Peelable Microwavable Food Package with Absorbent Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microwaveable food packages face issues with water vaporization and grease liquefaction during cooking, leading to sogginess and aesthetic problems, while existing absorbent solutions are costly and inconvenient to produce, and consumers seek easy access to cooked food with improved flavor, texture, and appearance.

Innovation Solution

A peelable microwavable food package with a first film having an outer sealant layer capable of forming a strong peelable seal with a non-woven fabric of cellulosic and synthetic fibers, and a second film with an absorbent layer that can absorb moisture and grease, maintaining food quality and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional food pads and absorbent food packages are used to absorb excess liquids, then liquid absorption capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and production complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid absorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and production complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging film is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the package structure and the absorbent layer. The film contains hydrophilic polymers that absorb excess liquids directly within the packaging material, eliminating the need for separate absorbent pads while reducing manufacturing steps and costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent functionality is merged into the packaging film itself by incorporating hydrophilic polymers into the film structure. This combination of packaging and absorption functions into a single component reduces the number of separate parts needed and simplifies the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If hermetically sealed containers are used to package food, then food protection and shelf life are improved, but liquid accumulation causing sogginess and aesthetic problems occurs during microwave heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefood protection and shelf lifeVSAvoidliquid accumulation and sogginess during heating

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophilic polymers in the packaging film actively absorb the harmful excess liquids that accumulate during microwave heating, converting the harmful effect of liquid accumulation into a beneficial absorption process. This prevents sogginess while maintaining the hermetic seal for protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging material's properties are changed by incorporating hydrophilic polymers that alter the film's interaction with liquids. The material transitions from being purely barrier-focused to having both barrier and active liquid management capabilities, changing how the package handles moisture during storage and heating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional packaging materials are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but consumer accessibility and ease of opening are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconsumer accessibility and ease of opening

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging structure is segmented into distinct functional layers including the film with hydrophilic polymers and a foil layer. This segmentation allows for easy peeling and opening while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through layered construction that can be produced using conventional lamination techniques.

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 package effectively absorbs undesired liquids, maintains food quality, and is cost-effective with improved ease of use and accessibility, addressing the challenges of sogginess and cost in existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a second film with an absorbent layer that can absorb moisture and grease

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

non-woven fabric of cellulosic and synthetic fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11273969B2Peelable absorbent food package

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 BEMIS COMPANY INC

AI summary

The present invention provides a peelable microwavable food package capable of absorbing undesired liquids released from packaged food products during storage, display, or heating, including microwave cooking. The present invention provides a peelably sealed microwavable food package in any packaging format including pouches, flow-wrap, horizontal form fill seal (HFFS), vertical form fill seal (VFFS), gas-flushed, vacuum-packaged, sealed rigid plastic containers and the like.