Systems and methods for determining doneness of microwave-heated bodies
First Claim
1. A system for indicating doneness of a body of material heated by microwave energy, comprising a thin electrically conductive metal element having first and second opposed extended surfaces;
- indicator means disposed on the first surface of the element for producing a visually observable change of appearance upon being heated to a predetermined elevated temperature or upon being maintained at such temperature for a predetermined time; and
means for supporting the element in substantially fixed relation to and externally of the body, when the body is disposed in a microwave oven for heating by microwave energy, such that the element is also disposed in the oven with the indicator means positioned to be externally visible, and such that the element receives heat from the body by conduction and/or radiation as the body is heated by microwave energy;
the dimensions of the element and the disposition of the indicator means thereon being such as substantially to shield the indicator means from temperature-elevating irradiation by microwave energy.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
For determining doneness of a body of food or other material heated in a microwave oven, a device including an indicator that changes appearance at a predetermined temperature, mounted on an outwardly-facing major surface of a thin-gauge metal element which is disposed in the oven so as to receive heat from the body. The metal element may be mounted on the lid or other wall of a container holding the body in the oven; the lid may be microwave-transmissive and may hold the metal element spaced above the body. The indicator may include a substance that melts at the predetemined temperature to reveal an underlying color or pattern on the metal element surface. In use, the device is placed in a microwave oven together with the body and is observed visually, for detection of the change of appearance, which occurs when the indicator reaches a temperature corresponding to adequate doneness of the body.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system for indicating doneness of a body of material heated by microwave energy, comprising a thin electrically conductive metal element having first and second opposed extended surfaces;
- indicator means disposed on the first surface of the element for producing a visually observable change of appearance upon being heated to a predetermined elevated temperature or upon being maintained at such temperature for a predetermined time; and
means for supporting the element in substantially fixed relation to and externally of the body, when the body is disposed in a microwave oven for heating by microwave energy, such that the element is also disposed in the oven with the indicator means positioned to be externally visible, and such that the element receives heat from the body by conduction and/or radiation as the body is heated by microwave energy;
the dimensions of the element and the disposition of the indicator means thereon being such as substantially to shield the indicator means from temperature-elevating irradiation by microwave energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- indicator means disposed on the first surface of the element for producing a visually observable change of appearance upon being heated to a predetermined elevated temperature or upon being maintained at such temperature for a predetermined time; and
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20. A method of determining the doneness of a body of material heated by microwave energy comprising placing, in a microwave oven for heating, said body together with a thin electrically conductive metal element having first and second opposed extended surfaces and bearing on its first surface indicator means for producing a visually observable change of appearance upon being heated to a predetermined elevated temperature or maintained at such temperature for a predetermined time, said element being supported in the oven, in substantially fixed relation to and externally of the body with the indicator means positioned to be externally visible, such that the element receives heat from the body by conduction and/or radiation when the body is heated, the dimensions of the element and the disposition of the indicator means thereon being such as substantially to shield the indicator means from temperature-elevating irradiation by microwave energy;
- and, while energizing the oven to heat the body with microwave energy, observing the indicator means to detect the occurrence of said change of appearance.
- View Dependent Claims (21)
Specification