Radiant Liquid Heating Container With Air-Gap Base Shield

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid heating containers, such as those used for coffee, suffer from direct contact with heat sources, leading to burning and boiling of the liquid due to conductive heating, rendering the contents unfit for consumption.

Innovation Solution

A radiant liquid heating container design featuring a base member mounted with a predetermined air gap between the container and the base, utilizing radiant heat to maintain the liquid at a desired temperature without direct contact, thus preventing burning and boiling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the container is placed directly on the heat source, then heating efficiency is improved, but the liquid is burned due to point contact heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidburning of liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a base member as an intermediary between the heat source and the container. This base member has a larger surface area than the container bottom, distributing the heat over a wider area and preventing point contact burning. The base member acts as a mediator that transforms the concentrated heat from the heat source into a distributed radiant heat field that gently heats the liquid without burning it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from direct one-point or three-point contact heating to area-based radiant heating. By placing the container on a base member with larger surface area and heating the base member, the system changes from localized conductive heating to distributed radiant heating across the entire container bottom surface, eliminating the burning problem while maintaining heating efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If the container is exposed directly to the heat source, then temperature maintenance is achieved, but the liquid boils off and becomes unfit for consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenanceVSAvoidboiling off of liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The base member serves as a thermal mediator that provides gentle, distributed radiant heating. This intermediary prevents the intense localized heating that causes rapid boiling and liquid loss, while still maintaining the liquid at the desired temperature through sustained radiant energy transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating parameter from concentrated conductive heat to distributed radiant heat. By using a base member with larger surface area heated to a moderate temperature, the system achieves temperature maintenance through radiant heating that does not cause excessive localized heating and subsequent boiling off of the liquid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If a thermos is used to store heated liquid, then temperature maintenance is achieved, but the liquid cools over time and becomes unsuitable for consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature maintenanceVSAvoidduration of temperature maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous active heating through the base member that is constantly supplied with thermal energy from the heat source. Unlike a passive thermos that relies on initial heat storage, this system provides continuous radiant heating to maintain liquid temperature over extended periods, preventing cooling and ensuring the liquid remains suitable for consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the passive thermal insulation system (thermos) with an active radiant heating system. Instead of relying on vacuum insulation and reflected heat, the system uses continuous radiant energy transfer from the heated base member to actively maintain liquid temperature, extending the duration of temperature maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively maintains liquids like coffee at a predetermined temperature using radiant heat, preventing burning and boiling, ensuring the product remains consumable.

Implementation Method 1

The base member is exposed to a heat source wherein the base member shields the bottom of the container from being in direct contact with the heat source to provide a source of radiant heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiant heat: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS8726798B2Radiant liquid heating container

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 THERMODYNE FOODSERVICE PRODS

AI summary

A radiant liquid heating device includes a container for holding a liquid. The container includes an opening for dispensing the fluid and a closed bottom. A base member is mounted relative to the closed bottom. The base member is spaced a predetermined distance relative to the closed bottom to provide an air gap there between. The base member is exposed to a heat source wherein the base member shields the bottom of the container from being in direct contact with the heat source to provide a source of radiant heat for maintaining a liquid disposed within the container at a predetermined temperature.