Portioning Device Movable Placement Stabilizing Fresh Meat Slices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slicing devices face challenges in controlling the deposition of cut slices or pieces of food products, particularly fresh meat, due to high cutting speeds and inhomogeneous structures, making it difficult to assemble portions in a predetermined and appealing arrangement for sale or further processing.

Innovation Solution

A portioning device with a movable placement device that includes a support surface for slices or pieces, allowing controlled positioning and arrangement through adjustable leaning surfaces, which can pivot or rotate to stabilize and align cut products immediately after cutting, enabling precise assembly and handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high cutting speeds are used to achieve high throughput, then productivity is improved, but control precision of sliced piece placement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidplacement control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A support surface is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting blade and the sliced pieces. The support surface receives the sliced pieces immediately after cutting, providing a stable platform that eliminates uncontrolled movement and enables precise placement control despite high cutting speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface is positioned in advance before the cutting operation to receive slices immediately after they are cut. This preliminary positioning ensures that slices are captured and stabilized before they can move uncontrolled, enabling precise placement even at high throughput speeds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If high cutting forces are applied to separate slices, then productivity is improved, but stability of sliced pieces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting speedVSAvoidslice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface acts as a mediator that absorbs the impact forces generated during cutting. By providing an immediate receiving platform, the support surface prevents slices from moving uncontrolled after being separated by the cutting blade, maintaining stability despite high cutting forces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support surface is positioned to receive slices before they can experience uncontrolled movement due to cutting impulses. This beforehand cushioning effect stabilizes slices immediately after cutting, preventing the uncontrolled movement that would otherwise occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If inhomogeneous fresh meat products are sliced, then productivity is maintained, but placement precision deteriorates due to impulsive movements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveslicing throughputVSAvoidportion assembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support surface serves as an intermediary that captures and stabilizes slices from inhomogeneous products like fresh meat. By providing an immediate receiving platform, it eliminates the uncontrolled impulsive movements caused by the inhomogeneous structure, enabling precise portion assembly while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3804525A1Portioning device
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 TEXTOR MASCHBAUU
  • EP3804525A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3804525A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3804525A1 patent drawingFigure 2D~2E

AI summary

A portioning device for assembling portions, comprising at least one slice cut from a food product, in particular a meat product, especially a fresh meat product, by means of a slicing device, and/or at least one piece cut from the food product by means of the slicing device, has a storage area extending along a conveying direction for depositing the portions and a movable placement device. The placement device includes a support surface rising from the storage area for at least one first cut slice that rests on the storage area, wherein the position of the support surface with respect to the conveying direction and/or the position of the support surface relative to the storage area can be changed by moving the placement device.