Mobile Spray Apparatus Segmentation for Baking Release Agents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional airless systems for applying release agents in the baking industry face issues such as short optimum spraying time, residue accumulation, contamination from compressor air, and the weight and return requirements of kegs, which limit mobility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A mobile fluid spray apparatus with a wheeled housing, a pressurized gas tank, a pressure regulator, a removable fluid container with a flexible inner bladder, and a hand-held spray gun, allowing for controlled release of the release agent without compressor air contact and enabling longer spraying times with minimal waste and reduced weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a conventional airless system with a pressurised barrel is used, then the release agent can be applied to baking receptacles, but the optimum spraying time is short and the pressure in the barrel falls below a workable level quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespraying timeVSAvoidpressure in barrel
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two separate containers: a pressurised gas tank and a fluid container. This segmentation allows the gas pressure to be maintained independently while the fluid is dispensed, resolving the contradiction between extended spraying time and maintaining workable pressure levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A pressure regulator device acts as an intermediary between the pressurised gas tank and the fluid container, controlling the transfer of pressure to maintain optimal spraying conditions throughout the extended spraying duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of substance

If a keg-based system is used, then the release agent can be stored and applied, but there is always a residue in the barrel that cannot be dispensed and compressor air contact contaminates the release agent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresidue wasteVSAvoidrelease agent purity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful element of compressor air is extracted from the system by using a separate pressurised gas tank that does not require continuous air supply, eliminating the source of contamination and allowing complete dispensing of the release agent without residue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid container is designed as a disposable or replaceable component that can be completely emptied, eliminating residue waste. The container is discarded or replaced rather than cleaned and reused, ensuring no contamination from previous contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If a keg-based system is used, then the release agent can be delivered and stored, but the weight of the full keg is around 45kg and it must be returned for re-filling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelease agent capacityVSAvoidkeg weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the heavy keg into a lightweight container and a separate pressurised gas tank. This allows the release agent to be delivered in a lighter container that can be easily moved and replaced, eliminating the need to return heavy kegs for refilling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service refilling by using replaceable fluid containers that can be quickly swapped at the point of use, eliminating the need for heavy keg returns and complex refilling operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If air-mix systems are used, then the release agent can be sprayed, but the system complexity increases due to the need for compressed air mixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespray applicationVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity of air mixing is extracted from the spray system by using a separate pressurised gas tank for propulsion, eliminating the need for compressed air mixing components and simplifying the overall system structure while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution provides extended spraying time, eliminates residue and contamination issues, reduces weight, and enhances mobility by using a pre-filled high-pressure air tank and recyclable containers, allowing for efficient and flexible application of release agents in the baking industry.

Implementation Method 1

a tank disposed within the housing adapted to receive a pressurised gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a pressure regulator device connected to an outlet of said tank for regulating the output flow of the pressurised gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure regulation: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the fluid container comprises a flexible inner bladder which expands when filled with the fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

a hand-held spray gun connectable to said fluid container for the controlled release of fluid from the fluid container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray atomization: Aerosol

Data Source

PatentEP2210673B1A mobile spray apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 KONINK ZEELANDIA GROEP
  • EP2210673B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2210673B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile fluid spray apparatus (1) comprising: a wheeled housing (2); a tank (30) disposed within the housing (2) adapted to receive a pressurised gas; a pressure regulator device (32) connected to an outlet of said tank (30) for regulating the output flow of the pressurised gas; a compartment disposed within the housing for removabley receiving a fluid container, said fluid container being connectable to the tank outlet via the pressure regulator device; and a hand-held spray gun (10) connectable to said fluid container for the controlled release of fluid from the fluid container when said fluid container is connected to said tank outlet.