Mango Stone Removal Blade with Shaped Profile

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for removing the stone from mango fruit on an industrial scale result in significant pulp waste and difficulties in handling the fruit's consistent pulp, as traditional coring systems are ineffective and existing machines waste up to 30% of the fruit pulp.

Innovation Solution

A method and machine that perform two precise cuts around the stone using a blade with a shaped cutting profile, allowing for the efficient separation of the stone from the mango pulp with minimal waste, involving a system of blocking and rotating mechanisms to position the mango correctly for each cut.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional coring systems are used to remove the stone, then the stone can be removed from the fruit, but the tubular blade penetrates into the fruit with difficulty and is freed from the stone inside it with equal difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of stone removalVSAvoidcomplexity of coring system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the stone removal process into two separate cutting operations performed by two blades positioned on opposite sides of the fruit. Each blade makes a single cut through the fruit flesh, separating the stone from the pulp without requiring a complex coring mechanism. This segmentation of the cutting action simplifies the device while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the stone from the fruit by making two parallel cuts that isolate the stone between them, then removing the stone through the created opening. This extraction method avoids the need for complex coring systems by using simple linear cuts that naturally separate the stone from the surrounding pulp.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If machines making two parallel cuts on the fruit are used, then the stone can be removed, but a large part, about 30%, of the fruit pulp is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestone removal efficiencyVSAvoidpulp waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by positioning the two cutting blades at specific distances from the stone surface, with the first blade cutting at a first distance and the second blade cutting at a second distance. This localized approach ensures that only the minimum necessary amount of pulp is removed to expose the stone, thereby reducing waste while maintaining cutting effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses partial action by making cuts that extend only to the necessary degree to separate the stone, rather than removing large portions of the fruit. The cuts are designed to be sufficient for stone removal but not excessive, minimizing pulp loss while achieving the desired productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Manufacturing precision

If the blade profile extends for a semi-perimeter of the section of the mango stone, then the cutting is effective, but the machine construction becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidmachine construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs asymmetry in the blade profile design, where the cutting edge has a specific shaped profile that is not symmetric. The blade profile extends for a semi-perimeter of the stone section with a specific geometry that optimizes cutting effectiveness. This asymmetric design achieves precise cutting while keeping the blade structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2560508B1Method and machine for stoning mango fruit
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 A B L SRL
  • EP2560508B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2560508B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a machine for stoning mangoes. The method comprises a stage of blocking the mango fruit frontally of a cutting blade (3), which performs a first cut below the stone and a second cut above the stone; the cuts, performed with the same or with different blades, intersects a whole length in a longitudinal direction of the fruit and are performed by thrust - insertion of a cutting blade in the longitudinal direction of the stone. The machine for implementing the method comprises one or more work stations (6, 7, 8, 9), each of which comprises at least a blocking group (10) which blocks the fruit in a desired position thereof; at least a station comprises a blade (3) with a shaped cutting profile which is provided with straight motion and performs the cuts envisaged by the method; sliding means (11) are provided to cause the straight motion of the blade.