Cake Icing Implement with Integrated Top and Side Smoothers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cake making implements require separate steps and tools to smooth icing on top and side surfaces, making it time-consuming and challenging to achieve a visually appealing cake with sharp edges and level top surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A cake making implement with a base, a mostly vertical arm, and integrated top and side smoothers that allow simultaneous smoothing of icing on both surfaces, enabling users to inspect and refine the relationship between top and side surfaces in a single step, reducing the need for additional leveling tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional separate tools are used to smooth icing on top and side surfaces, then each surface can be smoothed individually, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for smoothing icing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate smoothing functions (top surface smoothing and side surface smoothing) into a single integrated implement. The top smoother and side smoother are attached to the same handle, allowing the user to smooth both surfaces simultaneously in one step rather than requiring separate tools and multiple steps, thereby improving productivity and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If separate steps are used to smooth top and side surfaces, then each surface receives attention, but the relationship between surfaces requires additional examination and refinement steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface relationship precisionVSAvoidnumber of smoothing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the top smoother and side smoother into a single implement with a common handle, the patent enables simultaneous smoothing of both surfaces in one coordinated action. This reduces the number of steps from multiple separate smoothing operations to a single integrated operation, simplifying the process while maintaining precision in the relationship between surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional implements are used, then basic smoothing is achieved, but sharp edges and level top surfaces require additional tools like levels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveedge sharpness and surface levelnessVSAvoidfunctionality of smoothing implement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a multi-functional implement where the top smoother and side smoother work together to simultaneously achieve multiple objectives: smoothing the top surface, creating sharp edges on the side surface, and ensuring the top surface is level. This eliminates the need for separate leveling tools, making the single implement versatile enough to handle multiple precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9717263B2Cake making implement

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 NOVELLI ARLETTE

AI summary

The cake making implement may be used to simultaneously smooth icing on a top surface and a side surface of a cake. The cake making implement may include a top smoother and a side smoother. The top smoother may be adapted to smooth the top surface of the cake. The side smoother may be adapted to smooth the side surface of the cake up to the top surface.