Cookie Alignment Jig for Precise Printing of Irregular Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edible ink printers face challenges in aligning irregularly shaped food products for precise printing, particularly when using cookie cutters with unique shapes, leading to suboptimal printing results.
Innovation Solution
A print jig assembly comprising a base plate, print jig, grip pad, and optionally a paper plate and practice cookie, designed to align and secure food products for precise printing, using reusable and food-grade materials, adaptable to various shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional alignment methods are used for irregularly shaped food products, then the printing process becomes complicated and time-consuming, but the alignment precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cookie cutter-shaped alignment jig as an intermediary tool between the food product and the printing system. The jig matches the shape of irregularly shaped cookies and provides pre-defined alignment features, simplifying the alignment process while maintaining high precision without complicating the overall printing system
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment jig is prepared in advance with the exact shape and alignment features needed for specific cookie shapes. By pre-configuring the alignment tool before the printing process, the system eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment calculations and procedures during printing
2Measurement precision
If custom alignment tools are created for each cookie cutter shape, then alignment precision improves, but the number of different jigs required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment jig is designed with universal features that can accommodate multiple cookie cutter shapes. By incorporating adjustable elements and standardized interfaces, a single jig design can serve multiple shapes, reducing the total number of jigs needed while maintaining alignment precision for each specific shape
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment jig is divided into modular components that can be configured for different cookie shapes. This segmentation allows the same basic jig structure to be adapted for various shapes through reconfiguration of individual segments, rather than requiring completely separate jigs for each shape
3Manufacturing precision
If food products are held securely during printing, then printing precision improves, but the risk of damaging the printer or food product increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment jig applies localized gripping forces only at specific contact points on the food product, rather than applying uniform pressure across the entire surface. This localized approach secures the product sufficiently for precise printing while minimizing the risk of damage to the food product and printer through distributed, controlled force application
Data Source
AI summary
A print jig is provided to align a food product to be printed upon by a printer, such as an edible ink printer. The print jig can be a common shape, such as a circle or a square, or be of an irregular shape, such as a spaceship or a butterfly. The print jig fits onto a base plate via a lip of the print jig. A food product is placed in a cutout of the print jig and comes into contact with the base plate. The shape of the cutout of the print jig matches the shape of the food product. The food product will then be held in place by the print jig during printing operations. A tongue adapter is provided on the bottom of the base plate to connect to a cookie platform of the printer snugly.