Food Processor Lid Flow Guiding Design for Controlled Fluid Addition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food processing systems lack a configuration that allows for a streamlined flow of fluids through a closable lid opening while ensuring gas closure and preventing unintentional spills, particularly during culinary preparations that require slow fluid supply rates.
Innovation Solution
A food processing system with a spout-like recipient and a lid featuring a single closable opening and flow guiding means, including a wall part and flow passage sections that facilitate streamlined fluid flow under gravity, along with a closing element that can be retained in the lid opening to prevent spills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single lid opening is provided without flow guiding means, then the lid structure is simple, but the fluid flow pattern is bulk and uncontrolled leading to potential spills
Solution Approach 1:
The lid opening is segmented into multiple functional zones: a main opening for pouring and a secondary opening for controlled fluid return. Flow guiding means are divided into multiple elements including a spout, a flow guide wall, and a collection channel. This segmentation allows independent control of different fluid flow paths, enabling streamlined flow while maintaining simple overall lid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Flow guiding means act as an intermediary element between the main opening and the recipient interior. The flow guide wall and collection channel serve as intermediate structures that capture, redirect, and control fluid flow, preventing direct bulk pouring into the recipient and enabling controlled streamlined flow instead.
2Reliability
If a secondary opening is added for streamlined flow control, then fluid flow control improves, but the lid structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow guiding means are merged with the lid structure itself rather than being separate components. The flow guide wall extends from the lid rim, and the collection channel is integrated into the lid body, combining multiple functions (flow guidance, fluid collection, and return) into a single integrated structure that reduces overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow guiding means serve multiple functions simultaneously: guiding fluid flow from the main opening, collecting errant drips, providing a return path for controlled fluid addition, and preventing spills. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, maintaining simple lid structure while achieving reliable fluid flow control.
3Manufacturing precision
If flow guiding means are provided for streamlined flow, then culinary precision improves, but the risk of unintentional spills increases without proper closure mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The lid opening configuration allows dynamic control of fluid flow paths. The flow guide wall and collection channel can accommodate different pouring rates and angles, adapting to various culinary operations. The closing element can be positioned to allow either streamlined flow through the secondary opening or complete closure to prevent spills, providing dynamic response to operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection channel acts as an intermediary safety mechanism that captures any fluid that escapes the streamlined flow path through the secondary opening. This intermediate collection structure prevents direct spills onto the cooking surface, mitigating the spill hazard while maintaining culinary precision through controlled flow.
4Reliability
If a closing element is added to the lid opening, then gas closure and spill prevention improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed as a removable component that can be taken out when not needed (e.g., during steam venting operations) and inserted when gas closure is required. This extractable design provides gas closure functionality without permanently increasing lid structure complexity, allowing the lid to maintain simplicity while achieving reliable closure when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element is designed to self-align and self-retain in the lid opening through complementary geometric features. The closing element's shape matches the lid opening geometry, allowing it to be easily positioned and retained without complex locking mechanisms, providing gas closure while minimizing added complexity.
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
Enables controlled, streamlined fluid flow and vapor exit while maintaining gas closure, reducing the risk of hazardous spills and enhancing culinary precision.
Implementation Method 1
can flow under the action of the gravity force through said single lid opening into inside of said recipient
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention refers to a food processing system (1) presenting a recipient (2) configured for receiving food ingredients and a lid (3) presenting an upwards side and a downwards side configured to engage with the perimeter of said recipient (2) thereby at least partially closing said recipient (2), and a driving arrangement (4) confined within a casing (5) and adapted to drive a tool support (6) arranged inside of said recipient (2), whereby said lid (3) presents a single lid opening (31) preferentially presenting a generally circular form and disposed for example in a centered manner relative to said lid (3), whereby the upwards side of said lid (3) presents a first surface (32) extending on a generally outer region of said lid (3) and further presents a second surface (33) extending around said opening (31) and developing at a lower level in respect of said first surface (32), and whereby said lid (3) further presents flow guiding means (7) arranged next to said lid opening (31) and adapted to provide a streamlined flow of a fluid poured into said second surface (33) into said recipient (2) when said lid (3) is placed thereupon.