Stackable Modular Smoker Assembly for Multi-Item Cooking Capacity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing smoker devices lack flexibility in accommodating different food items of varying sizes and types, as they are not designed to allow for adjustable height configurations, which limits their versatility in smoking multiple food items simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A modular smoker device comprising a heat pot filled with combustible material for producing smoke, with stackable cooking pots that are in fluid communication with the heat pot, allowing for adjustable height configurations and simultaneous smoking of multiple food items, along with a lid bucket to retain heat and smoke.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-height smoker design is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate food items of varying sizes and types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of different food itemsVSAvoidsmoker structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The smoker is divided into separate stackable modules including a heat pot base unit and multiple cooking pot units that can be independently selected and combined. Each module serves a specific function (heat generation, food cooking, lid closure) and can be assembled in different configurations to accommodate various food items of different sizes and types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The smoker height and configuration are made adjustable through the stackable cooking pot units that can be added or removed based on the size and type of food being smoked. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the same base unit to accommodate everything from small items to large whole animals by simply changing the number of cooking pots stacked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple food items are smoked simultaneously, then cooking capacity increases, but smoke distribution becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking capacityVSAvoidsmoke distribution efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The smoker transitions from horizontal or single-level cooking to vertical stacking of cooking pots. Multiple food items are smoked simultaneously in different vertical layers, with smoke naturally rising from the heat pot through each cooking pot in sequence. This vertical arrangement maintains efficient smoke distribution while dramatically increasing cooking capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cooking pots are nested vertically one above another, with each pot containing food items. The smoke generated in the bottom heat pot flows upward through the nested cooking pots, efficiently distributing smoke to all levels simultaneously and enabling multi-item smoking without compromising smoke penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cooking pots are made removable and stackable, then flexibility increases, but assembly and disassembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurable heightVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The smoker consists of standardized segmented modules with uniform connection interfaces. The heat pot base unit features a rim that receives cooking pots with complementary engagement features, allowing quick stacking and nesting without complex fastening mechanisms. This modular segmentation enables easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 efficient and versatile smoking of multiple food items of varying sizes by allowing adjustable height configurations and efficient smoke distribution, enhancing cooking capacity and flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a heat pot 12 that is fillable with a combustible material 13 to produce smoke for smoking food items 14 when the combustible material 13 is burned

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCombustion: Combustion

Implementation Method 2

each of the cooking pots 38 is in fluid communication with the heat pot 12 to receive the smoke for cooking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

A lid bucket 66 is positionable on top of a topmost one of the cooking pots 38 to retain heat in the cooking pots 38

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal retention: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11330937B2Modular smoker assembly

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 BROWN ARTHUR

AI summary

A modular smoker assembly includes a heat pot that is fillable with a combustible material to produce smoke for smoking food items when the combustible material is burned. A plurality of cooking pots is provided and respective ones of the cooking pots are stackable on top of each other for positioning on the heat pot. In this way each of the cooking pots is in fluid communication with the heat pot to receive the smoke for cooking. Food items are positionable in the cooking pots to cook the food item with the smoke. A lid bucket is positionable on top of a topmost one of the cooking pots when the cooking pots are stacked on the heat pot to retain heat in the cooking pots.