Integral Base Circular Distribution Apparatus Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circular distribution apparatuses for loose products face challenges in maintaining hygiene and facilitating cleaning, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where joint-free and crack-free designs are necessary to prevent contamination and enhance cleaning efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features an integral base portion with a central elevation, annular floor, and side wall, which are integrally formed to minimize joints and facilitate cleaning, along with a compact design that includes a central inlet, radial outlets with valve members, and a vibrator for efficient product distribution, promoting sanitary conditions and easy cleaning through CIP procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the base portion is formed with multiple separate components (e.g., welded or bolted together), then assembly and manufacturing flexibility is improved, but the number of joints and cracks increases which compromises hygiene and cleaning effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk from joints

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The base portion is designed as a single integrally formed component, merging what would traditionally be separate parts (floor, side walls, central elevation) into one monolithic structure. This eliminates joints and cracks that could harbor contamination, directly resolving the contradiction by prioritizing hygiene over assembly flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integral base portion provides uniform surface quality throughout, ensuring that the entire base has the same smooth, cleanable properties without compromised areas at joints or connections. This local consistency in surface quality addresses the contamination risk throughout the entire base portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the base portion is integrally formed, then hygiene and cleaning effectiveness are improved by eliminating joints, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination riskVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Traditional mechanical assembly methods (welding, bolting, sealing) are replaced by integral forming processes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex joining operations and associated quality control measures, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving the hygiene benefits of a joint-free design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing approach transitions from assembly-based parameters (tolerances, fit-up, sealing) to forming-based parameters (mold design, material flow, solidification). This parameter change enables integral formation while simplifying the manufacturing process through modern casting or forming technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If traditional distribution apparatus designs are used, then product distribution function is achieved, but dusting and spillage occur compromising hygiene

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct distributionVSAvoiddusting and spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The smooth, integral surfaces of the base portion act as a continuous barrier that prevents product adhesion and minimizes dusting. The seamless construction eliminates crevices where product could accumulate and spill, reducing harmful factors while maintaining distribution functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design enhances hygiene by reducing dusting and spillage, allows for independent control of product flow to recipients, and minimizes the risk of contamination, while also providing a compact and cost-effective solution for large-scale storage silos and packaging lines.

Implementation Method 1

a vibrator configured to vibrate the base portion so that the loose products received on the base portion moves in a substantially circular manner around the elevation on the annular floor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS11458516B2Circular distribution apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 GEA SCAN VIBRO

AI summary

A circular distribution apparatus for distributing loose products has a top portion (17) with an inlet (19) positioned centrally relative to a vertical central axis, a base portion (7) comprising an annular horizontal floor (11); a plurality of openable and closable outlets (23) provided in the annular floor (11); a side wall (9) surrounding entirely the annular floor (11); a central elevation (13) disposed between the annular floor (11) and the inlet (19); and a vibrator (51) configured to vibrate the base portion (7) so that products received on the base portion (7) circulate around the elevation (13) on the annular floor (11). The top portion (17); the elevation (13); the annular floor (11); and the side wall (9) provide a housing (3) comprising a distribution chamber (5), where at least the elevation (13), the annular floor (11) and the side wall (9) are provided integrally.