Convertible Microwave Container With Invertible Corners for Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave containers for larger food items face issues with uneven cooking due to spatial constraints in standard microwave ovens, leading to overcooked or undercooked areas, and the use of round or pressed containers introduces manufacturing complexities and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of invertible corners and bendable corner tabs in quadrilateral containers to reduce the diagonal dimension, allowing for unimpeded rotation within microwave ovens and even cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If quadrilateral containers with standard corner configurations are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but the diagonal dimension is too large for unimpeded rotation in microwave ovens
Solution Approach 1:
The container corners are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between two stable states: a first configuration with a near-orthogonal external angle providing a larger diagonal dimension for storage and transport, and a second configuration with a near-orthogonal internal angle providing a reduced diagonal dimension for microwave rotation. This dynamic transformation allows the same container to serve both storage and cooking functions effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The corner structure is segmented into multiple panels that can be independently folded and reconfigured. Each corner comprises several wall panels connected by fold lines, allowing the corner to be transformed from an external angle configuration to an internal angle configuration by folding specific panels relative to others, thereby reducing the overall diagonal dimension.
2Quantity of substance
If larger containers are used to accommodate bigger food items, then food capacity increases, but cooking uniformity decreases due to spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The container provides dynamic size adaptation by transforming its corner configuration during different operational phases. In the first configuration (external angle), the container maximizes its diagonal dimension to accommodate large food items like whole chickens or turkeys. Before cooking, the user transforms the corners to the second configuration (internal angle), reducing the diagonal dimension to enable proper rotation on the microwave turntable, thereby ensuring uniform cooking.
3Reliability
If round or pressed containers are used to enable rotation, then cooking uniformity improves, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex round or pressed container designs, the invention segments the container into flat quadrilateral panels with simple fold lines and corner configurations. This segmentation allows the container to be manufactured using standard die-cutting and folding processes on flat sheets, avoiding the need for complex forming operations required for round or pressed containers.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than designing containers that are inherently round or pressed to achieve rotation capability, the invention inverts the approach by using flat quadrilateral containers that transform their corner geometry. The container maintains its simple flat construction for manufacturing but achieves the required rotation capability through corner transformation, combining manufacturing simplicity with functional effectiveness.
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 enables even cooking of larger food items by reducing the diagonal dimension of the container, enhancing cooking uniformity and reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.
Implementation Method 1
the first fold line and the second fold line act as hinges enabling the first segment and the second segment to pivot relative to other portions of the first wall and the second wall to affect the transition
Implementation Method 2
a microwave susceptor, which has the property of increasing its own temperature by partially absorbing energy of the microwave and then transmitting thermal energy to the food
Implementation Method 3
a microwave susceptor, which has the property of increasing its own temperature by partially absorbing energy of the microwave
Data Source
AI summary
The convertible container, carton, or tray and method of use for microwave ovens including a cooking portion and a base portion. The cooking portion defines a quadrilateral panel which may include a susceptor material, the cooking portion including at least one diagonal fold line defining at least one corner tab. The base portion is configured to support the cooking portion in an elevated position. The base portion includes at least one invertible corner configured to transition from a first configuration defining a near-orthogonal external angle, to a second configuration defining a near-orthogonal internal angle to reduce a diagonal dimension of the convertible container to enable rotation within the confines of a microwave.