Hinged Condiment Dispenser With Hollow Prick
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of effective tools for children to safely and hygienically open and dispense condiment packets, leading to potential contamination and unsanitary handling practices, especially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, where individuals are advised to handle their own items to minimize contact with others.
Innovation Solution
A tool featuring a tubular prick disposed between two arms connected via a hinge, allowing for the puncture and dispensing of condiments from soft packages without tearing the package, designed to be used by children and parents, promoting sanitary food handling by enabling children to handle their own condiments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If children handle condiment packets directly to open and dispense them, then they can access their food independently, but this creates sanitation risks and potential contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tool as an intermediary device between the child and the condiment packet. The tool includes a puncturing element that pierces the packet seal and a dispensing mechanism that allows the child to control the flow of condiment without direct hand contact with the packet interior, thus maintaining independence while reducing contamination risk
Solution Approach 2:
The tool separates the functions of puncturing and dispensing into distinct components. The puncturing element penetrates the seal while the dispensing mechanism controls the flow, allowing the child to operate each function independently through the tool rather than directly manipulating the packet
2Object-affected harmful factors
If parents open condiment packets for children, then sanitation is maintained, but this increases the burden on parents and reduces child independence
Solution Approach 1:
The tool enables children to perform the condiment opening and dispensing function themselves through a safe and easy-to-operate mechanism. The child can independently puncture the packet and control dispensing without requiring parental assistance, thereby maintaining sanitation standards while reducing parental burden
3Ease of operation
If children are given tools to puncture soft packages, then they can independently dispense condiments, but the tool must be safe and easy to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The tool uses a spring-loaded mechanism that changes the force parameter automatically. The spring provides the necessary puncturing force when activated, allowing the child to operate the tool with minimal effort while maintaining safety. The mechanical advantage changes the small input force from the child into sufficient puncturing and dispensing force
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 tool allows children to independently open and dispense condiments, reducing the burden on parents and enhancing sanitation by minimizing direct contact with the condiments, thus reducing the risk of contamination and improving food safety.
Implementation Method 1
closing the tool by rotating one of the arms about the hinge toward the other arm so that the hollow prick presses into a face of the soft good package; ensuring the hollow prick has punctured the face of the condiment package
Implementation Method 2
the hinge includes an embedded spring to bias the arms apart
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for opening and dispensing soft package contents which has two arms, a hinge connecting the arms, and a hollow prick. A soft package is placed between the two arms so the soft package contents can be opened and dispensed in an easy and sanitary manner through the hollow prick, after which the arms can be opened, and the soft package easily disposed.