Slow cooker liner system with integrated dividers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slow cookers require extensive manual cleaning and limit the ability to prepare multiple types of food simultaneously due to a single internal chamber, leading to inefficiencies in time and energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A slow cooker liner system featuring an annular support structure and individual liners that secure via a locking device, allowing for easy cleaning and division of the slow cooker into multiple sections for simultaneous food preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single internal chamber is used in a slow cooker, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to prepare multiple types of food simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single internal chamber is divided into multiple separate cooking chambers using removable dividers. Each chamber can independently hold different food items, allowing simultaneous preparation of multiple dishes. The dividers create distinct compartments within the original single chamber space.
2Quantity of substance
If the internal chamber is made large to accommodate more food, then the cooking capacity increases, but the chamber becomes too large to be placed within a dishwasher
Solution Approach 1:
The large internal chamber is segmented into multiple smaller removable chambers. Each individual chamber is sized to fit within a dishwasher, while collectively they provide the capacity of a large single chamber. Users can remove and dishwasher-clean each small chamber separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking chambers are designed as removable components that can be extracted from the main slow cooker body. This extraction allows the chambers to be cleaned separately in a dishwasher, while the main body remains stationary. The chambers can be taken out for cleaning and put back for use.
3Ease of operation
If manual cleaning of the internal chamber is performed, then food residue can be removed, but it takes a significant amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The internal chamber is divided into multiple removable sections that can be individually removed and cleaned. This segmentation allows quick removal of food residue by simply taking out the affected chamber rather than cleaning the entire integrated structure manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooking chambers are extracted as removable components from the slow cooker body. This extraction enables users to remove chambers with food residue and either dishwasher-clean them or quickly rinse them separately, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual cleaning of a fixed large chamber.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple slow cookers are used to prepare different types of food, then the food preparation versatility increases, but the energy consumption and kitchen space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cooking chambers are merged into a single slow cooker body, allowing simultaneous preparation of multiple different foods in one appliance. This combining eliminates the need for multiple separate slow cookers, reducing energy consumption and kitchen space requirements while maintaining food preparation versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A slow cooker liner system with integrated dividers is provided. The system includes an annular support that secures to an upper support opening edge of a slow cooker or similar cooking vessel. A stabilizing member divider extends across the opening of the slow cooker for additional stability. The system further includes a plurality of individual liners. Each individual liner has a closed lower end and an open upper end. The open upper end further includes a locking device. In operation, the user can removably secure liners to the annular support in a desired configuration. The liners can have different shapes and sizes, such that the user can divide the interior of the slow cooker into distinct cooking chambers. After cooking, the liners can be removed from the annular support via the locking device for disposal.