Compact Pressing Device for Pastry Strands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressing devices for producing baked goods sticks are not compact enough, leading to inefficiencies in space usage and throughput, as they require a larger area to produce a given number of dough strands.
Innovation Solution
A compact pressing device with rotatable nozzles and a central nozzle opening, utilizing an endless traction element for synchronous drive and staggered drive gears to enable close packing and continuous production of multiple helix-shaped sticks, allowing for various variants by adjusting nozzle number, speed, and dough extrusion rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pressing devices with multiple rotary nozzle heads are used, then a plurality of dough strands can be pressed out simultaneously, but the device occupies a large space and is not compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple rotary nozzle heads (first, second, third, and fourth rotary nozzle heads) in a nested or closely stacked configuration along the vertical axis. Each rotary nozzle head contains multiple nozzle openings, and they are arranged such that their axes are offset from each other, allowing them to fit within a compact vertical space while maintaining high throughput capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of rotary nozzle heads to a vertical stacking configuration. The axes of the rotary nozzle heads are offset in the vertical direction, with the first and second rotary nozzle heads having axes offset from the third and fourth rotary nozzle heads. This dimensional reorganization allows compact space utilization while preserving productivity.
2Area of stationary object
If the distance between adjacent dosing heads is reduced for compact design, then space efficiency improves, but reliable guidance and synchronous drive of the endless traction element becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces guide bars as intermediary elements that extend between and alongside the rotary nozzle heads. These guide bars provide structural support and guidance for the endless traction element, ensuring reliable operation even when the rotary nozzle heads are closely spaced. The guide bars act as mediators that maintain the integrity of the drive system despite reduced spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the drive system into segmented components, with each rotary nozzle head equipped with its own drive gear and the endless traction element divided into multiple sections. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and guided, facilitating reliable synchronous drive even in a compact configuration with reduced spacing between dosing heads.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotary nozzle heads with multiple nozzle openings each are used, then continuous production of various stick variants is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing each rotary nozzle head to contain multiple nozzle openings (e.g., four nozzle openings per rotary nozzle head) that can produce different types of pastry sticks. The same rotary nozzle head structure serves multiple functions by producing various stick variants through different nozzle configurations, reducing the need for separate dedicated nozzle heads for each product type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the rotary nozzle heads, where each head can rotate independently at controllable speeds. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different production requirements by adjusting rotation speeds and selecting different nozzle openings, providing versatility without requiring a proportional increase in the number of physical components.
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 allows for a more compact design that maintains throughput, enabling the production of a wide range of baked goods variants with reliable and reproducible conditions, while ensuring efficient use of space and continuous production.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary drive for the rotary heads with the endless traction element ensures a reliable and, in particular, synchronous drive of a plurality of nozzles
Implementation Method 2
Mounted on both sides of the machine frame, a corrugated roller 4 is arranged as a pressure-generating device
Implementation Method 3
The bearing of the rotary head can be done in particular by plain bearings
Data Source
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AI summary
The pressing device for a plant for the production of snack sticks, comprises a dough storage chamber (4), compression mechanism (4) for the production of pressure in a pressurized chamber, nozzles (9) exhibiting a propelled head, and a rotary drive. The compression mechanism is connected with the storage chamber. The nozzles are situated at the inlet side in connection with the pressurized chamber and serve to press the dough strand. The propelled head turns around an axis of rotation and has two discharge-sided nozzle openings adjacent to the axis of rotation. The pressing device for a plant for the production of snack sticks, comprises a dough storage chamber (4), compression mechanism (4) for the production of pressure in a pressurized chamber, nozzles (9) exhibiting a propelled head, and a rotary drive. The compression mechanism is connected with the storage chamber. The nozzles are situated at the inlet side in connection with the pressurized chamber and serve to press the dough strand. The propelled head turns around an axis of rotation and has two discharge-sided nozzle openings adjacent to the axis of rotation. The rotary drive for the turning heads exhibits an endless conveyer member running over a drive pinion of each turning head. The conveyer member is partitioned into two pulling sections (28, 29) perpendicular to direction of movement. The first pulling section is designed for the driving of a first group of turning heads and a second pulling section is designed for the driving of a second group of turning heads. The turning head is implemented as a rotating member in a nozzle casing. The rotating member is mounted axially and radially in the nozzle casing. The drive pinion is arranged displaced to one another by an intermediate distance (h) of the pulling sections along the respective axis of rotation. The pulling sections are arranged adjacent to one another and on an inner side of the endless conveyer member, support themselves externally over a sliding rail, and are separated from one another by a guidance path (32).