Food processing attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand blenders are inadequate for processing small volumes of food and emulsifying liquids, as they are optimized for larger quantities and lack efficient emulsification capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A food processing attachment with a housing and rotating tool that includes openings in the housing for improved emulsification, along with ribs on the floor to enhance suction and ejection of material, allowing for efficient blending and emulsification of small volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If regular hand blenders are used for small volume applications, then the device structure remains simple and standard, but the processing effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with multiple openings distributed across its surface, creating multiple material ejection paths. This segmentation allows the processing tool to effectively handle small volumes of material by ejecting processed material through multiple openings, thereby improving processing effectiveness without requiring a complete redesign of the device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The openings are strategically positioned at specific locations on the housing surface to optimize material ejection. This local quality enhancement focuses the processing effect on small volume applications while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure
2Productivity
If conventional blending bells are used, then the structure is simple without additional features, but the emulsification performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The blending bell is segmented with multiple openings distributed across its surface, creating multiple material ejection paths. This segmentation enhances emulsification performance by forcing material through multiple ejection cycles, while the openings are designed to maintain structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The openings are positioned in different spatial locations and orientations on the bell surface, adding a dimensional aspect to material ejection. This dimensional distribution of openings improves emulsification by creating varied flow paths without significantly increasing structural complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the housing volume is reduced for small volume processing, then the suitability for small containers improves, but the suction capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reduced housing is compensated with multiple openings that create multiple ejection streams. This segmentation maintains suction capability by allowing the processing tool to draw material through the open end and eject through multiple openings, effectively processing small volumes in small containers without sacrificing suction force
Solution Approach 2:
The housing dimensions are optimized with specific diameter and height parameters (diameter/height ratio between 1.5 and 3) to maintain appropriate suction capability while being small enough for small containers. The multiple openings parameter is adjusted to compensate for the reduced volume
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 attachment effectively blends and emulsifies small volumes of food by creating a higher suction effect, which improves the blending and emulsification processes, making it suitable for applications such as single portions, baby food, and dressings.
Implementation Method 1
The knife creates a suction force, which draws in foodstuff through the cutouts in the lower edge
Implementation Method 2
ejects it through the openings in the side wall. This assists with the emulsifying process
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing attachment includes a housing defining a processing volume, the housing having an open end, and a rotating processing tool extending into the housing from a floor region opposite the open end, at least one opening being formed in the housing and spaced from the open end.