Closing device for the bottom opening of an institutional kitchen kettle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Institutional kitchen kettles face issues with food not being properly cooked and clogging of outlet pipes due to the external location of the outlet valve, which complicates cooking and hygiene, especially in high-risk environments like food banks.
Innovation Solution
A closing device featuring a food-grade elastic plug with a shaft and guiding means that can be easily inserted and removed through the bottom opening and outlet pipe, utilizing an arc valve to ensure proper closure and facilitate cleaning-in-place (CIP) processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outlet valve is placed outside the kettle in the outlet pipe, then the valve can control the flow of food, but the food will not be properly cooked and may clog the outlet pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the valve from its traditional external position in the outlet pipe and relocates it inside the kettle at the bottom opening. This allows the valve to seal the opening during cooking, preventing food from entering the outlet pipe and causing clogs, while still enabling flow control when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the valve outside the kettle as conventionally done, the invention inverts the arrangement by positioning the valve inside the kettle at the bottom opening. This reversal allows the valve to perform its sealing function during cooking while preventing the harmful effect of food entering the outlet pipe.
2Reliability
If the bottom opening is closed during cooking to ensure even cooking, then cooking quality improves, but the closing mechanism must be easily cleanable to meet hygiene requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a flexible membrane as the closing element of the valve. This membrane can seal the bottom opening during cooking to ensure even cooking, and its smooth, non-porous surface allows for easy cleaning and disinfection to meet hygiene requirements in institutional kitchens.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed to be self-cleaning or easily cleanable through its simple structure with no hidden corners or complex mechanisms. The membrane and surrounding components can be thoroughly cleaned by standard CIP (cleaning in place) procedures, ensuring hygiene without requiring disassembly or special cleaning processes.
3Reliability
If a closing device is inserted through the outlet pipe, then the bottom opening can be sealed, but the device becomes difficult to remove and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The closing device is segmented into distinct components: a valve body that remains in the kettle and a membrane that seals the opening. This segmentation allows the membrane to be easily removed for cleaning while the valve body stays in place, providing both effective sealing and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to be easily inserted and removed when needed. The membrane can be detached from the valve body for cleaning, and the valve itself can be quickly installed or removed from the bottom opening without requiring complex tools or procedures, maintaining both sealing reliability and operational ease.
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 ensures even cooking by preventing food from entering the outlet pipe during cooking, reduces clogging, and simplifies the cleaning process, thereby meeting hygiene standards in institutional kitchens.
Implementation Method 1
A closing device (1) for the bottom opening (3) of an institutional kitchen kettle (10) is proposed, which includes a food-grade elastic plug (2)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The object of the invention is a closing device (1) for the bottom opening (3) of an institutional kitchen kettle. The bottom opening of the kettle leads into an outlet pipe (6) where there is a valve (5) outside the kettle for opening and closing the outlet pipe to allow the food inside the kettle to be directed into the desired destination. The closing device (1) is comprised of an elastic food-grade plug (2) that has been fitted to shut the bottom opening (3) when it is installed in place. The plug (2) is equipped with an elongated shaft (4) or a pulling device which extends from the bottom opening to inside the outlet pipe and beyond the valve (5) so that the plug (2) can be pulled using either the shaft (4) or a pulling device to the outlet pipe (5) for opening the bottom opening (3), and further through the valve.