Disposable grill and method of manufacturing a disposable grill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disposable grills are not cost-efficient and environmentally friendly, as they take a long time to decompose and pose disposal challenges due to their materials and burning characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A disposable grill design featuring a base tray made of flammable material, a fuel shaped in combustible biomass material, and an insert structure made of heat-insulating material, where the wall thickness is defined by the characteristics of the fuel and base tray, allowing for reduced material use, faster decomposition, and controlled burning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If disposable grill is made from traditional materials (thin aluminium plates and metal grate), then the grill structure is strong and stable, but the grill takes a very long time to decompose and is difficult to dispose of properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from traditional metal and plastic to natural organic materials (wood, bamboo, plant fibers). This fundamental material parameter change enables biodegradability while maintaining structural integrity through careful selection and treatment of natural materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction combining multiple natural materials (wooden base tray, bamboo or plant fiber grate, natural fuel) to achieve both structural stability and biodegradability. The composite approach allows each material to contribute its optimal properties while ensuring overall environmental compatibility.
2Reliability
If plant material is mixed with earthy ingredients such as minerals or stone dust to make the grill fireproof, then the grill can resist burning during use, but it still takes a relatively long time for the grill to decompose and the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embraces the disposable nature of the grill by using inexpensive, easily degradable natural materials. The design accepts that the grill is meant for single use and focuses on ensuring safe burning during use and rapid decomposition afterward, eliminating the need for fire-resistant mineral additives that would slow decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fire resistance approach from additive-based (mixing minerals) to material-based (selecting naturally fire-resistant or controlled-combustion natural materials). This parameter change in the fire resistance mechanism eliminates decomposition delays while maintaining safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the insert structure uses thicker walls to ensure adequate insulation and safety, then the grill provides better heat insulation and user safety, but the material use increases making the grill more expensive and harder to decompose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wall thickness parameter to the minimum required for safety and insulation functionality. By using natural materials with appropriate thermal properties and designing efficient insulation geometry, the patent achieves adequate heat protection with minimal material consumption, maintaining both safety and environmental compatibility.
4Ease of manufacture
If the fuel is not shaped with defined characteristics, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the burning time varies and the cooling down time period is difficult to determine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific geometric parameters for the fuel (cylindrical or rectangular shape with standardized dimensions). This parameter standardization ensures consistent surface area-to-volume ratios, leading to uniform burning rates and predictable cooling times, while remaining compatible with simple manufacturing processes using natural materials.
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
The solution results in a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly disposable grill with consistent burning time, facilitating safe disposal by determining the cooling-down period, thus ensuring user and environmental safety.
Implementation Method 1
an insert structure made in a heat insulating material for holding said fuel
Implementation Method 2
a fuel shaped in a combustible biomass material
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable grill including a base tray as an outer grill cover made in a flammable material, a fuel shaped in a combustible biomass material, and an insert structure made in a heat insulating material for holding the fuel and being partly or fully covered by the base tray, wherein at least one wall thickness of at least one location in the insert structure being defined by one or more characteristics of the fuel and the base tray.