Method and apparatus for storing cooking utensils during use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slow cookers lack a designated area to hold utensils during food preparation and serving, leading to space inefficiency and messes due to utensils being placed on tables, which drip food and create unsightly conditions.
Innovation Solution
A storage container accessory for slow cookers with a housing portion, attachment portion, and stabilization portion that securely attaches to the cooker, allowing utensils to be stored and preventing drips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If utensils are placed on a table beside the slow cooker for storage, then utensils can be held during food preparation and serving, but additional space on the serving table is consumed and unsightly messes occur when utensils drip food
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil holder attaches to the vertical handle of the slow cooker, utilizing the vertical dimension rather than consuming horizontal table space. This transforms the storage solution from a 2D table surface occupation to a 3D vertical attachment, effectively removing the space consumption issue while maintaining utensil storage convenience
2Ease of operation
If utensils are placed on a table beside the slow cooker for storage, then utensils can be held during food preparation and serving, but unsightly messes occur when utensils drip food on the table and/or utensil rest
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful element (food drips and mess) is extracted from the table surface by providing a dedicated containment chamber within the utensil holder. The holder captures and isolates drips internally, preventing them from reaching and contaminating the table surface, thus maintaining cleanliness while preserving utensil storage functionality
3Ease of operation
If a storage container accessory is attached to the slow cooker, then utensil storage is improved and mess is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The utensil holder is merged with the existing slow cooker handle structure through attachment mechanisms that utilize the handle as a mounting base. This integration approach combines the storage function with the existing handling feature, adding functionality without requiring a completely separate complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The holder employs flexible attachment components such as elastic bands, clips, or adhesive elements that can conform to different handle shapes and sizes. This flexibility simplifies the attachment mechanism and reduces structural complexity while ensuring secure attachment across various slow cooker models
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for holding cooking utensils, including an enclosure portion defining an elongated endless sidewall, a bottom member operationally connected to the endless sidewall, and an oppositely disposed top opening. A handle connection portion is operationally connected to the enclosure portion and disposed adjacent the top opening. A stabilization portion is operationally connected to one of the group consisting of the handle connection portion and the enclosure portion. The stabilization portion is typically magnetic, and the handle connection portion is typically contoured or contourable to engage an appliance handle.