Segmented Baking Plate Housings for Uniform Heat Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support plates for baking bakery, Viennese pastries, or pastry products face issues such as non-uniform cooking due to intermittent heating, mechanical stress-induced deformations, and the need for complete plate replacement upon damage, which affects cooking quality and longevity.

Innovation Solution

The support plate device features independent solid sheet housings with spaced edges to allow free expansion and convection heating, reducing mechanical stress and enabling uniform cooking, while maintaining a solid, non-perforated surface for aesthetic and qualitative results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If solid sheets are used for baking support, then the product appearance is smooth and aesthetic, but the moisture released under the dough cannot escape and the bottom becomes undercooked or the rest of the product becomes overcooked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth appearanceVSAvoidcooking quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The solid baking sheet is segmented into multiple independent housings with gaps between them, allowing moisture to escape while maintaining a mostly solid surface for aesthetic appearance and proper heat conduction for cooking quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If solid sheets are used for baking support, then the product appearance is smooth and aesthetic, but the upward vertical convection is reduced and the quality of the baked product deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth appearanceVSAvoidbaking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solid baking sheet is divided into separate housings with gaps between them, restoring the upward vertical convection flow paths while maintaining a predominantly solid surface for aesthetic appearance and proper heat distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If solid panels are fixed to the frame, then the structure is stable, but the panels are subjected to significant mechanical stresses and deformations during heating and cooling cycles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpanel durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The single solid panel is segmented into multiple independent housings, each fixed separately to the frame. This segmentation allows each housing to expand and contract independently during thermal cycles, reducing mechanical stress and deformations while maintaining overall structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing mechanism allows for dynamic adjustment during thermal expansion and contraction, accommodating the dimensional changes that occur during heating and cooling cycles without causing damage to the housings or frame

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the plate is damaged, then the plate becomes completely unusable, but complete replacement increases cost and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplate functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The baking plate is segmented into multiple independent housings that can be individually replaced. If one housing is damaged, only that specific housing needs to be replaced rather than the entire plate, reducing replacement costs and improving manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures optimal cooking quality, reduces mechanical stress, and extends the plate's lifespan by allowing individual housing replacement, improving manufacturing efficiency and product appearance.

Implementation Method 1

said gap defining a free passage for an upward flow of convection heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the bottom of the dough is cooked solely by conduction through contact with the baking sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3048891B1Support plate for pastry products
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 MECATHERM SA
  • EP3048891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a support plate device (2) for baking bread, viennoiserie or pastry products, comprising a frame (3) on which a solid support material is secured, shaped in such a way as to provide receptacles (4) for receiving dough pieces (1), said receptacles (4) extending parallel to each other from one edge to the opposite edge of said plate (2), characterised by the fact that each receptacle (4) consists of a metal sheet (5) having an arcuate cross-section and by the fact that the adjacent edges (6) of two contiguous receptacles (4) are spaced apart in such a way as to provide a continuous slot (7) between them.