Rotatable Egg Slicer Holder for Slicing, Cubing, and Cleanup
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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 base, holder, and pivotally connected cutting members that can rotate to different positions for slicing and cubing, featuring a retainer to secure the egg mass and a cleaning plate for easy cleanup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single set of cutting members with orthogonally arranged blades is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and device complexity is simplified, but the user cannot select egg slices and is forced to cube the egg
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is made rotatable relative to the cutting members, allowing it to pivot between a first position for slicing and a second position for cubing. This dynamic repositioning enables a single set of cutting members to perform multiple cutting functions, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and operational versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If paired sets of cutting members are used for cubing, then egg portions can be cubed, but manufacturing cost increases and cleaning labor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable holder allows a single set of cutting members to achieve cubing functionality by repositioning the egg mass between two orthogonal cutting passes, eliminating the need for paired cutting member sets while maintaining full cubing capability.
3Ease of operation
If the holder has recesses or slots for receiving cutting members, then cutting members can pass through the egg mass, but egg mass becomes separated and driven into the holder slots making clean up difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A retainer is introduced as an intermediary component between the cutting members and the holder slots. The retainer restrains the egg mass during cutting, preventing it from being driven into the holder slots, while allowing the cutting members to effectively pass through the egg mass. This resolves the contradiction between cutting effectiveness and cleaning ease.
4Device complexity
If no structure is provided to restrain egg slices, then device complexity is reduced, but egg portions fall or list away requiring manual collection and careful handling
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer serves as a restraining structure that holds the egg mass and supports the cut egg portions during the cutting process. It prevents egg portions from falling or listing away, reducing the need for manual collection and careful handling, while adding minimal structural complexity to the device.
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.