Cooking Element Forming Tool With Clamping and Score-Guided Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools lack an efficient method to form cooking elements from cutouts, particularly for microwave cooking, where maintaining the integrity of microwave interactive materials and achieving a precise three-dimensional shape is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A tool assembly with a clamping feature that holds a cutout in a fixed position, comprising a first and second tool assembly that move between open and closed positions to form a cooking element, utilizing score lines in the cutout to facilitate shaping and pleating of the material, ensuring the microwave interactive material's integrity and precise formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional forming tool is used to form cooking elements from cutouts, then the forming process can be completed, but the material bunches excessively and the microwave interactive material integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The forming tool is divided into multiple independent assemblies (first tool assembly with first clamping feature, second tool assembly with second clamping feature) that can be positioned at different locations on the cutout. This segmentation allows different regions of the material to be clamped and formed independently, preventing excessive bunching and maintaining material integrity during the forming process.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cutout are subjected to different clamping forces and forming conditions through the distributed clamping features. The clamping features are strategically positioned to apply localized control, ensuring that microwave interactive materials maintain their integrity in critical areas while still achieving the desired three-dimensional shape in other regions.
2Productivity
If existing forming methods are used, then cooking elements can be formed, but secondary cutting operations are required to achieve precise shapes
Solution Approach 1:
Score lines are pre-formed on the cutout at the desired fold and crease locations before the actual forming operation. These pre-scored lines guide the material folding process, enabling the forming tool to create precise three-dimensional shapes without requiring subsequent cutting operations to achieve the desired geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool assemblies are designed to be moveable between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adjustment during the forming process. This mobility enables the tool to adapt to the material's deformation needs while maintaining precise control over the final shape, eliminating the need for secondary cutting operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If clamping features are added to hold cutout portions fixed, then forming precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool assemblies are designed to perform multiple functions: clamping the cutout material, applying forming pressure, and guiding the folding process along score lines. By integrating these functions into unified movable assemblies, the patent reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function, while still achieving high forming precision through the clamping features.
Data Source
AI summary
A forming tool assembly and method for forming a cooking element. The forming tool assembly has an upper tool assembly and a lower tool assembly that cooperate to shape the cooking element from an annular cutout.