Microwave Crisping Tray and Cover for Two-Sided Browning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Microwave oven packaging typically only browns or crisps one surface of a food item at a time, requiring rotation or inversion during heating to achieve even cooking.

Innovation Solution

A microwave heating apparatus with a pair of opposed heating surfaces, such as a tray and cover, that can be securely locked in a parallel position to allow simultaneous browning and crisping of multiple sides of a food item, utilizing microwave energy interactive materials to convert microwave energy into thermal energy for cooking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional microwave package is used, then the structure is simple, but only one surface of the food item can be browned or crisped at a time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to brown multiple surfacesVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heating apparatus is segmented into multiple independent heating surfaces (first heating surface on the base, second heating surface on the lid) that can simultaneously contact different surfaces of the food item. This segmentation allows multiple surfaces to be browned concurrently without requiring complex rotating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from single-surface heating to multi-surface heating by adding a vertical dimension with the lid providing a second heating surface. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous heating of top and bottom surfaces of the food item.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the cover is made movable for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover accessibilityVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is designed as a movable component that can be opened for loading/unloading food and closed for heating. This dynamic design provides ease of operation while maintaining heating functionality when closed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable lid and the base, securing the lid in the closed position during heating to maintain structural stability, and releasing it when opening for accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the microwave energy interactive material is applied to heating surfaces, then browning and crisping effectiveness is improved, but risk of warping increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrowning efficiencyVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave energy interactive material is applied locally to specific heating surfaces (base and lid) rather than the entire package structure. This localized application provides effective browning and crisping at the food-contact surfaces while minimizing warping of the overall package structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The package uses composite construction with the microwave energy interactive material integrated into the heating surfaces, combining the browning effectiveness of the interactive material with the structural stability of the underlying package material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If the heating surfaces are made close together for efficient heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but moisture venting capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidmoisture accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The package incorporates porous or permeable structures (such as channels or vents) in the heating surfaces that allow moisture to escape while maintaining close proximity between heating surfaces for efficient heat transfer and browning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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

Enables efficient and even browning and crisping of multiple surfaces of food items like waffles, sandwiches, and breaded items without the need for rotation, while maintaining structural stability to prevent warping and ensuring effective venting of moisture.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of at least some of the heating areas include a microwave energy interactive material, for example, a microwave energy interactive material operative for converting at least a portion of impinging microwave energy into thermal energy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave energy conversion to thermal energy: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS8872079B2Apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for preparing a food item in a microwave oven comprises a tray including a plurality of elevated heating areas and a plurality of channels disposed between the elevated heating areas, the elevated heating areas each including a microwave energy interactive material, a cover pivotably connected to the tray for pivoting the cover relative to the tray between an open position and a closed position, and a locking feature operative for releasably maintaining the cover in the closed position.