Microwave reheating container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave reheating containers face challenges in achieving high heat resistance and structural strength while ensuring food safety, as materials like polycarbonate are no longer safe for food contact, and polyethylene formulations have low structural strength leading to potential spills.
Innovation Solution
A microwave reheating container with a concave base and cover, both featuring a crystallized TRM interior food contact surface and a TPC exterior coating, where the base and cover cores consist of CPET and APET layers, providing enhanced heat resistance and structural strength, and secured with locking clips and an elastomeric seal for secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polypropylene is used for the container, then food safety is ensured, but localized overheating occurs leading to bubbles on the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a composite structure with an inner core made of crystallized thermoplastic material (such as polypropylene or polyethylene) providing food safety, and an outer layer of amorphous thermoplastic material providing bubble-free heating characteristics. This composite material approach allows the container to simultaneously achieve food safety and prevent localized overheating during microwave reheating.
2Reliability
If polyethylene formulations are used for the container, then food safety is ensured, but structural strength is low leading to potential spills
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs a composite material system where the inner core is made of crystallized thermoplastic material (polyethylene or polypropylene) ensuring food safety, while the outer amorphous thermoplastic material layer provides enhanced structural strength and rigidity. This composite structure prevents spills while maintaining food safety, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
3Temperature
If glass materials are used for the container, then heat resistance and durability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases and tolerances are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses crystallized thermoplastic material for the inner core, which undergoes a parameter change in its thermal properties through crystallization. This crystallization process gives the plastic material heat resistance comparable to glass, while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of thermoplastic materials including lower cost and better tolerances. The crystallized structure allows the container to withstand microwave heating temperatures without the drawbacks of glass.
4Temperature
If polycarbonate is used for the container, then heat tolerance and strength are improved, but food safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a composite material design where the inner core is made of food-safe crystallized thermoplastic material (polypropylene or polyethylene) that ensures food safety, while the outer amorphous thermoplastic material layer provides the necessary heat tolerance and structural strength. This composite approach eliminates the need for polycarbonate in food contact areas while maintaining the required heat tolerance and strength characteristics.
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 container achieves durable, multi-use functionality with high heat resistance and structural integrity, preventing overheating and spills, while ensuring safe food contact only with PET surfaces, and secure sealing to prevent steam and hot food escape.
Implementation Method 1
said base core and said cover core each include two layers: an inner one of said layers being CPET and forming said crystalized TRM interior food contact surface; and an outer one of said layers being APET
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A microwave reheating container for food including a concave base and a cover. The base and cover both have a core formed of PET sheet material, formed into the appropriate base and cover shapes. The PET cores are crystalized to CPET on their interior. Each core is overmolded on its exterior with TPC capable of injection molding and having greater strength. The cover may include an elastomeric seal about its periphery. The cover may be secured to the base by one or more locking clips.