Steam-Conduit Blender Chamber for Simultaneous Blending and Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blenders fail to provide both food processing and heating/cooking functions simultaneously in an easy-to-use, convenient, and easy-to-clean manner, often requiring complex systems and manual handling of food between processing locations.

Innovation Solution

A blender system with a container and base that integrates a fluid conduit for steam transfer, a processor component with food processing features, and a heating component, allowing for simultaneous steam and food processing in a single chamber with adjustable ventilation for controlled cooking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing blenders integrate both food processing and heating functions, then the device functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines food processing and heating functions into a single integrated chamber. The processor component with cutting blades is positioned within the same chamber where steam is generated, allowing simultaneous blending and steaming without requiring separate containers or manual food transfer between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blender system is designed to perform multiple functions including blending, steaming, and heating within a single device. The processor component can process food while the heating component simultaneously cooks or steams the same food in the same chamber, eliminating the need for separate appliances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing blenders integrate both food processing and heating functions, then the device functionality is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidease of cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The processor component is designed as a separable unit that can be removed from the container. This segmentation allows the processor component to be easily detached for cleaning, and the container can be cleaned separately, simplifying the overall cleaning process despite the integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The processor component is extracted as a removable element from the main container structure. This allows users to remove the processor component for thorough cleaning of both the processor and the container interior, which would be difficult if the processor were permanently fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing blenders provide both food processing and heating functions, then the device versatility is improved, but the device size increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processor component is positioned within the container in a nested arrangement where the processor fits into the available space within the container. The heating component and steam generation system are integrated into the base structure, with steam channels directing vapor through the processor component, maximizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables convenient, efficient, and simultaneous food processing and heating in a single chamber without the need for manual handling, improving user experience and reducing complexity in cleaning and operation.

Implementation Method 1

When heat energy provided to a liquid disposed in the reservoir by the heating component causes transformation of the liquid into a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

transformation of the liquid into a gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 3

gas can flow from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and the gap, and into the work chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9968222B2Fluid communication of a blender system

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A blender is adapted to process and heat food products. The blender includes a base and a container coupled with the base. Disposed in the container is a work area and a processor component adapted to process food products. Disposed within the processor component is a fluid conduit through which steam may pass. The fluid conduit includes at least one outer wall and an interior lumen. The outer wall of the fluid conduit is separated from an inner wall of the processor component by a gap. The gap is in fluid communication with the work chamber. Disposed in the base is a reservoir (adapted to hold one or more fluids, e.g., water), which is in fluid communication with the interior lumen of the fluid conduit of the container. Steam formed in the reservoir passes from the reservoir into the work chamber by way of the interior lumen and the gap.