Sanitary Wall Mounting Assembly for Laminated Foam Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mounting systems in food and pharmaceutical processing facilities are prone to contamination, difficult to clean, and not suitable for laminated foam wall panels, posing risks to food and drug safety.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly that securely attaches pipes, conduits, or tubes to walls or ceilings, featuring a central anchor assembly with elongated anchors that cut into the internal thickness of the wall, an external assembly that engages the outer wall panel, and a fastener to secure the components, designed for easy inspection and cleaning, and suitable for laminated foam panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional mounting systems are used to secure pipes and conduits to walls, then mounting functionality is achieved, but contamination resistance deteriorates due to horizontal surfaces and upward facing channels that collect dust and debris
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system inverts the conventional approach by eliminating horizontal surfaces and upward-facing channels that trap contaminants. The design features only downward-sloping surfaces that direct water and debris away from the mounting assembly, preventing contamination accumulation and enabling easy cleaning during washdowns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic features from conventional mounting systems - specifically horizontal surfaces, upward-facing channels, and unused slots or holes that create contamination traps. The redesigned mounting system removes these elements entirely, leaving only essential mounting functions with contamination-resistant surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If conventional mounting systems are installed directly onto walls with small gaps, then mounting is achieved, but inspection and cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mounting the system directly against the wall creating hidden gaps, the invention inverts the approach by designing the mounting assembly to be surface-mounted with all surfaces exposed and accessible. This eliminates hidden gaps where contamination could accumulate and makes the entire system visible for inspection and accessible for cleaning.
3Strength
If conventional wall mounting screws are used on laminated foam wall panels, then mounting is achieved, but secure fastening deteriorates because the screws cannot grip the foam interior effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system applies local quality by using different fastening mechanisms suited to different wall types. For laminated foam panels, it employs specialized foam anchors that expand or mechanically interlock within the foam interior, providing secure fastening. For other wall types, conventional screws are used, making the system adaptable to various wall constructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system achieves universality by incorporating multiple fastening options that can accommodate different wall types including laminated foam panels, solid walls, and various panel constructions. This multi-functional approach allows the same mounting assembly to be securely installed across diverse wall types without compromising fastening strength.
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 solution provides a contamination-resistant, easy-to-clean mounting system that securely fastens loads to walls and ceilings, even on laminated foam panels, enhancing sanitation and safety in food and pharmaceutical processing environments.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of elongated anchors configured for attachment to the mating portion at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the anchor portion, each elongated anchor having a threaded outer wall and a closed pointed end configured to cut into the internal thickness of the wall structure
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a mounting assembly for securing a supported element to a wall structure having an internal thickness. The mounting assembly comprises an internal assembly configured to engage the internal thickness of the wall structure and comprising a central anchor assembly with an anchor portion and a mating portion annularly arranged about an open end of the anchor portion, the mating portion having a first end fixedly attached to the anchor portion adjacent the open end and a second end for engaging the outer wall panel. The internal assembly further comprises a plurality of elongated anchors attached to the mating portion at an oblique angle relative to a central axis of the anchor portion. The mounting assembly further comprises an external assembly for engaging the outer wall panel and the mating portion of the central anchor assembly; and an elongated fastener for securing the external assembly to the internal assembly.