Modular Compression Wall for Wear-Resistant Food Moulding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moulding systems for food products suffer from premature wear of compression walls due to constant contact with toothed portions, leading to reduced lifetime and increased risk of food cross-contamination from complex, non-disassemblable structures.
Innovation Solution
A compression wall with a simple, prismatic configuration featuring releasable latch covers and guide means, made of injectable plastic, allows easy disassembly and replacement of parts, eliminating elastic springs and locating the compression wall outside the counter-mould body to prevent wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the compression wall uses a ratchet mechanism with constant contact with toothed portion, then the compression wall can be displaced along the counter-mould body, but the plates experience increased wear reducing lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by making the latch covers disposable or easily replaceable components. When wear occurs on the latch covers due to contact with the toothed portion, only these specific components need to be replaced rather than the entire compression wall assembly, thereby reducing downtime and maintenance costs while maintaining operational reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The compression wall is segmented into modular components including the base body, latch support cover, and individual latch covers. This segmentation allows specific worn parts (latch covers) to be replaced independently while retaining other functional components, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and component lifetime
2Adaptability or versatility
If the compression wall has complex shape for functional requirements, then it can perform moulding operations, but it cannot be easily disassembled for cleaning increasing cross-contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wall is divided into separable modules: base body, latch support cover, and latch covers. This segmentation enables complete disassembly for thorough cleaning of all surfaces, eliminating hidden corners where debris could accumulate, while still maintaining the complex functional geometry needed for moulding operations when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The latch covers are extracted as separate removable components from the main body. This extraction allows these specific parts to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement without affecting the structural integrity or functional complexity of the remaining assembly, resolving the contradiction between functional adaptability and cleaning accessibility
3Ease of operation
If the compression wall moves inside the counter-mould body, then it can perform compression operations, but the counter-mould body suffers increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wall is extracted from the interior of the counter-mould body and repositioned on the exterior. This extraction eliminates direct contact between the moving compression wall and the counter-mould body interior surfaces, preventing wear on the counter-mould body while maintaining compression functionality through external actuation mechanisms
4Device complexity
If the compression wall is made as single integrated piece, then it is structurally simple, but entire compression wall must be replaced when components wear
Solution Approach 1:
The compression wall is segmented into modular components (base body, latch support cover, latch covers) that are easier to manufacture and assemble than a single complex piece. This segmentation enables selective replacement of worn components like latch covers without replacing the entire assembly, improving ease of repair while maintaining relative structural simplicity through standardized modular design
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a compression wall of a moulding system for forming food products, capable of being positioned transversely with respect to the length of a counter-mould body and slidingly along the inside of the mould body (3), including first attachment means provided for cooperating in a complementary manner with second attachment means provided in the mould body, said wall comprises a base body having an oblong and prismatic configuration, having a longitudinal recess defining a housing in which a latch support cover and a pair of latch covers slidingly coupled to the latch support cover and to the base body are arranged in a releasable manner, wherein each of the latch covers comprises on a front face a protruding element capable of sliding through slots made in the latch support cover, each of the latch covers having an outward facing lateral end provided with the first attachment means.