Load Support Patents (Class 219/762)
  • Patent number: 6399930
    Abstract: A combination convection/microwave oven in which a food product is cooked by microwave energy and by a heated airflow provided by a thermal energy source and a blower. The oven is capable of cooking food in a microwave reflective pan. Microwave energy enters the oven below the pan and is guided to a spacing between the pan and oven sides and then reflected by the sides and top of the oven to the food product in the pan. The heated airflow is laminar with an upper layer and a lower layer. The pan is positioned at about the interface of the two layers so that the upper layer is incident on the food product and the lower layer is incident on the bottom of the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: The Garland Group
    Inventors: William Day, David Harter, Paul Molloy
  • Patent number: 6392212
    Abstract: A microwave oven is conveniently used even when a vibration and/or shock are applied to a vessel containing food by preventing the vessel from falling down. The microwave oven includes a cabinet having a cooking chamber and a driving chamber, a high frequency generating section for generating high frequency waves and supplying the high frequency waves to the cooking chamber, and a vessel supporting section for supporting a vessel containing food in the cooking chamber so as to prevent the vessel from falling due to a vibration and/or shock. The vessel supporting section includes a supporting member selectively installed to be contacted with a certain inner wall of the cooking chamber, and at least a supporting ring installed at a side of the supporting member for receiving and supporting the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-woon Han, Seong-deog Jang, Kwang-seok Kang, Han-jun Sung
  • Patent number: 6373040
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions. The system includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the source, a plurality of reaction vessels in the cavity, a pressure line in fluid communication with at least one of the reaction vessels, a pressure transducer in communication with the pressure line, an electrical connector for the transducer in a wall of the cavity, and a shield around the connector that prevents microwaves launched into the cavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted through the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventor: James Edward Thomas
  • Patent number: 6373038
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a tray which is arranged in a cooking chamber and on which a food to be cooked or a vessel having accommodated therein a food to be cooked is placed and a tray driving section which is disposed in a driving chamber for transferring rotating force to the tray. The microwave oven includes a tray supporting unit for preventing the tray from being released from an original installation position. The tray supporting unit includes a first coupling portion which is formed on a driving shaft of the tray driving section, a second coupling portion which is press-fitted around the first coupling portion, and supporting arm portions which extend from the second coupling portion in a radial direction so as to be respectively engaged with an edge of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-woon Han, Seong-deog Jang, Kwang-seok Kang, Dae-sung Han, Jin-ho Kim, Han-seong Yoo, Han-sung Kang
  • Patent number: 6359271
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting foodstuffs in a hybrid oven for cooking by hot air impingement and by microwave energy having a predetermined free-space wavelength, comprising a metal ring having a pre-determined diameter and six primary spoke members formed of a metal and rigidly secured to the ring in substantially equally spaced circumferential intervals. The apparatus also includes a metal annular ring mounted to the primary spoke members. An opening is formed at the center of the apparatus by the inner diameter of the metal annular ring. In addition, the apparatus also includes six secondary spoke members formed of a metal and rigidly secured to the ring in substantially equally spaced circumferential intervals midway between the points at which the primary spoke members are secured thereto to cooperate with the primary spoke members to support the foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: TurboChef Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Gidner, Earl R. Winkelmann, Richard N. Caron
  • Publication number: 20020020701
    Abstract: An eggcup for cooking an egg in a microwave oven including a container having an opening sized and shaped to house the egg or eggs to be cooked, and a lid fixable in an interdependent manner to the container, the container having a fastener substantially at the opening, the lid having an opening and a complementary fastener substantially at the opening, the fasteners being distributed on the circumference of the container and the lid, respective, at homologous positions, and wherein the container fastener faces outwardly and is positioned on a container rim of narrower thickness than the thickness of the container in a region of the opening, and wherein the lid fastener faces inwardly and is positioned on a rim of narrower thickness than the thickness of the container in a vicinity of the lid opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Guylaine Aubert
  • Patent number: 6329645
    Abstract: An apparatus for dampening standing wave pattern generation in a closed cavity of a microwave oven, includes a fluid table having an enclosure made of a microwave energy transparent material, such as plastic, and a structure, such as top flat platform held in place by the enclosure, for defining a processing surface for placement thereupon of samples to be processed, and a quantity of dielectric fluid contained by the enclosure so as to provide a large flat surface of the dielectric fluid beneath the flat platform and thus below the processing surface. The apparatus also includes mechanisms for recirculating the dielectric fluid to and from the enclosure and for cooling the dielectric fluid to maintain the dielectric fluid within a given narrow range of temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Ted Pella, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thorp Giberson, Paul Alex Hansen, S. K. Thurmond, Ted Pella
  • Patent number: 6303914
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a package for heating and/or cooking a food product in a microwave oven in which the package includes means for supporting the package at an angle between about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal surface. The present invention is also directed to a kit for heating and/or cooking a food product in a microwave oven. The kit comprises a first package containing the food products to be heated and/or cooked and a second microwaveable package. The microwave package of the present invention may also include a flexible, two-sided divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: James Lee Bono, Lewis Alexander Tucker
  • Patent number: 6303913
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a package for heating and/or cooking a food product in a microwave oven in which the package includes means for supporting the package at an angle between about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees relative to a horizontal surface. The present invention is also directed to a kit for heating and/or cooking a food product in a microwave oven. The kit comprises a first package containing the food products to be heated and/or cooked and a second microwaveable package.The microwave package of the present invention may also include a flexible, two-sided divider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: James Lee Bono, Lewis Alexander Tucker
  • Publication number: 20010025850
    Abstract: Disclosed is a microwave oven having a tray which is arranged in a cooking chamber and on which a food to be cooked or a vessel having accommodated therein a food to be cooked is placed and a tray driving section which is disposed in a driving chamber for transferring rotating force to the tray. The microwave oven comprises tray supporting means for preventing the tray from being released from an original installation position. The tray supporting means includes a first coupling portion which is formed on a driving shaft of the tray driving section, a second coupling portion which is press-fitted around the first coupling portion, and supporting arm portions which extend from the second coupling portion in a radial direction so as to be respectively engaged with an edge of the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Yong-woon Han, Seong-deog Jang, Kwang-seok Kang, Dae-sung Han, Jin-ho Kim, Han-seong Yoo, Han-sung Kang
  • Publication number: 20010025851
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for carrying out microwave assisted chemical reactions. The system includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the source, a plurality of reaction vessels in the cavity, a pressure line in fluid communication with at least one of the reaction vessels, a pressure transducer in communication with the pressure line, an electrical connector for the transducer in a wall of the cavity, and a shield around the connector that prevents microwaves launched into the cavity from interfering with electrical signals transmitted through the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: James Edward Thomas
  • Patent number: 6294773
    Abstract: One or more magnetrons may be used directly underneath the foods to be cooked/heated. However, a thin layer of nonconductor, such as a glass is used to physically isolate the magnetrons from the foods while permitting the microwave energy to transmit through the nonconductor. A wave-guide may be used to transmit the microwave energy from one or more magnetrons to a surface adjacent to the food products such that the magnetrons are placed a distance away from the food products. A nonconductor is also used to isolate the wave-guide from the foods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventor: Jing-Yau Chung
  • Patent number: 6252214
    Abstract: A microwave oven to prevent a tray from deviation from its initial installed position due to vibration and/or shock, so that it can be conveniently used in a vehicle even when the vehicle is in motion. The microwave oven includes a cabinet having a cooking chamber and a driving chamber, high frequency generating section for generating high frequency waves and supplying the high frequency waves to the cooking chamber, a tray rotatably installed on the bottom of the cooking chamber, a food and/or a vessel containing food and being placed on a tray, a tray driving section provided in the driving chamber for rotatably driving the tray, and tray supporting section for rotatably supporting the tray and preventing the deviation of the tray from an initial installed position of the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Woon Han, Seong-Deog Jang, Kwang-Seok Kang, Han-Jun Sung
  • Patent number: 6248985
    Abstract: A method of processing medical waste which includes the steps of continuously feeding medical waste into a tube and heating the medical waste passing through the tube with electromagnetic radiation so as to heat and disinfect the medical waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Stericycle, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Tomasello
  • Patent number: 6242723
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for use within a microwave radiation field which enables the operator to perform successively a plurality of chemical or physical processes while the apparatus remains in the microwave cavity. The apparatus according to the invention can be used to perform a total microwave solvent extraction including the steps of drying, extraction, filtration, and concentration. Other examples of processes, which are carried out with this apparatus are digestions, hydrolyses, separations, agitations, and precipitations. The apparatus is constructed from a container having an inside vessel. The container and the inside vessel have a substantially closed volume there between. The container and the inside vessel are in fluid communication through a glass fiber filter disposed at approximately the bottom of the inside vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Milestone s.r.l.
    Inventor: Werner Lautenschlager
  • Patent number: 6239418
    Abstract: A microwave waveguide or resonator for conducting microwaves of high energy density at high temperature for sintering hard materials has a support of a highly heat-resistant material and a laminated body at least partially mounted on the support and having a surface coating consisting of nitrides, carbides, or carbonitrides of elements of the IVa to VIa groups of the periodic system and having a thickness between 0.10 &mgr;m and 100 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Widia GmbH
    Inventors: Udo K{overscore (o)}nig, Klaus R{overscore (o)}diger
  • Patent number: 6211503
    Abstract: With a device for heating parts 8 made of a microwave absorbing plastic and having a microwave generator 1 that generates microwaves of a certain wavelength, an antenna 4 to which the microwaves are conducted, having at least one free end 5 and a device 6 which surrounds the antenna 4, it is proposed that the device for shielding 6 be designed with a tubular shape, so that the device 6 has an inside diameter smaller than half the wavelength, projects beyond the free end 5 of the antenna and has an opening 7 in its end face. With this device it is possible to achieve a spatially limited and nevertheless homogeneous heating of parts 8. Furthermore a method of heating or welding, shaping or crosslinking parts made of a microwave absorbing plastic using this device is also proposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignees: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angeandten Forschung e.V, Mugge Electronic
    Inventors: Rudolf Emmerich, Horst Mugge, Armin Dommer, Michael Jauss
  • Patent number: 6211502
    Abstract: A bacon cooker and method for the microwave cooking of bacon. The bacon cooker includes a cover unit for releasably retaining a microwave permeable container having an open end with an annular, laterally projecting rim. The cover unit is designed to extend over the open end of the container and includes a plurality of cam locks which engage the container rim and force the rim into engagement with the underside of the cover unit. The cover unit is provided with a steam vent which includes an elongate, open ended shaft extending outwardly from the cover into the container. A plurality of radially extending arms are affixed to the shaft in spaced relationship to the cover. A hydrophilic material isi placed in the bottom of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Valentine Hechler, IV
  • Patent number: 6207462
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing the aggregate content of asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes placing a preheated, preweighed container carrying a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition into a preheated furnace with the preheated furnace being warmer than the preheated sample, continuing to heat the furnace while drawing air through the furnace at a rate that avoids impeding the heating of the furnace or the sample until the sample in the container reaches its combustion temperature and the combustion of the sample becomes exothermic, initiating a second draw of air around rather than through the furnace to moderate the exterior temperature of the furnace, accelerating the draw through the furnace to increase the rate of combustion of the exothermic reaction, and reweighing the container and sample after combustion is complete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David Allan Barclay, Ali Regimand
  • Patent number: 6190917
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing asphalt-aggregate compositions. The method includes directing sufficient microwave radiation from a microwave source to a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition to ignite the asphalt in the composition and to thereafter entirely combust the asphalt in the sample. The apparatus includes a source of microwave radiation, a cavity in communication with the microwave source, a sample holder in the cavity for holding a sample of an asphalt-aggregate composition during exposure to microwaves from the source, thermal insulation between the sample holder and the remainder of the cavity, and means for minimizing or eliminating any undesired combustion products generated by the burning asphalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: David Allan Barclay, Ali Regimand
  • Patent number: 6175105
    Abstract: A container for microwave cooking having geometric features which improve the efficiency and uniformity of microwave cooking of food products containing liquids and which enhance boiling uniformity while preventing boilover of the contents. The container has a bottom portion and a side panel wherein the bottom portion contains a central segment in the shape of a section of a sphere. The side panel is tapered outwardly as it extends from the bottom portion to an end opening. Sharp corners are avoided within the container. As the result of the geometry of the container, a more uniform distribution of heat within the contents of the container is attained during cooking and the combination of uniform heating, the lack of sharp corners and the tapered side panel causes boiling of the contents without bumping, thereby minimizing the risk of boil over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Bestfoods
    Inventors: Harry A. Rubbright, Nelson J. Beall, Stephen A. Gaeta, M. Debbie Meiners
  • Patent number: 6157013
    Abstract: The applicator directs microwaves through a guide (5) and housing to focus microwaves generated from a microwave emitter to the surface of a target of contaminated concrete. The housing (4) of the applicator has a elliptical base and a truncated elliptical section with two focal areas (F1) and (F2). A component (11) is arranged at the focal area (F1) in the direction of the waveguide to diffuse incident waves to a wall of the housing where they are reflected to the focusing area (F2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Benoit Casagrande, Jean Pierre Furtlehner
  • Patent number: 6157014
    Abstract: A microwave apparatus and system that monitors the amount of food products within a cavity and adjust the microwave power provided to the cavity. The apparatus and system uses a product sensor system and a movement sensor system to accurately determine the product load in the microwave cavity. A computer controller, based on the product load information provided by the product sensor system and the movement sensor system, operates to adjust the amount of power provide to the microwave cavities by the microwave transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Amana Company, L.P.
    Inventor: James A. Goranson
  • Patent number: 6153868
    Abstract: A device for applying microwaves particularly for cooking products on a metallic support, includes at least one microwave generator (G) and a metallic waveguide, particularly of rectangular cross section (1, 11, 11', 11", 11"'). The waveguide forms a cooking chamber whose floor is constituted by a removable flat metallic support (5, T), on which are disposed the products to be cooked (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Groupe Danone
    Inventor: Claude Marzat
  • Patent number: 6121594
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating fluids is disclosed. One or more receptacles for holding fluids are located in an interior cavity formed by an exterior conductive surface. In one embodiment, the receptacles are spaced from a side of the exterior conductive surface a distance equal to an odd multiple of 1/4 of a wavelength. In another embodiment, bases of the receptacles are spaced a distance equal to slightly less than an odd multiple of 1/4 of a wavelength from the bottom of the exterior conductive surface. In a further embodiment, a receptacle has a pointed base for enhancing the heating of fluids. Furthermore, receptacles can be formed with bases spaced an odd multiple of 1/4 of a wavelength from at least two adjacent sides of the exterior conductive surface. Receptacles can be formed in a platform that may be made to fit into preexisting electromagnetic heating chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Industrial Microwave Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Joines, J. Michael Drozd
  • Patent number: 6114680
    Abstract: A method for processing samples in a sealable container which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation, includes a) the sample and a polar non-solid medium being introduced into the container, b) the container being placed in a vessel which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation and which is filled with a nonpolar coolant which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation, and c) the vessel being irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, the temperature of the coolant being maintained lower than 5.degree. C. and a vessel being used which is provided with an insulating material which is transparent to electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Perkin Elmer LLC
    Inventors: Petrus Cornelis Bank, Adriaan Gerardus Snijders
  • Patent number: 6107615
    Abstract: A tray driving apparatus for a microwave oven and a microwave oven having the same including a speed changing unit for enhancing the cooking quality by periodically changing the rotational speed of the tray to more evenly radiate a microwave to food. The speed changing means includes a driving gear unit having a plurality of driving gears and mounted to the driving shaft; and a driven gear unit having a plurality of driven gears corresponding to respective driving gears of the driving gear unit, and mounted to the driven shaft. The gears of any one of the driving gear unit and the driven gear unit are portion gears which are gears having gear teeth on respective portions of outer peripheries thereof, the gear teeth of the portion gears are alternately disposed to each other one on another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Won-woo Choi
  • Patent number: 6104014
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for cooking or heating a food product with combined steam and microwave energy having a microwave oven with a carrousel for moving the food product into and out of the oven. The food product is placed in a steaming compartment with a volume of water. As the compartment moves through the oven, the microwave cooks or heats the food product and converts the water to steam for steam cooking or steam heating the same food product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Jing-Yau Chung
  • Patent number: 6104017
    Abstract: A device for spitting foodstuffs to be cooked in a cooking chamber of a microwave oven comprising a supporting member and many spit members supported by a fixing member. Each of the spit members has a fixing part engaged with the supporting member, a connection part extended outward in a radial direction from the fixing part, and many spit parts in parallel extended upward from the connection part. Thus, many a small foodstuff can be supported conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Hun Kim, Dae Rae Kim, Jae Man Cho
  • Patent number: 6080977
    Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating and solidifying a salt solution includes a vessel for containing the salt solution having an exposed surface, the vessel having a generally open upper portion, a cover for sealing the generally open upper portion of the vessel and having a generally hood shaped portion, the cover including at least one inlet conduit for admitting the salt solution to the vessel and a discharge conduit for vapor, and a magnetron for generating microwaves for heating the solution in the vessel. A microwave waveguide is disposed between the magnetron and the vessel and incorporates the cover, for directing microwaves from the magnetron into the vessel, the waveguide transitioning within the cover from the generally hood shaped portion into a horn having a variable cross-section and/or variable vertical spacing with respect to the vessel. This structure enables microwaves to be radiated directly onto the exposed surface of the salt solution in the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignees: Nukem Nuklear GmbH, Linn High Term GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Wetteborn, Arnd Gutmann, Horst Linn, Jorg Worner, Wolfgang Theisen, Alfred Chrubasik, Egbert Brandau
  • Patent number: 6054700
    Abstract: A process for joining ceramic parts comprises autoclaving a powdered ceramic composition to increase its hydrogen form contents to a concentration that serves to increase the composition's absorption of microwave energy during subsequent heating of the ceramic parts; coating the autoclaved ceramic composition on the surfaces of the parts to be joined together; and placing the coated surfaces of the parts to be joined together and focusing microwave energy at the joint between the parts in order to seal the joint by refiring and rereacting the parts, the microwave energy being of sufficient power and being uniformly applied to the joint for a sufficient period of time to seal the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Nucon Systems
    Inventors: Anatoly E. Rokhvarger, Adam B. Khizh
  • Patent number: 6028298
    Abstract: A microwave oven includes a turntable disposed in a cooking chamber. The turntable is seated on rollers which are driven about horizontal axes to rotate the turntable. The rollers are mounted on elements that can be raised and lowered, whereby the turntable is raised and lowered while being rotated. A drive mechanism which raises and lowers the rollers is reversible whereby the turntable is rotated in a first direction while being raised, and in a second direction while being lowered. Position detectors sense when the turntable has reached maximum upper and lower positions for reversing the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ha-Yeong Yang
  • Patent number: 6018157
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use in microwave ovens to heat the exterior peripheries of food items to temperatures such that moisture is evaporated from the outer regions of the food items which are adjacent to the exterior peripheries. The apparatus includes an enclosure which is permeable to microwave energy and which defines a sealed interior cavity in which an inert gas is disposed. The inert gas is of the type that will be energized to generate radiant heat when exposed to the microwave energy of a conventional microwave oven. The enclosure defines an exterior heating surface which is placed adjacent to and transfers the heat from the inert gas directly to the peripheries of the food items. The apparatus preferably further includes a second enclosure having a second heating surface for disposing adjacent to a second side of the periphery of the food item, opposite that of the first enclosure and first heating surface. A drip pan is provided for catching drippings from the food item being grilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: W.C. Linden, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul I. Craft
  • Patent number: 5981923
    Abstract: A moistened towelette heating device for providing a moist hot towel for washing a user's body. The moistened towelette heating device includes a housing with a depression in the top of the housing forming a chute. The chute has an opening into a passage in the housing which, in turn, is connected to microwave oven disposed in the housing. The housing has a main opening into the microwave oven and an access door substantially closing the main opening. A plurality of canisters each with a moistened towelette disposed therein are positioned in the chute to permit passage of each canister through the passage and into the microwave oven where the canister may be heated to heat the towelette therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: Walter F. Jackson
  • Patent number: 5981926
    Abstract: Disclosed a roasting spit which is used for cooking meat such as chicken or turkey in a microwave oven. The roasting spit for a microwave oven comprises a ring-shaped support member disposed on a tray and including a horizontal coupling portion formed at one end thereof to be bent toward the center of the support member, and a vertical coupling portion formed at an other end of the support member to be multi-bent upward, and a pin member for stabbing a roasting material, the pin member being provided with an coupling hole formed at lower end thereof, thereby the pin member being selectively coupled with the horizontal coupling portion and the vertical coupling portion. When the roasting spit is not used, the pin member can be coupled with the horizontal coupling portion, so as to guarantee a safe packing with less expense and as well greatly reduce the package size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-rae Kim
  • Patent number: 5961870
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the processing of a material in a sealed rotating drum by exposing the material to an electromagnetic field, and more particularly to a source of microwave energy, while the material is moving through the drum. The material is moved through the drum by fixed specially shaped fins on the inside of the drum, a freely rotating spiral on the inside of the drum, or placing the drum on a slope to move the material by gravity. Special carriers are placed in the drum to recirculate in the drum and mull and grind the material and keep the drum wall clean. If the material is to be processed by a microwave and the material being processed is microwave absorptive, the carriers can be made of a microwave reflective material such as stainless steel. If the material is to be processed by a microwave and the material being processed is microwave transparent, the carriers can be made of an absorptive material such as magnetic steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventor: Jim S. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5948309
    Abstract: A microwave oven baker assembly including a main cooking base assembly with a top cover member releasably mounted thereon and being operable to cook a food product utilizing a cooking medium therewith. The main cooking base assembly includes a pair of adjacent cooking container members of a generally cylindrical cup-like shape separated by an intermediate separator wall; outer side walls and outer end walls; a pair of laterally extended handle members, and a top cover sealing surface engageable with a top cover member. Each cooking container member has a bottom wall with upwardly, outwardly tapered inner walls. The top cover member is provided with a cover body section integral with a top handle section and having a sealing rim section and a sealing flange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Lowell L. Vonada
    Inventors: Maynard E. Nelson, Lowell L. Vonada
  • Patent number: 5948311
    Abstract: A plant drying press for use in a microwave oven wherein plant material is held between absorbent sheets (14) backed by vapour permeable pads (12) with the assembly clamped between plattens (11) held by clips (15). The permeable pads (12) are ideally resilient. The plattens (11) are plate-like, ideally with ribs (17-20) and perforated (13, 21). The platens (11), pads (12) and sheets (14) are ideally microwave transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventors: William Robert Beecroft, Jennifer Leslie Beecroft
  • Patent number: 5935480
    Abstract: A metallic supplementary pot having superior heat conductivity is newly provided which is attached in the conventional nonmetallic specialized pot which is placed on a turn table mechanism of the microwave oven. When bread is made in the microwave oven, the supplementary pot containing material is attached in the specialized pot before cooking, and the specialized pot is attached to the drive shaft of the turn table mechanism in the oven cavity. Since the tip of the drive shaft is fit into the supplementary pot in this case, a vane member is attached to the drive shaft in the supplementary pot. When cooking is started, the vane member is turned with the rotation of the drive shaft and the material is kneaded into dough. Thereafter, the dough is heated uniformly and in a short time in the supplementary pot, and bread is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Takeoka, Yoshikazu Yamamoto, Norikimi Tatsumu
  • Patent number: 5935478
    Abstract: A device and a method for cooking bacon and other strips of food which lose liquids during the cooking process. The device has a generally rectangular base and cover. The base has an arcuate cooking surface which is gently arched. The base also has a trough surrounding the bottom of the arcuate cooking surface along three sides for collecting the cooking liquids. The cover has an arcuate portion which conforms to the arcuate surface of the base. A skirt with recessed corners extends from the arcuate portion of the cover along three sides and cooperates with the trough in the base. Cooking liquids may be poured from the trough through pour spouts formed in the corners of the base in cooperation with the recessed corners in the cover. The device is held together by a fastening device which locks the cover to the base. A pair of handles formed along two sides of the base provide ease in handling the device and in pouring cooking liquids from the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Pelco, Investments, L.L.C.
    Inventor: A. Philip Parduhn
  • Patent number: 5902510
    Abstract: A microwave furnace for heating materials has a microwave chamber with two microwave compartments made of microwave reflective material for retaining microwaves. One of the compartments is fixed and has an opening for discharging heated material. The other compartment is a rotating drum. The furnace also includes an elongated tubular member having a first and second open end. The tubular member is made of a microwave transparent material and is retained within the microwave chamber. A feeding mechanism feeds the material to be heated into the first end of the tubular member. The microwave furnace is provided with a mount for supporting the tubular member within the rotating microwave chamber by clasping the tubular member. The mount is adapted to rotate the tubular member along its axis and to position the tubular member such that the second end of the tubular member is substantially adjacent to the discharge opening of the fixed microwave chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Ontario Hydro
    Inventors: Ibrahim Sabri Balbaa, Joseph Terrance Strack, Nobuyoshi Miura, Richard Solczyk
  • Patent number: 5893997
    Abstract: The invention concerns a microwave oven having an oven cavity which is split into a movable cavity part (4) integrated into the oven door (2) and a stationary cavity part (5), sectioning the cavity when the oven door (2) is opened. The oven comprises a load carrier (6) supporting a food stuff or beverage being heated in the oven the load carrier (6) is provided in either of said cavity parts such that it protrudes from the same. Thereby access to a foodstuff or beverage in the oven is facilitated without requiring a displacement of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Conny Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 5886326
    Abstract: A microwave incinerator is configured to incinerate waste material. The waste material is installed within a microwave absorbing shroud located in a microwave chamber. The combination of low microwave heat input and a vacuum drawn on the chamber vaporizes the water in the garbage. During this first phase there is no combustion because of the relatively low temperature and the lack of oxygen. Once the material is dry, intense microwave energy is applied to the chamber heating the silicon carbide shroud to an elevated temperature in the range of about 500 to 1000 degrees C. Concurrent with the rapid rise in temperature, air containing oxygen is pumped into the chamber. The hot shroud ignites the material, after which heat is provided is a combination of combustion heat and microwave energy. The temperature is monitored and the microwave energy input is controlled to assure a controlled burn of the waste material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: ThermoTrex Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth Y. Tang
  • Patent number: 5844217
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for liquid thermoset resin or polymer molding using electromagnetic waves (particularly radiofrequency waves or microwaves), is described. The method and apparatus uses a metal mold (10, 212) with a cavity (401) for the molding as well as for confinement of the electromagnetic waves. Multiple low loss ports (A, B, C, D, E, p1, p2, p3) are provided for introducing the microwaves into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Martin C. Hawley, Jes Asmussen, Jr., Jianghua Wei, Trent A. Shidaker
  • Patent number: 5844216
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing arcing and localized heating as a result of applying microwave energy to a microelectronic substrate having electronic components thereon is provided. A microwave furnace having a chamber is configured to secure a microelectronic substrate therewithin. The microelectronic substrate is electrically interconnected with a ground connected to an interior wall of the microwave furnace. A holder for securing a microelectronic substrate during the application of microwave energy and for providing the necessary electrical connections for grounding components and circuitry thereon is also provided. The holder may have a heat sink for protection against heat build-up and for maintaining a microelectronic substrate in a substantially flat orientation during microwave processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Lambda Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zakaryae Fathi, Richard S. Garard, Jianghua Wei
  • Patent number: 5836239
    Abstract: A utensil for baking potatoes including at least one member having a bottom wall and a plurality of upwardly extending side walls, the bottom and side walls defining a partially enclosed cooking space between them, and at least one spike member having a first end and a second end, the first end being fixed to the bottom wall and the second end extending through the cooking space between the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Julie Shapiro
  • Patent number: 5837980
    Abstract: Portable apparatus for use in a microwave oven removably supports and rotates a food treatment attachment simultaneously about first and second orthogonally related axes within the oven. A wheel of the apparatus frictionally engages the oven floor as the apparatus is rotated by the turntable drive mechanism of the oven. Rotation of the friction wheel imparts rotational movement to a food treatment attachment so that the attachment is simultaneously rotated about first and second orthogonally related axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Henning
  • Patent number: 5837977
    Abstract: A container for containing a dummy load while being subjected to microwave radiation that includes a first surface with an exterior surface and an inner surface, wherein the first surface includes an optically transparent material. A second surface having an exterior surface and an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first surface, the second surface attached to the first surface wherein both of the inner surfaces define a volume of space into which the dummy load is placed. The dummy load is supported on the second surface and positioned to be subjected to microwave radiation that passes through the optically transparent material, wherein the dummy load is not heated by the microwave radiation that passes through the optically transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Quiclave, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert Frank Schiffmann, Jeffery Scott Held
  • Patent number: 5831253
    Abstract: A microwave oven wherein at least a microwave cooking mode and an electric resistance heater cooking mode can be selected by a user. A tray for supporting foodstuff can be raised and lowered and rotated about a vertical axis. A weight measuring mechanism determines the weight of foodstuff on the tray. During a cooking sequence, an operator selects a cooking mode, and the weight of foodstuff is measured. A controller determines a desired cooking elevation as a function of the cooking mode and weight of the foodstuff. A rotation mechanism begins to rotate the tray, and then the rotating tray is raised to the desired elevation, whereupon a cooking operation is performed while the tray is rotated at the desired elevation. At the end of the cooking operation, the tray is lowered to its initial position while still being rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Sung Han, Seok-Weon Hong, Kwang-Seok Kang
  • Patent number: 5814795
    Abstract: A microwave oven has an auxiliary cooking device disposed within a cooking chamber for fixing foodstuffs to be cooked. The auxiliary cooking device includes a supporting base placed on the cooking chamber, a coupling member coupled on the supporting base, a main fixing bar on which relatively large foodstuffs are fixed, and a plurality of auxiliary fixing bars on which relatively small foodstuffs are fixed. The main fixing bar is supported on the supporting base or the coupling member. The auxiliary fixing bars are removably mounted on the coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Rae Kim, Jeong-Hee Lee