trailing edge, a knife support surface defined on an inner surface region adjacent the leading edge of the support segment, and a gate located adjacent the trailing edge of the support segment. A knife assembly is located adjacent the leading edge of each support segment. Each knife assembly includes a holder opposing one of the knife support surfaces of the support segments and adapted to clamp a knife between the holder and knife support surface. The cutting head may further have camming units that secure the support segments between the structural members, camming units that clamp the knives to the knife support surfaces, and/or adjustment pins that deflect the gates of the support segments.