Steam-Cooking Basket With Removable Rotary Tool for Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food preparation appliances with a non-removable rotary tool in the bottom of the container complicate cleaning and tool changes, limiting versatility in culinary preparations.

Innovation Solution

A household appliance with a removable rotary tool and a steaming basket featuring a shutter element at the orifice to prevent food from falling, allowing easy tool removal and cleaning, and enabling the use of different tools for various preparations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rotary tool is fixed in the bottom of the container, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of cleaning and tool replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary tool is divided into separable components: the tool body and the gripping member. The gripping member remains fixed in the container bottom while the tool body can be removed for cleaning or replacement, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping member is extracted and left fixed in the container bottom, while the removable tool body can be easily detached. This allows the tool to be cleaned or replaced without removing the entire assembly, maintaining structural integrity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rotary tool is fixed in the bottom of the container, then the structural stability is maintained, but the adaptability for different culinary preparations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool replacement capabilityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tool system is segmented into a permanent gripping member and a replaceable tool body. This allows users to swap tool bodies for different culinary preparations while the gripping member remains fixed, providing versatility without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping member serves as a universal interface that can accommodate different tool bodies for various culinary preparations. This multi-functionality approach allows the same base structure to support multiple tools, enhancing adaptability while maintaining structural stability.

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

3Ease of operation

If the orifice in the basket bottom is left open for tool passage, then the ease of tool insertion is improved, but food loss through the orifice worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool insertion easeVSAvoidfood loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter element is made mobile, automatically opening when the gripping member passes through and closing when the tool is removed. This dynamic behavior allows easy tool insertion while preventing food loss, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and substance loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the open orifice and the food contents. It selectively opens to allow tool passage and closes to prevent food loss, mediating between the need for easy tool insertion and the need to prevent food loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2925197B1Household appliance for food preparation, comprising a working container having a basket for steam cooking
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 SEB SA
  • EP2925197B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2925197B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2925197B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a household appliance for food preparation, comprising a working container (2) having a bottom receiving a rotary tool (4) that is rotatably driven by a motor (12) and an open upper end via which ingredients can be inserted into the working container (2), a heating device (14) for heating the contents of the working container (2), and a steam-cooking basket (5) that lies in the working container (2), above the rotary tool (4), characterised in that said rotary tool (4) can be removed from the working container (2) and in that said basket (5) comprises a bottom (51) having an opening (55) for the passage of a body (40A) that grips the rotary tool (4) when the basket (5) is arranged in the working container (2).