Food holder

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eating utensils for foods like chicken drumsticks are complex, expensive to manufacture, difficult to clean, and often allow bacteria and chemicals to come into contact with the food, posing health risks and requiring messy protective covers.

Innovation Solution

A simple, one-piece silicone utensil with a tubular design that accommodates the shape of chicken drumsticks, featuring a springy material for secure gripping, a plastic 'grease dam' to prevent drips, and a small hole for easy cleaning, made from BPA-free and PVC-free materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If jaw mechanisms are used to grip chicken drumsticks, then gripping capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible silicone tube instead of rigid jaw mechanisms. The tube's elasticity allows it to conform to and grip the chicken drumstick shape, providing secure holding capability while maintaining a simple, single-piece structure that is easier to manufacture than mechanical jaw systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from rigid (jaw mechanisms) to flexible (silicone). This parameter change allows the material to deform and wrap around the drumstick, providing gripping force through elastic recovery rather than mechanical clamping, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If hands are used to hold food directly, then ease of operation is improved, but health safety deteriorates due to bacterial transfer and chemical contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidbacterial transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone tube acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the food. It provides a barrier that prevents direct contact between hands (which may carry bacteria or chemicals) and the food, while still allowing the user to easily grasp and manipulate the food item through the tube.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If napkins or paper towels are used to cover food, then health safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to oil soaking through and creating mess

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical contaminationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The silicone tube provides a reusable, oil-resistant barrier that prevents oil from soaking through to the user's hand. Unlike single-use paper napkins that become saturated and messy, the flexible silicone material repels oil and can be easily cleaned and reused, maintaining both hygiene and ease of operation throughout the meal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Force

If complex utensil structures are used, then gripping capability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegripping capabilityVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions (gripping, barrier protection, and structural support) into a single silicone tube component. This eliminates the need for separate jaw mechanisms, hinges, springs, or multiple parts, making the device simple to manufacture as a single molded piece while maintaining effective gripping capability through the material's elastic properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 utensil provides a secure, sanitary, and easy-to-use means for gripping chicken drumsticks, reducing the risk of bacterial transfer and chemical ingestion while being inexpensive to produce and maintain, suitable for children and easy to clean.

Implementation Method 1

The utensil is made of a springy material such as silicone so that finger pressure may bend the material to grip the chicken

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11950716B2Food holder

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 WITKOWSKI MARY

AI summary

An eating utensil for gripping food such as chicken drumsticks is disclosed. The utensil has a tube which is shaped and dimensioned to accommodate the end of the chicken drumstick. The utensil is made of a springy material such as silicone so that finger pressure may bend the material to grip the chicken. The opening is sized to accommodate the shape of the food and provide more secure gripping thereof. A material such as a soft non-slip grip silicone may be used. A plastic ridge surrounds the top to act as a plastic “grease dam” and keep drips from the hand. A small hole at the bottom allows for easy cleaning and drying.