Multi-Level Food Processor Blade for Uniform Cutting and Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processors have limited capability to achieve uniform cutting and mixing across all layers of food preparations, leading to isolated mixing zones and inconsistent particle sizes, especially with materials like finely divided dry solids and low-density fluids, and often result in inefficient processing of viscous materials.
Innovation Solution
A universal blade apparatus with geometrically different blades and accessories, including paddles and wings, designed to be mounted in a food processor, ensuring balanced operation and efficient cutting and whipping by maintaining a short vertical distance between blades and optimizing blade positions and angles for uniform processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single blade is used in conventional food processors, then the device structure remains simple, but the blade cannot efficiently process all layers of food preparations uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is divided into multiple geometrically different elements (central blade, outer blades, paddles, wings) positioned at different heights and angles. Each segment performs a specific function: central blade for primary cutting, outer blades for edge processing, paddles for bottom layer mixing, and wings for top layer aeration. This segmentation allows uniform processing of all food layers while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The blade assembly transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional multi-level configuration. Elements are positioned at different heights (vertical dimension), radial distances (horizontal dimension), and angles (rotational dimension), creating a volumetric processing zone that encompasses the entire food preparation volume for uniform cutting and mixing.
2Productivity
If blades are positioned to process only the layer they are in, then the blade structure remains simple, but layers considerably lower and higher than the blades tend to linger beyond the blades resulting in non-homogeneous food preparation
Solution Approach 1:
Different blade elements have specialized geometries optimized for their specific locations and functions. The central blade features sharp edges for primary cutting, outer blades have curved surfaces for edge processing, paddles have broad surfaces for bottom layer agitation, and wings have aerodynamic shapes for top layer aeration. This local optimization ensures each element efficiently processes its designated zone while contributing to overall homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-element blade design creates continuous processing action throughout the entire food volume. As the blade rotates, multiple elements simultaneously engage different layers, ensuring uninterrupted cutting and mixing across all heights. This eliminates idle zones and maintains continuous useful action throughout the processing cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high-speed mixing is used for viscous materials, then mixing action is vigorous, but it produces too violent mixing in low-viscosity materials causing loss of material and messy utensils
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly incorporates elements with different inertias and resistance characteristics. The central blade, outer blades, paddles, and wings create a dynamic system where viscous materials engage different elements depending on their consistency. This dynamic response allows the same blade structure to provide gentle processing for low-viscosity materials and thorough processing for viscous materials without causing splashing or material loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
Food processing utensil comprising: paddles; central utensil comprising: shaft coupleable to food processor motor, and connected to base couplable to food processor bowl, and cutting blades, the paddles coupled to the central utensil and the blades configured to allow uniform cutting of food, providing paddles are not on blades.