Steaming Attachment Base Layout for Steam-Condensate Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking attachments for heatable vessels in food processors face challenges in efficiently separating and managing steam and condensate flows, leading to increased water usage and prolonged heating phases due to direct contact between food and base openings, which impedes steam flow and condensate drainage.
Innovation Solution
The design features a funnel-shaped base with separate steam and condensate openings, protected by collar elements and spacers that create flow channels for low-resistance steam and condensate passage, ensuring efficient separation and rapid drainage of condensate back into the vessel, thereby reducing water usage and heating time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the base has openings for steam and condensate flow, then steam can enter the cooking attachment and condensate can drain, but food may block the openings and impede flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces collar elements as intermediary structures that project into the openings from the base. These collar elements serve as mediators between the food and the openings, preventing food from directly blocking the openings while still allowing steam and condensate to flow through. The collar elements create a protective barrier that maintains reliable flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the openings into distinct steam openings and condensate openings, with collar elements specifically positioned at steam openings. This segmentation allows different functions (steam entry and condensate drainage) to be optimized separately, with collar elements protecting only the steam openings from food blocking while maintaining open paths for condensate flow.
2Productivity
If steam openings are positioned higher on the base, then steam can enter the cooking attachment effectively, but condensate may flow into the steam openings and interfere with steam flow
Solution Approach 1:
The collar elements act as intermediaries that selectively allow steam to pass through while blocking condensate flow into the steam openings. The collar elements are positioned to create a flow path that permits upward steam movement while preventing downward condensate flow, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of steam access and condensate exclusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing collar elements only at specific locations (steam openings) rather than uniformly across the entire base. The collar elements create localized protection zones around steam openings, allowing condensate to flow freely in other areas while preventing condensate intrusion only where steam enters the cooking attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If the base is flat, then manufacturing is simple, but condensate drainage is inefficient due to lack of directional flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slope to the base, creating a curved or inclined surface that directs condensate flow toward the condensate opening. This curvature modification maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving condensate drainage efficiency by utilizing gravity-assisted directional flow rather than relying solely on capillary action or pressure differentials.
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
This configuration allows for faster food preparation without increasing heat output, as it optimizes steam and condensate flow, reducing liquid requirements and shortening the heating phase by ensuring condensate is reused in the steam cycle.
Implementation Method 1
The slope of the base relative to a horizontal plane facilitates the drainage of condensate from the steaming attachment into the food processor bowl via the base opening
Implementation Method 2
at least one circumferential section of the steam opening, facing away from the lowest section, has a collar element projecting from the base. The collar element protects the steam opening from the passage of condensate flowing towards the vessel
Implementation Method 3
The base of the cooking attachment can have a plurality of spacers projecting from the base on the side facing the interior of the cooking attachment to space away the food being prepared in the cooking attachment from the base opening, wherein the base opening is at least partially surrounded by the spacers in the circumferential direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking attachment (2) for a heatable vessel (3) of a food processor (1), which cooking attachment (2) has a base (4) with at least one base opening (5) through which steam escaping from the vessel (3). can enter the cooking attachment (2) and/or condensate escaping from the cooking attachment (2) can enter the vessel (3), the base (4) being at least partially exposed in relation to a horizontal plane of the food processor (1) standing on a horizontal work surface is inclined in the direction of the vessel (3), the bottom opening (5), in particular a condensate opening (10) for exiting condensate from the cooking attachment (2) into the vessel (3), in relation to a vertical direction in a lowermost partial area of the inclined floor (4). In order to specify a cooking attachment for a heatable vessel of a food processor that is advantageously designed, the invention proposes that the lowermost partial area of the inclined base (4) be formed in a central area of the base (4).