Open Frame Conveyor Allergen Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor systems require disassembly or labor-intensive processes to ensure complete cleaning, especially for longer conveyors, leading to increased downtime and costs due to the difficulty in accessing and cleaning all surfaces without contaminating the product handling areas.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system design featuring a central longitudinal member with elevated side members and angled support members that allow for easy access and cleaning without disassembly, providing structural rigidity and preventing bending, while maintaining operational integrity and accessibility for thorough sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional conveyor systems are used with closed or complex structures, then structural integrity and load-bearing capacity are maintained, but cleaning access to all surfaces becomes difficult and requires disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor frame is divided into multiple longitudinal members (central and side members) with support members connecting them, creating segmented sections that are individually accessible for cleaning while maintaining overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure transitions from a closed two-dimensional enclosure to an open three-dimensional framework with members positioned at different heights and depths, allowing cleaning access from multiple angles and directions without compromising structural strength
2Productivity
If conveyor belts are made longer to increase productivity, then more material can be transported, but cleaning becomes more labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The long conveyor belt is supported by multiple equally spaced longitudinal members and support members, dividing the cleaning task into smaller sections that can be accessed and cleaned efficiently along the length of the conveyor without requiring complete disassembly
Solution Approach 2:
The open frame structure with its geometric configuration allows cleaning personnel to access and clean all surfaces directly during normal operation setup, eliminating the need for complete disassembly and reassembly procedures
3Ease of operation
If conveyor systems are designed with open frame structures for easy cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but structural rigidity and resistance to bending may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is segmented into multiple longitudinal members (at least one central and at least one side member) connected by support members, distributing mechanical loads across multiple points while maintaining open access for cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are positioned at angles (such as 45 degrees) relative to the longitudinal members, creating a geometric configuration that optimizes both structural rigidity against bending forces and accessibility for cleaning operations
4Reliability
If labor-intensive disassembly procedures are used to ensure complete cleaning, then thorough sanitation is achieved, but downtime and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system's open frame geometric configuration enables all surfaces to be accessed and cleaned during normal operational setup without requiring disassembly, making the cleaning process as routine as operational preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure is pre-configured with open geometric arrangements and positioned members that facilitate cleaning access before cleaning actually occurs, eliminating the need for preliminary disassembly steps
Data Source
AI summary
An open frame design of conveyors that will allow inspection access as well as sanitation access to all surfaces of conveyors that carry products that could contain Food Allergens, materials that could cause reactions as well as provide proper sanitation access. For proper and safe operation these allergens and offending materials must be removed and therefore proper access to all surfaces must be provided so as to be able clean and remove allergens and offending materials from all surfaces as well as to provide access to visually confirm proper removal has been carried.