Patty Packaging Vacuum Sealing Stack Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hamburger patties often become unstacked during transportation or manipulation due to inadequate packaging solutions, which fail to maintain the patties in a stacked position effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that uses a stacker with side members and a patty holder to position patties into a flexible pouch, followed by vacuum sealing and the creation of frangible seals to maintain the stack during transport, utilizing a conveyor belt for efficient patty alignment and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hamburger patties are stacked manually prior to packaging, then the packaging process is simple, but the patties become unstacked during transportation or manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the patty stack in a rigid mold cavity before packaging. The mold cavity is designed with specific dimensions and features that force the patties to stack in a predetermined stable configuration. This preliminary structuring ensures the patties maintain their stacked arrangement during subsequent handling and transportation, eliminating the need for complex manual stacking while preserving stack stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid container is used to maintain patty stacking, then the patties remain stable during transport, but the packaging complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible pouch instead of a rigid container to maintain patty stacking. The pouch is a thin film structure that provides minimal structural support while allowing the pre-formed patty stack from the mold to maintain its configuration. This flexible packaging reduces material usage and packaging complexity compared to rigid containers, while still preserving stack stability through the combination of pre-forming and gentle handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the packaging function into two distinct parts: the mold cavity that forms and structures the patty stack, and the flexible pouch that contains and transports it. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the mold for structural formation and the pouch for protective containment - reducing overall packaging complexity while maintaining stack stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If vacuum sealing is applied to the pouch, then the patties are secured in position, but the sealing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vacuum sealing through a vacuum port connected to the pouch to remove air and secure the patties in position. The vacuum force presses the flexible pouch against the pre-formed patty stack, maintaining its configuration during transport. This pneumatic approach provides effective patty securing with relatively simple equipment - a vacuum source and port - avoiding more complex mechanical clamping or sealing mechanisms.
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 ensures that hamburger patties remain stacked and secure within the pouch during transportation and use, preventing movement until the user intentionally breaks the seal, thereby addressing the issue of patties becoming unstacked.
Implementation Method 1
vacuuming the air out of the flexible pouch to seal the pouch, the vacuum creating an air tight seal
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for packaging patties or other similarly shaped items into a flexible pouch. The method comprising the steps of stacking a plurality of patties by a stacker, the patties stacked on top of one another, lowering the plurality of patties into a flexible pouch, vacuuming the air out of the flexible pouch to seal the pouch, the vacuum creating an air tight seal and forming a pair of frangible or solid seals in the pouch, the frangible seals positioned adjacent to the plurality of patties. The apparatus for packaging patties into a flexible pouch, the apparatus comprising a stacker, a patty holder, a vacuum is further positioned adjacent to the patty holder, the vacuum operable to remove the air from the flexible pouch. A frangible seal creator is also provided operable to create a frangible seal on the flexible pouch.