Modular Skillet Sections for Multi-Burner Cooking and Storage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing skillets lack size flexibility for cooking, cleaning, and storage, as they are typically fixed in size and impractical for accommodating large meals or covering multiple stove burners.

Innovation Solution

A multi-section skillet apparatus comprising two mirror image skillet sections that can be removably attached using clamp fasteners, allowing the skillet to be used as one or two discrete sections covering two burners each, or combined to cover all four burners, with adjustable legs for level support and easy separation for cleaning and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of moving object

If a large skillet is used to cover multiple burners and accommodate large meals, then the cooking surface area is increased, but the skillet becomes difficult to clean and store when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking surface areaVSAvoidease of cleaning and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The skillet is divided into two separate skillet sections that can be used independently or combined. Each section can cover two burners, and when joined together they cover all four burners. This segmentation allows the user to clean and store only one section at a time, significantly improving ease of cleaning and storage while maintaining the option for large cooking surface area when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of moving object

If a fixed-size large skillet is used to cover all four burners, then the cooking surface area is maximized, but the skillet lacks flexibility for routine use on fewer burners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking surface areaVSAvoidadaptability to different burner configurations

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The skillet configuration is made dynamic through the removable connection between the two skillet sections. The sections can be attached to cover all four burners for large meals, or separated to cover only two burners for routine cooking. This dynamic reconfigurability provides adaptability to different cooking needs and burner configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If two separate small skillets are used to cover multiple burners, then the skillet is easy to clean and store, but the total cooking surface area is limited compared to a large skillet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaning and storageVSAvoidtotal cooking surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Two separate skillet sections are designed with connection features that allow them to be joined together to form a large skillet covering all four burners. When merging is needed, the sections combine to provide maximum cooking surface area. When not in use, they can be separated for easier cleaning and storage, thus providing both benefits depending on the situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Quantity of substance

If a large skillet is used to cover all four burners, then the cooking capacity is increased, but the weight and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking capacityVSAvoidskillet weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The large skillet is segmented into two smaller skillet sections, each weighing less than the full large skillet. When full cooking capacity is needed, both sections are used together. When cooking capacity is reduced, only one lighter section needs to be handled, cleaned, and stored, significantly reducing the weight burden while maintaining the option for full cooking capacity when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9980607B2Multi-section oversized skillet apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 BALDWIN FRANK

AI summary

A multi-section skillet apparatus for providing a cooking surface for a conventional range of increased size includes two mirror image skillet sections which are removably attachable to one another. Both skillet sections include four short legs which raise the bottom of the skillet sections uniformly so that the cooking surface is level when disposed over multiple stove burners while still keeping the skillet section's close enough to the burners for the burners to can heat the skillet sections. The skillet sections are selectively connected together through the inclusion of corresponding portions of a clamp fastener on thereon. When the sides of the skillet section are pressed together, the clamp fasteners engage so as to fasten the skill sections together. The multi-section skillet apparatus can be separated back into two discrete skillet sections through the application of manual force in a separating direction sufficient to disengage the clamp fasteners.