Internal Cleaning Circuits for Food Process-Line Machine Washing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food process line machines lack efficient and automated internal washing provisions, requiring manual intervention and potentially leading to inconsistent cleaning results.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit with various cleaning-fluid distribution devices, including rotary spray heads, spherical spray nozzles, rotary frames, and tubular rotary manifolds, which can be operated during machine downtime for automated and targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual cleaning intervention is used, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning consistency and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system enables the machine to clean itself through an automated cleaning-fluid circuit with spray heads that distribute cleaning fluid to various surfaces during downtime, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent cleaning results
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation is performed during downtime before the next production cycle begins, ensuring that cleaning is completed in advance without disrupting regular operations and maintaining consistent cleaning quality
2Productivity
If manual cleaning is used, then device complexity is lower, but cleaning time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The machine performs self-cleaning through an automated system that distributes cleaning fluid to all necessary surfaces during downtime, significantly improving cleaning efficiency and productivity without requiring manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning operation continues during downtime periods when the machine is not in production use, maintaining continuous useful action without interrupting regular operations and maximizing overall productivity
3Reliability
If manual cleaning intervention is required, then installation complexity is reduced, but cleaning consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The automated cleaning system ensures consistent cleaning results by systematically distributing cleaning fluid to all surfaces through a permanently-installed circuit, eliminating variability associated with manual cleaning and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Cleaning is performed during downtime before production begins, ensuring that all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned in advance and maintaining consistent cleaning quality across all operational cycles
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
Enables efficient and automated cleaning of food process line machines, reducing manual intervention and ensuring consistent cleaning results without disrupting regular operations.
Implementation Method 1
an array of jet nozzles, permanently retained within the machine, and strategically aimed and agitated to accomplish targeted cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
Food process-line coating apparatus for coating a stream of food product in a food process line are provided with the improvement of a permanently-installed internal cleaning-fluid circuit and a plurality cleaning-fluid distribution devices. The cleaning-fluid distribution devices are any of a rotary spray head, a spherical spray nozzle, a rotary frame or a tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold. The rotary spray head optionally has a multitude of flat spray nozzles mounted along the arms. The spherical spray nozzle might be mounted on a columnar base, and a plurality of those might stand like pickets and aimed a laterally-extending target, like a conveyor belt's nose roller. The rotary frame might have a spaced pair of parallel manifold tubes that rotate about a common axis. The tubular (cylindrical) rotary manifold preferably has a multitude of ports or nozzles distributed at spaced locations on its outer sidewall.