US3784787A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for storing and cooking food
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1973-03-26
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Granted: 1974-01-08
•
Expires: 1993-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A tray supporting individual thermally insulated casseroles of food portions for serving complete meals such as entree food to be cooked and frozen and chilled side dish food. The entree and individual side dish food portions are each placed in separate casseroles in chilled or frozen condition. Each casserole thermally encloses the separate food portions and the thermal insulation of the casserole and the initial low temperature levels of the chilled or frozen food retains the food in the casseroles without degradation or pathogenic effects for storage periods up through several hours and retains the side dish food without pathogenic degeneration during the time the entree food is cooked in separate casseroles.
Inventors
- 👤 T Shevlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:48
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24C; F24C15/00; F24C15/16; A; A23; A23L; A23L5/00; A23L5/10; A47; A47J; A47J39/00; A47J39/006; F24C15/10; F24C15/102; F24C7/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S165/00; Y10S165/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for storing and cooking food comprising: a plurality of thermally insulated heating casseroles containing entree food placed therein in frozen or chilled state, each casserole having an integral electrical heating element connected to an electric circuit; a timer to control said circuit for energizing said element in predetermined on-and-off intervals during a heating period to cook said entree food; a plurality of thermally insulated unheated casseroles containing side dish food placed therein in frozen and chilled state and a thermally and electrically insulating tray having a plurality of recesses therein to secure said entree heating casseroles and said side dish unheated casseroles in spaced-apart relationship; the thermal insulation of said heating and unheated casseroles and the initial temperature levels of said chilled or frozen entrees and chilled and frozen side dish food preventing degradation of the food therein for storage periods up to about 3 hours and preventing degradation of the chilled and frozen side dish foods in said unheated casseroles upon energization of said heating elements of the heating casseroles in said predetermined on-andoff intervals during said heating period after the expiration of said storage period.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for storing and cooking food comprising: a plurality of thermally insulated heating casseroles containing entree food placed therein in frozen or chilled state, each casserole having an integral electrical heating element connected to an electric circuit; a timer to control said circuit for energizing said element in predetermined on-and-off intervals during a heating period to cook said entree food; a plurality of thermally insulated unheated casseroles containing side dish food placed therein in frozen and chilled state and a thermally and electrically insulating tray having a plurality of recesses therein to secure said entree heating casseroles and said side dish unheated casseroles in spaced-apart relationship; the thermal insulation of said heating and unheated casseroles and the initial temperature levels of said chilled or frozen entrees and chilled and frozen side dish food preventing degradation of the food therein for storage periods up to about 3 hours and preventing degradation of the chilled and frozen side dish foods in said unheated casseroles upon energization of said heating elements of the heating casseroles in said predetermined on-andoff intervals during said heating period after the expiration of said storage period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 1 in which the temperature levels of said food in said casseroles during said storage period is retained within the range of -10* F to 66* F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 in which the temperature levels of said sidE dish food in said unheated casseroles during said storage and heating period is retained within the range of -10* to 67* F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 in which said unheated casseroles consist of a cup-shaped receptacle and cover comprised of styrofoam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 in which the thermal insulation of said heating casseroles retains frozen entree food placed therein at temperature levels below 32* F for periods of time up to about 3 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 in which the thermal insulation of said unheated casseroles retain the frozen side dish food therein during said storage and heating periods at temperature levels of -10* F to 24* F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 in which at least one of the recesses of said tray contains electrical conducting means therein to interconnect the heating elements of said heating casseroles to said electric circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 in which said tray contains a layer of thermal insulation disposed contiguous to said recesses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |