Ergonomic cooktop scraping utensil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooking utensils struggle to efficiently remove food products with a seared layer from cooktop surfaces without fracturing the product, requiring precise angle control and multiple tools, leading to operator strain and inconsistent flavor and texture.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic spatula design with a fixed scrape angle and removable blade that allows for direct force transfer, enabling single-handed operation with reduced fatigue, automatic alignment, and the ability to hold multiple food pieces, while protecting the hand from heat and allowing for easy blade removal and reattachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional spatula design is used, then the operator can remove food from the cooktop, but the operator must set the precise scrape angle manually and experience hand/wrist/arm strain
Solution Approach 1:
The spatula body is designed with an integrated angled scraping surface that automatically provides the optimal scrape angle when placed on the cooktop. The geometry of the spatula body itself performs the function of angle setting, eliminating the need for separate angle adjustment mechanisms or manual positioning by the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatula employs a fixed geometric angle built into its structure, changing the parameter from variable manual adjustment to a predetermined optimal angle. This fixed parameter design simplifies operation while maintaining effectiveness for removing food with seared layers.
2Productivity
If traditional spatulas are used to remove multiple food pieces, then the operator can transfer food, but multiple hands and multiple utensils are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single utensil: the angled scraping surface removes food while the integrated holding deck captures and retains multiple food pieces simultaneously. This merging of scraping and holding functions into one device eliminates the need for multiple utensils and hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatula serves multiple purposes: it scrapes food off the cooktop at the optimal angle, holds multiple food pieces on its deck, and transfers them to serving locations. This multi-functional design increases productivity by allowing the operator to perform multiple tasks with a single utensil.
3Force
If traditional spatulas are used, then the operator can apply force to the cooking surface, but strain is created in the operator's hand/wrist/arm
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is positioned and shaped to align with the operator's natural hand position and force application line. This creates an equipotential condition where the force applied by the operator's hand flows directly through the handle to the scraping surface without creating leverage-induced strain in the wrist or arm.
4Ease of manufacture
If the scraper blade is integrated permanently, then the structure is simple, but the blade cannot be removed for cleaning or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The scraping blade is designed as a separate, removable component that attaches to the spatula body through a simple mechanical interface. This segmentation allows the blade to be easily detached for cleaning, sharpening, or replacement while maintaining a simple overall structure during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
An ergonomic cooktop scraping utensil has a planar body, a first side support, a second side support, a blade, and a handle. The blade is removably attached to a distal end of the planar body, and the handle is laterally connected between the upper ends of the first and second side supports. When force is applied to the handle, it is transmitted to the side supports and into both the proximal and distal ends of the utensil. The blade is configured to be oriented at a specified blade angle relative to the cooktop surface for efficient scraping action. The handle is designed to be operated by the heel of the palm of the user in order to minimize any moment arm, and thus strain, applied to the wrist of the user.