Abstract: A shielded cover for a microwave container having upper and lower layers and a diamond-shaped metallic ring therebetween. The ring surrounds an upwardly extending multi-step truncated pyramid formed out of the center section of the upper and lower layers of the cover. The top surface of the truncated pyramid includes a series of openings to vent steam produced within the container. Microwave radiation produced by the microwave oven is reflected by the metallic ring and therefore only penetrates the cover to enter or exit the container at the corners and the center section of the cover. Microwaves are concentrated at the center section of the container and retained within the container, heating the center of the food therein proportionally more than the outer portion of the food, resulting food having a uniform and consistent temperature throughout.

Abstract: A double-walled cooking utensil provides inner and outer metal layers which are nested together and permanently connected along peripheral flanges. Each layer provides a planar bottom portion which cooperate with each other to define a thin chamber therebetween. A sheet of reflective aluminum is positioned in such chamber and resists the transfer of radiant heat from the bottom surface of the outer layer to the bottom surface of the inner layer which constitutes the cooking surface of the utensil. The reflective sheet is embossed with a grid of ribs which extend toward the outer layer and maintain a small spacing between the portions of the reflective layer between the ribs. The utensil promotes quality baking without requiring increased baking time, and produces bakery having more uniform texture and better color.

Abstract: A rotatable platform having a relatively circular turntable top rotationally supported above a unitary base by a plurality of wheels which make tangential point contact with the underside of the turntable top. The base includes a raised rim portion that carries the rotationally mounted wheels. A step is formed between the raised rim portion and the remainder of the base that helps prevent food particles from contacting a gear train assembly contained within the base. A flat spiral spring is housed beneath the gear train assembly and cooperates with the gear train assembly to rotate the turntable top. A detent is provided on the base that engages an escapement blade for stopping rotation of the turntable top. The base is substantially square with rounded corners.

Abstract: A cooking utensil for use in a microwave or conventional oven is disclosed. The utensil comprises a metal baking pan of largely conventional design with a plastic ring or girdle fitted around the outside edge of the pan to space the pan from the oven walls. The girdle may be provided with an interior shoulder to accept a lip on the pan. A rib on the girdle extending above the shoulder may be used to capture the pan lip between the rib and the shoulder in a snap-fit arrangement. Additionally, the girdle may be used as a cool-to-the-touch handle with or without handle extensions.

Abstract: An ice cream dispenser having a container for receiving and containing ice cream is disclosed. The container has a piston therein which is mounted on a threaded rod to move the piston upwardly in the container through a shearing device. The ice cream is softened by the shearing device and is dispensed from a spout at the top of the container.