Steam-Cooking Condensate Tray Structure to Prevent Chimney Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of condensate collection trays in steam cooking accessories is hazardous due to liquid movement and overflow risks when removing the tray from a mixing bowl, potentially causing burns as the user handles the container before condensates have cooled.
Innovation Solution
The tray design includes a chimney with an annular wall and deflecting walls near the gripping handles to reduce condensate flow into the steam passage, along with a cover for homogeneous steam diffusion and a separating partition to minimize liquid movement, and grip handles with raised ribs for reduced temperature contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tray is designed with a cavity for condensate recovery, then condensates can be collected and prevented from falling into the mixing bowl, but the liquid in the cavity moves and generates waves when the user grasps the bin by the handles, causing overflow through the chimney and burn risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing cooling ribs on the external surface of the cavity before the user handles the tray. These ribs pre-cool the outer surface, creating a thermal buffer that allows safe handling even when hot condensate is present inside the cavity, thus preventing burn injuries before they can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling ribs act as an intermediary thermal barrier between the hot condensate inside the cavity and the user's hand. This intermediate structure conducts heat away from the handling zone, mediating the thermal interaction and enabling safe contact with the tray during or immediately after cooking
2Productivity
If the user handles the tray immediately after cooking, then the cooking process is completed efficiently, but the condensates have not cooled and can cause burns upon contact
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling ribs are pre-integrated into the tray structure before use, performing preliminary cooling of the external surface. This allows the tray to be handled safely immediately after cooking without requiring extended cooling time, thus maintaining cooking efficiency while eliminating the burn hazard
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
This design enhances the safety and ergonomics of handling the tray by minimizing liquid overflow and reducing the risk of burns during condensate collection, ensuring a more controlled and safe handling process.
Implementation Method 1
the condensate collection tray... the cavity comprising a bottom comprising a projecting chimney provided with a central orifice allowing the passage of steam
Implementation Method 2
the chimney comprises a cover which at least partially covers the central orifice, the cover being supported by feet forming between them radial openings for the passage of steam
Implementation Method 3
the handles for gripping the tray comprise a lower surface comprising several raised ribs separated from each other by a film of air
Data Source
Figure 1~8
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Accessory (4) for steam cooking comprising a condensate collection tray (5) intended to rest on a mixing bowl of a household appliance comprising means for heating the contents of the mixing bowl, the tray (5 ) comprising a cavity (50) for the recovery of the condensates and two gripping handles (52) arranged symmetrically on either side of the cavity (50), the cavity (50) comprising a bottom comprising a chimney (53) in projection provided with a central orifice allowing the passage of steam, said accessory (4) also comprising at least one basket (6) for cooking food which is positioned on said tray (5), characterized in that the chimney ( 53) comprises, close to its upper end, an annular wall extending around the central orifice and transversely to the shaft (53), and in that the shaft (53) comprises, facing each grip handle (52), a deflecting wall rising above s from the level of the annular wall.