FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The embodiment herein generally relates to the field of food preparing
machine. More specifically, the invention provides an apparatus for preparing
pancake automatically within less time.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
[0002] A pancake is a flat cake often thin and round, prepared from smooth
batter and cooked with oil or butter on a hot surface such as a griddle or a frying
pan. There are varieties in pancake such as dosa, crepe, slapjack, flapjack etc.
Conventionally, the pancake is prepared by pouring the batter on a heated pan,
shaping the pancake by evenly spreading the batter in a desired shape, flipping the
pancake and finally removing the prepared pancake from the pan. Additionally,
water may be sprinkled for maintaining an adequate heat on the pan for the
effective preparation of the pancake. This manual method for the preparation of
the pancake is literally tedious and time consuming.
[0003] Moreover, the manual method requires more human intervention for the
preparation of the pancakes and is only convenient for domestic and commercial
establishment that requires less production of the pancakes. Currently, there are
automatic pancake preparing machines available to make the preparation process
faster but are huge in size, expensive and requires expert handling. Therefore,
existing automatic pancake preparing machines are constrainedly used in
industrial establishments.
[0004] Therefore there is a need to develop an apparatus for preparing pancake
automatically within less time. Further, there is a need to develop an apparatus for

preparing pancake that are convenient for the domestic production as well as for
the commercial production.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Some of the objects of the present disclosure are described herein below:
[0006] A main object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preparing pancake automatically within less time thereby making the preparation
process faster.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preparing pancake that are convenient for the domestic production as well as for
the commercial production.
[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preparing pancake that requires less human intervention.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preparing pancake that occupies less space and allows easy handling.
[00010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for
preparing pancake that may give quick access to user's without skilled labour.
[00011] The other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, which are incorporated for illustration of preferred
embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope
thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00012] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an apparatus
for preparing pancake automatically within less time. The apparatus comprises of a base plate for placing a pan, a pan for preparing the pancake, at least three

reservoirs for storing batter, oil and water, a programmable logic controller, at
least one temperature sensor, an induction heating control, at least one pan
rotation motor, at least one batter spreader, at least one batter valve, at least one
water valve, at least one oil valve and an ejector. Process involved in the
preparation of the pancake is controlled by the programmable logic controller.
[00013] According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor is provided for
finding real time temperature of the pan.
[00014] According to an embodiment, the induction heating control is provided
for adequate heating of the pan.
[00015] According to an embodiment, the pan rotation motor is provided for
rotating the pan before pouring the batter.
[00016] According to an embodiment, the batter valve is provided for controlling
the batter flow on the pan. The batter valve is connected to a motor to control for
controlling the batter flow on the pan by forwarding and reversing the motor.
[00017] According to an embodiment, the batter spreader is configured for
spreading the batter to required thickness after the batter is poured on to the
rotating pan.
[00018] According to an embodiment, the water valve is an electromagnetic valve
provided for controlling spraying of the water on the pan.
[00019] According to an embodiment, the oil valve is an electromagnetic valve
provided for controlling spraying of the oil on the pan.

[00020] According to an embodiment, the ejector is provided to take out the
prepared pancake from the pan by using a sharp edged sheet, wherein the sharp
edged sheet is placed on the rotating pan.
[00021] According to an embodiment, the base plate is provided with caster
wheels at bottom to move the apparatus to desired location.
[00022] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better
appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however,
that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and
numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of
limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the
embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[00023] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying
figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the
figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference
numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[00024] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 100 of an apparatus for
preparing pancake automatically within less time, according to an embodiment
herein; and
[00025] Fig.2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart 200 of working of the apparatus
while preparing pancake automatically, according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [00026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments 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.
[00027] As mentioned above, there is a need to develop an apparatus for preparing pancake automatically within less time. The embodiments herein achieve this by providing an apparatus for preparing pancake using a programmable logic controller that are convenient for the domestic production as well as for the commercial productions. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 and Fig.2, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[00028] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 100 of an apparatus for preparing pancake automatically within less time, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment, the apparatus for preparing the pancake 100 comprises of a base plate for placing a pan, a pan for preparing the pancake, at least three reservoirs for storing batter, oil and water, a programmable logic controller 102, at least one temperature sensor 103, an induction heating control 104, at least one pan rotation motor 105, at least one

batter valve 106, at least one batter spreader 107, at least one water valve 108, at least one oil valve 109 and an ejector. The power required for operation of the apparatus is supplied by a solar power unit. [00029] According to an embodiment, the pan used for preparing the pancake is
heated using induction heating 104 method. The induction heating method is
feasible in many aspects like controlling and wiring arrangements. An induction
coil holder is used to hold a disc type induction coil with the possibility of height
adjustment to place near the pan for heating. In an embodiment, diameter of the
pan is 700mm and thickness of the pan is 6mm.
[00030] According to an embodiment, the pan rotation motor 105 rotates the pan
before pouring the batter. Rotating the pan using the pan rotation motor 105
enables even spreading of the batter to obtain a flat round pancake. In an
embodiment, diameter of a pan pulley is 290mm; diameter of the pan rotation
motor pulley is 70mm and pitch length is 324mm.
[00031] According to an embodiment, the programmable logic controller (PLC)
103 is used for controlling the pancake preparation process. In an embodiment,
delta programmable logic controller with relayed output of 24 and 16 are used,
wherein delta PLC programming software is WPL soft and programming
language is ladder logic.
[00032] According to an embodiment, the temperature sensor 103 is configured
to find the real time temperature of the pan. In an embodiment, thermocouple is
used to find the real time temperature and the pan temperature is in a range of
180°C-220°C and in closed loop control by the PLC ladder programming, wherein

the temperature is set for getting a good crisp pancake prepared that takes around
40-45 seconds.
[00033] According to an embodiment, the batter valve 106 is connected to a
motor for controlling the batter flow on the pan by forwarding and reversing the
motor. In an embodiment, a ball valve is connected to a 12v dc motor for
controlling the batter flow. According to an embodiment, the batter spreader 107
is configured for spreading the batter to a required thickness after the batter is
poured to the rotating pan.
[00034] According to an embodiment, the oil valve 109 is configured for
controlling spraying of the oil on the pan. In an embodiment, a 12v
electromagnetic valve is used for controlling the spraying of the oil by opening
and closing the valve.
[00035] According to an embodiment, the water valve 108 is configured for
controlling spraying of the water on the pan after spraying the oil. Spraying of the
water on the pan is essential for adequate heating of the pan. In an embodiment, a
12v electromagnetic valve is used for controlling the spraying of the oil on the pan
by opening and closing the valve.
[00036] According to an embodiment, the ejector is configured for taking out the
prepared pancake from the pan by using a sharp edged sheet. The sharp edged
sheet is placed on the rotating pan and though the pan rotation motor 105 is
rotating the pan, the pancake is automatically taken out from the pan. The base
plate is provided with caster wheels at bottom to move the apparatus to desired
location.
[00037] Fig.2 illustrates an exemplary flow chart 200 of working of the apparatus
while preparing pancake automatically, according to an embodiment. According

to the embodiment, a start button is pressed and heating system switches ON 201. The pan rotation motor starts rotating the pan 202 and the temperature sensor finds the real time temperature. The temperature of the pan is in closed loop control by the PLC ladder programming in the range of 200°C. When the
i temperature of the pan reaches above 200°C 203, the batter is poured on the pan for about one second by the controlled action of the motor and batter valve. After pouring the batter on to the rotating pan the batter is spreaded to required thickness by the batter spreader. Immediately after spreading the batter 204, the oil is sprayed for every 60 seconds by the controlled action of oil valve 205.
i Further, water is sprayed on the pan immediately after the spraying of the oil for maintaining adequate heat on the pan 206. Finally the ejector takes out the prepared pancake. Once the start button is pressed the pancake preparation process starts automatically. [00038] A main advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is
i provided for preparing pancake automatically within less time thereby making the preparation process faster.
[00039] Another advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is provided for preparing pancake that is convenient for the domestic production as well as for the commercial production.
i [00040] Still another advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is provided for preparing pancake that requires less human intervention. [00041] Another advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is provided for preparing pancake that occupies less space and allows easy handling.

[00042] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that an apparatus is provided for preparing pancake that may give quick access to users without skilled labour. [00043] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully
5 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 preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

We Claim:
1. An apparatus for preparing pancake 100 using programmable logic controller
103, wherein the apparatus comprising of:
a base plate, a pan provided for preparing the pancake and at least three reservoirs
for storing batter, oil and water;
characterized in that
the apparatus further includes at least one temperature sensor 102 configured to
find real time temperature of the pan;
an induction heating control 104 configured for adequate heating of the pan;
at least one pan rotation motor 105 configured to rotate the pan before pouring the
batter;
at least one batter valve 106 configured for controlling the batter flow on the pan;
at least one batter spreader 107 configured for spreading the batter to required
thickness after the batter is poured on to the rotating pan;
at least one water valve 108 configured for controlling spraying of the water on
the pan;
at least one oil valve 109 configured for controlling spraying of the oil on the pan
; and
at least one ejector configured to take out the prepared pancake from the pan by
using a sharp edged sheet, wherein the sharp edged sheet placed on the rotating
pan.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the batter valve 106 connected to
a motor for controlling the batter flow on the pan by forwarding and reversing the
motor.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water valve 108 is an electromagnetic valve.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oil valve 109 is an electromagnetic valve.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base plate provided with caster wheels at bottom of the base plate to move the apparatus to desired location.