Cutting Board with Nested Tool Storage to Reduce Outdoor Gear Weight

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gear for outdoor activities like camping and fishing is bulky, heavy, and inconvenient due to the need to carry multiple separate items, which increases weight and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A cutting board with internal storage for implements, allowing for compact carrying and easy access to tools, featuring a top and bottom portion that can be joined and separated for storage and use, with contoured indentations and fasteners to secure tools, and a design that facilitates cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate gear items are carried for outdoor activities, then all necessary tools are available, but weight and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of toolsVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate gear items (cutting board, knife storage, bottle opener, can opener, corkscrew) into a single integrated unit. The cutting board serves as the base structure that incorporates storage compartments for cutting tools and integrated opening mechanisms, eliminating the need to carry multiple separate items and thereby reducing total weight and bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting board is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously serves as a cutting surface, a storage container for knives and other tools, and an integrated bottle opener, can opener, and corkscrew. This universal design allows one item to replace multiple separate gear pieces, reducing the overall weight and bulk carried by the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate gear items are carried for outdoor activities, then all necessary tools are available, but bulk and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of toolsVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate gear items into a single integrated cutting board unit. By combining the cutting board, tool storage, and opening mechanisms into one cohesive structure, the overall complexity of managing multiple separate items is reduced, while all necessary tools remain accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting tools (knives) are stored within recesses or compartments formed in the cutting board itself. This nesting arrangement allows tools to be integrated within the main body of the cutting board, creating a compact unified structure rather than separate items, thereby reducing bulk and simplifying the overall gear configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If tools are stored separately from the cutting board, then tools are accessible, but weight and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool accessibilityVSAvoidspace

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tools are stored within recesses or cavities formed directly in the cutting board structure. This nesting design allows tools to be integrated within the main body of the cutting board, creating a compact unified structure that reduces the total volume required compared to carrying separate tool containers, while keeping tools easily accessible during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If traditional cutting board design is used, then cutting function is provided, but cleaning difficulty increases due to crevices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting functionVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting board is divided into distinct functional zones: a main cutting surface and separate recessed compartments for tool storage. The recesses are designed with smooth, continuous surfaces that do not create deep crevices or hard-to-reach areas, allowing easy cleaning while maintaining functional separation between cutting and storage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11224313B2Cutting board with internal storage for implements

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 KILCHER EIVIN

AI summary

A cutting board having a bottom portion and a top portion. The bottom portion includes a substantially flat first utility surface on an outer side of the bottom portion and one or more primary indentations on an inner side of the bottom portion. Each primary indentation is configured to partially encase an implement, such as a chefs knife. The top portion includes a substantially flat second utility surface on an outer side of the top portion and one or more supplemental indentations on an inner side of the top portion. Each supplemental indentation corresponds to a primary indentation and is configured to further partially encase the implement.