Condiment dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spice grinders are costly due to the use of multiple materials, prone to breakage, and lack effective sealing, leading to contamination and deterioration of condiments.
Innovation Solution
A condiment dispenser with a grinding mechanism featuring lobed cross-sectional profiles for the inner and outer parts, allowing for a gap that narrows towards the dispensing side, made from a single durable material like PET, and a cap connected by a flexible element for sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple materials (glass/PET bottle, tough polymer for outer ring, abrasion resistant polymer or ceramic for grinding surfaces) are used in the grinding mechanism, then the grinding effectiveness and durability are improved, but the manufacturing cost increases and recyclability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making both the stationary part and rotating part of the grinding mechanism from the same material (PET or tough polymer). This eliminates the need for multiple materials while maintaining durability through the narrowing gap design that provides effective grinding action between the two homogeneous parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining PET or tough polymer with mineral fillers or reinforcement agents to create a single-material solution that provides both the structural integrity of the outer ring and the abrasion resistance previously requiring separate ceramic or hard polymer components.
2Ease of manufacture
If polymeric materials are used for the working parts of the grinding mechanism, then the manufacturing cost decreases and recyclability improves, but the parts become prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing the outer surface of the rotating part and/or inner surface of the stationary part with a narrowing gap profile. This curved, tapering geometry distributes stress more evenly and prevents the brittle failure modes associated with sharp edges or rigid polymeric components, thereby improving durability while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the grinding surfaces by creating a narrowing gap from the top to bottom of the grinding mechanism. This parameter change transforms the stress distribution and mechanical behavior of the polymeric parts, enhancing their durability without requiring material changes.
3Ease of operation
If the cap is removed from the grinding mechanism, then the ease of operation improves, but the condiments become exposed to atmosphere and deteriorate from humidity exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells by using a cap made of flexible material that can be easily removed and replaced by the user. This flexible cap provides effective sealing when attached, protecting condiments from humidity and atmospheric exposure, while its flexibility enables easy handling and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the cap as a removable component that transitions between attached (sealed) and detached (accessible) states. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between protection mode and operation mode, providing both humidity protection and ease of access as needed.
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 design provides a cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-use spice grinder that minimizes breakage and contamination, ensuring effective grinding and preservation of condiments.
Implementation Method 1
the particulate condiments are urged downwards by the spiral grooves and are crushed and/or ground in the narrowing gap between the opposing surfaces of the stationary and rotating parts
Implementation Method 2
the particulate condiments are urged downwards by the spiral grooves and are crushed and/or ground in the narrowing gap between the opposing surfaces
Implementation Method 3
the bottle is inverted so that particulate condiments inside the bottle are fed under gravity into the gap between the two parts of the grind mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A condiment dispenser (10) with a grinding mechanism (28) according to the present invention comprises: a first part (26) defining an aperture (24) and surrounding inner surface (32), both with lobed cross-sectional profiles; and a second part (36) that is inside the first part (26) and can rotate about an axis (16) relative to the first part (26). The second part (36) has an outer surface (42) and the second part (36) and outer surface (42) both have lobed cross-sectional profiles. The inner surface (32) of the first part (26) and the outer surface (42) of the second part (36) are spaced apart by a gap (38) which is larger at a receiving side (48) of the grinding mechanism (28) and narrows in the axial direction towards a dispensing side (50) of the grinding mechanism (28).