Removable Steam Cooker Bottom With Stress-Relieving Flow Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooker components, particularly the tubular side walls made of transparent plastics, face issues with bisphenol A contamination, high cost, limited mechanical resistance, cracking under load, and poor hydrolysis resistance, which affect their durability and safety when exposed to steam and food materials.
Innovation Solution
A cooking element design featuring a tubular side wall made of copolyester materials like Tritan™, with an open lower end and a removable bottom having spaced support zones that create flow passages on an inclined inner face, minimizing geometric constraints and internal stresses, thus reducing the likelihood of cracking and promoting liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polycarbonate is used for the tubular side wall, then transparency, shock resistance, and mechanical strength are improved, but resistance to hydrolysis deteriorates and bisphenol A contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from polycarbonate to copolyester (specifically Tritan™), which fundamentally alters the chemical composition to eliminate bisphenol A while maintaining mechanical strength and improving hydrolysis resistance. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by selecting a different chemical family that inherently lacks the harmful properties of polycarbonate.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If polyamide or polyethersulfone is used for the tubular side wall, then transparency and freedom from bisphenol A are improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to copolyester (Tritan™), which occupies a favorable position in the material property-cost spectrum. Unlike polyamide or polyethersulfone which are expensive alternatives, copolyester provides bisphenol A-free composition at a more economical price point while maintaining the required transparency and mechanical properties.
3Productivity
If the removable bottom has spaced support zones with flow passages, then liquid flow and steam circulation are improved, but geometric constraints and internal stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming an inclined surface (conical or frustoconical shape) on the inner face of the tubular side wall. This curved geometry naturally guides liquids toward the open lower end while distributing stresses more evenly across the wall structure, reducing the risk of cracking at stress concentration points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copolyester (Tritan™) as a composite material that combines the benefits of multiple polymer families. This material provides both the mechanical strength needed to withstand the geometric constraints and stress concentrations, and the chemical resistance to hydrolysis from steam exposure, thereby resolving the contradiction between flow efficiency and structural integrity.
4Illumination intensity
If the tubular side wall is made transparent, then visual monitoring of cooking is improved, but resistance to staining from food materials deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter to copolyester (Tritan™), which inherently possesses both transparency and excellent resistance to staining from food materials. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by selecting a material whose chemical composition naturally resists pigmentation from foods like tomatoes and carrots while maintaining optical clarity for visual monitoring.
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 durability and resistance of the tubular side wall to hydrolysis, prevents staining, and maintains transparency while being cost-effective, ensuring efficient steam circulation and reducing material stress, thereby delaying or preventing cracks and improving the overall performance of steam cookers.
Implementation Method 1
each support zone of the removable bottom is formed by a protuberance resting on an inclined portion of the inner face of the tubular side wall extending towards the open lower end of the tubular side wall
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooking element (1) for a steam cooker, comprising a tubular side wall (2) having an open bottom end (11) as well as a removable bottom (3) mounted inside the tubular side wall (2), the tubular side wall (2) consisting of a plastic of the copolyester family. According to the invention, the removable bottom (3) has separated bearing areas (20) defining flow passages (30) along with an inner surface (17) of the tubular side wall (2), and each bearing area (20) of the removable base (3) is formed by a projection (24) resting on an angled portion (19) of the inner surface (17) of the tubular side wall (2) leading toward the open lower end (11) of the tubular side wall (2).