Toaster Grill Rib Structure for Bun Hinge-Safe Inside Toasting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for toasting the inside of sliced-sandwich bread often damage the bun hinge, causing it to fail, as they require opening the bun and laying it flat, which puts undue stress on the hinge, or they only toast the crust, missing the optimal toasting of the inside.

Innovation Solution

A toaster grill with an arcuate protuberant rib and upstanding edge that presses into the bread to create an arcuate impression inside, allowing even toasting of the inside surface while maintaining the structural integrity of the bun hinge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the bun is opened and laid flat on the toaster or grill, then the inside of the bun can be toasted, but the bun hinge is damaged and the bun fails by coming apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoasting qualityVSAvoidbun structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of laying the bun flat on the cooking surface, the patent inverts the approach by placing the bun in its natural closed position and pressing the cooking surface into the bun. This reverses the conventional toasting method, allowing the inside of the bun to be toasted without opening it, thereby preserving the hinge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary cooking surface with arcuate protuberant ribs that presses into the bun. This intermediary structure enables heat transfer to the inside of the bun without requiring the bun to be opened or laid flat, thus avoiding damage to the hinge while achieving effective toasting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the flat surface of the bun is placed in the toaster or grill, then the crust is toasted, but the inside of the bun is not toasted effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoasting uniformityVSAvoidtoasted surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking surface features arcuate protuberant ribs that concentrate heat application to specific locations inside the bun. This local quality approach ensures that the inside surface of the bun receives targeted toasting, achieving uniform toasting across the toasted areas while maintaining the bun's closed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than toasting the external flat surface of the bun, the patent inverts the approach by pressing the cooking surface into the bun to toast the inside. This inversion enables effective toasting of the inside surface area that was previously inaccessible to conventional toasting methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If conventional toasting methods are used, then the process is simple, but the bun hinge fails and the bun comes apart

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoasting process simplicityVSAvoidbun hinge durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the bun to toast itself in its natural closed position. The user simply places the closed bun on the cooking surface, and the arcuate protuberant ribs press into the bun to toast the inside. This self-service approach eliminates the need for opening or manipulating the bun, maintaining operational simplicity while preserving hinge integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional toasting procedure by keeping the bun closed and pressing the cooking surface into it, rather than opening the bun and laying it flat. This inversion maintains the simplicity of the operation (place and toast) while eliminating the hinge damage caused by opening the bun.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 effectively toasts the inside of sliced-sandwich bread without damaging the bun hinge, creating a smooth arcuate impression that strengthens the bun and allows for even toasting, preventing hinge failure and ensuring the entire inside surface is toasted uniformly.

Implementation Method 1

heating the sliced bread in contact with the protuberant rib via the heat source to toast the inside of the sliced bread

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10016091B1Toaster grill

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 WILLIS RONALD L

AI summary

An apparatus and associated methodology that is configured in conjunction with a heat source to toast sliced-sandwich bread. The toaster grill has a cooking surface defining an arcuate protuberant rib sized to be pressed into the sliced portion of the bread to contact substantially the entire rib against the inside portion of the bread. The heat source toasts the inside of the sliced bread to mold a toasted arcuate impression inside the bread. An upstanding edge supports the cooking surface so that when the edge contacts the heat source the cooking surface is spaced away from the heat source.