Removable Fowl Infuser Tube for Versatile Vapor Flavoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooking utensils for barbecuing fowl lack simplicity, versatility, and ease of use in infusing flavoring vapors, and fail to accommodate cooking other foods like vegetables and herbs simultaneously, with limited packaging options.
Innovation Solution
A cooking utensil featuring a pan base with a cup-shaped holder for a removable vapor infuser tube, allowing for interchangeable use with a beverage can, and supporting fowl in a vertical position while accommodating vegetables and herbs, with perforations for enhanced vapor infusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional infuser tube with permanent enclosure is used, then the device provides reliable vapor infusion, but the construction becomes complex and difficult to package
Solution Approach 1:
The infuser tube is divided into separate components: the tube itself and the bottom cap. The cap can be removed to allow cleaning of the tube interior or replacement of the cap with an open beverage can, while the tube remains. This segmentation maintains reliability through proper enclosure when needed while reducing complexity and enabling versatile packaging when the cap is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bottom cap is designed to be removable rather than permanent, allowing the infuser tube to dynamically change from an enclosed state (for reliable vapor infusion) to an open state (for cleaning or alternative liquid sources). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If a specialized infusing device with multiple components is used, then vapor infusion is effective, but the device becomes difficult to use and package
Solution Approach 1:
The infuser tube integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the liquid holding container (when cap is attached) and the vapor delivery conduit. The upturned rim at the top provides both structural support and a positioning feature for inserting into the fowl cavity. This merging simplifies operation while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The infuser tube is designed to be universally applicable: it can hold specialized infuser liquids with the cap attached, or accept open beverage cans as alternative liquid sources with the cap removed. The same tube structure serves multiple purposes, improving ease of operation while maintaining vapor infusion effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If a fixed-configuration cooking utensil is used, then the structure is simple, but versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The removable cap creates a dynamic configuration system where the infuser tube can switch between enclosed and open states. This simple structural change enables versatility: the tube can be used with specialized infuser liquids, open beverage cans, or for cleaning maintenance, all while maintaining the same basic tube structure and pan base.
4Reliability
If a complex infusing apparatus is used, then vapor infusion is reliable, but packaging and storage become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the infuser tube from the pan base and making the bottom cap removable, the components can be independently packaged. The thin-walled tube and cap can be flat-packaged separately from the pan base, then assembled by the consumer. This segmentation enables easy packaging while maintaining infusion reliability through proper component assembly.
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 solution provides a straightforward, versatile method for infusing flavoring vapors into fowl while cooking, allowing for simultaneous preparation of vegetables and herbs, and facilitates easy packaging and use on various cooking apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
flavoring liquid placed in the cup inside the base is vaporized and conducted through the attached infuser tube into the body cavity of a fowl placed over the tube
Implementation Method 2
conducted through the attached infuser tube into the body cavity of a fowl
Data Source
AI summary
A utensil for flavoring fowl while cooking it over a heat source such as a barbecue has a pan-shaped base with a center portion and an upright cup-shaped holder extending upward from the top side of the base's center portion. An upright liquid infuser tube is provided which can be removably placed within the cup-shaped holder. The infuser tube has a bottom end sized to be loosely fit within the cup-shaped holder and sidewalls that extend above the cup-shaped holder when the infuser tube is placed in the holder. The extension of the infuser tube's sidewalls form a top portion of the infuser tube which has at least one infuser opening, and which is insertable into the body cavity of a fowl. The base's cup-holder is sized to receive a standard beverage can, such that the infuser tube can be exchanged with an open beverage can, such as a beer can, if desired.