Variable Thickness Coextrusion for Sausage Casing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sausage casing production methods result in a uniform thickness that is both costly and resource-intensive, leading to unnecessary stress on the casing during processing and an uncomfortable consumer experience due to thickness being designed for maximum stress points rather than varying needs.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for coextruding sausage strands with a casing material thickness that varies along the strand, adjusting the ratio of casing material to inner mass volume flow to ensure thicker casing at stress points and thinner casing elsewhere, using a coextrusion device with controlled volume flow and nozzle adjustments to achieve a position-dependent thickness profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the casing material thickness is increased to ensure stability during processing and hanging, then the reliability and strength of the sausage casing is improved, but the material consumption and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the casing thickness along the longitudinal axis of the sausage strand. The control unit regulates the volumetric flow rate of casing material to create a thickness profile where the casing is thicker at the ends (for hanging stability) and thinner in the middle section (for resource efficiency). This resolves the contradiction by providing localized strength where needed while reducing material consumption in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the casing thickness variable rather than uniform. The control unit dynamically adjusts the volumetric flow rate of casing material during extrusion, creating a dynamic thickness profile that adapts to different positional requirements along the sausage strand. This allows the casing to have different properties at different locations, resolving the contradiction between overall stability and material efficiency.
2Strength
If the casing material thickness is set uniformly to meet the highest stress requirements, then the strength and reliability of the casing is ensured, but the resource efficiency and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the casing thickness along the longitudinal axis of the sausage strand. The control unit regulates the volumetric flow rate of casing material to create a thickness profile where the casing is thicker at the ends (for hanging stability) and thinner in the middle section (for resource efficiency). This resolves the contradiction by providing localized strength where needed while reducing material consumption in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing casing thickness only where necessary. Instead of uniformly thick casing throughout, the control unit delivers more casing material only at the end sections where hanging and processing stresses occur, while using less material in the middle section. This resolves the contradiction by applying strength enhancement partially, only where required, rather than excessively throughout the entire sausage.
3Reliability
If a thicker casing is applied to prevent production line breaks, then the reliability of the production process is improved, but the consumer experience and product quality deteriorate due to tough bite
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the casing thickness along the longitudinal axis of the sausage strand. The control unit regulates the volumetric flow rate of casing material to create a thickness profile where the casing is thicker at the ends (for hanging stability) and thinner in the middle section (for resource efficiency). This resolves the contradiction by providing localized strength where needed while reducing material consumption in less critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the casing thickness variable rather than uniform. The control unit dynamically adjusts the volumetric flow rate of casing material during extrusion, creating a dynamic thickness profile that adapts to different positional requirements along the sausage strand. This allows the casing to have different properties at different locations, resolving the contradiction between overall stability and material efficiency.
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
This approach reduces material usage and costs while maintaining stability at high-stress points, providing a softer bite and improved consumer experience by optimizing casing thickness based on specific requirements, and prevents shape distortion during hanging.
Implementation Method 1
the casing material and the inner mass are coextruded, i.e., both materials are ejected in a coextrusion apparatus
Implementation Method 2
The coextruded casing material solidifies and then surrounds the inner mass
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a method, a coextrusion device, and a filling machine with a corresponding coextrusion device, wherein the ratio of the volume flow of the casing material to the volume flow of the inner mass along the sausage strand is variable during the production of the sausage strand.