Nested Food Tray With Air Permeable Interface For Steam Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food trays for heating food products, especially those with low and high value items, face issues such as flavor blending, texture deterioration, inconvenience in sauce distribution, and risks of steam release and hot food spillage.

Innovation Solution

A food tray design featuring a lower tray with a first food product and an upper tray nested stably inside, with an air permeable interface allowing steam venting and a cover for the upper tray, ensuring separate heating and easy removal without risk of spillage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the smaller tray is fitted tightly inside the larger tray, then the trays are stable during heating, but the smaller tray sticks in the larger tray and may be suddenly released causing spillage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray stabilityVSAvoidspillage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The upper tray is nested inside the lower tray, allowing compact packaging and stable positioning during heating, while maintaining the ability to easily remove the upper tray after heating without sudden release

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The design anticipates the sticking problem by creating a controlled interface between trays that prevents excessive adhesion during heating, thereby cushioning against the harmful effect of sudden release and spillage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the smaller tray is fitted tightly inside the larger tray, then the trays maintain position, but steam builds up and may be released suddenly when the smaller tray is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray positioningVSAvoidsteam release

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom of the upper tray is designed with permeable properties that allow steam to pass through during heating, preventing steam buildup and subsequent sudden release when the tray is removed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The permeable bottom acts as an intermediary between the steam-generating lower tray and the upper tray, allowing controlled steam transmission that prevents harmful steam accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the trays are nested loosely, then the upper tray is easy to remove, but the upper tray may not remain stable during heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetray removalVSAvoidtray stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The nested configuration provides stable positioning during heating through the interlocking geometry of the trays, while the controlled fit allows easy removal after heating without requiring excessive force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Device complexity

If food products are heated in a single compartment, then the heating process is simple, but the flavours blend and textures deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating processVSAvoidfood quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The food tray is divided into two separate compartments (upper and lower trays) that can be heated simultaneously but independently, preventing flavor blending and texture deterioration while maintaining a simple overall heating process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design allows for separate and efficient heating of low and high value food products, reducing the risk of steam release and spillage, while providing convenience and a pleasing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam venting: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are preferably formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave oven

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20250197084A1Food tray

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 CONAGRA FOODS RDM INC

AI summary

A food tray has a lower tray containing a first food product and an upper tray nested stably at least partly inside the lower tray, with the upper tray containing a second food product. An air permeable interface is provided between the upper tray and lower tray to allow venting of steam from the lower tray during cooking. A cover is provided for the food tray. Each of the lower tray and the upper tray are formed of a material that is suitable for use in a microwave or conventional oven. Various constructions may be used to create the air permeable interface, such as lugs, ledges and lips. The upper tray may sit above the lower tray. The trays are nested loosely for ease of removal of the upper tray from the lower tray. Various configurations of cover may be used such as a sleeve, carton or lid. The upper tray may contain the higher value food product.