DESCRIPTION

This machine helps to prepare stronger, elegant and uniform cups and plates of different sizes from leaves and paper at a rate much faster than the conventional method of leaf-cup making. In case of flimsy leaves, another layer of leaf, paper or polythene may be used for reinforcement the method is simple. No adhesives are needed. 

MATERIALS

Paper, Dried Banana leaves, Dried Bauhinia Vahili leaves (Hindi: Kachnar), Areca leaf sheath, Dried Butea Frondoza leaves (Hindi: Palash). 

CONSTRUCTION

The machine consists of the following main parts: The body frame, upper die assembly, lower die assembly and base plate activator. 

WORKING

The dry leaves are washed and softened by soaking in water for 10 to 30 minutes the length of time depends on the type of leaves 6E their dryness) and again dried until they become pliable. The correct point of dryness is reached when the leaf does not crack when folded to 180 degrees, across the grain. All parts of the leaf, more than 3 mm thick are cut off. The energy regulator is set to maintain the male die temperature at about 150⁰ C. 

The leaf of adequate size is symmetrically placed on the base plate above the die-opening and the foot pedal is pressed down. As it lowers, the holding plates keep the leaf in position. 

The pedal is lowered further holding the leaf/leaves in this position for a short period (5-10 seconds for a thin leaf and 20-30 seconds for materials like areca sheath), not only dries and sets the leaf in the shape of the die but also destroys the surface micro-organisms, thus making it hygienic. 

By pressing the pedal with a jerk, the cutter incorporated in the machine trims the edges of the leaves. 

When the pressure on the pedal is withdrawn, the leaf cup is ready and could be lifted out by hand. 

Instead of one leaf, a combination of leaves and paper (or a polythene sheet) can be fed into the machine without any change in the procedure.  

When using thicker and stiffer materials like areca sheath, the pressure on the holding plates may have to be increased by placing weight-blocks, above the stopper bushes of the plate studs. An operator using this machine can therefore produce 250 to 300 cups/dishes per hour from thin leaves or their combinations and about 100 cups/dishes from thicker material. A team of one skilled and one unskilled worker can earn about Rs.20 per day. 

SOURCE

1. Director, Central Food & Technological Research Institute, Mysore - 570 013, Karnataka

2. Anil & Co., 69 Ngo's Colony, Rajendra Nagar, Mysore - 570 007, Karnataka