Food Slicer Cleanup Layout for Hygienic High-Speed Weighing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current high-speed slicing machines face limitations in productivity due to reload cycle time and lack of independent feeding and weighing capabilities, which affect the efficiency and hygiene of slicing multiple food articles.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed slicing apparatus with a weighing and classifying conveyor system that allows for independent feed rate control, hygienic design features such as unibody construction and self-draining surfaces, and automated maintenance positions to enhance productivity and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed slicing machines are used to increase productivity, then slicing speed and output are improved, but hygiene maintenance and operational efficiency during high-volume operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The slicing machine incorporates self-cleaning mechanisms where the system automatically cleans itself during operation or between cycles. The conveyor system and slicing components are designed with self-draining surfaces and automated cleaning protocols that maintain hygiene without requiring manual intervention, allowing the machine to service itself while maintaining high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the hygiene maintenance function from the slicing operation by extracting cleaning and sanitation processes as independent automated systems. The weighing and classifying conveyor is designed as a separate modular unit with independent hygiene controls, allowing sanitation to be addressed independently from the high-speed slicing mechanism.
2Productivity
If multiple food articles are sliced simultaneously to increase productivity, then output is improved, but independent feeding and weighing control becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the feeding and weighing functions into separate modular units, with each food article having its own dedicated weighing mechanism and feed control. This segmentation allows multiple articles to be processed simultaneously while maintaining independent control over each article's weight and feeding timing, preventing complexity from overwhelming the control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The feeding mechanism employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where feed rates and positioning are automatically adjusted in real-time based on the specific requirements of each food article. The system adapts its control parameters dynamically rather than using fixed complex mechanisms, enabling independent control of multiple articles through flexible, responsive control systems.
3Reliability
If automated cleaning and maintenance features are added to improve hygiene, then sanitation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning functions are merged with the existing operational cycles of the slicing machine. The self-cleaning mechanisms are integrated into the conveyor system and slicing components rather than being separate add-on systems, combining sanitation functions with the primary operational structure to minimize overall device complexity while maintaining high hygiene standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A slicing apparatus and a weighing and classifying conveyor combination with cleanup position wherein, the elevated food article feed mechanism can be collapsed to a maintenance position, the weighing and classifying conveyor is oriented at a distance from the slicing apparatus and the slicing head cover is automatically lifted to an open cleanup position. The machine has laser intrusion detectors that are used to shut down systems when an unwanted intrusion by a person or object is detected.