Perforated Food Pan Layout for Direct Cooling of Shell Eggs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation tables with cooling systems often fail to effectively cool food items that do not make significant contact with the pan walls, such as eggs in the shell, especially in higher ambient temperature environments.
Innovation Solution
The food preparation table design includes food pans with side and bottom walls featuring openings to allow cooling air to flow directly over the food items, with specific orientation of the pans to maximize air flow and minimize heat retention, and the use of an adapter plate to convert space for four pans into space for three pans oriented parallel to the main air flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid wall food pans are used with conventional cooling air flow paths, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but cooling efficiency is insufficient for food items that do not make significant contact with pan walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the porous materials principle by incorporating openings in the pan walls and bottom surface. These openings create a porous structure that allows cooling air to penetrate through the pan and directly contact food items, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the pan structure into multiple surfaces with openings distributed across the walls and bottom. This segmentation allows cooling air to access different areas of the food product through multiple pathways, enhancing overall cooling effectiveness.
2Productivity
If cooling air flow path is modified to improve cooling efficiency, then cooling performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the pan structure itself to facilitate cooling air flow. The openings in the pan walls and bottom enable the pan to actively participate in the cooling process without requiring additional external cooling components or complex system modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cooling function with the pan structure by integrating openings directly into the pan walls and bottom. This combination eliminates the need for separate cooling mechanisms, maintaining system simplicity while achieving improved cooling performance.
3Productivity
If pan orientation is changed to maximize cooling air flow contact, then cooling efficiency improves, but space utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning openings in specific areas of the pan (walls and bottom) where cooling air flow contact is most effective. This localized approach optimizes cooling efficiency in critical areas without requiring complete redesign of the entire pan structure or orientation.
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
This configuration enhances cooling efficiency by ensuring that cooled air directly contacts the food items, improving temperature management and reducing compressor run time while minimizing moisture infiltration and air flow disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
operating a refrigeration system of the food preparation table to deliver cooled air in a main flow direction past the food product pan
Implementation Method 2
transfers heat from the food in the pan by directing cooled air past the solid walls of the food pan
Implementation Method 3
At least one of the side walls of the first food pan includes a plurality of openings therein to permit some cooling air to enter the first food pan and flow in contact with food items therein
Data Source
AI summary
A food preparation table includes a housing at least in part defining multiple food pan receiving locations and a cooling air flow path internal of the housing below the food pan receiving locations. A first food pan is positioned within a first one of the food pan receiving locations such that side walls and a bottom wall of the first food pan are within the cooling air flow path, a first one of the side walls of the first food pan includes a plurality of openings therein to permit some cooling air to enter the first food pan and flow in contact with food items therein.