Induction capable cookware item comprising woven wire or knitted mesh in its base

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aluminium cookware bases with expanded metal lath or perforated plates deform upon heating, leading to poor contact with induction heating plates, potential cracking, and manufacturing challenges due to high moulding pressures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a woven wire mesh or knitted wire mesh into the base of the cookware, which is preferably made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, provides a stable and lightweight solution that avoids deformation and allows for seamless integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If expanded metal lath is added in the base of aluminium cookware to make it induction capable, then the cookware can be used on induction heating plates, but the expanded metal lath suffers from shape memory and shrinks after heating, resulting in deformation of the base

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinduction compatibilityVSAvoidbase deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining aluminium base material with a ferromagnetic layer (such as powdered iron or ferritic stainless steel) to create induction-compatible cookware. This composite approach allows the base to respond to induction heating while maintaining dimensional stability, as the ferromagnetic particles are distributed throughout the aluminium matrix rather than using a separate expanded metal lath layer that would shrink independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the base is made thicker to compensate for deformation tendency, then the base resists deformation better, but the cookware item becomes heavier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidcookware weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By distributing ferromagnetic particles throughout the aluminium base matrix, the patent achieves both induction compatibility and dimensional stability without increasing base thickness. The composite structure maintains the lightweight properties of aluminium while the embedded ferromagnetic phase provides the necessary magnetic response and structural reinforcement to prevent deformation during heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If expanded metal lath or perforated plate is integrated in the base, then induction capability is achieved, but very high moulding pressure is required during fabrication, resulting in many defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinduction capabilityVSAvoidfabrication difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite manufacturing approach where ferromagnetic particles are mixed into the aluminium alloy material before casting or forming. This homogeneous mixing allows the induction-compatible cookware to be manufactured using standard aluminium forming processes without requiring the insertion and high-pressure bonding of separate expanded metal lath or perforated plate layers, significantly simplifying fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite 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

The woven wire mesh ensures a stable and lightweight cookware item that maintains effective heat, with a smooth surface that can be easily coated or painted, and effectively addresses the deformation and enhances heat conductivity. The woven wire mesh can be easily integrated into the base, and results in a smooth surface that can be easily coated or painted.

Implementation Method 1

effectively addresses the deformation and enhances heat conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

induction capable cookware item

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

induction capable cookware item

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentUS20250366656A1Induction capable cookware item comprising woven wire or knitted mesh in its base

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 APOLLO TOPCO BV

AI summary

The invention provides in an induction capable cookware item, comprising:—a base, mainly made from aluminium or an aluminium alloy;—a side wall, extending upwards from said base; wherein the base and the side wall form a vessel, thereby defining:—an exterior side of the vessel, the base and the side wall; and,—an interior side of the vessel the base and the side wall; wherein the base comprises a woven wire mesh or knitted wire mesh, preferably a woven wire mesh; and, wherein the base comprises protrusions on the exterior side. The invention further provides in a method for making such induction capable cookware item, and in the use of a woven wire mesh as induction element in a base of cookware item, preferably an aluminium cookware item.