Nestable Microwaveable Container for Separate Food Heating and Storage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food containers lack a practical solution for separately heating and storing multiple types of food while maintaining food separation during microwave heating, leading to potential mixing and inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A microwaveable container system comprising nestable trays with a design that includes a lower food holding space and an upper receiving space, allowing for separate storage and heating of different foods, with a lid that secures the nested configuration to prevent mixing and facilitate easy handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple foods are stored in separate containers, then food separation is maintained, but storage space efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood separationVSAvoidstorage space efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing a first container inside a second container, where the first container fits within the interior space of the second container. This nested configuration allows multiple food items to be stored in separate containers while occupying the same overall footprint, thereby maintaining food separation while improving storage space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a lid is attached to secure nested containers, then food mixing is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of food mixingVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid serves multiple functions: it closes the second container to prevent food mixing between different food items, and simultaneously secures the nested first container in place within the second container. This multi-functional design prevents food mixing without significantly increasing device complexity, as the same component achieves multiple objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If containers are designed for nesting, then storage efficiency improves, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid acts as an intermediary element that facilitates the nesting operation. By attaching the lid to the second container, the user can more easily grasp and manipulate the outer container, which in turn allows for easier placement and removal of the nested first container. The lid provides a convenient interface for handling the nested container system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11814233B2Microwaveable container

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 FRANKENREITER ANTHONY M

AI summary

A microwaveable container for holding food includes a first container, a second container and a lid. The first container has a lower food holding space sized and shaped to hold a first food and a second container receiving space disposed above the lower food holding space. The first container has a shoulder extending outward from the lower food holding space. The second container nests with the first container and has an upper food holding space sized and shaped to hold a second food. The second container is positionable in the second container receiving space of the first container such that the second container separates the first and second foods held in the respective lower and upper food holding spaces. The second container engages and rests on the shoulder of the first container when nested. The lid attaches directly to the first container.