Claims:We claim:
1. A cookware holding fixture (100) comprising:
a main shaft (102) coupled to a cookware attachment assembly at one end and a guide roller (104) at an opposite end;
the cookware attachment assembly comprising:
a vacuum holder (106) in form of a plate comprising a center portion (114) and a peripheral portion (116), wherein the vacuum holder (106) comprises a plurality of magnetic inserts (112) and is configured to physically contact a flat surface of a cookware; and
an actuating mechanism (108) coupled to the vacuum holder (106), the actuating mechanism (108) is configured to toggle between a first configuration and a second configuration to attach and detach the vacuum holder (106) with the flat surface of the cookware, by one of: force of vacuum and a combination of magnetic and vacuum force.

2. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide roller (104) is pivotally coupled to the main shaft (102), further wherein the guide roller (104) facilitates in coupling the cookware holding fixture (100) with a conveyer line.

3. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of magnetic inserts (112) are positioned along the peripheral portion (116) of the vacuum holder (106) and contact with the flat surface of the cookware.

4. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuating mechanism (108) comprises:
a base plate (202) axially coupled to a base plate sleeve (204), wherein the base plate sleeve (204) is slidably attached to the main shaft (102) and the base plate sleeve (204) translates along length of the main shaft (102) to facilitate vertical movement of the base plate (202);
an actuator (206) coupled to the base plate sleeve (204) via a plurality of guide rods (210) and a pivot (208) to carry out the vertical movement of the base plate (202), wherein the plurality of guide rods (210) are attached to the vacuum holder (106) at one end and to the base plate sleeve (204) and the actuator (206) at an opposite end; and
a plurality of compression members (212) positioned under the base plate (202) to attach the base plate (202) to the vacuum holder (106), wherein the plurality of compression members (212) are attached to the center portion (114) of the vacuum holder (106) via the plurality of guide rods (210).

5. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the actuator (206) is one of: a mechanical lever and an electro-mechanical assembly.

6. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first configuration of the actuating mechanism (108) the actuator (206) pulls off the center portion (114) of the vacuum holder (106) to create a vacuum between the flat surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder (106) resulting in attaching of the vacuum holder (106) to the flat surface of the cookware.

7. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the flat surface of the cookware is one of: non-uniform and formed of a ferromagnetic material and formed of a ferromagnetic material, the cookware is attached to the cookware holding fixture (100) via the magnetic force of the plurality of magnetic inserts (112) and the force of the vacuum.

8. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein when the base of the cookware is uniform and formed of a non-ferromagnetic material the cookware is attached to the vacuum holder (106) via the vacuum force.

9. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the second configuration of the actuating mechanism (108) the actuator (206) pushes the center portion (114) of the vacuum holder (106) to release a vacuum between the flat surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder (106) resulting in detachment of the vacuum holder (106) from the flat surface of the cookware.

10. The cookware holding fixture (100) as claimed in one of claims 1-9, wherein the vacuum holder (106) is made from one of: rubber and plastic material, further wherein the main shaft (102), base plate sleeve (204) and base plate (202) is made from one or more different grades of steel material.
, Description:COATING LINE FIXTURE FOR SIMULTANEOUS DOUBLE SIDE COATING OF COOKWARES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cookware holding fixture. In particular, the present invention relates to a cookware holding fixture for simultaneous treatment of double sides of a cookware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Production of various cookware in conventionally known production assembly lines includes various stages such as coating, curing and packaging. For stages such as coating, the interior as well as exterior surface of the cookware may need to be subjected to a treatment. In the conventionally known production assembly lines, a cookware holding fixture grabs the cookware by one side such that firstly a single surface is subjected to the treatment. After completion of the treatment of the first surface, the second surface is subjected to the same treatment. For example, in case of manufacturing of cookware where both the interior and exterior surfaces of the cookware need to be coated and cured in a similar curing cycle for a similar time and at a similar temperature), the cookware is picked by the cookware holding fixture and only one side is subjected to the coating and curing at once. Further, the complete process of coating and baking is repeated for second surface, after it is completed for the first surface. Thus, the conventional cookware holding fixtures lead to twice the wastage of resources, consume extra time and efforts that ultimately results into an increase of the cost of production.

[0003] Thus, in view of the above, there is a need for a cookware holding fixture that facilitates simultaneous double side treatment of cookware.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other problems associated with simultaneous double side treatment of cookware.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a cookware holding fixture having a main shaft coupled to a cookware attachment assembly at one end and a guide roller at an opposite end. The cookware attachment assembly includes a vacuum holder and an actuating mechanism. The vacuum holder is in form of a plate comprising a center portion and a peripheral portion. Further, the vacuum holder comprises a plurality of magnetic inserts and is configured to physically contact a flat surface of a cookware. The actuating mechanism is coupled to the vacuum holder. Further, the actuating mechanism is configured to toggle between a first configuration and a second configuration to attach and detach the vacuum holder with the flat surface of the cookware, by one of: force of vacuum and a combination of magnetic and vacuum force.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the guide roller is pivotally coupled to the main shaft. Further, the guide roller facilitates in coupling the cookware holding fixture with a conveyer line.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of magnetic inserts are positioned along the peripheral portion of the vacuum holder and contact with the flat surface of the cookware.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating mechanism has a base plate axially coupled to a base plate sleeve. The base plate sleeve is slidably attached to the main shaft and the base plate sleeve translates along length of the main shaft to facilitate vertical movement of the base plate. The actuating mechanism also has an actuator coupled to the base plate via a plurality of guide rods to carry out the vertical movement of the base plate. The actuating mechanism further includes a plurality of compression members positioned under the base plate to attach the base plate to the vacuum holder. The plurality of compression members are attached to the center portion of the vacuum holder.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuator is one of: a mechanical lever and an electro-mechanical assembly. Further, in the first configuration of the actuating mechanism, the actuator pulls off the center portion of the vacuum holder to create a vacuum between the flat surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder, and attaches the vacuum holder to the flat surface of the cookware.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the flat surface of the cookware is one of: non-uniform and formed of a ferromagnetic material and formed of a ferromagnetic material, the cookware is attached to the cookware holding fixture via the magnetic force of the plurality of magnetic inserts and the force of the vacuum.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the base of the cookware is uniform and formed of a non-ferromagnetic material the cookware is attached to the vacuum holder via the vacuum force.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the second configuration of the actuating mechanism the actuator pushes the center portion of the vacuum holder to release a vacuum between the flat surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder, and detaches the vacuum holder from the flat surface of the cookware.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum holder is made from one of: rubber and plastic material. Further, the main shaft, base plate sleeve and base plate is made from one or more different grades of steel material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0014] The following drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiments for enabling the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.

[0015] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate different isometric views of a cookware holding fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 (a) illustrates an exploded view of the cookware holding fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2(b) illustrates a cross sectional isometric view of the cookware holding fixture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate different configurations of the actuating mechanism of the cookware holding fixture in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0020] Figures 1(a) and 1(b) illustrate different isometric views of a cookware holding fixture 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity the description of Figures 1(a) and 1(b) has been provided together.

[0021] The cookware holding fixture 100 may be a part of a cookware manufacturing or treatment assembly with conveyor assemblies and treatment units such as, without any limitation, coating and curing units. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the cookware may comprise, without any limitation, pans and pots.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the cookware holding fixture 100 may have a main shaft 102 and a cookware attachment assembly. The cookware attachment assembly may include a vacuum holder 106 and an actuating mechanism 108. Further, the main shaft 102 may be coupled to the cookware attachment assembly at one end and a guide roller 104 at an opposite end. In an embodiment of the present invention, the main shaft 102, the guide roller 104 and the cookware attachment assembly may be coupled together using one or more coupling techniques.

[0023] As disclosed above, the cookware attachment assembly may include the vacuum holder 106 and the actuating mechanism 108. In an embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum holder 106 may be in a form of a plate with a center portion 114 and a peripheral portion 116, as illustrated in Figure 1(b). The vacuum holder 106 may be made of a flexible material such as, without any limitation, rubber, plastic and any other flexible synthetic material. Further, the vacuum holder 106 may be provided with a plurality of magnetic inserts 112 and may be configured to physically contact flat surface of a cookware. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of magnetic inserts 112 may be permanent magnets and may be provided along the peripheral portion 116 of the vacuum holder 106, as illustrated in Figure 1(b).

[0024] Further, the actuating mechanism 108 may be coupled to the vacuum holder 106 and may be configured to toggle between a first configuration and a second configuration. As a result of the toggling of the actuating mechanism 108, the vacuum holder 106 may attach and detach with the flat surface of the cookware. The attachment of the vacuum holder 106 with the flat surface of the cookware may be achieved by a force of vacuum or a combination of magnetic force and vacuum depending upon the material and finish of the flat surface of the cookware. The detailed description of the first configuration, the second configuration and the attachment and detachment of the cookware with the vacuum holder 106 has been provided in subsequent paragraphs.

[0025] The guide roller 104 may be pivotally coupled with the main shaft 102 via a metal insert 110 such that the guide roller 104 is offset to a vertical axis of the main shaft 102. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guide roller 104 may be coupled to a conveyer line and the cookware holding fixture 100 may be configured to attach to the cookware from the conveyer line. The guide roller 104 may guide the cookware holding fixture 100 to travel along the conveyer line for carrying out various treatments on the cookware.

[0026] Figure 2 (a) illustrates an exploded view of the cookware holding fixture 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating mechanism 108 may include a base plate 202, an actuator 206, and a plurality of compression members 212. In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuator 206 may be a mechanical lever, an electro-mechanical assembly or a combination thereof.

[0027] Further, Figure 2(b) illustrates a cross sectional isometric view of the cookware holding fixture 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the base plate 202 is axially coupled to a base plate sleeve 204. Further, the base plate sleeve 204 is slidably inserted over the main shaft 102. The base plate sleeve 204 translates along the length of the main shaft 102 to facilitate vertical movement of the base plate 202. Furthermore, the actuator 206 is coupled to the base plate sleeve 204 via a plurality of guide rods 210 and a pivot 208 to carry out the vertical movement of the base plate 202. The plurality of guide rods 210 are attached to the vacuum holder 106 at one end and to the base plate sleeve 204 and the actuator 206 at an opposite end. Further, the actuator 206 may be coupled to the base plate 202 via a plurality of guide rods 210. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the main shaft 102, base plate sleeve 204 and base plate 202 may be made from, without any limitation, one or more different grades of steel material and cast iron material.

[0028] Further, the base plate 202 may be attached to the center portion 114 of the vacuum holder 106 via a plurality of compression members 212 wrapped around the plurality of guide rods 210 positioned under the base plate 202. The plurality of compression members 212 may provide compressive force to the actuator 206 to carry out the vertical movement of the base plate 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of compression members 212 may, without any limitation, be torsional springs or hydraulic dampers.

[0029] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) illustrate different configurations of the actuating mechanism 108 of the cookware holding fixture 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of brevity the first configuration, the second configuration and the transition between the first and second configurations has been explained together along with preferred embodiments.

[0030] The two configurations of the actuating mechanism 108 of the cookware holding fixture 100 may be understood as arrangement of the base plate 202, the actuator 206 and the plurality of compression members 212 with respect to the vacuum holder 106 and the main shaft 102. Further, the variation in the configuration of the actuating mechanism 108 may facilitate attachment and detachment of the cookware with the cookware holding fixture 100 via the vacuum holder 106.

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, in the first configuration of the actuating mechanism 108, the actuator 206 pulls off the center portion 114 of the vacuum holder 106 to create a vacuum between the flat surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder 106. The creation of the vacuum due to increased pressure differential may be obvious to a person skilled in the art and therefore the creation of the vacuum has not been elaborated. As a result of the created vacuum, the vacuum holder 106 attaches to or clamps the flat surface of the cookware by the force of vacuum. During the vacuum creation, the plurality of compression members 212 provide necessary compressive action for clamping of the flat surface of the cookware. Further, the plurality of magnetic inserts 112 in contact with the flat surface of the cookware may also provide a magnetic force, depending upon the material of the flat surface of the cookware, to attach the cookware with the vacuum holder 106.

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the flat surface of the cookware is formed of a ferromagnetic material having a uniform or a non-uniform surface, the cookware may be attached to the cookware holding fixture 100 by the magnetic force of the plurality of magnetic inserts 112 and the force of the vacuum. The uniform surface may be understood as seamless surface without any protrusions and depression. Further, the non-uniform surface may be understood as a surface with protrusions, depressions, or a combination thereof. It may be apparent to a person of skilled in the art that when the surface is non-uniform the created vacuum between the surface of the cookware and the vacuum holder 106 may diminish and the attachment may only be by way of magnetic force.

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, when the base of the cookware is uniform and formed of a non-ferromagnetic material, the cookware may be attached to the vacuum holder 106 by the vacuum force only.

[0034] In the second configuration of the actuating mechanism 108, the actuator 206 pushes the center portion of the vacuum holder 106 to release the created vacuum. As a result of the releasing of the vacuum, the cookware may detach from the vacuum holder 106 and therefore from the cookware holding fixture 100. During the vacuum release, the plurality of compression members 212 provide necessary decompression action for de-clamping of the flat surface of the cookware. Thus, the attachment and detachment of the cookware with the cookware holding fixture 100 may be carried out by the first configuration and the second configuration of the actuating mechanism 108 respectively.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the actuator 206 may be understood as a mechanical lever and the cookware may be a pan or a pot. Further, the treatment for the cookware may be coating of interior and exterior surfaces of the cookware and then baking the cookware. Figure 3(a) illustrates a first configuration for attachment of the cookware holding fixture 100 to flat surface of the cookware i.e. to the base of the cookware. The base of the cookware may be induction or non-induction. For the attachment, the vacuum holder 106 is placed in physical contact with the base of the cookware. If the base of the cookware is made of a ferromagnetic material, as soon as the vacuum holder 106 contacts the base, the plurality of magnetic inserts 112 may attach to the base by magnetic force. Further, as shown, the lever 206 may be pulled towards the main shaft 102, to pull off the center portion 114 of the vacuum holder 106 to create a vacuum between the base of the cookware and the vacuum holder 106. As a result, the vacuum holder 106 attaches to the base of the cookware by a stronger force as now the force of vacuum may assist the magnetic force for the attachment. Thus, the cookware gets attached to the cookware holding fixture 100 and coating of primer, flash off, mid and top coating on both sides of the cookware may be carried out. After, the coating is complete, the guide roller 104 may translate the cookware to oven for baking. Further, after completion of coating and curing of the cookware on both sides simultaneously, the cookware may be released from the cookware holding fixture 100. For the release of the cookware, the lever 206 may be pushed away from the main shaft 102, as shown, amounting to pushing of the center portion 114 of the vacuum holder 106 to release the created vacuum and accordingly detachment of the cookware from the cookware holding fixture 100. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the movement of the lever 206 elaborated above is an embodiment of the present invention and a modification in the movement of the lever 206 to achieve the attachment and detachment disclosed above may be considered as an alternate embodiment.

[0036] Accordingly, the cookware holding fixture 100 provides advantages like holding of the cookware at a partial portion of the flat surface of the cookware and the remaining surface is free from the cookware holding fixture. As the cookware holding fixture does not interfere with the complete surface of the cookware, side wall or interior surface of the cookware, the internal coating and the external coating may be carried out simultaneously and then cured by a single pass through the oven. This reduces the process time, energy consumed and the cost associated with the treatment of the cookware. Further, the use of vacuum and magnetic forces for the clamping and de-clamping of the cookware facilitates attachment to cookware with ferromagnetic material with uniform base. The vacuum and magnetic forces would also facilitate attachment of the cookware with the non-uniform base made of ferromagnetic material. Additionally, when the base of the cookware is uniform and is made of a non-ferromagnetic material the vacuum force would clamp or hold the cookware by the base. Thus, the cookware holding fixture 100 may be used for diverse types of cookware. Additionally, the cookware holding fixture 100 does not need any vacuum line or airline for the clamping or de-clamping as this may be done by mechanical or electro-mechanical lever (206) action combined with magnetic force, depending on the type of the cookware. Further, the guide roller 104 and the actuating mechanism 108 enable simplified integration of the cookware holding fixture 100 with an automatic coating line. Thus, the cookware holding fixture 100 facilitates a faster, cheaper and efficient mechanism for simultaneous double side coating of the cookware.

[0037] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as described in the claims.