Cooking Method for Assessing Neoformed Compounds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooking methods lack a standardized protocol to assess the formation of newly formed compounds in food and cooking aids, which are known to be toxic, and do not effectively compare their formation under controlled versus standard cooking conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two samples of raw food or cooking aids, where one undergoes temperature-regulated cooking and the other unregulated cooking, with predefined cooking times and energy evolutions, using sensors to monitor temperature and energy transmission, and subsequent assays to quantify newly formed compounds, providing a comparative analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If standard cooking methods are used, then cooking simplicity and user control are maintained, but the formation of newly formed compounds (toxic substances) increases and cannot be effectively limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation of newly formed compoundsVSAvoidcooking process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where a detection means (temperature sensor) continuously monitors the temperature of the heating surface and provides this information to a control unit. The control unit automatically adjusts the heating power based on the detected temperature to maintain it within a safe range, preventing excessive formation of newly formed compounds. This closed-loop feedback system resolves the contradiction by automatically controlling harmful factors without requiring complex user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking system performs self-regulation through automated temperature control and power adjustment. The detection means and control unit work together to autonomously manage the cooking process, maintaining temperature within safe limits without user intervention. This self-service mechanism reduces the formation of toxic compounds while keeping the cooking process simple for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Object-affected harmful factors

If temperature-regulated cooking is implemented, then the formation of newly formed compounds is limited, but the ease of operation and user control is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveformation of newly formed compoundsVSAvoiduser control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automatic feedback control where the detection means monitors temperature and the control unit adjusts power accordingly. This eliminates the need for users to manually monitor and adjust temperature, as the system does it automatically. The user simply places food on the heating surface and the system handles the rest, maintaining both safety and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual user control (mechanical adjustment of heating power) with an automated electronic control system. The control unit electronically regulates power based on temperature feedback, substituting the need for user intervention with an automated system that continuously optimizes cooking conditions to limit toxic compound formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If cooking time is extended to ensure culinary quality, then food preparation is improved, but the formation of newly formed compounds increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveculinary qualityVSAvoidformation of newly formed compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from uncontrolled high temperatures to regulated temperatures within a safe range. By maintaining temperature within 50-200°C (or 50-150°C in some embodiments), the system prevents the formation of newly formed compounds while still achieving culinary quality through extended cooking time at optimal temperatures. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between cooking quality and toxic compound formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary temperature regulation before cooking begins, preheating the surface to the optimal temperature range and maintaining it throughout cooking. This preliminary action ensures that cooking proceeds at safe temperatures from the start, preventing the formation of toxic compounds while achieving culinary quality through controlled, extended cooking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If heating power is increased to reduce cooking time, then productivity is improved, but the formation of newly formed compounds increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking speedVSAvoidformation of newly formed compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high uncontrolled temperatures to regulated temperatures within a safe range. By maintaining temperature within 50-200°C, the system prevents excessive formation of newly formed compounds while achieving acceptable cooking speeds through efficient heat transfer and optimized cooking processes at controlled temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback control system continuously monitors temperature and adjusts power to maintain optimal cooking conditions. This prevents temperature excursions that would lead to rapid formation of toxic compounds, while still achieving productivity through efficient cooking at regulated temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

This method allows for the identification of toxicological interests and limitations in the formation of newly formed compounds, providing a reproducible and reliable assessment of cooking methods, highlighting the benefits of controlled cooking in reducing compound formation and water loss.

Implementation Method 1

a detection means sensitive to the temperature and interrupting at least part of the transmission of energy from the heating device to the article when the detected temperature exceeds a determined value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Implementation Method 2

The invention relates to the cooking of food and/or cooking aids and the evaluation of the formation of newly formed compounds... This concerns in particular the cooking/heating of food and/or cooking aids in an induction pan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3082457B1Method for cooking food and/or a cooking accessory and assessing the formation of neoformed compounds
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SEB SA
  • EP3082457B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3082457B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3082457B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention concerns a method for cooking food and/or a cooking accessory and assessing the formation of neoformed compounds According to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: - providing at least two samples (5) of the raw food and/or of the unheated cooking accessory, - predefining, for the first of said samples, at least one cooking time and a cooking protocol including, during this time, cooking at a controlled power and/or temperature in contact with a heating surface (10) heated by a heating device (3), - cooking/heating the first sample (5) according to said cooking protocol, for said predefined cooking time, then, - carrying out: * a measurement of neoformed compounds contained in the first cooked sample (5), and * a measurement of neoformed compounds contained in the second sample (5), and - comparing the measurements with each other.