Receiving Basket Sealing Element for Food Processing Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lifting devices for food processing machines fail to effectively prevent contamination of food products by spray water from the floor during the feeding process, leading to hygiene issues and increased manufacturing costs due to complex and costly cover devices that are often specific to certain meat trolley types.
Innovation Solution
A receiving basket with a sealing element, such as a flexible sealing strip, that automatically seals onto the meat trolley when inserted, preventing spray water from entering the filling funnel by forming a gutter to collect and direct the water away from the filling area, which can be easily installed and replaced for different trolley geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a hinged hood cover device is used to prevent contamination, then food product hygiene is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a complex hinged hood cover device and implements it through a simple sealing element that forms a gutter along the receiving basket. This removes the problematic folding mechanism while maintaining contamination prevention through a much simpler structural solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily replaced if needed, contrasting with the expensive and complex hinged hood cover device. This disposable-like approach reduces manufacturing costs while achieving the same protective function.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hinged hood cover device is used to prevent contamination, then food product hygiene is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced, contrasting with the expensive hinged hood cover device. This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the same protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential sealing function from the expensive hinged hood cover device and implements it through a simple sealing element with gutter formation, eliminating the need for complex folding mechanisms and high-cost materials.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a hinged hood cover device is used, then contamination is prevented, but the risk of body parts getting caught increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hinged hood cover device with its folding mechanism that poses safety risks, and replaces it with a simple sealing element that forms a gutter. This eliminates the risk of body parts getting caught while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple sealing element replaces the complex mechanical hood device, eliminating moving parts that could trap body parts. The static, simple design inherently improves safety while maintaining the protective function.
4Manufacturing precision
If a cover device specific to a certain meat trolley type is used, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with a gutter that can adapt to different meat trolley types and geometries. Rather than creating specific cover devices for each trolley type, this universal sealing solution works across multiple configurations, improving adaptability while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element and gutter are designed to dynamically adapt to different meat trolley geometries rather than requiring a fixed, type-specific design. This allows the same sealing mechanism to effectively seal with various trolley types through its flexible gutter formation.
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
Ensures reliable and cost-efficient prevention of contamination by automatically forming a seal during the feeding process, improving hygiene and reducing manufacturing costs through a simple and adaptable solution that can be applied to various meat trolley types.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing element presses onto the external wall of the meat trolley in a way that reliable sealing is ensured
Implementation Method 2
the spray water or condensate at the outer walls of the container on the undertray of the meat trolley and in the wheel area can flow down over the external walls of the meat trolley
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a receiving basket for a lifting device of a food processing machine, in particular a filling machine with a lifting device, whereby the receiving basket receives the meat trolley, as well as a respective method. The receiving basket or the meat trolley has a sealing element that enables a sealing point between the receiving basket and the meat trolley.