Microwave Cooking Container With Ribbed Curved Bottom Wall
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for cooking en papillote in microwave ovens are economically costly, prone to tearing, and inefficient due to their material properties, leading to irregular cooking and longer cooking times, and lack ergonomic handles for stability.
Innovation Solution
A utensil with a receptacle made of elastomer material featuring a curved bottom wall and reinforcing ribs, allowing for thinner walls that enhance heat transmission and stability, along with ergonomic handles for improved grip and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If containers are made of thick elastomer material to provide handling consistency, then structural strength is improved, but heat conduction deteriorates and cooking time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container wall is segmented into multiple functional layers with different thicknesses and properties. The bottom wall has a thinner heat-conductive layer for efficient heat transfer, while side walls maintain sufficient thickness for structural strength. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the container have different wall thicknesses tailored to their specific functions. The bottom wall is made thinner to enhance heat conduction from the support surface, while side and top walls maintain greater thickness for structural integrity and handling consistency. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between strength and heat conduction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bottom wall is made flat for stability, then structural stability is improved, but heat and microwave contact deteriorates and cooking uniformity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom wall is designed with a curved or domed surface instead of a flat plane. This curvature allows the bottom wall to make better contact with the rounded support surface in microwave ovens, improving both stability and heat/microwave transmission. The curved shape ensures uniform cooking by allowing consistent contact across the entire bottom surface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If disposable special paper is used for en papillote cooking, then cooking suitability is improved, but economic cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive disposable special paper with a reusable silicone container that can be used multiple times. The container maintains the en papillote cooking benefits while eliminating the need for continuous purchase of disposable materials, significantly reducing long-term costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the cooking medium after each use, the silicone container is recovered and reused for multiple cooking cycles. This transforms a disposable solution into a durable, cost-effective alternative that maintains cooking quality across repeated use.
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 utensil achieves quicker and more uniform cooking by exposing the bottom wall to microwaves and hot air, while the ergonomic design improves handling and stability during use.
Implementation Method 1
applicable to cooking in a microwave oven
Implementation Method 2
enhance heat transmission
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a utensil for containing foodstuffs, applicable to cooking in a microwave oven, comprising a receptacle (10) made of an elastomer material with an access opening and covering means for covering said access opening. The receptacle (10) is formed by one or more walls including a bottom wall (1) in elongated channel shape and opening edges (5, 6, 8, 9) defining the access opening at a height greater than the bottom. The bottom wall (1) includes reinforcing ribs (7) projecting outwardly from an outer surface thereof and providing supports leaving most of the outer surface of the bottom wall (1) exposed to the surrounding atmosphere when the receptacle (10) is on a support surface. The bottom wall (1) is connected at its ends to end walls (2, 3) determining respective end opening edges (8, 9) configured to support lids (30, 40).