Combined grating, cutting and draining device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household devices for cutting, grating, and draining food occupy excessive space due to separate configurations for each function.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional device with a planar element, featuring a circular arc-shaped cutting edge, straight edges, and protruding friction knives, which can convert into a conical shape for enhanced functionality and space efficiency, using flexible materials like plastics, metallic, or ceramic for the functional element and holding devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate devices are used for cutting, grating, and draining food, then each function can be performed effectively, but the storage space required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines cutting, grating, and draining functions into a single multifunctional device. The functional element integrates a cutting body with circular arc-shaped edge for chopping, protruding grating blades for grating, and a perforated structure for draining, eliminating the need for separate devices and reducing storage space requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed as a universal tool that can perform multiple food preparation tasks. The functional element can be configured to provide cutting edges for chopping, grating surfaces for grating cheese or vegetables, and perforated areas for draining liquids, making one device replace multiple specialized tools

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the functional element is made flexible to enable transformation into conical shape, then the device can convert between planar and conical configurations, but the material selection becomes more restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetransformabilityVSAvoidmaterial selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The functional element is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to transform between a planar configuration and a conical configuration. This flexibility enables the device to adapt its shape for different functions - planar for stable positioning during cutting and conical for efficient grating and draining - while being manufactured from flexible materials such as plastics, metallic, or ceramic that can withstand repeated transformation cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3996562B1Combined grating, cutting and draining device
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 SPATOLA MARIA ISENIA
  • EP3996562B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for use as a cutting device for the comminution of food, as a grating device for grating food and as a draining device.