Electric heating – Metal heating – Of cylinders
Patent
1991-05-22
1992-09-01
Leung, Philip H.
Electric heating
Metal heating
Of cylinders
219 1055E, 126340, 99DIG14, H05B 676
Patent
active
051441055
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention concerns microwave-powered heating devices, and in particular heating apparatus for heating foodstuffs, more particularly for defrosting and heating to a serving temperature frozen pre-cooked foodstuffs.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
With the increasing demand for quick, hot snacks and so called "fast food", there is an increasing requirement to be able to process frozen pre-cooked foodstuffs ready for consumption. In particular, it is necessary to be able to heat up from the frozen condition a pre-cooked foodstuff to a serving temperature in the shortest possible time, and typically a temperature change from -17.degree. C. to +74.degree. C. must be achieved. Preferably the time should be as short as possible, and ideally should be well under one minute.
Conventional microwave ovens are not particularly well suited to this function, and it has been proposed to concentrate the available energy by providing a reflecting surface within a chamber into which microwave energy is transmitted so that the latter is focused generally into the region of the chamber in which the foodstuff is located. In this way the energy is concentrated into the foodstuff and the latter is raised in temperature at the maximum possible rate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a more convenient heating chamber for certain foodstuffs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided heating apparatus comprising a heating chamber in which a foodstuff is to be heated using microwave energy; an opening in the chamber wall for giving access to the interior thereof for the insertion and removal of foodstuffs; and a closure member therefor which includes a handle on its exterior and a foodstuff supporting platform extending from its internal face, so that inserting food into the chamber and closing the chamber is effected in a single operation, the interior of the chamber being formed at least in part with a concave microwave energy-reflecting surface.
The concave microwave energy-reflecting surface will typically be in the form of a dome. The microwave energy is directed towards the concave surface to be reflected therefrom and generally focussed towards the food supporting platform. Other microwave-reflecting geometries may be used to achieve the desired effect.
In one embodiment of the invention, the chamber design is such that at least some of the microwave energy entering the chamber does not impinge directly on the foodstuff but can only reach the foodstuff after being reflected at least once.
According to a preferred feature of the invention the combined closure member and food supporting platform is in the form of a generally flat scoop of large area which can be slipped below a large area foodstuff such as a pizza or pie or quiche, and the large area platform provides the support for the foodstuff, and the closure is therefore fully removable from the chamber in a slidable manner.
Alternatively the closure may be pivotable between a first position, in which the food support platform is accessible through the opening in the chamber wall, and a second position in which the closure closes off the opening with the platform inside.
The platform may in this event be in the form of a high-sided tray to prevent foodstuffs from falling thereoff.
According to a further preferred feature of the invention the food supporting platform may be formed at least in part from an electrically conductive material in that in the presence of microwave radiation the platform becomes heated and assists in the heating-up process and also assists in browning the underside of the foodstuff.
In order to prevent the heat in the platform from being conducted away, particularly to the closure and the handle, a thermal break is preferably provided between the platform and at least the handle, if not also the closure.
Typically the thermal break comprises a thermal insulating material capable of withstanding high temperatures.
Since the browning effect may not be desirable throu
REFERENCES:
patent: 2820127 (1958-01-01), Argento et al.
patent: 2956144 (1960-10-01), Woodman
patent: 3440383 (1969-04-01), Smith
patent: 3440385 (1969-04-01), Smith
patent: 3467803 (1969-09-01), Ojelid
patent: 3500742 (1970-03-01), Tanguy et al.
patent: 3701872 (1972-10-01), Levinson
patent: 3934106 (1976-01-01), MacMaster
patent: 4304974 (1981-12-01), Ikeda et al.
patent: 4335292 (1982-06-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 4762973 (1988-08-01), Schultz
Briggs David H.
Freeman Richard F.
LandOfFree
Microwave heating apparatus with a combined food scoop and door does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Microwave heating apparatus with a combined food scoop and door, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Microwave heating apparatus with a combined food scoop and door will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-769191