Heating, steaming and storage bowl for food
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers and bowls are limited in their functionality, often failing to provide secure venting, straining, and multi-purpose use for food storage, steaming, heating, and cooking, particularly in microwave ovens, and may lead to inconvenient improvisations or food spillage.
Innovation Solution
A borosilicate glass or heat-treated glass bowl and lid assembly with specific configurations for steaming, baking, and inverted lid positions, featuring convex and concave walls, handles, and ribs to create controlled apertures for venting, straining, and secure lid alignment, enabling versatile food preparation and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing glass bowl and lid combinations are used for straining, then food storage and heating functions are provided, but secure venting or straining aperture is not available, forcing offset improvisation by end user
Solution Approach 1:
The bowl and lid assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: storage, steaming, heating, cooking, venting, and straining. The lid can be positioned in different configurations (sealed position for storage/cooking, inverted position for venting/straining) to accommodate various food preparation needs, eliminating the need for separate containers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid is designed to be dynamically repositionable between a sealed configuration (for storage and cooking) and an inverted configuration (for venting and straining). This dynamic repositioning allows the same lid-bowl assembly to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring multiple separate containers.
2Ease of operation
If offset improvisation of lid and bowl is used for venting or straining, then some venting capability is achieved, but lid/bowl separation increases leading to food falling out or taking longer to drain
Solution Approach 1:
The lid features an asymmetric design with a rim that fits into a corresponding groove on the bowl, creating a secure mechanical connection. This asymmetric fit prevents lateral separation while allowing the lid to be inverted for venting/straining functions, maintaining reliability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A groove and rim interface acts as an intermediary mechanical connection between the lid and bowl. This intermediate structure allows the lid to remain securely attached during inverted venting and straining operations, preventing food from falling out while maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If existing containers are used for food preparation, then basic storage function is provided, but secure, controlled lid/bowl gap for time-saving straining is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented with raised portions and recessed areas that create controlled gaps when inverted over the bowl. This segmentation allows water to drain through specific pathways while retaining food, achieving efficient straining without complex additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lid and bowl feature curved surfaces with complementary convex and concave shapes that create uniform gaps when inverted. The curved geometry naturally controls the gap size for optimal draining while maintaining structural simplicity, achieving time-saving straining without excessive complexity.
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 assembly provides secure, efficient, and time-saving food preparation and storage solutions, ensuring controlled venting, straining, and multi-purpose use in microwave and conventional ovens, preventing food spillage and enhancing cooking performance.
Implementation Method 1
a borosilicate glass or heat-treated glass bowl and lid assembly with specific configurations for steaming, baking, and inverted lid positions
Implementation Method 2
enhancing cooking performance in microwave and conventional ovens
Implementation Method 3
ribs to create controlled apertures for venting, straining, and secure lid alignment, enabling versatile food preparation and storage
Data Source
AI summary
A lid and bowl assembly for cooking and storing food has a lid having a raised portion, a pair of opposite convex walls and a pair of opposite concave walls extending from the raised portion. A bowl has a bottom wall, a pair of opposite concave walls and a pair of opposite convex walls extending from the bottom wall. The lid has a pair of convex handles and a pair of concave handles. The bowl has a pair of concave handles. The lid has a plurality of tabs formed near the convex handles and the concave handles of the lid. A pair of ribs are formed on an underside of the lid adjacent the concave handles of the lid. The lid and bowl can be assembled in a steaming configuration, a baking configuration or an inverted lid configuration. Apertures are formed between the lid and bowl for venting and straining.