Abstract: A microwave energy heating element has a plurality of spaced microwave components generally arranged in a closed loop pattern. Each of the microwave components (42, 44) has a non-resonant length. When the heating element is in a loaded condition with a load juxtaposed thereto for capacitively coupling the microwave components together, the microwave components cooperatively redistribute impinging microwave energy. When the heating element is in an unloaded condition, the microwave components act independently remaining inert to impinging microwave energy.

Abstract: A cover for microwavable containers is formed of a composite of textile materials which enhance microwave cooking. One layer provides insulation to hold heat within the microwavable container, while another retards splattering. The device allows steam ventilation from the container without the requirement of lifting a corner of the container, or otherwise taking steps to provide ventilation. The cover is machine washable. The cover has an elastic perimeter which allows the cover to be placed over the container, with the elastic holding the cover in place against the container, and allows the cover to fit a range of variously sized and shaped microwavable containers.

Abstract: A raw egg is cooked by orienting the egg adjacent a field coil and electrically energizing the field coil with a high-frequency alternating electric current so as to inductive heating the egg. The field coil operates at between 1 MHz and 1000 MHz, preferably between 10 MHz and 50 MHz, and generates a field having parallel lines passing through the egg. The coil and egg are relatively rotated, normally by holding the coil stationary and rotating the egg, while electrically energizing the field coil. To this end the field coil has a pair of halves connected in series and flanking the egg.

Abstract: A method of microwave cooking, heating and re-heating includes the steps of placing food to be cooked, heated or re-heated into a microwave compatible container having an open mouth thereof and, thereafter, applying over said mouth of said microwave compatible container an FDA grade waxpaper having a basis weight in a range of about 15/25 to about 30/40. Thereafter, the container is placed in a microwave oven for less than a prescribed period of heating for such food type and quantity. Alternatively, such FDA grade waxpaper may be tightly wrapped or enclosed about food to be heated and thereafter placed within a microwave oven, thereby dispensing with the use of any microwave compatible container.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating vegetable products that are free of preservatives and chemicals, high in nutrient content, and have an improved taste and appearance is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, whole, raw vegetables are first precooked with microwave energy for about 20 to about 60 seconds. After precooking, the vegetables are cut, ground, shaped, pressed, riced or rolled into a desired form, including, for example, chunks, crunches, strips, slices, chips, patties, flakes or powders. The vegetables are then dehydrated in the temperature range of about 130.degree. F. to about 195.degree. F. to a moisture content of less than 8%. The dehydrated vegetable products can then be reconstituted using hot or cold liquid or eaten directly as a finger food snack.

Abstract: A lightwave oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visible, and infra-red spectral ranges uses one or more quartz halogen tungsten lamps or quartz arc bulbs positioned above and below the food item and delivers light energy in select ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum during select portions of the cooking cycle.

Abstract: An expandable microwave popcorn package which contains a charge of popcorn kernels for preparation in a microwave oven. The package is formed of front and back panels preferably joined together at the top and bottom ends by an adhesive and at the sides by side panels. The back panel includes a pair of separation lines along which the package material is relatively weak such that a portion of the back panel can be torn from the remainder of the package to expose the popcorn within. Separation lines may be formed by weakening a portion of the bag substrate, by reinforcing the adjacent areas, or by a combination of the two. Side panels are folded to form gussets which allow the package to remain flat during storage, to expand to accommodate the popped kernels. A susceptor is also preferably placed on the front panel opposite the back panel to enhance the popping action.

Abstract: Pouring soft state ice cream as a precursor of hard state ice cream into a cone, cup or other shape made either one of paper, plastic resins or edible material and the thus poured ice cream is frozen to a hard state ice cream of -30.degree. C. to -40.degree. C. as it stands or wrapped within a plastic film and is held at -15.degree. C. to -25.degree. C., and the thus held ice cream is heated rapidly upto 0.degree. C. to -8.degree. C. by an electronic range upon request of a customer to be given to the customer without being touched by a person other than the customer so that it is held under very sanitary conditions.

Abstract: Pizza pan shielding systems and methods generally include one or more of the following: a pan, a bottom shield, a top shield, and a ring shield. Each of these elements preferably incorporates a plurality of perforations. The size, location and density of these perforations, and/or the material make-up of the element(s), determine whether certain types of baking energy from various heat sources will reach a food item located within the system. Substantial evenness of cooking results, in a short time period and at reasonably baking temperatures. Embodiments of the invention address the problems of underbaking in central areas of the food item and overbaking, dryness, microwave-induced toughness or burning of outer areas of the food item, such as a crust area. Embodiments of the invention have particular, though not exclusive, application to the pizza-baking devices and methods.

Abstract: A microwave cooking system is provided for cooking a food product in a microwave field to produce a food product with a texture and taste similar in quality to food products prepared in a conventional oven. The system utilizes a microwaveable tray comprising a microwave susceptor material laminated to a thin paperboard sheet for supporting and heating a food product to be cooked thereon. A single sheet corrugated plate is attached to a lower surface of the microwaveable tray in order to provide space beneath the microwaveable tray for the circulation of heated air. The tray containing the food product thereon is sealed in a polymer bag having microwave shielding material on the inner surface of the upper side of the sealed polymer bag for minimizing the amount of direct microwave transmission contacting the food product contained therein. The sealed polymer bag has a pressure regulation port for releasing and maintaining pressure which builds inside the sealed polymer bag during cooking.

Abstract: Method of curing and processing pork bellies into fully cooked bacon have been developed that eliminates both injection of liquid pickle solution or other liquid marinating processes and the need for smokehouse treatment. The method of the present invention employs a single heating step that both fully cooks a dry cure seasoning coated pork belly and achieves the necessary weight reduction to meet the regulatory product definition for fully cooked bacon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for precooking sliced bacon comprising the steps of partially cooking sliced bacon in a microwave oven. A organoleptic enhancing liquid is applied to the surfaces of bacon slices either during or after the cooking and the cooking is then completed by heating the partially cooked sliced bacon in a browning oven. Alternatively, the sliced bacon is first treated with the organoleptic enhancing liquid and partially cooked in the browning oven, then cooking is completed in the microwave oven.

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.

Abstract: An oven is disclosed for cooking/heating a food product. The oven has a cylindrical sidewall, a top, a microwave magnetron and a hot plate mounted below and across the bottom of the sidewall. There is an access door on the top of the oven and an opening through the hot plate. A sweeper arm is mounted on top of the hot plate for moving and mixing the food product through the oven and out of the opening.

Abstract: A method for forming and baking food particles into a unified, shaped product, e.g., shaped like pizza, has heated top and bottom plates, the mating faces of which have recesses and protrusions for molding the desired shaped product. The bottom plate is in two parts that are abutted together when food particles are deposited thereon and during a baking period with the top plate placed thereon. After raising the top plate, the two bottom parts are moved apart to release the baked, shaped product. Cooked pasta, such as spaghetti, can be formed into a pizza-like shell.

Abstract: An automated self-service pizza process and system comprises a vending machine with self-contained cooking and processing equipment to rapidly prepare delicious pizza. The stand-alone unattended process and system visually displays pizzas with choices of different toppings for selection by a customer who can pay for the pizza by credit card, debit card, prepaid card, bank card, or by paper money or other cash. Pizza crust can be moved to an assembly area by a robot. In the assembly area, the selected toppings are automatically dispensed on the pizza crust. The pizza is then conveyed to an oven where it is cooked and discharged into a cardboard box or other suitable container. The type of pizza and customer's name can be printed on the box with an ink jet printer.

Abstract: A microwave popcorn package including a container having a bottom wall, an open top and a tapered side wall extending from the bottom wall to the open top. The package also includes a substantially planar lid positioned within the container between the bottom wall and the open top to define a popcorn receiving region and to provide a support for the stacking of a plurality of containers. The invention also relates to a method of making and assembling the above container.

Abstract: A metal container which can be utilized in a microwave oven has an interior and an exterior defined by a bottom and at least one side wall. Each side wall has a height which does not exceed 40 percent of the wavelength of the microwave radiation. The container is adapted to receive an object into its interior through an open top. Microwave-transparent electrical insulation is disposed on each side wall and on that part of the bottom which would, in the absence of insulation, contact the floor of the oven. This microwave transparent electrical insulation may be a coating on the metal, a label, or a sleeve placed around the container. A microwave transparent, electrically-insulating cap is removably disposed at the top of the container. The top of the container also may have a removable seal disposed thereon. Also, a method for storing an object, then subjecting the object to microwave radiation comprising first placing the object in the removably sealed metal container.

Abstract: A flexible paper popcorn package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions. The top wall (22) is formed by first and second wall portions (22b, 22c) interconnected together by a peelable closure seal (28).

Abstract: A dehydrated vegetable product is obtained by:(a) flash blanching a vegetable in about 100% saturated steam;(b) steam cooking the vegetable in 35 to 65% saturated steam; and(c) cooking the vegetable by exposure to infra-red radiation for from 1.5 to 6.0 minutes.This dehydrated vegetable product is particularly useful as a binder in complex moulded products and as a filling or topping component.

Abstract: A microwave grilling apparatus comprising a continuous conductive grill element which is a continuous element shaped into a plurality of elements segments. At least a portion of the cross-sectional area of the elements segments of the continuous grill element has a surface area between about 5.times.10.sup.-3 cm.sup.2 to about 0.1 cm.sup.2. Additionally, a microwave grilling apparatus comprising multiple continuous grill elements and at least one tray is provided. The grill elements can be rectangular, round or other geometric configurations and are used for grilling comestibles in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Microwave popcorn articles which upon microwave heating provide popcorn having enlarged salt particles that provide popped popcorn more reminiscent of at-home, stove-top prepared popped popcorn. The articles comprise any conventional microwave popcorn bag, kernel popcorn, fat and salt. At least 50% of the salt is essentially characterized by an enlarged particle size having a mean particle size of >400 .mu.m. Included are methods of preparing such microwave popcorn articles are disclosed wherein the coarse salt is added in a separate step after the fat and kernel popcorn have been added to the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an edible oil-in-water micro-emulsion for imparting crisping and browning to a food product when the micro-emulsion is coated onto the food product and the coated food product is then subjected to microwave radiation.

Abstract: A microwavable food product comprises a crust which is formed of laminated pastry or dough. The crust has a uniform thickness and is provided with a pattern of depressions formed on the upper surface of the crust. The depressions include a plurality of depressions which each intersect the outer periphery of the crust. There are additional depressions in the peripheral region of the crust, and the depressions together, in the preferred embodiment, form substantially radially outwardly extending lines which run up to the outer periphery of the crust. The depressions are such that the region of each depression the thickness of the pastry is between one-half and one-third of the original thickness of the pastry.

Abstract: A lightwave oven cooking method and apparatus using power and pulsed power applied to a plurality of high-power lamps which provide radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum and having wavelengths including the visible and near-visible ranges wherein irradiation is applied to the food by applying power to the lamps for a specified period of time without vaporizing all of the surface water on the food, and then applying reduced irradiation to the food to complete the cooking cycle without producing an overly browned surface which inhibits deep penetration of radiation in the near-visible and visible ranges. The reduced power can be at a reduced duty cycle which can be done in a sequence of one or more reducing steps in the duty cycle or a continuous reduction of the duty cycle of the power applied to the lamps. A change in color, in water vapor concentration emitted from the surface, in the food temperature and/or in the generation of steam to a predetermined degree can be sensed to reduce power.

Abstract: A bag suitable for use in microwave cooking is constructed of an elongated tube of flexible material closed at one end by a cold seal closure and having a heat seal adhesive deposit applied to the other end thereof for use in closing the bag after filling thereof.

Abstract: A container for cooking and browning pot pies and similar food items in a microwave oven is disclosed. The container has a susceptor layer positioned between the top panel and the pot pie. A pan for containing a food item and having a susceptor lining for further cooking and browning the food item is located below the susceptor layer. The arrangement of susceptor layer in connection with the pan provide for the desired degree of cooking and browning the food item without the need to remove the food item from the transporting container.

Abstract: A food container having provision for storing a freezable chilling medium and having a valve for venting steam. The food container is divided into a food storage chamber and a chilling chamber for holding the chilled medium. These chambers are separated by a wall having an opening at the top enabling fluid communication between these chambers. The container is closed by a removable lid. A steam relief valve is disposed in the lid, sunken into a depression formed in the lid, so that the valve body is substantially flush with the lid. A handle in the form of ears projects from the valve for easy grasping. The valve is opened for microwave cooking of stored food, and closed for chilled storage. When heating, the chilled medium is removed. Optionally, water is placed in the empty chilling chamber, and steam generated upon heating migrates into the food storage chamber, thereby steaming the food.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing popped grain products enriched with vitamins, minerals and/or trace elements, especially popcorn. Before or during popping of the raw grain kernels a predetermined amount of vitamins and/or minerals and/or trace elements dissolved or dispersed by themselves alone or in a suitable carrier substance are placed in a suitable container in which the raw grain kernels are already located. The added micronutrients are heat treated together with the grain kernels for 1 to 5 minutes at a temperature from 130.degree. to 280.degree. C., or with microwaves at 400 to 1500 watts. At least most of the amount of micronutrients used are absorbed by the popping grain kernels and are uniformly distributed in them, so that a ready-to-eat popcorn product enriched with micronutrients is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwaveable food product composite containing a coating food product and a mode filtering structure wherein the food product has a crumb coating having an average crumb size of greater than 1.5 mm and an air gap of from 1 to 6 mm between the food product and the mode filtering structure such that the electric field strength generated within the mode filtering structure, when used in a commercially available microwave oven, is greater than 20 kV/m, but below the breakdown voltage of air. Such composite products are useful in enhancing the heating of the surface layer of the coated food product by a microwave energy.

Abstract: A microwave-oven, cooking kit to brown, edge-heat and remove fat from meat and to crust bread that includes: (1) one or more flat metal plates, (2) two microwave-oven browning grills, (3) a by-product collection chamber and (3) apparatus to secure, manipulate, compress together and transport these members. These cooking members may be employed individually or in various combinations. The two microwave-oven browning grills are designed to be employed vertically and horizontally. In operation, when vertical, melted fat and other liquid by-products are removed by gravity and compression.

Abstract: A lightwave oven cooking method and apparatus using power and pulsed power applied to a plurality of high-power lamps which provide radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum and having a wavelengths including the visible and near-visible ranges wherein irradiation is applied to the food by applying power to the lamps for a specified period of time without vaporizing all of the surface water on the food, and then applying reduced irradiation to the food to complete the cooking cycle without producing an overly browned surface which inhibits deep penetration of radiation in the near-visible and visible ranges. The reduced power can be at a reduced duty cycle which can be done in a sequence of one or more reducing steps in the duty cycle or a continuous reduction of the duty cycle of the power applied to the lamps. A change in the generation of steam or in the food temperatures to a predetermined degree can be sensed to reduce power.

Abstract: A process for preparing potato chips, shoestring potatoes and other tuber chips in which no additional fat content is added to the potato and none of the natural foodstuffs are removed. The process comprises the steps of slicing a potato or other tuber to produce a plurality of slices or strips of the desired configuration, heating the slices or strips to a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to remove from about fifty to eighty percent of the moisture therefrom, and microwave heating the slices or strips to produce a product having substantially the same flavor, color, crispness and slightly greasy appearance as deep-fried products. The slices or strips can be subjected to a second microwaving step at a reduced power level to reduce the moisture content of the product for a longer shelf life.

Abstract: A process for preparing a meat product to be cooked in a microwave oven comprising the following steps. Freezing the meat product; partially thawing the meat product whereby the exterior surface is thawed and the nucleus remains frozen; conventionally heating the thawed surface to seal the surface; and re-freezing the sealed surface of the meat product.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing bread products comprises the sequential steps of subjecting dough pieces to baking, the baking conditions being such that the crumb of each piece is fully developed but not the crust thereof in order to obtain partially baked bread pieces; exposing the partially baked bread pieces to a vacuum cooling stage; and, after a delay, subjecting the partially baked bread pieces to further heating, whereby the crust is fully developed and baked bread products result.

Abstract: A microwavable container has an active microwave energy heating element to distribute energy. The active microwave energy heating element includes a plurality of loops interspersed with islands. Similar structures may be used in the tray to distribute energy through the tray. Alternatively, resonant loops interconnected by transmission lines may be dispersed over the tray to distribute energy.

Abstract: A process of producing fat free chips cooks the chips and while at elevated temperature and containing sufficient moisture to form the desired pore structure in the chips subjects the chips to sub-atmospheric pressure to expand the moisture into stream and form small pores within the chip structure to provide a cooked fat free product have a similar texture and taste to that of convention deep fried chips.

Abstract: A self-supporting layer of flexible etchable metal having a thickness of about 1 micron has a plurality of apertures formed therethrough and has a layer of etchant resistant material on each face of the metal layer in a pattern completely overlying the metal layer and the periphery of the plurality of apertures.

Abstract: A method of processing a solid foodstuff, such as a meat portion or portion of plant foodstuff, by a heating and cooling cycle in which the environmental pressure applied to the foodstuff is controlled during heating so that, at a maximum target temperature, all parts of the body of the foodstuff are conformed to this target temperature due to flow of water, transiently in the vapour phase, from hotter regions to cooler regions. In particular, at least when the target temperature is nominally attained, the pressure is set to the saturated vapour pressure of the foodstuff at the maximum target temperature.

Abstract: A microwavable pad for heating food has a liquid absorbent to prevent liquid leakage in the event that the sealed thermoplastic envelope of the pad is ruptured. The method of forming the pad includes evacuating air from the thermoplastic envelope prior to sealing. The pad can be used alone or with a food cover to provide warmth and impart heat to food when the pad is placed in a container with the food.

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: An extended hold potato product comprising cut potatoes having a starch-based coating, the coating including corn starch, corn flour, and low solubility dextrin. In a preferred embodiment, the starch-based coating further includes rice flour, sodium chloride, and sodium acid pyrophosphate. After finish preparation, the potato product retains a generally crisp outer surface texture for an extended period of time. A process for preparing a potato product having an extended hold time comprises (a) washing, cutting, and blanching raw potatoes, (b) partially drying surfaces of the potatoes, (c) applying an aqueous starch-based slurry to the potatoes, the aqueous slurry including corn flour, corn starch, low solubility dextrin, and water, and then (d) parfrying and freezing the coated potatoes.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for preparing a snack food product by baking and without the use of cooking oil, begins with preparation of potatoes, carrots, bananas, etc, into slices which are surface de-watered before exposure to a high intensity heat source including infra red at about 1400 F. to blanch the product and halt enzyme action before exposure to hot, dry air impingement until reduced in moisture to about 10 to 35%, while maintained in a mono layer. Then the slices are aggregated into a pack and dried in hot dry air until the moisture content has been reduced to about 0.5 to 2%.The apparatus includes an insulated housing with a product conveyor extending therethrough. A combination of overhead infra-red burners and underneath open flame burners are positioned to create a high energy heat zone along one length of the belt. Air impingement scatter slots are positioned above and below a subsequent length of the belt and a superimposed hold down belt restrains the products from scattering.

Abstract: A beverage cup includes an inner vessel having walls defining a fluid retaining volume. An outer wall surrounds the inner vessel and cooperates with the inner vessel to define an enclosed chamber. A microwave receptive material is disposed within the enclosed chamber.

Abstract: Cooking of wheat flour dough tortillas is effected with a considerably reduced cooking time and with the preservation of the characteristics of tortillas obtained by the traditional manual cooking methods, by applying to the uncooked tortillas infrared radiation waves within a wavelength band possessing a maximum absorption factor simultaneously perpendicularly directed on both faces of the tortilla in order to quickly cook both surfaces of the same thus forming outermost capping layers that retain moisture within the body of the tortilla and prevent the dehydration of the same in the cooking cycle.

Abstract: A safety container for a baking utensil provided with a thermal heating element having ferrites dispersed therein, which utensil when placed in a microwave oven and is exposed to microwave energy, converts this energy into thermal energy for cooking the food therein. The safety container in which the utensil is housed includes a removable cover and a temperature-responsive latching mechanism which releases the cover to permit withdrawal of the utensil from the container only when the utensil has cooled to a temperature level at which it is safe to handle.

Abstract: A pattern of tear perforations is provided in the substrate that forms a microwave reheating support. The pattern of tear perforations enables the substrate to be separated into portions so that the substrate can be adjusted in size and/or shape to correspond to the size and/or shape of the food product being heated. For example, a round substrate can include a circular pattern of tear perforations spaced radially inward from an outer circumference of the round substrate. This enables the outer peripheral portion of the round substrate to be removed to reduce the size (diameter) of the substrate for use with smaller-sized food products. The pattern of tear perforations can include one or more lines of tear perforations that extend across a substrate. For example, the lines of tear perforations can divide the circular substrate into a plurality of wedges that can be used, for example, to heat a slice of pizza instead of the entire pizza.

Abstract: A utensil body 1 and a lid 2 are made of a metallic magnetic material which generates heat when eddy currents are induced therein in order to cook food with heat which is applicable to any of boiling, steaming, sauteing, frying, casseroling, and baking or roasting, which utilizes the utensil body 1 applicable to both gas combustion heating and eddy-current heating, and which allows cooking to be performed using water, oil or air as a cooking medium.

Abstract: A pre-baked microwaveable dough composition comprising a dough of flour, plasticizer, water, and a leavening agent; a crisping agent dispersed across the dough; and, optionally, a topping wherein said dough comprises from about 0 wt-% to 50 wt-% water and from about 15 wt-% to 35 wt-% plasticizer. The invention also comprises a method of preparing a pre-baked microwaveable dough composition.

Abstract: A susceptor according to the present invention includes a substrate having physical properties so that melting and size deformation of the substrate occur in response to microwave absorption by the susceptor. A metalized layer is coupled to the substrate, and supporting means is provided for supporting the substrate and the metalized layer.