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US4439656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for the reconstitution of frozen foods in a microwave oven
Assignee: Stouffer Corp
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Filing: 1983-07-18
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Granted: 1984-03-27
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Expires: 2003-07-18
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method enabling the heating or reconstituting of frozen foods packaged in a metal container using a microwave oven. The metal container is placed in a non-metallic holder having a cavity just slightly larger than the outside dimensions of the container. The spacing between the outside of the container and the inside surface of the holder is a uniform small distance. The resultant space is filled with a liquid which absorbs microwave energy, converting it to thermal energy which is then transmitted through the container to the food to be reconstituted.
Inventors
- 👤 Yigal Peleg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:26
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/647; H05B6/6491; H05B6/6494; A; A23; A23B; A23B2/00; A23B2/05; A23B2/08; A23B2/80; A23B2/82; B; B65; B65D; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3401; B65D2581/3429; B65D2581/3433; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S99/00; Y10S99/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a microwave oven, an apparatus for the reconstitution of frozen foods, such foods being contained in a metallic tray having a bottom wall and continuous side walls of a given height, comprising: a tray holder of microwave transparent material having a bottom wall and side walls defining a cavity similar in shape to said tray; spacer means for supporting said tray in said tray holder cavity such that said tray bottom is uniformly spaced from said tray holder rigid bottom wall a distance between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch and said tray side walls are spaced from said tray holder side walls throughout said given height and are uniformly spaced from said tray holder side walls a distance between one-sixteenth inch and five sixteenth inch for at least half said tray side walls given height, said tray holder side walls extending above said tray side walls, the space between said tray and said cavity being filled with a microwave absorbing liquid to at least half said tray side walls given height and; a cover engaging the tops of said tray holder side walls, whereby the space above said tray is in communication with said space between said tray and said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a microwave oven, an apparatus for the reconstitution of frozen foods, such foods being contained in a metallic tray having a bottom wall and continuous side walls of a given height, comprising: a tray holder of microwave transparent material having a bottom wall and side walls defining a cavity similar in shape to said tray; spacer means for supporting said tray in said tray holder cavity such that said tray bottom is uniformly spaced from said tray holder rigid bottom wall a distance between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch and said tray side walls are spaced from said tray holder side walls throughout said given height and are uniformly spaced from said tray holder side walls a distance between one-sixteenth inch and five sixteenth inch for at least half said tray side walls given height, said tray holder side walls extending above said tray side walls, the space between said tray and said cavity being filled with a microwave absorbing liquid to at least half said tray side walls given height and; a cover engaging the tops of said tray holder side walls, whereby the space above said tray is in communication with said space between said tray and said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tray holder side walls are provided with a recessed area in their top halves.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tray holder side walls are provided with a recessed area in their top thirds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spacing distances are between one-eighth inch and one-quarter inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tray holder is provided with outer side walls spaced from said tray holder side walls to provide an insulating air space, thermally insulating said tray holder cavity from the exterior surfaces of said tray holder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said tray holder is provided with a lower bottom wall spaced from said tray holder rigid bottom wall and providing an air space between said tray holder rigid bottom wall and said tray holder lower bottom wall thermally insulating said tray holder lower bottom wall from said tray holer cavity.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for reconstituting frozen food contained in a metallic tray having a bottom and continuous side walls with given dimensions in a microwave oven comprising the steps of: providing a microwave transparent tray holder having a cavity defined by a bottom wall and side walls, said cavity having dimensions similar to the exterior dimension of said tray and said cavity side walls having a height greater than the height of said tray side walls, and spacer means adapted to support said metallic tray in fixed relation to said cavity with said metallic tray bottom spaced between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch from said cavity bottom wall, with said metallic tray sides spaced from said cavity side walls throughout the given height of said tray sides, and with said metallic tray sides spaced between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch from said cavity side walls for at least one-half said given height of said metallic tray sides; placing a microwave absorbing liquid in said cavity; placing said metallic tray containing frozen food in said cavity such that said metallic tray engages said spacer means and displaces said microwave absorbing liquid into the space between said cavity and said metallic tray to at least one-half said given height of said metallic tray sides; covering said tray holder to provide a space above said tray in communication with the space between said tray and said cavity; and irradiating said tray holder, tray and said food with microwave energy thereby reconstituting said frozen food.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
250 words
A method for reconstituting frozen food contained in a metallic tray having a bottom and continuous side walls with given dimensions in a microwave oven comprising the steps of: providing a microwave transparent tray holder having a cavity defined by a bottom wall and side walls, said cavity having dimensions similar to the exterior dimension of said tray and said cavity side walls having a height greater than the height of said tray side walls, and spacer means adapted to support said metallic tray in fixed relation to said cavity with said metallic tray bottom spaced between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch from said cavity bottom wall, with said metallic tray sides spaced from said cavity side walls throughout the given height of said tray sides, and with said metallic tray sides spaced between one-sixteenth inch and five-sixteenth inch from said cavity side walls for at least one-half said given height of said metallic tray sides; placing a microwave absorbing liquid in said cavity; placing said metallic tray containing frozen food in said cavity such that said metallic tray engages said spacer means and displaces said microwave absorbing liquid into the space between said cavity and said metallic tray to at least one-half said given height of said metallic tray sides; covering said tray holder to provide a space above said tray in communication with the space between said tray and said cavity; and irradiating said tray holder, tray and said food with microwave energy thereby reconstituting said frozen food.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 7, including the additional step of preheating said microwave absorbing liquid before adding said tray containing said frozen food.
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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) | 1987-03-27 | 1987-09-26 | 1988-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-27 | 1991-09-26 | 1992-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-27 | 1995-09-26 | 1996-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |