Vacuum Cooking Insert With Core Temperature Probe Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum cooking containers made of plastic are unsuitable for high-temperature vacuum cooking as they cannot withstand typical cooking temperatures, and they press food, causing aesthetics issues like wrinkles and tears, while also failing to monitor the food's core temperature effectively.
Innovation Solution
A stainless steel or pyrex insert with a base having two through openings, one for a valve to create vacuum and another for temperature detection, allowing for temperature monitoring and fluid-tight sealing, along with a cover and container body made of suitable materials for high-temperature resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If plastic material is used for the insert and container, then manufacturing cost is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the container cannot withstand high cooking temperatures and the insert is damaged during vacuum cooking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a stainless steel or pyrex base with a plastic cover and temperature detection means. The base provides high-temperature resistance while the cover maintains ease of manufacture and sealing properties. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by allowing the insert to withstand vacuum cooking temperatures while remaining manufacturable.
2Productivity
If vacuum is obtained by sucking air from polymeric packages, then vacuum cooking is enabled, but the packages press and adhere to the food causing aesthetic deterioration with wrinkles and tears
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid insert acts as an intermediary between the food and the vacuum pressure. Instead of the flexible polymeric package directly pressing against the food, the rigid insert provides a stable structure that maintains its shape under vacuum, preventing the food from being deformed or adhered to the package walls.
3Device complexity
If conventional plastic containers are used, then simple structure and low cost are achieved, but temperature monitoring of the food core is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The insert serves multiple functions: it provides structural support to withstand vacuum pressure, maintains rigidity during high-temperature cooking, and incorporates temperature detection means for monitoring food core temperature. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by adding measurement capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
4Strength
If rigid material is used for the insert base, then temperature resistance and structural integrity are improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is segmented into distinct components: a rigid base made of stainless steel or pyrex for temperature resistance, and a plastic cover for ease of manufacture and sealing. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while controlling overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
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 safe high-temperature vacuum cooking without food deformation and allows for accurate temperature monitoring of the food core, ensuring proper cooking while maintaining the container's integrity and food quality.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum cooking is a cooking technique which consists in cooking food at relatively low temperatures... wherein vacuum is obtained by any suitable means
Implementation Method 2
it is necessary to verify that the temperature at the so-called food 'core', i.e. in its innermost part, has reached and is kept at about 90° C for a predetermined time interval
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an insert, applicable to a closing cover (2) for a container body (3) suitable for containing foodstuff under vacuum, the insert comprising a base (5) formed with a first through opening (6); at least one valve means (8) housed in the first through opening (6) and movable therein between an open position, in which air can flow through the through opening (6), and a closed position, in which air flow is prevented. The insert base (5) comprises a second through opening (7). The insert comprises also a closing and guiding group (9) for temperature detection means, the closing and guiding group (9) being housable into the second through opening (7) of said base (5), the temperature detection means being removably insertable into the closing and guiding group (9).