Top View - The inspiration for this design was taken from the idea of slow design and slow food. A gel between the top and bottom parts of the plate retains its heat a lot better than any ceramic or glass. Therefore the plate can be heated or cooled before serving and the gel within will therefore keep the plate at this temperature for longer. The user of the plate can the eat at their own leisure without having to worry about their food getting cold (or melting if they are eating ice cream)
Side View - The gel inside the product fills the cavity allowing the heat from the gel to transfer easily to the plate and to the food on it.
Exploded View - Top - Ceramic
Middle - Gel
Bottom - Glass
Rings underneath the glass bottom allow for the plate to be used as a saucepan lid so that heat from boiling food can be used to heat up the plate prior to serving. Alternatively the gel can allow the plate to be warmed in the oven or microwave or cooled in the fridge or freezer.
Testing Prototype - This is a prototype of my design which i used to eat from. The prototype was made using a bone china plate and a vacuum formed platic bottom and with the same gel i intend to use for the actual product. Without prior heating i served beans on toast on the plate and then left it for about 20 minutes. When i came back the plate was still quite warm and the food tasted as though it had only been left out for 5 minutes or so proving the concept is quite feasible.
This is a side image of an exhibition we held at Plymouth University in February 09 for this project.
Exhibition Front - Front view of my exhibition. I had a sample of the gel so people could feel it and a booklet explaing the product in detail.
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Slow Food Plate