Oblong Perimeter Track With Roller Carriers for Manual Food Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for presenting objects around a table, such as food, require a motor-driven conveyor belt, which is complex and not suitable for oblong tables or easy cleaning, and lacks the simplicity of manual access to items.
Innovation Solution
A supporting platform with a continuous oblong guidance groove and carriers equipped with rollers that reduce friction, allowing items to be easily moved along the groove without a motor, enabling each person to access items by pushing them along the path, and the device can be easily disassembled for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a motor-driven conveyor belt is used to present food around a table, then the food can be automatically presented to all customers, but the device becomes complex and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The lazy Susan platform enables self-service by allowing customers to manually access and move food items along the oblong path themselves, eliminating the need for motor-driven automation while maintaining the core function of food presentation around the table
2Productivity
If a motor-driven conveyor belt is used, then food can be continuously presented, but the device becomes difficult to disassemble for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The lazy Susan platform is designed as a segmented system with a removable central section that divides the oblong path into two halves, allowing easy disassembly for thorough cleaning while maintaining continuous food presentation capability when assembled
3Adaptability or versatility
If a complex gear system is used to present objects on an oblong path, then the configuration can accommodate oblong tables, but the device becomes complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The complex mechanical gear system is replaced with a simple oblong-shaped rotating platform that naturally guides food items along the desired oblong path through its geometry alone, eliminating the need for additional mechanical guidance components
4Ease of operation
If a motor-driven conveyor is used, then food can be presented to all positions, but the device requires power and becomes heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates motors and power requirements by enabling customers to manually move food items along the platform themselves, dramatically reducing weight while maintaining ease of access to food at any position around the table
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
The solution provides a simple, motor-free way to present items around an oblong table, reducing friction and facilitating easy cleaning and storage, while allowing each person to access items manually, making it lightweight and efficient.
Implementation Method 1
The carriers are the surfaces upon which food items may be placed and have rollers extending from the lower surface of the carrier. The rollers are placed in the groove to reduce the friction in moving the carrier around the oblong loop.
Data Source
AI summary
A track system comprises a plurality of track components. Each of the plurality of track components has a substantially coplanar and substantially continuous pair of tracks extending about an upper surface of a platform. At least one carrier has a plurality of rolling surfaces having a first and a second rolling surface coupled by a body to engage the continuous pair of tracks. A loading portion may be removeably coupled to the platform for loading carriers to the track.