Compact Flat Edible Maker Vertical Stacking and Spring Press
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for making flat dough products are bulky, expensive, and require skilled operation, with limitations in ingredient measurement and storage, and lack corrective mechanisms for incorrect ingredient proportions, making them unsuitable for industrial or home use.
Innovation Solution
A fully automated, compact, and portable apparatus that stores, dispenses, mixes, kneads, flattens, and cooks dough-based products, using internal sensors and user input to control ingredient quantities and cooking parameters, with a self-cleaning mode and modular design for efficient production of flatbreads and other edibles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyor belt and carousel are used for cooking and transferring edibles, then the device can process multiple products simultaneously, but the device becomes bulky and at least twice the size of the edibles being made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal conveyor belt arrangement to vertical stacking arrangement. The cooking platen moves vertically between cooking positions and transfer positions, eliminating the need for large horizontal space. This vertical dimensionality change allows simultaneous processing while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for home use.
2Force
If pneumatics are used for pressurizing the device, then the device achieves sufficient pressing force for flattening dough, but the device becomes expensive and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex pneumatic systems with a simpler mechanical spring-based pressurization system. The spring mechanism provides sufficient pressing force for dough flattening without requiring bulky compressors, valves, and control systems associated with pneumatics, thereby reducing both size and cost while maintaining adequate force.
3Extent of automation
If the device follows Chandulal Patel's design with conveyor and carousel, then automated processing is achieved, but the device is not suitable for home use due to size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the automated processing functions into compact, integrated modules: ingredient dispensing, mixing, kneading, flattening, and cooking are arranged in a vertical sequence within a single appliance. This modular segmentation maintains automation while reducing overall size to fit home kitchen spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The device integrates multiple functions (dispensing, mixing, kneading, flattening, cooking) into a single multi-functional appliance. This universality eliminates the need for separate equipment pieces, making the automated system adaptable for home use where space is limited and users prefer all-in-one solutions.
4Productivity
If the device requires users to add measured quantities of ingredients manually, then the device can process ingredients, but unskilled users or users with little knowledge cannot add right quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates automatic ingredient dispensing systems with pre-programmed measurements. The system automatically adds the correct quantities of flour, water, and other ingredients without requiring user measurement or knowledge, making the device easy to operate for users of any skill level while maintaining consistent ingredient proportions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device includes sensors and control systems that monitor ingredient addition and provide feedback to ensure correct proportions. The system can detect when ingredients have been added and adjust subsequent additions accordingly, preventing errors and ensuring consistent results even if users make mistakes during the process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compact apparatus for automatically making a plurality of flat edibles includes a storage and dispensing kit that makes it unnecessary for a user to pre-measure ingredients. The apparatus also includes a mixing and kneading unit for making dough of optimal consistency. The mixing and kneading unit may be configured to prepare dough. The dough may be prepared by mixing and kneading the ingredients dispensed by the dispensers. The dough prepared may be transferred onto a lower platen from a transfer base by a transfer sweeper. The dough may be flattened in a platen unit. An upper platen and the lower platen of the platen unit may be heated to a preprogrammed temperature for cooking the flat edible. The temperature may also be manually set by the user based on the user's preference. The flat may be cooked (e.g., heated, roasted and/or puffed) by the platen unit.