Foldable Microwave Susceptor Platform with Sealed Elevation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microwave susceptor systems either lack elevation, leading to inefficient heat transfer and uneven cooking surfaces, or have design flaws that result in grease and juices dripping onto the microwave floor due to elevated mechanisms with leaking points.

Innovation Solution

A microwave platform with an outer panel featuring a first susceptor layer and support layer, an inner panel with a second susceptor layer and support layer, and foldable legs and retainer flaps that create a raised cooking surface while sealing openings to prevent liquid leakage, ensuring even heating and retention of food items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single layer susceptor tray is used without elevation features, then the structure is simple, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced and cooking surface uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces elevation by adding legs that lift the susceptor tray off the microwave floor, transitioning from a 2D flat structure to a 3D elevated structure. This dimensional change allows microwave energy to circulate underneath the tray, improving heat transfer efficiency and cooking uniformity while maintaining structural simplicity through foldable integrated legs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the susceptor tray is inverted to provide elevation, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but the platform becomes uneven and grease/juices leak onto the microwave floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidliquid containment

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inverting the entire tray as in conventional designs, the patent inverts only the internal panel while keeping the external panel upright with the food-facing susceptor layer. This reversed approach maintains an even cooking surface and proper liquid containment while still achieving elevation and improved heat transfer through the foldable leg mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Temperature

If elevating feet are added to raise the tray, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but holes are created in the tray bottom that become leaking points for melting ingredients

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidliquid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the susceptor tray into two separate panels: an external panel with the food-facing susceptor layer and an internal panel that can be folded underneath. This segmentation allows the internal panel to be positioned to seal openings and prevent leakage, while the external panel maintains its integrity for even cooking surface and proper liquid containment, both achieving elevation through the foldable leg mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides efficient and even cooking by maximizing heat transfer while preventing liquids from dripping onto the microwave floor, enhancing cooking performance and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

an outer panel having a first susceptor layer... an inner panel which includes a second susceptor layer... for efficiently cooking food in a microwave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

microwaveable platforms are utilized by positioning a desired food item on top of the microwaveable platform and then cooking the food item in the microwave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

The outer panel has a raised platform and a plurality of legs foldably connected to the platform... allowing the tray to gather a maximum amount of heat to be transferred to the food item

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS8314373B1Microwave susceptor system

Publication Date: 2012.11.20 WATKINS JEFFREY T

AI summary

A constructable microwave susceptor sheet for holding and cooking a food item in a microwave. The constructable microwave susceptor sheet generally includes an outer panel having a first susceptor layer and a first support layer attached to the first susceptor layer and an inner panel foldably connected to the outer panel for lining an interior surface of the outer panel, wherein the inner panel includes a second susceptor layer and a second support layer attached to the second susceptor layer. The outer panel has a raised platform and a plurality of legs foldably connected to the platform. The outer panel also includes a plurality of retainer flaps vertically extending upward from a perimeter of the platform for retaining a food item thereon. The inner panel seals a plurality of openings extending through the platform which are exposed by the flaps pivoting to a vertical position.