Cookware with utensil rest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utensils, such as ladles, often become coated with food while in use, leading to food residue being transferred when placed on surfaces, necessitating a solution for holding utensils during cooking to prevent contamination and mess.

Innovation Solution

A cookware assembly with a lid handle featuring a horizontally planar surface and aperture, designed to accommodate a utensil's protrusion, allowing it to rest and be elevated, thereby preventing food residue from being transferred onto surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a utensil is placed on a countertop after use, then the utensil can be set down conveniently, but food residue is transferred onto the countertop surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of setting down utensilVSAvoidfood residue contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lid handle serves as an intermediary surface between the utensil and the countertop. The protrusion on the utensil handle fits into the opening of the lid handle, creating a dedicated resting position that elevates the utensil head above the countertop surface, preventing food residue from contaminating the countertop while providing convenient placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a utensil is held in hand throughout cooking, then food residue contamination is prevented, but the user experiences hand fatigue and reduced operational efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood residue contaminationVSAvoidhand fatigue and operational inefficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lid handle with its integrated opening provides a self-service resting position for the utensil. The protrusion on the utensil handle automatically engages with the opening, allowing the utensil to support itself in an elevated position without requiring active holding by the user, thereby preventing contamination while reducing hand fatigue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lid handle is designed with an opening for utensil placement, then utensil resting capability is improved, but the handle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveutensil resting capabilityVSAvoidhandle structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid handle is designed with multi-functionality: it serves both as a handle for lifting and moving the lid, and as a mounting structure for utensils via the integrated opening. The opening is positioned and sized to accommodate various utensil handle protrusions, providing universal utensil compatibility without requiring separate utensil holders or additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12178362B2Cookware with utensil rest

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 SHARKNINJA OPERATING LLC

AI summary

Cooking assemblies, cooking containers, lids, racks, and utensils are provided. In one embodiment, a handle is provided for use on a cooking assembly and is configured to interact with a utensil for supporting the utensil on the lid. In certain embodiments, the handle can have an aperture that is sized to receive a complementary support on a cooking utensil. Through this aperture and support, the utensil can be retained on the lid when not in use, and the support can further act as a support to elevate a utensil head and prevent excess mess.