Stacked Blender Blade Assembly for Small-Throat Food Processing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blenders and food processors are limited in their ability to effectively chop, slice, or cut solid foods without the addition of liquid, and they fail to liquefy foodstuffs due to their blade geometry and design, which restricts their multi-functionality, especially in small-throat blender jars.

Innovation Solution

A blade assembly with a stacked formation of U-shaped top and bottom blades and an S-shaped middle blade, optimized for angles and geometry, that allows for enhanced blending, mixing, ice crushing, chopping, cutting, and slicing capabilities, while minimizing interference and wear on the appliance's components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional blender blade design (two U-shaped blades) is used, then blending and mixing capabilities are achieved, but the ability to chop, slice, or cut solid foods without liquid is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood processing capabilityVSAvoidoperation without liquid addition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is divided into three distinct blade forms stacked together: a top U-shaped blade for blending, a middle S-shaped blade for food processing, and a bottom U-shaped blade for liquefying. Each blade form is optimized for specific functions, allowing the system to perform both blending and food processing operations effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stacked blade assembly combines multiple blade geometries in one unit, enabling the blender to perform multiple functions including blending, mixing, ice crushing, chopping, cutting, and slicing solid foods without requiring liquid addition. The multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate appliances or liquid additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If typical food processing blade arrangement is used, then chopping and cutting capabilities are achieved, but the ability to liquefy or mix foodstuffs is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblending capabilityVSAvoidliquefying efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is divided into three distinct blade forms stacked together: a top U-shaped blade for blending, a middle S-shaped blade for food processing, and a bottom U-shaped blade for liquefying. Each blade form is optimized for specific functions, allowing the system to perform both blending and food processing operations effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the capabilities of separate blender and food processor blades into a single stacked assembly. The top and bottom U-shaped blades provide blending and liquefying action, while the middle S-shaped blade provides chopping and cutting action, creating a unified multi-functional system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional blender design is used, then blending capabilities are achieved, but ice crushing and solid food processing capabilities are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveice crushing capabilityVSAvoidblade assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is divided into three distinct blade forms stacked together: a top U-shaped blade for blending, a middle S-shaped blade for food processing, and a bottom U-shaped blade for liquefying. Each blade form is optimized for specific functions, allowing the system to perform both blending and food processing operations effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple blade forms are nested stacked together in a compact arrangement, with the top, middle, and bottom blades positioned vertically one above the other. This nesting approach allows multiple functional blades to be integrated into a single compact assembly that fits within the blender jar.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If food processing blades are run for long periods, then chopping action is maintained, but the ability to circulate and continually process food into finer sizes is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous processing capabilityVSAvoidfood circulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the capabilities of separate blender and food processor blades into a single stacked assembly. The top and bottom U-shaped blades provide blending and liquefying action, while the middle S-shaped blade provides chopping and cutting action, creating a unified multi-functional system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The stacked blade arrangement creates continuous circulation of food through the blade stack. The combination of chopping action from the middle blade and circulating action from the top and bottom blades ensures food is continually reprocessed, moving from coarser to finer sizes without interruption or need for manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 blade assembly provides improved blending and mixing capabilities, enhanced food processing, and ice crushing performance, reducing wear on the appliance's bearings and motor, while maintaining efficient circulation and processing of food items without the need for liquid addition.

Implementation Method 1

Different blade designs and rotational speeds are used in blenders and food processors in order to accomplish the mixing or cutting actions desired

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The motor drives the rotating shaft which in turn moves the blade assembly causing the blending/processing of the liquid and/or food items within the blender jar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the geometry of typical food processing blades fails to liquefy foodstuffs due to their inability to circulate the food within the jar and to continually rotate the processed foods back through the blades

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS7641380B2Blender/food processor blade arrangement for small throated blender jars

Publication Date: 2010.01.05 SUNBEAN PROD INC

AI summary

A blade assembly suited for both blending and food processing in small throat blender jars is provided. The blade assembly comprises a plurality of blade forms each designed to perform a specific blending or processing task while simultaneously working together and with the geometric restrictions of the jar to optimize the assembly's capability to crush ice, blend or mix liquids and/or semi-solid materials, and to chop, cut, or slice solid food items without the need for user interaction to clear compacted items from the blades and/or the walls or bottom of the jar during its operation. The improved performance also serves the beneficial side effect of improved bearing and motor life in the blender/food processor.