Adjustable Utensil Structure for Crack-Resistant Hygienic Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current utensils with plastically deformable metal cores and elastically deformable plastic materials suffer from cohesion issues, leading to cracking and bacterial contamination due to repeated compression-extension forces, limiting their use to personal and short-term applications, and are not suitable for collective use.
Innovation Solution
The integration of rigid plastic anchoring studs on the metal core ensures a stronger bond with the viscoelastic plastic material, preventing cracking and bacterial migration, while the utensil's design allows for adaptive shaping and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the utensil uses a plastically deformable metal core embedded in elastically deformable plastic material to allow repeated shaping, then the adaptability is improved, but the plastic material suffers damage and cracks over time due to repeated compression-extension forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the plastic material into multiple layers: an inner layer in direct contact with the metal core and an outer layer providing structural protection. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize - the inner layer flexes with the core while the outer layer maintains integrity, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material structure with at least two different plastic materials having different elastic moduli. The first plastic material (inner layer) has lower elastic modulus to accommodate core deformation, while the second plastic material (outer layer) has higher elastic modulus to resist cracking. This composite approach enables both shaping adaptability and material integrity
2Ease of operation
If the utensil allows repeated conformation and return to standard shape for personalized adaptation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the probability of cracking and bacterial contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies a protective coating on the metal core before embedding it in plastic material. This beforehand protection prevents oxidation and bacterial adhesion on the metal surface, which would otherwise occur during repeated conformations and cleaning cycles, thus preventing harmful factors while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer plastic structure creates a sealed environment around the metal core, preventing bacterial migration between the core and envelope even during repeated bending. The outer layer with higher elastic modulus provides crack resistance, maintaining hygiene barriers during personalized adaptation
3Productivity
If the utensil is designed for collective use requiring frequent shaping and cleaning, then the productivity is improved, but the separation between plastic material and metal core increases due to repeated forces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies adhesive promoter treatment to the metal core surface before embedding it in the plastic material. This preliminary action ensures strong bonding between the core and plastic envelope from the start, preventing separation that would otherwise occur during repeated service cycles in collective use settings
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer plastic structure with specialized inner and outer layers distributes mechanical stresses differently, with the inner layer accommodating core movements and the outer layer maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation prevents delamination during frequent shaping and cleaning operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the utensil's reliability and longevity, enabling its use in collective settings by maintaining hygiene and facilitating adaptive shaping and easy maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an overmoulding casing 15 of flexible plastic material, that is to say elastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate part D which can be shaped like the request... a section 2 of metal wire... a plastically deformable metal core
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~9
Figure 10~12
AI summary
The invention relates to a utensil that comprises a gripping portion P, an end portion T for contacting food, and an intermediate portion D that comprises a plastically deformable metal core (2) embedded in an elastically deformable plastic material (15). According to the invention, the bonding between the metal core (2) of the intermediate portion D and the layer (15) of viscoelastic plastic material is provided by a structure (3) that is made of a rigid plastic material and forms anchoring lugs (10a, 10b, 11) in several areas of said metal core (2) and extends at (3a) at least on the side of the gripping portion P, the back of said portion being covered by the viscoelastic material (15). With this structure, the core (2) is perfectly positioned and the plastic deformations of the intermediate portion D have no impact on the cohesion between the viscoelastic material (15) and the metal core (2).