Custom Dining Plate Double-Seal Cavity for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dieting tools lack personalization and motivation during meal times, as they often feature generic inspirational messages and images, failing to provide individually-focused reminders for dieters to achieve their weight loss goals.
Innovation Solution
A two-part dining plate system with a transparent top portion and an elastomeric non-transparent bottom portion, creating a water-resistant central cavity for inserting motivational images or messages, which can be viewed through a transparent window, using a unique double seal mechanism that ensures impermeability and ease of assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-part plate system with elastomeric bottom portion is used, then the seal impermeability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plate is divided into two separate portions: a top portion and a bottom portion made of elastomeric material. This segmentation allows the bottom portion to be compressed and molded around the periphery to form an impermeable seal, while maintaining ease of assembly and disassembly through simple compression forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite construction by combining a rigid top portion with a flexible elastomeric bottom portion. The elastomeric material provides sealing capability through compression, while the rigid top portion maintains structural integrity, creating a reliable yet simple sealing mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a removable bottom portion with double seal is used, then the adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The removable bottom portion is segmented from the top portion, allowing users to customize the plate by removing and replacing bottom portions with different images or messages. The segmentation enables versatility while maintaining simple operation through compression-based attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric bottom portion changes its physical state through compression, transitioning from a relaxed state to a compressed state that forms the seal. This parameter change allows easy attachment and detachment without complex mechanisms, balancing adaptability with operational simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If hand heel pressure is applied to engage the portions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom portion is made of elastomeric material that acts as a flexible shell, capable of being compressed by hand heel pressure to form a conforming seal around the periphery. This flexibility ensures reliable sealing through simple manual compression without requiring excessive force or complex mechanisms.
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 plate system provides a personalized and effective visual reminder during meals, enhancing motivation and aiding in weight loss by allowing users to insert their own images or messages, maintaining an impermeable seal against moisture and facilitating easy cleaning and repeated use.
Implementation Method 1
A unique fluid and continuous double seal, between the top portion and a removable bottom portion of the plate, creates a compression and sufficient friction to engage the portions in an impermeable seal
Implementation Method 2
A unique fluid and continuous double seal, between the top portion and a removable bottom portion of the plate, creates a compression and sufficient friction to engage the portions in an impermeable seal
Implementation Method 3
an elastomeric non-transparent bottom portion... The physical characteristics of the plastic materials used such as a rigid copolyester top portion and a flexible elastomer bottom portion... elasticity or specific distortability
Data Source
AI summary
A dining plate includes a top portion with a substantially transparent window therein. The plate also includes a bottom portion with a bottom surface having a first outside receiving groove and second inside receiving groove. The bottom portion has a generally planar shape that corresponds generally to the shape of the top portion. The bottom portion also has a top surface with a continuous inner standing rib and an outward rim. The top and bottom portions are joined together so that the inner standing rib is releaseably positioned in the inside receiving groove and the outward rim is releaseably positioned in the outside receiving groove. A substantially watertight cavity is formed between a central section of each of the top and bottom portions. The cavity is aligned with the window in the top portion.