Mold assembly for microwave oven
First Claim
1. A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven, having a settable timer, shaped plastic play pieces, said assembly comprising;
- (a) a mold insertable in the microwave oven formed of a material non-reactive to microwave energy, said mold having at least one cavity therein receiving a plastic molding composition for forming a shaped play piece, said composition having a predetermined curing temperature; and
(b) a heating element associated with the mold formed by an inert matrix having ferrite particles dispersed therein which absorb microwave energy and which have a Curie point somewhat above said curing temperature of said composition received in the cavity, whereby the element acts to thermally heat the mold to raise the temperature of the composition to its curing temperature to produce said plastic play piece, said heating element absorbing microwave energy and heating up until the Curie point is reached, at which point no microwave energy is absorbed even though the microwave oven continues to operate for a pre-set time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven plastic play pieces. The assembly includes a mold, non-reactive to microwave energy and is provided with shaped cavities for receiving a flowable, plastic molding composition non-reactive to microwave energy and having a predetermined curing temperature. Underlying the cavities is a thermal heating element formed by microwave energy-absorbing ferrite particles dispersed in an inert matrix. The particles have a Curie point higher than the curing temperature of the molding composition so that the heating element heats the composition in the mold cavities to effect curing and hardening thereof, thereby forming the play pieces. The mold assembly is enclosed within a safety container non-reactive to microwave energy. The container is provided with a removable cover and a temperature-responsible latching mechanism which releases the cover to permit withdrawal of the mold assembly only when its temperature is reduced to a level at which it is safe to handle.
16 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A mold assembly for use by children to produce in a microwave oven, having a settable timer, shaped plastic play pieces, said assembly comprising;
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(a) a mold insertable in the microwave oven formed of a material non-reactive to microwave energy, said mold having at least one cavity therein receiving a plastic molding composition for forming a shaped play piece, said composition having a predetermined curing temperature; and (b) a heating element associated with the mold formed by an inert matrix having ferrite particles dispersed therein which absorb microwave energy and which have a Curie point somewhat above said curing temperature of said composition received in the cavity, whereby the element acts to thermally heat the mold to raise the temperature of the composition to its curing temperature to produce said plastic play piece, said heating element absorbing microwave energy and heating up until the Curie point is reached, at which point no microwave energy is absorbed even though the microwave oven continues to operate for a pre-set time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification