Multihead Weigher Scraper Design for Sticky Food Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Weighing systems for solid food products with sticky coatings face errors due to adherence of coatings to equipment, leading to inconsistent package weights.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a receptacle with a specific angular design and scraper mechanism to rotate and discharge solid food products, and a collector with angular and radial scrapers to collect and discharge products effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a multihead weigher is used to weigh solid food products with sticky coatings, then weighing capability is provided, but weighing errors occur due to adherence of coatings to equipment walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweighing accuracyVSAvoidadherence of sticky coating to equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper mechanism performs preliminary cleaning action on the receptacle inner surface before the next weighing operation begins. The scraper is positioned to contact the inner surface and remove accumulated sticky coating, preventing it from interfering with subsequent measurements. This preliminary action ensures weighing accuracy is maintained throughout continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scraper mechanism operates periodically during the weighing cycle. The receptacle rotates to bring different portions of its inner surface into contact with the stationary scraper edge at regular intervals, creating periodic cleaning action that continuously prevents adherence of sticky coating without interrupting the weighing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of manufacture

If the receptacle is designed with a specific angular configuration (150-180 degrees) to facilitate scraping, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescraping effectivenessVSAvoidreceptacle structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is designed with an asymmetric angular configuration where the inner surface extends over 150-180 degrees rather than a full 360 degrees. This asymmetric design creates a specific geometry that allows the stationary scraper edge to effectively contact and clean the inner surface during rotation, while maintaining structural simplicity. The asymmetric shape optimizes the scraping action without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4273518B1Methods and systems for weighing and collecting solid food products
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 CABINPLANT INTERNATIONAL AS
  • EP4273518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4273518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4273518B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A multihead weigher with a collector for feeding, weighing and collecting solid food products with a sticky coating. The multihead weigher has a number of receptacles for weighing the solid food products and discharging the solid food product to the collector. Each receptacle having a scraper for scraping the surface of the receptacle when the solid food product is being discharged from the receptacle into the collector.