Cutting Board and Container Integration to Reduce Food Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for food preparation involve frequent movement of cutting boards, which increases the risk of contamination when transferring cut food pieces to containers.

Innovation Solution

A cutting surface integrated with a food container that secures the cutting surface to the container, allowing direct transfer of food pieces and enabling the cutting surface to be used as a lid for storage, reducing contamination and transportation distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cutting board is frequently moved to transfer food pieces to containers, then the food preparation process can be completed, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood preparation efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cutting board and food container into a single integrated unit. The cutting board is positioned on top of the container with alignment features (ridges on the cutting board matching grooves on the container) that allow the cutting board to remain stationary while food is transferred directly into the container below, eliminating the need to move the cutting board between tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container acts as an intermediary element between the cutting board and the final storage/receptacle. Food is cut on the board, then scraped directly into the container which serves as both the receiving vessel and the final storage container, reducing the number of transfer steps and potential contamination points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the cutting board is removed from the container, then the container can be covered with a lid for storage, but the cutting board must be transported separately

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood freshness protectionVSAvoidcutting board storage convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board and container are designed as complementary components that fit together. The board has a shape and size that allows it to serve as a lid when placed on the container, and the container has grooves that align with ridges on the board to secure it in place during cutting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting board serves multiple functions: it is used for cutting food, then can be positioned to cover the container as a protective lid, and finally can be stored with the container using the alignment features. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage solutions for the cutting board

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10472143B2Cutting board and container

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 ITAK CONCEPTS LLC

AI summary

A cutting board and container allows a user to reduce food into smaller pieces on a cutting surface and immediately transfer the food pieces into a food container. The food container includes container rim, a first retention extrusion, and a second retention extrusion. The cutting surface includes a first board-retention hole and a second board-retention hole. The first retention extrusion is slotted into first board-retention hole and the second retention extrusion is slotted into second board-retention hole to secure the cutting surface onto the food container. The cutting surface includes a food brink to allow the user to directly deposit food pieces from the cutting surface through a food receiving opening of the food container and into the food container.