Microwave Steam Container With Hidden Shielding for Steam-Only Cooking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art microwave steam containers with visible metallic components deter users from cooking food efficiently due to safety concerns, and existing solutions do not allow for exclusive steam cooking without direct microwave exposure.

Innovation Solution

A microwave steam cooking container system with a microwave shielding material encapsulated between the inner and outer walls of the container and cover, allowing for efficient stacked cooking by directing steam to the foodstuff while preventing direct microwave exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If microwave shielding material is used in the container, then cooking safety is improved, but user acceptance deteriorates due to visible metallic components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking safetyVSAvoiduser acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave shielding material is nested within the container structure, specifically positioned between the inner and outer walls of the container and cover. This nesting approach maintains the safety function of the metallic shielding while hiding it from user view, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and user acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The container walls (inner and outer) serve as intermediary structures that encapsulate the microwave shielding material. This intermediary approach allows the shielding material to perform its safety function while being concealed within the wall structure, preventing direct user contact and visual exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If microwave shielding material is encapsulated within container walls, then user acceptance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser acceptanceVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microwave shielding material is merged with the container wall structure by positioning it between the inner and outer walls. This merging approach integrates the shielding function into the existing container design rather than adding separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining user acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The container walls function as composite structures combining microwave-transmitting material (outer wall) and microwave-shielding material (inner layer). This composite material approach achieves both shielding and structural functions in a integrated manner, balancing complexity reduction with improved user acceptance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If food container is placed directly in microwave, then cooking speed is improved, but cooking method control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking speedVSAvoidcooking method control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container provides different local qualities for different cooking needs: the outer wall allows microwave transmission for direct heating when needed, while the inner shielding layer enables steam-only cooking when the container is covered. This local quality variation allows users to control the cooking method by simply adding or removing the cover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The container system dynamically adapts its cooking mode based on the presence of the cover. When the cover is present, the shielding material becomes active for steam cooking; when removed, microwaves can directly heat the food. This dynamic adaptability allows switching between cooking methods without changing the basic container structure.

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

Enables efficient and safe cooking of foodstuff exclusively with steam, addressing user reluctance and improving cooking efficiency by hiding the shielding material and facilitating stacked cooking configurations.

Implementation Method 1

a microwave shielding material encapsulated between the inner and outer wall portions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

heating water in a lower container to create steam which cooks foodstuff

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

steam which cooks foodstuff present in a covered upper container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8772685B2Microwave steam cooking container system

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 PARTY IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A microwave steam cooking container system for cooking foodstuff, comprising a water reservoir, a food container comprising a plurality of apertures on a bottom thereof, an outer wall portion and an inner wall portion, and a microwave shielding material encapsulated between said inner and outer wall portions, a cover comprising an inner wall portion and an outer wall portion, and a microwave shielding material encapsulated between said cover inner and said cover outer wall portions, wherein said food container is stacked and removably placed within said water reservoir, wherein in the assembled position the foodstuff to be cooked is shielded from cooking by direct exposure to microwave energy.