FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 OF 1970)
AND
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
PURAN MAKING MACHINE
MIT Academy of Engineering, an Indian Institute, of Dehu Phata, Alandi (D), Pune, Maharashtra 412105, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be
performed

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present subject matter, in general, relates to the field of food industry. In particular, the present subject matter relates to an apparatus and method for crushing puran and more specifically to the quality of puran.
BACKGROUND
Food industry is growing day by day and businesses related to food industry are also expanding exponentially at a rapid rate. Festivals are incomplete without good food and sweet delights, which add life to the festive spirit. One of the traditional food items of India includes Puran Poli, or Puran, which is in the form of a sweet flatbread. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, puran is made frequently in homes and, also, in public eating joints during festivals and other days.
Puran is made from chana daal, also known as Bengal gram or split chickpeas, and jaggery or cane sugar. Sometimes toor daal, also known as split pigeon peas, is used in the state of Gujarat. It is commonly used in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu as well. In Andhra Pradesh and other places, moong daal, also known as petite yellow lentils, chana daal (Bengal gram or split chickpeas) or mix of these is used.
To make a puran, lentils (or daal) and water is first cooked in a pressure cooker. Then, sugar or jaggery is added in cooked lentils. However, the challenge faced by most people while making puran is its crushing. If puran is not crushed properly, the taste of puran poli degrades. Also, many times there is jamming of puran machine, thereby further affecting efficiency and quality of puran and resulting in a high service cost. Furthermore, preparing a puran in conventional machines or manually is time consuming.

Current methods and apparatuses used for crushing of puran include 1) Stone crusher, 2) Food processor, and 3) Rubbing over rough surface. However, conventional apparatuses used for crushing puran lack effectiveness and efficiency. For example, a stainless steel puran making machine, or crusher, is known from https://www.amazon.in/MJ-Stainless-Making-Machine-crusher/dp/B00GX7YJG0. This Puran Making Machine consists of a vessel, a strainer (jali), a handle, blades, and an attachment to hold and rotate handle and blades over the vessel. The blades are designed in such a way that they press the puran onto the strainer (jali) as the handle starts rotating. Strainers below the blades are available as per requirement which have different shapes of holes. Using these holes on the strainer, the machine can extract juice from fruits & crushing of puran.
One of the major disadvantages of such machines includes high possibility of blocking of holes, thereby leading to jamming of the machine. This results in a time-consuming process for puran preparation. Sometimes, the lentils (daal) are required to be crushed more than once twice to get an acceptable quality puran.
Multi-purpose puran strainers are also known, for examples, as shown in https://www.amazon.in/TAJ-Stainless-Steel-Multi-Purpose/dp/B07FMLM7PJ. In such machines, the puran is directly pressed onto a net (jali).This pressing operation needs to be done repeatedly in this machine to enable crushing of puran. However, the chances of such machines causing harm to hands of a user are quite high due to the continuous pressing over the net (jali).
Therefore, there is a well felt need for an apparatus and a method that overcomes the above and other related challenges.

SUMMARY
It is an object of the present subject matter to improve the quality of sweet flatbread type food item, particularly puran.
It is another object of the present subject matter to provide an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, which is durable and jam-free.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to reduce the cost for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide an appropriate texture to a flatbread type food item, particularly puran.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to reduce the time required to crush the raw material for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to increase the durability of an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, by increasing its corrosion resistance.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide a simple apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, which is easy to operate.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, in which jamming of rollers is avoided.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, which is portable and easy to use even for domestic/ household purpose.
It is yet another object of the present subject matter to provide an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, which is cost effective.

The subject matter relates to an apparatus for crushing a food item, particularly a boiled and cooked puran material into a fine grade crushed puran. The apparatus comprises at least one inlet for feeding the boiled and cooked puran material in the apparatus; at least one pair of parallely located crushing members suitably spaced apart from each other and configured to crush the boiled and cooked puran material entering from the at least one inlet, the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members defining a gap for transferring the crushed puran to at least one collecting unit; and at least one pair of driving mechanism for setting the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members in motion to perform the crushing operation.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one inlet comprises a funnel-shaped hopper made up of steel, aluminum, plastic or any suitable metal.
In another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one inlet is positioned above the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members for allowing transfer of the boiled and cooked puran material from the at least one inlet to the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members by means of gravity.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the inlet is mounted on at least one inlet stand.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members comprises at least one pair of parallel rollers made up of mild steel, alloy steel, aluminum, copper alloys or any other suitable metal.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members are configured to rotate in opposite directions in relation to each other for crushing said boiled and cooked puran material between said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members.

In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the gap is suitably created to allow transfer of said crushed puran but not said boiled and cooked puran material to said collecting unit.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one pair of driving mechanism comprises at least one pair of gears attached to corresponding crushing members of the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members, the at least one gears comprising spur or helical gears made up of steel, steel alloys or any suitable metal.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one pair of driving mechanism is actuated by an actuating means comprising a handle made up of steel, aluminum, plastic or any suitable metal.
In yet another embodiment of the present subject matter, the at least one inlet, the at least one inlet stand, the at least one pair of parallely located crushing members, the at least one pair of driving mechanism and the at least one actuating means are supported by a base frame made up of mild steel or any suitable metal and manufactured by fabrication, metal joining or any suitable manufacturing process.
BRIEF DESCRITPTION OF ACCOMPNAYING DRAWINGS
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the apparatus for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, after removing the hopper and hopper stand in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following presents a detailed description of various embodiments of the present subject matter with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiments of the present subject matter are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present subject matter is not limited to these embodiments which are only provided to explain more clearly the present subject matter to a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate like components.
The specification may refer to “an”, “one”, “different” or “some” embodiment(s) in several locations. This does not necessarily imply that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments.
As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “attached” or “connected” or “coupled” or “mounted” to another element, it can be directly attached or connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may

be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations and arrangements of one or more of the associated listed items.
The figures depict a simplified structure only showing some elements and functional entities, all being logical units whose implementation may differ from what is shown.
The present subject matter provides an apparatus for preparing puran, and particularly relates to a puran crushing machine. The apparatus includes a plurality of rollers, which are mounted on a frame. The rollers are attached to a pair of gears, which are preferably provided on one side of the apparatus for smooth movement. A handle is attached to the rollers on the other side. As the handle is rotated, the rollers start rotating and the puran starts getting crushed. The present subject matter enables effective crushing of puran to obtain an appropriate texture.
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of an apparatus 100 for preparing a flatbread type food item, particularly puran, in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 2 illustrates a three-dimensional view of the apparatus after removing the hopper and hopper stand in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus 100 of the present subject matter comprises a puran crushing machine that enables crushing of boiled and cooked puran into a fine grade crushed puran. The apparatus 100 according to the present subject matter includes a plurality of components. For example, and by no way limiting the scope of the present subject matter, the apparatus includes, but not limiting to, at least one hopper 1, at least one hopper stand 2, at least one pair of gears 3, at least one handle 4, a base frame 5, at least one collecting unit 6 and at least one pair of parallelly located crushing members 7.
In a preferred embodiment, the base frame 5 is made up of mild steel and provides a rigid support to various components of the apparatus 100. In other embodiments, the base frame 5 can be made up of wood, cast iron or any other metal and / or non-metal to provide support to the

components of the apparatus 100. The base frame 5 plays an important role of absorbing shocks to which the apparatus 100 is subjected. In an embodiment, the base frame 5 includes a plurality of legs 5-1, 5-2, which are attached by means of one or more connectors 5-3, and a top base 5-4. However, the configuration of the base frame 5 and its components may vary as would be clear to a person skilled in the art.
The hopper stand 2 is placed on the top base 5-4 of the base frame 5 and supports the hopper 1 as shown in Figure 1. The hopper 1 forms a feeder or an inlet for the apparatus 100 and is configured to hold the puran raw material or mixture above the at least one pair of parallelly located crushing members 7. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one pair of parallelly located crushing members comprises at least one parallelly located rollers 7. The boiled and cooked puran material is directed towards the at least one pair of rollers 7 by the hopper 1, which has a configured as that of a funnel. However, the shape of the hopper 1 may vary such that it directs the raw material or puran onto the at least one pair of rollers 7. In a preferred embodiment, the hopper 1 is positioned above the rollers for allowing transfer of boiled and cooked puran material from the hopper 1 to the at least one pair of rollers 7 by means of gravity. The hopper 1 can be made of aluminum, steel, plastic or any suitable metal in different embodiments.
The at least one pair of rollers 7 acts as crushing members. The rollers 7a, 7b of a pair of rollers 7 are located parallel to each other and are configured to rotate in opposite directions in relation to each other, as can be seen in Figure 2. In a preferred embodiment, feeding of the boiled and cooked puran material from the hopper 1 to the at least one pair of rollers 7 is facilitated by means of gravity. In another embodiment, transfer means may be provided for transferring the boiled and cooked puran material from the hopper 1 to the at least one pair of rollers 7.
In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, one hopper 1 and one hopper stand 1 are provided. However, as would be clear to a person skilled in the art, a plurality of hoppers may be provided in

series or parallel. Similarly, one or more hopper stands may be employed for supporting one or more hoppers in different embodiments.
A provision is made at the base of the hopper 1 for fitting the pair of rollers 7. The rollers 7a, 7b of the at least one pair of rollers 7 are mounted on respective roller mountings 8a, 8b and then welded to the base frame 5. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, the base frame is a rectangular roller base frame. The rollers 7a, 7b according to the present subject matter are provided in pairs with enough gap between them that is suitable to allow crushing of the puran, as shown in Figure 2. In a preferred embodiment, the rollers 7a, 7b are provided in parallel and rotate in opposite directions, thereby crushing the puran passing through the gap between the rollers 7a, 7b. The fine grade crushed puran passing through the gap between the rollers 7a, 7b is collected in at least one collecting unit 6. Based on the number of iterations of experimental procedure, the gap of approximately 1mm is created between the rollers 7a, 7b to allow transfer of the crushed puran but not said boiled and cooked puran material through the gap between the rollers 7a, 7b to the collecting unit 6. The collecting unit 6 may comprise a container or similar component located inside or outside the apparatus 100 in different embodiments.
In an embodiment, one pair of rollers 7 is provided in the apparatus 100. However, in other embodiments, more than one pair of rollers may be provided for performing the crushing operation. In a preferred embodiment, rollers 7a, 7b are made of mild steel or any other food grade material. In other embodiments, the rollers 7a, 7b can be made up of alloy steel, aluminum, copper alloys or any other suitable metal.
The rollers 7a, 7b have horizontal knurling 9 over them to provide cutting and simultaneous pressing action. The rectangular roller frame 5 is made up of mild steel or any other metal may be provided for mounting rollers 7a, 7b in the apparatus 100 in an embodiment. In a preferred embodiment, the roller frame 5 is manufactured by fabrication / metal joining or any other process

to make it rigid, durable and supportive to rollers. The pair of rollers 7 is attached to the corresponding pair of gears 3a, 3b as shown in Figure 2. In an embodiment, spur gears with gear ratio of 1 are used. These gears 3a, 3b are used for transmitting torque and motion generated due to rotation of handle 4. This is accomplished due to contact of teeth of two meshing gears 3a, 3b. The pair of gears 3 is configured as a driving mechanism and provided on one side of the apparatus 100 for smooth operation. In preferred embodiments, the gears 3a, 3b comprise spur or helical gears and made up of steel, steel alloys or any suitable metal.
The handle 4 provides a mean to rotate the rollers in an embodiment, The handle 4 comprises a lever-like configuration and is made up of steel, aluminum, plastic or any suitable metal. Handle 4 is attached to one of the roller shaft through cotter joint. However, the shape and configuration of the handle 4 may vary to effectively enable rotation of the rollers 7a, 7b as would be clear to a person skilled in the art. Similarly, the material of the handle 4 can be varied as per the requirement.
The apparatus 100 of the present subject matter works on the principle of rolling action. The raw material to prepare puran in the form of boiled lentils is poured directly from the boiling utensil, such as a pressure cooker, into the hopper 1 with the help of a spoon or any other transfer device. The funnel-shaped hopper 1 provides a path to the raw material to move it towards the rollers. When the puran reaches rollers, the handle 4 is rotated. The rotation of the handle 4 can be done manually or automatically. Due to the rotation of the handle 4, the puran starts feeding between the pair of rollers 7. Due to the rolling action of rollers 7a, 7b, the raw material in the form of lentils is crushed and transformed into puran having required texture and quality.
As can be seen from above, the present subject matter provides a simple and cost-effective apparatus and method for preparing puran that provides an appropriate and desirable texture to the puran. The present subject matter ensures that the time required for the process of preparing puran

is substantially reduced, especially by providing rolling operation of rollers. Since the apparatus is made up of non-corrosive components, the present subject matter ensures that the apparatus is highly durable and has an increased corrosion resistance. Further, the apparatus is compact, portable and easy to operate. Since an appropriate amount of gap is provided between the rollers, the risk of jamming of the rollers is substantially reduced.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

We claim:
1. An apparatus 100 for crushing a food item, particularly a boiled and cooked puran material into
a fine grade crushed puran, said apparatus 100 comprising:
at least one inlet 1 for feeding said boiled and cooked puran material in the apparatus 100;
at least one pair of parallelly located crushing members 7 suitably spaced apart from each other and configured to crush said boiled and cooked puran material entering from said at least one inlet 1, said at least one pair of parallelly located crushing members 7 defining a gap for transferring the crushed puran to at least one collecting unit 6; and
at least one pair of driving mechanism 3 for setting said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7 in motion to perform the crushing operation.
2. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one inlet 1 comprises a funnel-shaped hopper made up of steel, aluminum, plastic or any suitable metal.
3. The apparatus 100 as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one inlet 1 is positioned above said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7 for allowing transfer of said boiled and cooked puran material from said at least one inlet 1 to said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7 by means of gravity.
4. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said inlet 1 is mounted on at least one inlet stand 2.

5. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7 comprises at least one pair of parallel rollers 7a, 7b made up of mild steel, alloy steel, aluminum, copper alloys or any other suitable metal.
6. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7 are configured to rotate in opposite directions in relation to each other for crushing said boiled and cooked puran material between said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7.
7. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said gap is suitably created to allow transfer of said crushed puran but not said boiled and cooked puran material to said collecting unit 6.
8. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said at least one pair of driving mechanism 3 comprises at least one pair of gears 3 attached to corresponding crushing members 7a, 7b of said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7, said at least one pair of gears 3 comprising spur or helical gears made up of steel, steel alloys or any suitable metal.
9. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said at least one pair of driving mechanism 3 is actuated by an actuating means comprising a handle 4 made up of steel, aluminum, plastic or any suitable metal.

10. The apparatus 100 as claimed in any one of previous claims, wherein said at least one inlet 1, said at least one inlet stand 2, said at least one pair of parallely located crushing members 7, said at least one pair of driving mechanism 3 and said at least one actuating means 4 are supported by a base frame 5 made up of mild steel or any suitable metal and manufactured by fabrication, metal joining or any suitable manufacturing process.