Spatula
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatulas face challenges in balancing structural strength, thickness, and convenience of use, with silicone and plastic spatulas being inconvenient due to thick shovel heads and metal spatulas prone to scratching and noise.
Innovation Solution
A spatula design featuring a reinforcing piece on the shovel portion, connected to the handle via a coating layer, which enhances structural strength while reducing thickness and weight, distributing weight evenly for easier use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shovel head of silicone spatula or plastic spatula is designed to be thicker to maintain structural strength, then the structural strength is improved, but the convenience of use deteriorates due to increased thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining metal shovel portion with silicone or rubber coating layer. The metal provides structural strength while the coating provides non-stick properties and protects against scratching. This composite approach allows the shovel head to be thin yet maintain sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different materials to different parts of the spatula: the shovel portion uses metal for strength, the coating layer uses silicone or rubber for non-stick properties, and the handle uses plastic or wood for comfort. This localized material assignment optimizes each part's function while maintaining overall thinness.
2Ease of operation
If the shovel head of metal spatula is designed to be thinner to improve convenience of use, then the convenience of use is improved, but the harmful factors worsen due to scratching the coating on the pot and producing noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal shovel portion with silicone or rubber coating layer. The metal provides structural strength allowing thin design, while the soft coating layer prevents scratching the pot surface and reduces collision noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of metal scratching into benefit by adding a soft coating layer that prevents scratching while maintaining the thin metal structure. The coating transforms the harmful metal surface into a protective non-stick surface.
3Ease of operation
If the thickness of the shovel portion and coating layer is reduced to improve convenience of use, then the convenience of use is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite structure with metal shovel portion providing structural strength and silicone or rubber coating layer providing functional properties. This allows the overall thickness to be reduced while maintaining sufficient strength through the metal core.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin coating layer of silicone or rubber over the metal shovel portion. This thin film provides the necessary non-stick and protective functions without adding significant thickness, maintaining the thin profile of the spatula.
Data Source
AI summary
A spatula includes a shovel portion, a reinforcing piece, a shovel handle and a coating layer. The reinforcing piece is provided on the shovel portion. The shovel handle has a connecting end connected to the reinforcing piece. The coating layer coats the shovel portion and the reinforcing piece and extends to the connecting end. The spatula has the advantages of smaller thickness, good structural strength and smaller weight.