Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave oven and a method of operating a microwave oven, which minimises user involvement when heating a food item to a desired target temperature. According to the invention, the initial temperature of the food item is measured prior to the heating process, and the required heating time is determined automatically based on the initial temperature, the target temperature, and the amount of food as entered by the user. In order to heat a food item to a desired target temperature, the user only needs to position a container for temperature measurement and enter the amount of food. In particular, the present invention is preferably adapted for heating of baby food, such as baby milk contained in a baby bottle, and in such case the target temperature is preferably preset to about 37° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave oven and a method of operating a microwave oven, which minimises user involvement when heating a food item to a desired target temperature. According to the invention, the initial temperature of the food item is measured prior to the heating process, and the required heating time is determined automatically based on the initial temperature, the target temperature, and the amount of food as entered by the user. In order to heat a food item to a desired target temperature, the user only needs to position a container for temperature measurement and enter the amount of food. In particular, the present invention is preferably adapted for heating of baby food, such as baby milk contained in a baby bottle, and in such case the target temperature is preferably preset to about 37° C.

Abstract: A microwave oven for use in cooking food having a door and door mounted controls and a cooling system where the door mounted controls are disclosed. The microwave oven having an external enclosure defining an outer cabinet and an oven cavity supported within the external enclosure where the oven cavity has a front access opening. The door is rotatably supported adjacent the external enclosure for selectively closing the access opening. A control unit is mounted within the door and a ventilation cooling path is formed within the door for cooling the control unit mounted with the door. A blower is supported within the external enclosure for directing an air flow toward the door and into the ventilation cooling path. The microwave can further include a housing which is supported within the door for enclosing the control unit and where the housing forms part of the ventilation cooling path.

Abstract: A microwave oven for use in cooking food having a door and door mounted controls and a cooling system where the door mounted controls are disclosed. The microwave oven having an external enclosure defining an outer cabinet and an oven cavity supported within the external enclosure where the oven cavity has a front access opening. The door is rotatably supported adjacent the external enclosure for selectively closing the access opening. A control unit is mounted within the door and a ventilation cooling path is formed within the door for cooling the control unit mounted with the door. A blower is supported within the external enclosure for directing an air flow toward the door and into the ventilation cooling path. The microwave can further include a housing which is supported within the door for enclosing the control unit and where the housing forms part of the ventilation cooling path.

Abstract: A method of operating a microwave oven to determine the correct cooking time for a food item placed within the oven. A food package having a thermochromic element which changes color over a predetermined temperature range is placed in the microwave oven. Microwave energy is supplied into the oven. The food package is rotated within the oven cavity and the color of the thermochromic element is monitored as it rotates past an opto-electronic device or detector capable of detecting the color changes of the thermochromic element such that a plurality of signal pulses are generated having a value corresponding to the color of the element. The supply of microwave energy into the oven is terminated when the rate of change between successive pulses decrease to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A filter system for a wall mounted type microwave oven, which has an external enclosure surrounding an oven cavity. The external enclosure includes a bottom closure wall having a suction opening. The external enclosure also includes a top vent opening. An air exhaust path is formed between the external enclosure and the oven cavity wherein air drawn into the suction opening passes through the air exhaust path and is exhausted through the top vent opening. A first filter is provided on the suction side of the air exhaust path and a second filter may be provided on the exhaust side of the air exhaust path. In particular, the first filter may be provided adjacent the suction opening and a second filter may be provided adjacent the top vent opening, such that the first filter is provided at the inlet of the air exhaust path and the second filter is provided at the outlet of the air exhaust path.

Abstract: A wall mounted type microwave oven having an external enclosure including a bottom closure wall which includes a suction opening and a top vent opening and an oven cavity which is supported within the external enclosure. The oven cavity has a rearwardly stepped portion to maximize the usable space provided within the oven cavity. An air exhaust air path is formed between the external enclosure and the oven cavity and includes a bottom plenum, a pair of rear air channels and an upper plenum. The rearwardly stepped area divides the space between the oven cavity and the external enclosure into the two rear air channels. At least one blower is provided within the external enclosure for drawing air into the bottom plenum through the suction opening and exhausting the air out through a top exhaust opening which forms part of the top vent opening.

Abstract: A filter system for a wall mounted type microwave oven, which has an external enclosure surrounding an oven cavity. The external enclosure includes a bottom closure wall having a suction opening. The external enclosure also includes a top vent opening. An air exhaust path is formed between the external enclosure and the oven cavity wherein air drawn into the suction opening passes through the air exhaust path and is exhausted through the top vent opening. A first filter is provided on the suction side of the air exhaust path and a second filter may be provided on the exhaust side of the air exhaust path. In particular, the first filter may be provided adjacent the suction opening and a second filter may be provided adjacent the top vent opening, such that the first filter is provided at the inlet of the air exhaust path and the second filter is provided at the outlet of the air exhaust path.

Abstract: A wall mounted type microwave oven having an external enclosure including a bottom closure wall which includes a suction opening and a top vent opening and an oven cavity which is supported within the external enclosure. The oven cavity has a rearwardly stepped portion to maximize the usable space provided within the oven cavity. An air exhaust air path is formed between the external enclosure and the oven cavity and includes a bottom plenum, a pair of rear air channels and an upper plenum. The rearwardly stepped area divides the space between the oven cavity and the external enclosure into the two rear air channels. At least one blower is provided within the external enclosure for drawing air into the bottom plenum through the suction opening and exhausting the air out through a top exhaust opening which forms part of the top vent opening.

Abstract: A microwave oven and a method for heating a load which is placed therein. According to the invention a predetermined mode in the cavity of a microwave oven is fed by means of an associated feeding port which is arranged to feed essentially the intended mode only, the feeding of a mode other than the intended, predetermined mode being essentially prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to serial microwave feeding to a cavity of a microwave oven in order to provide heating of a load that is placed in the cavity. Any microwave radiation that is reflected from a first feeding port is directed, preferably via a microwave circulator, to a second feeding port. The radiation that is reflected from the first feeding port is thus fed to the cavity via the second feeding port.

Abstract: Method and microwave oven for controlled boiling of a foodpiece. The foodpiece is heated rapidly into reliable boiling by a supply of maximum microwave power, thereafter a desirable degree of boiling (H.sub.eb) is carried out during a predetermined boiling time (T.sub.b) while controlling the supplied microwave power level dependent on feed-back information (HUM) from a sensor. The boiling procedure is carried out fully automatically with consequently increased user security, decreased energy consumption and improved boiling quality.