Griddle Rear Trough Design for Grease Containment and Spill Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas heated cooking stations with griddles face issues with grease and food byproduct management, leading to unsightly build-ups and potential spills, which can spread to users' clothing and create hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A griddle system with a splash guard, trough, and grease container configuration that includes a latch and extension for positioning below the trough, allowing for effective drainage and containment of grease, along with height-adjusting members to optimize the cooking surface slope for efficient grease removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If grease is drained to the side or front of the griddle, then grease management is achieved, but the grease becomes visible and may spill over the front side of the cooking station
Solution Approach 1:
The grease drainage system is extracted from the visible front and side areas and relocated to the rear of the griddle. The trough extends to the rear end with a through-hole that directs grease away from the cooking surface and user area, eliminating the harmful effect of visible and spillable grease buildup in front and side regions.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a drain system is added to manage grease, then grease management capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grease management function is merged with the existing griddle structure by integrating the trough into the rear end of the cooking surface and using the splash guard to direct grease into the trough. This combination eliminates the need for separate, complex drainage components while achieving effective grease management.
3Productivity
If the griddle cooking surface is sloped to facilitate grease drainage, then grease removal efficiency is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The griddle is equipped with adjustable legs that allow the cooking surface to be tilted at different angles. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the user to optimize the slope for efficient grease drainage while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward mechanical adjustment system.
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 system effectively manages grease and food byproducts by directing them into a contained area, keeping the cooking surface clean and preventing spills, thus maintaining user hygiene and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
at least two height adjusting members coupled to an underside of the griddle, the at least two height adjusting members configured to modify a slope of the flat cooking surface
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a griddle system, device, and method configured to manage unwanted food byproducts. The griddle system includes a griddle having an upper side and an underside. The upper side includes a flat cooking surface and a splash guard, the flat cooking surface having a rectangular shape extending to a rear end, a front end, a left end and a right end. The splash guard extends along a periphery of the upper side of the griddle, the upper side including a trough. The trough extends laterally from the rear end of the cooking surface and extends longitudinally along a length of the rear end of the cooking surface such that the trough defines an elongated through hole therein.