Multi-Function Food Processor Combining Mixing and Pasta Extrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home use machines for making pasta lack integrated pasta forming functionality and require separate accessories and manual handling of dough, limiting their versatility and compatibility with other recipes.
Innovation Solution
A food processing device that combines mixing and extruding capabilities with a door assembly allowing seamless transition between functions, a bottom-driven gear assembly for efficient ingredient handling, and an adjustable cutting device for precise extrusion and cutting of food products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stand mixer is used for mixing ingredients, then mixing function is provided, but pasta forming functionality is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a stand mixer and pasta maker into a single integrated device. The mixer bowl assembly includes both mixing capabilities and an integrated pasta forming attachment that can be positioned over the bowl, allowing both functions to coexist in one device without requiring separate appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The stand mixer is designed with universal functionality to perform both mixing and pasta making operations. The mixer bowl assembly can accommodate various attachments including beaters, whisks, and pasta forming attachments, making the device adaptable to multiple culinary tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate pasta-making accessory is purchased, then pasta forming is enabled, but storage space is required and manual handling is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The pasta forming attachment is integrated with the mixer bowl assembly, allowing dough to be formed and extruded automatically without manual transfer. The attachment positions the extrusion die over the mixer bowl, creating a unified system that eliminates the need for separate pasta makers and manual dough handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares dough in the mixer bowl using automated mixing before the pasta forming process begins. Ingredients are pre-combined and kneaded in the bowl, then the pasta attachment automatically extrudes the formed dough, eliminating manual dough preparation and transfer steps.
3Ease of operation
If ingredients are added from above in conventional mixers, then mixing is performed, but adding both wet and dry ingredients is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gear assembly is inverted from the conventional top-driven configuration to a bottom-driven arrangement. The drive shaft extends downward from the base, with gears positioned at the bottom of the mixer bowl assembly. This inversion allows ingredients to be easily added from the top opening while the bottom-driven mechanism provides efficient mixing action.
4Productivity
If a cutting device is used to cut extruded pasta, then pasta is portioned, but blade movement may smear food products
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device uses a reciprocating blade that moves rapidly forward to cut the extruded pasta, then returns quickly to the starting position. This periodic cutting action with fast return stroke minimizes the time the blade contacts the pasta, preventing smearing while maintaining high cutting speed and clean cuts.
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 efficient and versatile pasta making with a single device, allowing for both mixing and extruding of pasta or other food products, improving user experience and producing high-quality, cleanly cut extruded products.
Implementation Method 1
The extruder includes an extrusion housing and an auger positioned with the extrusion housing. The auger is arranged to receive the mixed food items and, while rotating, extrude the mixed food items
Implementation Method 2
The cutting device includes a blade operatively coupled to a biasing member. The blade is arranged to move across the die face to cut the extruded food product in response to the mechanical release of the biasing member
Data Source
AI summary
Food processing devices capable of performing multiple functions, including mixing and extruding pasta or other food products, are described. The food processing devices have a base, a mixing bowl mountable on the base, a mixing assembly, and an extruder. The base has a first motor operably coupled to drive the mixing assembly when the mixing bowl is coupled to the base, a data store arranged to store a plurality of computer-readable signals defining at least a first sequence of food processing instructions, and a controller in electronic communication with the data store. The controller is operable to execute the plurality of computer-readable signals, the execution of which controls the first motor to actuate the mixing assembly for at least a first period of time to produce mixed food items and controls operation of the extruder for at least a second period of time, causing extrusion of the mixed food items.