Multi-Storey Pasta Stick Transfer to Prevent Rocking and Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long pasta production plants face issues with space occupancy due to the need for lengthy ovens, potential product contamination and damage from nonlinear paths, and quality loss from violent movements during multi-storey transfers.
Innovation Solution
A long pasta production plant with a multi-storey design using chains and a mover system with vertical and horizontal kinematics to transport pasta support sticks smoothly between storeys, preventing contact with oven walls and reducing rocking and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multi-storey drying ovens are used to reduce space occupancy, then the plant becomes more compact, but the pasta undergoes violent movements during transfers causing quality loss
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from horizontal pasta transport to vertical transport between storeys. The pasta is conveyed horizontally on the first storey, then vertically transferred to the second storey, and finally horizontally again. This dimensional change allows compact plant footprint while maintaining pasta quality through gentle transfer mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary transfer mechanism between storeys that includes a transfer element and a support element. The pasta is supported by both elements during transfer, with the support element providing stability. This intermediary system prevents violent movements and maintains pasta quality during the vertical transition between storeys.
2Area of stationary object
If multi-storey drying ovens are used to reduce space occupancy, then the plant becomes more compact, but the pasta may contact oven walls causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The support element acts as an intermediary between the pasta and the oven environment during vertical transfer. This support element stabilizes the pasta, preventing it from swinging or contacting the oven walls, thereby avoiding contamination while enabling compact multi-storey configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from horizontal to vertical transport orientation, the invention creates more clearance between the pasta and oven walls during transfer. The vertical dimension provides additional space for pasta movement without wall contact, reducing contamination risk while maintaining compact footprint.
3Area of stationary object
If multi-storey drying ovens are used to reduce space occupancy, then the plant becomes more compact, but the pasta may rock and fall during transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The support element serves as a stabilizing intermediary during vertical pasta transfer between storeys. It provides additional support points that prevent pasta rocking and falling, ensuring product stability while enabling the compact multi-storey configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical transfer dimension allows for more controlled and stable pasta movement compared to horizontal transfer. The vertical orientation with support elements provides better gravitational stability, preventing pasta from rocking or falling during the transfer process.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A long pasta production plant having a multi-storey area (2) comprising: a first storey (3) and a subsequent storey (4) respectively having a first pair of chains (6) and a second pair of chains (7) for moving long pasta support sticks (9); a mover (10) of the stick (9) between the first storey (3) and the subsequent storey (4). The mover (10) comprises a pair of collection elements (11) of the support sticks (9) so as to lift them from the first pair of chains (6) of the first storey (3), laterally move away from the first storey (3), vertically move towards the subsequent storey (4), laterally approach the subsequent storey (4) until they overlap, lay the sticks (9) above the second pair of chains (7) of the subsequent storey (4).