Clip-On Strainer Design for Adaptable Container Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen devices for separating solid and liquid food products, such as strainers and colanders, do not provide a convenient means to attach selectively to existing containers like pans, pots, or bowls, limiting their functionality in separating liquids from solids.

Innovation Solution

A strainer device with a removable attachment mechanism that secures to the side of a container, featuring a surface with holes for liquid passage and a biasing band for contour conformity, allowing for the separation of solid food products from liquids while being durable and washable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional strainers and colanders are used as separate items, then they can separate solid food from liquid, but they cannot selectively attach to existing containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective attachment to containersVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two functional segments: a strainer component for separation and an attachment component for container mounting. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall adaptability to various containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment component is designed with a biasing band that can universally attach to containers of different sizes and shapes. The biasing band's flexible nature allows it to conform to various container contours, making the device adaptable to multiple container types without requiring container-specific designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid attachment structure is used, then the strainer can be securely attached to containers, but it cannot conform to different container sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontour conformityVSAvoidattachment security

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing band is designed as a dynamic, flexible element that can adjust its shape to match different container contours. This dynamic flexibility allows the attachment component to reliably secure to various container sizes and shapes while maintaining consistent attachment force through the band's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The biasing band functions as a flexible element that wraps around the container exterior. This flexible shell approach allows the attachment component to conform to different container geometries while maintaining secure attachment through friction and elastic retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If the strainer surface has many small holes, then liquid can pass through effectively, but the solid food may clog the holes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid drainage efficiencyVSAvoidhole clogging resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer component utilizes a porous structure with multiple small holes that allow efficient liquid passage. The porous design provides numerous flow paths, reducing the likelihood of complete clogging while maintaining high drainage efficiency. The distributed hole pattern ensures that if some holes become blocked, liquid can still flow through alternative paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous 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

Enables convenient and versatile separation of solid and liquid food products by attaching to various container sizes, facilitating efficient liquid drainage and solid retention, enhancing kitchen convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The biasing band has a degree of flex to allow the device to conform to the contour of a variety of different sized pans, pots, or bowls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a strainer component comprises a surface having a plurality of holes effective to allow a liquid to pass through the surface while retaining a solid food product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

the clip is secured by friction means to the peripheral lip of the pan, pot, or bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10307008B2Device for separating solid food from liquid

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 TONOGA

AI summary

The present invention relates to a kitchen utensil or device, specifically a strainer, which is constructed and adapted to attach by removable means to the side of a pan, pot, or bowl, to provide a convenient means to allow for the separation of solid food product from liquid. The strainer comprising a generally planar top surface, having a plurality of small gauge holes, slits, or openings in its surface. The holes being effective to allow a liquid to pass through the surface of the utensil while retaining the solid food product. The device is attachable by means of a clip to the rim of an existing pan, pot, or bowl.