Pump Box Venting Window to Prevent Patty Meat Aspiration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing patty molding machines face a technical challenge in eliminating vacuum as the plunger returns, leading to aspiration of residual meat and increased pressure, which can result in significant meat loss during the molding process.

Innovation Solution

A venting system is introduced, featuring a groove or slot on the outer wall of the pump box that vents air to the atmosphere as the plunger retracts, equalizing pressure and preventing further aspiration of meat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the plunger retracts without a venting mechanism, then the seal between plunger and pump box walls maintains pressure, but vacuum force aspirates residual meat back into the pump box causing meat loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeat lossVSAvoidventing system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful vacuum force from the system by introducing a venting window that allows air to enter the pump box during plunger retraction. This equalizes pressure and prevents the vacuum that causes meat to be aspirated back into the pump box, thereby reducing meat loss without significantly complicating the device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If the plunger retracts with tight seal, then compression efficiency is maintained, but vacuum force increases causing residual meat to be aspirated past plunger sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemolding cycle efficiencyVSAvoidvacuum force

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful vacuum force generated during plunger retraction into a beneficial pressure equalization. By allowing air to enter through the venting window, the vacuum that would otherwise aspirate meat is transformed into a neutral atmospheric pressure environment, enabling the plunger to retract efficiently without causing meat loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If no venting is provided, then device structure remains simple, but air pressure builds up creating friction force between mold plate and fill plate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveventing structureVSAvoidmold plate movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The venting window acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the plunger chamber and the atmosphere. It allows controlled air entry to equalize pressure during plunger retraction, preventing both vacuum formation and excessive pressure buildup, thereby ensuring smooth operation of the mold plate without requiring complex venting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively eliminates the vacuum force, preventing meat from being aspirated back into the pump box, thereby reducing meat loss and maintaining consistent pressure during the molding cycle.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure equalization: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9282753B2Venting window

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 TOMAHAWK MFG

AI summary

A device for eliminating vacuum as the plunger is returned by venting it to the atmosphere in a patty molding machine.