Machine for making liquid or semi-liquid products of the ice cream sector
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Solution Overview
Problem
The ice cream sector faces challenges in quickly producing small portions of customized products while minimizing the risk of product contamination, particularly in automating the expulsion of capsules containing basic preparations for ice cream products.
Innovation Solution
A unit for receiving and treating capsules, equipped with an unloading device featuring an impact portion and a locking portion, which automatically expels capsules by applying an impulsive force, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual intervention is used for capsule expulsion, then the risk of product contamination increases, but automation level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule expulsion system is designed to automatically eject used capsules without manual intervention. The impact portion strikes the capsule to initiate expulsion, and the locking portion automatically secures the unloading device, creating a self-service mechanism that eliminates human contact with the capsule handling area, thereby maintaining product safety while achieving full automation
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the capsule and the external environment. It includes an impact portion that engages the capsule and a locking portion that secures the device, serving as a mediator that automates the expulsion process while preventing direct human contact with potentially contaminated capsules
2Productivity
If automated unloading device is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading device is segmented into distinct functional components: an impact portion for engaging and striking the capsule, and a locking portion for securing the device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, increasing productivity while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The unloading device incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to automatically transition between locked and unlocked states during the expulsion cycle. The impact portion dynamically engages the capsule and the locking portion automatically secures the device, enabling high-speed automated operation without requiring complex control systems
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 enables efficient and automated expulsion of capsules, ensuring high automation levels and reducing the risk of product contamination during production, allowing for rapid and reliable processing of small ice cream portions.
Implementation Method 1
an unloading device (3) adapted to trigger expulsion of the capsule (C) from the housing (2), wherein the unloading device (3) comprises an impact portion (4) adapted to engage the capsule (C)
Data Source
AI summary
A unit for receiving and treating capsules containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product includes: a housing configured to receive a capsule containing a basic preparation for an ice cream product; and an unloading device adapted to trigger expulsion of the capsule from the housing. The unloading device includes an impact portion adapted to engage the capsule and a locking portion configured to lock the unloading device to the unit.