Metallic Meshwork Conveyor for Solvent-Resistant Mix Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mix dispensers for stone or ceramic slabs face issues with the high cost and short working life of fabric-reinforced elastomeric conveyor belts, which are prone to premature deterioration due to solvent vapors, leading to frequent maintenance stoppages and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a meshwork conveyor made of metallic material resistant to solvents, such as metal meshwork lined with a thin protective plastic film, replaces the traditional elastomeric conveyor belt, ensuring durability and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fabric-reinforced elastomeric conveyor belt is used, then the conveyor provides good flexibility and material handling, but it deteriorates prematurely due to solvent vapors, leading to frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a metal meshwork structure with a plastic coating layer. The metal meshwork provides mechanical strength and solvent resistance, while the plastic coating provides flexibility and material handling properties. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by achieving both durability against solvent vapors and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters of the conveyor belt from organic elastomeric material to inorganic metal meshwork with plastic coating. This parameter change transforms the conveyor belt's chemical resistance properties, making it immune to solvent vapor degradation while maintaining operational characteristics.
2Productivity
If a fabric-reinforced elastomeric conveyor belt is used, then the conveyor provides adequate transport function, but the cost increases due to frequent replacement and maintenance stoppages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a metal meshwork conveyor that significantly extends service life compared to traditional elastomeric belts. Although the initial investment may be higher, the extended operational life between replacements reduces overall maintenance frequency and production downtime, improving productivity over time.
3Strength
If a fabric-reinforced elastomeric conveyor belt is used, then the conveyor provides flexibility, but mechanical strength is insufficient leading to premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The metal meshwork provides superior mechanical strength compared to fabric-reinforced elastomeric materials. The three-dimensional wire structure offers inherent rigidity and load-bearing capacity while the plastic coating maintains flexibility. This composite approach simultaneously improves strength and reliability.
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 metallic meshwork conveyor is more cost-effective, mechanically stronger, and resistant to solvent vapors, resulting in reduced maintenance and production downtime, with improved uniformity and reliability in mix dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a meshwork conveyor made of metallic material resistant to solvents, such as metal meshwork lined with a thin protective plastic film
Implementation Method 2
metal meshwork lined with a thin protective plastic film
Data Source
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AI summary
A mix dispenser (14) comprises a hopper (24) with a top opening (26) for filling the hopper with a predetermined amount of mix and a bottom opening (28). The dispenser comprises a conveyor (30) which forms the bottom of said hopper (24) and is designed to extract the mix from the hopper (24) and convey it towards an end from where it falls into a mould. The dispenser is characterized in that said conveyor (30) comprises a supporting meshwork (32) made of a material resistant to the vapours of solvents such as styrene and operated by an electric motor (34). Furthermore a plant comprising such as dispenser is also described.