Grill tool, associated pad, and associated methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grill cleaning tools are inadequate for efficiently and safely cleaning the entire grill surface, particularly the back and sides, due to their linear configuration and limited pad placement, which makes it difficult to reach odd angles and tight spaces without touching the hot grill surface.
Innovation Solution
A grill tool with a contoured handle and a tool head that includes a pivotable tensioner for attaching a cleaning pad, allowing the pad to wrap around the head for comprehensive cleaning and featuring a design that maintains user safety by keeping hands away from the grill surface, while the tool and pad materials can withstand high temperatures up to 232°C (450°F).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a linear configuration of the grill tool handle is used, then the tool structure is simple, but it is difficult to orient the tool to clean the entire grill surface including back and sides at odd angles
Solution Approach 1:
The grill tool handle is configured with a contoured, curved shape rather than a linear configuration. The handle includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion that allow the tool to be oriented at various angles, enabling the user to access and clean the back, sides, and all surfaces of the grill including areas at odd angles and tight spaces.
2Ease of operation
If the pad is disposed only on the top and bottom of the scrubber head, then the pad structure is simple, but the pad cannot reach difficult areas of the grill
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning pad is configured to extend beyond the top and bottom surfaces of the scrubber head to include the sides and ends of the head. This multi-dimensional pad arrangement allows the pad to contact and clean difficult-to-reach areas of the grill, including vertical surfaces and tight spaces that would be inaccessible with a pad limited to only top and bottom placement.
3Ease of operation
If the operator's hand is close to the grill surface for better control, then the control precision is improved, but the operator's hand is exposed to hot grill surface
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into multiple sections with different functions: a grip portion for hand placement, a curved portion for orientation control, and a connection portion to the scrubber head. This segmentation allows the user's hand to remain on the grip portion which is positioned away from the hot grill surface, while the curved portions provide the necessary control and flexibility to clean all surfaces safely.
4Productivity
If a non-removable pad is used, then the attachment structure is simple, but the pad cannot be quickly replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism includes a tensioning system with a movable component that can be adjusted to secure or release the pad. The tensioner can be moved between a first position that secures the pad to the scrubber head and a second position that releases the pad for removal. This dynamic mechanism allows for quick pad replacement while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A grill tool, a pad usable with the grill tool, and a method of making and using the grill tool are disclosed. Such a grill tool is configured for cleaning a surface while maintaining the surface at a temperature up to the operating temperature of the surface. The grill tool includes a tool head and a tool handle. The tool head includes an attachment mechanism for removably attaching a cleaning pad to the head so as to present a major cleaning surface and opposite minor cleaning surfaces. The tool handle may be configured to include handles capable of maintaining a user's hands horizontally and vertically spaced apart along the handle.