Modular Food Shaping Tool for Taco-Form Patty Cooking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for shaping food items, such as patties, into taco shapes are inefficient and lack effective tools for aligning and transforming the food items during cooking.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a basket, a tool, and an insert that work together to change the shape of a food item from a first shape to a second shape, where the insert slidingly engages with the tool and includes wedges to press the food item into troughs on the basket, forming the desired taco shape during cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual shaping methods are used, then flexibility in handling food items is maintained, but shaping efficiency and consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shaping tool is divided into separate components: a basket with troughs for shaping, a tool with receptacles for holding food items, and an insert with wedges for applying pressure. These segments can be assembled and disassembled independently, improving shaping efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The basket serves multiple functions: it holds the food items during cooking, provides troughs for shaping, and works with both the tool and insert components. This multi-functionality improves productivity by eliminating the need for separate shaping and cooking devices
2Manufacturing precision
If simple shaping tools are used, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision and shaping consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the tool and the food item. It includes alignment features that guide the food item into proper position within the troughs, ensuring consistent shaping without requiring complex alignment mechanisms in the main tool structure
Solution Approach 2:
Complex mechanical alignment systems are replaced with simple geometric alignment features built into the insert and basket components. The shaping consistency is achieved through the inherent geometry of the troughs and wedges rather than through complex adjustable mechanical systems
3Loss of time
If food items are shaped during cooking, then time efficiency is improved, but control over shaping process deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The food items are positioned in the receptacles and the tool is assembled with the basket and insert before cooking begins. This preliminary setup ensures proper alignment and positioning, maintaining ease of operation while enabling shaping to occur during the cooking process, thus saving time
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to maintain proper alignment and applying pressure automatically during cooking through the weight and positioning of the insert with wedges. This self-aligning and self-adjusting mechanism provides shaping control without requiring continuous manual intervention, improving time efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for shaping food items are provided. The systems and methods can shape the food items into taco shapes. A system can include a basket, a tool, and an insert. The basket includes troughs and a handle. The tool includes guides that receive patties made of, for example, potatoes, meat, and/or other food items. The insert includes wedges sized and shaped to fit through the guides and into the troughs of the basket. The tool is assembled with the basket in use, and frozen patties are placed in the guides. The insert is assembled with the tool such that the wedges contact the patties. The assembly is placed in hot oil to cook the patties. As the patties cook and soften, the insert moves downward relative to the tool and basket, and the wedges urge the patties into the troughs and into a taco shape.