Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Food Mixing Apparatus for Uniform Additive Coating

Publication ID: 24-11856977_0001_PTD
Published: October 27, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Food Mixing Apparatus for Uniform Additive Coating,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856977_0001_PTD, Published October 27, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856977_0001_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,856,977.

Background and Problem Solved

The original mixing apparatus for coating food with additives had limitations in terms of mixing efficiency, uniformity, and contamination risks. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel features that improve the overall mixing process.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention introduces novel features such as vibration mechanisms, heat exchangers, and pulsating airflow mechanisms, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in mixing efficiency, uniformity, and contamination risks, making the invention non-obvious and novel compared to the original patent.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different hopper designs, varying vibration frequencies, and adjustable heat exchanger temperatures. Additionally, the invention could be adapted for use with different types of food and additives, or integrated with other food processing equipment.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced mixing apparatus has significant commercial potential in the food processing industry, particularly in the production of fried noodles, snacks, and other coated food products. The invention's improved efficiency, uniformity, and reduced contamination risks make it an attractive solution for manufacturers seeking to improve product quality and reduce production costs.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A23 A23P20/18
A A23 A23G3/0095
A A23 A23G3/26
A A23 A23L7/109
A A23 A23P20/13
A A47 A47J31/401
A A47 A47J31/402
A A47 A47J31/404
A A47 A47J31/465
A A47 A47J31/54
A A61 A61J3/005
B B01 B01F25/721
B B01 B01F33/813
B B01 B01F35/7548
B B01 B01J2/12
B B05 B05B13/025
B B05 B05B13/0257
A A23 A23V2002/00
B B05 B05C3/00
B B05 B05C3/08
B B05 B05D3/12
B B67 B67D1/0016

Field of Art

Food processing equipment, specifically apparatus for mixing additives with food products during manufacturing, with expertise in mechanical engineering, food technology, and industrial processing systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A professional with a bachelor's or master's degree in food engineering or mechanical engineering, familiar with industrial food processing techniques, mixing apparatus design, and standard equipment modification strategies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's proposed variations represent predictable engineering modifications to the source patent's mixing apparatus. The additional features like vibration mechanisms, heat exchangers, and pulsating airflow are standard optimization techniques in food processing equipment design. These variations would be considered routine problem-solving approaches to enhance mixing efficiency and product consistency.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Plurality of hoppers for mixing additives with falling food
PTD Variation
Adding vibration mechanism to enhance mixing process
Obviousness Reasoning
Vibration is a known technique for improving material distribution, representing a predictable solution to improve mixing uniformity that would be obvious to a PHOSITA
Source Patent Element
Supply device for adding additives during food falling
PTD Variation
Incorporating heat exchanger to control additive temperature
Obviousness Reasoning
Temperature control is a standard method for managing food processing conditions, representing a known technique for improving product quality and processing consistency
Source Patent Element
Rotating hoppers for mixing food and additives
PTD Variation
Implementing pulsating airflow to create turbulent mixing
Obviousness Reasoning
Turbulent flow generation is a recognized engineering approach for enhancing mixing efficiency, representing a finite set of known solutions for improving material distribution
Source Patent Element
Multiple tank configuration for additive supply
PTD Variation
Adding sensor and controller to monitor and adjust additive flow rate
Obviousness Reasoning
Automated process control is a standard engineering practice for improving manufacturing precision, representing a predictable technological enhancement
Source Patent Element
Vertical hopper arrangement for mixing
PTD Variation
Modifying hopper design to accommodate different food types and additives
Obviousness Reasoning
Equipment adaptability is a routine design consideration, representing an obvious extension of standard engineering problem-solving approaches
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856977 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed mixing apparatus modifications obvious and lacking inventive step. The combination of known food processing techniques with standard engineering optimization strategies demonstrates that the claimed variations would be apparent to a skilled practitioner without requiring extraordinary insight or non-obvious reasoning.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,856,977
TitleMixing apparatus for mixing an additive with food while the food is falling
Assignee(s)AJINOMOTO CO., INC., MAYEKAWA MFG. CO., LTD.