Toaster using infrared heating for reduced toasting time
First Claim
1. An apparatus for toasting a food product, comprising:
- a toasting chamber adapted for receiving a food product to be toasted, the toasting chamber having first and second sides;
a first infrared heater comprising a first electrically conductive filament inside of a first quartz glass tube, the first infrared heater being located on the first side of the toasting chamber;
a second infrared heater comprising a second electrically conductive filament inside of a second quartz glass tube, the second infrared heater being located on the second side of the toasting chamber;
a first radiant heat reflector located on the first side of the toasting chamber, wherein the first infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the first radiant heat reflector; and
a second radiant heat reflector located on the second side of the toasting chamber, wherein the second infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the second radiant heat reflector;
wherein the first and second quartz glass tubes are chemically etched so as to pass a desired infrared wavelength from the electrically conductive filament, andwherein the first and second infrared heaters emit infrared radiant heat at a wavelength optimized for toasting of the food product.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A toaster uses radiant heat at infrared wavelengths optimized for producing rapid and uniform toasting of a food product. The infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat are selected for optimum speed and quality (browning and moisture content) of the food product. The selected infrared wavelengths of the radiated heat may also effectively defrost a food product. Defrosting of the food product by the infrared radiated heat adds very little time in obtaining a desired toast color to the food product. A plurality of infrared wavelengths of radiated heat may also be used, wherein the plurality of infrared wavelengths are selected for optimal heat penetration and surface browning of the food product. Shorter wavelengths for browning and slightly longer wavelengths to penetrate the food product for evaporating the moisture therein to allow surface browning by the shorter wavelengths. In addition, the heating energy within the toaster may be further elongated (longer wavelengths) once the infrared radiation is re-radiated off of reflectors within the toaster. The wavelengths of infrared radiated heat may be from about 1 to about 3 microns, and preferably from about 1.96 to about 2.5 microns, and most preferably at about 2.11 microns.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for toasting a food product, comprising:
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a toasting chamber adapted for receiving a food product to be toasted, the toasting chamber having first and second sides; a first infrared heater comprising a first electrically conductive filament inside of a first quartz glass tube, the first infrared heater being located on the first side of the toasting chamber; a second infrared heater comprising a second electrically conductive filament inside of a second quartz glass tube, the second infrared heater being located on the second side of the toasting chamber; a first radiant heat reflector located on the first side of the toasting chamber, wherein the first infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the first radiant heat reflector; and a second radiant heat reflector located on the second side of the toasting chamber, wherein the second infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the second radiant heat reflector; wherein the first and second quartz glass tubes are chemically etched so as to pass a desired infrared wavelength from the electrically conductive filament, and wherein the first and second infrared heaters emit infrared radiant heat at a wavelength optimized for toasting of the food product. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for toasting a food product, comprising:
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a toasting chamber adapted for receiving a food product to be toasted, the toasting chamber having first and second sides; a first infrared heater comprising a first electrically conductive filament inside of a first quartz glass tube, the first infrared heater being located on the first side of the toasting chamber; a second infrared heater comprising a second electrically conductive filament inside of a second quartz glass tube, the second infrared heater being located on the second side of the toasting chamber; a first radiant heat reflector located on the first side of the toasting chamber, wherein the first infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the first radiant heat reflector; and a second radiant heat reflector located on the second side of the toasting chamber, wherein the second infrared heater is located between the toasting chamber and the second radiant heat reflector; wherein the first and second quartz glass tubes have extruded grooves therein so as to pass a desired infrared wavelength from the electrically conductive filament and wherein the first and second infrared heaters emit infrared radiant heat at a wavelength optimized for toasting of the food product.
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Specification