Interchangeable Baking Insert Tray for Tool-Free Surface Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial baking trays face challenges due to the difficulty and expense of replacing damaged baking surfaces, which often leads to discarding rather than repairing, resulting in waste and increased costs due to labor-intensive metalworking methods that can create food safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A baking tray system with a detachable baking insert that uses channels and tabs for secure attachment and detachment, allowing for easy replacement without metalworking tools, utilizing crimping and releasing tools for efficient installation and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the baking surface is attached to the frame by welding or riveting, then the attachment strength is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates and food safety hazards are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidease of baking surface replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The baking surface is segmented from the frame through the use of removable clips, allowing the baking surface to be detached and replaced without permanent attachment. This segmentation enables easy repair while maintaining sufficient attachment strength during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static permanent connection (welding/riveting) to a dynamic removable connection using clips. The clips can be easily engaged and disengaged, providing both secure attachment during baking and easy removal for repair or replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If metalworking methods are used to replace the baking surface, then the attachment strength is improved, but harmful factors are generated and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidmetal chips and fragments
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful metalworking processes are extracted and eliminated from the repair procedure. Instead of using drilling or grinding tools that generate metal chips, the design uses pre-formed clips that can be attached without any metalworking, thus eliminating the generation of harmful fragments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The clips are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed, eliminating the need for complex metalworking tools and processes. This approach prioritizes simplicity and safety over permanent durability of the attachment mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the baking surface is permanently attached to the frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidability to replace baking surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clip-based attachment system provides universal functionality, allowing the same frame to accommodate different baking surfaces that use compatible clips. This enables versatility in replacing or upgrading baking surfaces while maintaining structural stability through the standardized clip mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2708129B1Baking tray with interchangeable baking inserts
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 TINGLEY JASON
  • EP2708129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2708129B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2708129B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An industrial baking tray 110;210 includes a frame 120 having a left portion 122, a right portion 130, a front portion 140, and a rear portion 144. The left and right portions 122,130 each include a channel 124,132 formed lengthwise therein. The front and rear portions each include a crossbar 142,146 extending widthwise across the frame. A baking insert 150;250 has a left portion 156;256, a right portion 160;260, a front portion 164;264, and a rear portion 168;264. The left and right portions 156,160;256,260 each include a folded region 158,162;258,262, the geometry of which corresponds to the channels 124,132 formed lengthwise in the frame 120. The front and rear portions 164,168 each include at least one tab 166,170;266,270 which is adapted to releasably engage the crossbars 142,146 extending widthwise across the frame 120.