Filled Pasta Coupling Device with Variable Speed Forming Rollers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for making filled pasta face issues with precise filling dosing, filling freshness, and frequent machine stoppages for cleaning due to settling and variability of semi-liquid or sticky fillings.
Innovation Solution
A machine and method for making filled pasta that includes a feeder device with counter-rotating rollers for precise pasta thickness, a splitting device for cutting pasta, and an extruder with a pusher for controlled filling dispensing, along with synchronized forming rollers that vary speed to facilitate filling detachment and pasta shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a feed cylinder with piston or rod is used to push out filling portions, then the filling can be conveyed to the filling station, but the filling settles on the feeding device walls forming food deposits that contaminate the pasta and cause variability in portioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful interaction between filling and feeding device walls by removing the filling from contact with surfaces. The filling is conveyed through a feed duct in a suspended state and detached close to the filling station, preventing settlement and contamination on feeding device walls while maintaining conveyance efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces air suspension as an intermediary medium to convey the filling. The filling is suspended in an air stream within the feed duct, allowing transport without direct contact with walls, and is then detached by air flow close to the filling station, ensuring consistent portions without contamination
2Adaptability or versatility
If semi-liquid or sticky filling compositions are used for making large sizes of filled pasta, then the filling can be properly contained, but the machine requires frequent stoppages for cleaning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filling from contact with feeding device surfaces throughout the conveyance path. By suspending the filling in air and detaching it close to the filling station, the system eliminates the accumulation of semi-liquid or sticky fillings on walls, allowing frequent use of such filling compositions without requiring frequent cleaning stoppages
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables continuous operation by preventing filling accumulation that would otherwise require periodic cleaning interruptions. The air suspension and close detachment system maintains continuous conveyance of semi-liquid or sticky fillings without build-up, eliminating downtime for cleaning operations
3Productivity
If the feed cylinder is used to portion filling, then the filling can be delivered to the filling station, but the portions released show variability due to build-ups and detachments generated cyclically over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the filling from contact with feeding device walls during conveyance, preventing cyclic build-ups and detachments. The filling is suspended in air and detached close to the filling station, ensuring that each portion is released consistently without the variability caused by surface accumulation cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses periodic air pulses to suspend and convey the filling through the feed duct, with each air pulse corresponding to a specific pasta portion. This periodic air action ensures consistent portioning by synchronizing filling delivery with pasta passage, eliminating the irregularities caused by mechanical piston or rod systems
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 enables precise dosing and freshness of fillings, reduces the need for frequent machine stoppages, and ensures high reliability by minimizing filling settlement and variability, thus improving the overall efficiency and quality of filled pasta production.
Implementation Method 1
an extruder with a pusher for controlled filling dispensing
Implementation Method 2
synchronized forming rollers that vary speed to facilitate filling detachment
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
Machine (1) for making filled pasta comprising a feeding station (2), configured for feeding a layer of fresh pasta (3) and a predetermined quantity of a semi-finished food product (4) to a coupling space (5) of said machine (1), and a coupling device (17) configured for coupling the layer of fresh pasta (3) and the predetermined quantity of semi-finished food product (4). The coupling device (17) comprises at least one pair of synchronised forming rollers (18) configured to rotate, respectively, on a first and a second rotation shaft (19, 20) and defining between the m the coupling space (5). Moreover, the coupling device (17) is configured for performing, at each rotation cycle of said forming rollers 18, the production of an element of filled pasta by progressively wrapping said layer of fresh pasta 3 around the predetermined quantity of semi-finished food product 4. The coupling device (17) is configured to rotate the forming rollers (18) at a variable speed, between a maximum speed and a minimum speed, during a single rotation cycle.