Machine for cooking a dose of pasta in a container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for cooking pasta in containers are unable to achieve the short cooking times required by the quick-service food field while preserving the organoleptic qualities of the pasta.
Innovation Solution
A machine comprising a frame with an upper and lower structure, a dispenser that delivers steam and hot water separately or simultaneously, and a reference element to position the container under the dispenser, optimizing cooking times and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If steam is introduced into a container containing pasta using conventional machines, then the pasta can be cooked, but the cooking time is too long and the organoleptic qualities are not preserved
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking system is segmented into multiple independent openings: a first opening for steam delivery and a second opening for hot water delivery. This segmentation allows simultaneous or sequential application of different cooking methods (steam cooking and hot water injection) to achieve rapid cooking while maintaining pasta quality through controlled heat distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges steam cooking with hot water injection into a single integrated dispenser system. The dispenser combines multiple openings that can deliver both steam and hot water simultaneously or sequentially, creating a hybrid cooking approach that accelerates cooking time while preserving pasta organoleptic qualities through the synergistic effect of both methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If steam and hot water are delivered without a reference element, then the device is simpler, but the distribution is non-uniform and cooking is heterogeneous
Solution Approach 1:
The reference element is designed to be a simple, passive component that automatically guides the container into the correct position under the dispenser. It requires no active control mechanisms, motors, or sensors - the container's own weight and geometry work with the reference element's geometry to achieve precise positioning, ensuring uniform steam and hot water distribution without adding complex active systems.
3Ease of operation
If the container is not properly positioned relative to the dispenser, then the device is easier to operate, but the steam and hot water distribution is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The reference element creates a self-aligning system where the container automatically positions itself correctly under the dispenser through its interaction with the reference element's geometric features. The container's weight and the reference element's shape work together to guide the container into the precise cooking position without requiring manual adjustment or complex positioning mechanisms, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring positioning accuracy.
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 machine enables rapid and uniform cooking of pasta by ensuring homogeneous distribution of steam and hot water, thus meeting the quick-service food field's time constraints while maintaining pasta quality.
Implementation Method 1
a dispenser, which comprises at least a first opening for delivering steam
Implementation Method 2
machines to cook a dose of pasta comprise a steam generator and a nozzle to feed steam into a container containing the dose of pasta
Implementation Method 3
at least a second opening for delivering hot water
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for cooking a dose of pasta in a container has: a frame comprising an upper structure and a lower structure facing the upper structure; a dispenser, which comprises at least a first opening for delivering steam and at least a second opening for delivering hot water, is supported by the upper structure, and extends from the upper structure towards the lower structure in the space between the upper structure and the lower structure along a longitudinal axis; a reference element, which is supported by the lower structure and is configured to place the container with the top opening in correspondence of the dispenser.