Modular Travel Bag With Interchangeable Food Prep Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of obtaining safe, nutritious, and high-quality food while on the move is exacerbated by the low nutritional value of fast food and safety concerns associated with mass transportation food options.

Innovation Solution

A portable modular travel bag equipped with lightweight, modular components that allow for cooking and storage of food, including a toaster, egg cooker, meat warmer, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, juicer, and blender, powered by a built-in battery or external source, with features like heat and odor dissipation vents and energy recapture mechanisms, designed to comply with airline luggage standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a portable cooking system is integrated into travel luggage, then the ability to prepare safe and nutritious food on the go is improved, but the weight and bulk of the luggage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood safety and nutritionVSAvoidluggage weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking system is divided into separate modular components (toaster, egg cooker, meat warmer, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, juicer, blender) that can be independently selected and attached to the luggage based on specific cooking needs, allowing users to carry only the modules they require for each trip

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The luggage is designed with universal docking stations and power systems that can accommodate multiple different cooking modules, enabling a single base unit to support various cooking functions through interchangeable attachments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cooking modules are integrated into the luggage, then cooking versatility and convenience are improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each cooking function is contained in a separate, self-contained module with its own controls and mechanisms, isolating complexity into manageable units that can be independently understood and maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular cooking components are designed to nest within or attach to the luggage structure, with compact form factors that maximize space utilization while maintaining access to all controls and functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cooking modules are added to travel luggage, then the ability to prepare hot and cold food is improved, but the energy consumption and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehot and cold food preparationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates energy recapture mechanisms that capture and store excess energy generated during cooking operations, reducing overall power consumption by recycling energy that would otherwise be wasted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The cooking modules utilize efficient heating and cooling cycles that operate intermittently rather than continuously, reducing peak power demands and average energy consumption while maintaining cooking effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables users to prepare safe, nutritious meals on the go, providing flexibility and convenience while ensuring safety and compliance with travel regulations, with the ability to store perishable items and make hot or cold drinks, using energy-efficient and safe cooking methods.

Implementation Method 1

a refrigerator module that cools and stores perishable items

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefrigeration: Adsorption Refrigerator

Implementation Method 2

a microwave module that heats food

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 3

a toaster module with heating elements that toasts bread

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction heating: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 4

The bag includes space to pack other travel necessities to create an all-in-one travel capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 5

features like heat and odor dissipation vents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9625161B2Portable modular travel bag

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 BROWN FRANCIS M

AI summary

The invention is a portable modular travel bag with modular components intended to provide the ability to store and cook food. The travel bag contains slots and a power supply that allows to user to plug in and out components including at least a toaster, an egg cooker, a meat warmer, a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, a juicer, and a blender.