Griddle Grease Trough and Insulated Handle for Safe Juice Disposal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing griddles require cumbersome and hazardous procedures to dispose of collected food juices due to the temperature of the handle and the large cooking surface, making it difficult to remove and pour the juices effectively.
Innovation Solution
A griddle design featuring a thermally insulative handle and a collection system with a sloped grease collection channel and capture hole, allowing for easy removal and disposal of juices by sliding the grease trough to a disengaged position and using a thermally insulative handle to prevent heat transfer during handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire cooking surface is removed and tilted to pour out food juices, then the juices can be disposed of, but the process becomes difficult and hazardous due to the hot handle and large cooking surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The grease trough is segmented as a separate removable component from the main cooking surface and base. This allows the trough containing the juices to be independently removed and emptied without handling the entire hot cooking surface, making the disposal process safer and easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The grease trough with collected juices is extracted as a separate unit that can be removed from the base. The thermally insulative handle is specifically designed to be taken out with the trough, allowing users to safely grasp and empty the juices without contact with hot surfaces.
2Strength
If the grease trough is designed with a metal handle for structural strength, then the handle is durable, but it becomes too hot to touch and handle safely
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is constructed as a composite structure combining a metal core (providing structural strength and attachment points) with an outer thermally insulative material layer (providing thermal protection). This composite design allows the handle to maintain mechanical integrity while preventing heat transfer to the user's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the handle have different material properties: the base portion attached to the trough uses thermally conductive metal for structural strength, while the gripping portion uses thermally insulative material to protect the user's hand from heat. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between strength and thermal safety.
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
Enables safe and efficient handling and disposal of food juices by reducing heat transfer to the user's hands and preventing splattering, improving the ease of cleaning and juice removal process compared to traditional griddles.
Implementation Method 1
a thermally insulative handle having a gripping portion positioned at least partially over the collection sump
Data Source
AI summary
A griddle (10) is disclosed which includes a base (11) and a griddle plate (13). The base includes a frame (15) and a removable grease trough (16). The frame includes sidewalls (18) with top surface (22) having a grease collection channel (23) with a capture hole (24) located so that liquids within the grease collection channel flow through the grease capture hole and into the grease trough. The base has a grease trough well (26) configured to receive the grease trough therein. The grease trough includes a trough collection catch (28) with a sump (32), a handle base (29), and a thermally insulative handle or handle insert (30). The griddle plate has a top surface (38) and a stepped bottom surface (39) defined by a peripheral side edge (40). The stepped bottom surface includes a groove (44) which forms a drip edge (45) positioned above the grease collection channel.