Abstract: A microwave oven including a microwave power source, a microprocessor controller for controlling the microwave power source in response to user entered input data relating to cooking modes, cooking time, etc., optically readable bar codes associated with respective input data, a hand held optical scanning wand extendable from the oven to be moved adjacent a bar code for reading same, and means for converting the optically read bar code to provide corresponding control signals and coupling the control signals to the microprocessor. The microwave power source is controlled in accordance with the optically read bar code relating to the respective input data. The optical scanner can read a bar code on a food package or a bar code related to a recipe to automatically enter into the controller the corresponding microwave oven cooking instructions.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the food cooking time in a microprocessor controlled microwave oven in response to the remotely sensed condition of the food being heated. The average food temperature is constantly derived during cooking, utilizing user entered data on the food category, the food's initial mass, and the measured input power to the magnetron. The average current and average peak voltage input to the magnetron are sensed and the absorbed power in the food is derived using the magnetron efficiency. A self-calibrating analog to digital converter provides the magnetron input power in digital form for a microprocessor controller. In one embodiment the microprocessor sequentially derives the average food temperature as a function of cooking time using the entered food data, stored cooking coefficients previously determined by regression analysis, and the measured magnetron input power.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting electric range heating elements below a smooth cooking surface, including a lightweight wire frame formed with at least a pair of resilient wire members for capturing and resiliently maintaining a heating element between the wire members and the bottom of the cooking surface. A pair of resilient wire members each comprising an undulating wireform extends across the wire frame with at least one heating element being captured and maintained in position between the cooking surface and the pair of undulating wireform members. A plurality of clips lockingly engage the conventional range top frame with another clip end engaging the lightweight wire frame to form an assembly of the range top frame, the cooking surface and the lightweight wire frame with the heating elements captured between the wire frame and the cooking surface. In another embodiment, the wire frame extending around the perimeter of the cooking surface comprises an undulating wireform.

Abstract: An improved feed system for a microwave oven, including a shelf mounting a microwave energy source and a shelf extension protruding not more than half-way into the microwave cavity. The shelf extension acts as a microwave launching portion and includes a pair of adjacent cut-out sections with arcuate perimeters matching the rotational arc circumscribed by a pair of rotating stirrer blades. Alternative embodiments of the shelf extension - microwave launching portion are illustrated and described.

Abstract: An improved touch panel switching device including a thin, flexible plastic sheet foldable to locate respective switch contactors and contacts opposite each other, an insulating spacer member intermediate the switch contactors and contacts and having openings to enable contactor and contact communication, a rigid backing on one side and a thin, metal sheet on the other side of the plastic sheet, the metal sheet being relatively stiff and depressable at a switch position to enable engagement of a respective switch contactor and contact.

Abstract: A radioactive particle counter for a plurality of discrete radioactive particle emitting samples, including a plurality of detectors for each sample to simultaneously detect the respective emitted radioactive particles and provide a respective electrical signal, a plurality of storage counters for simultaneously accumulating the respective sample count during a predetermined counting interval, and a read-out control unit for periodically, sequentially reading out the accumulated sample count in each storage counter and coupling same to a control counter for temporary display of the accumulated sample count or for eventually totalling of the respective sample count.