Mold With Measurement Marks For Integrated Portioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molds do not effectively incorporate measurement markings onto molded materials, requiring separate packaging and measurement tools for accurate portioning of materials like butter.
Innovation Solution
A silicon mold with multiple cavities and interconnected support structures, featuring measurement marking indentations that indicate specific measurements, such as tablespoons or cups, allowing the molded material to have integrated measurement markings upon hardening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional molds are used without measurement markings, then the mold structure remains simple, but separate packaging and measurement tools are required for accurate portioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the measurement marking function with the mold cavity structure by forming measurement marking indentations directly on the cavity surfaces. This merging eliminates the need for separate measurement tools and packaging markings, allowing users to directly measure portions during the molding process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold cavities serve multiple functions: they form the shape of the molded material and simultaneously create embedded measurement markings. The measurement marking indentations are integrated into the cavity structure, enabling the mold to perform both forming and measuring functions in a single device.
2Measurement precision
If measurement markings are added to molds, then accurate portioning is achieved, but the mold structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement marking function is merged with the mold cavity structure by forming measurement marking indentations directly on the cavity surfaces. This integration achieves accurate portioning while avoiding the complexity of separate measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement markings are created by varying the depth of indentations on the cavity surface. Different indentation depths correspond to different measurement values, allowing precise portioning through simple geometric modifications to the cavity structure rather than adding complex mechanisms.
3Productivity
If multiple cavities are included in the mold, then productivity increases, but the structural complexity and support requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into multiple independent cavities, each capable of forming separate portions simultaneously. This segmentation allows parallel production of multiple items, significantly increasing productivity while maintaining relatively simple individual cavity structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cavities with their respective measurement marking indentations are integrated into a single mold body with shared support structures. This merging approach achieves high productivity through parallel processing while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate molds.
4Loss of time
If separate packaging and measurement tools are used, then the mold structure remains simple, but time is lost in additional steps
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement and portioning functions are merged into the mold cavity structure itself. By forming measurement markings directly on the cavities, the patent eliminates the time required for separate measurement and packaging steps, as all measurements are completed during the molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement markings are pre-formed as integral parts of the mold cavity structure before the molding process begins. This preliminary preparation of measurement references allows for immediate and accurate portioning during material filling, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurement steps after molding.
Data Source
AI summary
A mold for forming materials such that the formed materials include measurement markings is disclosed herein. The mold includes multiple cavities, each of which has indentations for forming measurement markings on a material that is formed in the respective cavity. Each of the cavities may be further supported by one or more cavity-to-cavity support structures. The mold may also include a detachable lid for covering the contents of the mold during and after solidification.