Equilibration and cooling conveyor system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current conveyor systems for cooling food products require multiple systems, including a separate inclined conveyor belt and transfer members, leading to food waste and inefficient space usage due to the need for gaps between systems.
Innovation Solution
A single conveyor system design where the top conveyor belt spans both the inclined and horizontal sections, eliminating the need for transfer members and gaps, and allowing the lower conveyor belts to extend beneath the inclined portion to utilize otherwise wasted space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate inclined conveyor belt and transfer members are used to elevate food product, then the food product can be transported to the cooling conveyor system, but food waste occurs during the transfer process and space is wasted due to gaps between systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the inclined conveyor belt and horizontal cooling conveyor system into a single integrated conveyor system. The top conveyor belt continuously spans both the inclined section and the horizontal section, eliminating the need for separate transfer members between systems. This merging of functions reduces food waste during transfer operations while maintaining the ability to elevate and transport food products effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The top conveyor belt serves multiple functions: it acts as the inclined conveyor belt for elevation, the horizontal cooling conveyor system, and eliminates the need for separate transfer members. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and eliminates food waste associated with transfers between separate systems.
2Productivity
If multiple conveyor systems are used including a separate inclined conveyor belt, then food product can be elevated and cooled, but the systems require significant space and create wasted area under the boom
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the middle and bottom conveyor portions to extend beneath the inclined portion of the top conveyor system. This nesting configuration allows the lower conveyor belts to utilize the vertical space under the inclined section, effectively eliminating wasted space while maintaining full cooling capacity across all conveyor levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by extending middle and bottom conveyor portions beneath the inclined top conveyor. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple conveyor belts to occupy different vertical levels, maximizing space utilization without requiring additional horizontal facility space.
3Ease of operation
If transfer members are used between the inclined portion and horizontal portion, then food product can be transferred between sections, but the risk of food waste increases during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The top conveyor belt is designed as a continuous system that spans both the inclined and horizontal sections without interruption. This eliminates transfer members between sections, removing the source of food waste and safety risks associated with mechanical transfers while maintaining smooth food product flow throughout the entire conveyor system.
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor system can include a first side member and a second side member, a top conveyor portion, a middle conveyor portion and a bottom conveyor portion. The top conveyor portion can extend along an inclined section and a horizontal section and can include a top conveyor belt driven by a top motor and supported by a top return roller. The middle conveyor portion can be positioned below the top conveyor portion and can include a middle conveyor belt driven by a middle motor and supported by a middle return roller. The bottom conveyor portion can be positioned below the middle conveyor portion and can include a bottom conveyor belt driven by a bottom motor and supported by a bottom return roller.