Meat Slice Loading Frame with Synchronized Conveyor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of loading slices of meat onto frames for drying and smoking is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to meat slices falling and being rejected due to incorrect positioning, leading to increased costs and losses.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a feeding device with an overturning mechanism, weighing, conveyor belts, and synchronized conveying devices to automate and align slices of meat onto support rods, minimizing manual handling and ensuring precise loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading of meat slices onto frames is performed by personnel, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but production time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service loading where meat slices automatically position themselves on the rods through the conveying mechanism, eliminating the need for manual placement while maintaining loading efficiency. The slices are fed and positioned by the automated conveyor system without requiring human intervention for each placement action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of workers placing slices with an automated conveying device that uses mechanical belts and synchronization mechanisms to transport and position meat slices onto the rods, thereby increasing productivity while reducing labor requirements.
2Productivity
If multiple workers are used for loading operations, then loading capacity is sufficient, but production time increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying device operates continuously to feed meat slices onto the rods without interruption, maintaining a steady flow of loading operations. The synchronized movement of conveyor belts ensures continuous transportation and positioning of slices, eliminating the start-stop nature of manual loading and reducing overall production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning of meat slices on the conveying belts before they reach the rods, ensuring that slices are already aligned and ready for immediate placement. This preliminary arrangement prevents delays during the actual loading process and maintains high loading capacity without requiring additional time.
3Reliability
If meat slices are handled manually during loading, then positioning can be adjusted, but slices may fall and be rejected due to incorrect positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The automated conveying device replaces manual handling with a controlled mechanical system that uses synchronized belts to precisely position meat slices on the rods. This mechanical substitution eliminates the variability and errors associated with manual placement, ensuring consistent and accurate positioning that prevents slices from falling and being rejected.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates operational feedback mechanisms where the conveying device adjusts its movement based on the positioning requirements of the rods. The synchronization between conveyor belts and rod positions ensures that slices are placed accurately, with the system able to detect and correct positioning deviations to maintain high loading accuracy and minimize rejections.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for loading slices of meat onto a storage and conveying frame includes a: feeding device for feeding slices of meat to an inlet end of the apparatus, weighing device for weighing the slices of meat, dosing device that includes a first conveyor belt and second conveyor belt, placed side by side, and feeds single slices of meat to a work table including a third conveyor belt; the apparatus further includes a loading device configured to load the slices of meat on support rod.