Microwavable Polymeric Aerosol Dispenser for Heated Product Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol dispensers are inefficient and time-consuming for heating products to a desired temperature, especially when using electric or gas ovens, which are not suitable for small containers.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol dispenser made entirely of polymeric materials, allowing microwave heating to quickly and safely warm products before dispensing, with features like a collapsible bag or dip tube for product delivery and a safety valve to prevent over-pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electric or gas ovens are used to heat products in aerosol dispensers, then products can be heated to desired temperature, but the heating process becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electric or gas heating systems with microwave heating technology. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that directly heat the product through dielectric heating, eliminating the need for external ovens and significantly reducing heating time while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave heating system operates through periodic emission of electromagnetic waves, allowing controlled and efficient heating of the product. This periodic action enables rapid temperature adjustment without the time delays associated with conventional heating methods.
2Strength
If metal containers are used for aerosol dispensers, then structural strength and pressure containment are improved, but cost increases and recyclability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures, combining polymeric containers with internal metallic components (heating element and propellant chamber). This composite approach allows the outer container to be made from cost-effective, recyclable plastics while internal metal components provide necessary structural strength and pressure containment, optimizing both manufacturing ease and mechanical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerosol dispenser is divided into separate functional components: a polymeric outer container, an internal metallic heating element, and a propellant chamber. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while enabling easier manufacturing and recycling of the overall system.
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 aerosol dispenser efficiently heats products to a desired temperature using a microwave oven, ensuring safety and convenience by utilizing polymeric materials that can withstand microwave energy, with features for controlled dispensing and pressure management.
Implementation Method 1
The aerosol dispenser is microwavable to heat the product
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of warming food dispensable from an aerosol dispenser (20). The aerosol dispenser (20) is made from materials which can go into a single recycling stream having a single class of materials, as defined by the Society of the Plastics Industry, and particularly may exclusively comprise Class 1 materials suitable for eating in a microwave oven (60). Consumer products, such as food, contained in the aerosol dispenser (20) may be heated in a microwave oven (60) prior to dispensing. Upon dispensing, food retains residual heat, and is suitable for eating or further cooking. Other heated products in the aerosol dispenser (20) may be comfortably applied to the skin, used as air freshener, used for cleaning, etc. The aerosol dispenser (20) may have indicia (55) indicating the aerosol dispenser (20) is suitable for microwave heating. The aerosol dispenser (20) can have indicia (55) indicating the aerosol dispenser (20) is suitable for heating in a microwave oven (60). The indicia (55) may be thermochromic, indiciating when a desired temperature has been reached.