Abstract: A method of making a microwave reconstitutionable pizza including coating the outer peripheral edge of the pizza crust with a liquid crust coloring substance, which includes an aqueous solution of an edible dispersion agent and a natural occurring coloring agent which can be coffee, tea, chicory and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A combination of a frozen pizza of uncooked dough covered with a topping layer except for an outer sauce-free ring of dough and a microwave susceptor component enables the pizza to be cooked in a microwave oven so that the outer ring is brown and crisp. The microwave susceptor component can include one element which is either directly on or supported above the dough. The susceptor component also includes a susceptor sheet on which the pizza rests.

Abstract: In a blankable, foldable microwave reactive heat susceptor sheet stock of the type having two generally parallel surfaces and comprising a thin paperboard sheet with a laminated, continuous, microwave reactive layer including a microwave permeable support film with a microwave reactive layer including a microwave permeable support film with a microwave reactive stratum, there is provided an improvement comprising a graybody layer with an absorptivity over about 0.50 and microwave permeable with the graybody layer being applied coterminously with at least a portion of the parallel surfaces so that heat created by the interactive stratum will be absorbed and available from the graybody layer.

Abstract: Microwave susceptor sheet of the paperboard type, and method of making such susceptor sheet for use in a disposable food appliance adapted to heat a quantity of food in the appliance by microwave energy which susceptor sheet and method comprises vacuum deposition of a layer of aluminum onto a thin plastic film and then bonding the film onto a support sheet of paperboard, wherein the thin plastic film has a thickness of less than about 1.0 mil and is formed from PCTA copolyester plastic having a melting point of greater than 500.degree. F.

Abstract: An improved sleeve receptacle for microwave browning and crisping of a generally flat food article, such as pizza, in a microwave oven is provided. The receptacle is constructed from a sheet of microwave susceptor stock which preferably includes an outwardly exposed dielectric support layer and an inwardly facing heating layer of microwave interactive material allowing passage of microwave energy as it is heated thereby. The sleeve is initially provided as a flat sheet which can be easily fitted within the frozen food package. The consumer folds the flat sheet into its sleeve configuration by joining the top portions of the sleeve together in a manner whereby the top portions of the sleeve can be later pulled apart to permit easy removal of the heated foodstuff.

Abstract: There is provided a composite sheet stock for convection heating of the surface of a food items, such as a pizza, by microwave energy. The composite sheet stock includes a layer of metal foil, such as aluminum, adhered to a microwave susceptor sheet stock having a dielectric support layer and a heater layer of microwave interactive material allowing passage of microwave energy as it is heated thereby whereby the foil is heated by conduction from the susceptor stock when the susceptor stock is subjected to microwave radiation.

Abstract: There is provided an improved disposable receptacle with a self-supporting configuration for combined baking and cooking of a generally flat food article, such as pizza having a given thickness, in a microwave oven, which receptacle is constructed from a sheet of microwave susceptor stock surrounding the food article and comprising an outwardly exposed, dielectric support layer, such as paperboard, and an inwardly facing heating layer of microwave interactive material allowing passage of microwave energy as it is heated thereby and further including a lower flat portion for supporting the food article during microwave heating.

Abstract: A combination of a mass produced frozen entree type foodstuff, such as a pot pie, formed from a precooked, lossy material filler food having a preselected depth and covered with a layer of uncooked dough and an appliance for transporting and reconstituting this pot pie in a microwave oven wherein the appliance comprises a dish-shaped receptacle formed of a microwave impervious foil material with a cavity for the foodstuff and a peripheral rim whereby the filler material within the cavity is shielded from direct microwave exposure except through the dough layer and a flat, self-sustaining generally rigid microwave susceptor sheet with an outer shape generally matching the preslected shape of the rim on the receptacle wherein the susceptor sheet is supported on the dough in parallel, heat conducting relationship with the upper surface of the dough and is spaced from the rim by the dough. The susceptor sheet includes a thin metallized layer of plastic film laminated to a paperboard.

Abstract: A sheet plastic dome lid is provided for a generally rigid plastic frozen food receiving tray wherein a finger notch at one corner allows the lid to be flexed upwardly to release one of four locking ribs spaced substantially from the notch but on one side of the tray whereby a smooth camming action releases one locking rib so the others can immediately release the lid from the tray.

Abstract: A combined exercise station and sleeping bed is provided allowing placement of safe exercise equipment and a bed in the same area normally occupied only by a bed. This allows placement of exercise equipment in a hotel room or other place of limited space. One edge of the bed is hinged to a slidable support so that the bed may be pivoted to a vertical position to expose exercise equipment normally located under the bed.

Abstract: A fluid flow sampler having a peristaltic pump which periodically draws a sample volume of effluent from a sewer main through a supply line to a collecting chamber wherein the pH is recorded after which the sampled effluent is transferred to an agitated and cooled holding chamber. The supply lines are valve controlled to delay delivery to the collecting chamber until steady state conditions are achieved in the supply line. The supply lines are air purged when the pump is not operating and lines are underground which are connected to a sampler inside a building thereby eliminating line freezing. The entire operation of obtaining, holding and maintaining the representative samples is programable and completely automatic.

Abstract: A code wheel for imprinting legends on packages traveling along a conveyor line has a U-shaped slot therein through which the code wheel is coaxially positioned on a drive sleeve rotatable with the line and drive pins engage the sleeve to index the code wheel thereon as resiliently held thereagainst by a releasable collar. Print type carried on the outer surface of the code wheel are independently secured by individual spring detents. A roller having an outer resilient cover is pivotally supported on the conveyor line and spring biased toward the code wheel for establishing the printing pressure on the packages.

Abstract: A frozen food package having an easily removable and replaceable dome lid for permitting reconstitution of the frozen food either in a conventional or a microwave oven. The dome lid has an annular seating flange overlapping and disengageably locked onto the rim of a rigid bottom tray by locking ribs spaced around the flange and engaged under the tray rim. A thumb notch recess is so located in the dome lid seating flange as to permit direct engagement therethrough of the tray rim by a person's thumb along with simultaneous engagement by the fingers on the same hand with the dome lid flange at the region of an adjacent locking rib thereon. A positive separating force thereby can be applied to the tray and lid to quickly and easily unlock and separate them from one another without damage to either.

Abstract: Apparatus and method enabling the heating or reconstituting of frozen foods packaged in a metal container using a microwave oven. The metal container is placed in a non-metallic holder having a cavity just slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the container. The spacing between the outside of the container and the inside surface of the holder is a uniform small distance. The resultant space is filled with a liquid which absorbs microwave energy, converting it to thermal energy which is then transmitted through the container to the food to be reconstituted.

Abstract: A spacer bar and spacer for prepackaged food freezers of the multiple flat plate type which enables the spacing between the plates to be quickly changed to accommodate different thickness food packages. The spacer bar has a plurality of pairs of parallel sides, each pair being spaced a different predetermined amount whereby, by selectively rotating each spacer bar, the spacing between adjacent plates can be quickly changed. A spacer plate is further provided for adjusting the position of the stack of plates relative to the loading and discharge openings to accommodate changes in the overall height of the stack of plates caused by the different plate spacings.

Abstract: A spacer bar and spacer for prepackaged food freezers of the multiple flat plate type which enables the spacing between the plates to be quickly changed to accommodate different thickness food packages. The spacer bar has a plurality of pairs of parallel sides, each pair being spaced a different predetermined amount whereby, by selectively rotating each spacer bar, the spacing between adjacent plates can be quickly changed. A spacer plate is further provided for adjusting the position of the stack of plates relative to the loading and discharge openings to accommodate changes in the overall height of the stack of plates caused by the different plate spacings.

Abstract: A frozen food package having an easily removable and replaceable dome lid for permitting reconstitution of the frozen food either in a conventional or a microwave oven. The dome lid has an annular seating flange overlapping and disengageably locked onto the rim of a rigid bottom tray by locking ribs spaced around the flange and engaged under the tray rim. A thumb notch recess is so located in the dome lid seating flange as to permit direct engagement therethrough of the tray rim by a person's thumb along with simultaneous engagement by the fingers on the same hand with the dome lid flange at the region of an adjacent locking rib thereon. A positive separating force thereby can be applied to the tray and lid to quickly and easily unlock and separate them from one another without damage to either.