US3669003A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Food heating device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-22
•
Granted: 1972-06-13
•
Expires: 1990-06-22
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes a food heating device for heating and cooking food items such as TV-dinners which are prepackaged in standard electrically conductive containers. The device includes a rigid enclosure having a base and a cover for providing access to the interior of the enclosure to allow insertion or removal of the food package. The food package is supported on the base and, a step-down transformer supplies low voltage electrical power to the conductive food package. First and second clamps are supported by the enclosure means and clampingly engage first and second edge portions of the conductive food package, respectively, so that the electrical current passes directly through the food package and at least some of the food contained therein to rapidly and effectively heat the food.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Tony King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:34
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24C; F24C7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for rapidly heating food in a container completely conductive adjacent the food between first and second generally opposed edge portions comprising rigid enclosure means for substantially enclosing the conductive container, said enclosure means including a base and an openable cover for providing access to the interior of the enclosure means to allow insertion or removal of the conductive container; a step-down transformer having a primary electrically connectible to standard line voltage for providing at a secondary a low voltage substantially less than 110 volts; first and second clamping means mounted on and supported by the enclosure means for clampingly engaging the first and second edge portions of the conductive container, respectively; mechanical advantage latching means forcing said container edge portions and said clamping means into close low resistance engagement; and means for electrically connecting each of said clamping means to the secondary of said step-down transformer to supply current from said transformer through said container to rapidly heat the food.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for rapidly heating food in a container completely conductive adjacent the food between first and second generally opposed edge portions comprising rigid enclosure means for substantially enclosing the conductive container, said enclosure means including a base and an openable cover for providing access to the interior of the enclosure means to allow insertion or removal of the conductive container; a step-down transformer having a primary electrically connectible to standard line voltage for providing at a secondary a low voltage substantially less than 110 volts; first and second clamping means mounted on and supported by the enclosure means for clampingly engaging the first and second edge portions of the conductive container, respectively; mechanical advantage latching means forcing said container edge portions and said clamping means into close low resistance engagement; and means for electrically connecting each of said clamping means to the secondary of said step-down transformer to supply current from said transformer through said container to rapidly heat the food.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the secondary of said transformer forms a portion of said clamping means and directly engages the edge portions of the conductive container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said clamping means provide a narrow line contact with the edge portions of said container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said first clamping means includes a first elongated upstanding rigid member supported by said base for supporting the container along the first edge portion thereof, at least a portion of said member being electrically conductive and engaging the first edge portion of the conductive container along a substantial length thereof, and means for retaining said first edge portion on said first member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 including thermostat means responsive to the temperature of the conductive container rising to a predetermined value for automatically halting the flow of current from said transformer to said first and second clamping means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said transformer forms at least a portion of said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said container is supported in closely spaced relationship to said transformer to minimize transformer leakage reactance losses and resistance losses in said secondary.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for rapidly heating food in a container completely conductive adjacent the food between first and second generally opposed edge portions comprising a step-down transformer having a primary electrically connectible to standard line voltage for providing at a secondary a low voltage substantially less than 110 volts; first and second clamping means for clampingly engaging the first and second edge portions of the conductive container, respectively, wherein the secondary of said transformer forms a portion of said clamping means and directly engages the edge portions of the conductive container, mechanical advantage latching means forcing said container edge portions and said clamping means into close low resistance engagement; and means for electrically connecting each of said clamping means to the secondary of said step-down transformer to supply current from said transformer through said container to rapidly heat the food.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for rapidly heating food in a container completely conductive adjacent the food between first and second generally opposed edge portions comprising a step-down transformer having a primary electrically connectible to standard line voltage for providing at a secondary a low voltage substantially less than 110 volts; first and second clamping means for clampingly engaging the first and second edge portions of the conductive container, respectively, wherein the secondary of said transformer forms a portion of said clamping means and directly engages the edge portions of the conductive container, mechanical advantage latching means forcing said container edge portions and said clamping means into close low resistance engagement; and means for electrically connecting each of said clamping means to the secondary of said step-down transformer to supply current from said transformer through said container to rapidly heat the food.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said clamping means provide a narrow line contact with the edge portions of said container.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A combination as defined in claim 8 including thermostat means responsive to the temperature of the conductive container rising to a predetermined value for automatically halting the flow of current from said transformer to said first and second clamping means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said container is supported in closely spaced relationship to said transformer to minimize transformer leakage reactance losses and resistance losses in said secondary.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |