Food comminution system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food comminution devices are limited in their versatility and cannot efficiently process certain food items, such as whole cucumbers or zucchinis, without prior cutting, and lack options for comminution types beyond pressing through a cutting grid.

Innovation Solution

A food comminution system that allows for the attachment of additional comminution tools, such as slicers or graters, which can be coupled to the device without modifying its base or actuating parts, enabling various comminution methods like slicing and grating, and includes a locking mechanism for secure operation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional food comminution device with a fixed cutting grid is used, then it can process certain food items through pressing, but it cannot efficiently process whole vegetables like cucumbers or zucchinis without prior cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to process different food itemsVSAvoidneed for multiple separate devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The food processing system incorporates multiple interchangeable attachment tools (slicer attachment, grater attachment, and cutting part) that can be mounted on a single base device, allowing one device to perform multiple functions including slicing, grating, and comminution of various food items without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device structure is kept simple and fixed, then manufacturing is easier, but the device lacks flexibility for different comminution methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomminution method optionsVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into a base unit and separate interchangeable attachment components (slicer attachment, grater attachment, cutting part). Each attachment can be manufactured independently and then assembled to the base device, simplifying the manufacturing process while providing multiple comminution method options through the different attachments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional comminution tools are added to the device, then versatility is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomminution tool varietyVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple attachment tools (slicer, grater, cutting part) are designed with standardized mounting interfaces that attach to the same base device structure. This universal attachment system allows versatile functionality while maintaining relatively simple device structure, as the same base and mounting mechanism serves all attachment types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3725474B1Food comminution system
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 GENIUS GMBH
  • EP3725474B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3725474B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3725474B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a food grinding system comprising a food grinding device with a base part having a receptacle for a cutting part and with an actuating part articulated to the base part, which can be pivoted from an insertion position against the cutting part into a closed position and subsequently from the closed position back into the insertion position to push food to be ground through a cutting part inserted into the receptacle.The food grinding system is characterized by an additional grinding tool which can be fixed to the food grinding device in a working position and which has a mounting section and a tool section, wherein the mounting section is positively clamped between the base part and the actuating part in the working position and wherein the tool section is arranged outside the receptacle in the working position.