Bottom-Feed Tortilla Destacking Drum Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for removing food products from a stack are inefficient as they require downtime for replenishing the stack, as users must deactivate the device to add more products from the top, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A destacking device with a carriage assembly and rotating drum that applies negative pressure to separate and dispense the bottommost food product from the stack, allowing continuous operation by releasing the product onto a processing line without interrupting the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a top-side destacker is used to remove food products from the top of a stack, then the food product can be removed from the stack, but the device must be deactivated to replenish the stack, resulting in operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by dispensing tortillas from the bottom of the stack instead of the top. The drum rotates to the rear to engage and separate the bottommost tortilla from the stack, then rotates forward to deposit it on the conveyor belt. This inversion allows continuous operation without downtime for replenishment, as the stack can be replenished from the top while the bottom dispensing mechanism remains operational.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom-side dispensing mechanism enables continuous operation by maintaining the useful action of tortilla dispensing without interruption. While the drum continuously engages, separates, and deposits tortillas from the bottom of the stack, the stack can be simultaneously replenished from the top, eliminating idle time and ensuring uninterrupted production flow.
2Productivity
If the drum rotates to engage and separate the bottommost tortilla from the stack, then the tortilla can be dispensed continuously, but the mechanical complexity of the drum rotation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drum is designed as a dynamic component that rotates between forward and rear positions to perform different functions. In the rear position, the drum engages and separates the bottommost tortilla from the stack; in the forward position, it deposits the tortilla on the conveyor belt. This dynamic rotation allows a single mechanism to perform multiple operations, achieving continuous dispensing while managing mechanical complexity through versatile component design.
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
Enables efficient and continuous dispensing of planar food products like tortillas from the bottom of a stack, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency by allowing for seamless replenishment without deactivating the device.
Implementation Method 1
A suction lip is disposed proximal a wall of the drum and has a hole at which a negative pressure can be applied through a vacuum assembly
Implementation Method 2
The drum rotates to a second position, and the negative pressure is released to open the suction lip and allow the bottommost food product to fall
Implementation Method 3
allow the bottommost food product to fall in a generally downward direction upon a structure, such as the platform of a food processing machine
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a destacking device for dispensing planar food products, such as tortillas, from a stack bottom. In some embodiments of the invention, the device includes a frame and a carriage assembly configured for linear reciprocation with respect to the frame. The carriage assembly has a drum that rotates in response to linear reciprocation of the carriage assembly, and a suction lip is positioned proximal a wall of the drum. A stack of tortillas can be disposed on the suction lip, and a negative pressure is applied to close the suction lip and “suck” a bottommost tortilla against the lip. A movable arm has a leading edge for cooperating with the suction lip to separate the bottommost tortilla from a next bottommost tortilla. The drum rotates the suction lip and tortilla, and the vacuum is released to allow the tortilla to fall downwardly onto an endless belt.