Oscillating Batter Shower for Patterned Food Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying coatings to food products, such as chicken pieces, result in uniform coatings that lack the aesthetic appeal and texture of freshly prepared items, leading to a desire for apparatuses and methods that can create a patterned coating with a raised texture.
Innovation Solution
A coating apparatus and method that applies a pattern of batter stripes to food products by conveying them under a batter distribution chamber with oscillating apertures, allowing for a raised, aesthetically pleasing and textured coating, which can include a tempura batter that puffs up for a crispy texture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a uniform coating method is used, then the coating process is simple and efficient, but the external texture lacks aesthetic appeal and freshness
Solution Approach 1:
The coating application is segmented into multiple discrete spray zones along the conveyor path, with each zone applying batter in specific patterns. This allows different sections of the food product to receive different coating patterns, creating visual interest while maintaining efficient continuous processing
Solution Approach 2:
The spray nozzles are activated in periodic cycles as food products move through the coating chamber, creating repeating patterns of coated and uncoated areas. This periodic spraying action generates the desired textured appearance while maintaining high production throughput
2Shape
If a patterned coating is applied to create raised texture, then aesthetic appeal and freshness are improved, but the coating process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray nozzle assembly is made movable, allowing it to oscillate or move laterally across the food product width during coating application. This dynamic positioning enables patterned coating without requiring complex multi-nozzle configurations, simplifying the overall device while achieving textured results
Solution Approach 2:
A movable carriage or oscillating mechanism serves as an intermediary between the stationary spray nozzles and the moving food products. This intermediary component translates simple linear or oscillating motion into the desired patterned coating application, reducing the need for complex coordinated control 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
The method achieves a visually appealing and textured coating on food products, enhancing consumer appeal through a patterned batter application that provides a desirable eating experience.
Implementation Method 1
the batter distribution chamber oscillates in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction in which the at least one food product is being conveyed
Implementation Method 2
The coating layer may be a batter such as a tempura batter that 'puffs up' when fried to provide a crunchy or crispy texture
Data Source
AI summary
A method of coating batter onto food products, including the steps of conveying at least one food product on atop surface of a conveyor toward a battering machine, conveying the at least one food product under a batter distribution chamber of the battering machine, wherein the batter distribution chamber comprises a plurality of spaced apertures extending through a bottom distribution chamber surface through which batter is dispensable, and wherein the batter distribution chamber oscillates in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a direction in which the at least one food product is being conveyed, and dispensing batter from the plurality of spaced apertures onto an outer surface of the at least one food product to provide a pattern of batter stripes on the outer surface.