Rotating Segmented Cutting Board Assembly for Space-Saving Food Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting boards that incorporate multiple cups or compartments for holding food items often occupy valuable space on the board, making it inconvenient to cut and transfer food without wasting space.
Innovation Solution
A cutting board assembly featuring a segmented tray with a rotary bearing assembly and a food retaining curb, allowing easy transfer of cut items into compartments without taking up additional space, along with slip-resistant feet and the option to attach a grater or mandolin for efficient food preparation and disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple cups or compartments are attached to the cutting board for holding food items, then food transfer convenience is improved, but the cutting board space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the food receiving tray underneath the cutting board surface rather than on top of it. This vertical arrangement allows food to be transferred from the cutting surface to the tray below without occupying horizontal cutting board space, effectively utilizing the third dimension (depth/vertical space) to resolve the space conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The food receiving tray is nested underneath the cutting board structure, with the tray positioned in the space below the cutting surface. This nesting arrangement allows the tray to be integrated into the overall board structure without adding external bulk or reducing the usable cutting surface area.
2Productivity
If a segmented rotary tray is used underneath the cutting board, then food transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotatable segmented tray that can be manually rotated to bring different compartments into position under the cutting surface. This dynamic element allows multiple food compartments to be accessed sequentially without requiring multiple static compartments simultaneously visible, improving efficiency while keeping the mechanism simple and manually operable.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is divided into multiple segments or compartments that can be rotated independently. Each segment can hold different food items, and the segmentation allows for efficient organization and access to multiple foods without requiring a large single compartment, thus improving transfer efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Reliability
If a food retaining curb is added to prevent food from falling off the board, then food containment is improved, but the ease of sliding food into compartments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the food retaining curb only at specific locations on the cutting board - at the edges opposite to where food is transferred to the tray. This localized placement provides containment where needed while leaving other areas open and unobstructed, allowing food to slide easily into the tray compartments without encountering barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the retaining curb around the entire perimeter of the cutting board, the design inverts the approach by strategically omitting the curb at the food transfer zone. This creates an intentional opening or gap in the containment structure where food needs to be moved, reversing the typical complete enclosure approach to facilitate easier food transfer while maintaining containment elsewhere.
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 efficient cutting and transfer of food items into compartments without occupying extra space on the cutting board, while providing a stable and versatile surface for food preparation and easy disposal of waste.
Implementation Method 1
slip resistant feet to help prevent movement of the cutting board during use
Implementation Method 2
said non slip feet members fixedly attached to the underside of said vertically directed support members
Data Source
AI summary
A cutting board assembly with a rigid planar member, a circular segmented tray member, a plurality of supports, a plurality of non slip feet, a tray turning knob, a rotary bearing assembly and a food retaining curb. The planar member has an aperture matching the perimeter of one segment of the tray member. The tray turning knob is located at the center of the planer member. The rotary bearing assembly is mounted to the underside of the tray. The supports and non slip feet hold the rigid planar member up and prevent it from sliding during use. The food retaining curb is attached to either the left or right side of the rigid planar member, enabling a user to cut items and slide them into one of the tray segments and turn the tray so that a new segment of the tray is available for receiving additional cut items.