Slit-Disk Whisk Wiper for Cleaning Inner Wire Loops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utensil cleaning devices are ineffective in removing food stuck to whisk loops, leading to ingredient loss and difficulty in cleaning the complex structure of whisks, as they cannot access the inner surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A disk-shaped whisk wiper with flexible slits intersecting at angles, acting as squeegees to wipe the whisk loops clean, which can be used to collect and return mixture to the mixing bowl, support the whisk on the bowl edge, and act as a splash guard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning implements are applied from the outside of the whisk, then the outer surfaces can be cleaned, but the inner surfaces remain inaccessible and cannot be cleaned effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is inserted inside the whisk loops and cleans from the interior outward, reversing the conventional approach of cleaning from the outside. The squeegee members are positioned within the cage-like structure to contact and clean the inner surfaces of the wire loops, allowing effective cleaning of previously inaccessible areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning device is designed to be nested within the whisk structure itself. The squeegee members fit inside the loops of the whisk, with the cleaning elements positioned within the existing cage-like framework, allowing the device to access and clean inner surfaces without requiring disassembly of the whisk.
2Productivity
If the whisk is shaken at high speed for centrifugal cleaning, then stuck mixture can be removed, but this is only a high speed version of shaking and does not provide effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
Squeegee members are introduced as intermediary cleaning elements that physically contact the wire loops and removed mixture. These squeegees actively scrape and wipe the surfaces, providing reliable mechanical cleaning action rather than relying solely on centrifugal force or shaking motions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mechanism transitions from high-speed rotational motion to direct mechanical contact through squeegee members. The squeegees apply localized pressure and friction to the wire loops, changing the cleaning parameter from kinetic energy to direct mechanical wiping action for more effective removal of stuck mixture.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the whisk loops are allowed to rest on the surface, then the whisk is stable, but the loops come into contact with counter tops creating unsanitary conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A collar component is provided that can be attached to the whisk handle, creating a support structure that copies the stabilizing function of surface contact but eliminates the sanitation problem. The collar rests on the counter top surface while the whisk loops remain elevated and suspended, providing stability without contamination.
4Volume of moving object
If the whisk loops are collapsed for storage, then the whisk becomes more compact, but this requires additional components that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The collar component serves multiple functions: it provides sanitation by preventing surface contact, enables compact storage through loop collapsing, and can be easily attached to conventional whisks. This multi-functional design achieves volume reduction without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
Effectively cleans whisk loops, prevents ingredient loss, keeps the whisk off the surface, and allows for easy mixing bowl cleaning, while maintaining hygiene by preventing splashes from reaching the cook's hand.
Implementation Method 1
a disk having a number of flexible slits, intersecting at angles in the center of the disk, making an asterisk or star like pattern. The whisk wiper is pulled over a whisks wire loops down to the handle, prior to the whisks use, each loop passing through a slit. When the cook wants to remove all the mixture stuck on the whisk the wiper is pulled off, the sides of each slit acting as pairs of opposed squeegees wiping the whisks loops clean.
Data Source
AI summary
A whisk wiper, a device having a a plurality of intersecting slits angularly disposed in an asterisk type pattern, is mounted onto a whisk. It is pulled down over the loops 44, each loop 44 guided through a slit 32. To clean off mixture 50 stuck to the whisk 46 the whisk wiper 30 is simply pulled off, the opposed edges of each slit 32 wiping the loops 44 clean, the removed mixture 50 collected on the top side of the whisk wiper 30 so it can be then returned to the mixing bowl 52. The whisk wiper 30 is also a splash guard, support to hang the whisk 46 on the edge of a bowl, keeps the whisks loops up off the surface when the whisk is set down and the outer edge 40 can be used to wipe out the mixing bowl 52. Additionally the whisk wiper can be configured to be turned inside out to allow the slits to be easily cleaned.