Pivotal Roller Agitator for Pouch Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for agitating pouched products on conveyor belts are inefficient in facilitating heat transfer, blending, and mixing, as they can cause pouch damage, are complex to operate, and are not easily adaptable to existing conveyor belt systems, leading to issues like over-processing and quality deterioration of products.
Innovation Solution
A system with agitation stations along the conveyor belt, featuring a pivotally secured arm and agitator that contacts the pouch, allowing for gentle agitation without disassembling existing systems, enabling efficient heat transfer and mixing without stressing the pouch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical flipping equipment is used to increase heat transfer rate, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but pouch damage risk increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical flipping systems with a simple roller-based agitation mechanism. The rollers gently rotate pouches through contact at the bottom surface, achieving content mixing and heat transfer enhancement without the harsh mechanical forces that cause pouch damage in traditional flipping systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the agitation parameter from violent flipping to gentle rolling contact. By controlling the roller contact force and rotation, the system achieves effective heat transfer and mixing while maintaining pouch integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between heat transfer efficiency and pouch damage prevention.
2Temperature
If complex basket-like transport with rocking motion is used, then heat transfer is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of agitation from complex basket-like transport systems. By using simple rollers that contact only the bottom surface of pouches, the invention achieves heat transfer enhancement and mixing without the complicated rocking mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The rollers are positioned to automatically contact and agitate pouches as they pass through the processing zone. The system leverages the natural movement of pouches on the conveyor belt, requiring minimal additional mechanical complexity while achieving the desired heat transfer and mixing effects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If violent agitation methods are used to mix pouch contents, then mixing efficiency is improved, but pouch integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating rollers create a gentle vibrational and rolling motion within the pouch contents. This continuous mild agitation effectively mixes and redistributes heat throughout the product without subjecting the pouch to violent forces that would compromise its structural integrity or cause leakage.
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 effectively agitates pouch contents, enhancing heat transfer and mixing while being simple, energy-efficient, and easily retrofittable to existing conveyor belts, reducing the risk of pouch damage and ensuring product quality.
Implementation Method 1
facilitate heat transfer, blending, mixing and/or stirring of the contents thereof
Implementation Method 2
agitating the pouched product traveling therepast
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for agitating pouched products traveling along a conveyor belt to facilitate heat transfer, blending, mixing and/or stirring of the contents thereof. An agitation station is located along the conveyor belt, and includes an agitator secured to one end of an arm, the arm being pivotally secured to the frame supporting the conveyor belt.