Implement for smoothing icing on the top and side of a cake

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cake making implements require separate steps and tools to smooth icing on top and side surfaces of cakes, which is time-consuming and lacks assurance of perfect alignment for stacking tiers.

Innovation Solution

A cake making implement with a base, a mostly vertical arm, and integrated top and side smoothers that allow simultaneous smoothing of icing on both surfaces, enabling users to inspect and refine the relationship between top and side surfaces in a single step, reducing the need for additional leveling tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate spatulas are used to smooth icing on top and side surfaces, then each surface can be smoothed individually, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveicing smoothing efficiencyVSAvoidtime for icing smoothing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple smoothing functions into a single integrated implement. The tool features a handle with a top smoother at the end and a side smoother extending from the handle, allowing simultaneous smoothing of both top and side surfaces of cakes in one operation, thereby eliminating the need for separate tools and steps for each surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If separate tools are used for top and side smoothing, then each surface receives attention, but alignment and relationship between surfaces cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment of top and side surfacesVSAvoidnumber of tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated implement merges the top smoother and side smoother into a single rigid structure with fixed geometric relationships between the smoothing surfaces. This ensures that when both surfaces are smoothed simultaneously, their alignment and relative positioning are controlled by the implement's structure, guaranteeing proper alignment for stacking tiers without requiring multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple separate implements are used, then comprehensive smoothing is achieved, but the process lacks efficiency and requires multiple operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of icing smoothing processVSAvoidspeed of cake preparation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple smoothing functions into one ergonomically designed implement with a handle for comfortable grip. The top smoother and side smoother are positioned to allow simultaneous contact with both surfaces of a cake, enabling the user to smooth both surfaces in a single motion, thereby simplifying the operation and increasing preparation speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conventional separate tools are used, then each surface can be smoothed, but additional leveling tools are needed to ensure proper alignment for stacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassurance of level top surface for stackingVSAvoidnumber of tools and steps required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated implement combines top and side smoothing functions with geometric design that ensures the top smoother creates a level surface while the side smoother creates sharp vertical edges. The fixed angular relationship between the smoothing surfaces guarantees proper alignment for stacking tiers, eliminating the need for separate leveling tools or additional verification steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10357045B1Implement for smoothing icing on the top and side of a cake

Publication Date: 2019.07.23 NOVELLI ARLETTE

AI summary

A cake-making implement is disclosed for smoothing icing on a top surface and a side surface of a cake and creating a planar top surface. The cake-making implement may include a top smoother connected to a side smoother and configured to move with respect to the side smoother while maintaining an angle between the top and side smoothers.