Rotary Screw Blancher Transition Zone for Easier Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rotary screw blanchers face challenges in easy cleaning, particularly in the transition zone between the auger and discharge portions, which affects sanitation and efficiency due to hidden surfaces and labor-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A rotary screw blancher design with a movable transition zone that covers at least 180 degrees, allowing for easy access and cleaning, featuring a clamping mechanism to secure the transition in place, and a perforated inner wall and flights for fluid flow, reducing product damage and facilitating cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the transition zone is made compact to reduce product loss, then product containment is improved, but cleaning access to hidden surfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transition zone is designed as a movable component that can be repositioned between an operational position (containing product) and a cleaning position (providing access). This dynamic design allows the same structure to serve product containment during operation and cleaning access during maintenance, resolving the contradiction between compact product containment and cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition zone is segmented from the fixed tank structure, allowing it to be moved independently. This segmentation enables the transition zone to be repositioned to provide access to hidden surfaces for cleaning while maintaining its function of containing product during operation, thus resolving the contradiction between product containment and cleaning access.
2Ease of operation
If the transition zone is extended to improve cleaning access, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but hidden surfaces remain difficult to reach
Solution Approach 1:
The movable transition zone can be repositioned to extend toward the discharge end, bringing previously hidden surfaces into direct access for cleaning and inspection. This dynamic extension eliminates the need for additional inspection tools by making all surfaces visible and accessible during the cleaning process.
3Reliability
If the auger clearance is reduced to minimize product damage, then product integrity is improved, but cleaning access to the auger area becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The transition zone is segmented as a separate movable component that can be removed or repositioned independently of the auger assembly. This segmentation allows the auger to maintain its tight clearance with the tank wall for product integrity while the segmented transition zone provides access pathways for cleaning operations.
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 design enhances cleaning accessibility, reduces product damage, and maintains efficient food processing by ensuring all surfaces are visible and accessible, improving sanitation and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The inner wall and/or flights are at least partially perforated whereby fluid can flow between flights
Implementation Method 2
A transition zone between the auger and the outlet end includes a moveable surface to contain food product while in use
Implementation Method 3
a clamping mechanism to secure it in place
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing apparatus including a tank having an inlet end for receiving food product and an outlet end for discharging food product, the tank having a rotatable auger mounted in a compartment, the auger for advancing food product within the compartment from the inlet end toward the outlet end, the auger including flights having a flight wall with a radial edge, a clearance space being defined between the radial edge of the flights and a solid, imperforate wall portion of an inner wall. One of the inner wall and the flight wall may include a perforated wall portion. A transition zone includes a moveable surface to contain food product while in use.