Microwave heating container with microwave reflective dummy load

• US 5,837,977 A
• Filed: 07/07/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quiclave LLC
• Original Assignee: Quiclave LLC
• Inventors: Schiffmann, Robert Frank, Held, Jeffery Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung, Philip H.
• Application Number:
  US08/888,839
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 219/694, 219/730, 219/759, 219/736, 219/725, 219/734, 219/735, 219/762, 219/729, 219/710, 219/720, 422/21
• US Class Current: 219/694
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/12 Microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6408 Supports or covers specially adapted for use in microwave heating apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/6494 for cooking
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 6/806 for laboratory use

Abstract

A container for containing a dummy load while being subjected to microwave radiation that includes a first surface with an exterior surface and an inner surface, wherein the first surface includes an optically transparent material. A second surface having an exterior surface and an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first surface, the second surface attached to the first surface wherein both of the inner surfaces define a volume of space into which the dummy load is placed. The dummy load is supported on the second surface and positioned to be subjected to microwave radiation that passes through the optically transparent material, wherein the dummy load is not heated by the microwave radiation that passes through the optically transparent material.

Claims

1. A container for containing a dummy load while being subjected to microwave radiation, said container comprising:

a first surface comprising an exterior surface and an inner surface, wherein said first surface comprises an optically transparent material;

a second surface comprising an exterior surface and an inner surface facing said inner surface of said first surface, said second surface attached to said first surface wherein both of said inner surfaces define a volume of space into which said dummy load is placed; and

said dummy load is supported on said second surface and positioned to be subjected to microwave radiation that passes through said optically transparent material, wherein said dummy load is not heated by said microwave radiation that passes through said optically transparent material.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein said dummy load is microwave reflective and has heat conductive properties similar to a metal object.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein said container further comprises a microwave reflective material that shields said dummy load from microwaves.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein said microwave reflective material is colored black.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein said optically transparent material, allows infrared radiation from said load to be transmitted through said optically transparent material.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein said volume of space defines a first area that contains an object, wherein said dummy load is located at an area exclusive of said first area and gives a temperature response resembling that within said first area.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein said infrared radiation is representative of the temperature within said first area.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein said dummy load comprises a temperature sensitive material which changes color once the predetermined temperature is reached within said volume of space.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein said optically transparent material, allows visible light from said color change to be transmitted through said optically transparent material.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein said volume of space defines a first area that contains an object, wherein said dummy load is located at an area exclusive of said first area and gives a temperature response resembling that within said first area.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein said area that said dummy load is located is isolated from said second surface.