Abstract: A method of cooking foods containing a substantial liquid component by sensing "in-situ" humidity and temperature environmental conditions of a microwave oven heating cavity. The method monitors the rate of change of the slope of the "characteristic humidity curve" to indicate the degree of cooking of the foods. By determining the rate of change of the slope of the "characteristic humidity curve", the value is indicative of the degree of the temperature level of microwave cooking of the foods and can be used to control microwave cooking of the foods.

Abstract: A system for constructing modular display and storage cases is disclosed in which the cases are built up from standard shelving. The shelving includes a vertical slot near the front face for engaging a selected mounting element, which in turn provide support for the door panels of the unit. Side panels are attached to complete the structure. Using the same shelves and mounting elements a wide variety of different display and storage case configurations can be constructed.

Abstract: A microwave oven door includes a rigid door panel having a frame and hinge effectively bonded to the panel, the frame being supported by the panel. The frame and hinge may be effectively bonded to the panel through attachment to an intermediate structural member which is in turn bonded to the panel. The panel may comprise a glass-metal screen laminate.

Abstract: An energy stirrer for a microwave oven is disclosed wherein the stirrer is rotatably mounted in a manner to minimize frictional losses. The stirrer is caused to rotate by the passage of cooling and ventilating air across the blades, the air flow pattern being designed to control the direction and speed of rotation.

Abstract: A microwave oven including a window portion in each of two opposing side walls through which microwave energy is fed into the oven cavity. The window portions are covered by a microwave transparent panel which is configured to support a shelf within the oven cavity.

Abstract: A microwave oven providing for the introduction of microwave energy to a cooking cavity through each of two opposite side walls is disclosed. Each of two side walls includes a window portion and an energy feed box is mounted to each side wall adjacent the window portions. Microwave energy is supplied to the feed boxes through a waveguide from a single microwave source, the waveguide being elongated to provide a lengthy transmission path for the energy believed to produce a long lines effect. The feed system provides enhanced pattern distribution in the cavity and for optimal matching of the waveguide to the cavity with a minimum of tuning.

Abstract: A method for detecting a fire in a microwave oven heating cavity by sensing the time dependent "in-situ" humidity and the temperature environmental conditions of a microwave oven heating cavity in a microwave oven. The humidity sensor and the temperature sensor connect to a programmable controller in the microwave oven. When the sensed "in-situ" relative humidity decreases and the sensed temperature increases within a predetermined time interval, there is a fire in the cavity. The programmable controller processing the sampled humidity and temperature signal information turns off the microwave oven upon sensing the decreasing humidity and increasing temperature within the predetermined time interval indicating a fire.

Abstract: A domestic cooking appliance which is adapted to provide both conventional thermal cooking and microwave cooking in a single cavity is disclosed. The appliance includes a microwave energy feed system having a housing located outside of the cooking cavity, the housing containing both a microwave generator antenna and a rotatable energy deflector. The housing is covered with a microwave transparent material that is able to withstand conventional cooking and pyrolytic cleaning temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for microwave ovens and features a fail-safe door interlock switch system. Door interlock switch systems for microwave ovens are designed to stop or interrupt the flow of electrical energy to the magnetron tube upon the opening of the oven door to prevent the escape of microwave energy from the oven cavity through the open oven door. The interlock switch is normally in the power line and malfunctioning can occur in which the power line interlock switch does not open with the opening of the oven door either because of being welded closed or somehow stuck in a closed state. In this invention a fail-safe feature is provided for the interlock system. If a malfunction should cause the interlock power switch to remain closed upon the opening of the oven door, means are present which effectively break the power line to stop the flow of electrical energy to the magnetron tube.

Abstract: The field stirrer herein has an upwardly concave pan shape and is formed as a sheet metal stamping. It has a central planar section and a surrounding section comprising a plurality of circumferentially arranged segments with planar surfaces, the segments being shaped like equilateral trapezoids. The surrounding section has three circumferentially spaced segment groups in which the individual segments thereof slope upwardly at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to the planar section. Each of the segment groups includes at least three of the segments which are laterally joined by folded edges. There are also three individually mounted segments arranged alternately relative to the three segment groups which slope upwardly at an angle of approximately 27.degree. relative to the central planar section. At least one segment in each segment group has a rectangularly shaped opening with a rectangularly shaped flap extending vertically downwardly from the upper edge of said opening.

Abstract: A door locking arrangement is disclosed for a domestic cooking range having a pyrolytic self-cleaning mode of operation. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable cam assembly having a cam follower and a detent portion. Closing the oven door causes the cam to rotate whereby the follower engages the door latch. A locking bar engages the detent portion preventing the cam from rotating to the open position, such locking bar being withdrawn upon activation of a solenoid.

Abstract: A thermostat adapted for use in a combination microwave/thermal oven is disclosed wherein at least the outer surface of the thermostat bulb is an electrically conductive metal of the type that is either oxidation resistant or which forms a metal oxide which has a low loss tangent at the microwave frequency employed in the oven.

Abstract: A door latch mechanism for a domestic cooking appliance of the type wherein conventional thermal energy cooking and microwave energy cooking can be carried out in a single oven cavity, the mechanism including a rotatable oven door handle having a latch catch and door locating guide operably connected to it, a locking roller fixed within the oven cabinet for engaging the latch catch when the door handle is rotated to lock the door in the closed position for a microwave cooking or pyrolytic self-cleaning sequence of operation.

Abstract: A lock assembly for a domestic cooking appliance for use during a pyrolytic self-cleaning operation. The assembly includes a pair of cams mounted on a common shaft which provide the dual functions of energizing and de-energizing certain switches in the operating circuit as well as mechanically engaging and locking certain door latch components. The cams are rotated into and out of the locked and unlocked positions by a single lock motor.

Abstract: The power supplied to the cooking cavity of a microwave oven is controlled in response to a preselected temperature of food placed therein. A temperature responsive probe is embedded in the food to be cooked, the probe including means for changing its state with variations in temperature.

Abstract: An oven adapted to cook foods by the use of either conventional thermal heating or by microwave heating, or both simultaneously, is disclosed which includes a microwave seal for preventing the emission of microwave energy beyond the cooking cavity. The microwave seal can withstand temperatures in the pyrolytic cleaning range, does not deteriorate with repeated use and discourages soil accumulation.

Abstract: A microwave oven having an energy stirrer including a drive shaft extending through a wall of the oven is disclosed. A microwave energy seal in the form of a metallic disc is provided to prevent energy leakage at the drive shaft aperture.

Abstract: A storage unit divided into a plurality of stations, is rotatable about a vertical axis to allow any given station to be turned to a position where the articles at that station can be retrieved. A control circuit is provided to allow an operator to select a station, provide an input indicative of that selection, and have the unit rotate through the shortest distance to provide access to the selected station.