Frozen Confectionery Cutting Tool for Peelable Gel Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing frozen confectionery products with peelable gel coatings offer limited design variations beyond simple longitudinal cutting lines, failing to provide a novel and engaging consumer experience.
Innovation Solution
A cutting or embossing tool with multiple elements, each having a void matching the product's contour, equipped with knives or embossers that can create complex patterns and designs without rotating the product, allowing for various cutting line orientations and shapes, including spirals and grids, to enhance the peeling and decorative aspects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If longitudinal cutting lines are used to create peelable gel flaps, then the gel layer can be peeled off easily, but the product design is limited to simple peeling effects only
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool is divided into multiple elements (at least two) that can be arranged in different configurations. Each element contains voids with specific inner contours that correspond to product shapes, allowing segmentation of the cutting action into multiple directional components that work together to create complex patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from simple longitudinal cutting lines to multi-dimensional cutting patterns by arranging knife edges at different orientations and positions within the tool elements. This enables creation of spiral, grid, and other complex two-dimensional patterns on the product surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex cutting patterns are attempted to create novel product concepts, then design variety increases, but the implementation fails due to lack of appropriate tooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool elements are pre-configured with voids having inner contours that match specific product shapes and with knife edges positioned to create desired cutting patterns. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex manufacturing processes or adjustments during production.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool elements replicate the product's outer contour through their void inner contours, allowing the cutting action to follow the product shape precisely. This copying approach enables consistent pattern creation across different product variants without redesigning the entire tooling system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the product is rotated during cutting to create different patterns, then cutting line orientations can be varied, but complex driving mechanisms and control systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the product during cutting, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the product stationary and using multiple tool elements with pre-configured knife edges at different orientations. The cutting patterns are achieved through the tool's geometry rather than product movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting tool elements are designed to self-align with the product shape through their void contours, and the knife edges automatically position themselves to create the desired cutting patterns without requiring external rotation mechanisms or complex control systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting or embossing tool for frozen confectionery products comprising at least two elements, each element comprising a void with an inner contour corresponding to the outer contour of the product to be cut or embossed. At least one of the elements comprises at least one knife or embosser with a blade or an embossing surface extending along the inner contour of the void. The tool can be used to cut lines or a line pattern shape into the surface of a frozen confectionery product, in particular in coating.