Perforated Grill Liner With Bendable Flaps for Grate Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grilling pans do not effectively prevent food from falling through cooking grates or protect food from burning, and there is a need for an improved solution to enhance their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, flat grill liner with a plurality of holes and at least one bendable flap section secured by a frangible point, allowing the flap to bend between cooking grate bars and limit movement, while facilitating heat transfer and protecting against sharp edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional grilling pan is used, then food can be supported on the grill, but the pan does not effectively prevent food from falling through the grates or protect food from burning
Solution Approach 1:
The grill liner body is segmented with multiple holes throughout its structure, dividing the solid surface into a pattern of open spaces. This segmentation allows heat and smoke to pass through to the food below while the raised edges and flap sections create containment zones that prevent food from falling through the grate bars, solving the food protection problem without requiring a fully enclosed complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third dimension by incorporating flap sections that extend downward from the main body plane. These flaps bend between the grate bars, creating a multi-level structure where the main body sits on top of the grate while the flaps engage with the grate bars from below, preventing food from falling through without blocking heat transfer
2Ease of operation
If a disposable liner is used, then ease of use is improved, but the ability to limit movement on the cooking grate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flap sections are designed to be flexible and dynamic, capable of bending between the grate bars to engage with them. This dynamic feature allows the flaps to adapt to the grate structure and secure the liner in place, preventing movement and maintaining stability throughout the cooking process while preserving the disposable nature of the liner
Solution Approach 2:
The flap sections act as intermediaries between the liner body and the grate bars. They provide a mechanical connection point that allows the disposable liner to interface with the permanent grate structure, securing the liner without requiring complex fastening mechanisms or compromising the disposable design
3Temperature
If holes are added to the liner, then heat transfer is improved, but food protection capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The liner employs local quality differentiation by having holes distributed in certain areas while maintaining solid raised edges and flap sections in critical containment areas. The holes are strategically positioned to allow heat transfer to the food, while the raised periphery and downward-flapping sections create food-containing zones that prevent food from falling through, achieving both heat transfer and food protection simultaneously
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 grill liner effectively prevents food from falling through the grates and allows for even cooking by limiting its movement, while being easy to use and disposable, thus enhancing food protection and cooking efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The frangible point of weakness when broken permits the flap to bend downwardly
Implementation Method 2
heat from the heating region to move through the grill liner
Implementation Method 3
heat from the heating region to move through the grill liner
Data Source
AI summary
In summary there is provided in one embodiment a grill liner for placement on top of a cooking grate and used to cook food placed thereon. The grill liner includes a plurality of holes to help allow heat to move through the grill liner. The grill liner further includes at least one flap that is secured to a portion of the grill liner through a frangible bridge, point, or line of weakness. The frangible bridge when broken permits the flap to bend downwardly. The grill liner when placed on the cooking grate may then have its one or more flaps bent downwardly through bars such that the grill liner movement across the cooking grate can be limited.