Waffle cone forming apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing waffle cones are essentially pizzelles shaped into cones and lack the true waffle structure, limiting their versatility as carriers for various food items.

Innovation Solution

A waffle cone forming apparatus with an inner conical mold and a clamshell outer mold, equipped with heating elements and mechanisms for compressing and releasing the waffle dough or batter, allowing for the creation of a true waffle cone with uniform thickness and ease of handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a pizzelle is contorted into a conical shape to create a waffle cone, then the cone shape is achieved, but the true waffle structure is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconical shapeVSAvoidwaffle structure integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The mold is divided into three separate components: an inner conical mold, an outer mold with waffle-forming recesses, and a clamshell mold assembly. This segmentation allows the waffle structure to be formed in place within the cone shape, rather than deforming a pre-formed pizzelle, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving the desired conical form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner conical mold is nested within the outer mold assembly, with the waffle-forming recesses positioned to conform to the inner mold's surface. This nested configuration enables the formation of a true waffle structure that conforms to the conical shape during the baking process, resolving the contradiction between achieving cone shape and maintaining waffle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If a traditional mold is used to form waffle cones, then the waffle structure is created, but the cone shape and uniform thickness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaffle structureVSAvoidconical shape with uniform thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The outer mold features waffle-forming recesses that are specifically configured to match the local geometry of the inner conical mold at different positions. This local customization of the mold surfaces ensures that the waffle structure is formed with uniform thickness throughout the conical shape, addressing both the structural integrity and shape requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a fixed mold assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the ease of handling and releasing the waffle cone is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemold assembly structureVSAvoidopening and closing for release

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer mold is designed as a clamshell assembly with two movable halves that can open and close around the inner conical mold. This dynamic configuration allows the waffle cone to be easily released after baking by simply opening the clamshell, improving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of a hinge connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If compression force is applied during molding, then the waffle structure is compacted, but the uniform thickness and ease of release are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaffle structure compactionVSAvoiduniform thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The batter is distributed uniformly across the inner conical mold surface before the clamshell mold is closed and compression is applied. This preliminary uniform distribution, combined with the conformal waffle-forming recesses, ensures that compression forces are evenly distributed throughout the waffle cone, maintaining uniform thickness while achieving proper structural compaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 a true waffle cone that can serve as a versatile carrier for diverse food items, ensuring uniform thickness and efficient handling.

Implementation Method 1

heating elements associated with each of the inner conical mold and the clamshell mold assembly which surround the inner conical mold to bake a waffle dough/batter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

Means for compressing the two halves of the clamshell mold about the inner conical mold are provided, the means for compressing including a tapered semi-annular surface formed on a bottom edge of each of the two halves of the clamshell mold assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12484587B1Waffle cone forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ANDREJEWSKI STANLEY

AI summary

A waffle cone forming apparatus includes an inner conical mold with a plurality of waffle-forming recesses arrayed in several rows about the periphery of the conical mold. A clamshell mold assembly surrounds the inner conical mold, the clamshell mold assembly having two halves hinged together and each having protrusions formed on its inner periphery corresponding in size, shape and number to the waffle-forming recesses about the periphery of the conical mold. Heating elements are associated with each of the inner conical mold and the clamshell mold assembly which surround the inner conical mold to bake a waffle dough/batter placed in the waffle cone forming apparatus.