Flexible Barrier Warming Apparatus for Variable Container Sizes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warming apparatuses for baby foodstuff containers are inefficient in accommodating containers of various sizes and inadequately support flexible containers, leading to uneven warming due to the need for excessive warming liquid and poor container support.
Innovation Solution
A warming apparatus with a resiliently flexible tubular barrier member that snugly fits around the container, a heating unit to heat the warming liquid, and a reservoir system that recycles the liquid for continuous flow, ensuring efficient heat transfer and minimizing liquid usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the warming compartment is sized to accommodate various container types and sizes, then the apparatus can handle diverse foodstuff containers, but a relatively large amount of warming liquid is needed to fill the warming compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible barrier member that can conform to different container shapes and sizes. This flexible barrier creates a customized warming compartment for each container type, reducing the volume of warming liquid required while maintaining effective heat transfer. The flexible nature allows the same barrier to adapt to bottles, pouches, jars, and other container forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier member is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing it to change its configuration based on the container placed inside. This dynamic adaptation enables the warming compartment to closely fit various container geometries, minimizing the space occupied by warming liquid while ensuring complete contact with the container surface for efficient heating.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the warming compartment is sized to accommodate various container types and sizes, then the apparatus can handle diverse foodstuff containers, but foodstuff containers that are flexible may tilt, fold or reconfigure resulting in uneven warming
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier member actively supports and stabilizes flexible containers during the warming process. By conforming to the container's shape and providing gentle containment, the barrier prevents tilting, folding, or reconfiguration of flexible containers, ensuring uniform heat distribution and consistent warming results across different container types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a relatively large amount of warming liquid is used to fill the warming compartment, then the compartment can accommodate various container sizes, but energy efficiency decreases due to heating excess liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible barrier creates a customized, space-efficient warming compartment that closely fits the container. This reduces the volume of warming liquid required to effective heating levels, directly decreasing the energy needed to heat the liquid while maintaining versatility across container sizes. The barrier ensures that warming liquid is concentrated where it is needed, around the container surface.
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 apparatus efficiently warms the contents of containers of various sizes, including flexible ones, by using less warming liquid and providing consistent support, ensuring even heating and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A heating unit is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating unit is operable to receive warming liquid from the reservoir and heat the warming liquid for supplying heated warming liquid into the warming compartment
Implementation Method 2
The warming liquid is heated to heat the foodstuff within the container
Implementation Method 3
heated warming liquid is directed to an upper end of the warming compartment and dispensed onto the foodstuff container so that the heated liquid flows down over the container
Data Source
AI summary
In a warming apparatus for warming the contents of a foodstuff container, a barrier member is disposed at least in part within the interior space of a housing of the apparatus and includes a generally tubular barrier wall extending longitudinally within the housing and defining a warming compartment therein. The barrier wall has a lower end and an open upper end accessible through an open upper end of the housing for receiving the foodstuff container into the warming compartment. The barrier wall is resiliently flexible at least transversely of the barrier member. A reservoir is disposed in the housing for containing a warming liquid. A heating unit is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The heating unit is operable to receive warming liquid from the reservoir and heat the warming liquid for supplying heated warming liquid into the warming compartment to warm the contents of the foodstuff container.