COOKER THE SIZE OF A CUP

The Beanzawave, at 7½in, plugs into a computer so is ideal for deskbound types or travellers with a laptop but no time to stop for lunch.

It heats a yogurt pot-sized portion of beans in 60 seconds, runs off battery or mains with onscreen controls operated via the keyboard.

The device, not much larger than a teacup, was created after research by food giant Heinz found millions of workers skip meals.

So they turned to microwave expert Gordon Andrews, of the UK’s Microwave Technologies Association.

He said: “The plan was to make it mobile so it could be used in any environ­ment.

“You just scroll to control what you want to do.”

Heinz came up with beans in single-portion Snap Pots to go with the prototype but it can be adapted for other meals such as soup and pies.

If there is enough interest, it will be rolled out in high street stores for around £100.