Multi-chamber Storage Bag with Temperature-Releasable Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage bags for food products do not allow for efficient microwave cooking within the bag, requiring food to be transferred before heating, and lack a mechanism for controlled pressure release during cooking.
Innovation Solution
A flexible storage bag with dual chambers separated by a releasable seal that maintains a fluid-tight seal until internal temperature or pressure thresholds are exceeded, allowing for controlled communication between chambers during microwave cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-chamber storage bag is used for food storage, then storage simplicity is improved, but cooking efficiency deteriorates because food must be removed and transferred to a different container for microwave heating
Solution Approach 1:
The storage bag is designed to serve dual functions: food storage and microwave cooking. The bag structure includes microwaveable properties and cooking vent mechanisms that enable it to function as both a storage container and a cooking vessel, eliminating the need for food transfer between containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag is divided into multiple chambers separated by a frangible seal, allowing different food items to be stored separately during storage, then combined during cooking when the seal breaks, providing both storage organization and cooking functionality in a single container.
2Device complexity
If a frangible seal separates chambers in a multi-compartment pouch, then storage organization is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates at high pressure during microwave cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible seal is designed with dynamic properties that allow it to maintain integrity under normal storage conditions but automatically break when subjected to the heat and pressure of microwave cooking. This dynamic behavior enables the seal to transition from a strong barrier during storage to a controlled release mechanism during cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal material's physical properties change in response to temperature and pressure parameters during microwave cooking. The frangible seal is engineered to withstand storage conditions but fails at specific temperature-pressure thresholds during cooking, allowing controlled chamber communication when needed.
3Productivity
If pressure builds up during microwave cooking in a sealed bag, then cooking effectiveness is improved, but safety deteriorates without a pressure relief mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of excessive pressure buildup is extracted and managed through a dedicated pressure relief valve. This separate component allows controlled pressure release independent of the frangible seal, ensuring safety while maintaining the benefits of sealed-pressure cooking.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sealed cooking environment and the external atmosphere. It mediates pressure control by opening at specific pressure thresholds to relieve excess pressure while maintaining sealed conditions for effective cooking.
4Device complexity
If chambers are separated during storage, then food organization is improved, but cooking uniformity deteriorates until chambers are combined
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible seal provides a dynamic transition from separated chambers during storage to combined chambers during cooking. This dynamic structure automatically changes configuration based on cooking conditions, ensuring food organization during storage and cooking uniformity when chambers are combined through seal failure.
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 cooking of food within the bag by maintaining separation until the food is sufficiently cooked, then releasing to combine contents, ensuring even heating and preventing premature pressure release.
Implementation Method 1
The releasable seal may be configured to release when an internal temperature within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a temperature threshold or an internal pressure within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a pressure threshold
Implementation Method 2
The releasable seal may be configured to release when an internal temperature within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a temperature threshold or an internal pressure within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a pressure threshold
Implementation Method 3
A flexible storage bag with dual chambers separated by a releasable seal that maintains a fluid-tight seal until internal temperature or pressure thresholds are exceeded, allowing for controlled communication between chambers during microwave cooking
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A storage bag including a film sheet is provided. The film sheet defines a first chamber, a second chamber located adjacent the first chamber; and a releasable seal preventing fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. The releasable seal may be configured to release when an internal temperature within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a temperature threshold or an internal pressure within either the first chamber or the second chamber exceeds a pressure threshold.