Edible Image Printing on Flowable Substrates with Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The quality of edible images printed on flowable-matter substrates, such as coffee or beer, is compromised by internal and external vibrations during the printing process, which existing systems fail to effectively mitigate.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tray, a printing assembly, an axis mechanism, a support member, and vibration dampers, including a base, compressible bumpers made of thermoplastic polyurethane, and a silicon pad, is used to suppress vibrations between the printing assembly, axis mechanism, and the flowable-matter substrate, ensuring stable image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If vibration dampers are added to suppress vibrations during printing, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by installing vibration dampers (compressible bumpers made of elastomeric material) between the tray/axis mechanism and the printing assembly before the printing operation begins. These dampers are pre-positioned to absorb and attenuate vibrations during the printing process, thereby improving image quality without requiring complex active vibration control systems. The dampers are integrated into the mechanical structure, providing passive vibration suppression that resolves the contradiction between image quality and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the axis mechanism moves the tray precisely for printing, then printing accuracy improves, but vibrations are generated that reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing vibration dampers as a mediating element between the axis mechanism (which provides precise positioning) and the printing assembly. The dampers act as an intermediary that transmits the necessary mechanical motion for precise printing while simultaneously filtering out harmful vibrations. This allows the system to maintain printing accuracy from the axis mechanism while preventing vibration-induced image quality degradation, effectively resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and manufacturing precision.
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 system significantly improves the quality of edible images by effectively damping vibrations, preventing image distortion and spillage, thereby enhancing the printing process on flowable substrates like beer and foam.
Implementation Method 1
compressible bumpers (CB), which are coupled to a bracket of the axis mechanism and are configured to suppress vibrations applied to the sample through the axis mechanism. In yet other embodiments, the compressible bumper includes thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In an embodiment, the TPU has a hardness between shore 40 and shore 70.
Implementation Method 2
In other embodiments, the one or more vibration dampers include a pad, which is positioned on the tray and is configured to suppress vibrations between the axis mechanism and the sample. In some embodiments, the pad includes silicon having a hardness between shore 60 and shore 85.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (11) includes: (a) a tray (44), for placing thereon a sample including a first flowable-matter substrate (FMS) (69), (b) a printing assembly (22), to print image, made from edible substance, on a second FMS layer (68) formed on first FMS (69), (c) an axis mechanism (10), to mechanically support tray (44) and control a distance (41) between the sample and printing assembly (22) by moving tray (44) with the sample along an axis, (d) a support member (55, 56), coupled to the printing assembly (22) to mechanically support the printing assembly (22), and (e) vibration dampers (37, 45, 111), placed between (i) the printing assembly (22) and (11) at least one of the axis mechanism (10), tray (44) and the sample, and configured to suppress vibrations between (i) at least one of the printing assembly (22), the axis mechanism (10) and the tray (44), and (ii) the sample.