Multi-Thickness Confection for 3D Play and Taste Variety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing puzzle chocolates lack variety and attraction, as they only allow for one type of play, which involves dividing a predetermined design into pieces along scratched cutting lines and assembling the divided pieces into the original design.
Innovation Solution
A confection with a main body having a plate shape, a character section, and a background section, where the background section includes first and second background portions with different thicknesses, allowing for multiple types of play and variety in taste and presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the chocolate confection uses uniform thickness throughout, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the variety of play and taste experience is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The chocolate confection is divided into multiple sections with different thicknesses: a first background portion with standard thickness, a second background portion with reduced thickness, and a character portion with standard thickness. This segmentation allows different portions to serve different functions - the thinner second background portion is easier to break off, creating variety in how the confection can be played with and eaten
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the chocolate confection have different local properties, specifically different thicknesses. The second background portion has a thickness smaller than the first background portion, creating local variation that enables different eating experiences and play possibilities in different areas of the same confection
2Ease of manufacture
If the chocolate confection has uniform thickness, then manufacturing is simpler, but the confection lacks attraction and variety
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is designed with multiple cavities at different depths corresponding to the different thicknesses required. The first background portion is formed in a first cavity, the second background portion in a second cavity at a different depth, and the character portion in a third cavity. This segmentation allows complex multi-thickness structures to be manufactured in a single molding process
Solution Approach 2:
The mold cavities are pre-configured with different depths to define the different thicknesses of various portions. The scratching portions are also pre-formed in the mold to create easy-breaking lines. This preliminary structuring in the mold eliminates the need for post-manufacturing operations to create the varied thickness structure
3Ease of operation
If all portions have the same thickness, then the confection structure is uniform and simple, but division and separation are difficult and less enjoyable
Solution Approach 1:
The chocolate confection includes scratching portions that create lines extending through the full thickness, dividing the confection into character and background sections. Additionally, the second background portion has reduced thickness that facilitates easier breaking off compared to the thicker first background portion, creating multiple levels of division and separation
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter is varied across different portions of the confection. The second background portion has a thickness smaller than the first background portion, creating a parameter difference that directly affects how easily different portions can be broken off and separated, making the division process more varied and enjoyable
Data Source
AI summary
A confection includes a main body having a plate shape, a character section formed in the main body, and a background section formed in the main body. The background section includes a first background portion having a thickness equal to the thickness of the character section and a second background portion having a thickness different from the thickness of the character section. The plate-shaped confection provided with the character section, by including the first background portion and the second background portion that have plural thicknesses, enables three-dimensional presentation.