Miniature Food Replica Kit With UV Resin for 3D Curing Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DIY toys and collectibles lack the ability to create sophisticated models that incorporate both cured and non-cured elements, and current resin-based systems are limited by flat mold designs and safety risks associated with heat curing.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising a base object, resin container, and ingredient objects that utilize ultraviolet light-curable resin to adhere to the base and embed ingredients, allowing for the creation of complex models with UV light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat cured resin is used, then the resin can be cured effectively, but safety risks are introduced due to required heating devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal curing system (heating devices and heat transfer) with a photochemical curing system. UV light sources and photoinitiators enable resin curing through light absorption and chemical reaction, eliminating the need for heated ovens and associated safety hazards while achieving complete and effective curing of the resin matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the curing parameter from temperature-based (heat cured) to light-based (UV cured). This parameter transformation allows the resin to cure at ambient temperatures through UV light exposure, removing the safety risks of heating devices while maintaining effective curing through photopolymerization chemistry.
2Ease of manufacture
If flat mold designs are used, then resin exposure to curing catalyst is enabled, but design versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and three-dimensional mold surfaces instead of flat designs. The molds feature complex geometries including domes, arches, and organic shapes that enable sophisticated food item replicas while still allowing UV light penetration for effective curing through the translucent resin material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional flat mold surfaces to three-dimensional complex geometries. The molds incorporate depth, volume, and multi-level structures that replicate realistic food items, while UV light curing enables complete penetration and curing throughout the three-dimensional resin forms.
3Ease of manufacture
If resins are designed to separate from molds, then mold release is achieved, but composite construction capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mold into multiple separable components or layers that can be assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the mold to release from the cured resin while enabling the construction of complex composite structures through multi-piece mold assemblies that can create intricate geometries and embedded elements.
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 the construction of detailed miniature replicas of food and beverage items by adhering resin to base objects and embedding ingredients, providing safety and versatility in design.
Implementation Method 1
the resin is configured to solidify when exposed to ultraviolet light to thereby affix the resin to the first and the second base object and to affix the one or more ingredient objects at least partially within the resin
Data Source
AI summary
A miniature replica kit of a food serving includes a shipping container separable into two portions and when the two portions are closed together define an interior volume. The shipping container is configured to contain a plurality of miniature replica items during shipping within the interior volume of the shipping container. The plurality of miniature replica items are associated with the food serving. The plurality of miniature replica items includes at least one non-curable element and at least one curable element. The plurality of miniature replica items include: at least one miniature replica serving container; at least one miniature replica food item configured to be placed on or within the at least one miniature serving container; at least one miniature replica ingredient item; and a curable resin contained within a resin container.