Sealed Peel-Off Cutting Board Layers for Bacterial Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cutting boards are prone to bacterial contamination due to nicks, gouges, and knife blade indentations, and multi-layered cutting boards suffer from seam and crevice issues that allow bacteria to collect, leading to contamination and separation problems in dishwashers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layered cutting board with peel-off layers sealed together using a food-grade adhesive and a layer separator to eliminate seams and crevices, constructed from anti-microbial materials with rounded corners and a built-in handle for easy layer removal and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If multiple cutting layers are stacked and adhered together, then the cutting board provides consistent level surfaces and extends lifespan, but seams and crevices form between layers allowing bacterial contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting board is divided into multiple detachable cutting layers that can be stacked. Each layer can be removed and replaced independently, allowing the cutting surface to be rejuvenated by removing worn layers while maintaining a consistent level surface for food preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The worn cutting surface layer is extracted and removed from the stack, eliminating accumulated nicks, gouges, and knife indentations. This allows a fresh layer to be exposed or added, removing the contaminated surface without discarding the entire cutting board.
2Ease of manufacture
If squared off edges are used in multi-layer construction, then manufacturing is simplified, but adhesive coverage is insufficient and layers separate under impact and heat
Solution Approach 1:
The corners and edges of the cutting layers are rounded instead of squared off. This curvature allows adhesive to cover the entire perimeter surface effectively, preventing layer separation. The rounded edges also reduce susceptibility to knocks and impacts that could cause separation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional cutting boards are sanded to create new surfaces, then a fresh cutting surface is obtained, but the process is time-consuming and creates porous surfaces prone to bacterial impregnation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sanding the entire cutting board, the cutting surface is segmented into removable layers. When the surface becomes worn, the entire layer is removed and replaced with a fresh layer, eliminating the time-consuming sanding process and avoiding creation of porous surfaces.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed perimeter surfaces are used, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but layer separation resistance under high heat must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting layers are constructed from composite materials that combine antimicrobial properties with heat resistance. The antimicrobial material prevents bacterial growth in the sealed perimeter areas, while the composite structure maintains structural integrity and adhesion under high dishwasher temperatures exceeding 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
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
The solution effectively reduces bacterial contamination, extends the cutting board's lifespan, and allows safe dishwasher use, receiving high marks from health inspectors for its sanitary design and durability.
Implementation Method 1
stacked and affixed to each other with an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
sealing the cutting layers together on the cutting layers' perimeter surfaces using a manufacturing sealing method such as a laser, heat or chemical process
Implementation Method 3
sealing the cutting layers together on the cutting layers' perimeter surfaces using a manufacturing sealing method such as a laser, heat or chemical process
Implementation Method 4
each layer being constructed of material such as anti-microbial polyethylene, anti-microbial polypropylene, anti-microbial rubber, anti-microbial plastic, anti-microbial composite rubber
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus according to the present invention relates generally to a cutting board that can be used during food preparation. In particular the present invention relates to multi-layered cutting boards which are used for the preparation of food that are constructed to prevent bacterial contamination build-up between each stacked cutting layer of the cutting board. Prevention of bacterial contamination is achieved by sealing the perimeter surface of the cutting board using any method of sealing such as laser, heat and chemical processes. Sealing advantageously eliminates seams, crevices and gaps that naturally occur between stacked layers of the cutting board.