Silicone Chute with Curved Path for Gentle Fruit Sorting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sorting and packaging equipment often damages delicate fruits and objects due to forceful and rapid directional changes during transfer, which can lead to significant losses and reduced product quality.

Innovation Solution

A chute apparatus comprising a guide member, an arched member, and a floor member, made of silicone, which gently redirects objects through a curved path to minimize damage, featuring sidewalls, cutouts for conveyor compatibility, and a stop member to cushion the objects as they exit, ensuring minimal impact and maintaining object alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fruit is forcefully directed from one conveyor to another at higher speeds with strong changes in direction, then sorting efficiency and productivity are improved, but damage to the fruit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesorting efficiencyVSAvoidfruit damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chute apparatus employs a curved, arched path instead of a straight or angular transition. The fruit rolls along the curved surface of the chute, which gradually changes the direction of motion. This curvature eliminates sudden directional changes and impact forces, allowing efficient sorting while protecting delicate fruit from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The chute apparatus changes the parameter of directional change from abrupt to gradual. By extending the transition path and using a curved geometry, the rate of directional change is reduced. This parameter modification allows the fruit to adapt to the new direction through rolling motion rather than experiencing impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the chute apparatus is made of rigid materials for structural strength, then manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are improved, but cushioning capability and damage reduction worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chute apparatus utilizes the flexibility of silicone material to create a compliant sorting surface. The silicone chute can deform slightly under the weight and motion of the fruit, providing natural cushioning. This flexible material maintains structural integrity while offering impact protection, eliminating the need for rigid, impact-prone constructions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The chute apparatus employs silicone as a material that combines the structural strength needed for manufacturing with the cushioning properties required for fruit protection. This material selection creates a composite effect where the chute maintains its shape and structural integrity while simultaneously providing a soft, damage-reducing surface for fruit handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If the chute apparatus uses a straight path for object transfer, then device complexity is reduced, but object alignment and damage control worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechute structureVSAvoiddirectional impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 chute apparatus effectively reduces damage to delicate objects by guiding them through a gentle, curved path, maintaining alignment and minimizing impact, thus enhancing the sorting and packaging process while being adaptable for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

The arched member receives the object from the guide member and redirects the object toward an exit port of the chute apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11738370B2Chute apparatus for sorting small objects, such as fruit

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 A & B PACKING EQUIP INC

AI summary

A chute apparatus is comprised of a guide member, an arched member, and a floor member. The guide member guides an object entering the chute apparatus. The arched member receives the object from the guide member and redirects the object toward an exit port of the chute apparatus. The floor member receives the object from the arched member and directs the object toward the exit port of the chute apparatus. It is contemplated that the object may comprise a fruit, such as a berry or the like.