Dough Carrier Frame Edge Design for Gap Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat product carriers for dough products face contamination issues due to waste accumulation in gaps between the plate and frame, making cleaning difficult.
Innovation Solution
A product carrier design where the frame's edge extends within the perimeter of the carrier plate, allowing waste to be brushed over the edge and reducing contamination, with optional features like connecting elements for material displacement and a groove for coefficient expansion absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the plate is engaged all round by the frame with gaps for assembly and expansion, then the product carrier can be assembled and accommodate material expansion, but waste accumulates in the gaps making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The frame edge is positioned in a third dimension (vertically) rather than only horizontally adjacent to the plate. By extending the frame edge upward to contact the plate's lower side, the design creates a vertical barrier that prevents waste from entering the gap, transforming the gap management from a horizontal plane issue to a three-dimensional solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame edge acts as an intermediary element between the plate and the external environment. This edge structure mediates the interaction by providing a physical barrier that redirects waste flow, preventing direct contact between waste and the gap area while maintaining the necessary assembly clearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaps are provided between the plate and frame, then differences in coefficient of expansion can be absorbed, but waste products end up in the gaps which are hard to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The gap functionality is segmented into two distinct zones: a vertical zone where the frame edge contacts the plate's lower side to prevent waste entry, and a horizontal zone where the gap remains open for thermal expansion. This segmentation allows the same gap structure to simultaneously prevent contamination and accommodate expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the contamination problem by adding a vertical dimension to the gap management. The frame edge extends upward to contact the plate, creating a vertical barrier while the horizontal gap remains open for expansion, effectively separating the contamination prevention function from the expansion accommodation function in different spatial dimensions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the frame edge is positioned at the perimeter of the plate, then waste falls directly into gaps during brushing, but moving the frame edge inward prevents waste entry
Solution Approach 1:
The frame edge structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the plate, creates a barrier against waste entry, and facilitates assembly. By positioning the edge to contact the plate's lower side, the frame structure itself performs the contamination prevention function without requiring additional separate components.
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 effectively reduces contamination by preventing waste from entering gaps between the frame and plate, enhancing cleaning efficiency and accommodating material expansion without mechanical tension.
Implementation Method 1
the upper side of the frame comprises an edge extending to within the perimeter of the carrier plate... waste which due to brushing is pushed over the edge of the carrier plate falls on the edge of the frame and not directly into a gap between the frame and the carrier plate
Implementation Method 2
an optional gap between the carrier plate and the frame is situated near the lower side of the carrier plate... differences in the coefficient of expansion of the carrier plate and the frame can be absorbed
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a product carrier (21) for dough products, comprising a flat carrier plate (22) having an upper side for carrying dough products thereon, and a frame (23) surrounding the carrier plate (22), wherein an outer edge (232) of the frame (23) projects beyond an outer edge (222) of the carrier plate (22), characterised in that the upper side of the carrier plate (22) projects at a distance above an upper side of the frame (23), wherein the upper side of the frame (23) comprises an edge (231) extending to within the perimeter of the carrier plate (22). The invention furthermore relates to a dough processing device, particularly a proofing cabinet, comprising one or more of the products carriers described above.