Foldable Silicone Activity Tray for Multi-Medium STEM Tasks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics activities lack versatility, ease of cleaning, and safety, particularly for children, as they are often single-purpose, difficult to clean, and not designed for multiple mediums or temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
A silicone-based, food-grade, oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, and non-toxic tray with indented compartments and circle-shaped wells that can be folded for storage, accommodating various activities and mediums like oil, water, paint, and temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a tray is made rigid for stability during use, then it provides structural support, but it occupies more space when packing or storing
Solution Approach 1:
The tray utilizes a flexible material that can dynamically change its state between rigid (when in use) and flexible (when storing). The flexibility of the material allows the tray to be folded or collapsed into a compact form for storage, while maintaining structural integrity during activities.
2Ease of manufacture
If a tray is made from a single material for simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot accommodate multiple mediums or temperature variations
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate various mediums (water-based, oil-based, tempera, acrylic) and temperature variations (freezing, heating). The flexible material properties enable it to serve multiple purposes despite being made from a single material type, eliminating the need for separate trays for different activities.
3Strength
If a tray is made from traditional materials for durability, then it is strong, but it is difficult to clean and sanitize
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from traditional rigid materials to a flexible material that offers both durability and ease of cleaning. The flexible nature of the material allows it to be easily wiped clean, sanitized, and even frozen or heated without damage, combining strength with maintainability.
Data Source
AI summary
Tivi Tray is a flexible activity tray made from food-grade silicone, featuring a main compartment that holds an A4 size piece of paper with 4 attached wells. This tool is dishwasher safe, BPA free, non-toxic and oven-safe, allowing it to keep the creativity flowing with all projects in the field of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. It is an easy-to-clean, mess-contained surface for activities of all kinds—designed for children of all ages.