HyperInfo Canada Inc. <http://WWW.HyperInfo.CA/GS.Sunatori/>
65, des Parulines <mailto:GS.Sunatori@HyperInfo.CA>
Gatineau, QC J9A 1Z4 <skype:GS.Sunatori>
Canada <tel:+1-819-595-9210>
Submission Terms
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Technical Approach
Title of Proposal:
Seeking Novel Technology to Reduce Baking Time of Frozen Pizza: Aluminum Heat Reflector
Proposed Technical Approach:
The proposal is to develop a combination of new frozen-pizza package and aluminum heat reflector in order to accelerate baking time of a frozen pizza.
The existing frozen pizza packaging of a non-recyclable plastic bag in a cardboard box is replaced by an aluminum tray with a cardboard cover.
For baking, the user removes the cardboard cover. He/She then flips the aluminum tray to expose the bottom of the frozen pizza, which is then placed directly on the lower rack of a conventional oven.
Aluminum is an excellent reflector of heat (infrared radiation). Inside a conventional oven, aluminum is placed to cover the frozen pizza in order to reflect infrared radiation from the heating element at the bottom. Heat is focused onto the frozen pizza for product browning, crisping and cheese melting.
Preliminary experimental data show a significant decrease in baking time. A 5-inch mini-pizza (120 mm in diameter) was placed directly on the lower rack of a conventional oven pre-heated at 450 F (230 C). The preparation instruction's baking time was 8 to 10 minutes. With the 7-inch aluminum tray (180 mm in diameter) covering the pizza on the lower rack, the reduced baking time of 6 minutes was achieved, resulting in time saving of 30 % to 40 %.
The impact on capital expenditures and on operating cost will be minimum. The novel aluminum packaging and heat reflector is sustainable (non-toxic/carcinogenic), and will attract new users as well as maintain the current users. The new technology does not introduce any undesirable flavour characteristics or other by-products unsafe for food contact or consumption. There is no regulatory hurdles to overcome (i.e., FDA or related food regulations).
As for environmental impact, the aluminum tray is reusable, and is 100 % recyclable. The cardboard cover is also recyclable. The cardboard could have perforations in order to be separated as serving trays.
Diagram of an aluminum heat reflector
Proposed Plan and Deliverables:
Phase 1 - Proof Concept Demonstration
demonstration of feasibility with working prototypes
Phase 2 - Advanced Development to Commercial Scale up
TBD
Proposed Budget
Phase 1 (a total of $50 000 USD)
$30 000 USD for labour
$20 000 USD for sub-contract to GFTC
Phase 2
TBD
Visuals/Diagrams/Models/Photos
Proposal Team Experience
Simon Sunatori, P.Eng./ing., M.Eng., is a Canadian engineer, inventor and entrepreneur. He obtained a Master of Engineering (Engineering Physics) degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1983, and is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a Member of the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), a Life Member of the World Future Society (WFS), a Lifetime Fellow of the North American Academy of Arts and Sciences (NAAAS), among others.
HyperInfo Canada has conducted Research and Development projects, especially in the field of Electromagnetic Technology. The company owns more than 60 patents in many fields, i.e., electronics, magnetics, optics, dynamics, software, hardware, energy, safety, environment, medical, consumer products, sporting goods, fashion, food, etc. The company has commercialised the "HyperFeeder" (a squirrel-proof bird feeder with concentric perching rings and a transparent globe), the "MagneScribe" (an auto-retractable ballpoint pen with an ergonomic cushion) and the "Magic Spicer" (a self-sealing auto-aligning magnetically-hanging spice dispenser with a continuously-variable hole-size selector).
Here is a partial list of Simon Sunatori's Canadian patent applications.
Method for Producing a Coreless Frozen Pizza (2 650 085)
Drip-free Interconnect with Unisex Magnetic Connector (2 626 157)
Backpressure Regulator using Magnetic Repulsion (2 624 740)
