Cutting Board with Nested Containers for Workspace Organization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting boards provide a limited surface area, leading to cluttered workspaces during food preparation, as they do not effectively assist in separating, sorting, or transporting items for disposal, storage, or immediate use, requiring users to awkwardly transfer items between the board and various containers.

Innovation Solution

A cutting board with integrated cut-out sections or voids that accommodate removable and nestable containers, allowing items to be easily transferred and stored without lifting, featuring a design where containers are flush with the cutting board surface, and a movable or transitionable component that creates or removes the cut-out as needed, optimizing space and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the cutting board surface area is increased to accommodate more items, then the workspace becomes less cluttered, but the device complexity and space requirement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting board surface areaVSAvoidboard structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board is segmented into distinct functional zones: a main cutting surface and integrated recessed containers. This segmentation allows different food preparation activities to occur simultaneously in separate areas, effectively increasing the functional workspace without requiring a larger overall board footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple containers are nested within recesses in the cutting board. The containers fit into predetermined cavities, allowing them to be stored within the board structure when not in use. This nesting approach maximizes space utilization and provides additional workspace areas without increasing the board's external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If containers are integrated into the cutting board, then item transfer becomes easier, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveitem transfer easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The containers are merged with the cutting board through integrated recesses. The containers and board are designed as complementary components that fit together, allowing them to be manufactured separately and assembled through simple insertion. This merging provides the convenience of integrated design while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The containers are designed to be removable from the cutting board recesses. This extraction capability allows the containers to be easily removed for cleaning or replacement without requiring complex assembly mechanisms, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing integrated functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If the cutting board includes fixed containers, then storage capacity increases, but the adaptability for different uses decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidusage adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. Containers can be removed from and reinstalled in the recesses, allowing users to adapt the board configuration for different food preparation tasks. This dynamic design maintains storage capacity while providing versatility for various uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed containers are designed with universal compatibility, allowing different types of containers to fit into the same recesses. This multi-functionality enables the cutting board to adapt to various storage and preparation needs without requiring specialized configurations for each use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Volume of moving object

If containers extend above the cutting board surface, then storage volume increases, but the ease of item transfer decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer storage volumeVSAvoiditem transfer ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The containers are designed to extend slightly above the cutting board surface at specific locations, providing additional storage volume where needed. The recesses are positioned and sized to allow this localized extension while maintaining flush alignment at the boundaries, ensuring smooth item transfer between the cutting surface and containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11889953B2Cutting board with nested containers

Publication Date: 2024.02.06 TIDYBOARD LLC

AI summary

A cutting board with one or more cut-out sections is provided. The cutting board includes at least one work surface and a frame that transitions from a first (e.g., closed, stowed) position to a second position in which the frame at least partially defines a cut-out for removably holding one or more containers. The work surface may be used to prepare food ingredients, which are easily transported to the one or more containers. When work is complete, the containers are removed and the frame is returned to the first position, in which the cutting board occupies less space than in the second position.