Topping Slice Alignment Plane for Even Food Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food preparation systems fail to achieve controlled and even distribution of sliced toppings on consumable items, leading to uneven distribution and manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a topping holder, blade, alignment plane, and pusher that slices and aligns toppings, ensuring they fall horizontally and are distributed evenly on a consumable item surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated slicing is implemented without alignment control, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to erratic distribution of slices
Solution Approach 1:
An alignment plane is introduced as an intermediary component between the slicing blade and the consumable item. This alignment plane receives sliced portions and forces them into a aligned configuration before they are deposited onto the consumable item, thereby achieving uniform distribution while maintaining automated high-speed slicing
Solution Approach 2:
The slicing system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the slicing zone where the blade cuts the topping stock, the alignment zone where the alignment plane organizes the sliced portions, and the deposition zone where slices are transferred to the consumable item. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its function independently
2Manufacturing precision
If manual placement of sliced toppings is used, then manufacturing precision improves with even distribution, but productivity decreases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment plane performs self-service by automatically aligning sliced portions as they fall from the blade. The system uses the natural gravitational fall of slices combined with the geometric configuration of the alignment plane to achieve alignment without requiring manual intervention or additional active actuators
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment plane serves as an automated intermediary that replaces manual placement operations, using its geometric structure to guide and orient slices automatically as they pass through the alignment zone
3Ease of operation
If a rotating blade is used for slicing, then ease of operation improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates as the blade imparts rotational velocity to slices causing erratic distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment plane acts as an intermediary that corrects the rotational velocity imparted by the rotating blade. As slices pass through the alignment zone, the geometric constraints of the alignment plane remove the unwanted rotational motion and reorient slices in a consistent horizontal alignment before deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational velocity that initially causes erratic distribution is converted into a benefit by the alignment plane, which uses the slices' forward momentum while removing only the harmful rotational component, thereby aligning slices efficiently without requiring complete stopping or complex deceleration mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are presented herein for slicing a food topping for placing upon a food ingredient. A topping holder is configured to position a topping stock. A blade is configured to slice the topping stock via relative motion between the topping holder and the blade. A deflector is configured to force a leading edge of the sliced portion of the topping stock away from the blade as the sliced portion moves relative to the blade.