Removable Microwave Sleeve Structure for Browning and Easy Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microwave heating constructs do not effectively facilitate transportation and consumption of food items while enhancing browning and crisping of food during microwave oven use.

Innovation Solution

The development of blanks and constructs with removable portions defined by tear lines, allowing for the formation of sleeves and containers that include microwave energy interactive elements like susceptors, enabling enhanced browning and crisping of food items and convenient access during consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a package structure is designed to facilitate transportation and consumption of food items, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to enhance browning and crisping of food during microwave heating deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidbrowning and crisping capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The package is divided into multiple panels that can be separated or reconfigured. The construct includes a first panel, second panel, third panel, and fourth panel that can be arranged in different configurations. This segmentation allows the package to serve dual purposes: maintaining structural integrity for transportation and creating open configurations for microwave heating to enable browning and crisping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package structure is designed to be dynamic and transformable. The panels can be moved from a closed transportation configuration to an open consumption configuration. The construct allows for dynamic reconfiguration where panels can be separated or repositioned to create openings that expose food to microwave energy for enhanced browning and crisping while maintaining ease of operation throughout the transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a package structure is designed to enhance browning and crisping of food items in microwave oven, then microwave heating performance is improved, but ease of access to food during consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrowning and crisping capabilityVSAvoidease of access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The package is segmented into multiple separable panels that can be individually manipulated during consumption. The first panel, second panel, third panel, and fourth panel can be separated or reconfigured to create access points. This segmentation maintains the microwave heating performance for browning and crisping while enabling easy access to food during consumption through panel separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The construct employs dynamic panel configurations that transform from a closed state (optimized for microwave heating and browning) to an open state (optimized for consumption access). The panels can be dynamically repositioned or removed to provide access to food while preserving the structural features that enabled effective microwave heating and browning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a package is designed as a closed container for transportation, then protection of food item is improved, but access to food during consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoidaccess
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closed container is segmented into multiple panels that can be selectively opened or removed. The first panel, second panel, third panel, and fourth panel form a protective enclosure during transportation but can be separated to provide access during consumption. This segmentation maintains protection during transport while enabling easy access during the consumption phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The package transitions dynamically from a closed protective container during transportation to an open accessible structure during consumption. The panels can be moved or removed to transform the structure from a sealed protective enclosure to an open configuration that provides access to food while maintaining the protective features during the transportation phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 allows for improved browning and crisping of food items and convenient access during consumption, enhancing the microwave heating experience by facilitating the transformation of the packaging into forms that support food items for easy handling and consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave energy interactive element, wherein the microwave energy interactive element comprises a susceptor, a foil, a segmented foil, or any combination thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2377776B1Microwave package with removable portion
Publication Date: 2012.10.24 GRAPHIC PACKAGING INTERNATIONAL LLC
  • EP2377776B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2377776B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2377776B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D

AI summary

A blank (900) for forming a microwave heating construct, comprising: a first panel (902), a second panel (906) and a third panel (908) respectively joined to opposite edges of the first panel, and a fourth panel (904a) joined to the second panel, said panels being respectively joined to one another along a plurality of substantially parallel tear lines (910,912,914) extending in a first direction, the first panel and fourth panel having substantially aligned edges extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, at least one of said panels including microwave energy interactive material, the first dimension of the second panel and the first dimension of the third panel being greater than the first dimension of the first panel and the first dimension of the fourth panel, such that a portion (940,942) of the second panel and third panel each extends in the first direction beyond the edge of the first panel and fourth panel.