Roaster Bowl Agitator Blade Relief Angle Prevents Sugar Buildup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roasting and glazing equipment for nuts is either cumbersome or unsafe to operate, particularly when emptying the roaster bowl or handling steam during the glazing process, and results in significant waste due to sugar balls and inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A roasting and glazing apparatus with a roaster bowl and agitator that includes a central hub with L-shaped blades for mixing nuts and sugar, a cantilever arm for safe bowl movement, and a cover with metering holes to control steam release, minimizing waste and improving safety and cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a heavy cooking bowl is used for roasting and glazing nuts, then the bowl can withstand high temperatures and mechanical stress, but it becomes difficult and unsafe to empty and handle
Solution Approach 1:
The bowl is divided into two parts: a heavy heat-resistant base bowl for cooking and a lighter removable insert bowl that holds the nuts during roasting and glazing. The insert bowl can be easily removed and emptied, while the base bowl remains in the device. This segmentation allows the heavy-duty base to withstand thermal stress while the lighter insert facilitates safe and easy operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If water is added to the hot bowl during glazing to create steam for coating nuts, then the nuts achieve a glossy finish, but the steam burst may burn the operator
Solution Approach 1:
A steam vent mechanism serves as an intermediary between the water addition point and the operator. When water is added to the hot bowl, the steam is channeled through a controlled vent path that directs it away from the operator's hands and face. This allows the necessary steam burst for glazing to occur while protecting the operator from burns.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bowl is heated to melt and dissolve sugar for cleaning, then the sugar residues are effectively removed, but the hot sugar water must be carefully poured out to avoid spills
Solution Approach 1:
The insert bowl is extracted or removed from the base bowl after the heating and dissolving process. Since the insert bowl contains the sugar water and is already separated from the heating element, it can be safely tilted and emptied into a sink without the risk of the entire assembly being too hot to handle. This extraction enables effective cleaning while ensuring safe disposal of hot sugar water.
4Ease of manufacture
If sugar water is heated during cleaning, then dissolved sugar can be removed, but substantial steam escapes and coats surrounding surfaces with sugar
Solution Approach 1:
The steam vent mechanism that protects during glazing also serves during cleaning. When sugar water is heated in the insert bowl, the steam is directed through the vent path away from surrounding surfaces. This prevents sugar-laden steam from coating shelves and items in the vicinity while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
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 apparatus enables safe and efficient operation, reduces waste by preventing sugar balls, and minimizes steam-related hazards and sugar dispersion, ensuring high-quality roasted and glazed nuts with reduced cleanup efforts.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that is controlled to selectively heat the roaster bowl during the roasting or glazing operation
Implementation Method 2
The agitator includes at least two blades designed to mix the mixture of nuts and sugar during a roasting or glazing operation
Data Source
AI summary
A roasting and glazing apparatus comprising a roaster housing, a roaster bowl disposed within the roaster housing for receiving a mixture of nuts and sugar, an agitator rotatably mounted within the roaster bowl for mixing the mixture, and a heater controlled to selectively heat the roaster bowl. The agitator includes at least two blades for mixing the nut/sugar mixture during a roasting or glazing operation. The agitator also includes a central hub and each of the blades extends from the central hub and includes a respective substantially vertical component and a respective horizontal component. Each horizontal component has a bottom surface that is disposed adjacent to the floor of the roaster bowl, and the bottom surface extends upward from its front edge to its rear edge at a relief angle of at least 5° relative to the roaster bowl floor. The agitator with such structure is able to prevent/minimize build-up of sugar from the underside of its blades, which in turn prevents blade seizure during operation, among providing other benefits. Each blade may also beneficially have a top surface that extends from the front edge to the rear edge at substantially a 30° angle relative to the roaster bowl floor to provide enhanced mixing and other benefits.