Microwave cooking utensil

• US 4,398,077 A
• Filed: 08/07/1981
• Issued: 08/09/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1980
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Freedman, George, Derby, Palmer P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reynolds, B. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US06/291,135
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 219/10.55 E, 219/10.55 F, 219/10.55 R, 219/10.55 M, 426/107, 426/243, 99/451, 99/DIG. 14
• US Class Current: 219/729
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6494 for cooking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 99/14 Induction heating

Abstract

A microwave cooking utensil comprising a glass ceramic dish having a resistive film on the outside and a conductive layer covering substantially all of the inside to block the passage of microwave energy through the dish to the interior thereof. A conductive lid over the dish prevents the passage of microwave energy through the opening of the dish. During cooking, substantially all of the microwave energy is absorbed by the resistive film instead of the food so that searing temperatures are maintained.

Claims

1. A microwave oven cooking utensil comprising:

a microwave transparent dish having an opening for placing a food body therein;

a layer of resistive material positioned over at least a portion of the outside surface of said dish; and

means for substantially shielding the interior of said dish from microwave energy, said means comprising the combination of a conductive layer covering a substantial portion of the inside of said dish and a conductive lid removably positioned over said opening.

2. The utensil recited in claim 1 wherein said microwave transparent dish comprises a glass ceramic material.

3. The utensil recited in claim 1 wherein said resistive material comprises tin oxide.

4. The utensil recited in claim 1 wherein said conductive layer comprises aluminum.

5. A microwave oven cooking utensil comprising:

a microwave transparent dish having an opening for placing a food body therein;

a resistive layer covering at least a portion of the outside surface of said dish;

a conductive layer covering substantially all of the inside surface of said dish to block the passage of microwave energy through said dish to the interior thereof; and

a conductive lid removably positioned over said opening to block the passage of microwave energy through said opening to the interior of said dish.

6. The utensil recited in claim 5 wherein said transparent dish comprises a glass ceramic material.

7. The utensil recited in claim 5 wherein said resistive layer comprises tin oxide.

8. The utensil recited in claim 5 wherein said conductive layer comprises aluminum.

9. A microwave oven cooking utensil comprising:

a microwave transparent dish having an opening for placing a food body therein;

a resistive film covering at least a portion of the outside surface of said dish;

a conductive layer covering a substantial portion of the inside surface of said dish to block the passage of microwave energy through said dish to the interior thereof; and

a removable conductive lid covering said opening and overlapping said dish, said lid being substantially parallel with said conductive layer for a distance perpendicular to the perimeter of said lid around the perimeter of said lid wherein the parallel portions of said lid and said conductive layer provide suppression of microwave energy leakage through the gap therebetween to the interior of said dish.

10. The utensil recited in claim 9 wherein said transparent dish comprises a glass ceramic material.

11. The utensil recited in claim 9 wherein said conductive layer comprises aluminum.

12. A microwave oven cooking utensil comprising:

a microwave transparent lid;

a layer of resistive material positioned over at least a portion of the outside surface of said lid;

a conductive layer adjacent to a substantial portion of the inside surface of said lid; and

a dish adapted for being covered by said lid, said dish being conductive to microwave energy for substantially shielding the interior of said dish from microwave energy when said lid is positioned over said dish.

13. The utensil recited in claim 12 wherein said transparent lid comprises a glass ceramic material.

14. The utensil recited in claim 12 wherein said resistive material comprises tin oxide.

15. The utensil recited in claim 12 wherein said conductive layer comprises aluminum.