Ultrasonic Ice Cream Scoop Bowl for Low-Force Release and Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional ice cream scooping devices require substantial force, leading to conditions like Carpal tunnel syndrome, and often result in ice cream freezing to the bowl, causing inefficiency and contamination issues, with prior solutions either warming the bowl and melting the ice cream or wasting water for cleaning.

Innovation Solution

An ice cream scooping system with an ultrasonic generation system integrated into the bowl, generating waves to ease scooping and self-cleaning without heating, reducing effort and ice cream loss, and eliminating the need for excessive water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional scooping device is used, then ice cream can be scooped, but substantial force is required which leads to Carpal tunnel syndrome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of scoopingVSAvoidforce required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical scooping action with an ultrasonic vibration system. The ultrasonic generator produces high-frequency vibrations that mechanically soften the ice cream surface, allowing the scoop to glide through with minimal force. This substitution of mechanical force with ultrasonic vibration directly resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and force required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a traditional scooping device is used, then ice cream can be scooped, but the ice cream freezes to the bowl causing inefficiency and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescooping efficiencyVSAvoidice cream sticking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic generator operates in periodic cycles, activating vibrations during the scooping motion and deactivation during release. This periodic action allows the ice cream to be loosened during contact and cleanly released during separation, preventing sticking while maintaining productivity. The cyclic nature of ultrasonic activation directly addresses the sticking problem without compromising scooping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the bowl is warmed to prevent sticking, then ice cream release improves, but the ice cream surface melts resulting in undesirable presentation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice cream releaseVSAvoidbowl temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal heating with mechanical ultrasonic vibration to achieve ice cream release. The ultrasonic vibrations create microscopic mechanical actions at the ice cream-bowl interface that prevent adhesion without transferring thermal energy to the ice cream bulk. This substitution directly resolves the contradiction between ease of release and temperature control, maintaining presentation quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If water is used to clean the bowl, then contamination is removed, but excessive water is wasted and frequent replacement is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecleanlinessVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The ultrasonic generator serves a dual function: scooping ice cream and cleaning the bowl. After scooping, residual ice cream particles are loosened by ultrasonic vibrations and naturally fall away or are easily wiped clean. This self-cleaning capability eliminates the need for frequent water-based cleaning, significantly reducing water consumption while maintaining hygiene reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 ultrasonic ice cream scooping system minimizes effort and ice cream loss, reduces the risk of Carpal tunnel syndrome, and allows for efficient self-cleaning without water, maintaining the presentation and throughput of scooped ice cream.

Implementation Method 1

An ultrasonic generation system is coupled to at least a portion of the bowl and has at least an engaged state configured to generate ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

utilize ultrasonic wave energy which immediately changes the molecular state of the frozen ice cream to a liquid directly adjacent to the bowl of the ice scream scooping device without a traditional heating element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic cavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS20230329485A1Ice cream scoop systems and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.19 KEY SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

An ice cream scooping system includes an ice cream scooping device with a handle and a bowl located at one end of the handle and which has inner and outer surfaces and an outer rim. An ultrasonic generation system is coupled to at least a portion of the bowl and has at least an engaged state configured to generate ultrasonic waves and a disengaged state without the generation of the ultrasonic waves.