Clip-Supported Toaster Utensil for Folded Tortilla Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preparing taco shells and similar flexible food products using traditional methods is time-consuming, hazardous, and often results in deformation or cracking, due to the lack of suitable support during heating, which affects their usability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A culinary utensil designed for toasters, featuring a body with a clip and handle, which provides support and retains the food product during heating, preventing deformation and cracking by allowing even heating and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tortillas are heated on a hot pan using traditional methods, then the tortillas can be heated, but the process is time-consuming and hazardous requiring repeated manual flipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a utensil with parallel bars as an intermediary tool between the user and the hot tortilla. This mediator allows the tortilla to be flipped without direct hand contact, eliminating the hazard of burning fingertips while maintaining the traditional pan-heating process. The parallel bars serve as a safe interface for manipulating the hot food item.
Solution Approach 2:
The tortilla is folded in advance before heating, and the parallel bars are positioned to support the folded structure during the heating process. This preliminary folding action, combined with the support structure, prevents deformation and cracking that would otherwise occur during heating, making the process more efficient and reliable.
2Temperature
If tortillas are heated on a hot pan, then they can be heated, but the tortillas become firm and resistant to shape changes causing cracking or unfolding
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel bars provide localized support at specific points along the tortilla's length, particularly at the folds. This localized support maintains the tortilla's shape in critical areas during heating, preventing cracking and unfolding while still allowing the entire surface to be heated effectively by the pan.
Solution Approach 2:
The tortilla is folded in advance before heating, creating a predetermined shape that is then maintained by the parallel bars during the heating process. This preliminary shaping action ensures the tortilla retains its desired form throughout heating, preventing deformation and cracking.
3Productivity
If tortillas are fried in boiling hot oil, then they can be heated quickly, but it creates safety hazards and health concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the traditional oil-frying method into a safer alternative by using a pan with minimal or no oil. The parallel bar support structure enables effective heating without requiring substantial oil, thereby eliminating the safety hazards of boiling oil and the health concerns associated with high-fat foods while maintaining heating effectiveness.
4Temperature
If traditional pan heating methods are used, then tortillas can be heated, but the process is time-consuming requiring individual handling
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tortillas are folded in advance and stacked ready for heating. The parallel bars are positioned to support the folded structure, enabling efficient heating of multiple items. This preliminary preparation reduces the time required for individual handling and heating of each tortilla.
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 efficient and safe heating of flexible food products like tortillas, maintaining their shape and structure, thus enhancing the usability of taco shells and similar items in toasters while reducing the risk of burns and mess.
Implementation Method 1
heating the food product positioned between the clip and the body of the culinary utensil within the heating slot of the toaster
Data Source
AI summary
A culinary utensil which may be for use to retain a food product and may be for a toaster. The culinary utensil may include a body having a first side face and a second side face facing opposite the first side face, and a bottom face. A clip may extend longitudinally along the bottom face and be positioned from the bottom face to define a slot configured to receive the food product between the clip and the bottom face.