Silicone Cavity Forming Spine for Cupcake Void Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating baked goods with cavities for post-baking filling insertion are inefficient, leading to increased labor, waste, and potential damage to fillings due to exposure to high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pan with a rectangular array of cavities and heat-resistant silicone cavity creating constructions connected by a stainless steel spine, allowing for easy creation of preformed voids in baked goods by moving the spine to expose cavities after baking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a corer is used to create a cavity in the top of a baked cupcake, then a cavity is formed for filling, but significant portions of the baked cupcake are removed resulting in waste and increased labor
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is formed in the batter before baking by inserting the displacing apparatus into the pan and pressing it into the batter. This preliminary action creates the cavity structure that is then baked into the final product, eliminating the need for post-baking coring and preventing batter waste.
2Manufacturing precision
If a cupcake pan with a protuberance at the bottom is used, then a void is created in the finished cupcake, but it becomes difficult to use standard cupcake liners and remove cupcakes intact from the pan
Solution Approach 1:
The displacing apparatus is removed from the baked cupcakes after baking by pressing upward on the release buttons. This extraction allows the cavity-creating element to be taken out after serving its purpose, enabling easy removal of intact cupcakes from the pan while still achieving the desired void creation.
3Reliability
If filling is inserted into the cupcake batter before baking, then the filling is protected from heat, but the filling is exposed to elevated temperatures during baking which may eliminate types of fillings that are best if not baked
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity is created in the batter before baking, but the filling is inserted only after baking is complete. This preliminary cavity formation followed by post-baking filling insertion protects temperature-sensitive fillings from exposure to elevated baking temperatures while maintaining structural integrity.
4Manufacturing precision
If manual pressure is used to insert a corer into the top of a baked cupcake, then a cavity is created, but increased labor and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cavity-creating elements are merged into a single displacing apparatus that can create cavities in multiple cupcakes simultaneously. This merging of functions into one device dramatically increases productivity compared to manual coring of individual cupcakes, while maintaining precise cavity formation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for creating a baked cupcake with a preformed void therein for receiving filling, where the apparatus includes a plurality of tapered food grade silicone cavity creating constructions which are ganged together and are disposed partially in unbaked batter which rises to form a surface against the cavity creating construction, which creates a preformed void for later insertion of filling after the cupcake has been baked and the cavity creating constructions removed.