Rotating Heated Food Carousel for Easier Multi-Dish Serving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional food heating appliances with multiple containers often have containers positioned towards the rear, making it inconvenient to serve food efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A food heating appliance with a rotatable carousel design featuring evenly spaced heated containers, each with independent heating elements and a latching mechanism for cord storage, allowing 360° rotation for convenient serving and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple containers are disposed in a fixed housing, then the appliance can hold multiple food items, but containers positioned towards the rear are inconvenient to serve from
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the container arrangement rotatable rather than fixed. The carousel mechanism allows containers to be rotated into convenient serving positions, transforming the static layout into a dynamic one that adapts to serving needs while maintaining multiple container capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a linear or fixed two-dimensional arrangement to a three-dimensional rotatable carousel structure. This dimensional change allows containers to be accessed from multiple angles and positions, solving the rear-container accessibility problem by adding rotational freedom to the system.
2Ease of operation
If a power cord is provided for electrical heating, then heating function is enabled, but the cord creates clutter and safety hazards when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by storing the power cord within the housing structure itself. The cord is routed through and stored in a dedicated compartment or channel within the housing, nesting the cord inside the appliance body to eliminate external clutter and reduce tripping hazards while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (cord storage compartment or routing channel) that mediates between the power cord and the external environment. This intermediary element manages the cord's path and storage, isolating the hazardous cord from direct contact with users while maintaining its functional connection to the heating elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If containers are heated individually, then selective heating is possible, but multiple heating elements increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the heating system into multiple independent heating elements, each associated with individual containers. This segmentation allows selective heating of specific containers based on serving needs, with each segment (heating element) operating independently under its own control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by designing heating elements that can serve multiple functions: individual container heating, simultaneous heating of multiple containers, and adjustable temperature control. Each heating element is designed to be multi-functional, handling various heating scenarios without requiring separate specialized components.
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 access and serving of food from any container while maintaining efficient heating and storage capabilities, improving user convenience and appliance usability.
Implementation Method 1
a rotary electrical joint that transfers electrical power from an electrical power cord in the base portion to the at least one heating element associated with the at least one container in the rotatable upper portion
Implementation Method 2
at least one heating element associated with each at least one container for heating the foodstuffs in the associated at least one container
Data Source
AI summary
A food heating and serving appliance is provided including generally circular upper and base portions with the upper portion being rotatably mounted to the base portion. The upper portion has a plurality of independently controlled heated food containers mounted in cavities on the upper portion. The upper portion is freely rotatable relative to the base portion for rotating a preferred heated container to the front of the appliance for serving convenience. Each of the food containers may include a lid with a handle for covering the heated containers. A pivoting cover attached to the base portion may be folded to engage a pocket on a sidewall of the housing when in alignment for preventing relative rotation between the upper and base portions. The pocket may also serve to store the cord plug when the power cord is retracted into the base portion and the cover is folded into the pocket.