Pasta Dispenser Portion Selector Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pasta measurers for long-noodle pasta are inconvenient as they require additional kitchen gadgets and lack a mechanism to positively select specific quantities, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A pasta storage container with an integrated portion selector that includes a rotating lid with various-sized apertures, allowing users to select desired portion sizes by spinning the lid and tipping the container, ensuring precise measurement without extra gadgets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate pasta measurer gadget is used, then pasta can be measured, but it requires additional kitchen gadgets and is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pasta storage container and portion measurer into a single integrated unit. The container body includes multiple apertures of different sizes built into its structure, eliminating the need for separate measurer gadgets while maintaining accurate pasta portion measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container serves multiple functions: it stores pasta, measures portions through its built-in apertures, and dispenses the measured pasta when tipped. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate kitchen gadgets dedicated to each function.
2Measurement precision
If a sliding door mechanism is used to gate pasta, then portions can be measured, but nothing keeps the door in a set position during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is segmented with multiple discrete apertures of different sizes built into its structure. Each aperture corresponds to a specific portion size, allowing the user to select a predetermined aperture rather than using a sliding mechanism that requires position maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The apertures are pre-formed and fixed in the container body during manufacturing, establishing the measurement positions in advance. This eliminates the need for dynamic position maintenance during operation, as the measurement geometry is already predetermined and stable.
3Measurement precision
If various-sized holes are provided through material, then pasta portions can be measured, but the measurer is an extra kitchen gadget that must be located each time pasta is measured
Solution Approach 1:
The portion measurer with various-sized holes is merged with the pasta storage container, creating a single integrated unit. The apertures are built directly into the container body, eliminating the need to locate and handle separate measurer gadgets while maintaining accurate portion measurement capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A pasta dispenser includes a portion wheel having variously sized apertures. The portion wheel is integrated into a cap or lid for the dispenser. In use, the user turns the portion wheel to the desired portion size, tips the dispenser, and retrieves the correct amount of pasta. In some embodiments the apertures are oval. Further, some embodiments include an integrated lid that covers the portion wheel to create a contaminate free enclosure for storing pasta. Yet other embodiments include a pasta dispenser including a head unit having an aperture opening and a shutter that can be slid or rotated over the head unit to partially block the aperture opening. When the container is tipped, portions of pasta can slide out of the opening.