Semi-solid Food Metering Machine Removable End Plate Cleaning Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines used in the production of semi-solid food products face challenges in cleaning the narrow clearance space between feed roller ends and end plates, leading to contamination and allergen retention, which complicates sanitation and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical solution that allows for the implementation of replaceable seals between feed roll ends and end plates, enabling the removal of the outer end plate and movement of feed rollers for quick access to the clearance area without disassembly, facilitating effective cleaning and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clearance spacing is maintained between feed roller ends and end plates for proper operation, then machine operation is ensured, but semi-solid material seeps into the clearance space causing contamination and cleaning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is divided into a fixed portion and a removable portion that can be separated. The removable portion is detached to provide access to the clearance space between the feed roller ends and the fixed end plate, enabling cleaning while maintaining the clearance spacing during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plate configuration transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic system where the removable portion can be detached. This allows the clearance space to be accessible for cleaning while maintaining operational integrity during normal operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If tight clearances are used to constrain semi-solid medium, then material passage is controlled, but cleaning access to the clearance space becomes extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is segmented into fixed and removable portions. The removable portion can be detached to provide direct access to the tight clearance space for cleaning, while the fixed portion maintains the precise clearance spacing during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable end plate portion is extracted or detached from the assembly to expose the clearance space that would otherwise be inaccessible. This allows cleaning tools and personnel to access the tight clearance area without disassembling the entire machine.
3Stability of the object's composition
If end plates are fixed with reference to feed roller ends, then structural stability is maintained, but the clearance space becomes inaccessible for efficient cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is segmented into a fixed portion that maintains structural stability and a removable portion that can be detached for cleaning access. The fixed portion remains securely attached to the frame while the removable portion provides access to the clearance space.
Solution Approach 2:
The end plate system transitions from a completely fixed structure to a semi-dynamic configuration where one portion can be removed. This maintains structural stability during operation while enabling cleaning access when needed.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If full disassembly is performed to clean the clearance space, then complete sanitation is achieved, but machine complexity and disassembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is segmented into fixed and removable portions, allowing selective removal of only the cleaning access portion rather than disassembling the entire machine. This provides complete sanitation access while minimizing disassembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable end plate portion is extracted specifically for cleaning purposes, providing access to the clearance space without requiring removal of other machine components. This reduces disassembly time and complexity while achieving complete sanitation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention is directed to a semi-solid food product metering device and method of operating a semi-solid food product metering device with at least two counter rotating feed rollers (3) each with a distal end and a proximal end. An at least two feed rollers end plates (2,5) contain the rollers with a first of the at least two roller end plates being a distal feed roller end plate (5) and a second of the at least two roller end plates being a removable end plate (2) at the proximal end of the counter rotating feed rollers with an at least one fastening device (2a) to fasten the at least two feed roller end plates (2,5) in the operational position. An at least one frame support (10) couples the at least two end plates, where the semi-solid food product metering device has a non-operational position and an operational position and is transitioned therebetween by a user. When in the non-operational position, the fastening device (2a) is not securing the end plates (2,5) and allows for movement, removal, or movement and removal of the second of the at least two end plates away from the end of the two counter rotating feed rollers (3) to provide access to a gap (9) between the at least two counter rotating feed roller ends and the two end plates.