Slicing Machine Spray Unit for Localized Anticaking Agent Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slicing machines face issues with slices adhering to each other, leading to difficulties in separation, which requires additional measures like interleavers or separating agents, affecting process reliability and machine cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a spray unit that applies a liquid or powdered anticaking agent specifically to the main surfaces of slices during the slicing process, with adjustable spray nozzles and a control system to ensure complete coating while minimizing agent dispersal, reducing adhesion and cleaning efforts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a liquid or powdered separating agent is applied between slices to prevent adhesion, then slice separation is improved, but machine soiling and cleaning effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spray unit is positioned and angled to apply the separating agent locally only to the relevant surfaces of the slices (the surfaces that will contact other slices in the portion), rather than applying it broadly to all surfaces. This localized application prevents the agent from contaminating surrounding machine parts while still achieving the separation effect where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray unit applies the separating agent to the slice surfaces before the slices are stacked or shingled into portions. By performing the separation agent application in advance, before the slices come into contact with each other and before they contact machine surfaces during portion formation, the patent prevents both adhesion problems and machine soiling.
2Reliability
If a spray unit applies separating agent to slice surfaces, then adhesion is reduced, but agent dispersal to surrounding areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray unit is configured with specific positioning and angling to deliver the separating agent precisely to the target slice surfaces. This localized delivery ensures the agent is applied where needed for process reliability while minimizing dispersal to surrounding areas, reducing waste and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray unit is designed to replicate the optimal application pattern consistently across multiple slices. By copying the precise spray trajectory and distribution pattern for each slice, the system achieves reliable separation agent application without excess dispersal, maintaining process reliability while minimizing substance loss.
3Ease of operation
If manual application of interleavers or separating agents is used, then slice adhesion is addressed, but additional processing steps and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The spray unit is integrated into the slicing machine's automated system, where it automatically applies the separating agent to slices during the normal slicing and portioning process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate manual intervention steps, addressing slice adhesion problems while maintaining production speed and not adding processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray unit combines the separating agent application function with the existing slicing and portioning operations. By merging these functions into a single integrated process flow, the patent achieves slice separation without requiring additional standalone processing steps, thus avoiding time loss while still effectively addressing adhesion issues.
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 effectively reduces slice adhesion and simplifies their separation, enhancing process reliability and minimizing machine soiling, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.
Implementation Method 1
a spray unit with at least one spray opening for dispensing the anticaking agent
Data Source
AI summary
To minimize contamination by an anticaking agent of parts of a slicing machine located away from a slice to be produced or already produced by the slicing machine, only a corresponding main surface of the slice is coated with the anticaking agent, if possible. For which purpose, an actual anticaking agent image on the main surface is automatically determined and compared by a control with a predetermined target anticaking agent image and, depending on this, a spray direction and spray distance of the spray opening from an application point are automatically corrected by the control.