Self-Cleaning Conveyor With Fluid-Based Grease Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor belts used for meat or fish products face challenges in effectively removing greasy layers, leading to increased risk of cross-contamination due to inadequate cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning conveyor system with a cylindrical cleaning element and scraping edges, driven in opposite directions to the conveyor belt, utilizing a fluid supply system with a trough-like container and grooves to detach and rinse waste matter, reducing the need for immersion and preventing fluid overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stationary scrapers and rotating brushes are used to clean the conveyor belt, then mechanical cleaning action is provided, but greasy layers left by meat or fish products cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical cleaning systems (stationary scrapers and rotating brushes) with a fluid-based cleaning system. A cleaning fluid is applied to the conveyor belt surface through spray nozzles or immersion, allowing the liquid to penetrate and emulsify greasy layers. The contaminated fluid is then removed by suction or drainage, effectively eliminating grease residues that mechanical means cannot remove.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes hydraulic principles by employing cleaning fluids (liquids) to clean the conveyor belt. The system may include fluid delivery mechanisms such as spray nozzles that hydraulically project cleaning solution onto the belt surface, or immersion zones where the belt passes through a fluid bath. The contaminated fluid is subsequently removed using hydraulic drainage or suction systems, leveraging fluid dynamics to achieve effective grease removal.
2Reliability
If the conveyor belt is passed through a cleaning bath, then cleaning fluid can be applied, but the system becomes complex and requires additional space for immersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential cleaning function from the complex immersion bath system and implements it through targeted fluid application. Instead of requiring the conveyor belt to pass through a large cleaning bath, the system applies cleaning fluid only to the specific areas of the belt that require cleaning, using spray nozzles or localized fluid delivery mechanisms. This reduces the overall system complexity and space requirements while maintaining effective cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies cleaning fluid locally to specific zones of the conveyor belt rather than immersing the entire belt in a cleaning bath. The system identifies and targets areas with grease accumulation, applying cleaning solution precisely where needed. This localized approach reduces fluid consumption, simplifies the system design, and eliminates the need for large immersion tanks while maintaining high cleaning effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the conveyor belt can be cleaned, but the risk of cross-contamination increases due to inadequate grease removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces inadequate mechanical cleaning methods with a fluid-based cleaning system that effectively removes greasy layers. The cleaning fluid penetrates and emulsifies grease residues, allowing them to be easily removed. This substitution ensures thorough cleaning that eliminates the source of cross-contamination while maintaining an operationally simple process that can be integrated into existing conveyor systems.
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 achieves effective removal of greasy sediments and microbiological impurities from the conveyor belt, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and eliminating the need for a cleaning bath, while maintaining the conveyor belt's hygiene and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the cleaning element is circumferentially provided with outwardly oriented scraping edges extending parallel to each other for scraping off waste matter from the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 2
scraping edges extending parallel to each other for scraping off waste matter from the conveyor belt
Implementation Method 3
The cleaning fluid, such as clean tap water, can be used for discharging the waste matter
Implementation Method 4
The grooves are open towards the outer side of the cleaning element. The grooves extend parallel to the central axis of the cleaning element
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-cleaning conveyor, comprising an endless conveyor belt (2) which is passed over a number of pulley means and cleaning means for cleaning the conveyor belt. The cleaning means comprise a cylindrical cleaning rotatable element (12). The cleaning element is provided with scraping edges for scraping off waste matter from the belt. The cleaning means further comprise fluid supplying means (30) for supplying cleaning fluid to the cleaning element and further fluid supplying means for supplying cleaning fluid downstream of the cleaning element against the belt at the outer side and the underside thereof. The cleaning means also comprise a flexible scraper (51) downstream of the tubular supply member.