Edible Ink Printer Platform Kit for Larger Food Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Edible ink printers are limited in their ability to print on a wide variety of sizes and shapes of food items due to the placement of protruding pegs and cut-out slots in the rotating carousel platter, restricting the dimensions of food items that can be consistently aligned and printed.
Innovation Solution
A platform kit comprising cylindrical feet extensions, carousel alignment coupling pegs, improved tongues, and a multi-pronged carousel height extender, which together raise the main structure and reposition the carousel platter to accommodate larger and thicker food items, allowing for more versatile printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a rotating carousel platter with protruding positioning pegs and cut-out slots is used, then automated printing operation is improved, but the variety of food item sizes and shapes that can be printed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the printing system into two independent modes: an automated rotating carousel mode for standard-sized items and a manual feed mode for custom-sized items. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific purpose without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between automation and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The printing device is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both automated carousel operation and manual feed operation. The system can switch between these two modes depending on the printing requirements, enabling it to handle both standardized and custom-sized food items effectively.
2Manufacturing precision
If the carousel platter is designed with fixed positioning pegs and cut-out slots, then consistent alignment of food items is achieved, but the maximum dimensions of printable food items are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its alignment mechanism based on the food item size. For standard items, the fixed positioning pegs provide consistent alignment. For larger items, the system switches to manual feed mode where the alignment is adjusted manually, allowing the system to maintain precision across different size ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the alignment parameters (positioning method, peg location, slot configuration) depending on the food item dimensions. This allows the system to optimize alignment for each specific item size, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while expanding the range of printable dimensions.
3Productivity
If the printer structure is designed for standard food item sizes, then the printing mechanism can operate efficiently, but it cannot accommodate larger and thicker food products
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the operational capacity into two categories: efficient automated printing for standard-sized items and flexible manual printing for larger items. This segmentation preserves the efficiency of the automated mechanism for its optimal size range while enabling the system to handle larger products through manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual feed mechanism acts as an intermediary solution that bridges the gap between the automated printing system's size limitations and the need to print larger food products. It allows larger items to be printed by manually positioning them under the print head, thereby expanding the system's versatility without compromising automated efficiency for standard items.
Data Source
AI summary
A set of accessories for improving an edible ink printer having a first embodiment and second embodiment. Included within the first embodiment is a first implementation being a plurality, preferably four (4) cylindrical feet (including extensions), each cylindrical foot dimensioned to be positioned underneath an edible printer (or over the existing feet of an edible printer). A second implementation is a carousel connecting peg to interpose additional space between an edible ink printer and a rotating carousel platter of said edible ink printer. A third implementation is an improved tongue. A fourth implementation is a corresponding tongue extension for receiving the tongue. A fifth implementation is a multi-pronged carousel height extender.