Stackable Taco Holder with Channels to Dissipate Heat and Humidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing taco holders do not effectively dissipate heat and humidity from the underside of a taco, leading to moisture accumulation and sogginess of the tortilla shell, causing it to tear when lifted for consumption.
Innovation Solution
A food holder with inclined sidewalls and a mostly flat base featuring a plurality of channels to dissipate heat and humidity, allowing for venting of heated air and moisture, and optionally perforated for dividing food items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If smooth-sided food holders are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but heat and humidity cannot escape, causing moisture accumulation and tortilla sogginess
Solution Approach 1:
The food holder incorporates channels and apertures through its sidewalls and base, transforming it from a solid smooth structure into a porous configuration that allows heat and humidity to escape while maintaining structural integrity and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The food holder is divided into multiple functional zones with channels and apertures segmented throughout the structure, creating pathways for moisture and heat dissipation without compromising the overall structural simplicity or manufacturing ease
2Strength
If heated food is placed in a closed holder, then the holder provides structural support, but moisture builds up and compromises the tortilla shell integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful moisture and heat are extracted from the enclosed space by incorporating channels and apertures that actively remove excess humidity and heat buildup, preventing tortilla sogginess while maintaining the holder's structural support function
Solution Approach 2:
The channels and apertures that might seem to weaken the structure are actually converted into beneficial features by enabling moisture and heat escape, thereby protecting the tortilla integrity while the holder continues to provide structural support
3Stability of the object's composition
If the holder has a flat base for stability, then the holder remains steady, but moisture cannot escape from the underside of the food
Solution Approach 1:
The flat base is transformed into a porous structure with integrated channels and apertures that maintain the stable flat surface for holder stability while enabling moisture and heat to escape from the underside of the food
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base serve different functions: the overall flat structure provides stability while localized channels and apertures provide moisture escape pathways, combining structural stability with functional reliability
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 food holder maintains the integrity of the tortilla shell by dissipating heat and humidity, preventing sogginess and tearing, while allowing for efficient stacking and separation of food items.
Implementation Method 1
The inclined sidewalls include a plurality of channels configured to dissipate heat and humidity from the food item
Implementation Method 2
The inclined sidewalls include a plurality of channels configured to dissipate heat and humidity from the food item
Data Source
AI summary
A stackable food holder is disclosed. The food holder includes a first and second inclined sidewall separated by a mostly flat base portion. The inclined sidewalls include a plurality of channels configured to dissipate heat and humidity from the food item.