Rotary Drum Dough Cutter with Integrated Imprinter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing bread products result in sharp edges and require separate cutting and imprinting steps, leading to non-uniformity and low throughput in commercial dough processing.
Innovation Solution
A rotary drum apparatus with integrated cutter molds and pattern imprinters that simultaneously shape, cut, and stamp dough sheets into uniformly stamped dough pieces with rounded edges, allowing continuous processing and improved production efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate cutting and imprinting steps are used, then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the overall processing time increases and throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutting and imprinting operations into a single integrated drum apparatus. The drum contains both cutter molds for cutting dough pieces and pattern imprinters for stamping patterns, allowing both operations to occur simultaneously in one processing step rather than sequentially, thereby maintaining uniformity while increasing throughput
2Manufacturing precision
If dough pieces are stamped in batches after cutting, then alignment can be controlled, but the processing speed decreases and consistency varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous processing where dough sheets are fed continuously through the drum apparatus. The drum rotates continuously with cutter molds and pattern imprinters positioned to cut and stamp multiple dough pieces simultaneously in each rotation, eliminating batch processing interruptions and maintaining consistent imprint depth and position while achieving high processing speeds
3Productivity
If conventional cutting apparatus are used, then cutting can be performed efficiently, but the edges of baked products become sharp rather than rounded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cutter molds with specific local geometries where different portions of the mold have different functions. The cutting edges provide sharp cuts for efficiency, while rounded portions or shaping surfaces contact the dough to create rounded edges on the final product. This local differentiation of mold characteristics allows simultaneous achievement of cutting efficiency and desired edge shape
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for forming, cutting and stamping a dough sheet into a plurality of uniformly stamped, imprinted dough pieces. The apparatus engages a leading portion of a dough sheet as it travels along a conveyor. The apparatus includes a drum rotatably disposed relative to the conveyor, a plurality of cutter molds disposed on the rotatable drum and a plurality of pattern imprinters formed within internal cavities defined by the plurality of cutter molds. Each of the cutter molds simultaneously cuts a dough piece received in the internal cavity and imprints on the dough piece to form a rounded edge roll. The pattern imprinter preferably has a star configuration for stamping the dough to form Kaiser-type rolls.