Microwave Food Package With Removable Sleeve for Browning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing constructs for heating, browning, and crisping food in microwave ovens do not effectively facilitate transportation and consumption, as they lack features for easy access to the food item and do not enhance browning and crisping processes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A construct formed from a blank with adjoined panels, featuring a removable portion defined by an oblique tear line and a tab, which allows for tearing and altering the container's shape, along with a microwave energy interactive element such as a susceptor to enhance browning and crisping, and a design that transforms into an upright configuration for better access and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional sleeve-like construct is used for heating food in a microwave oven, then the food can be heated, but the consumer cannot easily access the food item for consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The construct is divided into multiple removable portions defined by tear lines, allowing the consumer to easily access and remove sections of the packaging to reach the food item without requiring complex opening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The removable portions are extracted from the main construct through tear lines, enabling the consumer to take out sections of the packaging as needed for food access, simplifying the consumption process
2Reliability
If a traditional construct without browning enhancement is used, then the heating process is simple, but the food item does not achieve effective browning and crisping
Solution Approach 1:
A microwave energy interactive element (susceptor) is introduced as an intermediary between the microwave energy and the food item, converting microwave energy into localized heat to enhance browning and crisping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave energy interactive element changes the thermal parameters at the food surface by absorbing microwave energy and converting it to heat, enabling effective browning and crisping that would not occur with conventional microwave heating alone
3Ease of operation
If the construct remains in its original flat configuration, then it is easy to manufacture, but it provides poor handling and consumption convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The construct is designed to transform from a flat configuration to an upright three-dimensional configuration, providing better handling and consumption convenience while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through fold lines and adhesive panels
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 solution enables efficient browning and crisping of food while allowing for easy access and transportation by transforming into an upright configuration, providing better handling and consumption convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave energy interactive element such as a susceptor to enhance browning and crisping
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1D
AI summary
A construct (842) for heating a food item, comprising: a first panel (806) and a second panel (808) opposite one another, and a third panel (802) and a fourth panel (804) opposite one another, said panels being joined to one another, defining an interior space (852) and having a first end (848), a second end (850), and a length extending from the first end to the second end, the length of the first panel (806) being greater than the length of the second panel (808), the first end of the adjoined panels defining an opening, an oblique tear line (838) extending from the opening around the plurality of adjoined panels towards the second end (850) of the adjoined panels, at least one of the adjoined panels including microwave energy interactive material.