WO2014067533A1

WO2014067533A1 - An anti-sticking surface plate structure to be used as a low-friction based material in a food processing apparatus and method for its manufacture

Info

Publication number: WO2014067533A1
Application number: PCT/DK2013/050356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gert Hansen; Anne BROAGER; Klaus LANGHOFF
Original assignee: Marel A/S
Priority date: 2012-11-02
Filing date: 2013-11-04
Publication date: 2014-05-08

Abstract

This invention relates to an anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) and a method of manufacturing such a plate structure (200). This plate structure (200) is adapted to be used as a low- friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within the food processing apparatus on the anti-sticking surface plate structure. The anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) includes a multiple of louver-like structures (201), each of which louver-like structure (201) includes openings (202, 203) at the opposite end of each of said louver-like structures (201), and a top louver parts (204) extending between the openings (202, 203). The top louver parts (204) are positioned upstream in relation to the traveling direction (205) of the food products and form, in respect to the side of the anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) interacting physically with the food products, outwardly protruding portions such that openings (303) are created between the top louvers (204) and the anti-sticking surface plate structure (200).

Description

AN ANTI-STICKING SURFACE PLATE STRUCTURE TO BE USED AS A LOW-FRICTION BASED MATERIAL IN A FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an anti-sticking surface plate structure adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing such a anti-sticking surface plate structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Low-friction surface structures play often a key role in many food processing apparatuses, especially where food products are moved from one position to the next where it is e.g. solely relied on the gravity. An example of such scenarios is where food products that should otherwise slide smoothly on a surface material get stuck on the surface and thus block all the subsequent food products. An example of such processing apparatuses is a combination weigher such as disclosed in US4828054 that is utilized for producing a product charge of precise weight by combining the contents of a plurality of scales each of which containing a portion of the product charge. In such apparatuses it is of outmost importance that the base material is of such a low-friction material so as to avoid sticking of the food products when e.g. sliding into weighing receptacles, or when being released from the weighing receptacles and to a bag. Unfortunately, such sticking and blocking is something that occurs, especially when the food products are sticky food products such as chicken fillet.

Some improvement in developing low-friction base material has been done in the recent years to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks. One of the solutions that have been presented is depicted in figure 1 showing an anti-sticking surface structure 100 made of e.g. stainless steel plate having a plurality of surface patterns 101 by means of deforming the basis material via appropriate force means so as to form bump-like structures 102. By doing so micrometer range openings are formed that may, where the opening is largest be around 0.05mm and approaches zero as illustrated in figure lb. The aim with these structures is to minimize the contact area between the food products and the surface area and thus reduce the friction between the food products and the surface structure.

The problem with such structures is however that sharp corners 103 are formed at each side of the bump-like structures 102 that increase the risk of bacterial growths. At the same time this anti sticking surface plate is difficult to clean. Moreover, a localized vaccum condition are often formed between the bump-like structures and the food products which increase localized friction coefficient which can cause the above mentioned sticking and blocking.

The inventor of the present invention has appreciated that there is thus a need for an improved low friction base material to be used in food processing apparatuses and has in consequence devised the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve such an improved low friction base material that, in addition of providing low-friction property, is also easy to clean and strongly reduces recess areas where bacterial growth may be formed. In general, the invention preferably seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages singly or in any combination. In particular, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to provide an anti-sticking surface plate structure that solves the above mentioned problems, or other problems, of the prior art. To better address one or more of these concerns, in a first aspect of the invention an anti-sticking surface plate structure is provided adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within said food processing apparatus on said anti-sticking surface plate structure, said anti-sticking surface plate structure including a multiple of louver-like structures, each of said louver-like structures comprising:

• openings at the opposite ends of each of said louver-like structures, and

• a top louver part extending between said openings, the top louver part being

positioned upstream in relation to the traveling direction of said food products, the top louver part being formed such that it is protruding to the side of the anti-sticking surface plate structure interacting physically with the food products to form an outwardly protruding portion such that an opening is created between said top louver part and the remaining part of the anti-sticking surface plate structure.

Bacterial growth can easily be formed at corners, recesses or sharp edges. Therefore, due to the openings at the opposite ends of the louver-like structures such risk is reduced. Also, due to the openings at the opposite ends of the louver-like structures and between the top louvers and the anti-sticking surface plate structure it is now possible to flush water through the surface when cleaning the plate structure and therefore the cleaning becomes easier and better. Moreover, due to said openings it is prevented that localized vacuum condition are formed between the food products and the anti-sticking surface plate structure, which would otherwise results in sudden localized increase in the friction coefficient causing the risk that the food products, especially sticking food products, stick to the surface structure.

The term "one position" typically refers to a position that is higher than the "another position", and where the food products move via gravity. These two positions may in some instances be at the same height level, i.e. the anti-sticking surface plate structure is arranged horizontally (this can e.g. be a part of the food processing apparatus), but in some instances, the term "one position" may even refer to a position that is lower than the "another position". In such scenarios, the food items may obtain some initial speed, e.g. via an operator that pushes them, or e.g. via previous acceleration via gravity before reaching the initial position, i.e. the "one position".

The openings at the opposite ends of the louver-like structures may for clarity reasons also be referred to as "opening-pairs".

The portion of the surface plate structure positioned between the openings of the opening- pairs, downstream in relation to the traveling direction of the food products, may be referred to as "bottom louver part(s)".

As will be discussed in more details later, the top louver part(s) may e.g. be bended outwardly in relation to the traveling side of the anti-sticking surface plate.

Plate material may be or may not be missing between the openings of the opening-pairs, i.e. the opening here may be created simply via bending the top louver part and optionally the bottom louver part or it may be created as a combination of missing plate material and/or bent louver parts.

In one embodiment, each of said louver-like structures further comprises a bottom louver part extending between said openings positioned adjacent to said top louver part downstream in relation to the traveling direction of said food products, said bottom louver part being at least partially bended downwardly and oppositely to said outwardly protruding portion. This is of particular advantage when the anti-sticking surface plate structure is arranged inclined and where the food product is a marinated food product. By bending the bottom louver part it is facilitated that dripping of the marinade from the top louver part will be caught on the inside surface of the bottom louver part. This means less give away of the marinade.

Furthermore the fact that the plate structure will be less dirty will give the impression that the food processing apparatus is more clean on the outside and thus will give a more overall clean impression.

In one embodiment, said openings or opening pairs at the opposite ends are symmetrical in relation to an axis extending perpendicular between said openings. Said openings/opening pairs may in one embodiment have a drop-like shape with the narrow ends of the drop-like shape facing each other, and in another embodiment said openings/opening pairs are circular openings. Said opening pairs should of course not be construed as being limited to these geometries but may be any geometrical type.

In one embodiment, the height or the diameter of said openings/opening pairs is within the range of 1-lOmm, more preferably between 2-8 mm.

In one embodiment, the distance between said openings/opening pairs is larger than the height or the diameter of said openings. As an example, if the openings/opening pairs are circular and the diameter is 3mm, the distance between the center of the openings may be between 1 and 3cm.

In one embodiment, said louver-like structures are arranged systematically within said anti-sticking surface plate structure. The anti-sticking surface plate structure may be made of any metal or metal alloy, or steel or steel alloy such as stainless steel, or it may be coated with low friction coating material. Other materials may also be used such as any type of plastic or ceramic material. The present invention should however not be construed as being limited to the above mentioned materials. In one embodiment, said systematic arrangement of the louver-like structures includes arranging said louver-like structures in a row and column like manner such that adjacent rows and columns are shifted with respect to each other.

In one embodiment, each of said louver-like structures further comprises a gap extending between said openings/opening pairs. The height of said gap is in one embodiment the same as the height of each of said openings/opening pairs, where the gap and the openings may be formed by removing material from the anti-sticking surface plate structure.

According to another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an anti-sticking surface plate structure adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within said food processing apparatus on said anti-sticking surface plate structure, comprising:

• means for generating a multiple of louver-like structures in a base material, said means including:

o opening generating means for generating a multiple of opening-pairs into said base material,

o means for generating a cut between the respective one of said opening pairs, and o a bending means for generating outwardly protruding portions between the

respective of said opening pairs so as to form a multiple of top louvers such that openings are created between said top louvers and the anti-sticking surface plate structure.

In case the top louver parts are formed via a bending mechanism, such as any type of punching tool where the top louver parts may be punched or pushed out, an opening may be created across/between the opening-pairs seen from above, because the top louver parts will, in addition to be punched away from the base material, also be shifted backwards, i.e. in a direction opposite to the travelling direction.

In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

figure 1 depicts a prior art anti sticking material,

figure 2 shows one embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure according to the present invention,

figure 3 shows a cross section view of figure 2,

figure 4 illustrates graphically one embodiment of manufacturing the anti-sticking surface plate structure shown in figures 2 and 3,

figure 5 depicts in a more detailed way a louver-like structure according to the present invention,

figure 6 shows a cross section view of figure 5,

figure 7 shows another embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure according to the present invention, and

figure 8 shows a yet another embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figure 2 shows one embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure 200 according to the present invention, where the anti-sticking surface plate structure 200 is adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within the food processing apparatus on the anti-sticking surface plate structure 200. The food processing apparatus may as an example be, but is not limited to, multiweigher such as the one as disclosed in WO2007147419, e.g. in figure 1 and on p. 21 1. l-p.22 1.5, hereby incorporated by reference. Such a food processing apparatus would benefit from the base material of the multihead weigher being made of a plate structure 200 according to the present invention. This may as an example be, but is not limited to, the dispersion feeder, the linear feeder, the weighing and storage hoppers, and the skids and/or chutes shown in figure 1 in WO2007147419.

Such an anti-sticking surface plate structure 200 according to the present invention may preferably be adapted to be used for the inclined surface structures shown in

WO2007147419, e.g. at any angle such a ranging from, but not limited to, 1-90° onto which the food products slide. The angle may according to various embodiments be within an interval of 50° - 90°, within an interval of 50° - 80° or within an interval of 50° - 70°.

Alternatively, the angle may be within an interval of 60° - 90°, within an interval of 60° - 80° or within an interval of 60° - 70°. The plate structure may of course also be implemented as a horizontally arranged structure.

As depicted in more details in figure 5, the louver-like structure 201 shown comprises openings or opening pairs 202, 203 at the opposite ends of the louver-like structure 201, and a top louver part 204 extending between the opening pairs 202, 203. During use, the top louver parts are positioned upstream in relation to the traveling direction of the food products as indicated by an arrow 205 and form, in respect to the side of the anti-sticking surface plate structure interacting physically with the food products, outwardly protruding portions such that openings are created between the top louvers and the anti-sticking surface plate structure 200. This opening is only small in relation to the thickness of the food products, such as, but not limited to, only 10% or less of the thickness of the food products.

In this embodiment, the louver-like structure 201 further comprises a bottom louver part 206 positioned downstream in relation to the traveling direction of said food products adjacent to the top louver part 204 and that is bended in a direction opposite to the top louver part. This is illustrated in more detailed way in figure 3 showing a cross section view E-E of figure 2. Accordingly, the width of the gap 303 that is formed is due to the opposite bending, but this gap may just as well be formed in the absence of the downwardly bending of the bottom louver part 206, i.e. if the bottom louver part 206 would simply be in plane with E-E. The width 302 may as an example be within the range of l-5mm, preferably between 2-3mm, more preferably around 2.75mm.

The embodiment shown in figure 5 is furthermore illustrated in a more detailed way in figure 6 showing a cross section view G-G of figure 2.

Figure 4 illustrates graphically one embodiment of manufacturing an anti-sticking surface plate structure shown in figures 2 and 3, starting with providing a base plate 401 such as a stainless steel plate, and subsequently generating a multiple of opening pairs 202, 203 by an opening generating means such as, but not limited to, a laser or water cutter. The geometry of the hole pairs 202, 203 should not be limited to a drop-like shape as shown here where the narrower end is facing each other. The geometry may just as well have circular or elliptical shape, or any type of a geometry that preferably does not have any edges, corners and/or recesses.

After making the opening pairs cuts 404 are made between the respective one of the opening pairs 202, 203, e.g. by the above mentioned laser cutter, where e.g. thin cuts are made, or where small portions of material is removed between the opening pairs 202, 203. The term "small portions" may according to the present invention mean a fraction of a millimeter or in some instances few millimeter, where e.g. the width of the "thin" cuts is the same as the height of the opening pairs 202, 203.

Subsequently, the top and bottom louver parts discussed in relation to figures 2 and 3 are made by a bending means that bend the portions illustrated by the dotted boxes 405, 406 for each and every opening pairs in the opposite directions. The top louver parts are indicated by the upper dotted box 405 and the bottom louver parts are indicated by the lower dotted box 406. Any kind of bending means may be utilized to create the opposite forces needed to make said bending.

It should be noted that when bending the top louver parts away from the base plate 401, the top louver parts will in most cases also be shifted backwards away from the bottom louver parts such that, when seen from above (not illustrated here), an opening will occur between the opening pairs 202, 203.

In another embodiment, the anti-sticking surface plate structure may be generated via a molding process.

In one embodiment, the height of the drop-like openings is between 1-lOmm, more preferably between 2-8mm. Moreover, the distance between the openings is significantly larger than said height. As shown in this example, Wl may be 19mm and W2 may be 9mm and HI may be 7.1mm and H2 may be 14.2mm. Moreover, the louver-like structures are preferably arranged systematically. One example of such an arrangement is where every second rows are shifted half-wise (e.g. by a half pitch) with respect to each other as shown here.

In one embodiment, the arrangement of the louver-like structures is made as close as possible with respect to each other. Thus, the distances HI and H2 might be even less but there is of course a threshold limit in how close they can be.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure 700 according to the present invention comprising a plurality of louver-like structures 701 comprising openings 702, 703 at the opposite ends of the louver-like structures 701, and top louver parts 704 extending between the openings 702, 703. In this embodiment, there are gaps 710 between these openings (i.e. opening pairs 702, 703), but these gaps may either be created across/between the opening-pairs when the top louver parts 704 are bended away from a base material 721 of the anti-sticking surface plate structure 700 (e.g. it may be punched away), and/or these gaps may be formed by removing material from the base material 721 via any type of cutting means. As depicted here, the width 711 of the gaps is substantially the same as the height of the opening pairs 702, 703, but the height may just as well be less than the height of the opening pairs 702, 703. In case the opening pairs are circular, the height may be substantially the same as the diameter of the openings.

As depicted in this embodiment, there are flat bottom louver parts 706 lying within the same plane as the base material 721. This may also be understood as if there are no bottom louver parts 706.

Figure 8 shows yet another embodiment of an anti-sticking surface plate structure 800 according to the present invention comprising a plurality of louver-like structures 801 comprising openings or opening pairs 802, 803 at the opposite ends of the louver-like stmctures 801, and top louver parts 804 extending between the openings 802, 803. The shape of the top louver parts 804 shown here is somewhat different from the shape of the louver parts in figure 7 and have a substantially rectangular shape, whereas the shape of the top louver parts in figure 7 has a continuous smoothly formed housing shape.

The embodiment in figure 8 shows also bottom louver parts 806 that are bent in opposite direction to the top louver parts 804.

Between the opening pairs 802, 803 are openings 810 (seen from above), that may be formed e.g. due to the upwardly/downwardly bending of the top/bottom louver parts 804, 806. If necessary, this opening that may be produced or increased by means of removing material from a base material 821 via any type of cutting means.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. An anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within said food processing apparatus on said anti-sticking surface plate structure, said anti-sticking surface plate structure including a multiple of louver-like structures (201), each of said louver-like structures comprising:

• openings (202, 203) at the opposite ends of each of said louver-like structures (201), and

· a top louver part (204) extending between said openings (202, 203), the top louver part being positioned upstream in relation to the traveling direction (205) of said food products, the top louver part being formed such that it is protruding to the side of the anti-sticking surface plate structure interacting physically with the food products to form an outwardly protruding portion such that an opening (303) is created between said top louver part (204) and the remaining part of the anti-sticking surface plate structure.

2. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to claim 1, each of said louver-like structures further comprising a bottom louver part (206) extending between said openings (202, 203) and positioned adjacent to said top louver part downstream in relation to the traveling direction of said food products, said bottom louver part being at least partially bended downwardly and oppositely to said outwardly protruding portion.

3. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said openings at the opposite ends are symmetrical in relation to an axis extending perpendicular between said openings.

4. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said openings have a drop-like shape with the narrow ends of the drop-like shape facing each other.

5. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein said openings are circular openings.

6. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the height or the diameter of said openings is within the range of 1-lOmm, more preferably between 2-8mm.

7. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between said openings is larger than the height or the diameter of said openings.

8. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said louver-like structures are arranged systematically within said anti-sticking surface plate structure.

9. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to claim 8, wherein said systematic arrangement of the louver-like structures includes arranging said louver-like structures in a row and column like manner such that adjacent rows and columns are shifted with respect to each other.

10. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said louver-like structures (201) further comprises a gap (710, 810) extending between said openings (202, 203), said gap being created by bending of the top louver part and/or by removing material.

11. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to claim 10, wherein the height of said gap (710, 810) is the same as the height of each of said openings (202, 203).

12. An anti-sticking surface plate structure according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-sticking surface plate structure is adapted to be positioned at an angle to form an inclined surface structure for food products sliding down the inclined surface structure, said angle ranging from, but not limited to 1-90°.

13. A method of manufacturing an anti-sticking surface plate structure adapted to be used as a low-friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within said food processing apparatus on said anti-sticking surface plate structure, comprising:

o opening generating means for generating a multiple of opening-pairs into said base material, o means for generating a cut between the respective one of said opening pairs, and o a bending means for generating an outwardly protruding portions between the respective of said opening pairs so as to form a multiple of top louvers such that openings are created between said top louvers and the anti-sticking surface plate structure.