Pie crust protector for protecting the outer edge of a pie crust during baking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pie crust protectors fail to effectively prevent burning of the outer crust during long bake times in standard or convection ovens, as they do not adequately shield the crust from the heating element, regardless of its location.
Innovation Solution
A pie crust protector with an annular section and a C-cross member that encloses the outer edge of the pie on three sides, featuring flange segments with grooves and cut sections for flexibility and a locking mechanism to adjust to different pie diameters, providing comprehensive protection from burning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional pie shields with horizontal flange segments are used to protect the crust edge, then the top surface is shielded from heat, but the bottom and side surfaces remain exposed to heating elements causing burning
Solution Approach 1:
The pie shield is divided into multiple flange segments arranged vertically around the crust edge, creating multiple protective surfaces that face different directions (top, bottom, and sides). This segmentation allows each segment to shield specific areas from heat exposure, comprehensively protecting the crust from burning during baking.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional single-layer horizontal shield to a multi-dimensional vertical flange structure. The flanges extend upward and outward in multiple directions, creating a three-dimensional protective barrier that blocks heat from all sides of the crust edge, not just the top surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size pie shield is used, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different pie diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The pie shield incorporates adjustable flange segments that can be moved or repositioned to accommodate different pie diameters. The segments are designed to flex or adjust their positioning, allowing the shield to adapt dynamically to various crust sizes while maintaining effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield design uses standardized flange segments that can be configured for multiple pie sizes and shapes. These universal segments serve multiple functions: protecting different diameters, adjusting to various crust heights, and providing consistent protection across different baking scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If the pie shield sits on top of the crust like a hat, then it is easy to position, but it does not provide adequate protection from bottom and side heating elements
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented into multiple vertical flanges that can be independently positioned around the crust. This segmentation allows the flanges to wrap around and protect the sides and bottom edges of the crust, while still maintaining easy positioning through the modular segment design.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange segments are constructed from flexible materials that can conform to the crust shape and wrap around the edges. This flexibility allows the shield to adapt to the crust profile while providing comprehensive protection from heat exposure on all surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Pie crust protector or pie shield for protecting the outer edge of a pie crust during baking is disclosed. The pie crust protector includes an annular section with a first flange segment and a second flange segment, each of which encompasses first grooves and first cut sections. The first grooves and the first cut sections allow each of the first flange segment and the second flange segment to easily flex and receive a pie and/or a pie pan. The pie crust protector includes a C-cross member segmented on the top and bottom sides. The annular section encloses the outer edge of the pie on three sides and the C-cross member encloses the remaining portion of the pie. The pie crust protector protects the outer edge of the pie during long bake times in standard or convection ovens, regardless of the location of a heating element.