Synthetic Rib Rolling Mat for Hygienic Sushi Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rolling mats made of bamboo and cotton threads are difficult to clean, prone to mold and bacteria growth, and require frequent sterilization, which can impair durability, and they lack the ability to provide the right amount of force for shaping sushi, leading to issues like over- or under-compact rice.
Innovation Solution
A rolling mat with rod-like rib parts made of plastic or metal and a knitted string part using man-made monofilament or high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, which provides the necessary rigidity and durability for easy rolling and sanitation management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bamboo material and cotton threads are used for the rolling mat, then the mat provides good flexibility and traditional feel, but it absorbs moisture, is difficult to clean, and allows mold and bacteria growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from natural materials (bamboo, cotton) to synthetic materials (plastic, chemical fibers) that fundamentally alter moisture absorption and cleaning properties. The plastic rib parts and chemical fiber strings do not absorb water, enabling easy cleaning and drying while maintaining flexibility through appropriate material selection and structural design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining plastic rib parts with chemical fiber string materials. This composite approach allows the mat to achieve both flexibility (from the string network) and sanitation resistance (from the non-absorbent plastic and synthetic fiber materials), resolving the contradiction between traditional feel and modern hygiene requirements.
2Reliability
If hot water sterilization is performed on bamboo and cotton rolling mat, then mold and bacteria are sterilized, but the durability of the rolling mat is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition to plastic and chemical fibers that are inherently resistant to moisture and do not support mold or bacteria growth. This eliminates the need for repeated hot water sterilization, thereby preserving the durability of the rolling mat while maintaining sanitation effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If the rolling mat is made of soft silicone rubber to enable easy rolling, then the mat is easy to roll and sanitize, but it is difficult to control the pressing force on food material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material hardness parameter by using plastic with appropriate rigidity instead of soft silicone rubber. This allows the rib parts to maintain structural integrity and provide controllable pressing force while still enabling easy rolling through the flexible string connection structure.
4Stability of the object's composition
If bamboo material is used for the rolling mat, then the mat provides traditional structure and feel, but it is susceptible to fine splits and detached hangnails that can contaminate food
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from natural bamboo to synthetic plastic, fundamentally altering the surface properties and structural stability. Plastic materials do not split or create hangnails, eliminating the food contamination risk while maintaining structural integrity through consistent manufacturing and appropriate material selection.
5Stability of the object's composition
If conventional materials are used for the rolling mat, then the mat is traditional and culturally appropriate, but it requires long drying time after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition from moisture-absorbing natural materials to moisture-resistant synthetic materials. Plastic and chemical fibers do not absorb water, dramatically reducing drying time after cleaning while allowing the mat to maintain its functional composition and performance characteristics.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a rolling mat which is easy to roll, which is sanitary and which enables the right amount of force of pressing food material to be readily determined. A rolling mat includes: a plurality of rod-like rib parts arranged in a direction Y in which food material is rolled; and a knitted string part that connects the plurality of rib parts 12 with each other by knitting a string material part so as to sandwich the rib parts, wherein the rib parts are formed of a plastic material and/or a metal material having hardness that is at least greater than silicone resin, and the knitted string part is made of man-made monofilament fiber or high molecular weight polyethylene fiber produced by stretching polyethylene resin having a high molecular weight into fibers.