Potato Dough Steaming at Low Temperatures for Shape Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing potato dough moldings in industrial settings face challenges in maintaining shape retention and consistency due to high temperatures and water loss, which affect the final product's quality and consumer experience.

Innovation Solution

A method involving steaming potato dough pieces at temperatures below 110 °C in a continuous process, followed by precise temperature and duration control during cooking and cooling, ensures shape retention and consistent texture, allowing for further processing and packaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high temperatures (115-145°C) are used for steaming potato dough, then gelatinization is achieved with sufficient cooking, but water loss increases and shape retention deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteaming temperatureVSAvoidwater loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the steaming temperature parameter from the conventional high range (115-145°C) to a lower range (below 110°C, specifically 95-105°C). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by achieving sufficient gelatinization and cooking at lower temperatures, thereby preventing excessive water loss while maintaining shape retention and product quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic two-stage temperature control process: first steaming at below 110°C to set the shape and prevent water loss, then optionally finishing at higher temperatures if needed. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt temperature conditions to achieve both shape retention and sufficient cooking without excessive water loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If high temperatures (115-145°C) are used for steaming potato dough, then cooking is achieved, but shape retention deteriorates due to drying out and hardening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteaming temperatureVSAvoidshape retention
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the steaming temperature parameter from high (115-145°C) to low (below 110°C, specifically 95-105°C). This lower temperature prevents the dough from drying out and hardening during steaming, thereby maintaining shape retention while still achieving sufficient gelatinization and cooking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary steaming at low temperature (below 110°C) before any high-temperature treatment. This preliminary action sets the shape early in the process and prevents drying out and hardening that would occur with direct high-temperature steaming, thereby preserving shape retention throughout subsequent processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of moving object

If cooking time is extended to ensure thorough cooking, then cooking completeness improves, but water absorption increases and shape stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooking timeVSAvoidshape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter to a lower range (below 110°C, specifically 95-105°C) which accelerates the cooking process at this temperature zone. This allows thorough cooking to be achieved in a shorter time period, preventing excessive water absorption and maintaining shape stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic time-temperature profile: steaming at below 110°C for a controlled duration to achieve sufficient cooking without overcooking. This dynamic control ensures cooking completeness while preventing excessive water absorption and shape degradation that would occur with extended cooking times at higher temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 produces potato dough pieces with the right consistency and shape retention, enabling reliable industrial application and consumer satisfaction without significant taste differences.

Implementation Method 1

Steaming the potato dough balls in a continuous process at temperatures below 110 °C before packaging produces potato dough balls with exactly the right consistency and shape retention

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSteaming: Heating

Implementation Method 2

with the resulting solidification, a water loss was achieved during a subsequent cooling process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP4573924A1Method for producing potato dough moldings
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 BURGIS
  • EP4573924A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4573924A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4573924A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a process for producing potato dough products, potatoes are heated, a dough is formed from them, and the dough is used to produce potato dough products, which are then packaged. The potato dough products are steamed in a continuous process at temperatures below 110 °C before packaging.