Brining Apparatus with Drain Valve for Spill Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing and brining meats, such as turkeys, lack efficiency and convenience in maintaining the brining fluid and ensuring even moisture distribution, often resulting in spills and inadequate cooling.

Innovation Solution

A brining apparatus comprising a refrigerator with a movable door, a sink with a drain and faucet, and a free-standing moisturizing apparatus that can fit in the refrigerator or sink, allowing for easy brining fluid drainage and cooling of the meat, with a drain valve and cover design to prevent leakage and facilitate easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional brining method is used, then the meat can be brined, but the brining fluid is difficult to maintain and drain, resulting in spills and inconvenience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of brining fluid drainageVSAvoidprevention of spills

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brining system is segmented into a removable brining container that can be separated from the refrigerator. This allows the container to be easily removed for draining and cleaning, preventing spills within the refrigerator while maintaining brining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A drain valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the brining container and the draining destination. This valve provides controlled drainage, preventing uncontrolled spills while enabling easy fluid removal from the container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If a large brining container is used to hold enough fluid for the meat, then the brining can be effective, but the container is difficult to store in standard kitchen appliances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of brining fluidVSAvoidstorage space requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The brining container is designed with collapsible or flexible walls that allow it to be compressed into a compact form for storage. When in use, it can be expanded to hold the required volume of brining fluid, thus resolving the contradiction between storage volume and storage space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The brining container is designed to nest within itself when collapsed or to fit within standard refrigerator compartments when not in use. This nesting capability allows the container to maintain large volume during brining while occupying minimal storage space afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the brining apparatus is designed to fit in standard refrigerators and sinks, then it is easy to store and clean, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with standard appliancesVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brining container is designed with universal dimensions and features that allow it to function in multiple standard kitchen appliances including refrigerators and sinks. By adhering to standard size guidelines and using common connection interfaces, the container achieves multi-appliance compatibility without requiring complex custom designs for each appliance type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus effectively maintains the brining fluid, prevents spills, and ensures even moisture distribution, enhancing the brining process while allowing for easy cleaning and storage in standard kitchen appliances.

Implementation Method 1

The apparatus comprises a refrigerator with a housing and a door... fit, when the door is in the first closed position, on the shelf in the interior of the refrigerator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The housing includes an interior with at least one shelf... ensuring even moisture distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

a drain valve construct in the bottom of the moisturizing apparatus... in a secondary open position in which brining fluid drains from the housing through the valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11503835B2Food briner

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 CURRY JON K

AI summary

Brining apparatus includes a refrigerator, a sink, and a hollow housing to receive brining fluid and a turkey. The housing has an open mouth at the top. The apparatus also includes a cover which sealingly removably engages the mouth of the housing. The housing includes a valve to drain brining liquid from the housing. The housing and cover are shaped and dimensioned, when assembled, to fit in the refrigerator for cooling, and to fit in the sink to drain brining liquid from the housing.