Mould Member Opening Geometry for Faster Food Product Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing moulding systems experience inefficient ejection of food products, particularly when larger volumes of mould cavities are pressurized, leading to slower pressure rise and inefficient use of ejection fluid, which is costly and can result in fluid loss and clogging.
Innovation Solution
The geometry of the ejection fluid inlet and outlet openings is designed for a linear contact at the initiation of overlap, allowing for a faster increase in overlapping area, resulting in a quicker pressure build-up and more effective ejection of food products, optimized fluid use, and reduced fluid loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If circular cross-section openings are used for ejection fluid inlet and outlet, then the system is simple to manufacture, but the overlapping area increases slowly resulting in slow pressure build-up and inefficient ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the opening geometry from circular to non-circular shapes (such as rectangular, oval, or custom profiles) that create faster overlapping area increase. This asymmetric geometry design allows the openings to overlap more efficiently when relatively moved, generating rapid pressure build-up while remaining manufacturable through standard machining or molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the openings (shape, size, orientation) to optimize the overlapping area development. By adjusting parameters such as the opening cross-sectional shape from circular to rectangular or other profiles, and positioning them to achieve optimal overlap characteristics, the system achieves faster pressure build-up speed without excessive manufacturing complexity.
2Productivity
If larger groups of mould cavities are ejected simultaneously, then productivity increases, but more ejection fluid is required leading to increased fluid loss and clogging risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by employing compressed air or gas as ejection fluid to create pressure differential for product ejection. The optimized opening geometry enhances the pneumatic pressure build-up efficiency, allowing effective ejection of larger cavity groups with reduced fluid consumption and minimized fluid loss through improved pressure utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ejection process by providing separate ejection fluid inlet openings for different groups of mould cavities. This segmentation allows independent control and optimization of fluid delivery to each cavity group, improving overall ejection efficiency while reducing total fluid requirement and minimizing clogging risk through distributed fluid distribution.
3Loss of energy
If the overlapping area between openings increases slowly, then manufacturing is simpler, but ejection fluid use becomes inefficient and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric opening geometries (non-circular cross-sections) that are specifically designed to create rapid overlapping area increase during relative movement. This asymmetric design optimizes fluid flow efficiency and reduces ejection fluid waste while maintaining manufacturability through standard fabrication methods, achieving better than circular geometry without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes geometric parameters of the openings including cross-sectional shape, dimensions, and relative positioning to maximize overlapping area development rate. By carefully selecting and adjusting these parameters, the system achieves efficient ejection fluid utilization that minimizes waste and cost, while the geometry remains within manufacturable limits.
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
This design enhances the ejection efficiency, reduces fluid waste, and allows for simultaneous ejection of larger groups of cavities, minimizing costs and potential clogging, while maintaining uniform pressure distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Pressure is allowed to build up in the mould member, to allow a pulse of ejection fluid to be supplied to the mould cavities via the channel and cause ejection of the moulded products from the group of one or more mould cavities
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for moulding food products from a pumpable foodstuff mass include a mould member having an outer surface. One or more recessed mould cavities are provided. An ejection fluid inlet opening of the mould member is arranged relatively movable with respect to an outlet opening of the ejection fluid source. Ejection fluid is allowed to enter the mould member when an outlet opening overlaps an ejection fluid inlet opening.