Abstract: A microwave oven includes a cooking chamber in which a plurality of removable horizontal partition plates are mounted to divide the cooking chamber into vertically adjacent compartments. A tray is rotatably mounted on each partition plate. A drive shaft carries vertically spaced drive elements, such as friction wheels or gears, which are engageable with respective trays. An electric motor drives the drive shaft to rotate the trays. The trays become disengaged from the drive elements in response to being removed from the cooking chamber. An additional driven tray is mounted on a floor of the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a heater apparatus has an upper heater installed to an upper portion of a cooking chamber for transmitting heat toward the center of the cooking chamber. A bracket is fixed to a side plate of the cooking chamber and has a pair of lugs spaced apart from each other by roughly 60.degree. along the swinging direction of the upper heater. A bushing is fitted into the bracket to be rotatable therein, and is pierced with the upper heater along the rotating shaft line. A guiding plate formed with a groove is fixed to the bushing. A lower heater is installed to a bottom plate of the cooking chamber to be shaped as an alphabet "U," and a turntable is coated with a ceramic. Thus, the swinging angle of the upper heater is controlled to adjust a distance from food, and the upper plate of the cooking chamber is cleaned by easily swinging the upper heater. The lower heater bakes the lower side of food to consistently cook the food.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic cooking of a cooking object in a cooking apparatus, such as a microwave oven, in which a surface temperature of the cooking object is accurately detected for automatic cooking of the cooking object, is disclosed, including infrared radiation extracting part having an angle of view of a predetermined form toward one side of the turntable for extracting an infrared radiation radiated from a surface of a cooking object; and temperature detecting part having a window with an elliptical angle of view for reception of the infrared radiation for detection of a temperature of the surface of the cooking object.

Abstract: A freestanding shelving unit for supporting a first and second foodstuff within a microwave oven having an internal oven compartment with a support surface. The unit includes a generally planar, lower base member and a generally planar, upper platform member. The base member has a top surface for receiving the first foodstuff, a bottom surface receivable on the support surface of the oven compartment, and an outer periphery defining a proximal and a distal edge. The upper platform member has a top surface for receiving the second foodstuff, a bottom surface, and an outer periphery defining a proximal and a distal edge. A yoking portion is provided to extend from a first end supported at the proximal edge of the base member to a second end supporting the upper platform member at its proximal edge a spaced-apart distance from the base member. The upper platform member extends freely from the yoking portion at least partially over the base member.

Abstract: A microwave oven in which a plurality of projections are formed on an interior surface of a cavity for reflection and distribution of microwaves. The plurality of projections are dispersedly arranged so that neighboring projections do not contact each other. With this arrangement, microwaves can be efficiently distributed within the cavity, since the interior surface of the cavity does not have any depressions which would converge microwaves.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes at least two sensors for detecting heat rays emitted from the food which is being heated, a signal processor for obtaining a precise surface temperature of food, irrespective of the deviation of distances between the sensors and food, using output signals from the sensors, and a controller for receiving the output signal of the signal processor to recognize the cooking status of the food and controlling the heating of the food in accordance with the recognized cooking status.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling food cooked in an oven comprises a tray which is positioned inside an oven and which is automatically slidable into a position in which it extends partially out of the oven. During its outward travel, the tray pushes against an oven door to open the door. The tray has an automatic pulley assembly which, when the tray is positioned inside the oven, engages with a motor assembly located in the oven. When the pulley assembly and motor assembly are engaged, the pulley assembly rotates a grill positioned on the tray.

Abstract: The microwave oven has a support located above the rotating circular plate. One food product may be placed on the support and another on the circular rotating plate. The two food products may be heated for different periods of time. A space is provided which permits the easy removal of the food product located on the rotating circular plate without removal of the support.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a cooking chamber and a turntable disposed therein for supporting food. The turntable is rotatable about an axis and is vertically adjusted. A single reversible motor performs both functions of rotating and vertically adjusting the turntable due to a power transmission mechanism which connects the motor to the turntable and rotates the turntable in response to the motor being driven in a first direction, and for vertically moving the turntable in response to the motor being driven the opposite direction.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a turntable rotatable about a vertical axis. A drive mechanism rotates the turntable while moving it up and down to accomplish a more uniform cooking. The drive mechanism includes a stationary cam, and a rotatable cam seated on the stationary cam and rotated by a motor. As the rotatable cam rotates upon the stationary cam, it moves up and down and moves the turntable up and down.

Abstract: A microwave sterilization system including a microwave oven having a microwave source that produces microwave radiation. The oven encloses a first chamber and a second chamber. Each chamber has a pouch containing an object and is positioned therein so as to be exposed to the microwave radiation, wherein each pouch has an interior which contains the object corresponding to that pouch. The system further includes a sensor system for detecting the temperatures of said both interiors and produces signals representative of those temperatures. Those signals are sent to the microwave source so as to control the emission of microwave radiation from the microwave source.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing air to circulate around food being heated in a microwave oven serves to expose a substantial surface area of the bottom of the food to the air circulating in the microwave oven under the control of the microwave oven fan. The apparatus has a base (25) which, in use, is normally supported on a rotating turntable of the microwave oven and rotates with the turntable. The apparatus also has a plurality of spaced apart support structures (29) or raised legs which extend upwardly from the base (25) and support the food in spaced relation thereto so that air may circulate in the space between the bottom of the food and the base (25). Slots (28) passing through the base may be present and these will allow air to flow from beneath the base (25) to the space around the support structures (29). Additionally, the apparatus may include air flow directional structures (27) which extend downwardly from the base (25) and can be supported on the turntable.

Abstract: A mixing device for a microwave oven consists of upper and lower elements. A multiplicity of bearing members is provided therebetween. Each of these elements is formed with at least one surface and a plurality of individual separated from each other bearing cups. Each bearing cup has a limited receiving area for receiving the corresponding bearing member. Each receiving area is larger than the largest outside periphery of the corresponding bearing member. In an assembled condition of the mixing device, the surfaces of the upper and lower elements face each other so that the receiving areas of the upper element are substantially aligned with the corresponding receiving areas of the lower element forming a plurality of bearing couples. Each bearing couple accommodates free movement of the corresponding bearing element. Upon rotation of the driving rod, the upper element undergoes orbital motion relative to the lower element.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling the rotation of the turntable of a microwave oven to return to the same position as when the present cooking cycle began. The device includes: an optical turntable rotation sensor unit, which is installed so as to emit an optical signal into a transmission hole, formed in the shaft of the turntable, during cooking and which is to recognize the rotation of the turntable by intermittently receiving the optical signal that passes through the transmission hole; and a microcomputer for controlling the rotation of the turntable after cooking has ended, if necessary, on the basis of the data from the turntable rotation sense unit. The rotation sense unit includes a photodiode and a phototransister. The transmission hole formed in the turntable shaft enables the optical signal emitted from the photodiode to pass through it and reach the phototransister.

Abstract: This invention relates to a microwave oven which can generate and transfer maximum microwave power to food being cooked irrespective of the weight and size of that food being cooked, thereby shortening cooking time and improving the efficiency of cooking. The microwave oven includes a sensor for sensing the food load on a turntable in a heating chamber, a microcomputer for controlling the oven in response to key signals input by the user and in response to the load sensor, a power supply for supplying power to a magnetron to operate the magnetron under the control of the microcomputer, an impedance matching device for matching impedance by moving a reflector in a waveguide fixed to the heating chamber, a match driver for controlling the impedance matching device under the control of the microcomputer, a variable vane mounted in an opening of the heating chamber, and a variable vane driving means for rotating the variable vane under the control of the microcomputer.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a heater and a wall structure, includes a heater cover disposed between the heater and the wall structure and a plurality of protruding portions formed on the heater cover and on a depressed portion of the wall structure, respectively. The heater cover includes a bent portion formed at its peripheral edge, and a hanger, for hanging the heater, is fixed to the heater cover to prevent the heat transfer in every direction from the heater. In addition, the protruding portions are brought into contact with each other and are fixed by rivets. The microwave oven further includes an air conduit for guiding an air flow produced by a fan to a space between the wall structure and the heater cover.

Abstract: The weight sensing apparatus of this invention which is made for quick and exacting sensing of a foodstuff's weight to be cooked, includes a pair of arms extending downward from the bottom of a turntable and a pair of projections extending inward from the body of a support member which supports the rotating turntable. When the turntable rotates, the arms engage with the projections so that the support member can rotate at the same speed as that of the turntable. The plurality of guide rollers, which are rotatably connected to the support member, press down at least one or more weight sensors which are disposed in a groove offering a circular track, and thereby sensing the weight of the foodstuff quickly and exactly.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus capable of heating uniformly a liquid load, having an economical wave guide switching unit and having a compact-sized and economical power circuit to drive a plurality of magnetrons. The high-frequency heating apparatus includes an excitation opening, provided at the bottom of a heating chamber for radiating microwaves to heat the liquid load in a container, a magnetron for generating the microwave to heat the object and a wave guide connected to a magnetron. The apparatus further includes a wave guide switching unity for switching the propagation of the microwave to one of plural wave guides. The switching unit includes a pair of circular conductive plates and a conductor disposed in the vicinity of a circumference of the circular conductive plate so as to shut off the microwave, wherein there is constructed a choke structure on the wave guide containing the circular conductive plates.

Abstract: A partitioning plate having a configuration which can be inserted into a double wall vacuum container from an opening of vacuum container divides the space of the vacuum container into two spaces. One of the spaces which serves as a heating chamber, is opened and closed by a door. The other space, which serves as a mechanical chamber, accommodates electrical parts. A method for fixing the partitioning plate, on which parts have been installed, to the double vacuum container is faciliated by the provision of a device for regulating the position of the partitioning plate.

Abstract: A cooking vessel placed in a desired orientation on a turntable on an oven is automatically returned to that desired orientation at the end of a cooking operation. A sensor on the floor of the cooking chamber senses the movement of support rollers of the turntable to determine the angle by which the turntable must be rotated at the end of the cooking operation to bring the cooking vessel back to the desired orientation.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus for heating food to be served and capable of being operated with utmost simplicity without using and choosing various cooking-mode selection keys so as to achieve superb ease-of-operation. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber for placing and storing food to be heated by the apparatus and a detector for detecting a state of a door attached to the cooking chamber, the door being freely openable and closable against an opening portion of the cooking chamber. An optical sensor, having a plurality of light emitting portions is disposed in a side of the cooking chamber and a plurality of light receiving portions are disposed counter to the light emitting portions. A drive unit is provided for driving the optical sensor and a judgement unit verifies and determines a cooking mode suitable for the food placed in the cooking chamber responsive to a signal from the optical sensor, where the drive unit is activated when the detector detects that the door is closed.

Abstract: A microwave oven includes a heating chamber, a plurality of cooking utensils detachably disposed in the heating chamber selectively in accordance with the cooking contents, a plurality of heat sources heating food placed on or contained in the cooking utensil and including a magnetron, an oven heater and a grill heater, optical sensors determining the cooking utensil disposed in the heating chamber, and a microcomputer. The cooking utensils include a glass dish, thawing gridiron, pot, upper and lower top plates, one-legged top plate, and gridiron. A microwave cooking mode is selected when the determination of the optical sensors indicates that neither upper nor lower top plate is present in the heating chamber. A heater cooking mode is selected when either upper or top plate is present. When the heater cooking mode is selected on the basis of presence of the upper top plate, either an oven mode or a grill mode is selected depending upon presence or absence of the gridiron.

Abstract: A cooking oven is provided with a weight detection unit for detecting the weight of a cooking object placed on a turntable. The turntable is movable into and out of a heating chamber associated with the cooking oven by means of a moving unit drivingly connected to the turntable through a lever and connecting rod. A heater and a rotary drive unit for rotating a table upon which the turntable is mounted are controlled according to a signal from the weight detection unit. The cooking oven is also provided with an external input unit for supplying data on the heating operation and on the driving of the turntable. Either manual or automatic operation of moving the turntable back and forth can be selected according to a signal from the external input unit.

Abstract: A high frequency heating device designed to swiftly and accurately detect a to-be-cooked food placed on a turn table within a cooking chamber to thereby set up a cooking time or a driving time of a magnetron in accordance with a weight of the food, so that an appropriate cooking can be performed. A weight sensor on a lower bottom surface of the cooking chamber in order to detect the weight of the to-be-cooked food located on a turntable during a rotation of the turntable.