Folding Mesh Food Holder for Even Toasting and Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional toasters fail to evenly heat food articles, often resulting in burnt exteriors and undercooked interiors, and require cumbersome metal inserts and manual handling of electrical components, while also posing hygiene and cleaning challenges due to moisture retention and visibility issues during toasting.

Innovation Solution

A folding food article holder made of open fibre-based mesh or grating, coated with an anti-sticking material, which can be folded to accommodate food items, allowing for even heating, easy cleaning, and reduced contact with metal surfaces, while maintaining hygiene and visibility during toasting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional toasters with metal racks are used, then food articles can be held and toasted, but the metal racks are cumbersome and require manual insertion into electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of insertionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical metal rack system with an electrically non-conductive holder made of heat-resistant material that can be safely inserted into the toaster without manual handling of metal components near electrical elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate holder structure that mediates between the user and the electrical components, allowing safe insertion and removal without direct contact with electrical elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If conventional toasters heat food rapidly, then toasting speed is improved, but the outer surface burns while the interior remains undercooked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating speedVSAvoidheating uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using an open mesh structure in areas requiring heat circulation while maintaining structural integrity in other areas, allowing differential heat distribution across different regions of the food article

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs porous open mesh material that allows heat and air circulation through the structure, enabling uniform heat distribution to both the surface and interior of the food article simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Productivity

If food articles are toasted in conventional toasters, then toasting is achieved, but moisture is released and retained in the toaster creating hygiene and cleaning issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoasting functionVSAvoidmoisture retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses porous open mesh material that facilitates drainage of moisture away from the food article during toasting, preventing moisture accumulation and reducing hygiene issues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts moisture from the toasting environment by providing drainage pathways that channel released liquids away from the food and toaster cavity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If conventional toasters are used, then toasting is achieved, but visibility of the food article during toasting is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoasting functionVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The open mesh structure inherently provides visibility through its porous nature, allowing users to observe the toasting process without opening the toaster

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The folding food article holder ensures even heating, reduces the risk of burning, and simplifies cleaning by allowing air circulation, preventing moisture retention, and enabling better crust formation, while maintaining hygiene and comfort during handling.

Implementation Method 1

allowing air circulation, preventing moisture retention

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir circulation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

banks of radiant heaters located at either side of each toaster slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heating: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

The folding food article holder ensures even heating

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

coated with an anti-sticking material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnti-sticking coating: Coatings

Data Source

PatentEP2809209B1Toasting devices, systems and methods

Publication Date: 2016.11.30 BERGEN JOHAN

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Figure 1B
Figure 1C

AI summary

Toasting devices, systems and methods. A folding food article holder for heating a food article of the toast type in a toasting device, said folding food article holder having at least a folded state and an unfolded state, and being adapted for receiving a food article by folding out of the unfolded state over the food article and for, in the folded state, being inserted into the toasting device for toasting the food article, wherein the food article holder comprises an open fibre based mesh or grating; a toasting system, and a method for toasting.