Vacuum Bar Package Handling in Thermal Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal processing systems for sealed flexible food packages, such as batch retort systems and hydrostatic continuous sterilizers, face inefficiencies and damage risks due to handling and mechanical stress, leading to suboptimal processing and potential food quality loss.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with heating and cooling chambers and product carriers featuring insertion spaces with primary and secondary slits, allowing for the use of load-bearing organs like vacuum bars to handle packages without gravity, pushing, or sliding, ensuring safe and efficient loading and unloading, and optimizing package positioning for uniform thermal processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sliding movement is used to push packages into tapering compartments, then packages can be inserted into carriers, but packages may get deformed or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage insertionVSAvoidpackage integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional sliding mechanical pushing system with a vacuum-based pneumatic system. Suction heads connected to vacuum bars create negative pressure to hold and transport packages, eliminating the sliding contact that causes deformation and damage to fragile flexible packages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vacuum bars as intermediary elements between the loading mechanism and the packages. These bars with suction heads act as a gentle mediator that can pick up, hold, and place packages without direct mechanical contact or sliding, thus protecting package integrity while enabling efficient loading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If intermediate product trays are used for placing packages, then packages can be organized before loading, but dual handling increases processing time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackage organizationVSAvoidloading speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate product tray from the system. By using vacuum bars that can directly pick up packages from the carrier and place them into carriers, the system removes the unnecessary intermediate handling step, achieving both organization and high-speed loading in one operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the package organization and loading functions into a single integrated operation. The vacuum bars perform both the sorting/organization and the loading transfer in one continuous motion, eliminating the separate dual-handling process and significantly increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stress or pressure

If mechanical limitation of expansion is applied during sterilization, then pressure build-up is compensated, but packages may get damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure compensationVSAvoidpackage integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of counterbalancing forces by using external pressure applied to the flexible packages during thermal processing to counteract the internal pressure build-up from heating. This pressure compensation allows the packages to expand without mechanical limitation, preventing damage while maintaining pressure balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 enables high-capacity thermal processing with reduced risk of package damage, improved efficiency in loading and unloading, and enhanced heat transfer, allowing for the handling of fragile packages without imprint or marking, while maintaining optimal processing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The load bearing organs are movable back and forth in the insertion direction through the primary slits during placing of packages into the first row of insertion spaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

The conveyor is designed for transporting the carriers with packages placed in the insertion spaces thereof through the one or more heating and/or cooling chambers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10980256B2Apparatus for thermally processing food packages comprising product carriers with positive package handling

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 JBT FOOD & DAIRY SYST BV

AI summary

An apparatus for thermally processing food products in sealed packages comprises heating/cooling chambers with an endless conveyor guided through them with product carriers connected thereto. Each product carrier 10 comprises insertion spaces 17 for packages 27 to be placed in. A side wall 11 of the carrier 10 comprises slits 20 which open out towards insertion openings of the respective insertion spaces 17. Operating members are provided which comprise load bearing organs 32 with operable holding means 33 for picking up and carrying packages 27. The load bearing organs 32 are movable in an insertion direction x while projecting through the slits 20 during placing of packages 27 into the insertion spaces 17.