DESIGN NAME: ButterOnce
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Corn Butterer
INSPIRATION: While waiting in line at a family bbq to butter on ear of corn off the grill,
I saw everyone struggling to get the butter actually on the corn and not fall into a puddle on the plate. I thought I can come up with an easier, better utensil. I went back home and started making molds and using melted plastic to create a shaped knife that matched the conical shape of an ear of corn.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The ButterOnce knife is engineered with a stainless steel curved blade to hold a pat of butter in place while spreading/melting butter on an ear of corn allowing it to fully adhere to the entire corn cob. The curvature of the blade mirrors the conical shape of an ear of corn and will not allow butter to drip off cob onto the plate as applying with a knife does. The beveled edge of the blade allows user to slice or scoop any desired amount of butter they want to apply to the corn.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Slice a desired pat of butter from a stick or scoop out desired amount of butter from a tub. With butter adhered to curved blade, spread butter on hot ear of corn in up and down motion turning the cob as you go to evenly distribute butter over entire ear of corn.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Project was started in June 2014 in Connecticut and finished in November 2015 in Connecticut. Ecommerce site was launched in November 2015.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The handle is made of high density polyethlene and is molded as 2 halves. The tang/blade is made of 1/16" thick polished stainless steel
and is die cut, then stamped to form its curved shape and tang. The 2 halves of the handle are sandwiched over the tang and the three pieces are fasted together with 3 rivets. The outside edges of blade are ground to a suitable sharpness for slicing butter but while not sharp enough to cut hand.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: W38.1 x D12.7 x H165.1 mm
TAGS: kitchen gadgets, new products, butterknives, summertime, corn on cob,ti
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: After studing the shape and curvature of an ear of corn, I created wood molds to form melted plastic. After getting the shape of the curve right I experimented with aluminum but decided stainless steel was the best material for the blade/tang. Next came what size and form of handle would fit a variety of hands? It was important that while griping the handle your fingers wouldn't make contact with the blade/tang. Next 3D models were made to see which handle felt best. Once a prototype was selected I moved to a working prototype and manufacturers.
CHALLENGE: The initial goal was to create a singular one piece product that was simply molded and packaged. Plastic seemed to be the answer, however it just didn't have the strength to withstand repeated slicing and spreading. Opting to use High density polyethylene for the handle and full stainless steel tang put an end to having to overcome obstacles and the process moved quickly through the final design into production.
ADDED DATE: 2018-02-19 19:09:38
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Anne McMahon
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Photographer Beth Zink, 2017
Image #2: Photographer Anne McMahon, 2016
Image #3: Photographer Beth Zink, 2017
Image #4: Photographer Anne McMahon,2017
Video Credit: Videographer Anne McMahon, 2016
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