Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for microwave radiation of materials, in particular of the starting materials for ceramic materials, alloys etc., having a conveying path that is defined at least in part by a trough or pipe arrangement, the wall of which has a specific microwave-absorption capacity, a resonator surrounding at least a length of the wall, and at least one generator for generating the microwave radiation. In order to enable adjustment of the heating and the radiation dosing of the microwave-treated materials independently of one another, it is proposed according to the invention that the wall of the trough or pipe arrangement (1; 9.1 to 9.3) has different microwave-absorption properties along its length.

Abstract: A susceptor for use in the microwave cooking of food, includes a first plastic film, a second plastic film, and a semi-liquid lossy material disposed intermediate the first and second films. The lossy material includes glycerine, sucrose ester, and chloride salt, 25 grams of the lossy material in a 50 ml. glass beaker being heatable to at least 200.degree. C. within 40 seconds by 900 watts of microwave energy in a 1.1 cu. ft. oven. Preferably a layer of paper is sandwiched between the first and second films, the lossy material being absorbed on the paper layer. The susceptor is preferably biodegradable and edible. A method of microwave cooking includes the steps of providing an assembly of such a susceptor and the food to be microwave cooked, cooking the food in intimate contact with the susceptor in a microwave oven, and separating the microwave cooked food from the susceptor.

Abstract: A microwave corn popper device is provided including a rigid bowl having a bottom portion and an inclined side extending upward from the bottom portion and terminating at a top portion. A microwave susceptor is separate from the bowl and disposed within the bowl adjacent the bottom portion to receive kernels of corn. The susceptor becomes hot in the presence of microwave energy. A saucer-shaped metal plate is disposed beneath the susceptor at a predetermined spaced apart distance. The metal plate is part of a support assembly which is separately mountable to the bowl.

Abstract: A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven plastic play pieces. The assembly includes a mold, non-reactive to microwave energy and is provided with shaped cavities for receiving a flowable, plastic molding composition non-reactive to microwave energy and having a predetermined curing temperature. Underlying the cavities is a thermal heating element formed by microwave energy-absorbing ferrite particles dispersed in an inert matrix. The particles have a Curie point higher than the curing temperature of the molding composition so that the heating element heats the composition in the mold cavities to effect curing and hardening thereof, thereby forming the play pieces. The mold assembly is enclosed within a safety container non-reactive to microwave energy.

Abstract: Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures.

Abstract: A novel microwavable susceptor used for cooking expandable dough in a microwave oven is disclosed. Specifically, the susceptor comprises an inner region and an outer region, the inner region having a pattern of metalized and/or non-metalized portions wherein the intensity of the inner region is about from about 25% to about 75% and the outer region has an intensity arbitrarily set at about 100%. A cookie dough composition having desirable spreadable characteristics useful for baking in a microwave is also disclosed. The susceptor is reusable.

Abstract: Materials and methods are disclosed for making microwave susceptor elements. The elements of this invention employ substrates, made of solid refractory materials, which are porous and liquid absorbent. The substrates, relatively microwave transparent per se, are rendered microwave interactive by a surface deposit of a finely subdivided microwave responsive substance. The substance is laid down from its dispersion in a volatile liquid medium which is later removed by evaporation. Susceptor elements thus made, be they large pieces or particulates, are uniquely suited for storing microwave generated heat up to elevated temperatures, subject only to the thermal stability of accessory materials. They also perform equally well in conventional ovens. The heat stored may be delivered to load objects during the heating step, in the oven, or afterwards, outside the oven.

Abstract: Apparatus (10, 50) for removing frozen water from vehicle glass includes a cured, microwave-heatable layer (14, 64). The microwave-heatable layer (14, 64) may be formed from at least one elastomeric gum, a curing catalyst adaptable to cure the gum, and microwave-heatable particulate matter dispersed in the gum. In one embodiment, the apparatus (10) is a mitt including an insulative layer (42) which is positioned to be interposed between an inner surface (27) of the elastomeric pad (14) and the hand, such that the hand does not undergo temperature stress. The mitt (10) also preferably includes a visual marker (30) to indicate the temperature of the elastomeric pad (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the design and construction of apparatus for dispensing microwaveable hot melt adhesives and other heat sensitive materials. The apparatus comprises a dispenser which is heated by microwaves and then used to dispense a material therefrom. The dispenser is specifically designed to convert microwave energy into heat and to transfer the heat to the material to be dispensed in a more efficient and/or safe manner.

Abstract: A microwave coffee maker includes a microwave generator for heating water. The heated water is discharged to a filtering vessel and then to a coffee container. The coffee container is mounted on a support plate on the underside of which is disposed a microwave absorbing material. That material is exposed to the microwaves and is heated thereby. The heat is conducted to the coffee container through the support plate to keep the coffee warm.

Abstract: A packaging system is disclosed which includes a susceptor heating means having selective responsiveness to microwave radiation. The susceptor surface has a plurality of regions, where at least one region has an altered responsiveness to microwave radiation which is achieved by disruptions in the susceptor surface. A method for making regions of a susceptor selectively responsive to microwave heating by disrupting the continuity of the metallized film of the susceptor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for heating substances under the development of high pressures in a microwave field is disclosed. Those parts of the device lying in the microwave field comprise material transparent to microwaves. The device comprises a pressure-resistant cylindrically shaped outer container and a cylindrically shaped inner container disposed inside the outer container. Both the inner and outer container is provided with a cover or a cap for closure thereof. An interspace is provided between an inner jacket surface of the outer container and an outer jacket surface of the inner container, which space is connected with a space outside the device via connecting channels. The interspace preferably contains a cooling media which is transported to and from the interspace and outer space via the connecting channels.

Abstract: A thermocompensating susceptor is described comprising a microwave transparent sheet, e.g. paper, paperboard or plastic, having a layer thereon of a dried dispersion comprising a film forming vehicle together with two kinds of dispersed particles including microwave interactive particles such as a metal, metal oxide, carbon or graphite that absorbs microwave energy to produce heat in a microwave oven and electrically nonconductive thermocompensating particles of a mineral hydrate containing bound water of crystallization and having a dissociation temperature between about 100.degree. F. and 500.degree. F., at which temperature the bound water is released therefrom to prevent overheating of the laminate.

Abstract: An improved technique for uniformly distributing crisping or browning heat supplementation in disposable paper food carton or containers and the like used for microwave cooking, in which a metallized susceptor film is employed mounted to but intermediately spaced from the adjacent inner wall of the container to define and seal an air pocket which, in heating, improves the uniformity of the browning result through convection into air pocket and responsive flexing of the film.

Abstract: A process for rapidly sterilizing biological media, such as broths and gels used as incubation or growth media to test the presence of microorganisms, such as bacteria, includes applying microwave radiation to such an aqueous biological medium contained in a microwave transmissive pressure retaining container, such as a capped cylinder made of polytetrafluoroethylene, which cap is preferably equipped with ports, by directing the microwave radiation through the container and onto the medium in such amount that the pressure in the container and the temperature of the medium are raised above ambient pressure and temperature, and maintaining such raised pressure and temperature for a time sufficient to sterilize the medium.

Abstract: A microwave melting furnace for treating a liquid, comprising an upper furnace body, a lower furnace body, means disposed to the upper furnace body for supplying material to be treated, a crucible disposed in the lower furnace body, means for detecting the position for the upper surface of the material to be treated supplied into the crucible and a controller for stopping the means for supplying the material to be treated depending on a detection signal from the detection means. The liquid supplied to the crucible can be surely prevented from overflowing automatically.

Abstract: A single use combined shipping display and cooking microwave package is provided for heating a plurality of food pieces in a microwave oven. The packaging includes a microwave transparent enclosure which has a top panel and a bottom panel. Located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the bottom panel is a microwave susceptor. Preferably this microwave susceptor is a thin film susceptor. A spacer overlays the thin film susceptor and is also generally coextensive with the bottom panel. The spacer is adapted to hold the food pieces a predetermined distance away from this susceptor. In addition, the spacer has a plurality of apertures therein which allows the heat from the microwave susceptor to pass through to the food pieces. A similar arrangement is applicable to the top panel. A top panel microwave susceptor is located adjacent to and generally coextensive with the top panel and a top panel spacer is located adjacent to the top panel susceptor and generally coextensive with the top panel.

Abstract: A microwave energy intensifier is described comprising an array of dots of electroconductive material of microwave-reflecting thickness, particularly aluminum of foil thickness, supported on a dielectric substrate, particularly a flexible polymeric film substrate.

Abstract: An infrared heating unit for a microwave oven comprises an outer envelope in which an electrical heating coil is mounted. The heating coil comprises a series of loops. A group of loops located in a central section of the coil has a pitch interval greater than that of the loops located in end sections of the coil, whereby less heat is generated by the loops located in the central station.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor package such as a food package is disclosed which contains a microwave reactive material comprising a support material and a microwave interactive coating on the support material. The support material is selected from microwave transparent and thermally stable substrates whereas the microwave interactive coating comprises metal particles in an ink-like substance that may be printed onto the substrate such as a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Composition comprising (a) susceptors having the capability of absorbing microwave energy, and (b) a matrix substantially non-reflective of microwave energy. The susceptors comprise a particulate substrate having a thin-film coating thereon. The particulate substrate is substantially non-reflective of microwave energy and the coating is capable of absorbing microwave energy. The matrix typically comprises polymeric or ceramic materials that are stable at temperatures conventionally used in microwave cooking. The composition allows reuse of the susceptors, eliminates decline in heating rate, eliminates arcing, allows the heating rate to be controlled, allows overheating to be controlled, and allows formation of microwave heatable composite materials having very low metal content.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation susceptor material comprises at least one species of particle dispersed in a dielectric binder material. Any dispersed species of particle comprises a ferromagnetic amorphous alloy having the composition F.sub.100-y-x M.sub.y TM.sub.x, where M is one or more magnetic elements selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, and Ni; M is one or more metalloids selected from the group consisting of B, C, Al, Si, P and Ge; TM is one or more transition metal selected from the group consisting of columns IIIB (including the rare earths) to VIIB of the periodic table, and especially Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Zr, Nb, and Ta; 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.20; and 10.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.30. The transition metal controls the Curie temperature of the alloy to provide temperature self-regulation. Many types dielectric binder are suitable. The susceptor material may be applied to substrate, such as an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: Radioactive organic wastes, such as granular or powdered ion exchange resins and organic filter aids, are treated by oxidation decomposition using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron ions in an aqueous medium under refluxing an effluent which is condensed from evaporated components during the oxidation. Condensed water containing a very small amount of organic matter is obtained.

Abstract: A patterned microwave interactive element and laminate including a patterned microwave interactive element for use in forming food packaging materials that may be employed to store and subsequently cook the food stored therein are provided. The pattern of the microwave interactive element is selected to focus the heat generated to predetermined areas of the food contained in the packaging. Areas where the microwave interactive element has been deactivated may be formed by a variety of methods, such as by demetallization, by the application of an inactivating chemical, by mechanical means and the like, to create a preselected pattern of inactive areas relative to the active areas, thereby controlling the temperatures produced in different sections of the packaging material. Optimum browning and/or crisping of the microwave heated food product may be achieved by selecting a pattern of microwave interactive and inactive areas tailored to specific food products.

Abstract: A food package is provided wherein the accommodated food product, while remaining in the package, may be heated or cooked in a microwave oven. The food product has at least one predetermined portion thereof which requires enhanced heat while the product is being heated or cooked in the oven. The food package includes a container formed of heat resistant material which is pervious to the microwaves. A surface of the container is provided with an area which is in proximity to the predetermined portion of the food product requiring the enhanced heat. A metallized ink, consisting of metal particles suspended in an ink-like substance, is deposited on the surface area of the container. Thus, when the metallized ink is exposed to the generated microwaves, the required enhanced heat is produced in the vicinity of the surface area.