Splash guard for a stand mixer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouring shields for stand mixers are cumbersome, difficult to remove, and require multiple sizes to accommodate various bowl sizes, often leading to food spills due to their design and limited compatibility with different bowl sizes.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, easy-to-use pouring shield with a flexible rubberized liner that friction-fits onto the mixer head, featuring a conical body and oversized seal member to securely attach to various bowl sizes, preventing spills and accommodating planetary mixer action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pouring shield with a large central opening is used to accommodate planetary action, then mixing operation is enabled, but food spills increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring shield is divided into multiple size variants (small, medium, large) with different opening dimensions. Each size is optimized for specific bowl sizes and mixing operations, allowing users to select the appropriate shield for their needs rather than using a single large opening shield for all purposes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pouring shields are designed for specific bowl sizes, then spill protection is improved, but compatibility with various bowl sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring shield design incorporates a flexible rubberized liner that can adapt to different bowl sizes and shapes. The liner elasticizes to conform to the specific bowl geometry, allowing a single shield design to work universally across multiple bowl sizes while maintaining effective spill protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If pouring shields are made secure to prevent spills, then spill protection is improved, but ease of removal decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pouring shield employs a dynamic mounting system where the flexible rubberized liner provides friction fit during operation for secure attachment, but allows easy removal when needed. The elastic properties enable the liner to grip the bowl rim during mixing while permitting straightforward installation and removal by the user.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sizes of pouring shields are provided, then compatibility with various bowl sizes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than providing multiple discrete pouring shield sizes, the invention changes the parameter of the rubberized liner's flexibility and elastic properties. This allows a single pouring shield design to accommodate various bowl sizes through material deformation and conformation, reducing the number of separate components needed while maintaining versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides effective spill protection across multiple bowl sizes without the need for multiple pouring shields, ensuring easy installation and removal while maintaining operational efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible rubberized liner that friction-fits onto the mixer head
Implementation Method 2
a flexible rubberized liner that friction-fits onto the mixer head
Data Source
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AI summary
A pouring shield (60) for a stand mixer (10) includes an upper collar (62) for mounting to a mixer head (12) of the stand mixer (10) in a friction-fit manner without the need for clamps or other mounting accessories. The stand mixer (10) is configured to receive a mixing bowl (40) with an open top (51), and the pouring shield (60) is configured to cover the open top (51) of the mixing bowl (40) at an upper rim (50) of the mixing bowl (40) using a seal member (66) which is disposed around an outer perimeter (81) of the pouring shield (60). The seal member (66) is a flexibly resilient member configured to close the open top (51) of the mixing bowl (40) when the stand mixer (10) is in a closed position (A), and includes a wide sealing surface (92) for accommodating mixing bowls (100, 106, 112) of various sizes (C1-C3).