Food Cutting Machine Coating Composite Ceramic PTFE

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting machines for food processing face challenges with coatings that lack mechanical and abrasion resistance, as well as hygiene and cleaning efficiency, due to the limitations of bacteria-inhibiting clear lacquers and polytetrafluoroethylene coatings.

Innovation Solution

A cutting machine with a surface coating composed of a mixture of oxide ceramics and polytetrafluoroethylene, which forms a durable and chemically resistant solid matrix, enhanced by the inclusion of aluminum oxide and titanium dioxide for improved adhesion and self-cleaning properties, and optionally containing triclosan for antibacterial effects, applied using a binder and primer for optimal adhesion and scratch resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a clear lacquer coating is applied to the cutting machine surface, then antibacterial properties are achieved, but mechanical resistance and abrasion resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantibacterial propertiesVSAvoidmechanical resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a composite coating material consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) combined with oxide ceramic particles (aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide). This composite structure integrates the antibacterial properties of PTFE with the mechanical strength and abrasion resistance of ceramic particles, resolving the contradiction between biological safety and mechanical durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If polytetrafluoroethylene coating is applied, then sliding properties and chemical resistance are improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding propertiesVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The coating combines polytetrafluoroethylene with oxide ceramic particles to create a composite material that maintains the excellent sliding properties and chemical resistance of PTFE while the embedded ceramic particles provide the necessary abrasion resistance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The oxide ceramic particles are distributed throughout the PTFE matrix, creating local regions of high hardness and wear resistance within the soft, low-friction PTFE background. This local quality differentiation allows the coating to simultaneously exhibit both low friction and high abrasion resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the coating is made more durable and abrasion-resistant, then mechanical resistance improves, but food safety and non-toxic properties may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion resistanceVSAvoidfood safety
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully selects oxide ceramic materials (aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, magnesium oxide) that are recognized as food-safe and non-toxic. By changing the material parameters to use only approved food contact materials, the coating achieves high abrasion resistance while maintaining food safety certification and non-toxic properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a cutting machine with enhanced mechanical resistance, abrasion resistance, and improved hygiene and cleaning capabilities, while ensuring food safety and aesthetic appeal through a non-toxic, durable, and chemically resistant composite coating that reduces food sticking and facilitates easy cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

The mixture of oxide ceramic and polytetrafluoroethylene forms a solid matrix after curing. The curing of the coating preferably takes place via a drying or baking process at defined temperatures.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring:

Implementation Method 2

The coating is designed to include a binder to form a stable matrix for the oxide ceramic and the polytetrafluoroethylene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 3

The photocatalytic titanium oxide is particularly advantageous because it exhibits a self-cleaning effect through reaction with UV light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotocatalysis: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 4

Polytetrafluoroethylene, acting as a dry lubricant, is particularly beneficial in this regard, as it prevents food from adhering to the surfaces, thus reducing friction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP2461950B2Cutting machine for food articles
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 BIZERBA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2461950B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2461950B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2461950B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting machine (1) for food in the form of strands, comprising a housing (2) and a drive motor mounted therein for a cutting blade (11). To give the cutting machine (1) a more attractive design and at the same time make it more resistant, it is proposed that a housing surface (26) of the cutting machine has a coating (6) which includes at least oxide ceramic and polytetrafluoroethylene as constituents.