Rotating Mold Plate for Uniform Patty Forming and Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing food patties are inefficient in uniformly forming and depositing them for further processing, cooking, or packaging, often leading to waste and inconsistent production rates.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable mold plate system with a plurality of voids, a transmission for torque, cover plates, and a knock-out assembly, combined with a filling system to align voids with apertures for precise food deposition, allowing for uniform formation and efficient ejection of food patties onto a conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional patty preparation system is used, then food patties can be formed and deposited, but the formation is inconsistent and production efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The mold plate rotates about its center, dynamically moving voids through different positions (first position for receiving food, second position for ejection). This dynamic positioning enables consistent uniformity in patty formation while maintaining high production rates through continuous rotation and simultaneous multi-void operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold plate is segmented into multiple voids distributed around its circumference, with each void capable of independently receiving and ejecting food portions. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple patties simultaneously, increasing productivity while maintaining uniformity through consistent void geometry and spacing.
2Productivity
If a rotatable mold plate system is implemented, then production efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mold plate serves multiple functions: it acts as both the forming surface and the ejection mechanism through rotation, eliminates the need for separate movable ejection components, and provides precise positioning through its circular geometry. This multi-functionality increases productivity while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating mold plate automatically positions voids for food reception and ejection without requiring external positioning mechanisms. The rotation itself provides the timing and positioning functions, eliminating the need for additional actuators or control systems for each individual void operation.
3Quantity of substance
If voids are closely spaced to increase capacity, then more patties can be formed, but alignment precision with apertures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement of the mold plate dynamically aligns voids with the first aperture for food reception and then with the second aperture for ejection. This dynamic alignment process, controlled by precise rotation, enables closely spaced voids to maintain accurate alignment with apertures throughout the production cycle, increasing capacity without sacrificing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for preparing a plurality of uniformly formed food products. The apparatus includes a rotatable mold plate with a plurality of voids, the plurality of voids are collected into one or more sets of voids in close proximity to each other. A first cover plate is fixed with the mold plate rotatable about the first cover plate. First and second apertures are disposed through the first cover plate, wherein each void of the plurality of voids. A vacuum is applied to the void through the first aperture and flowing food enters the void through the second aperture. The first cover plate has an empty space or is sized to expose a portion of the mold plate. A knock-out assembly is disposed with respect to the voids when outside of the first cover plate, wherein the knockout assembly interacts with voids to remove food patties from the voids.