Abstract: A microwave oven includes a bottom having a groove arrangement in which food overflows ar collected. The groove has discharge openings less than 1 cm in diameter through which the collected overflows can drain. A removable tray is mounted on the exterior of the oven beneath the discharge openings to receive the draining overflows.

Abstract: A tub-shaped popcorn container has frusto-conical side walls to enable stacking and multiple packages, the walls of the tub provide a carrier for graphics. A pop bag containing liquid oil, seasoning and pop corn is carried in the bottom of the tub above a built-in heat susceptor, and a package lid may be provided which rises as the popcorn pops.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending a hot food product wherein a sealed container is moved from a protective sleeve and deposited in an oven where heat is transferred to the container for initially melting a protective sealing film and then heating the food product. After the food product has been heated, the container is removed from the oven and reinserted into the protective sleeve prior to dispensing the heated food product.

Abstract: A device for making and warming coffee comprising, a first reservoir for holding a liquid, a second reservoir for holding brewed coffee, a microwave heating device for heating the liquid or coffee, a device for selectively pumping the liquid or coffee from the respective reservoir into the microwave oven, a receptacle for holding coffee grounds, a container for holding liquid, and a device for selectively pumping the heated liquid or coffee from the microwave heating device into the receptacle or container.

Abstract: An apparatus for pasteurizing and precooking pizza bases includes a conveyor belt having an upstream end and a downstream end, a plurality of vitroceramic plates attached to the conveyor belt, and a microwave tunnel positioned for heating vitroceramic plates conveyed through the microwave tunnel. Downstream of the microwave tunnel, pizza bases are delivered to the heated vitro- ceramic plates and they transported in contact with the heated plates to pasteurize and precook the pizza bases.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for popping high yield popcorn using a bag having a substantially rectangular cross section as manufactured using a conventional bag machine. A base supports the bag on edge with at least one joining panel being inclined such as, for example, at 45.degree.. Whether the bag is initially unfolded or unfolds as a result of internal pressure caused by some kernels popping, a horizontal elongated V-shaped trough is formed as the lower-most region of the bag due to the supporting orientation of the base. Kernels form in a clump in the nadir of the trough thereby enhancing the yield of the popping, and kernels disturbed from the clump by popping kernels are directed back to the clump by the inclined walls of the bag.

Abstract: A package for use in microwave ovens is disclosed in its preferred form of a flexible, tubular bag (18) including expandable side walls (26) interconnected between bottom and top walls (20, 22). The side walls (26) include pleats (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) which are folded in a collapsed condition of the bag (18) and expand due to internal expansion forces generated by the popping of kernels and the creation of water vapor. The openable end (28) opposite the permanent end wall (24) of the bag (18) is formed by V-shaped adhesive strips (34, 36) located between the bottom and top walls (20, 22) and the pleats (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d).

Abstract: An appliance for preparing freshly brewed iced tea with microwave energy comprising a generally funnel-shaped reservoir of molded plastic construction having an open upper end, closed lower end and an aperture near the closed lower end. The reservoir is dimensioned to hold a predetermined amount of water and tea simultaneously. A valve arrangement controls the flow of liquid from the reservoir through the aperture and to move from a closed position to an open position after water in the reservoir has been heated by microwave energy to a predetermined temperature. A receptacle is dimensioned to hold the hot, brewed tea from the reservoir and a predetermined amount of ice, and includes a barrier to shield ice therein from microwave energy.

Abstract: A selectively permeable membrane microwave susceptor for use in food packaging is disclosed. The susceptor comprises a substrate having at least one absorbing coating and at least one reflecting coating deposited thereon. Either one or both of the absorbing coating or the reflecting coating can be varied to control the amount of microwave energy reaching the absorbing coating, thereby controlling the overall amount of susceptor heating.

Abstract: A microwave susceptor structure includes a first thick metal layer, and a second matching layer coupled to the thick metal layer. The matching layer is chosen to couple a desired amount of power into the thick metal layer.

Abstract: A flexible, open ended microwave cooking tube formed of paper. The paper is provided with a layer of microwave susceptor material such as vacuum deposited metal. The tube is formed of a rectangular blank of the stock comprised of the paper and microwave susceptor material. A pair of opposite, parallel ends of the blank are seamed together and are provided with handle forming holes. In operation, a food item is placed within the tube. During the cooking process, the susceptor material reaches the high temperature required to brown and crispen the food. The seamed, handle portion of the tube, not being provided with susceptor material, remains relatively unheated and is hence less dangerous to the user when the tube and food are removed from the microwave oven. The tube can be formed from a continuous length of the paper/susceptor stock and wound into a roll. Short lengths of the tube can then be cut from the roll to provide individual containers for microwave cooking.

Abstract: The self-opening flexible pouch for use in a microwave oven includes a thin plastic film laminated to a paper substrate. The lower portion of the pouch in use is provided with a relatively large susceptor component and the upper portion of the pouch is provided with a relatively small susceptor component. The relatively large susceptor component causes the popcorn kernels contained in the pouch to pop and the relatively small susceptor component causes the pouch to open and allow at least some of the popped popcorn to be released into a paper bag in which the pouch and its contents have been placed. Two methods are disclosed for fabricating the pouch.

Abstract: A microwave kettle includes a cover and base of microwave-transmissive material twist-locked and adhesively secured together to define a reservoir chamber. The base has a raised, central, reentrant portion which results in the reservoir chamber having an annular portion. A spout is unitary with the cover and is provided with a press-fitted whistle cap. A handle is heat-staked to the cover. A cylindrical support flange depends from the bottom of the base.

Abstract: A kitchen oven comprises, in a chamber (2), a drippings pan (6) supporting a spit (8) and adapted to occupy two positions, either a cooking position in which the drip-pings pan is in the chamber and the spit is in the axle of a rotatable drive (9), or a retracted position in which the drippings pan is partially outside the chamber (2) and the spit (8) is free from the drive. The drippings pan and the walls (3) of the oven comprises mutually sliding surfaces (20, 21) so arranged that, prior to the cooking position, the surfaces exert on each other a force F directed toward the rear of the oven tending to position the drippings pan automatically in its cooking position.

Abstract: A beverage brewer and travel mug provided for brewing small quantities of a beverage within a microwave oven, includes a cup for receiving a charge defined for example by water and ground coffee, and a lid serving to contain the charge during the brewing operation, while allowing for escape of steam, and thereafter to permit transport of the brewed beverage without spilling and permit drinking of the beverage from which grounds are effectively filtered.

Abstract: A microwave cooking apparatus having a frypan which may be used both for microwave cooking and cooking with fire so that a burned portion may be quickly obtained on the food while the inside of the food is also sufficiently heated. The frypan has a handle which does not become hot in the microwave apparatus. A rotating plate may be controlled to stop when the handle is in a desired position. Dish receiving shelves may be formed in the microwave apparatus which are spaced at a distance greater than the diameter of the frypan.

Abstract: A composite susceptor packaging material for use in a microwave oven is disclosed comprising at least two spaced susceptor layers in overlying relation. By using two susceptor layers, the amount of microwave energy reaching food products packaged in such material can be controlled while still heating the surface of the food product to a high enough temperature for surface browning. In this manner the inside of the food product remains moist without drying out. Also disclosed are typical packages prepared from the composite susceptor material.

Abstract: Support for a spit (1) mounted on a drippings pan (2) and comprising two opposite supports (3) each insulated from the drippings pan by an insulating base (5) comprising a head (7) that rests on a margin (8) of the drippings pan. At least one foot (9, 10) passes through a corresponding opening (12, 13) of the drippings pan. Each opening comprises a skirt (14), and the height (h) and the section (s1, s2) of the foot are dimensioned as a function of the section (a1, a2) of the opening such that, during swinging of the support about a horizontal axis (15-16-17) by pressing of the head on the margin of the drippings pan, a region (19-20-21) of the foot opposite that axis will come to bear against the skirt, thereby preventing the foot from leaving the opening. Application to ovens with combined microwave and resistance heating.

Abstract: A microwave tunnel oven receives a series of packages each comprising a container and a load in the container to be heated by microwave energy. The oven has a conveyor with a series of carriers each for receiving one of the packages and conveying it through the oven. The improvement comprises modifying the microwave field in the load during its irradiation in the oven in a manner to generate higher order modes of microwave energy in the load to enhance the uniformity of heating throughout the load. The structure for achieving the field modification is divided into two parts, one part being formed on the conveyor and the other part being formed either on the package or on a subsidiary conveyor that extends parallel to the main conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing food which includes an insulated container having a conductive lining. A negative electron generator is coupled to the conductive lining for transmitting negative electrons to the lining thus creating a condition of high humidity inside the container.

Abstract: A frozen food is thawed by irradiating the frozen food with far infrared rays while supplying cold air to the frozen food to maintain the surface temperature thereof at a level not higher than 10.degree. C. Prior to the far infrared ray irradiation, the frozen food may be irradiated with a microwave. Thus, the frozen food can be uniformly thawed while maintaining freshness without degradation of the taste and favor thereof.

Abstract: A microwave cooking tray for microwave ovenable foodstuffs which usually display browned or crisped areas upon conventional oven cooking. The container is formed from a one piece blank of dielectric material, such as paperboard, which is bent and folded to form a trough shaped tray. A microwave interactive component included in the blank provides thermal heating effects such as browning and crisping for foodstuff placed in the tray and heated in a microwave oven. The tray is foldable to a flat configuration to facilitate shipment and storage. In one embodiment, the tray is flat on its entire upper portion when cooking.

Abstract: A comestible processing system includes equipment of components for receiving, soaking, draining and tempering food or feed material. Furthermore, infrared material processors are provided for energizing the material with energy in the infrared range. The retention vessel is provided for receiving the heated, energized material for retaining the same in a temperature-elevated condition. A cooler receives the heated material, cools it and flashes off steam therefrom. A processing method includes the steps performed on the material by the above components, and includes additional, optional steps of flaking, grinding and mixing/formulating the material in preparation for packaging same.

Abstract: The cooking utensil has a container formed by bottom and side walls. The bottom and side walls form a cavity within the container. The corrugated wall is located inside of the container cavity. The corrugated wall has openings therethrough located in hollows of the corrugations. A support structure located in the cavity supports the corrugated wall above the bottom wall. Absorbent material is located inside of the cavity between the bottom wall and the corrugated wall. The absorbent material absorbs and retains liquids from foods that drain through the openings in the corrugated wall, thereby preventing spillage of hot grease out of the container. A cover is provided to cover the container cavity during cooking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cooking or reheating a combustible with microwave energy by utilizing a double-boiler cooking utensil. The double-boiler utensil contains a microwave susceptible liquid within an outer vessel and a cooking oil or fat within an inner vessel with the inner vessel providing conductive heat transfer between the microwave susceptible liquid and the cooking oil or fat. The process involves placing a comestible in the cooking oil or fat within the inner vessel and irradiating the cooking utensil containing the comestible for a period of time effective to cook the comestible. The microwave susceptible liquid when subjected to microwave energy functions to transfer sufficient heat to the cooking oil or fat to maintain a temperature on the surface of the comestible within the range of from 125.degree. C. to 225.degree. C. The improved apparatus also incorporates a solid microwave interactive material in conductive heat transfer contact with the microwave susceptible liquid.

Abstract: In a blankable, foldable microwave reactive heat susceptor sheet stock of the type having two generally parallel surfaces and comprising a thin paperboard sheet with a laminated, continuous, microwave reactive layer including a microwave permeable support film with a microwave reactive layer including a microwave permeable support film with a microwave reactive stratum, there is provided an improvement comprising a graybody layer with an absorptivity over about 0.50 and microwave permeable with the graybody layer being applied coterminously with at least a portion of the parallel surfaces so that heat created by the interactive stratum will be absorbed and available from the graybody layer.

Abstract: A microwave heating chamber (10) has a rectangular opening (12) into which a food support (14) is slidable, the support including a handle (20) and a wall (18) which serves to close and seal the chamber when inserted. The wall (18) may have thermal break (22) with the support to prevent heat being conducted to the wall and handle. The support (14) may have several superposed platforms each to support an item of food, and each may have a rotatable dish.

Abstract: A basically commercially fast heat highly efficient griddle has interchangeable griddle plates including magnetically permeable materials having Curie temperatures which may be the same or different to provide different cooking temperatures, the plates being heated by induction coils providing sufficient energy to heat the plates to their effective Curie temperatures in the presence of loads and of a design to maintain a uniform cooking temperature across the griddle plate to within less than an inch of the edges of the plates. The plates may be placed in an enhanced idle condition at cooking temperature by placing a cover over the plates or region of a plate not in use. Increased efficiency is further due to an insulator blanket placed between the griddle plates and coils.

Abstract: Paperboard packaging material for use in the manufacture of cartons for browning and crisping food in a microwave oven is prepared on a printing press using an aqueous susceptor-ink composition comprising graphite or conductive carton black dispersed in a solution of sodium silicate. The susceptor-ink composition is printed on the packaging material in a pattern corresponding to the location of the food intended to be packaged and the food contact surface is overprinted with an FDA approved food contact coating. The use of sodium silicate as the binder for the susceptor-ink composition allows the composition to be printed by gravure or flexographic printing processes and provides hereto unavailable flame retardant properties to the final packaging material.

Abstract: A microwave receptive device includes a plurality of trough members defined by arcuate side walls and a floor to receive a potato member therewithin to position and align a potato for a proper baking within a microwave oven. The holder may further include openings or slots directed through the troughs as an alternative construction and may further be positioned upon a rack structure to properly align and mount the holder medially of an oven structure. A further alternative to the device includes the holder rotatably mounted relative to a base housing to permit rotation of the potato holder member to enhance complete cooking of a potato member positioned therewithin.

Abstract: An electric wok includes a bowl-shaped pan which has a bottom side with a receiving space and a support frame supporting the bowl-shaped pan. The support frame has an induction coil unit provided with a heat conductive, electric insulating upper plate and an electric insulating lower plate. The induction coil unit is received in the receiving space of the bowl-shaped pan. The induction coil is connected to an external power source. During a cooking operation, a retaining unit engages the bowl-shaped pan to the support frame.

Abstract: Microwave susceptor sheet of the paperboard type, and method of making such susceptor sheet for use in a disposable food appliance adapted to heat a quantity of food in the appliance by microwave energy which susceptor sheet and method comprises vacuum deposition of a layer of aluminum onto a thin plastic film and then bonding the film onto a support sheet of paperboard, wherein the thin plastic film has a thickness of less than about 1.0 mil and is formed from PCTA copolyester plastic having a melting point of greater than 500.degree. F.

Abstract: A lid for a T.V. dinner tray is constructed to provide a more uniform heating of frozen prepared foodstuffs by controlling the flow of microwave radiation to the foodstuff, to effect a decreased flow of microwave energy to the foodstuffs in certain zones of the tray and an enhanced flow of microwave energy to the foodstuffs in the remainder of the tray. The lid comprises a polymeric material layer and a patterned layer of continuous microwave-reflective material adhered thereto.

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

Abstract: A microwave susceptor composite which includes a first layer of polymeric fibrous material, and a second layer of thermoplastic polymer material having microwave susceptive characteristics. The polymeric susceptor and polymeric fibrous material layers are arranged in lamina surface-to-surface contact and bonded into an integral structure by application of heat and pressure. A uniform composite material is obtained by carding the polymeric fibrous materials prior to bonding the first and second layers. In microwave cooking applications the fibrous layer of the composite absorbs excess effluents from the food product. Browning and crisping of food products is effected by microwave excitation of the metallized second layer of the composite.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a function for drying tableware dryer. The microwave oven includes a heater and a magnetron controlled by a microcomputer, a tableware basket holder detachably equipped with a tableware basket, a water bucket and a plate. A tableware basket holder sensing section is mounted for sensing the tableware basket holder when it is inserted in a cavity of the microwave oven. The tableware drying function is performed by driving the heater under the control of the microcomputer when a tableware basket holder sensing signal is generated from the tableware basket holder sensing section.

Abstract: A high-frequency heating apparatus includes a heating vessel for accommodating an article to be heated, which is detachably loaded in a heating chamber, a stirring mechanism provided in the heating vessel, a guide mechanism for guiding the heating vessel so as to horizontally displace the heating vessel into a heating chamber from an opening formed on a side face of the heating chamber, a rotational drive mechanism for driving the stirring mechanism so as to rotate the stirring mechanism and a coupling mechanism for transmitting a driving force from the rotational drive mechanism to the stirring mechanism. The stirring mechanism includes a transmission gear mounted on a lower end of a stirring shaft extending through a bottom wall of the heating vessel, and the coupling mechanism includes a gear mounted on an upper end of a central shaft in the heating chamber and engageable with the transmission gear.

Abstract: A novel structure for use in the microwave cooking of foodstuffs for consumption is described. The structure includes a layer of flexible electroconductive material normally opaque to microwave radiation and having a plurality of elongate apertures therethrough dimensioned to permit microwave energy to pass through to the interior of the foodstuff and to produce thermal energy at the surface of the foodstuff. Both a microwave shielding effect and a combined microwave energy heating and thermal energy heating effect are obtained, enabling close control of the manner and extent of microwave cooking of the foodstuff to be obtained. The layer of flexible electroconductive material is supported by and adhered to a substrate layer of microwave energy transparent material in a multiple layer article of manufacture adapted to be formed into a packaging structure in which a foodstuff may be heated by microwave energy to an edible condition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cooking container for use in heating food in a microwave oven. Specifically, the present invention concerns a cooking utensil capable of heating itself up by microwaves to heat food to such an extent as to be browned but not to be scorched and be stuck to the cooking surface. A fluororesin layer 1 is formed on the top surface of a metal plate 2, and a heat buildup layer 3 adapted to be dielectrically heated by microwaves is formed on the bottom thereof. A covering 4 permeable to microwaves is provided on the outside of the heat buildup layer. The covering is partially formed into legs to support the bottom surface of the plate. A lid capable of reflecting microwaves may be put on the metal plate to shield the food to be cooked against microwaves.

Abstract: The invention provides a package for popping popcorn in a microwave oven including an open-topped wide mouth container in the form of a tub or bowl formed from self-supporting, i.e. stiff, microwave transparent sheet material such as stiff paper or paperboard with a flexible and expandable cover. A layer of microwave interactive susceptor material is distributed across the bottom wall of the tub to assist in popping the popcorn. Unpopped popcorn within the tub is packaged in a sealed inner compartment or container within the tub. During cooking, the flexible cover expands upwardly as the kernels pop so as to accommodate their expansion.

Abstract: A microwave cooking apparatus having a frypan which may be used both for microwave cooking and cooking with fire so that a burned portion may be quickly obtained on the food while the inside of the food is also sufficiently heated. The frypan has a handle which does not become hot in the microwave apparatus. A rotating plate may be controlled to stop when the handle is in a desired position. Dish receiving shelves may be formed in the microwave apparatus which are spaced at a distance greater than the diameter of the frypan.

Abstract: The invention is a method for forming package blanks incorporating selectively located microwave absorbing areas for crisping and/or browning one or more surfaces of a packaged product. Successive lengths of an extended web of thin, microwave transparent film are transported past means for depositing a thin layer of microwave energy absorbing material on one side of the film which masking selected areas of the film web by masks placed adjacent the film surface on which the microwave absorbing layer is deposited. No microwave absorbing material is deposited in the selected masked areas. Successive lengths of the resulting film are laminated onto an extended web of flexible dielectric packaging material with the microwave absorbing layer sandwiched between the film and the flexible dielectric packaging material. Thereafter, successive lengths of the resulting laminated web are fed through a die cutting machine that cuts one or more package blanks from the laminated web.

Abstract: A non-metallic unitary baking pan, and especially a baking pan made of plastic, including foam plastic, paper or plastic laminated paper in which a cake or cake-like product can be baked, which baking pan has portions thereof which are thicker and have greater insulating effect than other portions to more uniformly and evenly distribute the heat produced during the baking operation throughout the cake batter or dough being baked. Also disclosed is method for producing such a non-metallic unitary baking pan by means of heated mating dies under pressure the mating dies having portions spaced farther apart than other portions thereof to produce corresponding thicker portions in the pan so formed.

Abstract: A food heating package for elongated products such as french fries and fish sticks which includes partitions formed from microwave energy absorbing material adapted to crisp, toast or brown the surfaces of the foods sticks. The partitions preferably enclose the food sticks on at least three sides and can be made by forming folds in a sheet of vapor-deposited semiconductive metallic coating applied to a plastic film, e.g. polyester, backing.

Abstract: The present invention provides an insulating microwave heating package with at least one and preferably a multiplicity of latent, uninflated or potential insulation chambers capable of inflating when exposed to microwave energy. The package includes at least two sheets of material bonded together at selected points, patches or along seal lines separated by unsealed areas which define unfilled inflation chambers between the lines, patches or points. Upon exposure to microwave energy, the package and its contents become heated. As a result of this heating process, the unfilled chambers also become heated, causing them to become filled with hot expanding air or moisture vapor. These chambers serve as insulation for the package and enhance heating of the food by reducing heat loss from the package.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus such as a high-frequency heating-cooking apparatus having a pyroelectric vapor sensor for detecting the cooking condition of food comprises an air duct for delivering vapor to the pyroelectric vapor sensor and a cooling construction for providing cool air to mix with the vapor as well as cool air to cool the pyroelectric vapor sensor.

Abstract: A container for baking and browning food when subjected to microwave energy and method of making same. A metal substrate has a ferrite-containing coating with a thickness between about 9.5 mils and about 10.5 mils on one surface and a coating on the other surface suitable for use in a microwave oven. The ferrite-containing coating includes a ferrite and a binder of epoxy resin and polyamide resin and plasticizer resin with the ratio by weight of ferrite to binder maintained between about 1.0 to about 1.8 to 1.0. The coated metal is cold drawn to provide a container suitable for heating various foods to a specified temperature in a short time. The coating is applied to the metal as a paint and then dried. Multiple thin coatings are applied to obtain the final thickness.

Abstract: A microwave brewing device for producing freshly percolated measured quantities of coffee, and more particularly, a percolating device which is adapted to percolate coffee within a microwave oven. An open cup is adapted to be filled with water up to a specific level and volume adequate to brew at least a single cup of freshly percolated coffee beverage. The cup or the percolating device therein may be shielded with a shielding material which is impervious to the passage of microwave energy, and only the lower portion of the cup or percolating device may be provided with a gap or constituted of a microwave-transparent region permitting the passage therethrough of microwave energy in order to heat the water contained in the cup wherein the latter is positioned in the cavity of a microwave oven.

Abstract: An improved sleeve receptacle for microwave browning and crisping of a generally flat food article, such as pizza, in a microwave oven is provided. The receptacle is constructed from a sheet of microwave susceptor stock which preferably includes an outwardly exposed dielectric support layer and an inwardly facing heating layer of microwave interactive material allowing passage of microwave energy as it is heated thereby. The sleeve is initially provided as a flat sheet which can be easily fitted within the frozen food package. The consumer folds the flat sheet into its sleeve configuration by joining the top portions of the sleeve together in a manner whereby the top portions of the sleeve can be later pulled apart to permit easy removal of the heated foodstuff.

Abstract: Foodstuff packaged in a material transparent to microwaves is conveyed continuously through an environment pressurized to 2.5 bar max so as to prevent the containers or wrappers bursting or being forced out of shape; in four steps, the temperature is raised quickly to a prescribed treatment value with high frequency microwave radiation, stabilized by applying a combination of lower power microwaves and hot air, held steady with hot air only, and then lowered by cooling.