Retention device for low-structure food item

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food holding devices are not suitable for low-structure food items like bun-less sandwiches, as they fail to provide adequate lateral stability and prevent the flow of sauces, fats, and food juice during consumption.

Innovation Solution

A retention device comprising a pair of flat panels with spaced-apart spikes to maintain lateral stability and a perimeter rim on the bottom panel to restrict fluid flow, allowing for clean and convenient consumption of low-structure food items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional food holders are used for low-structure food items, then the device structure is simple, but the food item lacks lateral stability and fluids leak

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral stability of food itemVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the holding function into two separate components: spikes for lateral stability and a rim for fluid containment. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one function, achieving both stability and fluid prevention without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rim structure is nested within the panel assembly, with the rim forming an integral part of the bottom panel. This nesting approach combines multiple functions (holding and fluid containment) into a unified structure that doesn't significantly increase device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If spikes are added to provide lateral stability, then food item stability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelateral stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spikes are merged with the panels to form an integral structure, where the spikes are directly formed as part of the panel during manufacturing. This integration eliminates the need for separate spike components and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining stability functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a rim is added to prevent fluid flow, then fluid containment improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid leakageVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rim is implemented only at the peripheral region of the bottom panel where fluid leakage occurs, rather than modifying the entire device structure. This localized approach provides fluid containment precisely where needed without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If panels are used to sandwich food, then ease of operation improves, but the device cannot prevent fluid seepage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of consumptionVSAvoidfluid seepage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rim acts as an intermediary element between the panels and the external environment, creating a barrier that intercepts and contains fluids before they can seep out. This intermediary structure maintains the simple panel sandwiching mechanism while adding fluid prevention capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10993564B1Retention device for low-structure food item

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 ABBOTT JORDAN LEROY

AI summary

A retention device for a low-structure food item and method of operation for holding a low-structure food, such as a bun-less sandwich, during preparation, holding, and consumption. The retention device comprises a pair of flat panels having spikes arranged on one side. The panels sandwich the food item above and below to provide a border that supports the food item while held and consumed. The panels have spikes on one side that orient towards the food item to penetrate the food item. The spikes maintain lateral stability of the food item during consumption. In operation, the panels press down on the food item from opposing sides, causing the spikes to penetrate the food item.