Rotatable Egg Slicer Holder for Cubing and Easier Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing egg slicers require multiple sets of cutting members for cubing, increasing manufacturing costs and labor, and lack a structure to restrain egg slices, leading to handling and cleaning difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pivotally connected cutting frame and retainer that allows for different orientations of cutting, using elongated cutting members supported by the frame, and a cleaning plate with support portions to manage the egg mass and facilitate cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pair of sets of cutting members is used to cube the egg, then the egg can be cubed, but the manufacturing cost increases and cleaning labor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the cubing function into two sequential operations: first, the cutting members create slices by cutting through the egg mass; second, the holder is rotated 90 degrees and the cutting members create perpendicular cuts to form cubes. This segmentation of the cubing process into orthogonal passes reduces the number of cutting members needed from a full grid to a single set that is reused after rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is made rotatable relative to the base, allowing it to be positioned at different orientations (0 degrees for slicing, 90 degrees for cubing). This dynamic repositioning enables a single set of cutting members to perform multiple cutting functions by changing the relative orientation between the holder and cutting members, eliminating the need for multiple fixed cutting member sets.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a pair of sets of cutting members is used to cube the egg, then the egg can be cubed, but cleaning labor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder includes separate recesses for receiving different sets of cutting members, allowing each recess to be independently cleaned. The cutting members can be removed from their recesses and cleaned separately, reducing the overall cleaning effort compared to cleaning a large integrated structure with multiple cutting members.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting members are designed to be removable from the holder recesses, allowing them to be extracted for separate cleaning. This extraction of the cutting members from the holder structure enables focused cleaning of small, accessible surfaces rather than cleaning a large complex assembly, significantly reducing cleaning labor.
3Productivity
If the holder has recesses or slots for receiving cutting members, then the cutting members can pass through the egg, but egg mass becomes pressed into the slots making clean up difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting members are designed to be removable from the holder recesses after use. This extraction allows the recesses to be emptied of pressed-in egg mass before cleaning, preventing egg residue from being trapped in the recesses during the cleaning process and significantly easing clean up.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for the discarding of pressed-in egg mass from the holder recesses by removing the cutting members, which creates access to the recesses. The recesses can then be cleaned more effectively, and the cutting members can be separately cleaned or replaced, recovering the cleaning function without compromising cutting effectiveness.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single set of cutting members is used to cube the egg in one pass, then manufacturing is simpler, but the user cannot select egg slices
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is made rotatable relative to the base, allowing the user to select between different cutting orientations. By keeping the holder at 0 degrees, the user can make slicing cuts; by rotating the holder to 90 degrees, the user can make cubing cuts. This dynamic repositioning provides versatility in cutting operations while maintaining a simple single-set cutting member design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single set of cutting members is designed to perform multiple functions: slicing the egg into sections and cubing the egg into cubes. The holder's rotatability enables the same cutting members to achieve different cutting patterns by changing the orientation, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple sets of cutting members.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for partitioning a food mass, such as a solidified egg, is disclosed including a base, a holder for supporting the food mass, and a plurality of cutting members for partitioning the food mass, wherein the holder is rotatable to permit the cutting members to partition the food mass in a first orientation and in a second orientation. The apparatus further includes a retainer positionable on a top surface of the food mass having passageways permitting the cutting members to pass through a portion thereof. The apparatus may include a cleaning plate receivable by portions of the holder in a position below the food mass, the cleaning plate being removable from the holder to remove food matter from between the support portions. The apparatus may include a lock for securing apparatus in a closed or lowest position for storage.