Microwavable Container Shielding Layout for Even Food Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microwave ovens often result in uneven heating of large food items, where some portions become overheated and charred while others remain underheated, due to premature heating.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwave energy interactive structures, including diffusing elements with transparent areas and reflective elements, which diffuse and scatter microwave energy to control the heating rate and prevent overheating, ensuring more even heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microwave energy is applied directly to large food items, then heating speed is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates causing premature overheating and charring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the microwave energy interaction into multiple zones by incorporating both transparent areas (allowing energy passage) and reflective areas (redirecting energy) within the container structure. This segmentation of energy pathways prevents concentrated heating in single areas, thereby maintaining heating speed while improving uniformity across the food item.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure implements different microwave energy properties in different locations: transparent areas allow direct energy transmission for efficient heating, while reflective areas redirect energy to prevent overheating. This local differentiation of energy interaction properties enables simultaneous achievement of fast and uniform heating.
2Use of energy by moving object
If microwave energy transmission is maximized for efficient heating, then energy utilization is improved, but temperature control deteriorates leading to scorching and drying
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective areas act as intermediaries that modulate microwave energy distribution. They intercept excess energy in certain zones and redirect it to areas needing heating, thereby controlling temperature distribution while maintaining overall energy utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure changes the spatial distribution parameter of microwave energy by introducing reflective elements that alter energy pathways. This parameter modification enables temperature control across different regions while preserving efficient energy utilization throughout the heating process.
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
This solution achieves uniform heating of food items, minimizing scorching and drying, and improving the overall appearance and quality of the food.
Implementation Method 1
microwave energy transparent area that circumscribes one or more microwave energy reflective elements
Implementation Method 2
The reflective elements at least partially diffuse, scatter, and/or obstruct (collectively 'diffuse') the microwave energy passing through the microwave energy transparent area
Implementation Method 3
The various constructs include one or more features that generally promote even heating, prevent premature heating, and/or minimize overheating of a food item during the microwave heating cycle
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A construct for heating a food item in a microwave oven comprises a base (102), a wall (104) extending upwardly from the base (102), a microwave energy shielding element (108) overlying at least a portion of the wall (104), and a microwave energy diffusing element (112) circumscribed by the microwave energy shielding element (108), where the microwave energy diffusing element (112) includes a plurality of microwave energy reflective elements (116) within a microwave energy transparent area (114).