Multi-Function Spatula with Ridged Fin for Ground Meat Browning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand tools for browning and serving ground meat, such as multi-bladed devices, are ineffective for turning and lifting the meat, requiring additional tools for efficient removal and increasing meal preparation and cleanup times.
Innovation Solution
A hand tool with a flat spatula head featuring a ridged fin structure that extends from the front edge towards the handle, allowing for chopping, separating, turning, and serving functions, and is laterally offset to facilitate easier handling and use as a spatula.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a multi-bladed device like ChopStir is used for chopping ground meat, then the chopping and separating function is improved, but the ability to turn and lift the meat is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (chopping, separating, turning, and serving) into a single integrated tool. The spatula head with its broad flat surface and extended front edge merges the chopping capability of multi-bladed devices with the turning and serving capability of traditional spatulas, eliminating the need to switch between tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed to perform multiple functions: the ridged fin structure provides chopping and separating capabilities, while the broad flat spatula surface provides turning and serving capabilities. This multi-functional design allows one tool to replace multiple specialized tools.
2Ease of operation
If a separate serving tool is used to remove browned meat from the skillet, then the serving function is improved, but the meal preparation time and cleanup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the serving function into the same tool used for chopping and separating meat. The broad flat spatula surface is specifically designed for lifting and transferring browned meat from the skillet to serving dishes, eliminating the need for a separate serving tool and reducing both preparation and cleanup time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool serves as a universal kitchen instrument for ground meat preparation, performing chopping, separating, turning, and serving functions all in one device, thereby reducing the total number of tools needed and the time required for meal preparation and cleanup.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If two forks or spatulas are used to separate ground meat, then the meat separation function is improved, but the number of tools for cleanup doubles and both hands are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separation tools into a single integrated device. The ridged fin structure on the spatula head provides effective meat separation capability similar to using multiple forks or spatulas, but all in one tool that requires only one hand to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool provides multi-functional capability including meat separation, turning, and serving, replacing multiple specialized tools with a single versatile instrument that simplifies the cooking process and reduces cleanup requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
One of the most common cooking activities is browning of ground beef, turkey, lamb, or chicken for use in various dishes from sloppy Joe's, to tacos, to spaghetti sauces, and countless others. The present inventor recognized that browning using conventional techniques and devices requires use of multiple tools that increase preparation and clean up time. In response, they devised, among other things, a single tool that allows not only effective separation and turning of the ground meat during cooking, but also serving of the ground meat. In one embodiment, the tool includes a handle with a flat spatula head having a ridged fin structure on its topside. The fin structure extends from the front edge of the spatula back toward the handle, allowing the front edge of the spatula in combination with a front most edge of the fin structure to function as chopper-separator and allowing the spatula portion to facilitate serving.