Microwavable Food Container With Perforated Insert and Steam Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microwavable food containers lack improvements in design for efficient cooking and steaming, particularly in vapor management and product measurement.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a main part with a cover that can be partially opened, a steam rack with perforations for vapor escape, and handles that serve as measuring elements, allowing for efficient cooking and steaming of food with improved vapor management and precise measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cover is made solid to retain steam and heat, then cooking efficiency is improved, but steam escape is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking efficiencyVSAvoidsteam accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed with non-uniform structure: most of the cover remains solid to retain heat and steam, while specific localized areas contain throughgoing holes to allow steam escape. This resolves the contradiction by having different regions of the cover serve different functions - the solid portions maintain cooking efficiency while the perforated portions prevent steam accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is segmented into multiple functional zones: solid cover portions for heat retention and perforated portions for steam venting. The steam rack is also segmented with multiple perforations distributed across its surface. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of steam retention and steam escape functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the container includes additional components like steam racks and handles, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking functionalityVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides grip for handling the container and simultaneously functions as a measuring element for portion control. The lid serves both as a cover for heat retention and as a structural component that integrates with the steam rack. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing complexity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle structure merges the gripping function with the measuring function into a single component. The steam rack is merged with the lid assembly, where the rack becomes an integral part of the cover structure rather than a separate removable component. This merging approach maintains versatility while controlling device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the cover is fully opened to access food, then ease of operation is improved, but heat and steam are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood accessVSAvoidheat and steam loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is segmented into removable and fixed portions. The removable lid portion can be completely removed for full food access, while the fixed portion with throughgoing holes remains attached to maintain heat retention and controlled steam escape. This segmentation allows users to access food easily while minimizing energy loss by keeping part of the cover in place.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring full lid removal for food access, the design allows partial access through the fixed lid portion with its perforations. Users can insert utensils through the holes or access food partially without removing the entire lid, thus maintaining heat and steam while providing sufficient access for most operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Enhances cooking efficiency by allowing vapor escape and precise food measurement, facilitating even heating and easy product removal while maintaining container integrity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one insert accommodated in said container part and provided with a plurality of perforations for placing a food product on said insert... the insert provided with a plurality of perforations for steaming food product and allowing passage of vapors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor passage through perforations: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

The handles can be formed as hollow substantially cylindrical elements with a cylindrical central portion and at least one, preferably two funnels at the opposite ends of the cylindrical portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVolume measurement using hollow cylindrical structure:

Data Source

PatentUS20100282744A1Container for microwavable food

Publication Date: 2010.11.11 LEVY MARIEAN

AI summary

A container for microwavable food has a main container part for accommodating a food product to be cooked and open from above, a cover covering the main container part from above, and at least one insert accommodated in the container part and provided with a plurality of perforations for placing a food product to be steamed on the insert.