Stackable Multi-Orientation Cutting Parts for Versatile Food Chopping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food chopping devices are limited in their ability to produce a variety of cutting shapes without requiring multiple cutting parts or devices, necessitating the use of different tools for different cutting tasks.

Innovation Solution

A device with a base part and an actuating part connected in an articulated manner, allowing cutting parts to be stacked and oriented relative to each other in different rotational positions within a receptacle, utilizing a press ram with grooves to accommodate various cutting shapes using the same cutting parts and press ram.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different cutting parts or devices are used to achieve various cutting shapes, then the versatility of cutting shapes is improved, but the device complexity and number of parts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting shape varietyVSAvoidnumber of cutting parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The press ram is designed with multiple groove patterns that can accommodate different cutting parts in various rotational orientations. The same press ram can be used with different cutting parts (e.g., circular, square, triangular) by rotating the cutting parts to different orientations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized press rams for each cutting shape

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting parts are designed to be rotatable within the receptacle, allowing dynamic adjustment of their rotational orientation. This enables the same cutting part to produce different cutting shapes by simply rotating it to different angles relative to the grooves in the press ram, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to different cutting requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If cutting parts are arranged with different rotational orientations to achieve various cutting shapes, then the versatility of cutting shapes is improved, but the reliability of cutting part engagement with grooves deteriorates due to potential relative movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting shape varietyVSAvoidcutting part engagement stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting parts are designed with rotational freedom within the receptacle, allowing them to be oriented at different angles. The receptacle structure guides the cutting parts and ensures they maintain their selected rotational orientation during the pressing operation, enabling versatile cutting shapes while maintaining reliable engagement with the press ram grooves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receptacle acts as an intermediary between the cutting parts and the press ram. It provides a structured environment that holds the cutting parts in specific rotational orientations and ensures proper alignment with the press ram grooves during operation, mediating between the need for rotational variability and the need for stable engagement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single press ram is used with different cutting parts in different rotational orientations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision required for groove alignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of press ramsVSAvoidgroove alignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The press ram is designed with segmented groove patterns that can accommodate different cutting parts. The grooves are arranged in specific patterns (e.g., radial, tangential, intersecting) that correspond to different cutting part orientations, allowing a single press ram to handle multiple cutting shapes through proper groove design rather than requiring multiple specialized press rams

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The press ram is designed as a universal component that can work with different cutting parts (circular, square, triangular, etc.) in various rotational orientations. The groove patterns are designed to be adaptable to different cutting geometries, reducing the need for multiple specialized press rams while maintaining precise alignment through careful groove placement and geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3329818B1Device for chopping food
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 GENIUS GMBH
  • EP3329818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3329818B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3329818B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for comminuting foodstuffs, having a base part which has a receptacle for a cutting part, and an actuating part which is articulated to the base part and which can be pivoted against the base part in order to push the material to be comminuted along a push-through direction by means of a to press the cutting part used in the receptacle. The device is characterized in that there are several cutting parts and that the receptacle is designed to accommodate at least two cutting parts one above the other, so that the material to be comminuted can be pushed through the cutting parts arranged one above the other in the receptacle by means of a pivoting movement of the actuating part against the base part the two cutting parts being locatable in the receptacle with different rotational orientations relative to one another.