Meals preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing demand for quick and easy-to-prepare ready meals that require minimal preparation time, but existing solutions are limited to specific types of hydrated foods and lack versatility in meal options and portion sizes.
Innovation Solution
A meals preparation machine that uses meal packages with identifiers, such as barcodes or RFID tags, to detect the type and size of the package and control various meal preparation mechanisms like hydrating, mixing, and cooking, allowing for the automatic preparation of multiple meal types and sizes based on pre-defined or user-adjusted plans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If microwave heating and boiling-water addition are used for ready meals, then preparation time is reduced, but meal types are limited to specific hydrated foods
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a multi-functional automated meal preparation machine that can handle various types of dehydrated foods (fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy) and perform multiple operations (rehydration, cooking, mixing, heating) to create diverse meal types including breakfast cereals, fruit salads, vegetable dishes, meat dishes, and dairy-based meals, thereby achieving versatility across different meal categories while maintaining quick preparation
2Productivity
If automated meal preparation mechanisms are implemented, then meal preparation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated meal preparation system is divided into distinct functional modules: a package opening mechanism that automatically opens sealed packages, a dispensing mechanism that transfers dehydrated food to a mixing bowl, a water dispensing system that adds rehydration water, and a heating/cooking mechanism. Each module performs a specific function independently, allowing the system to achieve high automation and efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through functional segmentation
3Adaptability or versatility
If meal packages with identifiers are used, then meal customization and monitoring are enhanced, but device complexity and operation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses identifier tags attached to meal packages that automatically provide information about the package contents, preparation instructions, and nutritional data. The control system automatically reads these identifiers and configures the preparation parameters without requiring user input or complex interfaces, enabling meal customization while keeping the operation simple and the detection system relatively straightforward
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
Enables the efficient and versatile preparation of various meals from freeze-dried or dehydrated ingredients, accommodating different portion sizes and types, with real-time monitoring and user input integration, enhancing convenience and meal customization.
Implementation Method 1
detect at least one characteristic of an identifier of the received meal package, using at least one sensor
Implementation Method 2
the MP having an identifier thereover... detect at least one characteristic of the identifier
Implementation Method 3
a mixing subsystem configured and located to: receive a dehydrated or freeze-dry food content of an unsealed dehydrated or freeze-dry meal package; and mix the dehydrated or freeze-dry food content with water, to achieve a mixture of the meal
Implementation Method 4
a cooking subsystem configured to receive the mixture of the meal and to cook the mixture
Implementation Method 5
a molding subsystem configured to receive the mixture from the mixing subsystem and to shape the mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A meals preparation machine and a method for preparing meals, using a meals preparation machine, configured to: receive a meal package (MP) into the meals preparation machine, the MP having an identifier thereover; detect one or more characteristics of the identifier of the received MP, using at least one sensor, outputting sensor data indicative of the detected one or more characteristics; identify a meal preparation code of the respective MP, based on the sensor data; retrieve a meal preparation plan that is associated with the identified meal preparation code of the respective MP; and control preparation of a meal of the respective MP, based on the retrieved meal preparation plan.