Microwaveable Pouch Micro-Perforations Controlled Respiration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food packaging containers are either impermeable to air and liquid or permeable without control, leading to humidity imbalances that shorten the shelf life of perishable food products, and lack adaptability for microwave cooking.
Innovation Solution
A microwaveable, heat-sealable polyester film pouch with micro-perforations for controlled respiration and a polyolefin-based reclosable zipper, allowing for precise control of gas exchange and maintaining atmospheric pressure, while incorporating weak spots for steam venting during cooking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the packaging is made permeable to air for respiration, then the food can breathe and maintain freshness, but the humidity control is lost and the container allows uncontrolled passage of humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a breathable membrane with controlled pores into the packaging structure. This membrane allows selective passage of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) while blocking larger water vapor molecules, enabling controlled respiration without uncontrolled humidity loss. The pore size and distribution are engineered to provide specific respiration rates while maintaining humidity balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties: an outer barrier layer, a breathable membrane layer with controlled pores, and an inner lining. This composite structure integrates the benefits of each layer - the barrier layer provides structural integrity, the breathable membrane enables controlled gas exchange, and the inner lining maintains food contact safety, achieving both respiration and humidity control simultaneously.
2Reliability
If the packaging is made impermeable to maintain humidity, then the shelf life is extended, but the food cannot breathe and atmospheric pressure cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The breathable membrane with controlled pores provides a solution that maintains humidity while enabling respiration. The pores are sized to allow small gas molecules to pass through while blocking water vapor, creating a selective barrier that maintains atmospheric pressure and humidity balance without preventing gas exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the pore size, pore distribution, and membrane thickness to achieve specific respiration rates. By adjusting these parameters, the packaging can be optimized for different food types and storage conditions, balancing gas exchange needs with humidity maintenance requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the packaging is designed for microwave cooking, then ease of preparation is improved, but the container may rupture under pressure and steam venting is not controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by incorporating multiple functional layers with specific roles: the outer barrier layer provides structural strength, the breathable membrane enables controlled gas exchange, and integrated steam venting channels provide pressure relief. This segmented design allows each layer to handle specific stresses during microwave cooking, preventing rupture while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable membrane acts as an intermediary layer that mediates between the internal pressure buildup during microwave cooking and the external environment. It allows controlled gas exchange to prevent pressure accumulation while maintaining structural integrity, and integrated venting channels provide a controlled path for steam escape without compromising container strength.
4Reliability
If the packaging allows controlled respiration, then shelf life is extended, but the device complexity increases due to the need for micro-perforations and pressure control
Solution Approach 1:
The use of porous breathable membranes simplifies the overall structure compared to complex active control systems. The membrane's inherent pore structure provides controlled respiration without requiring mechanical components, sensors, or active regulation mechanisms, achieving shelf life extension through a relatively simple material-based solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The breathable membrane provides self-service controlled respiration through its inherent physical properties. The controlled pore structure automatically regulates gas exchange based on concentration gradients and pressure differences without requiring external control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective shelf life extension.
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 solution extends the shelf life of food products by maintaining optimal humidity levels and enabling safe microwave cooking without container rupture, while allowing for easy re-sealing and handling post-cooking.
Implementation Method 1
The polyester film comprises micro-perforations allowing controlled respiration of the film while maintaining atmospheric pressure inside the pouch
Implementation Method 2
made of a microwaveable heat-sealable polyester film
Implementation Method 3
A sealed container made of such breathable film material is able to control the amount of humidity which is allowed to enter and escape from the interior volume of the container, while permitting oxygen and carbon dioxide to pass through adequately
Data Source
AI summary
The present document describes a cooking container for foodstuff in the form of a pouch made of a microwaveable heat-sealable polyester film. The polyester film comprises micro-perforations allowing controlled respiration of the film while maintaining atmospheric pressure inside the pouch.