Food Conveyor Cleaning System for Hygiene Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional discontinuous conveyor systems for food products face contamination issues with the conveyed-products carrier and conveying path in food processing installations.
Innovation Solution
A conveying device equipped with a movable conveyed-products carrier and a drive system, featuring an integrated cleaning device that includes a stationary or movable cleaning station, spraying, brushing, blowing, disinfection, and drying capabilities to maintain hygiene and cleanliness of both the carrier and the conveying path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a discontinuous conveyor with movable conveyed-products carriers is used, then the ability to handle and transport food product stacks is improved, but contamination of the conveyed-products carrier and conveying path occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device performs preliminary cleaning actions on the conveyed-products carrier before it returns to service, and cleans the conveying path regularly during operation. This preventive cleaning approach ensures that contamination is removed before it can affect food products, resolving the contradiction between carrier reusability and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device acts as an intermediary between the conveyed-products carrier and the food products. By introducing this intermediate cleaning step, the system separates the carrier from direct contact with potential contaminants, allowing the carrier to be reused while preventing food contamination
2Productivity
If continuous conveyors are used, then continuous material flow is achieved, but cleaning and hygiene maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the continuous conveyor into discrete movable carriers that can be individually cleaned. Each carrier can be removed and cleaned separately in the cleaning device, while the conveying path can be cleaned in place. This segmentation enables effective hygiene maintenance while preserving continuous material flow capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is integrated into the conveyor system itself, allowing the system to clean its own components without external intervention. The conveyed-products carrier is automatically cleaned after use, and the conveying path is cleaned during operation, enabling self-maintenance while maintaining continuous productivity
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
Effectively prevents contamination by ensuring thorough cleaning of the conveyed-products carrier and conveying path, enhancing the hygiene and safety of food processing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a spraying device for spraying the conveyed-products carrier and/or the conveying path with a cleaning liquid
Implementation Method 2
a blowing device for blowing off liquid from the conveyed-products carrier
Implementation Method 3
a UV irradiation device for irradiating the conveyed-products carrier with UV light in order to disinfect the conveyed-products carrier
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveying device for conveying food products in a food processing installation, having at least one movable conveyed-product carrier (12, 13; 30, 31) for receiving the food products to be conveyed, and a drive system (15-18) for conveying the conveyed-product carrier (12, 13; 30, 31) discontinuously along a conveying path (27). The invention additionally provides a cleaning device (32) for cleaning the conveyed-products carrier (12, 13; 30, 31) and/or the conveying path (27).