Food Processor Accessory Storage Box With Safe Blade Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Countertop food processors lack a convenient and safe storage solution for their blades and cutting discs, leading to potential accidents and disorganization.

Innovation Solution

A storage container with a hinged lid, sliding drawer, and a raised separator with yokes to securely store blades and discs, featuring a locking mechanism and contoured sections for various disc sizes, preventing accidental opening and ensuring safe storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If no separate storage case is provided for blades and cutting attachments, then the device complexity is reduced, but safety and organization deteriorate due to potential accidents and disorganization

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box is integrated with the food processor base unit, combining the storage function with the existing appliance structure. The box rests on the base and shares its footprint, eliminating the need for a separate standalone storage case while providing safe enclosed storage for blades and attachments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage box is nested within the footprint of the food processor base, utilizing the same spatial envelope. The hinged lid and drawer components are nested within the box structure, creating a compact integrated storage solution that does not increase the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If blades are stored directly on the floor of the storage box, then the device complexity is reduced, but safety deteriorates due to risk of accidental contact with sharp edges

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box interior is segmented into multiple levels and compartments. A raised separator creates distinct zones: one area for blades with protective positioning, and another area for discs. This segmentation prevents accidental contact with sharp edges while maintaining an organized structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The raised separator acts as an intermediary structure between the blade storage area and the disc storage area. It provides physical separation and protection, preventing direct access to sharp blade edges while allowing both types of attachments to be stored in the same box.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a simple open storage box is used, then ease of operation is improved, but organization deteriorates due to lack of structured storage for different attachment types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidorganization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage box is divided into specialized compartments: a blade storage area with raised separators, a drawer for discs with contoured sections for different disc sizes, and a lid storage area. This segmentation enables quick identification and access of specific attachments while maintaining excellent organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the storage box are designed with specific local qualities optimized for different attachment types. The drawer has contoured sections tailored for disc shapes and sizes, while the main compartment has raised separators optimized for blade positioning, enabling efficient organization and retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2298145B1Storage box for accessories used with food processors
Publication Date: 2012.12.12 CONAIR CORP
  • EP2298145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2298145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2298145B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A storage container 1 has a hinged lid 3 adapted to open and close over a first hollow internal section 4 and a sliding drawer 5 adapted to slide into and out of a second hollow internal section 6. The first internal section 4 includes a separator 11 in the form of a raised section raised above the floor 12 of the first internal section 4. Corresponding rods 16, 17, 18 are attached to the floor 12.