Castable Resin Split Hopper with Integrated Tool Holder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing split hoppers for dispensing granular or powdery materials are expensive due to stainless steel construction, have poor seal integrity, and lack a mechanism to secure tools, risking tool damage and loss during cleaning and changeover processes.
Innovation Solution
A split hopper with a hopper body made from castable resin materials, featuring a hinged design, integrated seals, and a tool holder to prevent tool loss, offering enhanced seal integrity and cost reduction compared to stainless steel models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If stainless steel is used for hopper body construction, then durability and sanitation standards are maintained, but fabrication and assembly costs become very expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from stainless steel to castable resin material, fundamentally altering the construction approach. This material substitution maintains durability and sanitation standards while dramatically reducing fabrication costs, as resin casting is a more economical process than stainless steel fabrication and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by integrating multiple functional elements (seals, tooling mounts, clamp assemblies) directly into the cast resin hopper body. This integration creates a composite structure where the resin matrix combines with embedded components to achieve both durability and cost-effectiveness, eliminating the need for separate stainless steel parts
2Device complexity
If a single peripheral ring seal is used to seal the lid to the hopper body, then the structure is simple, but seal integrity is poor and risks loss of sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sealing function into multiple independent seal locations rather than relying on a single peripheral seal. The seal is divided into at least a first seal location and a second seal location, creating multiple barrier points that independently contribute to overall seal integrity, so that failure at one location does not compromise the entire sealing system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements redundant sealing as a preventive measure against potential seal failure. By providing multiple seal locations beforehand, the design cushions against the risk of loss of seal integrity that would occur with a single seal, ensuring continuous protection even if one seal location fails
3Ease of operation
If the hopper body is made from two hinged sections for easy cleaning and tool replacement, then operational flexibility is improved, but the risk of tool loss when open increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tool mounting function with the hopper body structure itself by casting tooling mounts directly into the resin material. This integration ensures that tools remain securely attached to the hopper body even when the sections are opened for cleaning, eliminating the risk of tool loss while maintaining operational flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The hopper body design allows the structure itself to provide tool retention through integrated tooling mounts that automatically hold tools in place during opening and cleaning operations, without requiring additional active retention mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A split hopper for dispensing granular or powdery materials has a hopper body and a lid. At least the hopper body is formed principally from a castable resin material such as polyurethane. The hopper body is formed from two hopper body sections mating at vertical faces and hinged to one another. Tooling mounts and other features such as clamping lugs can be cast directly into the hopper body sections during the casting process. The lid may be sealed to the top of the hopper body via a ring seal that may seal both radially and axially against the hopper body. A tool holder may be provided beneath the discharge opening of the hopper body for selectively engaging tooling so that the tooling does not fall out of the hopper body when the hopper body is opened.