Multi-layered Sponge Cake Infrared Pre-baking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods cannot continuously produce sponge cakes with multiple layers of different colors, flavors, and aromas from a single base dough without mixing components, limiting production efficiency and quality.

Innovation Solution

A continuous method involving distributing a base sponge cake dough into multiple portions, adding specific additives to create distinct layers, treating each layer with mid-wave infrared radiation, and baking in a convection oven, allowing for independent control of each layer's characteristics and preventing layer mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to produce multi-layered sponge cakes, then different layers can be obtained, but continuous production is not achieved and components may mix

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous production capabilityVSAvoidlayer separation integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by treating each dough layer with infrared radiation immediately after deposition to create a pre-baked surface. This pre-treatment establishes a stable boundary before the next layer is added, preventing mixing during continuous production while maintaining the ability to produce multiple layers continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The infrared radiation treatment acts as an intermediary mechanism between layer deposition and final baking. By introducing this intermediate step, the system enables continuous production while ensuring layer separation integrity through the creation of a stabilized surface that prevents component mixing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple additives are mixed into the base dough, then different flavors and colors can be achieved, but layer differentiation is lost due to mixing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayer flavor and color varietyVSAvoidlayer composition distinctness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the base dough into separate portions and treating each portion independently with specific additives. Each layer receives its own colorant and/or flavoring in separate mixing operations, ensuring that the composition of each layer remains distinct and identifiable while still achieving variety across layers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by adding specific additives (colorants and/or flavorings) to specific portions of the base dough based on the desired characteristics of each individual layer. This allows different regions (layers) to have different properties (flavor, color) while maintaining clear boundaries between them through the sequential deposition and infrared treatment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If infrared radiation is applied to all layers, then surface treatment is achieved, but the last layer cannot be properly baked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface consistency of layersVSAvoidbaking process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by treating only the first n-1 layers with infrared radiation, while the final layer is deposited and then the entire multi-layer structure undergoes conventional baking. This partial infrared treatment provides sufficient surface consistency for the treated layers without interfering with the final baking process, simplifying the overall manufacturing procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enables the production of multi-layered sponge cakes with enhanced sponginess and distinct flavor/color profiles, maintaining quality and allowing for large-scale production without compromising organoleptic or dimensional characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

treating each layer with mid-wave infrared radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

baking the multi-layered sponge cake in a convection oven at a temperature between 200 and 250 °C during a period between 8 and 22 minutes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3498099B1Method and facility for producing multi-layered sponge cake, as well as the sponge cake obtained
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 DULCESA S L U
  • EP3498099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3498099B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP3498099B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for continuously producing a multi-layered sponge cake that comprises preparing at least two doughs of different compositions from the same base dough, dispensing one of the layers of dough and, prior to dispensing the subsequent layer, treating the surface of the previously deposited layer with infrared radiation. Additionally, the present invention also relates to the multi-layered sponge cake obtained by the method described and the facility used for carrying out said method.