Patty Presser Tilted Belts for Hand-Formed Appearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-speed meat patty forming machines produce patties with smooth surfaces and regular shapes, which do not mimic the appearance and cooking qualities of hand-formed patties, and lack precise weight control necessary for mass production.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed patty-forming machine with a reciprocating mold plate and a downstream patty presser system, featuring tilted and adjustable conveyor belts, and elevator mechanisms to simulate hand-formed patty appearance and ensure precise weight control, while maintaining high production rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed molding machines with reciprocating mold plates are used, then production rate is improved, but patty appearance becomes smooth and regular instead of hand-formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patty presser is positioned downstream from the molding machine to apply deformation after the patty has been formed. This preliminary action of deformation before final cooking transforms the smooth molded surface into an irregular hand-formed appearance while maintaining the efficiency of automated molding
Solution Approach 2:
The patty presser uses adjustable tilted conveyor belts that can be modified to change the degree and pattern of patty deformation. By adjusting the tilt angle and belt configuration, the system dynamically adapts to produce varying hand-formed appearances while maintaining high-speed production
2Shape
If conventional patty pressers with tilted conveyor belts are used, then hand-formed appearance is improved, but weight control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates weight sensing mechanisms that monitor patty weights in real-time during the pressing process. This feedback allows the controlled deformation through the tilted conveyor belts to maintain hand-formed appearance while ensuring weight remains within specified tolerances through automated adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The patty presser allows adjustment of multiple parameters including conveyor belt tilt angle, belt speed, and pressure application points. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves the dual goal of creating irregular hand-formed surfaces while maintaining precise weight control through controlled deformation patterns
3Length of moving object
If pressure rollers are used to flatten patties, then thickness reduction is achieved, but patty surfaces become overly compressed and lose hand-formed characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using flat pressure rollers that create uniform compression, the system employs tilted conveyor belts that apply distributed pressure across the patty surface. This curved/angled pressure application reduces thickness while preserving and even enhancing surface irregularities that characterize hand-formed patties
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 system produces patties with a hand-formed appearance and cooking quality at high production rates, achieving precise weight control and simulating the irregular shape and surface characteristics of hand-formed patties.
Implementation Method 1
The upper and lower endless belts circulate in opposite directions. The upper conveyor has an inlet length of the facing belt surface of the upper endless belt being tilted such that a first clearance at an input to the path is equal to or greater than a thickness of the patties and a second clearance at an outlet of the inlet length is less than a thickness of the patties at the input of the path.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system includes a high speed reciprocating mold plate patty-forming machine and a downstream patty presser. The high speed patty forming machine provides patties at a high production speed onto an output conveyor portion. The patty presser includes an upper conveyor having an upper endless belt. The upper conveyor is located above the output conveyor, wherein facing belt surfaces of the upper and lower endless belts define a path between the upper and lower conveyors. The upper conveyor has a tilted section such that a first clearance at an input to the path is equal to or greater than a thickness of the patties and a second clearance at an outlet of the inlet length is less than a thickness of the patties at the input of the path. A shuttle conveyor is arranged at, the output of the path and delivers patties to an indexing packaging machine.