Foldable Cutting Board Spout Structure Without Food-Trapping Folds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foldable and disposable kitchen cutting boards are complex and costly to manufacture, with unsightly folds that trap food and interfere with knife manipulation, and often require multiple molding or stamping steps.

Innovation Solution

A single-step molded or stamped cutting board with a triangular section and a narrow fence that forms a temporary pouring spout when folded, featuring a rounded apex and reduced height portion for tool clearance, made from resilient materials like polypropylene or polycarbonate, eliminating creases and folds for easier cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple molding or stamping steps are used to create folds and creases for pouring function, then the pouring function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring functionVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (pouring spout formation and board structure) into a single integrated design that can be manufactured in one step. The triangular section with rounded apex is molded as part of the board itself, eliminating the need for separate folding operations or additional molding steps to create the pouring function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating sharp folds and creases to form the pouring spout, the patent inverts the approach by using a rounded apex without creases. The pouring function is achieved through the geometric shape and flexibility of the material rather than through rigid folding structures, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If folds and creases are created to form pouring spout, then pouring function is achieved, but food trapping occurs making cleaning difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring functionVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates harmful folds and creases by inverting the traditional approach. Instead of creating sharp angular folds that trap food, it uses a rounded apex with smooth continuous surfaces. The pouring spout is formed by the flexible material conforming to the triangular geometry, not by rigid creases, thereby preventing food accumulation and facilitating easy cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature by using a rounded apex instead of sharp corners or creases. This curved geometry prevents food from getting trapped in angular folds, making the surface easier to clean while maintaining the pouring function through the flexible material's ability to form the spout shape when folded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fence is extended vertically along distal edge, then pouring spout formation is improved, but knife or cleaver manipulation is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring spout formationVSAvoidknife manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the fence height along the distal edge. The fence is taller at the corners to maintain structural integrity and pouring spout formation, but reduced in height in the central portion to allow clear passage for knife or cleaver manipulation. This localized variation in fence height resolves the conflict between pouring function and cutting tool access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Manufacturing precision

If sharp apex is used in triangular section, then pouring spout precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to crease requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepouring spout precisionVSAvoidmolding or stamping steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by eliminating sharp apexes and creases. Instead of creating precise angular features through multiple stamping or molding steps, it uses a rounded apex that can be formed in a single manufacturing step. The pouring spout precision is achieved through the consistent rounded geometry and material flexibility rather than through sharp angular features requiring complex multi-step manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8141860B2Foldable cutting board

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 ROBERT I GOLDMAN & RUTH GOLDMAN TRUSTEES UNDER THE GOLDMAN FAMILY TRUST

AI summary

A versatile, foldable and disposable cutting board (1) for preparing food is made of a thin, resiliently flexible sheet of propylene, stainless steel or other cut-resistant material. The board has a triangular section (11) projecting away from the user to form a distal pouring funnel and spout when the board is folded along its middle by grabbing both sides (4) and moving them toward each other. A narrow fence (6) extending upwardly from the periphery of the board converges at the apex (9) of the triangular section. A rigidizing flange (15) extends outwardly from the upper rim of the fence but is interrupted (16) near the apex. The fence is interrupted along an offset portion (20) of the proximal edge (2) in order to provide clearance for the blade and handle of a chopping or mincing instrument.