Cutting board and system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work surfaces, such as cutting boards, are often thick and difficult to clean, and lack a stable and secure mechanism for holding vessels, which can lead to accidental detachment and hygiene issues during food preparation.

Innovation Solution

A plate-like work surface with a projecting bar that aligns with a kitchen worktop for stability, featuring a holding device designed as a circular segment to securely grasp and clamp vessels from below and above, preventing accidental removal with a form-fitting securing element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a U-shaped bracket is attached to the underside of the work surface to hold a container, then the container can be held securely, but the work surface becomes inherently thick and difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer holding securityVSAvoidcleanability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device is moved from the underside (bottom dimension) to the upper side (top dimension) of the work surface. The bar-shaped holding device with circular segment protrusions extends upward from the upper surface, allowing container engagement from above rather than requiring thickness for underside brackets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding function is extracted as a separate bar-shaped device with circular segment protrusions that extends from the work surface, rather than being integrated into the thickness of the work surface itself. This allows the work surface to remain thin and easily cleanable while providing secure container holding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the holding device is designed with protrusions to grip the container, then the container is secured against horizontal pulling, but the design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer securingVSAvoidholding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device uses circular segment protrusions (curved geometry) that match the circular rim of the container. This curved design provides secure gripping through geometric compatibility while maintaining a simple bar-shaped overall structure that is easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If the work surface is made thick to accommodate holding mechanisms, then vessels can be held securely, but the work surface becomes difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevessel holding stabilityVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holding mechanism is relocated from the thickness dimension (underside brackets) to the surface dimension (bar extending from upper surface). This allows the work surface to remain thin with no hidden corners, making it easy to clean while providing secure vessel holding through the bar's circular segment protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3708049B1Cutting board and system
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 VORWERK & CO INTERHOLDING GMBH
  • EP3708049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708049B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708049B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work surface with a holding device for hanging a container and a system with such a work surface and a container are proposed, wherein the container is secured against being pulled out of the holding device.