Steam Cooking Insert With Angled Drain Apertures for Existing Cookware
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam cooking devices are often standalone appliances that lack universal compatibility with existing cookware and heat sources, limiting their versatility and usability for reheating multiple foods in a moisture-rich environment.
Innovation Solution
A steam cooking apparatus that includes a steaming pedestal, bowl, bowl lid, steaming platform, and under plate, designed for use within an existing outer vessel like a stockpot, utilizing a steaming platform with angled vent/drain apertures to direct condensate back into the vessel and enhance steam circulation for efficient heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steam cooking devices are designed as standalone appliances, then they can provide dedicated steam cooking functionality, but they lack universal compatibility with existing cookware and heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a steam cooking apparatus that can be used with any standard pot or pan, transforming ordinary cookware into a steam cooking system. The apparatus includes a lid with a vent and a platform that fits inside the cookware, allowing it to work with existing pots and pans rather than requiring dedicated appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary platform that sits inside the cookware and a lid modification that attaches to existing lids. This intermediary structure enables steam cooking functionality without replacing the entire cookware system, bridging the gap between ordinary cookware and steam cooking requirements.
2Reliability
If steam cooking devices use separate standalone units, then they can provide controlled steam environment, but they require additional appliances and lack integration with existing cooking equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the steam cooking functionality with existing cookware by modifying the lid and adding a platform that fits inside the pot. This combines the benefits of controlled steam cooking with the simplicity of using ordinary cookware, eliminating the need for separate standalone steam cooking appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is designed to work with any standard pot or pan, allowing the same cookware to serve both ordinary cooking and steam cooking purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of appliances needed in the kitchen.
3Ease of manufacture
If steam cooking apparatus uses flat platform design, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot effectively drain condensate back into the vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry into the otherwise simple platform design by adding angled drainage channels. These channels are positioned at specific angles to utilize gravity for draining condensate back into the pot, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while adding effective drainage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled drainage channels are designed to automatically drain condensate back into the pot using gravity, without requiring external pumps or complex mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the natural flow of condensed steam to replenish the cooking liquid.
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
Enables efficient and uniform reheating of food using an existing cookware and heat source, maintaining food moisture while allowing for multiple segregated containers and cooking/serving devices, with audible indicators of proper function.
Implementation Method 1
The vent/drain apertures are angled from an exterior of the platform the interior of the platform... the angled directionality of the apertures allows for the flow of condensate down to the interior of the outer vessel
Implementation Method 2
As the water is heated within the outer vessel, steam will rise heating both the food below the platform and the food resting upon the steaming platform. As this steam condenses...
Implementation Method 3
steam will rise heating both the food below the platform and the food resting upon the steaming platform
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an apparatus for the steaming heating of food. The apparatus is designed for placement within and onto an outer vessel. The apparatus including a steaming pedestal, bowl, bowl lid, steaming platform, lid, bowl plate, and under plate. The steaming platform including a plurality of venting/draining apertures and flange.