Multi-Cherry Pitter With Push-Off Plate for Clean Pit Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cherry pitting devices are slow, tedious, and messy, with most being unsuitable for home use due to their design and tendency to splatter cherry juice.
Innovation Solution
A cherry pitter with a container and removable cherry holder featuring pivotally secured cutters that push pits into a container, accompanied by a spring-loaded push-off plate to separate cherries from the cutters, allowing for efficient and mess-reduced pitting of multiple cherries at once.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single cherry is pitted at a time using hand-held devices, then the device is simple and easy to operate, but the productivity is low and the process is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the pitting function into multiple independent cutters (e.g., four cutters for four cherries) arranged in a holder, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple cherries while maintaining individual cutter simplicity and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cutters are combined into a single holder assembly that can process multiple cherries simultaneously, merging the functionality of several single-cherry devices into one unit while maintaining operational simplicity through a unified pressing mechanism
2Productivity
If cutters push through cherries to remove pits, then the pitting action is effective, but cherry juice splatters and causes staining
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the potentially harmful splattering of cherry juice into a contained flow by directing it into the base container, where it serves to lubricate the cutters and collect pits, transforming a mess problem into a functional feature
Solution Approach 2:
The base container acts as an intermediary between the cutters and the external environment, intercepting and containing cherry juice and debris that would otherwise splatter, while still allowing the cutters to perform their pitting function effectively
3Force
If the lid is pressed downward to push cutters through cherries, then the pitting action is forceful and effective, but it is difficult to separate cherries from cutters afterward
Solution Approach 1:
The push-off plate provides dynamic, timed assistance by automatically activating during the upward lid movement to separate cherries from cutters, converting the static separation problem into a dynamic solution that occurs at the optimal moment in the operational cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded push-off plate provides self-service separation by automatically activating during the upward lid movement to push cherries off the cutters, eliminating the need for manual separation effort from the user
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 device enables quick and clean pitting of multiple cherries, reducing user and surface staining while accommodating different cherry sizes through reversible design and containment of juice and debris.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-loaded push-off plate holds the cherries down against the holder as the lid rotates upward again, separating the cherries from the cutters
Data Source
AI summary
A cherry pitter includes a container having a removable cherry holder with a plurality of cavities for holding cherries. A mating plurality of cutters is secured to the lid of the container, which is pivotally secured to the container. By rotating the lid downward the cutters are pushed into and through the cherries, pushing the pits into the container. A spring-loaded push-off plate holds the cherries down against the holder as the lid rotates upward again, separating the cherries from the cutters. These and other examples of the invention will be described in further detail below.