Mixer Tank Cover Assembly for Continuous Ingredient Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slurry mixers face difficulties in initiating agitator movement after bulk ingredient addition, leading to increased mixing time due to agitator stops when the lid is open for ingredient addition.
Innovation Solution
A cover assembly with a screen member and a lid member that allows ingredient addition through openings while maintaining the screen member closed, and a control system that prevents agitator operation until the lid is fully closed, transitioning to lower speeds during ingredient addition and increasing speeds once the lid is fully closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lid is opened for ingredient addition, then ingredients can be added to the mixer, but the agitator must stop causing increased mixing time
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly is divided into two separate members: a screen member with openings for ingredient addition and a lid member that seals the opening. This segmentation allows the screen member to remain closed during ingredient addition while the lid member can be opened independently, enabling ingredient addition without stopping the agitator and thus reducing mixing time
Solution Approach 2:
The screen member acts as an intermediary structure between the lid member and the mixing volume. It provides a pathway for ingredient addition through its openings while maintaining the sealed environment needed for continuous agitator operation, resolving the conflict between ease of operation and time loss
2Productivity
If the agitator runs at high speed during ingredient addition, then mixing efficiency is maintained, but ingredient plumes are created causing safety and operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The screen member serves as an intermediary barrier that allows controlled ingredient addition while preventing the formation of ingredient plumes. Its structure with multiple openings diffuses the ingredient flow, preventing the harmful plume effect while allowing the agitator to maintain high speed for mixing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The screen member functions as a porous structure with multiple openings that controls the flow of ingredients into the mixing volume. This porous design allows ingredient addition while dispersing the flow to prevent plume formation, enabling safe operation at high agitator speeds
Data Source
AI summary
A food ingredient mixer includes a tank defining an internal mixing volume, the tank including an upper opening, and an agitator disposed in the internal mixing volume and movable for mixing ingredients and a cover assembly associated with the upper opening, the cover assembly including a first part through which ingredients may be added to the internal mixing volume and a second part movable between a first position that overlies the first part and a second part that exposes the first part.