Package for combined steam and microwave heating of food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microwave oven packaging lacks efficient methods for simultaneous steam and microwave heating, leading to uneven cooking and prolonged cooking times for frozen or chilled foods.
Innovation Solution
A multi-sectional package with microwave energy-interactive materials (MEIMs) that includes a susceptor, shield, and resonating patch antenna, allowing for controlled steam and microwave heating, featuring separate compartments for steam generation and food, with perforations for steam circulation and MEIMs integrated into the lid for balanced heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional microwave packaging is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the heating is uneven and cooking time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The package is divided into multiple functional sections: a first container for steam generation, a second container (basket) for food placement, and a lid with MEIMs. This segmentation allows simultaneous steam heating and microwave heating to occur in different zones, improving cooking speed and uniformity while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The package incorporates microwave energy interactive materials (MEIMs) including susceptors, shields, and resonating patch antennas integrated into the paperboard structure. These composite materials enable controlled microwave interaction to achieve rapid and uniform heating, resolving the contradiction between cooking efficiency and structural simplicity
2Productivity
If MEIMs are integrated into the package, then rapid simultaneous steam and microwave heating is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple MEIM functions (susceptor, shield, resonating patch antenna) are merged into a single integrated lid assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and components, making the package easier to produce while maintaining the rapid simultaneous heating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The lid serves multiple functions: it acts as a steam seal, contains MEIMs for microwave interaction, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies manufacturing processes while achieving rapid cooking performance
3Manufacturing precision
If separate compartments are used for steam and food, then heating uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second container (basket) is nested within the first container, with the basket sitting on supports that elevate it above the steam generation zone. This nested arrangement creates separate functional compartments for steam and food while maintaining a compact overall structure, achieving heating uniformity without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The package utilizes vertical spacing between the first and second containers to create functional separation. By elevating the food basket above the steam zone using supports, the design achieves three-dimensional compartmentalization that improves heating uniformity while maintaining a simple two-container structure
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 rapid, simultaneous steam and microwave cooking, ensuring even heating and partial browning/frying of food, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and ease of use in domestic microwave ovens.
Implementation Method 1
The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna
Implementation Method 2
The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna
Implementation Method 3
The second bottom wall has at least one vent opening for allowing steam to pass from the first compartment to the, second compartment
Implementation Method 4
The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A package for combined steam and microwave heating of food, wherein the package may include microwave energy interactive materials (“MEIMs”) configured for providing rapid, simultaneous microwave and steam cooking in a domestic microwave oven. The MEIMs may be configured for controlling the heating pattern within the package and to control volumetric heating of food in the package. The MEIMs may include one or more of a susceptor, shield, and/or resonating patch antenna. The package may be paper-based, or it may be manufactured of any other suitable material. One or more of the different sections of the package may comprise separate chambers respectively for the steam source and the food to be steamed, so that the steam source and the food to be steamed are separated from one another during manufacturing, storage, and cooking.