BIO-DEGRADABLE FOOD HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE DEVICES
20220202218 ยท 2022-06-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
A47G21/001
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
A47G21/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
Bio-degradable food handling devices and systems and methods for making the devices. The embodiments herein relate to a bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60) for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick. Further, embodiments herein relate to systems (100) and methods (200, 300) of making the bio-degradable food handling devices (10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60). The bio-degradable food handling device (10) is hydrophobic and antifungal thereby increasing shelf life of bio-degradable food handling devices (10). The bio-degradable food handling device (10) is durable, hygienic, non-toxic and recyclable. The bio-degradable food handling device (10) has smooth and soft outer portion that provides comfort to user. The bio-degradable food handling device (10) can be used to draw pieces of fruit, vegetables, solid processed food pieces and other pieces of foods therethrough.
Claims
1. A bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30) comprising: a main leaf strip (12, 22, 32) adapted to be rolled on an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of an elongated rolled member (12R, 22R, 32R); and at least one add-on leaf strip assembly (14, 24, 34) adapted to be attached to said elongated rolled member (12R, 24R, 34R) thereby facilitating formation of said bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30).
2. The bio-degradable food handling device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main leaf strip (12) defines an adaxial portion (12X) and an abaxial portion (12Y); said add-on leaf strip assembly (14) includes a plurality of add-on leaf strips (14L, 14R), where each of said add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) defines an adaxial portion (14LX, 14RX) and an abaxial portion (14LY, 14RY); said main leaf strip (12) and each of said add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) is made from at least one of a plant leaf and a tree leaf, where the tree leaf is a coconut tree leaf or a palm tree leaf; at least one of the abaxial portion (12Y) of said main leaf strip (12) and the abaxial portion (14LY, 14RY) of each of said add-on leaf strip (14) is scraped; the scraped abaxial portion (12Y) of said main leaf strip (12) becomes scraped abaxial portion (12Y) of said elongated rolled member (12R) in the rolled position; a bonding agent is applied on at least one of the scraped abaxial portion (12Y) of said elongated rolled member (12R) and the scraped abaxial portion (14LY, 14RY) of each of said add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) to attach each of said add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto corresponding side of said elongated rolled member (12R) in which both longitudinal end portions of said add-on leaf strip (14L) overlap with corresponding longitudinal end portions of another said add-on leaf strip (14R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (10); said bio-degradable food handling device (10) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R) after curing of the bonding agent; said bio-degradable food handling device (10) is a multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device in which said main leaf strip (12) forms a first layer and each of said add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) forms a second layer; and an inner portion (10X) and an outer portion (10Y) of the bio-degradable food handling device (10) is the adaxial portion (12X) of said main leaf strip (12) and the adaxial portion (14LX, 14RX) of said add-on leaf strips (14L, 14RY) respectively.
3. The bio-degradable food handling device (20) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main leaf strip (22) defines an adaxial portion (22X) and an abaxial portion (22Y); said add-on leaf strip assembly (24) includes an add-on leaf strip (24L), where said add-on leaf strip (24L) defines an adaxial portion (24LX) and an abaxial portion (24LY); said main leaf strip (22) and said add-on leaf strip (24L) is made from at least one of a plant leaf and a tree leaf, where the tree leaf is a coconut tree leaf or a palm tree leaf; at least one of the abaxial portion (22Y) of said main leaf strip (22) and the abaxial portion (24LY) of said add-on leaf strip (24L) is scraped; the scraped abaxial portion (22Y) of said main leaf strip (22) becomes scraped abaxial portion (22Y) of said elongated rolled member (22R) in the rolled position; a bonding agent is applied on at least one of the scraped abaxial portion (22Y) of said elongated rolled member (22R) and the scraped abaxial portion (24LY) of said add-on leaf strip (24L) to attach said add-on leaf strip (24L) onto said elongated rolled member (22R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (20); said bio-degradable food handling device (20) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R) after curing of the bonding agent; said bio-degradable food handling device (20) is a multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device in which said main leaf strip (22) forms a first layer and said add-on leaf strip (24L) forms a second layer; and an inner portion (20X) and an outer portion (20Y) of the bio-degradable food handling device (20) is the adaxial portion (22X) of said main leaf strip (22) and the adaxial portion (24LX) of said add-on leaf strip (24L) respectively.
4. The bio-degradable food handling device (30) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main leaf strip (32) defines an adaxial portion (32X) and an abaxial portion (32Y); said add-on leaf strip assembly (34) includes an add-on leaf section (34A) and at least one add-on leaf strip (34B), where said add-on leaf section (34A) includes a midrib (34AR) and a leaf portion (34AL) extending on both sides of the midrib (34AR), where said leaf portion (34AL) defines an adaxial portion (34ALX) and an abaxial portion (34ALY), where said add-on leaf strip (34B) defines an adaxial portion (34BX) and an abaxial portion (34BY); said main leaf strip (32), said add-on leaf section (34A) and said at least one add-on leaf strip (34B) are made from at least one of a plant leaf and a tree leaf, where the tree leaf is a coconut tree leaf or a palm tree leaf; at least one of the abaxial portion (32Y) of said main leaf strip (32), the abaxial portion (34ALY) of the leaf portion (34AL) of said add-on leaf section (34A) and the abaxial portion (34BY) of said add-on leaf strip (34B) is scraped; the scraped abaxial portion (32Y) of said main leaf strip (32) becomes scraped abaxial portion (32Y) of said elongated rolled member (32R) in the rolled position; a bonding agent is applied on at least one of the scraped abaxial portion (32Y) of said elongated rolled member (32R) and the scraped abaxial portion (24ALY) of the leaf portion (34AL) of said add-on leaf section (34A) to attach said add-on leaf section (34A) onto said elongated rolled member (32R); the bonding agent is applied on the scraped abaxial portion (34BY) of said add-on leaf strip (34B) to attach said add-on leaf strip (34B) onto at least one of said add-on leaf section (34A) and the elongated rolled member (32R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (30); said add-on leaf section (34A) is sandwiched in between said elongated rolled member (32R) and said add-on leaf strip (34B); said bio-degradable food handling device (30) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R) after curing of the bonding agent; said bio-degradable food handling device (30) is a multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device in which said main leaf strip (32) forms a first layer and said add-on leaf section (34A) forms a second layer and said add-on leaf strip (34B) forms a third layer; and an inner portion (30X) and an outer portion (30Y) of the bio-degradable food handling device (30) is the adaxial portion (32X) of said main leaf strip (32) and the adaxial portion (34BX) of said add-on leaf strip (34B) respectively.
5. The bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30) as claimed in claim 1, said elongated rolled member (12R, 22R, 32R) is retained in a rolled position on the elongated fixture member (R) by at least one of engaging holding members on both ends of the elongated rolled member (12R, 22R, 32R) blowing hot air to the main leaf strip (12, 22, 32) and applying a bonding agent on at least a portion of said main leaf strip (12, 22, 32); and the holding members are removed after attachment of the add-on leaf strip assembly (14, 24, 34) on to said elongated rolled member (12R, 24R, 34R); and said multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R).
6. The bio-degradable food handling device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bio-degradable food handling device (10, 20, 30) defines a piercing portion adapted to pierce a seal of at least one of a tumbler, a can, a tetra pack and a drinkable storage can and a food storage pack; and said bio-degradable food handling device (10) is configured to be used as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick.
7. A bio-degradable food handling device (50) comprising: a first leaf strip (52) defining an adaxial portion (52X) and an abaxial portion (52Y); and at least one second leaf strip (54) defining a adaxial portion (54X) and an abaxial portion (54Y), wherein a bonding agent is applied on at least one of half of the abaxial portion (52Y) of said first leaf strip (52) along a longitudinal direction of said first leaf strip (52) and a half of the abaxial portion (54Y) of said second leaf strip (54) along a longitudinal direction of said second leaf strip (54) to attach said first leaf strip (52) onto said second leaf strip (54) in which half of the abaxial portion (52Y) of said first leaf strip (52) is overlapped onto half of the abaxial portion (54Y) of said second leaf strip (54) thereby facilitating formation of an overlapped first and second leaf strip (52, 54); and said overlapped first and second leaf strip (52, 54) is spiral rolled onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of said bio-degradable food handling device (50).
8. The bio-degradable food handling device (50) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said first leaf strip (52) and said second leaf strip (54) is made from at least one of a plant leaf and a tree leaf, where the tree leaf is a coconut tree leaf or a palm tree leaf; the abaxial portion (52Y) of said first leaf strip (52) and the abaxial portion (54Y) of said second leaf strip (54) are scraped; the bonding agent is applied on a longitudinal edge portion of said overlapped first and second leaf strip (52, 54) to attach the longitudinal edge portion with corresponding portion of said overlapped first and second leaf strip (52, 54) thereby facilitating formation of said bio-degradable food handling device (50) when said overlapped first and second leaf strip (52, 54) is spiral rolled on the elongated fixture member (R); said bio-degradable food handling device (50) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R) after curing of the bonding agent; said bio-degradable food handling device (50) is configured to be used as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick; and said bio-degradable food handling device (50) defines a piercing portion adapted to pierce a seal of at least one of a tumbler, a can, a tetra pack and a drinkable storage can and a food storage pack.
9. A bio-degradable food handling device (40) comprising: a first leaf strip (42) defining an adaxial portion and an abaxial portion; and at least one add-on leaf strip (44) defining an adaxial portion and an abaxial portion, wherein the abaxial portion of said first leaf strip (42) and the abaxial portion of said at least one add-on leaf strip (44) are scraped; a bonding agent is applied on at least a longitudinal edge portion of the abaxial portion of said first leaf strip (42) to attach the longitudinal edge portion with corresponding portion of said first strip (42) when said first leaf strip (42) is adapted to be spiral rolled onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of an elongated rolled member (42R); a bonding agent is applied on at least one of the scraped abaxial portion of said add-on leaf strip (44) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (42R); the abaxial portion of said at least one add-on leaf strip (44) is spiral rolled onto the abaxial portion of said elongated rolled member (42R) to attach said at least one add-on leaf strip (44) onto said elongated rolled member (42R) thereby facilitating formation of said bio-degradable food handling device (40); said bio-degradable food handling device (40) is removed from the elongated fixture member (R) after curing of bonding agent; and said bio-degradable food handling device (40) is configured to be used as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick.
10. A system (100) for making a multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10), said system (100) comprising: a leaf strip width cutting system (106) adapted to cut a portion of at least one leaf strip (12) along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain the leaf strip with a predefined width; a leaf strip scraping system (108) adapted to scrape an abaxial portion of the leaf strip (12); a leaf strip spiral rolling system (110) adapted to spiral roll the leaf strip (12) on an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of an elongated rolled member (12R); and an add-on leaf strip attaching system (112) adapted to facilitate attaching of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (12R) thereby facilitating formation of the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10).
11. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said system (100) comprises, a leaf strip scrubbing system (102) adapted to scrub an adaxial portion of the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) to remove at least one of dirt, foreign particles and pesticide from the leaf strips thereby cleaning the leaf strips; and an autoclave system (104) adapted to sterilize the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R), where said autoclave system (104) is adapted to at least one of make the leaf strips flexible and generate natural wax from the adaxial portion of the leaf strips.
12. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said leaf strip width cutting system (106) comprises, a driving roller assembly (106D) comprising a shaft (106DS), a plurality of cutting elements (106DC), a plurality of spacers (106DSR) and a driving gear; a driving unit (106M) adapted to drive said shaft (106DS) of said driving roller assembly (106D); a driven roller assembly (106R) comprising a shaft (106RT), a roller (106RR) and a driven gear, where said driven gear is driven by said driving gear of said driving roller assembly (106D); and a leaf strip guiding unit (106G) is adapted to guide the leaf strips in between said spacers (106DSR) of said driving roller assembly (106D) and said roller (106RR) of said driven roller assembly (106R), wherein said plurality of spacers (106DSR) and said roller (106RR) are adapted to feed the lead strip (12, 14L, 14R) to at least one said cutting element (106DC); and at least one said cutting element (106DC) is adapted to cut a portion of the leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain the leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) with a predefined width.
13. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said leaf strip scraping system (108) comprises a leaf strip feeding device (108A), a leaf strip scraping device (108B) and a leaf strip scraping setting device (108BGS), wherein said leaf strip feeding device (108A) comprises, a driving roller assembly (108D) comprising a shaft (108DS), a roller (108DSR) and a driving gear; a driving unit (108M) adapted to drive said shaft (108DS) of said driving roller assembly (108D); a driven roller assembly (108R) comprising a shaft, a roller (108RR) and a driven gear adapted to be driven by said driving gear of said driving roller assembly (108D); and a leaf strip guiding unit (108G) adapted to guide the leaf strips in between said roller (108DSR) of said driving roller assembly (108D) and said roller (108RR) of said driven roller assembly (108R), wherein said leaf strip scraping device (108B) comprises, a first roller assembly (108BFR) comprising a shaft (108BFX) and a roller (108BFY); a second roller assembly (108BSR) comprising a shaft and a roller (108BSY), an abrasive belt (108BB) adapted to be provided onto said rollers (108BFY, 108BSY) of said first and second roller assemblies (108BFR, 108BSR); and a driving unit (108BM) adapted to drive said shaft (108BFX) of said first roller assembly (108BFR), wherein said rollers (108DSR, 108RR) of said driving and driven roller assemblies (108D, 108R) of said leaf strip feeding device (108A) are adapted to feed the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) to said abrasive belt (108BB); said abrasive belt (108BB) is adapted to scrape an abaxial portion of the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R); and said leaf strip scraping setting device (108BGS) is adapted to guide the leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) onto said abrasive belt (108BB) and set amount of scraping on the leaf strip.
14. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said leaf strip spiral rolling system (110) comprises, a leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A) comprising a driving unit (110AM) and a tail stock assembly (110AT) opposite to said driving unit (110AM), wherein the elongated fixture member (R) is adapted to be removably connected to an output shaft of said driving unit (110AM) and a live center (110ATC) of said tail stock assembly (110AT); and said driving unit (110AM) is adapted to rotate the elongated fixture member (R) to spiral roll the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) thereby facilitating formation of the elongated rolled member (12R).
15. The system (100) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said leaf strip spiral rolling system (110) comprises, a leaf strip spooling device adapted to feed the leaf strip (12) to the elongated fixture member (R), where said leaf strip spooling device comprises a spool member adapted to hold the spool leaf strips (12); a leaf strip guiding device (110B) adapted to guide and move the leaf strip spooling device with respect to the rotation of the elongated fixture member (R) by said driving unit (110AM) of said leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A), where said leaf strip guiding device (110B) comprises a guiding member (110BG) and a movable member (110BS), where said movable member (110BS) is movably connected to said guiding member (110BG), where said movable member (110BS) is adapted to mount said leaf strip spooling device; and a hot air blower device adapted to blow hot air to the leaf strip (12) when the leaf strip (12) is feed to the elongated fixture member (R) to retain the elongated rolled member (12R) on the elongated fixture member (R) in a rolled position.
16. The system (100) as claimed in claim 15, wherein said leaf strip guiding device (110B) comprises, a driving unit adapted to rotate said guiding member (110BG) to move said movable member (110BS) on guiding member (110BG) thereby moving said leaf strip spooling device with respect to rotation of the elongated fixture member (R) by said driving unit (110AM) of said leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A), wherein said guiding member (110BG) is a lead screw; said movable member (110BS) is a nut; said driving unit of said leaf strip guiding device (110B) is at least an electric motor with a speed reduction gearbox; and said driving unit (110AM) of said leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A) is at least an electric motor with a speed reduction gearbox.
17. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein add-on leaf strip attaching system (112) comprises, an add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) comprising a spool member (112AS) adapted to hold the spool add-on leaf strips (14L, 14R), a bonding agent applying device (112B) comprising a tank (112BT), where said tank (112BT) is adapted to store a bonding agent, a roller (112BR), where said roller (112BR) is adapted to apply the bonding agent onto scraped abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) when the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) is feed from said add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) to said roller (112BR); at least one add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C) comprising a roller (112CR); an add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D) comprising base (112DB), a shaft (112DS), a work top (112DW), an add-on leaf strip resting member (112DX), at least one first holding member (112DY), where said first holding member (112DY) is adapted to hold one end of the spool add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) which is laid on the add-on leaf strip resting member (112DX), at least one second holding member (112DH) and a plurality of cutting elements (112DC); an add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) comprising a fixed roller (112ER) supported on a plurality of first pillars (112EFP) and a spring loaded roller (112ERS) supported to a plurality of second pillars (112ESP); and a hot air blower device low hot air to the add-on strip to enable the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) to retain its shape when the add-on leaf strip is feed from said add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) to said add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D), wherein said roller (112CR) of said add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C) is adapted to feed the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) from said add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) to said add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D); and each of said cutting element (112DC) of said add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D) is adapted to cut the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of required length from the spool add-on leaf strip; and said fixed roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS) of said add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) is adapted to facilitate attaching of each add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (12R) thereby facilitating formation of the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10) when the elongated rolled member (12R) along with the elongated fixture member (R) is pressed on the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) against said roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS).
18. The system (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein said system (100) comprises a cutting system (114) adapted to cut the bio-degradable food handling device (10) into a plurality of bio-degradable food handling devices (10), where each bio-of said degradable food handling device (10) is of equal length.
19. A method (200) of making a multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10), said method (200) comprising: cutting a portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to obtain each leaf strip with a predefined width; scraping a portion of an abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along a lengthwise direction of each leaf strip; rolling the leaf strip (12) onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R); applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R); and attaching the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10).
20. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein said method (200) comprises, scrubbing by, manually or a leaf strip scrubbing system (102), on both sides of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to clean each leaf strip thereby removing at least one of dirt, foreign particles and pesticide from each leaf strip; and autoclaving the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) in an autoclave system (104) to sterilize the leaf strips and to make the leaf strips flexible and to generate natural wax from an adaxial portion of the leaf strips after said scrubbing the leaf strips by manually or the leaf strip scrubbing system (102); and testing the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) for pesticide residue levels after said autoclaving the leaf strips in the autoclave system (104).
21. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein said method (200) comprises, curing the bonding agent for a predetermined time and removing the multi-layered bio-degradable device (10) from the elongated fixture member (R) after said attaching the scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R); and cutting the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10) into a plurality of bio-degradable food handling devices, where each bio-degradable food handling device is of equal length.
22. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein said cutting the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with a predefined width by at least one of, manually cutting the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by using a cutting device along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width; and cutting by, the leaf strip width cutting system (106), the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width, wherein cutting the portion of each leaf strip by the leaf strip width cutting system (106), includes, driving a shaft (106DS) of a driving roller assembly (106D) by a driving unit (106M); driving a driven gear of a driven roller assembly (106R) by a driving gear of the driving roller assembly (106D); guiding each leaf strip (12, 141, 14R) to and in between a plurality of spacers (106DSR) of the driving roller assembly (106D) and a roller (106RR) of the driven roller assembly (106R) by a leaf strip guiding unit (106G); feeding each leaf strip (12, 141, 14R) to at least one cutting element (106DC) of the driving roller assembly (106D) by the plurality of spacers (106DSR) of the driving roller assembly (106D) and the roller (106RR) of the driven roller assembly (106R); and cutting by at least one cutting element (106DC), portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width.
23. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein scraping the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by at least one of, manually scraping the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by rubbing an abrasive sheet on the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R); and scraping by, a leaf strip scraping system (108), the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R), wherein scraping the abaxial portion of the leaf strip by the leaf strip scraping system (108) includes, driving a shaft (108DS) of a driving roller assembly (108D) by a driving unit (108M) of a leaf strip feeding device (108A); driving a driven gear of a driven roller assembly (108R) by a driving gear of the driving roller assembly (108D) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A); guiding by, a leaf strip guiding unit (108G), each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to and in between a roller (108DSR) of the driving roller assembly (108D) and a roller (108RR) of the driven roller assembly (108R) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A); feeding each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to an abrasive belt (108BB) of a leaf strip scraping device (108B) by the roller (108DSR) of the driving roller assembly (108D) and the roller (108RR) of the driven roller assembly (108R) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A); and scraping by, the abrasive belt (108BB), the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) when a shaft (108BFX) of a first roller assembly (108BFR) is driven by a driving unit (108BM) of the leaf strip scraping device (108B), where the abrasive belt (108BB) is provided on a roller (108BFY) of the first roller assembly (108BFR) and a roller (108BSY) of a second roller assembly (108BSR).
24. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein said rolling the leaf strip onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R) by at least one of, manually rolling the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R); and rolling, by a leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A), the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R), wherein rolling the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) by the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A) includes, engaging one end of the elongated fixture member (R) to a live center (110ATC) of a tailstock assembly (110AT) and engaging another end of the elongated fixture member (R) to an output shaft of a driving unit (110AM) of the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A); feeding one end of leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R); blowing hot air onto the leaf strip (12) by a hot air blowing device; rotating the elongated fixture member (R) by the driving unit (110AM) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R); and retaining the elongated rolled member (12R) in a spiral rolled position by at least one of engaging holding members on both ends of the elongated rolled member (12R) and applying a bonding agent on at least a portion of the leaf strip (12); and removing the elongated fixture member (R) from the live center (110ATC) of the tail stock assembly (110AT) and the output shaft of the driving unit (110AM).
25. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) by at least one of, manually applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R); and applying by, an add-on leaf strip attaching system (112), a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R), wherein applying the bonding agent by the add-on leaf strip attaching system (112), includes, feeding by, an add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) to a bonding agent applying device (112B); applying by, a roller (112BR) of the bonding agent applying device (112B), bonding agent to the scraped abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R), where the roller (112BR) is provided in a tank (112BT) which stores the bonding agent; feeding by, a roller (112CR) of an add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) from the bonding agent applying device (112B) to an add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D); blowing hot air to the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) by a hot air blowing device; and cutting by, the add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of required length from the spool add-on leaf strip.
26. The method (200) as claimed in claim 19, wherein said attaching the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10) by at least one of, manually attaching the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) on the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10); and attaching by, an add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E), the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10), wherein attaching the add-on leaf strip onto the elongated rolled member (R) by the add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) includes, placing the adaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) on and in between a fixed roller (fixed roller (112ER) and a spring loaded roller (112ERS) of the add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) such that the bonding agent applied on the abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) is facing upwards; and attaching, by the fixed roller (112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ERS), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (R) thereby facilitating formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10) by pressing the elongated rolled member (12R) along with the elongated fixture member (R) on the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) against said roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS).
27. A bio-degradable food handing device (60) comprising: a leaf strip (62) having an adaxial portion (62X) and an abaxial portion (62Y), where the abaxial portion (62Y) of said leaf strip (62) is scraped; and a bonding agent is applied on at least a longitudinal edge portion of the scraped abaxial portion (62Y) of said leaf strip (62), wherein said leaf strip (62) is adapted to be rolled on an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of said bio-degradable food handing device (60); and the longitudinal edge portion of the scraped abaxial portion (62Y) is attached onto corresponding portion of the adaxial portion (62X) of said leaf strip (62) during rolling of said leaf strip (62) onto the elongated fixture member (R) thereby facilitating formation of said bio-degradable food handing device (60); said bio-degradable food handing device (60) is a single layered bio-degradable food handing device (60); and said bio-degradable food handing device (60) is configured for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick.
28. A system for making a single layered bio-degradable food handling device (60), said system comprising: a leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A) comprising, a driving unit (110AM); and a tail stock assembly (110AT) opposite to said driving unit (110AM), where said tail stock assembly (110AT) comprises a tail stock (110ATT), a live center holder (110ATH) adapted to be loaded to said tail stock (110ATT) through a spring (110ATS) and a live center (110ATC), where said live center (110ATC) is freely mounted onto said live center holder (110ATH), wherein one end of an elongated fixture member (R) is coupled to an output shaft of said driving unit (110AM) and another end of the elongated fixture member (R) is engaged with said live center (110ATC) of said tail stock assembly (110AT); a bonding agent is applied on at least a longitudinal edge portion of a scraped abaxial portion (62Y) of a leaf strip (62); one end of the leaf strip (62) is engaged to the elongated fixture member (R); said driving unit (110AM) is adapted to rotate the elongated fixture member (R) to spiral roll the leaf strip (62) onto the elongated fixture member (R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handing device (60); and the longitudinal edge portion of the scraped abaxial portion (62Y) attaches onto corresponding portion of the adaxial portion (62X) of the leaf strip (62) during rolling of the leaf strip (62) onto the elongated fixture member (R) thereby maintaining the bio-degradable food handing device (60) in a rolled position.
29. The system as claimed in claim 28, wherein said system comprises, a leaf strip width cutting system (106) comprises, a driving roller assembly (106D) comprising a shaft (106DS), a plurality of cutting elements (106DC), a plurality of spacers (106DSR) and a driving gear, a driving unit (106M) adapted to drive said shaft (106DS) of said driving roller assembly (106D), a driven roller assembly (106R) comprising a shaft (106RT), a roller (106RR) and a driven gear, where said driven gear is driven by said driving gear of said driving roller assembly (106D) and a leaf strip guiding unit (106G), said guiding unit (106G) is adapted to guide the leaf strips in between said spacers (106DSR) of said driving roller assembly (106D) and said roller (106RR) of said driven roller assembly (106R), wherein said plurality of spacers (106DSR) and said roller (106RR) are adapted to feed the lead strip to at least one said cutting element (106DC), and at least one said cutting element (106DC) is adapted to cut a portion of the leaf strip along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain the leaf strip with a predefined width; a leaf strip scraping system (108) comprises a leaf strip feeding device (108A), a leaf strip scraping device (108B) and a leaf strip scraping setting device (108BGS), wherein said leaf strip feeding device (108A) comprises, a driving roller assembly (108D) comprising a shaft (108DS), a roller (108DSR) and a driving gear, a driving unit (108M) adapted to drive said shaft (108DS) of said driving roller assembly (108D, a driven roller assembly (108R), where said driven roller assembly (108R) comprises a shaft, a roller (108RR) and a driven gear adapted to be driven by said driving gear of said driving roller assembly (108D), a leaf strip guiding unit (108G), said guiding unit (108G) is adapted to guide the leaf strips in between said roller (108DSR) of said driving roller assembly (108D) and said roller (108RR) of said driven roller assembly (108R), wherein said leaf strip scraping device (108B) comprises a first roller assembly (108BFR) comprising a shaft (108BFX) and a roller (108BFY), a second roller assembly (108BSR), where said second roller assembly (108BSR) comprises a shaft and a roller (108BSY), an abrasive belt (108BB), said abrasive belt (108BB) adapted to be provided onto said rollers (108BFY, 108BSY) of said first and second roller assemblies (108BFR, 108BSR) and a driving unit (108BM), said driving unit (108BM) is adapted to drive said shaft (108BFX) of said first roller assembly (108BFR), wherein said rollers (108DSR, 108RR) of said driving and driven roller assemblies (108D, 108R) of said leaf strip feeding device (108A) are adapted to feed the leaf strips to said abrasive belt (108BB), where said abrasive belt (108BB) is adapted to scrape an abaxial portion of the leaf strip (62), and said leaf strip scraping setting device (108BGS) is adapted to guide the leaf strip onto said abrasive belt (108BB) and set amount of scraping on the leaf strip; a leaf strip spooling device adapted to feed the leaf strip to the elongated fixture member (R), where said leaf strip spooling device comprises a spool member adapted to hold the spool leaf strips; a leaf strip guiding device (110B) adapted to guide and move the leaf strip spooling device with respect to the rotation of the elongated fixture member (R) by said driving unit (110AM) of said leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A), where said leaf strip guiding device (110B) comprises a guiding member (110BG) and a movable member (110BS), where said movable member (110BS) is movably connected to said guiding member (110BG), where said movable member (110BS) is adapted to mount said leaf strip spooling device; and a hot air blower device adapted to blow hot air to the leaf strip when the leaf strip is feed to the elongated fixture member (R) to retain bio-degradable food handing device (60) on the elongated fixture member (R) in a rolled position wherein the bio-degradable food handing device (60) is configured for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick; and the leaf strip is made from at least one of a plant leaf and a tree leaf, where the tree leaf is a coconut tree leaf.
30. A method (300) of making a single layered bio-degradable food handling device (60), said method (300) comprising: scraping a portion of an abaxial portion (62Y) of a leaf strip (62) along a lengthwise direction of the leaf strip (62); applying a bonding agent on at least a longitudinal edge portion of the scraped abaxial portion (62Y) of the leaf strip (62); and rolling the leaf strip (62) onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (60), wherein the longitudinal edge portion of the scraped abaxial portion (62Y) attaches onto corresponding portion of the adaxial portion (62X) of the leaf strip (62) during rolling of the leaf strip (62) onto the elongated fixture member (R) thereby maintaining the bio-degradable food handing device (60) in a rolled position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0026] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0064] The embodiments herein achieve bio-degradable food handling devices. Further, embodiments herein achieve systems and methods for making the bio-degradable food handling devices. Further, embodiments herein achieve bio-degradable food handling devices for use as at least one of a drinking straw, a stirrer, a chopstick, a balloon stick and a candy stick. Referring now to the drawings
[0065]
[0066] The main leaf strip (12) defines an adaxial portion (12X), as shown in
[0067] The add-on leaf strip assembly (14) is adapted to be attached to the elongated rolled member (12R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (10), as shown in
[0068]
[0069] The main leaf strip (22) defines an adaxial portion (22X), as shown in
[0070] The add-on leaf strip assembly (24) is adapted to be attached to the elongated rolled member (22R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (20). The add-on leaf strip assembly (24) includes an add-on leaf strip (24L), as shown in
[0071]
[0072] The main leaf strip (32) defines an adaxial portion (32X), as shown in
[0073] The add-on leaf strip assembly (34) adapted to be attached to said elongated rolled member (34R) thereby facilitating formation of the bio-degradable food handling device (30). The add-on leaf strip assembly (34) includes an add-on leaf section (34A), as shown in
[0074]
[0075] The first leaf strip (42) defines an adaxial portion and an abaxial portion. The add-on leaf strip (44) defines an adaxial portion and an abaxial portion. The abaxial portion of the first leaf strip (42) and the abaxial portion of the ad-on leaf strip (44) are scraped. A bonding agent is applied on at least a longitudinal edge portion of the abaxial portion of the first leaf strip (42) to attach the longitudinal edge portion with corresponding portion of the first strip (42) when the first leaf strip (42) is adapted to be spiral rolled onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of an elongated rolled member (42R), as shown in
[0076]
[0077] The first leaf strip (52) defines an adaxial portion (52X), as shown in
[0078]
[0079] The leaf strip (62) defines an adaxial portion (62X), as shown in
[0080]
[0081] In an embodiment, the leaf strip scrubbing system (102) is adapted to clean the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) and also to remove the pesticide from the leaf strips by scrubbing the leaf strips. In an embodiment, the leaf strip scrubbing system (102) includes a plurality of scrubbers adapted to scrub the adaxial portion and the abaxial portion of the leaf strips thereby cleaning the leaf strips and also removing the pesticide from the leaf strips.
[0082] In an embodiment, the autoclave system (104) is adapted to sterilize the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) and to make the leaf strips flexible and also to generate natural wax from the adaxial portion of the leaf strips.
[0083]
[0084] The driving roller assembly (106D) is adapted to cut a portion of the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strips to obtain the leaf strips with predefined width when the leaf strips is being feed in between the driving roller assembly (106D) and the driven roller assembly (106R). The driving roller assembly (106D) drives the driven roller assembly (106R). The driving roller assembly (106D) is driven by the driving unit (106M). In an embodiment, the driving roller assembly (106D) includes a shaft (106DS), a plurality of cutting elements (106DC), a plurality of spacers (106DSR), a lock nut (106DN), as shown in
[0085] The driven roller assembly (106R) is adapted to feed the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) to the cutting elements (106DC) of the driving roller assembly (106D). The driven roller assembly (106R) is driven by the driving roller assembly (106D). In an embodiment, the driven roller assembly (106R) includes a shaft (106RT), a roller (106RR), as shown in
[0086] The coupler (106C) is adapted to couple the shaft (106DS) of the driving roller assembly (106D) to an output shaft (not shown) of the driving unit (106M). The leaf strip guiding unit (106G) is adapted to guide the leaf strips in between the spacers (106DSR) of the driving roller assembly (106D) and the roller (106RR) of the driven roller assembly (106R). The leaf strip guiding unit (106G) includes a base (106GB) and a plurality of dividers (106GD), as shown in
[0087] The base (106B) is adapted to support the driving unit (106M), the driving roller assembly (106D) and the driven roller assembly (106R) through the driving unit mounting member (106MB) and the plurality of roller support frames (106RS). The base (106B) is supported by a plurality of legs (106BL), as shown in
[0088]
[0089] The driving roller assembly (108D) is adapted to feed the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) to the leaf strip scraping device (108B). The driving roller assembly (108D) drives the driven roller assembly (108R). The driving roller assembly (108D) is driven by the driving unit (108M). In an embodiment, the driving roller assembly (108D) includes a shaft (108DS), a roller (108DSR), a lock nut (not shown) and a driving gear (not shown). The shaft (108DS) is rotatably connected to the driving unit (108M) through the coupler (108C). The shaft (108DS) is supported by the roller support frames (108RS) through corresponding bearings (not shown) and corresponding bearing blocks (108BR). The shaft (108DS) is freely rotating on corresponding bearing blocks (108BR) through corresponding bearings (not shown). The roller (108DSR) is adapted to feed the leaf strips to the leaf strip scraping device (108B). The roller (108DSR) is mounted onto the shaft (108DS), where the roller (108DSR) extends along a longitudinal direction of the shaft (108DS). One end of the roller (108DSR) is engaged with a stepped portion (not shown) of the shaft (108DS) and another end of the roller (108DSR) is engaged with the locknut (not shown) thereby the roller (108DSR) is locked in its position. The lock nut (not shown) is adapted to lock the roller (108DSR) in its position thereby restricting a movement of the roller (108DSR). The driving gear (not shown) is adapted to drive a driven gear (not shown) which is mounted on a shaft (not shown) of the driven roller assembly (108R).
[0090] The driven roller assembly (108R) is adapted to feed the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62) to leaf strip scraping device (108B). The driven roller assembly (108R) is driven by the driving roller assembly (108D). In an embodiment, the driven roller assembly (108R) includes a shaft (not shown), a roller (108RR), as shown in
[0091] The coupler (108C) is adapted to couple the shaft (108DS) of the driving roller assembly (108D) to an output shaft (not shown) of the driving unit (108M). The leaf strip guiding unit (108G) is adapted to guide the leaf strips in between the roller (108DSR) of the driving roller assembly (108D) and the roller (108RR) of the driven roller assembly (108R). The leaf strip guiding unit (108G) includes a base (108GB) and a plurality of dividers (108GD), as shown in
[0092] The base (108B) is adapted to support the driving unit (108M), the driving roller assembly (108D) and the driven roller assembly (108R) through the driving unit mounting member (108MB) and the plurality of roller support frames (108RS). The base (108B) is supported by a plurality of legs (108BL). The driving unit mounting member (108MB) is adapted to mount the driving unit (108M). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the driving unit mounting member (108MB) is considered to be a L-bracket. Each bearing block (108BR) is adapted to support corresponding each bearing (not shown). The plurality of roller support frames (108RS) is adapted to support the driving roller assembly (108D) and the driven roller assembly (108R). The plurality of frame reinforcing members (108FS) is adapted to reinforce the roller support frames (108RS). The ends of each frame reinforcing member (108FS) are connected to the roller support frames (108RS). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, each frame reinforcing member (108FS) is considered to be an elongated rod or an elongated tube.
[0093] The leaf strip scraping device (108B) is adapted to scrape the abaxial portion of the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R, 22, 32, 42, 52 and 62). The leaf strip scraping device (108B) includes a driving unit (108BM), a first roller assembly (108BFR), as shown in
[0094]
[0095] The leaf strip guiding device (110B) is adapted to guide and move the leaf strip spooling device (not shown) in relation to the rotation of the elongated fixture member (R) by the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A). In an embodiment, the leaf strip guiding device (110B) includes a guiding member (110BG), a movable member (110BS), a base (110BB) and a plurality of support members (110BS), as shown in
[0096] In another embodiment, the leaf strip guiding device (110B) includes a driving unit (not shown) adapted to rotate the guiding member (110BG) to move the movable member (110BS) on the guiding member (110BG) thereby moving the leaf strip spooling device with respect to rotation of the elongated fixture member (R) by the driving unit (110AM) of the leaf strip rolling device (110A). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the driving unit (not shown) is considered to be an electric motor with a speed reduction gearbox and correspondingly the guiding member (110BG) and the movable member is considered to be lead screw and nut respectively. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to consider the driving unit (not shown) as any of a pneumatic motor, a hydraulic motor, any other rotating mechanism, powered driving means and mechanical driving means and accordingly the speed multiplication gearbox or speed reduction gearbox can be used based on the type of driving unit without otherwise deterring the intended function of the driving unit (not shown) of the leaf strip guiding device (110B) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings.
[0097] The leaf strip spooling device is adapted to wind the leaf strip (12) of continuous length to facilitate formation of spool leaf strips. To obtain leaf strip of continuous length, one end of the leaf strip is attached to corresponding end of another leaf strip by using the bonding agent and similarly, the plurality of leaf strips are attached in the same manner to facilitate formation the leaf strip of continuous length. The leaf strip spooling device is adapted to feed the leaf strip (12) to the elongated fixture member (R) which is removably connected to the driving unit (110AM) and the live center (110ATC) of the tail stock assembly (110AT) of the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A). The leaf strip spooling device is directly mounted or freely mounted onto the movably member (110BS) of the leaf strip guiding device (110B). The leaf strip spooling device includes a spool member (not shown) and a plurality of support members (not shown). The spool member (not shown) is adapted to hold the spool leaf strips. Each support member (not shown) is connected on corresponding each side of the spool member (not shown). The plurality of support members is adapted to retain the spool leaf strip on the spool member (not shown). The hot air blower device (not shown) is adapted to blow hot air to the leaf strip to enable the elongated roller member (R) to be retained in the rolled position when the leaf strip is feed to the elongated fixture member (R) by the leaf strip spooling device.
[0098]
[0099] The add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) is adapted to wind the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of continuous length to facilitate formation of spool add-on leaf strips. To obtain add-on leaf strip of continuous length, one end of the add-on leaf strip is attached to corresponding end of another add-on leaf strip by using the bonding agent and similarly, the plurality of add-on leaf strips (14L, 14R) are attached in the same manner to facilitate formation the add-on leaf strips (14L, 14R) of continuous length. The add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) is adapted to feed the add-on leaf strip to the bonding agent applying device (112B). The add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) includes a spool member (112AS), a plurality of support members (112AR) and a main frame (112AF), as shown in
[0100] The hot air blower device (not shown) is adapted to blow hot air to the add-on strip (141, 14R) to enable the add-on leaf strip to retain its shape when the add-on leaf strip is feed from the add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A) to the add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D).
[0101] The bonding agent applying device (112B) is adapted to apply bonding agent to the scraped abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R). In an embodiment, the bonding agent applying device (112B) includes a tank (112BT), a roller (112BR), as shown in
[0102] The add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C) is adapted to feed the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) to the add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D). In an embodiment, the add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C) includes a roller (112CR) and a main frame (112CM), as shown in
[0103] The add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D) is adapted to cut the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of required length from the spool add-on leaf strip which is being feed by the add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C) to add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D. The add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D) includes a base (112DB), a work top (112DW), as shown in
[0104] The add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) is adapted to facilitate attaching of each add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (12R) thereby facilitating formation of the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10). The add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) includes a fixed roller (112ER), as shown in
[0105] The adaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L) is placed on and in between the fixed roller (112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ERS) such that the bonding agent applied on the scraped abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L) is facing upwards. The elongated fixture member (R) along with the elongated rolled member (12R) is pressed onto the add-on leaf strip (14L) against said roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS) such that the fixed roller (112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ESP) facilitates attaching of the add-on strip onto one side of the elongated rolled member (12R).
[0106] Similarly, the adaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14R) is placed on and in between the fixed roller (112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ERS) such that the bonding agent applied on the abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14R) is facing upwards. The elongated fixture member (R) along another side of with the elongated rolled member (12R) is pressed onto another add-on leaf strip (14R) against said roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS) such that the fixed roller (1112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ESP) facilitates in attaching of the add-on leaf strip (14R) onto another side of the elongated rolled member (12R) thereby forming facilitating formation of the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10) such that the longitudinal edge portions of each add-on leaf strip (14L) overlaps with corresponding edge portions of another add-on leaf strip (14R). Therefore, the elongated fixture member (R) is removed from the multi-layered bio-degradable food handling device (10) after curing of the bonding agent in the abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of the multi-layered food handling device (10).
[0107] The cutting system (114) is adapted to cut the bio-degradable food handling device (10) into a plurality of bio-degradable food handling devices (10), where each bio-degradable food handling devices (10) is of equal length.
[0108]
[0109] At step (204), the method (200) includes autoclaving the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) in an autoclave system (104) to sterilize the leaf strips and to make the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) flexible and to generate natural wax from an adaxial portion of the leaf strips.
[0110] At step (206), the method (200) includes testing the leaf strips (12, 14L, 14R) for pesticide residue levels after the method step (204) of autoclaving the leaf strips in the autoclave system (104).
[0111] At step (208), the method (200) includes cutting a portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) with a predefined width.
[0112] At step (210), the method (200) includes scraping a portion of an abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along a lengthwise direction of the leaf strip.
[0113] At step (212), the method (200) includes rolling the leaf strip (12) onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R).
[0114] At step (214), the method (200) includes applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R).
[0115] At step (216) the method (200) includes attaching the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10).
[0116] At step (218) the method (200) includes curing the bonding agent for a predetermined time and removing the multi-layered bio-degradable device (10) from the elongated fixture member (R).
[0117] At step (220), the method (200) includes cutting by, manually or a cutting system (114), the multi-layered bio-degradable device (10) into a plurality of bio-degradable devices, where each bio-degradable device is of equal length.
[0118] The method (200) includes separating a midrib from each leaf strip, step (201A) prior to method step (202) of scrubbing by, manually or a leaf strip scrubbing system (102), on both sides of each leaf strip to clean each leaf strip thereby removing at least one of dirt, foreign particles and pesticide from each leaf strip.
[0119] The method (200) includes soaking the leaf strips in at least one of a cold water and a normal water, step (201B) after the method step (201A) of separating the midrib from each leaf strip.
[0120] The method step (208) of cutting the portion of each leaf strip along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width by at least one of,
[0121] manually cutting the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by using a cutting device along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width and
[0122] cutting by, the leaf strip width cutting system (106), the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along the longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width.
[0123] The method step of cutting the portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by the leaf strip width cutting system (106), includes
[0124] driving a shaft (106DS) of a driving roller assembly (106D) by a driving unit (106M);
[0125] driving a driven gear of a driven roller assembly (106R) by a driving gear of the driving roller assembly (106D);
[0126] guiding each leaf strip to and in between a plurality of spacers (106DSR) of the driving roller assembly (106D) and a roller (106RR) of the driven roller assembly (106R) by a leaf strip guiding unit (106G);
[0127] feeding each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to at least one cutting element (106DC) of the driving roller assembly (106D) by the plurality of spacers (106DSR) of the driving roller assembly (106D) and the roller (106RR) of the driven roller assembly (106R); and
[0128] cutting by at least one cutting element (106DC), portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) along longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip with the predefined width.
[0129] The method step (210) of scraping the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by at least one of,
[0130] manually scraping the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip by rubbing an abrasive sheet on the abaxial portion of each leaf strip; and
[0131] scraping by, a leaf strip scraping system (108), the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R).
[0132] Scraping the abaxial portion of the leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) by the leaf strip scraping system (108) includes,
[0133] driving a shaft (108DS) of a driving roller assembly (108D) by a driving unit (108M) of a leaf strip feeding device (108A);
[0134] driving a driven gear of a driven roller assembly (108R) by a driving gear of the driving roller assembly (108D) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A);
[0135] guiding by, leaf strip guiding unit (108G), each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to and in between a roller (108DSR) of the driving roller assembly (108D) and a roller (108RR) of the driven roller assembly (108R) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A);
[0136] feeding each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) to an abrasive belt (108BB) of a leaf strip scraping device (108B) by the roller (108DSR) of the driving roller assembly (108D) and the roller (108RR) of the driven roller assembly (108R) of the leaf strip feeding device (108A);
[0137] and scraping by, the abrasive belt (108BB), the portion of the abaxial portion of each leaf strip (12, 14L, 14R) when a shaft (108BFX) of a first roller assembly (108BFR) is driven by a driving unit (108BM) of the leaf strip scraping device (108B), where the abrasive belt (108BB) is provided on a roller (108BFY) of the first roller assembly (108BFR) and a roller (108BSY) of a second roller assembly (108BSR)
[0138] The method step (212) of rolling the leaf strip onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R) by at least one of,
[0139] manually rolling the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R), and
[0140] rolling, by a leaf strip (12) spiral rolling device (110A), the leaf strip onto the elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R).
[0141] The rolling the leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R) by the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A) includes,
[0142] engaging one end of the elongated fixture member (R) to a live center (110ATC) of a tailstock assembly (110AT) and engaging another end of the elongated fixture member (R) to an output shaft of a driving unit (110AM) of the leaf strip spiral rolling device (110A);
[0143] feeding one end of leaf strip (12) onto the elongated fixture member (R);
[0144] blowing hot air onto the leaf strip (12) by a hot air blowing device;
[0145] rotating the elongated fixture member (R) by the driving unit (110AM) to facilitate formation of elongated rolled member (12R);
[0146] retaining the elongated rolled member (12R) in a spiral rolled position by at least one of engaging holding members on both ends of the elongated rolled member (R) and applying a bonding agent on at least a portion of the leaf strip (12); and
[0147] removing the elongated fixture member (R) from the live center (110ATC) of the tail stock assembly (110AT) and the output shaft of the driving unit (110AM).
[0148] The method step (214) of applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) by at least one of,
[0149] manually applying a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R); and
[0150] applying by, an add-on leaf strip attaching system (112), a bonding agent on at least one of a scraped abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) and the scraped abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R).
[0151] Applying the bonding agent by the add-on leaf strip attaching system (112), includes
[0152] feeding by, an add-on leaf strip spooling device (112A), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) to a bonding agent applying device (112B);
[0153] applying by, a roller (112BR) of the bonding agent applying device (112B), bonding agent to the scraped abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R), where the roller (112BR) is provided in a tank (112Bt) which stores the bonding agent;
[0154] feeding by, a roller (112CR) of an add-on leaf strip feeding device (112C), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) from the bonding agent applying device (112B) to an add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D);
[0155] blowing hot air to the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) by a hot air blowing device; and
[0156] cutting by, the add-on leaf strip cutting device (112D), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) of required length from the spool add-on leaf strip
[0157] The method step (216) attaching the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10) by at least one of,
[0158] manually attaching the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) on the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10); and
[0159] attaching by, an add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E), the abaxial portion of at least one add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto abaxial portion of the elongated rolled member (12R) to facilitate formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10).
[0160] Attaching the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (R) by the add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) includes,
[0161] placing the adaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) on and in between a fixed roller (fixed roller (112ER) and a spring loaded roller (112ERS) of the add-on leaf strip attaching device (112E) such that the bonding agent applied on the abaxial portion of the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) is facing upwards; and
[0162] attaching, by the fixed roller (112ER) and the spring loaded roller (112ERS), the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) onto the elongated rolled member (R) thereby facilitating formation of the multilayered bio-degradable food handling device (10) by pressing the elongated rolled member (12R) along with the elongated fixture member (R) on the add-on leaf strip (14L, 14R) against said roller (112ER) and said spring loaded roller (112ERS).
[0163]
[0164] At step (304), the method (300) includes autoclaving the leaf (62) strips in an autoclave system (104) to sterilize the leaf strips (62) and to make the leaf strips flexible and to generate natural wax from an adaxial portion of the leaf strips, step (304).
[0165] At step (306), the method (300) includes testing the leaf strips (62) for pesticide residue levels after the method step (304) of autoclaving the leaf strips in the autoclave system (104).
[0166] At step (308), the method (300) includes cutting by, manually or a leaf strip width cutting system (106), a portion of each leaf strip (62) along a longitudinal direction of the leaf strip to obtain each leaf strip (62) with a predefined width.
[0167] At step (310), the method (300) includes scraping by, manually or a leaf strip scraping system (108), a portion of an abaxial portion of each leaf strip (62).
[0168] At step (312), the method (300) includes applying a bonding agent on at least a longitudinal edge portion in the scraped abaxial portion of the leaf strip (62).
[0169] At step (314), the method (300) includes rolling by, manually or a leaf strip spiral rolling system (110), the leaf strip (62) onto an elongated fixture member (R) to facilitate formation of the single-layered bio-degradable device (60).
[0170] At step (316) the method (300) includes curing the bonding agent for a predetermined time and removing the single-layered bio-degradable device from the elongated fixture member (R).
[0171] At step (318), the method (300) includes cutting by, manually or a cutting system (114), the single-layered bio-degradable device into a plurality of bio-degradable devices, where each bio-degradable device is of equal length.
[0172] The method (300) includes separating a midrib from each leaf strip, step (301A) prior to method step (302) of scrubbing by, manually or a leaf strip scrubbing system (102), on both sides of each leaf strip (62) to clean each leaf strip thereby removing at least one of dirt, foreign particles and pesticide from each leaf strip.
[0173] The method (300) includes soaking the leaf strips (62) in at least one of a cold water and a normal water, step (301B) after the method step (301A) of separating the midrib from each leaf strip.
[0174] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.