Meals preparation machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a growing demand for quick and easy-to-prepare ready meals that require minimal preparation time, but existing solutions are limited to specific types of hydrated foods and lack versatility in meal options and portion sizes.
Innovation Solution
A meals preparation machine that uses meal packages with identifiers to detect and prepare various meals through a package treatment subsystem, mixing, molding, and cooking, allowing for automatic preparation of different meal types and sizes using freeze-dried ingredients, with user input adjustments and remote control capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If microwave heating and boiling-water methods are used for ready meals, then preparation time is reduced, but meal type versatility is limited to specific hydrated foods
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking machine integrates multiple cooking functions (microwave heating, boiling water, steam cooking, and freeze-drying reversal) into a single device, enabling it to prepare diverse meal types including rehydrated foods, cooked dishes, and freeze-dried meals, thereby achieving meal type versatility while maintaining quick preparation
2Ease of operation
If vending machines provide packaged foods, then meal availability is improved, but preparation customization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies the inserted meal package through RFID or barcode scanning, retrieves the corresponding preparation instructions, and executes the cooking process without user intervention, enabling both easy operation and customized preparation specific to each meal type
3Duration of action of stationary object
If freeze-drying process is used for meal packages, then shelf life and portability are improved, but preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooking machine automatically detects freeze-dried meal packages through identifier scanning, retrieves the appropriate preparation protocol, and executes the multi-step cooking process (including potential rehydration and heating phases) without requiring user knowledge or manual steps, thereby maintaining simplicity for the end user
4Measurement precision
If automatic package identification is implemented, then meal preparation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses RFID tags or barcodes as intermediary identifiers attached to meal packages, which are automatically scanned and read by the cooking machine's sensor, enabling accurate meal identification and retrieval of corresponding preparation instructions without complex manual input systems
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
Enables the automatic preparation of diverse meals from freeze-dried ingredients, accommodating different portion sizes and user preferences, enhancing convenience and versatility in meal options while minimizing preparation time.
Implementation Method 1
detect at least one characteristic of the identifier of the received MP, using at least one sensor
Implementation Method 2
mix the freeze-dry food content with the at least one dispensed additional material forming a mixture of the meal
Implementation Method 3
cook the mixture by heating thereof
Implementation Method 4
molding the mixture into at least one cooking mold
Implementation Method 5
Freeze drying of edible produce, also known as cryodesiccation or lyophilization, is a process of dehydration of food ingredients under low-temperature and low-pressure conditions
Implementation Method 6
dehydrating (drying) the food by heating the dry and frozen food at low pressure (few millibars) such as to enable chemical sublimation of the ice crystals in the food
Data Source
AI summary
A meals preparation machine and a method for preparing meals, using a meals preparation machine, configured to: receive a meal package (MP) into the meals preparation machine, the MP having an identifier thereover; detect one or more characteristics of the identifier of the received MP, using at least one sensor, outputting sensor data indicative of the detected one or more characteristics; identity a meal preparation code of the respective MP, based on the sensor data; retrieve a meal preparation plan that is associated with the identified meal preparation code of the respective MP; and control preparation of a meal of the respective MP, based on the retrieved meal preparation plan.