Hard Taco Shell Base Plasticization for Crack Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hard taco shells tend to break apart easily at the base when bitten, leading to a messy eating experience as fillings fall out, due to their brittleness and rigid structure.
Innovation Solution
Applying a plasticizing agent, such as glycerin, to the base or spine portion of the taco shell to soften and make it more flexible, reducing the likelihood of cracking when bitten, while using a migration limiting agent to confine the plasticizing agent to the targeted region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the taco shell is made hard and rigid, then it maintains structural strength, but it becomes prone to breaking at the base when bitten
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a plasticizing agent specifically to the base portion of the taco shell, creating a localized soft region with different mechanical properties than the rest of the shell. This local modification allows the base to flex and absorb biting forces without cracking, while the remainder of the shell maintains its hard, rigid structure for structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the base portion by applying a plasticizing agent that modifies the material properties. This creates a gradient in hardness and flexibility along the shell, with the base having lower glass transition temperature and increased pliability compared to the rigid body of the shell.
2Reliability
If the base portion is made soft and flexible, then it reduces cracking when bitten, but it may compromise the overall structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The soft, flexible base portion is created through localized application of plasticizing agent, while the remainder of the shell maintains its original hard structure. This spatial differentiation ensures that flexibility is provided only where needed for bite resistance, while structural integrity is preserved in the load-bearing portions of the shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The taco shell becomes a composite structure with two distinct material regions: a rigid tortilla material forming the shell body, and a plasticized, more flexible material forming the base portion. This composite approach allows each region to perform its optimal function - the rigid portion provides structural support while the flexible portion provides crack resistance.
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
The plasticized base portion provides hinging flexibility, maintaining the structural integrity of the taco shell and preventing fillings from falling out, resulting in a cleaner eating experience.
Implementation Method 1
a preferred embodiment employs glycerin which has been found effective to raise the relevant Aw into a rubbery region
Data Source
AI summary
A taco shell is produced by applying a plasticizing agent to a base or spine portion of a hard taco shell, such as by targeted spraying, rolling, brushing or dipping of the taco shells, thereby softening the base or spine portion, preferably across a strip width between 4 mm-20 mm. As a result, when the taco shell is bitten, the softened base portion has some hinging flexibility or pliability which reduces the potential for any crack propagation. Therefore, the structural integrity of the hard taco shell can be better maintained while be eaten, resulting in retention of the fillings and less mess. If desired, an anti-migration agent can also be applied to assure containment of the plasticizing agent in the targeted region.