Integrated Dough Rolling and Cutting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough processing machines are bulky, costly, and require significant manual effort, especially in producing complex pastries like Baumstriezeln, where multiple manual steps are necessary, making the process complex and cost-intensive.

Innovation Solution

A compact dough processing device with integrated cutting and rolling functions, featuring multiple pairs of rollers with increasing conveying speed to maintain dough width and reduce thickness, and cutting elements on a roller to automate the cutting process, minimizing manual labor and space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional separate side-by-side devices are used for various processing steps, then processing functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and floor space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple processing functions (rolling out, cutting, stacking) into a single integrated device. The rolling device includes both rolling elements for sheeting out dough and cutting elements for cutting it, eliminating the need for separate side-by-side devices and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive processing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rolling device serves multiple functions: it rolls out the dough to form sheets, cuts the sheets into portions, and facilitates stacking. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized devices, reducing floor space requirements and simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional separate side-by-side devices are used for various processing steps, then processing functionality is comprehensive, but floor space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing functionalityVSAvoidfloor space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple processing functions (rolling out, cutting, stacking) into a single integrated device. The rolling device includes both rolling elements for sheeting out dough and cutting elements for cutting it, eliminating the need for separate side-by-side devices and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive processing capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes vertical stacking arrangement where the dough is processed in layers. The stack of dough sheets is built vertically rather than requiring horizontal expansion, reducing floor space requirements while maintaining processing functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If rollers with constant conveying speed are used, then dough thickness reduction is achieved, but dough width expansion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedough thicknessVSAvoiddough width
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs rollers with different conveying speeds arranged in sequence. Each subsequent roller rotates faster than the previous one, creating a dynamic speed gradient that progressively reduces dough thickness while the increasing speed prevents lateral expansion, maintaining dough width consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual processing steps are used for complex pastries, then flexibility in processing is maintained, but labor effort and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The device automates the processing of complex pastries like Baumstriezeln through its integrated rolling and cutting mechanisms. The dough is automatically rolled out to precise thickness and cut into required shapes, eliminating manual labor while maintaining the flexibility to produce various pastry types through adjustable cutting patterns and rolling parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The device enables efficient, automated processing of dough with reduced manual effort and space requirements, ensuring consistent dough width and thickness reduction, and preventing dough expansion, thus simplifying the production of pastries like Baumstriezeln.

Implementation Method 1

The rolling device has at least two pairs of rolling rollers, which the dough runs through one after the other during processing and which promote the dough in a conveying direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The cutting device has a plurality of cutting elements which are arranged at a distance from one another in such a way that the dough is cut into strips as the dough is conveyed by the sheeting device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3417711B1Dough processing device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 KOPLAR RICHARD
  • EP3417711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3417711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3417711B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dough processing device is provided. The dough processing device comprises a rolling unit (10) for rolling out dough that can be fed to the rolling unit (10). The dough processing device (100) further comprises a cutting unit (20) for cutting the dough, the cutting unit (20) being integrated into the rolling unit (10). The cutting unit (20) has several cutting elements (21) that are spaced apart from one another such that, when the dough is conveyed through the dough processing device (100), it is cut into strips substantially parallel to the conveying direction.