Food Stuffing Machine Conveyor Die Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional stuffing machines for food products face inefficiencies, including inability to utilize the return portion of conveyor means for operations, product residue issues, and complex die uncoupling, leading to cleanliness and production challenges.
Innovation Solution
The machine employs conveyor means that keep the forming die's concavity facing upward along both forward and return paths, allowing for continuous operation and easy die positioning and removal, with conveyor belts and lifting/lowering mechanisms ensuring efficient die movement and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor means is designed to move forming dies along forward and return paths with the concavity facing upward throughout, then the return portion can be utilized for operations and product loss is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to the need for specialized conveyor mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by maintaining the concavity facing upward throughout the entire conveyor cycle instead of flipping the dies during return. This inversion allows operators to access and load dies during both forward and return portions, effectively doubling the operational utilization of the conveyor system while preventing product residue from falling onto the machine below.
2Area of stationary object
If forming dies are flipped upside down during the return portion of the conveyor, then space is optimized, but the access opening faces downwardly preventing operations and causing product residue to fall and dirty the machine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of having the concavity face upward during the entire cycle (which could be seen as wasting space) into a benefit by enabling continuous operational access and preventing product residue from falling. The design transforms what might be considered an inefficient use of vertical space into a functional advantage that eliminates contamination issues.
3Device complexity
If a single forming die is used and reopened at the end of each operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the loss of time increases due to reloading requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by enabling operations on forming dies during both the forward and return portions of the conveyor cycle. This continuous utilization eliminates idle time associated with single-die systems that must be stopped and reloaded, as multiple dies can be prepared and positioned simultaneously throughout the conveyor's motion.
4Ease of operation
If the uncoupling of forming dies from the conveyor means is simplified, then the ease of operation improves, but the productivity may be affected by the need for secure positioning during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing a positioning mechanism that can quickly transition between secured and released states. The forming dies are firmly held during conveyor motion and operations, then rapidly released when needed for removal or replacement, enabling both easy operation and maintained productivity through fast state transitions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stuffing machine (1) for food products, comprising a framework (2) that supports at least one die (3), provided with a recess (4) designed to receive a product to be stuffed, and pusher means adapted to translate the product to be stuffed, formed in the die (3), through a stuffing tube, conveyor means (8) are also provided which are adapted to move the die (3) along at least one forward path (8a) from at least one loading position (9), in which the die (3) is adapted to receive the product to be stuffed, to a working position (10), in which the die is substantially at the region of action of the pusher means, and along at least one return path (8b) from the working position (10) to the loading position (9); the conveyor means (8) are adapted to keep the die (3) with the concavity of its recess (4) directed upwardly along the forward path (8a) and along the return path (8b).