Modular Cake Pan Assembly for Variable Height Baking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cake pan/cutting systems do not allow for baking and cutting cakes of various preselected heights in a safe, convenient, and economical manner.

Innovation Solution

A multi-use pan system comprising a primary module and supplemental modules with a coupling assembly, enabling cakes of different heights to be baked and cut efficiently, with the ability to remove layers without flipping and accommodating various cake types, including ice cream cakes, and featuring interchangeable components for versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional single-use cake pans are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but multiple pans are needed for different cake heights which increases device complexity and storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to bake cakes of various heightsVSAvoidnumber of separate pans required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cake pan is divided into a base module and multiple supplemental modules that can be stacked vertically. Each module has standardized coupling features (protrusions and recesses) that allow them to be assembled in different combinations to achieve various cake heights, eliminating the need for multiple separate pans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base module and supplemental modules are designed with universal coupling mechanisms that work together in any combination. The same modules can be used for different cake types (layer cakes, ice cream cakes, etc.) and heights, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various baking needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If cakes are baked in traditional pans and then flipped for removal, then the baking process is simple, but there is risk of cake breakage and loss of time for cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecake removal processVSAvoidrisk of cake breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of flipping the cake over to remove it from the pan, the pan itself is designed to be disassembled by removing the supplemental modules from the top. This inverted approach allows the cake to remain upright and intact while the pan components are separated for easy cake removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The pan is segmented into removable modules, allowing the top portion to be separated from the base without disturbing the baked cake. This segmentation enables safe cake removal without flipping, reducing breakage risk and eliminating the need for extended cooling time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate pans are purchased for different cake heights, then each pan can be optimized for its specific use, but the cost increases and portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverange of cake heights achievableVSAvoidcost of multiple pans

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modular design allows a single set of base and supplemental modules to replace multiple specialized pans. The same components can be combined in different ways to create pans of various heights, reducing the total number of items needed and lowering overall cost while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple pan functions are merged into a single modular system. The base module combined with different numbers of supplemental modules creates various effective pan heights, consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate purchased items into one adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cake pans are used, then the design is simple, but storage space is required for multiple pans and portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecake height variationsVSAvoidstorage space required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The supplemental modules are designed to nest within or stack compactly with the base module when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the storage volume required for the modular pan system compared to storing multiple separate full-size pans.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the pan into modular components, the system can be disassembled into smaller parts that occupy less storage space. The supplemental modules can be removed and stored separately or nested with the base, reducing the overall volume needed for storage and improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9289089B1Multi-use pan system

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 PREMRAJ UPKAR C

AI summary

A primary module has a base with a periphery. The primary module has a base side wall with a lower edge formed integrally with the periphery of the base. The primary module has a base flange in an annular configuration with an inner edge formed integrally with the upper edge of the base side wall. Supplemental modules each have a supplemental side wall with an upper edge, a lower edge, an upper flange, and a lower flange. Each upper flange has an inner edge integrally formed with the upper edge of an associated supplemental side wall. Each lower flange has an inner edge integrally formed with the lower edge of the associated supplemental side wall. A coupling assembly secures together the primary module and the supplemental modules during use.