Cooking apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking apparatuses face issues with gripping elements that are either fixed and protruding, preventing correct coupling with the apparatus, or single mobile elements that are inconvenient for handling heavy loads, and these designs hinder automatic or semi-automatic operation and washing.

Innovation Solution

A cooking apparatus with a container featuring at least two gripping elements, one fixed and one mobile, attached via a stiffening element for secure handling and transport, allowing the container to be used with the apparatus and separately for various cooking operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed protruding gripping elements are used on the container, then handling and transport are facilitated, but correct coupling with the cooking apparatus and positioning of the lid are prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling and transportVSAvoidcoupling with apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping element is designed to be mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to move between a protruding position for handling and a retracted position for coupling with the apparatus. This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction by enabling both easy handling and correct coupling at different operational stages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The gripping element is divided into separate components: a gripping portion and a mobile connection portion. This segmentation allows the gripping element to be detached or repositioned independently, facilitating both easy handling when protruding and correct coupling when retracted or removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed gripping elements are used, then handling stability is improved, but they create problems during automatic washing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling stabilityVSAvoidwashing compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping element is designed to be mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned or detached during washing operations. This dynamic design maintains handling stability during use while eliminating interference with automatic washing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile gripping element can be completely removed from the container body, separating the gripping function from the container structure. This extraction allows the container to be washed automatically without the gripping element causing problems, while the gripping element itself can be washed separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10849463B2Cooking apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 DE LONGHI APPLIANCES SRL

AI summary

A mobile apparatus for cooking food includes a lid (34) and a main body (13) that defines a cooking compartment (32) in which a container (11) is adapted to be inserted. The container (11) is provided with a bottom wall (12) and at least one lateral wall (14). The container is also provided with at least two gripping elements laterally associated in an opposite position with respective perimeter portions of the container (11).