Serving Dish with Removable Nested Sections for Stable Food Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing serving dishes lack the ability to keep separate food items separate while allowing for easy removal and reinsertion without soiling other dishes, and they often become unstable when multiple components are used, leading to potential waste and inconvenience, especially for caregivers managing multiple people.

Innovation Solution

A plate with removable nested serving sections that can be securely attached and detached using a friction fitting and clasp system, allowing for separate food items to be kept organized and easily managed, with the option to rotate sections without interference, and formed from materials like plastics, metals, or composite materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate serving sections are built into the serving dish, then food items can be kept separate, but the serving dish becomes complex and food items cannot be easily removed and returned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to keep food items separateVSAvoidcomplexity of serving dish structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The serving dish is divided into separate, removable serving sections that can be independently handled. Each section is a distinct component that can be detached from the base plate, allowing food items to be kept separate while enabling easy removal and reinsertion of individual sections without affecting other parts of the dish.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The serving sections are designed to nest within each other or on the base plate when not in use. This nesting capability allows multiple serving sections to be stored compactly together, reducing complexity when not all sections are being used simultaneously while maintaining the ability to keep food items separate when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple serving dishes are stacked or placed on each other, then space is saved, but stability is reduced and dishes may become unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of serving dishesVSAvoidstability of stacked serving dishes

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The serving sections are designed with nesting capabilities where smaller sections can be placed inside larger sections or on the base plate. This nesting design maintains stability by creating a unified, centered configuration rather than stacking independent dishes, reducing the risk of instability while saving space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The serving sections and base plate are designed with compatible surfaces and geometries that create stable, balanced configurations when nested or placed together. The design ensures that the center of gravity remains stable and the configuration is self-aligning, preventing accidental displacement while maintaining space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical partitions are added to separate food items, then food can be kept separate, but liquid can flow beneath the partition and separate sections cannot be removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to keep food items separateVSAvoidease of removing food items

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding partitions to a single dish, the solution segments the dish into separate, removable serving sections. Each section acts as an independent container that provides physical separation for different food items while allowing the entire section to be removed as a unit, preventing liquid leakage and enabling easy removal and reinsertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The separating function is extracted from the base plate and embodied in removable serving sections. These sections can be taken out completely from the base plate, allowing food items to be removed, heated, or stored separately without being constrained by fixed partitions, while still maintaining separation when placed back on the base plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 provides an aesthetically pleasing and functional serving dish system that keeps food items separate, stabilizes the serving sections during use and transport, and allows for easy reconfiguration, making it easier for consumers and caregivers to handle and manage multiple food items effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The clasp may be formed from an elastomeric material or another material that is flexible enough to allow the clasp to be pressed against the plate and to grip the plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity