US4574174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convenience dinner container and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-21
•
Granted: 1986-03-04
•
Expires: 2004-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for supplying, storing and cooking a dinner in a microwave oven including assembling the meal in upside-down fashion in a compartmentalized lid, equipped with vent holes sealed with adhesive tape to prevent escape of the food with a foil covering over the lid to protect the frozen meal during the storage which when the meal is ready to be cooked, the lid is inverted over a reusable microwavable dish with such that the food drops into the dish, the sealing tape is removed from the vents and the unit placed in a microwave oven.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas P. McGonigle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:34
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; B65D81/3453; B65D2205/00; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W30/00; Y02W30/50; Y02W30/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for providing, storing, and cooking a convenience meal in a either microwave oven or a convectional oven comprising: (a) assembling a meal for microwave or heat reconstitution in an upside down fashion in a lid having at least one compartment, (b) installing in the lid as least one vent hole in the compartment located generally under the meal, (c) covering each vent hole with an adhesive sealing means which prevents the meal from escape and contact with the elements, (d) covering and sealing each open compartment of the lid with a foil sealing means to protect the meal, (e) storing the lid with the meal sealed inside, under conditions to protect the freshness of the meal until use, (f) removing the foil to expose the meal, (g) inverting the lid over a dish of a size such that the lid interfits over the sides of the dish, the dish having a complimentary compartment for each compartment of the lid, wherein the dish is microwavable and of a construction and material suitable for reuse, (h) removing the adhesive sealing means to expose each vent hole, (i) causing the meal in the lid to drop into the dish, and (j) cooking the meal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
203 words
A method for providing, storing, and cooking a convenience meal in a either microwave oven or a convectional oven comprising: (a) assembling a meal for microwave or heat reconstitution in an upside down fashion in a lid having at least one compartment, (b) installing in the lid as least one vent hole in the compartment located generally under the meal, (c) covering each vent hole with an adhesive sealing means which prevents the meal from escape and contact with the elements, (d) covering and sealing each open compartment of the lid with a foil sealing means to protect the meal, (e) storing the lid with the meal sealed inside, under conditions to protect the freshness of the meal until use, (f) removing the foil to expose the meal, (g) inverting the lid over a dish of a size such that the lid interfits over the sides of the dish, the dish having a complimentary compartment for each compartment of the lid, wherein the dish is microwavable and of a construction and material suitable for reuse, (h) removing the adhesive sealing means to expose each vent hole, (i) causing the meal in the lid to drop into the dish, and (j) cooking the meal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the lid is left interfitted over the dish and the meal is cooked in a microwave oven.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-03-03 | 1989-09-02 | 1990-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-03-03 | 1993-09-02 | 1994-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-03-03 | 1997-09-02 | 1998-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |