Wire-Grid Watermelon Slicer for Clean Flesh Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fruit and vegetable slicers, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,546,545 and 4,490,912, are not suitable for slicing watermelons without damaging the flesh, as they either cut into the rind or cannot accommodate the size and shape of a watermelon effectively.
Innovation Solution
A slicer device with a cutter piece and support bar, featuring a pattern of cutters that form openings to slice the watermelon flesh into geometric shapes, allowing for the removal of the fleshy part without cutting into the rind, using a combination of wire cutters and a rotation plate to separate the flesh from the rind.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pineapple cutter with cutting edges is used to slice watermelon, then the rind can be removed, but the flesh is significantly damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device is divided into multiple wire cutters arranged in parallel, each wire acting as an independent cutting element. This segmentation allows the cutters to slice through the flesh without the need for a solid cutting edge that would damage the flesh, while still effectively separating the rind.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional solid blade cutting mechanics with wire cutting mechanics. The wire cutters, tensioned between support bars, slice through the watermelon flesh by cutting rather than crushing, thereby preserving flesh integrity while removing the rind.
2Ease of operation
If a fruit cutter with screw thread connection is used, then the cutting head can be detached, but the holder cannot be pushed through the watermelon flesh
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a solid, two-dimensional cutting head to a three-dimensional grid structure formed by parallel wires stretched between support bars. This dimensional change creates openings that can accommodate various watermelon sizes and shapes, allowing the holder to be pushed through the flesh effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire cutters function as flexible thin elements that can be tensioned and arranged to form a cutting grid. This flexibility allows the cutting structure to adapt to different watermelon dimensions while maintaining the detachable cutting head feature for ease of operation.
3Productivity
If a cutter with exposed cutting edges is used, then the fruit can be sliced, but user safety risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces support bars as intermediary elements that hold and tension the wire cutters. These support bars provide structural stability while keeping the cutting wires enclosed within the device framework, reducing the risk of exposed sharp edges contacting the user during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire cutters, being thin and flexible, can be tensioned within the support bar framework to create an enclosed cutting system. This design minimizes exposed sharp edges compared to traditional solid blades, thereby reducing user safety risks while maintaining slicing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A slicer device and a method of using a slicer device for slicing and removing a fleshy part of a watermelon surrounded by a rind. The device includes a cutter piece, at least one cutter, and at least one support member attached to an outer surface of the cutter piece. The cutter piece has an outer surface and in inner surface defining an interior for receiving the fleshy part of the watermelon. The at least one cutter is within the interior of the cutter piece.