Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Advanced Food Mixing Apparatus with Precision Control

Publication ID: 24-11856977_0006_PTD
Published: October 26, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Advanced Food Mixing Apparatus with Precision Control,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11856977_0006_PTD, Published October 26, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11856977_0006_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 patent disclosed a mixing apparatus for mixing additives with food, but it had limitations in terms of additive distribution uniformity and food waste. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing adjustable speed and direction control, enabling real-time monitoring and optimization of the mixing process.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The novelty of the present invention lies in the introduction of adjustable speed and direction control, modular design, real-time monitoring, and self-cleaning mechanism, which collectively provide a significant improvement over the original patent. The inventive step resides in the combination of these features, which enables optimized additive distribution, reduced food waste, and increased efficiency.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the invention could include different hopper designs, adjustable additive flow rates, and varying self-cleaning mechanisms. Additionally, the invention could be adapted for use with different types of food and additives, or integrated with existing manufacturing lines.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced mixing apparatus has significant commercial potential in the food manufacturing industry, particularly in the production of fried noodles, snack foods, and other processed foods. The invention's ability to optimize additive distribution, reduce food waste, and increase efficiency makes it an attractive solution for manufacturers seeking to improve product quality and reduce 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 and Mixing Technology, specifically apparatus for mixing additives with food during manufacturing, with expertise in industrial food preparation equipment design and process optimization

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A mechanical engineer or food processing technologist with 5-10 years experience in industrial food equipment design, familiar with mixing technologies, fluid dynamics, and manufacturing process optimization

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the source patent's mixing apparatus, utilizing standard design optimization techniques and known technological solutions to enhance food processing efficiency and performance

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Plurality of hoppers for mixing additives with falling food
PTD Variation
Adding adjustable speed and direction control for hoppers
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing variable speed control is a standard engineering technique for optimizing material handling processes, representing a predictable variation that would be obvious to improve mixing precision
Source Patent Element
Supply device for delivering additive to falling food
PTD Variation
Dynamic additive supply system with real-time flow rate adjustment
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating sensor-based flow control is a known technique in process engineering for maintaining consistent product quality, representing an obvious enhancement to existing additive delivery methods
Source Patent Element
Basic mixing apparatus design with multiple hoppers
PTD Variation
Self-cleaning mechanism using compressed air or ultrasonic waves
Obviousness Reasoning
Implementing automated cleaning techniques is a standard solution in food processing equipment design to reduce maintenance time and improve hygiene, representing an obvious technological improvement
Source Patent Element
Stationary hopper configuration
PTD Variation
Rotating hoppers in staggered pattern to create turbulent flow
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying hopper movement to enhance mixing uniformity is a predictable design optimization that would be obvious to a PHOSITA seeking improved additive distribution
Source Patent Element
Basic mixing apparatus for food additives
PTD Variation
Modular design for easy cleaning and maintenance
Obviousness Reasoning
Creating modular equipment configurations is a standard engineering approach to improve equipment serviceability, representing an obvious design choice in industrial equipment development
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11856977, a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the technical variations disclosed herein to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing predictable engineering improvements that do not rise to the level of non-obvious invention. The combination of known techniques, including adjustable hopper control, dynamic additive supply, and self-cleaning mechanisms, would be readily apparent to a skilled practitioner in food processing equipment design.

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.