Food Preserving Container With Fluid Transfer for Sanitary Serving
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for serving and preserving food items like olives, pickles, and cherries immersed in a preserving liquid face challenges such as sanitary and convenience issues due to the need for manual or instrumental retrieval, and lack efficient mechanisms for fluid transfer between serving and preserving states.
Innovation Solution
A device with an open container and a liquid-holding compartment connected by passageways, featuring a liquid-transfer mechanism that includes a disc member with a sealing member and handle, allowing fluid to be transferred between the container and compartment for switching between serving and preserving states, with a lock/unlock mechanism for secure attachment and optional surge absorber/filter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If food items are stored in a container submerged in preserving fluid, then food preservation is achieved, but access to food items becomes inconvenient and unsanitary
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two main segments: a food-storage container for preserving food items in fluid, and a separate serving device with a bowl that can be detached. This segmentation allows the preserving function to remain intact while providing a convenient serving mechanism that eliminates the need to manually retrieve food from the preserving fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
A serving bowl acts as an intermediary between the preserving fluid and the user. The bowl can be submerged to receive food items from the fluid, then lifted out for serving, preventing direct contact between the user and the preserving fluid while maintaining food accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If a vertically-movable insert is used to elevate food items, then access to food items is improved, but the device becomes complex and requires handling of foodstuff
Solution Approach 1:
The serving bowl is extracted as a separate, detachable component from the food-storage container. This allows the bowl to be used independently for serving while the container remains simple and dedicated to preservation, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of access.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving bowl serves multiple functions: it can be submerged to collect food items, lifted out for serving, and potentially used as a lid or cover for the container when not in use. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional complex mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If manual retrieval of food items is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but sanitary issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The serving bowl serves as a sanitary intermediary that can be detached, cleaned, and sterilized separately from the preserving fluid. Users interact with the bowl rather than directly with the preserving fluid, preventing contamination while keeping the overall device simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving bowl can be easily removed, emptied, and cleaned after use, allowing for complete sanitation of the component that contacts both food and user. The preserving fluid and container remain undisturbed, maintaining their simplicity and preservation function.
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
Facilitates easy and sanitary access to food items while maintaining the preserving fluid in a serving state, ensuring efficient fluid transfer and preventing spills or debris entry, thus enhancing user convenience and maintaining food quality.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism for transferring the preserving fluid from the food-items container into the liquid-holding compartment and back
Implementation Method 2
a disc member with a sealing member and handle
Implementation Method 3
optional surge absorber/filter
Implementation Method 4
optional surge absorber/filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device for serving and preserving food items, the device including an open container for holding the food items having one or more side walls and a floor, wherein when the food items are immersed in fluid, typically a preserving fluid, the device is in a preserving state; a liquid-holding compartment, having a tubular form, for holding the fluid when the device is in a serving state; and a liquid-transfer mechanism for transferring the preserving fluid from the open container into the liquid-holding compartment and back. One or more passageways, interconnecting the open container and the liquid-holding compartment, facilitate the transfer of fluid between the open container and the liquid-holding compartment.