Rotating Shackle System for Food Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems face challenges in reducing cross-contamination, ensuring traceability, improving heat transfer efficiency, and maintaining uninterrupted inline processing, particularly during steps like chilling and scalding.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for rotating products using a shackle system with a trolley, rotator, and rotating shackle, which includes a track that induces rotational kinematics through gear or peg interaction, allowing for both translational and rotational movement, and features like stabilizing rods and external entrapments to maintain product stability and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional immersion-chilling systems are used, then products can be processed, but cross-contamination occurs and heat transfer is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static immersion-chilling to dynamic rotational movement. The shackle system rotates the product during the chilling process, transforming a static heat transfer configuration into a dynamic one that prevents cross-contamination while maintaining processing efficiency through continuous motion and improved heat contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational movement of the shackle system creates a form of mechanical motion that enhances heat transfer efficiency. By rotating the product during immersion-chilling, the system creates continuous surface contact changes that improve thermal exchange between the chilling medium and the product, thereby reducing processing time and energy requirements.
2Temperature
If conventional immersion-chilling is used, then products can be processed, but heat transfer is non-uniform and processing time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by rotating the product during the chilling process, which transforms uniform heat transfer into a controlled dynamic process. This rotation ensures all surfaces of the product are evenly exposed to the chilling medium, achieving uniform temperature distribution and reducing processing time through continuous motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational movement creates periodic action during the chilling process, where the product is continuously rotated to change its orientation relative to the chilling medium. This periodic repositioning ensures uniform heat transfer across all surfaces, eliminating hot spots and achieving consistent temperature distribution throughout the product.
3Productivity
If conventional processing systems are used, then products can be processed, but uninterrupted inline processing is disrupted by rehang steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the chilling function with the rotational movement function into a single integrated shackle system. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate rehang operations and maintains uninterrupted inline processing, as the product is chilled and repositioned simultaneously in a continuous motion without requiring system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The shackle system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the chilling medium contact, enables rotational movement for uniform heat transfer, and maintains product support throughout the process. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate rehang operations and maintains continuous inline processing, reducing system complexity while improving productivity.
4Temperature
If rotational movement is added to processing systems, then heat transfer improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamics through rotational movement of the shackle, which improves heat transfer efficiency by continuously changing the product's orientation relative to the chilling medium. This dynamic approach enhances thermal exchange without requiring complex multi-component systems, as the rotation is achieved through a relatively simple mechanical linkage integrated into the existing processing line.
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 system enhances processing efficiency by reducing cross-contamination, improving heat transfer uniformity, and ensuring consistent product orientation, thereby optimizing processing time, energy use, and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The rotator can include a gear. The track can include a rack. The gear can mesh with the rack causing the rotational kinematics on the rotator as the shackle system moves along the track.
Implementation Method 2
The shackle system can include a stabilizing rod. The stabilizing rod can be configured to extend through a cavity of the product carried by the shackle system.
Implementation Method 3
The shackle system can include an external entrapment. The external entrapment can be configured to extend around at least a portion of the exterior of the product.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for rotating a product during processing including a shackle system including a trolley, a rotator, and a rotating shackle and a track. The trolley is coupled to the track and configured to undergo translational motion along the track causing the shackle system to move along the track. The rotator is configured to undergo rotational kinematics causing rotation of the rotating shackle.