Segmented Food Tenderizer Sleeve for Uniform Rotary Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food tenderizers are physically demanding, time-consuming, prone to splatter, require enzyme waiting periods, and have cumbersome blade replacement and cleaning processes, lacking uniformity and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A segmented and split cutting blade sleeve system with male and female tab connections, allowing easy assembly, disassembly, and replacement, featuring alternating toothed blades for uniform tenderization, compatible with manual or electric rotary tenderizers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a tenderizer mallet is used to break down fibers and collagens, then the food tenderization function is achieved, but the device becomes physically demanding and time-consuming to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetenderization effectivenessVSAvoidphysical demand

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of a mallet (requiring repeated swinging motions) with a rotary mechanical system driven by an electric motor or manual crank, which rotates cutting blades through the food to achieve tenderization without requiring significant physical strength from the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotary tenderizer with cutting blades mounted on rotating sleeves performs the tenderization function automatically through rotation, eliminating the need for the user to repeatedly apply force as required by mallets, thereby reducing physical demand while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a tenderizer mallet is used to break down fibers and collagens, then the food tenderization function is achieved, but food splatter occurs around the workspace

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetenderization effectivenessVSAvoidfood splatter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cutting action from the impact-based mallet system and isolates it into contained cutting blades mounted on rotating sleeves, which cut through the food in a controlled manner rather than allowing food to splatter outward as occurs with mallet impact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating sleeves with cutting blades act as an intermediary mechanism between the drive shaft and the food, providing a controlled cutting action that prevents direct impact and splatter while still achieving effective tenderization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If blade tenderizers are used to cut holes into food, then tenderization is achieved, but multiple uses are required and uniformity is difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetenderization effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of uses required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the tenderization function into multiple cutting blades arranged radially on rotating sleeves, allowing all blades to simultaneously cut through the food in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple sequential uses and achieving uniform tenderization across the entire food surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating sleeves with multiple cutting blades provide continuous tenderization action as they rotate through the food, ensuring all areas are treated uniformly in a single continuous operation rather than requiring multiple discrete applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If powder tenderizers with enzymes are applied to food, then fiber breakdown occurs, but a waiting period is required and over-tenderization can occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber breakdownVSAvoidwaiting period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical enzyme-based tenderization system (which requires time for biochemical reactions) with a mechanical cutting blade system that physically cuts through fibers and collagens instantly through rotation, eliminating the waiting period while preventing over-tenderization by controlling the depth and duration of blade contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12402635B2Food tenderizer sleeve and method of use

Publication Date: 2025.09.02 AMERICAN PROD LLC

AI summary

A food tenderizer sleeve and method of use is provided. The food tenderizer sleeve includes two end collars and segmented and split cutting blade sleeves, which are easy to remove, replace, and clean. In some embodiments, the segments of the cutting blade sleeves form generally a half-circle cross-sectional shape and mount a plurality of cutting blades and spacers between the cutting blades. In some embodiments, the segments include one end with male connection tabs and a second end with female tab receivers for connection to another segment or to an end collar. Each cutting blade sleeve segment is further configured for matching up with another sleeve segment to form a tube or sleeve shape configured to fit around a rotational drive shaft.