Pan Storage Apparatus with Removable Cover Retention for Food Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for storing open-top pans lack efficient mechanisms for supporting and covering the pans, particularly in food storage applications, where easy access and temperature control are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A pan storage apparatus with slide surfaces for supporting pans, a cover system that can be partially received and retained within the storage space, and a retainer mechanism to secure the cover in place, allowing for easy insertion and removal of pans while maintaining the cover's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover is added to cover the open top of the pan, then the pan contents are protected and secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pan rim itself serves as the retention mechanism for the cover. The cover is simply placed on the pan and the rim of the pan engages with the cover to hold it in place, eliminating the need for separate clips, latches, or fastening mechanisms. This self-service approach uses the pan's own structure to perform the retention function.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan rim serves multiple functions: it contains the food in the pan and simultaneously acts as the retention mechanism for the cover. By making the rim multi-functional, the design avoids adding separate components for cover retention, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If the cover is retained within the storage space, then the cover position is secured, but the ease of operation for inserting and removing covers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage space is divided into separate receiving openings: a first opening for inserting the pan and a second opening for inserting the cover. This segmentation allows the cover to be inserted and retained independently within the storage space without interfering with pan access, maintaining ease of operation while securing cover position.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover retention mechanism acts as an intermediary structure within the storage space that holds the cover in a predetermined position. This intermediary structure facilitates easy insertion by guiding the cover into place while maintaining stable retention during storage, balancing both ease of operation and position stability.
3Ease of operation
If separate receiving openings for pan and cover are provided, then the organization and accessibility are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage space structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it holds both the pan and cover, provides separate receiving openings for organized insertion, and maintains compact overall dimensions. By making the storage space multi-functional, the design achieves improved organization and accessibility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Pan support apparatus and associated methods. A pan is removably receivable in at least one pan storage space of the pan storage apparatus. A cover is supported in the pan storage space for covering an open top of the pan. The cover is removably supported in the pan storage space.