Apple Cavity Filling for Core Removal and Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional caramel apples have a tacky caramel coating that requires hand washing and present issues with consuming the fibrous core and seeds, limiting the types of edible substances that can be applied.
Innovation Solution
An apple with the majority of its core removed to create a cavity for edible fillings, allowing for the stem to remain intact for handling and enabling consumption without core components, while accommodating various fillings like granola, caramel, and nuts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the apple is coated with caramel, then the flavor is enhanced, but the coating becomes tacky and requires hand washing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the problematic external caramel coating and replaces it with an internal filling approach. The core is extracted and replaced with edible filling, eliminating the tacky external coating issue while preserving the desirable caramel flavor experience through the filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an internal cavity filling as an intermediary solution. Instead of applying caramel externally (which causes tackiness), the caramel is placed inside the apple core cavity, mediated by the cavity structure, thus avoiding direct contact with hands while maintaining flavor enhancement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the core is left intact, then the apple structure is preserved, but the fibrous carpels and seeds are difficult to consume and may wedge between teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the apple core into removable fibrous carpels and seeds that are extracted, while preserving the outer apple structure. This segmentation allows the desirable apple flesh to remain intact while removing the problematic core components that cause consumption difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the fibrous carpels and seeds from the apple core, removing the problematic elements that wedge between teeth while preserving the overall apple structure and edible flesh for consumption.
3Ease of operation
If a stick is inserted for handling, then the apple is easier to hold, but the stick and core components must be disposed of after eating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the apple stem itself serve as the handling mechanism. The intact stem provides a natural grip point for holding and eating the apple, eliminating the need for external sticks or utensils, and thus no disposable handling materials need to be discarded.
Solution Approach 2:
The apple stem serves multiple functions: it is both a natural structural component of the apple and a handling grip. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate handling tools like sticks, reducing waste of disposable materials.
4Quantity of substance
If the edible filling is added to enhance flavor, then the taste experience is improved, but the treatment is limited to substances that can adhere through melting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of filling application from thermal adhesion (melting) to mechanical placement. By creating a cavity and directly placing fillings inside, the method accommodates various material states (solid, granular, chunky) that cannot be applied through melting, thus expanding material versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a localized cavity within the apple core specifically designed to hold filling materials. This local structural modification allows diverse filling materials to be contained and delivered effectively, regardless of their adhesion properties, expanding the range of usable filling substances.
Data Source
AI summary
The combination of: a) an apple with a top and bottom and having fibrous/woody carpels and seeds removed to produce a cavity extending from the bottom of the apple upwardly but not fully to the top of the apple so as to leave the top stem intact; and b) an edible filling added to the apple within the cavity.