Foodstuff processing system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foodstuff processing systems face challenges with detachable hoppers that either have sprung trap doors, which can be obstructed by foodstuff, or manual gates that require user intervention to close, leading to potential spills during detachment.
Innovation Solution
A foodstuff dispensing hopper with a rotatable gate and interlock mechanism that automatically closes the bottom opening when decoupled from the processing apparatus, ensuring secure closure and preventing spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sprung trap door is used to automatically close the bottom opening, then the gate closes automatically without user intervention, but foodstuff can obstruct the door operating area and prevent closing, causing spills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the sprung trap door mechanism entirely and replaces it with a manually operated gate that has an interlock mechanism. This extraction eliminates the complexity and reliability issues of the automatic closure system while maintaining the essential function of gate closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an interlock mechanism as an intermediary between the manual gate operation and the hopper detachment. This interlock ensures the gate is properly closed before detachment can occur, providing reliable closure without needing complex automatic door mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a manual gate is used to close the bottom opening, then the gate structure is simple and reliable, but the user must remember to close the gate fully before removing the hopper, leading to potential spills
Solution Approach 1:
The interlock mechanism requires the gate to be closed before the hopper can be detached. This preliminary action ensures closure is achieved before the critical detachment operation, preventing spills without requiring user memory or attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlock mechanism automatically prevents hopper detachment unless the gate is properly closed. This self-service feature enforces proper operation without requiring user intervention or memory, making the system both reliable and easy to use.
3Ease of operation
If the hopper is detachable for cleaning and maintenance, then accessibility to processing mechanisms is improved, but the hopper must be closed before detachment to prevent foodstuff leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes complex automatic closure mechanisms (sprung trap doors) and replaces them with a simple manual gate combined with an interlock system. This extraction reduces device complexity while maintaining the detachable hopper design for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A foodstuff dispensing system is provided in which a foodstuff dispensing hopper comprises a gate rotatably mounted adjacent a bottom opening for selectively opening and closing the bottom opening. The hopper further comprises coupling means for detachably and rotationally coupling the hopper to the apparatus, and an interlock mechanism for interoperating with the gate to enable rotation of the bottom opening relative to the gate into an open position when the coupling means is being rotationally coupled to the apparatus and to enable rotation of the bottom opening relative to the gate into a closed position when the coupling means is being counter-rotationally decoupled from the apparatus.