Retractable Dough Divider for Flexible Bread Molding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bread dough processing apparatuses lack flexibility and efficiency in handling both roll and loaf production from the same dough type, as they require separate workspaces and equipment, and struggle with dough relaxation time during division, impacting production rate and space utilization.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional apparatus with sheeting rollers, retractable dough dividers, and a prover system that allows for optional dough division and proving, featuring a curling mat with a raised section to prevent unsatisfactory curling, enabling the same apparatus to produce rolls or loaves from a standard dough weight, with adjustable conveyor circuits for sufficient proving time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the dough is allowed to prove in the prover to relax after division, then the dough quality improves, but the production rate decreases or the space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dough divider is made retractable, allowing the system to dynamically switch between two operational modes: (1) with the divider engaged, dough is divided and sent to the prover for quality improvement; (2) with the divider retracted, dough bypasses the prover for faster production. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by making the proving step optional rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions through a single integrated system that can operate in different modes. The same apparatus can produce both divided dough (sent to prover) and undivided dough (bypassing prover), providing versatility in handling different product requirements from the same dough type.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate equipment is used for roll production and loaf production, then each product type can be optimized, but the device complexity and space required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is designed as a universal system that can handle both roll and loaf production from the same dough type. The retractable dough divider enables the system to switch between producing divided dough (for rolls) and undivided dough (for loaves), eliminating the need for separate equipment while maintaining product optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dynamically configurable dough divider that can be retracted or engaged based on the desired product type. This dynamic adjustment allows a single apparatus to adapt its function for different products, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining specialized capabilities for both rolls and loaves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same apparatus is used to produce different products from the same dough type, then flexibility improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dough division function is segmented into a separate, retractable component rather than being integrated into the main apparatus structure. This segmentation allows the divider to be independently controlled and retracted, providing flexibility for different products while keeping the base apparatus relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable dough divider provides dynamic reconfigurability to the apparatus. By allowing the divider to be retracted or engaged as needed, the system gains adaptability for producing different products without requiring complex permanent structures for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for molding and proving dough, including a pair of sheet rollers for providing a dough strip to a dough molder, a means for engaging and disengaging a retractable dough divider, the retractable dough divider when engaged separates the dough into dough portions as its exits the dough molder and a prover for recovering the dough portions. Also disclosed is a dough molder for a strip of dough including a conveyor having a first run spaced below a curling mat to curl the dough strip; the curling mat resting on at least the first run of the conveyor, the curling mat having a raised section which does not contact the first run.