Food Tying Machine Auxiliary Positioning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food tying machines struggle to consistently knot twine around food products of varying diameters, leading to improper execution of the knotting process due to the relative positions of the twine lengths, especially with large-diameter products.
Innovation Solution
The machine incorporates an auxiliary positioning device that adjusts the position of the first length of twine to align it correctly with the second length, allowing the insertion device to engage and enable the tying device to form a secure knot, regardless of the food product's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the machine processes large-diameter food products, then the first length of twine ends up too far above the second length, but this causes the insertion device to be unable to engage the twine lengths for knotting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable spool support that can shift position along the circular trajectory based on the diameter of the food product being processed. This dynamic adjustment allows the spool and consequently the twine lengths to reposition, ensuring that the first and second lengths of twine remain within the engagement range of the insertion device regardless of product size. The support moves between a first position for small-diameter products and a second position for large-diameter products, maintaining operational consistency across varying dimensions.
2Device complexity
If the spool position is fixed along the circular trajectory, then the machine structure remains simple, but the relative position of twine lengths varies with product diameter causing knotting failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spool support is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of shifting along the circular trajectory to accommodate different product diameters. This dynamic positioning ensures that the twine lengths maintain proper relative positioning for reliable knotting, while the support structure itself remains relatively simple in design, requiring only linear movement capability along the established trajectory path.
3Device complexity
If the insertion device operates with a fixed upward movement path, then the device structure remains simple, but it cannot properly engage twine lengths on large-diameter products
Solution Approach 1:
The movable spool support acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the fixed insertion device and the variable product dimensions. By adjusting the spool support position, the system indirectly adjusts the position of the twine lengths, enabling the fixed insertion device to successfully engage twine on both small and large-diameter products without requiring the insertion device itself to be complex or adjustable.
Data Source
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AI summary
A machine for tying food products, which comprises a fixed framework (2) which supports supporting means (3) for at least one food product (100) to be tied and which is provided with a winding device adapted to wind at least one twine (6) around the food product (100). Tying means are provided which are adapted to mutually connect a first length (16) of the twine (6) and a second length (17) of the twine (6) and which comprise a tying device (18) and an insertion device (19), which cooperates with the tying device (18) and has at least one contact element (20) which is designed to engage the first length (16) and the second length (17) of the twine (6). The contact element (20) is movable on command between at least an inoperative position and an operative position in which the contact element (20) is in a preset position adapted to allow the engagement of at least one portion of the first length (16) and of the second length (17) of the twine (6) by the tying device (18). An auxiliary positioning device (21) is provided, which can be activated on command to bring at least one portion of at least one of the lengths (16, 17) of the twine (6) into a grip position located along the region affected by the movement of the contact element (20) between the inoperative position and the operative position.