Rotating Press Stamp for Dough Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for pressing dough parts, such as croissant tips, often result in damage or separation during the baking process, as they either leave marks or smear dough on conveyor belts, and fail to maintain the desired shape effectively.
Innovation Solution
A device with a movable roller that synchronizes its speed with the conveyor and features a curved contact surface, along with adjustable gap settings and multiple press stamps, ensures gentle and consistent pressing of dough parts without damaging them, while maintaining the desired shape and adhesion during the baking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a shaft is used to pinch dough parts, then the dough parts can be pressed together, but the dough parts may be damaged or smeared over the conveyor band
Solution Approach 1:
The press stamp is given a curved contact surface that matches the curvature of the dough part (e.g., croissant tip). This curved surface distributes the pressing force evenly across the dough surface, preventing localized damage and smearing while maintaining the desired shape during pressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The press stamp is made rotatable about a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation relative to the moving dough part. The rotation speed is synchronized with the conveyor speed, creating a rolling contact that reduces friction and prevents smearing while maintaining effective pressing force.
2Force
If the press stamp moves towards the conveyor surface, then effective pressing is achieved, but the dough piece may be cut
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contact surface of the press stamp ensures that the pressing force is applied in an arc rather than a straight line. This curvature naturally limits the depth of penetration, preventing the stamp from reaching and cutting the conveyor surface while maintaining effective pressing on the dough.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the press stamp and conveyor surface is controlled as a variable parameter. By adjusting the rotation speed of the press stamp and its radial position, the pressing depth is optimized to achieve adhesion without cutting, adapting to different dough types and conveyor configurations.
3Device complexity
If the press stamp is stationary, then the structure is simple, but smearing occurs due to relative movement between dough and press stamp
Solution Approach 1:
The press stamp is transformed from a stationary component to a rotatable one. This dynamic element rotates in synchronization with the conveyor, matching the speed of the dough part. The rolling motion eliminates sliding friction that causes smearing, while the rotational mechanism remains relatively simple to implement.
Solution Approach 2:
The press stamp utilizes the motion of the conveyor and dough part to generate its own pressing action. By rotating at the same speed as the conveyor, the press stamp naturally maintains the correct relative position and speed without requiring complex control systems, achieving self-synchronization.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If manual pressing is used, then dough damage is minimized, but productivity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The automated rotatable press stamp replicates the gentle rolling action of manual pressing while operating at high speeds. The rotation mechanism allows continuous processing of multiple dough parts without the fatigue and speed limitations of manual operation, maintaining low damage while increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the inherent motion of the conveyor belt to drive the pressing operation. The press stamp rotates automatically as it contacts the moving dough, eliminating the need for separate actuators or complex control systems. This self-actuating mechanism enables high-speed automated processing with the gentleness of manual operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 2e~2f
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and device for pressing at least one dough part, such as a croissant, comprising a conveyor, for conveying dough parts in a direction of movement; at least one press stamp, arranged movable with at least a component in a direction towards a surface of the conveyor for pressing the dough part and wherein the press stamp is further arranged movable with at least a component in the direction of movement of the dough part.