Portable Slow Cooker Handle Lock for Spill-Resistant Lid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional slow cookers lack a secure lid connection, leading to potential spillage and difficulty in moving the device with one hand, and existing solutions are costly, complex, and prone to mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
A portable slow cooker design featuring a handle that slides vertically to lock the lid in place, providing a secure seal and allowing single-handed operation, with a simplified structure and integrated locking mechanism that prevents spillage and reduces manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a latch mechanism with spring and steel bead is used to secure the lid, then the lid can be retained on the container, but the structure becomes complex and costly with high possibility of release
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex spring and steel bead components from the lid retention mechanism. Instead, it uses a simple over-the-center clip that engages directly with the lid through a hook and lever system, eliminating unnecessary parts while maintaining secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional latch approach by using an over-the-center clip mechanism where the locking action occurs through geometric locking rather than elastic force. The hook engages with the lid and the lever provides mechanical advantage for secure locking without requiring springs or beads.
2Reliability
If an over-the-center clip with hook and lever is used to retain the lid, then leakage can be inhibited, but the manufacturing process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the retention system into separate components: the over-the-center clip is mounted on the housing while the lid remains unchanged. This segmentation allows the lid to be manufactured using standard processes without adding complexity, while the clip mechanism provides the sealing engagement.
3Ease of operation
If ear-like grips are provided on the side walls for moving the slow cooker, then two-handed operation is enabled, but single-handed movement becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the handle multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as a lifting handle for single-handed movement and as a pushing mechanism for the over-the-center clip to engage with the lid. This universal design eliminates the need for separate ear-like grips while providing both two-handed and single-handed operation capabilities.
4Reliability
If a handle is designed to push the lid to form sealing engagement, then the handle can lock the lid, but the handle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handle function with the lid retention mechanism. The handle is positioned to directly push the over-the-center clip, which in turn engages the lid. This integration allows the handle to perform both lifting and locking functions without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A new portable slow cooker capable of engaging a lid and a liner container can is provided to prevent the soup from spilling out. The structure of the present invention comprises a cooking body, a liner container, a lid and a handle, wherein the liner container is disposed within the cooking body, and the lid is disposed on the opening of the liner container. The handle is spanned over the lid and has, lower ends in vertically slidable cooperation with handle boxes disposed at aside surface of the cooking body. The handle is locked by the handle boxes when slides to an lowest position, so as to press the lid to form a sealing engagement with the liner container. As long as the handle is pushed to the lowest position, being locked, the lid and the liner. container can be engaged to prevent the soup from spilling out.