Lockable Rotating Cake Carrier for Damage-Free Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cake decorators face challenges in transporting cakes without damaging them due to the need to transfer the cake from a turntable to a serving platter or caddy, resulting in potential damage from using multiple products.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional food carrier with a turntable base, serving platter, and lid that allows for decorating, storing, serving, and transporting cakes in a single device, featuring a rotating member with locking mechanisms and a handle for easy carrying, and a design that enables stacking and elevation for versatile use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cake is decorated on a turntable and then transferred to a serving platter or caddy, then the cake can be stored and transported, but the cake may be damaged during the transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the turntable base, serving platter, and storage caddy into a single integrated food carrier device. The turntable base rotates relative to the caddy body, allowing the serving platter to be positioned for decoration, then locked into place for safe transport without requiring separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The food carrier is designed to perform multiple functions: decorating (via rotating turntable base), serving (via removable serving platter), storing (via caddy body with lid), and transporting (via handle and locking mechanisms). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate devices and prevents cake damage during transfers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used for decorating, storing, and transporting cakes, then each function can be optimized, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the turntable, serving platter, and storage caddy into one device, the patent eliminates the time required to transfer the cake between separate devices. The integrated design allows seamless transition from decoration to storage and transport within the same device.
Solution Approach 2:
The serving platter is pre-attached to the turntable base, and the lid is pre-configured to fit the caddy body. These preliminary arrangements eliminate the need for assembly or reconfiguration during cake handling, reducing time loss while maintaining functional versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the turntable base allows free rotation during decorating, then ease of decoration is improved, but stability during transport is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable base is designed with dynamic characteristics: it allows free rotation during the decorating phase for ease of operation, then can be locked into a fixed position during transport to ensure stability. The locking mechanism transitions the system from a dynamic (rotating) state to a static (fixed) state based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation locking mechanism enables periodic transitions between rotating and locked states. During decoration, the turntable rotates periodically or continuously as needed; during transport, it locks into a stable position. This periodic switching between states resolves the contradiction between ease of decoration and transport stability.
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 food carrier enables safe and efficient decoration, storage, serving, and transportation of cakes without the need for multiple devices, reducing damage and enhancing convenience by providing a unified solution for all these functions.
Implementation Method 1
a rotation of the rotating member may be achieved with a ball bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A food carrier configured for use in decorating, storing, serving and transporting food in a single device. The food carrier includes a turntable base having a body and a rotating member that rotates about a central axis relative to the body, a serving platter configured to removably secure to the turntable base; and a lid configured to engage the turntable base. The turntable base has a plurality of locking mechanisms to secure the rotating member relative to the body. The lid may be lockable to the turntable base by at least one locking mechanism.