Flower Trimmer Longitudinal Guide Axial Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flower cutters often result in incomplete cuts or damage to flower stems, especially when cutting stems already part of a bouquet, due to the lateral movement of the stalk during cutting and the difficulty in aligning the stem with the blade.

Innovation Solution

A flower cutter design featuring a longitudinal guide within the head, an inclined or curved groove to guide the stem to the blade, and a detachable blade for easy replacement, ensuring axial insertion and precise cutting without lateral movement, with ergonomic handling and adaptable blade configurations for various cutting needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple hand-held flower cutter with a blade is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the flower stalk moves sideways during cutting resulting in incomplete cuts or damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcutting precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the blade and the flower stalk. This guide element constrains the lateral movement of the flower stalk during cutting, ensuring precise alignment with the blade while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element is positioned specifically in the area where the flower stalk contacts the device, providing localized constraint only where needed. This allows the rest of the device to remain simple while achieving precise cutting through targeted structural modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If no guide structure is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but bringing the flower stem to the blade requires manual skill and experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidhandling ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element enables the flower stalk to self-align with the blade during insertion. The user simply needs to insert the stalk into the guide, which automatically positions it correctly for cutting, eliminating the need for manual alignment skills or experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element acts as a mediator that facilitates the interaction between the user and the blade. It provides a user-friendly interface that guides the flower stalk into the correct position, making the device easy to operate for users of all skill levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the blade is fixed to the head, then the structure is more stable, but blade replacement is difficult when needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidblade replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is segmented from the head assembly, allowing it to be easily detached and replaced. The blade can be attached and removed as a separate component while maintaining structural stability during use through secure attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blade attachment system transitions from a fixed state during cutting to a detachable state for replacement. This dynamic capability allows the blade to be securely fixed during operation for stability, yet easily removed when maintenance or replacement is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2531017B1Flower trimmer
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 MAYER FRANK F E
  • EP2531017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2531017B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP2531017B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A flower trimmer including a handle and a head connected thereto on which a blade with a cutting edge is disposed so that an end area of a flower stem brought against the cutting edge can be trimmed or cut off by a tensile force introduced at the handle. The head comprises an opening at the front end thereof through which opening the flower stem is inserted into the head substantially in the axial direction and directed past the blade. In the head, a cavity is provided next to the opening, the cavity being traversed by the blade.