Food Processor Integrated Spatula for Continuous Bowl Scraping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processing devices require users to turn them off and remove the lid to scrape food from the sides of the bowl, leading to cumbersome and inefficient processing due to food items sticking, necessitating repeated steps for complete processing.

Innovation Solution

A food processor with an integrated spatula that allows users to wipe the inner bowl walls without opening the lid, featuring a wiper arm and lever mechanism for manual rotation within the bowl, enabling scraping during or after processing without interrupting the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the lid is removed to scrape food from the bowl sides, then complete processing is achieved, but the operation is interrupted and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidoperation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spatula is integrated into the lid structure, combining the scraping function with the lid. This allows the user to scrape food from the bowl sides while the lid remains attached, eliminating the need to remove the lid and interrupt the processing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated spatula enables the user to perform the scraping function directly through the lid structure without needing to separate components. The lid itself provides the means to access and scrape the bowl interior, making the system self-sufficient for complete processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the lid is removed to access the bowl, then food scraping is possible, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to bowl interiorVSAvoidlid structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than adding a separate scraping mechanism that would require additional components and assembly steps, the spatula is merged into the existing lid structure. This integration provides access to the bowl interior through the lid itself, maintaining simplicity while enabling the scraping function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the processing is stopped to scrape the bowl, then complete mixing is achieved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing completenessVSAvoidtotal processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated spatula allows the processing operation to continue uninterrupted. The user can scrape food from the bowl sides at any point during processing without stopping the motor or removing the lid, maintaining continuous useful action and reducing total processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The spatula can be used to scrape food from the bowl sides before complete processing occurs, preventing food from sticking and ensuring all ingredients are incorporated into the processing cycle, thereby achieving complete mixing more efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10905285B2Food processor having integrated spatula

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 CONAIR CORP

AI summary

A food processor having an integrated spatula is provided. The food processor includes a work bowl and a lid configured to be selectively removable therefrom. The food processor further includes a spatula having a wiper in contact with interior walls of the work bowl and a lever coupled to the wiper and accessible above the lid for manually rotating the wiper within the bowl to scrape the interior walls of the bowl.