Food Processing Device Abrupt Channel Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for portioning inhomogeneous food masses, such as goulash or sliced meat, subject the food to excessive shearing forces, resulting in a compacted and unappetizing appearance, and often fail to achieve precise portioning due to mechanical stress and jamming issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a feed channel featuring abrupt transitions in cross-sectional area, accelerating and then decelerating the food mass to create a loose, appetizing appearance, combined with a shaping device for precise portioning and packaging, and a knife mechanism to prevent jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional filling heads are used to fill food mass, then the filling process is simple and efficient, but the food mass is subjected to severe stress resulting in a sheared and compacted state with poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The feed channel cross-sectional area is changed along the flow direction, creating a variable geometry that accelerates and then decelerates the food mass. This parameter change allows the food to be propelled forward efficiently while reducing compacting stress, maintaining its natural appearance without requiring complex conventional filling mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The feed channel includes a curved transition section that smoothly guides the food mass from the horizontal feed channel through a downward angle to the collection container. This curved geometry reduces abrupt directional changes and mechanical stress on the food pieces, preserving their shape and appearance while maintaining filling efficiency
2Device complexity
If conventional devices are used for portioning inhomogeneous food masses, then the device structure is simple, but precise portioning cannot be achieved due to mechanical stress and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
By varying the cross-sectional area of the feed channel along its length, the device creates controlled acceleration and deceleration zones that allow inhomogeneous food masses to flow smoothly without jamming. This enables precise portioning control while maintaining a relatively simple device structure without complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The feed channel geometry is designed to be dynamic in its effect on food flow, with the cross-sectional area changing continuously to adapt to the inhomogeneous nature of the food mass. This dynamic approach allows the simple device structure to handle varying food densities and sizes while achieving accurate portioning
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 device achieves precise weight-accurate portioning while maintaining the natural appearance of the food, preventing jamming and ensuring an appetizing presentation.
Implementation Method 1
Because the flow cross-sectional area of the feed channel is essentially abruptly reduced in the second section, the mass of foodstuffs to be fed to a portioning section is accelerated essentially abruptly when it flows through the feed channel. Due to the abrupt widening of the flow cross-section after the second section, the mass of foodstuffs to be fed to a portioning section is substantially abruptly decelerated or decelerated, so that the mass of foodstuffs splashes or bursts open.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The device (1) has a feed channel (2) supplying a food product mass to a portioning section (4). The channel has first and second portions with respective cross-sections arranged one behind the other. The second portion includes a small passage area arranged relative to the first portion in a direction of flow. The first portion abruptly changes into the second portion, which abruptly ends in a passage area extension or changes into a third portion in the passage area extension. Metal sheets (42, 44) are movable relative to the channel. An independent claim is also included for a filling machine comprising a cutting device with a knife.