Perforated Slow Cooker Insert for Liquid-Solid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Separating food from cooking liquids and fats in slow cookers is a slow and messy process, as existing methods do not efficiently allow for the separation of multiple ingredients cooked together.
Innovation Solution
A slow cooker accessory with a walled receptacle and handles, featuring a plurality of openings that prevent solid food from passing through, allowing for easy insertion and removal, and a removable plate for dividing food, enabling separation of solids from liquids and other solids during cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If food is cooked together in a slow cooker, then cooking efficiency is improved, but separation of food from cooking liquid becomes difficult and messy
Solution Approach 1:
The slow cooker insert is divided into multiple sections with separable components. The insert can be split into at least two sections, allowing food cooked together to be easily separated into different portions. This segmentation enables efficient cooking of multiple ingredients simultaneously while facilitating easy separation for serving or storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The food-containing section is extracted as a separate removable insert from the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. This allows the cooked food to be taken out independently from the cooking liquid, enabling clean separation without manual pouring or transferring. The insert can be removed and the food separated from liquid in a controlled manner.
2Loss of time
If multiple ingredients are cooked together, then meal preparation time is reduced, but serving separation becomes slow and messy
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is segmented into separable sections that can be divided into individual portions. Each section can be easily separated and served independently, allowing rapid portioning of multiple ingredients cooked together. This eliminates the time-consuming process of manually separating ingredients after cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The ingredients are pre-positioned in separate sections of the insert before cooking begins. This preliminary arrangement allows for easy separation and serving after cooking, as each ingredient or portion is already in its own compartment. The structure is prepared in advance to facilitate quick serving without post-cooking manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If a separable insert is used, then food separation becomes easy, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is divided into separable sections with simple joining mechanisms. The segmentation provides easy food separation while using straightforward design elements that minimize complexity. Each section is a simple container that can be easily assembled and disassembled without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is designed to perform multiple functions: cooking, separating, and serving. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate devices, thereby offsetting the added complexity by consolidating functions into a single versatile component. The same insert structure handles cooking and separation tasks.
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 easy separation of food from cooking liquids and fats, facilitating efficient food preparation and serving by allowing for the division of ingredients during cooking and easy removal from cooking liquids, improving meal presentation and accommodating picky eaters.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of openings within the walled body permits passage of liquid, air, and steam and prevents the passage of solid food from the receptacle into the slow cooker vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A slow cooker accessory for separating food into desired configurations for the duration of the cooking time and for easily removing food from cooking fluids, juices, and fats at any time during the cooking process. The slow cooker accessory includes a receptacle that fits within existing slow cooker vessels, wherein the receptacle has a walled body with a plurality of openings, an open end with a rim, and handles that engage the slow cooker vessel.