Food Chopper With Removable Washable Container for Easier Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household cutting appliances, such as mandolins, are difficult to clean due to the accumulation of food juices and particles on the walls of the working chamber.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a removable intermediate receptacle within the working chamber that allows the cutting tool to move in translation, along with a lockable cover and control mechanism to prevent accidental operation, and a peripheral skirt to channel juices away from the chamber walls, enhancing cleaning efficiency and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed working chamber is used to house the cutting tool, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates due to accumulation of food juices and particles on the walls
Solution Approach 1:
The working chamber is segmented into a fixed outer chamber and a removable inner receptacle. The inner receptacle can be detached and cleaned separately, while the fixed outer chamber remains stable. This segmentation allows the cleaning function to be performed on the removable part without compromising the structural stability of the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable inner receptacle is extracted as a separate component from the fixed working chamber. By taking out this inner receptacle, the cleaning process can focus on this removable element, preventing food residues from soiling the fixed chamber walls, thus maintaining structural stability while improving ease of cleaning.
2Ease of operation
If the working chamber is open downwards at the cutting area to allow food passage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to risk of accidental contact with the mobile cutting tool
Solution Approach 1:
The opening at the bottom of the working chamber is segmented into two levels: an upper window for food passage and a lower opening with restricted access. This segmentation allows food to pass through the upper window while the lower opening's restricted access prevents accidental contact with the cutting tool, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral skirt acts as an intermediary element between the cutting zone and the external environment. It channels food residues and juices away from the chamber walls while the restricted lower opening serves as a mediator that allows food passage but blocks direct access to the cutting tool, thereby maintaining operational ease while enhancing safety.
3Ease of operation
If a peripheral skirt is added to channel juices away from the chamber walls, then the ease of cleaning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral skirt is merged with the removable inner receptacle, forming an integrated component. This merging allows the peripheral skirt to perform its function of channeling juices away from the chamber walls without being a separate complex structure, thus improving ease of cleaning while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral skirt serves multiple functions: it channels juices away from the chamber walls, defines the opening for food passage, and contributes to the structural integrity of the removable inner receptacle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby improving ease of cleaning without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 solution facilitates easier cleaning by containing food residues within the receptacle, protecting the appliance's electrical components and reducing the risk of accidental injuries during operation.
Implementation Method 1
the removable intermediate receptacle prevents the juices and cutting particles from soiling the walls of the working chamber
Implementation Method 2
The implementation of such a peripheral skirt makes it possible to properly channel the cutting juices and prevents, during their runoff, that they flow between the removable intermediate receptacle and the floor of the working chamber
Implementation Method 3
a cutting tool movable relative to the frame at least in the cutting zone, according to a rectilinear alternating movement in a cutting plane, means for maneuvering the cutting tool, which comprise a transmission system having a drive member driving a coupling member of the cutting tool
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a food chopping appliance comprising: a frame (1) defining a working chamber (98) including a chopping zone (4); a cover (6) including a feed tube (5) into which foods are inserted; a chopping tool (10) that performs a rectilinear reciprocating movement; and operating means (36) for operating the chopping tool (10), comprising a transmission system (40) having a coupling member (37) driving a driving member (35) of the chopping tool (10). According to the invention: the working chamber (98) houses a removable intermediate container (9) forming a slide (99) inside which the moving chopping tool (10; 10'; 10") can move in translation; the slide (99) has two side edges (92) connected by a base (91) equipped with (i) a slit (97) for the passage of the coupling member (37) and/or the driving member (35) and (ii), in the chopping zone (4), a chute opening (94) for the chopped food.