Noodle Cutting Machine Chute Member for Uniform Stacking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing noodle string cutting devices fail to stack noodle strings in a way that reduces sticking during steam-boiling and achieves uniform gelatinization.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a chute member in the noodle string cutting device to guide cut noodle strings, ensuring they swing in alternate directions, thereby preventing them from stacking linearly and ensuring uniform distribution on the conveyor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If noodle strings are stacked linearly in the conveying direction, then the stacking process is simple, but sticking occurs during steam-boiling and gelatinization is non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking process simplicityVSAvoidnoodle string non-sticking quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a chute member that changes the stacking direction of noodle strings from the conveying direction (one-dimensional linear stacking) to the width direction (perpendicular dimension). This dimensional change causes noodle strings to swing laterally and stack in a fan-like pattern, preventing linear contact and reducing sticking during steam-boiling while ensuring uniform gelatinization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If chute member is not provided, then the device structure is simple, but noodle strings swing in conveying direction causing poor stacking quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidnoodle string stacking uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The chute member acts as an intermediary component between the cutting blade rolls and the conveyor. It mediates the motion of cut noodle strings by providing a guided path that converts their natural conveying-direction swing into width-direction swing, achieving precise and uniform stacking without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple chute members are provided for adjacent separating teeth rows, then stacking quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoodle string stacking precisionVSAvoidnumber of chute members
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chute member into multiple independent units, each corresponding to adjacent separating teeth rows. This segmentation allows each chute member to independently guide noodle strings from specific separating teeth rows, improving stacking precision while enabling modular design that manages device complexity through standardized repetitive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces noodle string sticking during steam-boiling and ensures uniform gelatinization, improving the quality of instant, frozen, and chilled noodles.

Implementation Method 1

falling of the noodle strings is not restricted by the chute member, and swing of the noodle strings in the conveying direction is not limited

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3066929B1Noodle cutting machine and raw noodles
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS CO LTD
  • EP3066929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3066929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3066929B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A noodle string cutting device of the present invention includes: a pair of cutting blade rolls configured to rotate in opposite directions in an engaged state to cut a dough sheet into noodle strings; separating teeth rows contacting outer peripheries of the cutting blade rolls at positions different from each other in rotational directions of the cutting blade rolls; and a chute member provided so as to correspond to falling positions of the noodle strings separated by the separating teeth row. Further, the chute member of the noodle string cutting device of the present invention is provided such that two or more sets are formed, each of which includes the adjacent separating teeth rows and in each of which the chute member is provided so as to correspond to the falling positions of the noodle strings separated by one of the adjacent separating teeth rows. With this, the noodle string cutting device can stack the noodle strings on a conveyor such that sticking of the noodle strings in steam-boiling can be reduced, and the noodle strings can be entirely and uniformly gelatinized.