Yeast Wrapping Machine Well for Debris Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wrapping machines for compressed fresh yeast face challenges in maintaining cleanliness and precision due to high accelerations and decelerations, leading to yeast fragment detachment and contamination, requiring frequent and time-consuming cleaning that disrupts production.

Innovation Solution

A wrapping machine design featuring a well below the linear actuator and supports to collect yeast debris, allowing for continuous operation and faster cleaning, with a trapezoidal actuator support to channel fragments away from the wrapping area and a bottom tray for collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a single plate is used to support wrapping folders and lifting mechanisms, then rigidity and vibration minimization are improved, but cleaning time and productivity are worsened due to frequent stopping required for cleaning yeast fragments

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproverigidityVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single plate structure is segmented into multiple supports (first support plate and second support plate) with a well formed between them. This segmentation allows the well to be created without compromising the overall rigidity of the machine structure, while enabling easy access for cleaning operations during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful accumulation zone for yeast fragments is extracted by creating a well between the supports. This well acts as a dedicated collection area that separates the cleaning function from the wrapping operation, allowing fragments to be collected without stopping production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If high accelerations are used for lifting yeast blocks, then productivity is improved, but yeast fragment detachment and contamination are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoidyeast fragment detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful yeast fragments detached during high-speed operation are converted into a manageable situation by directing them into the well between the supports. The well captures these fragments before they can contaminate the wrapping area, allowing high-speed operation to continue without compromising cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If frequent cleaning is performed to remove yeast fragments, then hygiene is improved, but production time is worsened due to stopping required

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehygieneVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The well structure enables self-service cleaning where yeast fragments automatically accumulate in the well during operation. The design allows cleaning to be performed quickly by simply removing and emptying the well, without requiring complex disassembly or stopping the production line for extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If a continuous plate structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but accessibility for cleaning is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous plate is segmented into separate support structures with a well formed between them. This segmentation creates an accessible well area for cleaning while the overall support structure maintains structural integrity through proper engineering of the support plates and their connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The well creates a vertical dimension for fragment collection, allowing fragments to fall into a lower area between the supports. This dimensional change provides cleaning accessibility without compromising the horizontal structural integrity of the support plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 machine maintains a cleaner and more hygienic environment, reduces cleaning time, and improves productivity by containing yeast fragments away from the wrapping area, enabling continuous operation without stopping production.

Implementation Method 1

a well being arranged below the horizontal separation, the linear vertical actuator being arranged in the well

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a trapezoidal actuator support to channel fragments away from the wrapping area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3925897B1Wrapping machine for wrapping blocks of compressed fresh yeast and line of production
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 PROCONOR SA
  • EP3925897B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3925897B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3925897B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wrapping machine (1) for wrapping blocks (9) of compressed fresh yeast, the machine (1) comprising a wrap feeder (2), a wrapping mechanism (3), a first support (4) placed under the wrapping mechanism (3), a linear vertical actuator (10) and lifting platform (6) assembly arranged to push a block (9) of yeast upwards against the wrap, it comprises a second support (5) of the wrap feeder (2), the first support (4) and the second support (5) being spaced such that a horizontal separation (7) is defined therebetween, wherein a well (8) is arranged below the horizontal separation (7), the linear vertical actuator (10) being arranged in the well (8) such that fragments of yeast can fall into the well (8). The present invention also relates to a line of production (20) of wrapped blocks of yeast.