Adjustable Food Shield Brackets for Code-Compliant Buffet Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food shields do not adequately meet health code requirements, lack sufficient adjustability, and fail to enhance the aesthetic presentation of buffet-style food, necessitating an improved solution that balances functionality and appearance.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable food shield system featuring semi-transparent or transparent shield panels supported by u-shaped structures with adjustable bracket assemblies, allowing for both vertical and angular adjustments, coupled with semi-opaque end sections for enhanced aesthetics and secure fastening mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional food shields are used, then basic contamination protection is provided, but they fail to meet or exceed health code requirements and lack sufficient adjustability
Solution Approach 1:
The food shield employs adjustable bracket assemblies with multiple positioning holes and rotation capabilities, allowing the shield panels to be dynamically repositioned both vertically and angularly. This enables the system to adapt to different health code requirements and buffet configurations while maintaining secure contamination protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The food shield is divided into multiple adjustable components including separate bracket assemblies, shield panels, and support structures. Each component can be independently positioned and adjusted, providing versatility in meeting different health code standards while maintaining overall structural integrity for reliable contamination protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable mechanisms are added to food shields, then adaptability and versatility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assemblies incorporate rotation and vertical adjustment capabilities with multiple positioning holes, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of shield panels to various angles and heights. This provides high adaptability for different buffet setups while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not overly complicate the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assemblies are pre-configured with multiple positioning holes and adjustment mechanisms during manufacturing, allowing for easy field adjustment without requiring complex assembly procedures or additional components. This preliminary preparation reduces operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
3Shape
If transparent or semi-transparent materials are used for shield panels, then aesthetic value and food presentation improve, but protection effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shield panels utilize transparent or semi-transparent materials that maintain aesthetic appeal and food visibility while still providing effective contamination protection. The local quality of the material allows light transmission for visual appeal while maintaining the physical barrier function against bodily fluids and bacteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The food shield employs composite construction with transparent/semi-transparent panel materials combined with opaque bracket assemblies and support structures. This composite approach allows the transparent panels to provide aesthetic value and food presentation enhancement while the overall composite structure maintains effective contamination protection through proper sealing and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A food shield has shield panels that are location adjustable and angularly adjustable in respect of support structures (posts) that are coupled to a mounting surface, such as a surface of a buffet table or cart. For vertical or location adjustment of a shield panel in relation to a post, a bracket assembly includes outer and inner collar portions, a grip element positioned between the outer and inner collar portions, and a tightening element that tightens the connection of the assembled collar against support posts. For angular adjustment, each bracket assembly includes an indexing base, a rotatable arm assembly with an indexing hub, and a removable or retractable coupling element.