Removable-Cup Mold with Gripping Zone for Stable Unmolding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-cup molds for baking pastries are difficult to unmold and lack stability, especially when hot, leading to splattering and uneven cooking due to lack of gripping zones and instability.
Innovation Solution
A mold design with removable containers featuring a gripping zone and stability zone, allowing easy handling and even cooking through air circulation, with containers raised above the support surface to avoid direct heat contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cups are incorporated into the holder as a single mold, then multiple cakes can be made simultaneously, but unmolding becomes difficult and cups cannot be handled separately
Solution Approach 1:
The mold is divided into separate components: individual removable cups and a holder tray. Each cup can be independently removed from the tray, allowing separate handling during unmolding while maintaining the ability to produce multiple cakes simultaneously. The cup includes a gripping zone that enables individual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup is extracted as a separate removable component from the holder tray. The cup can be individually taken out for unmolding operations, while the holder retains multiple cups for simultaneous baking. This separation resolves the unmolding difficulty while preserving productivity.
2Ease of operation
If cups are made removable from the tray, then handling becomes easier, but cup stability is compromised especially when hot
Solution Approach 1:
The cup is designed with differentiated zones: an upper gripping zone for easy handling and a lower stability zone that provides structural support and stability. The gripping zone has specific dimensional characteristics (height h1 between 25-45% of total height h) that enable easy grasping while the lower portion maintains stability during handling and unmolding.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cup design lacks a gripping zone, then manufacturing is simpler, but finger burns occur and handling is difficult when the mold is hot
Solution Approach 1:
The cup incorporates an upper gripping zone with specific dimensional characteristics (height h1 representing 25-45% of total height h) that provides a safe area for finger placement during hot handling. This localized feature addresses the hot handling problem while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity through the defined geometric parameters.
4Area of stationary object
If the cup is positioned close to the tray during insertion, then space is saved, but fingers get in the way causing the cup to be dropped and splattering
Solution Approach 1:
The cup's upper gripping zone is positioned at a height (h1 between 25-45% of total height h) that provides adequate space for finger insertion during cup placement. This dimensional design ensures fingers can comfortably grasp and position the cup without obstruction, preventing accidental drops and splattering while maintaining efficient tray space utilization.
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 easy handling of individual cups, prevents splattering, ensures even cooking, and maintains stability during handling and baking, facilitating diverse baking options.
Implementation Method 1
a lower stability zone that is able to pass through the opening and has a height h2
Implementation Method 2
allows the hot air in the oven to move evenly around the cup and thus allows the food or the dish to cook more evenly
Data Source
AI summary
A mold for preparation of food includes a stand having a receiving structure, enhancers, and at least one through-opening having an edge, and at least one removable container of height h configured for introducing into the opening. The container includes a bottom wall and a side wall extending from the bottom wall, the side wall and the bottom wall forming a cavity for holding food. The side wall of each container has an upper gripping zone that is unable to pass through the opening. The mold also includes; an annular line of cooperation where the container cooperates with the edge of the opening to support the container on the edge, and a lower stability zone that is able to pass through the opening.