Automated Loader Horns for Bag Opening and Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automated poultry loaders face issues with high friction between dry poultry and plastic bags, leading to sticking or tearing, which slows production, and there is a marketing preference for dry chicken but not wet chicken.
Innovation Solution
A pair of horns with air channels and textured or coated surfaces are used to open bags, allowing poultry to be easily inserted without sticking, with one horn positioned slightly higher than the other to facilitate bag opening and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plastic bags are used for packaging dry poultry, then the marketing preference for dry chicken is satisfied, but high friction causes poultry to stick or tear the bag, slowing production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (powdered starch, powdered cellulose, or powdered wax) between the poultry skin and the plastic bag. This intermediary layer reduces the coefficient of friction, preventing the poultry from sticking to or tearing the bag during the high-speed automated loading process, thereby maintaining production speed without compromising the dry poultry preference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the plastic bag by coating it with powdered substances. This modifies the friction parameter between the bag and poultry, transforming the high-friction interface into a low-friction interface that allows smooth passage of dry poultry at high speeds without sticking or tearing
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wet poultry is used to reduce friction, then sticking and tearing are minimized, but consumer preference for dry chicken is not met
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of wetting the poultry (which would affect consumer acceptance), the patent applies a dry powdered intermediary substance to the bag surface. This maintains the poultry in its preferred dry state while still achieving the friction reduction needed to prevent sticking and tearing during high-speed processing
3Productivity
If high-speed automated loading is implemented, then productivity increases, but the risk of poultry getting stuck or tearing the bag increases
Solution Approach 1:
The powdered intermediary coating on the bag creates a consistent low-friction surface that remains effective even at high loading speeds. This prevents the poultry from getting stuck or tearing the bag during rapid automated operations, maintaining both high productivity and bag integrity/reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The bag is pre-coated with the powdered intermediary substance before the poultry is loaded. This preliminary preparation ensures that the low-friction surface is already in place, preventing sticking and tearing issues before they can occur during high-speed automated loading, thereby ensuring reliable operation
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
The solution minimizes the risk of poultry getting stuck or tearing the bag, enhancing production efficiency and accommodating both dry and wet poultry, while ensuring compliance with food handling regulations.
Implementation Method 1
the inner surface of the upstanding wall has an air channel formed therein which extends from the forward end to the rearward end
Data Source
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AI summary
A horn system for an automated loader has horns with upstanding and bottom walls. The horns move from a first adjacent position in which the bottom walls of the horns completely or almost completely overlap to a second, remote position in which the bottom walls of the horns just barely overlap or do not overlap.