Segmented Pizza Crust with Turned Dough Tabs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pizza crust designs lack visually appealing and tasty variations, particularly in segmented forms that can be easily consumed by being divided into distinct dough segments.

Innovation Solution

A pizza crust design featuring a central portion with a border portion divided into multiple dough segments, each turned relative to the perimeter, allowing for a segmented and radially projecting crust that can be easily pulled off, along with a pizza making system including a cutting wall, cutter, and press to facilitate the segmentation and orientation of the dough segments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the crust is made as a continuous border, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the visual appeal and ease of consumption are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegmented crust shapeVSAvoidcrust continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The crust border is divided into multiple discrete dough segments that are turned outward at angles (e.g., 45, 90, or 180 degrees) relative to the pizza center. This segmentation creates a visually appealing, non-traditional crust shape while maintaining structural integrity through the dough tabs that connect each segment to the central portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the crust is segmented into multiple pieces, then the ease of consumption is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of consumptionVSAvoidsegmentation device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dough segments are pre-formed and pre-positioned on the pizza dough during the dough preparation stage, before baking. The segments are attached to the central portion via dough tabs that are created during dough formation, eliminating the need for post-baking assembly or complex segmentation devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dough segments are designed to be self-attached to the central portion through the dough tab connection system. The segments automatically maintain their position through the mechanical connection of the tabs, eliminating the need for external fastening mechanisms or complex assembly equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Shape

If the dough segments are turned at various angles, then the visual appeal is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegment orientationVSAvoidsegment positioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each dough segment can be turned at a different angle (e.g., 45, 90, or 180 degrees) relative to the pizza center, allowing for varied visual patterns around the crust. The dough tabs are positioned to accommodate these different orientations, with each tab connected to its corresponding segment at the appropriate angle to maintain structural integrity while achieving the desired visual effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7914836B2Pizza with segmented crust

Publication Date: 2011.03.29 PIZZA HUT LLC

AI summary

A pizza includes a dough member and at least one topping disposed on the dough member. The dough member defines a substantially flattened shape and includes a central portion and a border portion. The central portion defines a perimeter. The border portion extends about the perimeter of the central portion. The border portion of the dough member is divided into a plurality of dough segments, each dough segment being turned relative to the perimeter of the central portion.