Griddle cooking device, system and method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking stations face issues with grease and food byproduct management, leading to unsightly build-ups and potential spills, which can spread to users' clothing and make cleaning difficult.

Innovation Solution

A cooking station with a framework supporting a griddle and a grease container positioned below the griddle, featuring a splash guard and a removable grease container system, where the hood can pivot to prevent removal when closed, facilitating easy access and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the grease container is positioned at the front side of the griddle for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the grease and byproduct build-up becomes visible and unsightly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of grease container accessVSAvoidvisible grease build-up

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The grease container is extracted from the visible front area and repositioned to the rear of the griddle, separating the harmful element (grease storage) from the visible cooking area. This allows the front area to remain clean and aesthetically pleasing while maintaining grease management functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning the grease container at the front for easy access as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the arrangement by placing it at the rear of the griddle. The extension element allows users to access the container from the front while the main body remains hidden at the back, reversing the traditional layout to solve both accessibility and aesthetics problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the grease container is made removable for easy cleaning, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of grease container removalVSAvoidpositioning mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grease container system is segmented into two functional parts: a removable container portion for easy cleaning and maintenance, and a fixed positioning structure (cradle with flanges) that provides stable mounting during operation. This segmentation allows the container to be easily removed when needed while maintaining a simple, robust positioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grease container positioning system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic state where the container can be easily inserted and removed. The cradle with flanges provides a simple mechanical interface that allows quick attachment and detachment without complex fastening mechanisms, enabling flexible operation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the splash guard is extended higher to prevent grease spills, then the protective function is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease spill preventionVSAvoidsplash guard height

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grease containment function is extracted from the splash guard and transferred to the rear-positioned grease container with its extension element. This allows the splash guard to maintain a compact, aesthetically pleasing height while the extension element provides additional containment for grease and byproducts, preventing spills without requiring an excessively tall splash guard.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of increasing the vertical height of the splash guard to prevent grease spills, the invention extends the containment solution in the horizontal dimension by adding an extension element that protrudes from the rear of the griddle. This dimensional shift provides spill prevention functionality without compromising the vertical profile or requiring additional space above the cooking surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20230320527A1Griddle cooking device, system and method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.10.12 NORTH ATLANTIC IMPORTS LLC

AI summary

A cooking station configured to manage food byproduct. The cooking station may include an insert type framework for positioning within a cabinet type structure. The cooking station includes a framework, a griddle and a grease container. The framework is made to support the griddle thereon such that the griddle includes a splash guard and an opening positioned adjacent a rear side of the griddle and the splash guard, the opening configured to drain food byproduct therethrough and into the grease container. The grease container includes an upward extension that is unattached so as to extend freely along the rear side of the splash guard. The extension is viewable, while standing along a front side of the griddle, so that the user can readily view, grab and pull the extension to, thereby, pull the grease container up from a cradle positioned below the griddle along a rear side of the framework.