Nested Table, Sifter, and Tray Design for Compact Herb Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food and plant processing devices lack a compact, efficient, and easy-to-use solution for grinding and separating plant materials, particularly for herbs, that allows for easy storage and transport.
Innovation Solution
A combination table, sifter, and collection tray device where the table, sifter, and tray are nested for easy storage and transport, with the sifter featuring pass-through holes for separating material and a hand-held chopper/scraper tool, and secured by side flaps with projections for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate processing devices are used for grinding and separating plant materials, then processing functionality is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a processing table, sifter, and collection tray into a single integrated device. The table includes an upper surface for processing, a sifter plate with holes for separation, and a collection tray for collecting processed material, all merged into one unit that provides multiple processing functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection tray is nested within the table structure, with the sifter plate positioned between them. This nesting arrangement allows the components to be compactly integrated, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining all necessary processing functions.
2Productivity
If multiple separate components are used for processing, then processing capability is improved, but ease of storage and transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the table, sifter, and collection tray into one integrated device, the patent enables all processing operations to be performed with a single unit, maintaining full processing capability while eliminating the need to store and transport multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of the collection tray within the table structure allows the entire processing system to be compacted into a single space-efficient unit, making it easy to store and transport while preserving all processing functions.
3Ease of operation
If a compact nested design is used, then ease of storage and transport is improved, but device stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The nested design places the collection tray within the table structure with the sifter plate in between, creating a compact configuration for easy storage and transport while maintaining structural integrity through proper nesting alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components (table, sifter plate, collection tray) that can be independently positioned and secured, allowing the nested structure to remain stable during operation while still being compact for storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A combination table, sifter, and collection tray for herbs is described herein. The device is generally a food and plant processing device, and more particularly is a combination table, sifter, and collection tray. The table, sifter, and tray are nested into one another to form a unitary device for easy transport.