Food Processor Container Pressure Relief Mechanism for Safe Operation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Food processors often face pressure and heat buildup during operation, which can lead to damage if not managed effectively, especially when processing high-pressure and high-temperature food products.

Innovation Solution

A container with a pressure relief mechanism that plastically or elastically deforms when pressure exceeds a defined threshold, allowing for venting of pressure and heat management, thereby preventing damage and ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the container is sealed to maintain pressure for food processing, then processing efficiency is improved, but pressure buildup causes damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefood processing efficiencyVSAvoidpressure damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief mechanism is localized to specific areas of the container (collar or bottom) rather than compromising the entire seal. This allows the majority of the container to remain sealed for efficient processing while specific local regions provide pressure relief functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the sealed container and the external environment. It mediates the pressure buildup by providing a controlled release path, allowing the container to maintain seal integrity while preventing dangerous pressure accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a pressure relief mechanism is added to the container, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe operationVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure relief mechanism is merged with existing container components (collar or bottom) rather than being a separate add-on. This integration approach maintains safety functionality while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure relief mechanism is designed to automatically activate when pressure reaches critical levels, without requiring external control or intervention. The mechanism self-regulates pressure based on its deformation characteristics, eliminating the need for complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If the pressure relief mechanism deforms plastically, then pressure relief is achieved, but structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure reliefVSAvoidcontainer structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Plastic deformation is localized to specific sacrificial regions of the pressure relief mechanism, while the overall container structure maintains its integrity. The deformation is confined to predetermined areas designed for this purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container is designed with predetermined deformation zones that are intended to fail in a controlled manner before critical pressure levels can damage the main structure. This prior cushioning approach protects the overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 pressure relief mechanism effectively manages pressure and heat within the container, preventing damage and ensuring safe and efficient food processing by maintaining pressure below a predetermined threshold, thus extending the lifespan of the container and cutting assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the pressure relief mechanism is configured to plastically deform when said pressure within said chamber exceeds said defined pressure threshold

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

said pressure relief mechanism may be configured to elastically deform

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

When said pressure within said chamber exceeds said defined pressure threshold, said pressure compresses the biasing mechanism

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3253268B1Container for food processing system
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC
  • EP3253268B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3253268B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3253268B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A container configured for use with a food processing system is provided including a container body configurable with a food processing base. A chamber is defined by the container body. A pressure relief mechanism is associated with the container body and is configured to relieve pressure when the pressure within the chamber exceeds a defined pressure threshold.