Microwave Food Package Tear-Line Structure for Upright Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food packaging solutions do not adequately facilitate transportation and consumption of heated or crisped food items, as they often require removal from the packaging for access, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A blank for forming constructs with removable portions defined by tear lines, allowing the package to be transformed into a container for upright transportation and consumption, featuring a microwave energy interactive element like a susceptor to enhance browning and crisping, and adjustable design for better access to the food item.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the package is designed as a complete sealed unit for heating, then the food item can be heated and browned effectively, but the consumer cannot access the food item during consumption without removing it from the package
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into separable portions through tear lines that allow the package to be segmented into different sections. This enables the consumer to access the food item by tearing open the package along predetermined lines while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining package portions for continued use or disposal.
2Ease of operation
If the package is designed to hold the food item securely for transportation, then the food item remains stable during transport, but the consumer must remove the food item from the package to consume it
Solution Approach 1:
Tear lines are pre-formed in the package structure during manufacturing, allowing the consumer to quickly and easily access the food item by simply pulling along the predetermined tear lines. This preliminary preparation of access paths eliminates the need for complex opening maneuvers or removal steps, significantly reducing the time required to access and consume the food item.
3Ease of operation
If a removable portion is added to the package to facilitate access, then the consumer can easily access the food item, but the package structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The package incorporates predetermined tear lines that create naturally defined removable portions or flaps. These tear lines are integrated into the existing package structure during manufacturing, allowing the package to be segmented into accessable portions without requiring additional complex mechanisms, hinges, or fastening systems. The segmentation is achieved through simple score lines or weakened areas in the material.
4Ease of operation
If the package is designed for upright positioning to support transportation, then the package can be transported and consumed from upright position, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The package blank is designed with three-dimensional structural features including gussets, folds, and upright positioning elements that enable the package to stand and be transported in an upright position. These dimensional features are integrated into the flat blank through strategic placement of fold lines and structural reinforcements that maintain simplicity in manufacturing while achieving the desired three-dimensional functionality for upright positioning and stability.
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 convenient handling and consumption of heated food items by transforming the package into a container that supports the food item upright, while the microwave interactive elements ensure effective browning and crisping, and the tear lines provide easy access as needed.
Implementation Method 1
A microwave energy interactive element overlies at least a portion of at least one of the opposed surfaces
Implementation Method 2
The microwave energy interactive element may comprise a susceptor, a foil, a segmented foil
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
Various blanks are provided for forming sleeves, containers, and other constructs for heating, browning, and/or crisping of a food item in a microwave oven, and for holding and/or transporting the food item after heating. The various blanks, sleeves, containers, and other constructs include a removable portion defined by one or more lines of disruption that enable the removable portion to be separated from the remainder of the blank, sleeve, container, or other construct.