Corrugated Susceptor Base for Microwave Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave ovens tend to cook food items unevenly and fail to achieve a balanced heating and browning or crisping of bread and dough-based products like pizzas and pies.

Innovation Solution

The use of thermally insulated susceptor structures comprising multiple susceptor layers with a corrugated paper or paperboard base, which absorbs, transmits, or reflects microwave energy to enhance heating, browning, and crisping, along with microwave energy transparent areas for customized heating and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a single susceptor layer is used in a microwave oven, then the structure is simple, but the heating, browning, and crisping of food items is uneven and insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The susceptor is divided into multiple layers with different functions: a first susceptor layer for absorbing microwave energy and generating heat, and a second susceptor layer for reflecting microwave energy back to the food. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, resulting in improved heating effectiveness and browning while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite structure combining multiple susceptor layers with different material properties. The first susceptor layer is designed to absorb microwave energy, while the second susceptor layer reflects microwave energy. This composite approach enables the structure to achieve both heating and browning/crisping functions that a single susceptor layer cannot accomplish alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If multiple susceptor layers are added to improve heating and browning, then the heating effectiveness improves, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrowning and crisping effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of layers

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-layer susceptor structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the first susceptor layer absorbs microwave energy for heating, the second susceptor layer reflects microwave energy for enhanced browning and crisping, and the combination of both layers creates a thermal insulation effect. This multi-functionality allows the structure to achieve superior heating and browning effectiveness without requiring additional separate components, thus limiting the increase in overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Temperature

If a thermal insulating base is used to maintain thermal energy, then heat transfer is reduced and heating effectiveness improves, but moisture ventilation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy retentionVSAvoidmoisture ventilation

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal insulating base is designed with a porous structure that allows moisture vapor to pass through while maintaining thermal insulation properties. The porosity enables moisture ventilation from the food item, preventing sogginess, while the solid matrix of the base material continues to provide thermal insulation and retain heat for effective heating and browning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Significantly improves the heating, browning, and crisping of food items by maintaining thermal energy and reducing heat transfer, while allowing for moisture ventilation, resulting in more even and effective cooking.

Implementation Method 1

Each microwave energy interactive element comprises one or more microwave energy interactive components or segments arranged in a particular configuration to absorb microwave energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave energy absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

The susceptor may circumscribe one or more microwave energy transparent areas that allow the passage of microwave energy though the respective susceptor layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

The base generally may provide thermal insulation between the microwave energy interactive element and the heating environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 4

Each microwave energy interactive element comprises one or more microwave energy interactive components or segments arranged in a particular configuration to absorb microwave energy, transmit microwave energy, reflect microwave energy, or direct microwave energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave energy reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8629380B2Susceptor with corrugated base

Publication Date: 2014.01.14 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

A thermally insulated susceptor structure includes a dimensionally stable corrugated base, a first susceptor, and a second susceptor. At least one of the first susceptor and second susceptor may circumscribe one or more microwave energy transparent areas that allow the transmission of microwave energy through the respective susceptor and/or create localized fields that enhance heating, browning and/or crisping of an adjacent food item.