Spice dispensing device for seasoning food

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spice dispensing devices lack precision in dosing small quantities of spices, making it difficult to avoid incorrect dosages during food preparation, especially when using food processors that cannot accurately weigh such small amounts.

Innovation Solution

A spice dispensing device with separate containers and dosing mechanisms, including a transport device that moves dosed spices into a detachable collection chamber, allowing for precise dosing and preventing contamination, featuring a rotatably mounted roller with troughs for efficient spice dispensing and a grinder for adjusting spice fineness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual dosing is used to add spices, then device complexity is reduced, but dosing accuracy deteriorates leading to incorrect dosages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedosing mechanism complexityVSAvoidspice dosing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing unit automatically portions spices into measured segments through its rotatable drum mechanism, eliminating the need for manual measurement by the user. The system serves itself by mechanically dividing spices into precise portions without requiring user intervention or expertise in dosing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces manual mechanical dosing (by hand) with an automated mechanical dosing system featuring a rotatable drum with discrete segments. This mechanical substitution provides consistent, repeatable dosing accuracy while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If a fixed collection chamber is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because the chamber cannot be easily cleaned or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechamber structure complexityVSAvoidchamber maintenance flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collection chamber is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached from the main device body. This segmentation allows the chamber to be easily removed for cleaning, replacement, or adaptation to different spice types without affecting the rest of the dosing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collection chamber transitions from a fixed state to a movable/removable state, enabling flexible maintenance and adaptation. The chamber can be dynamically removed and reattached, providing versatility for different cleaning requirements, spice types, or user preferences while maintaining a simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3824770B1Spice dispensing device for seasoning food

Publication Date: 2023.05.03 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a spice dispensing device (1) for seasoning food, comprising at least one spice container (2, 3, 4), at least one metering device (12) that can dispense spice from the spice container (2, 3, 4), and at least one transport device, characterized in that the transport device can transport the spice metered by the metering device (12) into a removable, hand-held collection chamber (10), wherein the collection chamber (10) must be removed from the spice dispensing device (1) and hand-held for seasoning a dish. Seasoning can be automated using the spice dispensing device.