Vertical Pizza Disc Movement System for Compact Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic pizza preparation machines have large overall dimensions due to in-line movement systems, making them difficult to transport, manage, and install, and are prone to inaccuracies leading to ingredient waste and frequent maintenance needs. Additionally, these machines generate significant plastic waste from packaging pizza discs and ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A compact movement system for pizza discs that efficiently and accurately transfers them from the storage area to the topping area, using a combination of a gripping device with suction cups and a transport element, and arranging the machine to have a compact footprint by vertically aligning the storage and topping areas. This system also uses individual containment packages for pizza discs to reduce plastic waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If in-line movement systems are used to transport pizza discs, then the machine can perform automated pizza preparation, but the overall dimensions of the machine become large, making transport, management and installation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal in-line movement system to a vertical movement system where the transport plate moves upward to transfer the pizza disc from the storage area to the topping area. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical arrangement significantly reduces the machine's footprint and overall dimensions while maintaining automated functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The storage area is positioned vertically below the topping area, with the transport plate moving between these nested vertical levels. This nesting arrangement allows the machine components to be stacked vertically rather than spread horizontally, reducing the machine's overall dimensions
2Extent of automation
If in-line movement systems are used to transport pizza discs, then the machine can perform automated pizza preparation, but the system becomes inaccurate causing misplacement of the transport plate and pizza disc, resulting in waste of ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical belt/chain drive system with a vertical movement system that uses a transport plate guided by walls and positioned through vertical motion. This substitution eliminates the inaccuracies associated with belt slippage and chain wear, providing more precise placement of the pizza disc on the topping area
Solution Approach 2:
The transport plate acts as an intermediary carrier that vertically moves the pizza disc from storage to topping area. The plate's walls guide and constrain the pizza disc, ensuring accurate positioning and preventing misplacement that would occur with direct in-line pulling methods
3Extent of automation
If in-line movement systems are used to transport pizza discs, then the machine can perform automated pizza preparation, but frequent maintenance and control activities are required, resulting in large economic expenses and frequent downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pizza disc from the plastic package using a gripping device with suction cups at the top of the storage area, rather than pulling it through a complex in-line mechanism. This simplification removes multiple moving parts that would require maintenance, reducing downtime and repair needs while maintaining automated operation
4Ease of operation
If high amount of plastic package is used to package pizza discs and ingredients, then the machine can store and handle individual items, but significant waste of resources and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device with suction cups enables the machine to self-extract pizza discs from the plastic package and transfer them to the transport plate. This automated self-service mechanism handles individual pizza discs without requiring additional protective packaging, reducing plastic waste while maintaining ease of operation
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 allows for the creation of a compact, easily transportable, and cost-effective automatic pizza preparation machine that can prepare pizzas quickly and efficiently with minimal environmental impact, reducing waste and downtime associated with the prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a gripping device (13a) with suction cups (13b) arranged in use facing the outlet port (9a) and adapted to extract the pizza disc (D) from the containment package (10)
Data Source
AI summary
The movement system (5) of pizza discs for automatic pizza preparation machines comprises: —one base frame (6) defining one storage area(S) of pizza discs (D); one topping area (C) of the pizza discs (D); —one storage tank (9) located in the storage area(S) which is provided with one outlet port (9a) of the pizza discs (D) and defines one containment volume (9b) of the pizza discs (D) inside it; —one transport element (12) on which the pizza disc (D) is positionable; one extraction and transfer assembly (13, 14, 18) which is adapted to individually extract the pizza disc (D) from the containment volume (9b) and to transfer it onto the transport element (12).