Curved Butter Applicator for Even Corn Cob Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for applying spreadable materials like butter on cylindrical food items, such as corn, result in uneven distribution and wastage due to the lack of stable engagement with the utensil, leading to butter sliding off and dripping, causing staining.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser and applicator device with a handle and an arcuate body featuring a perforated bottom surface and flanges, allowing for compressive force application to evenly distribute the spreadable material onto the item, accommodating various diameters and shapes, and optionally including a compressible container for extended storage and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a planar surface (knife) is used to hold butter, then the structure is simple, but the butter remains positioned only through adhesion and easily slides off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using a rounded or contoured applicator surface that conforms to the cylindrical shape of the food item (e.g., corn on the cob). This curved surface provides better contact and retention of the spreadable material compared to a planar knife surface, preventing the butter from sliding off while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If butter is applied with a simple knife, then the device is easy to use, but the butter distribution is uneven in terms of volume and surface area coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by designing an applicator with a non-uniform surface geometry that includes varying depths, angles, or patterns. This localized variation in the applicator surface ensures even distribution of the spreadable material across different areas of the food item, addressing the uneven coverage problem while keeping the device simple to operate.
3Manufacturing precision
If butter is held stably on the applicator, then distribution becomes even, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a curved or contoured applicator surface that naturally retains the spreadable material through its geometry rather than requiring complex mechanical retention mechanisms. This curved design provides stable holding and even distribution while maintaining relative structural simplicity, avoiding the need for additional complex components.
4Manufacturing precision
If the applicator engages the food item securely, then the spreadable material is applied evenly, but the device becomes less adaptable to various diameters and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic elements such as flexible or adjustable components in the applicator design. This allows the applicator to adapt its shape or contact pressure to match different food item diameters and shapes, ensuring secure engagement and even distribution across various items without requiring multiple specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional applicator that can effectively handle various types of cylindrical or rod-shaped food items (e.g., different sizes of corn on the cob, carrots, or other vegetables). The universal design achieves this through geometric features that provide consistent performance across different item dimensions, balancing secure engagement with broad adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A spreadable material dispenser and applicator device, comprising: a longitudinally extending handle comprising an interior cavity, wherein the interior cavity holds a spreadable material; and a body comprising an interior cavity enveloped by a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface comprises a plurality of perforations, and wherein the handle is disposed on the top surface, and further wherein the body terminates in a first flange and a second flange. The device may further comprise a container for storing the spreadable material, wherein the container may be fixedly connected to the handle to assist in the dispersion of the spreadable material.