Food Line Sampling Triggers Using Modular Input Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in food handling lines is adequately receiving and processing input data from diverse hardware equipment to ensure reliable sampling, which is crucial for triggering accurate actions, as incorrect sampling can lead to improper quality control checks and system performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing two or more trigger blocks to process input data, allowing for flexible and reliable determination of trigger data by combining these blocks in various ways, with each block designed for low complexity, enabling easy adaptation to different equipment configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a module-based approach is used to control food handling lines with equipment from different manufacturers, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the complexity of integrating and coordinating multiple modules increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent trigger blocks that can be individually configured and combined. Each trigger block processes specific input parameters and generates output parameters independently, allowing the overall system to be assembled from modular components without requiring complex integration logic across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger blocks are designed with universal input and output parameter interfaces that can handle data from various sources (sensors, scales, package counters) regardless of manufacturer. This universal interface design allows the same trigger block structure to work with equipment from different manufacturers, reducing integration complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If sampling data is used to trigger quality control actions, then quality control effectiveness is improved, but incorrect sampling data leads to incorrect triggering and system performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality control reliabilityVSAvoidsampling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where trigger blocks continuously monitor input parameters and adjust triggering decisions based on accumulated data. This feedback loop ensures that sampling triggers are generated only when appropriate conditions are met, improving both reliability and accuracy of quality control actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The trigger blocks perform preliminary processing and validation of input data before generating trigger outputs. By pre-processing the data and validating conditions in advance, the system ensures that only accurate and reliable sampling data triggers quality control actions, preventing incorrect triggering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If trigger blocks are combined in various ways to handle diverse equipment, then adaptability is improved, but the complexity of configuring and managing trigger blocks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger block configuration is designed to be dynamic and flexible, allowing operators to easily add, remove, or reconfigure trigger blocks based on specific equipment requirements. The standardized interfaces and parameter mappings enable adaptive configuration without requiring complex setup procedures, maintaining ease of operation while providing high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12585258B2System for processing input data from a food handling line to determine trigger data for sampling, and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

AI summary

A system (900) for processing input data (912) received from a food handling line (902) to determine trigger data (938) for sampling is provided. The system comprises a transceiver (914), a processor (916) and a memory (918). The transceiver (914) is configured to receive the input data (912) and transmit the trigger data (938). The processor (916) is configured to execute a first trigger block function (920) configured to receive first input parameter data (924) and transmit first output parameter data (926), a second trigger block function (922) configured to receive second input parameter data (928) and transmit second output parameter data (930), wherein the input data (912) comprises the first input parameter data (924) and the second input parameter data (928), and the trigger data (940) comprises the first output parameter data (926) and the second output parameter data (930).