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US4771155A
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US
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Apparatus for promoting the uniform heating of a food product in a radiant energy field
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-02-26
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Granted: 1988-09-13
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Expires: 2007-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for uniformly heating a product in the presence of a radiant energy heating source includes a plurality of radiant energy reflective collectors encased in a radiant energy transparent material. The collectors are formed by a number of tabs that collect the radiant energy incident on the collectors and form a radiant energy field such that a food product is heated to a uniform temperature throughout.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Yangas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:55
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/6402; H05B6/6447; H05B6/645; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S99/00; Y10S99/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for uniformly heating a food product in the presence of a radiant energy heating source comprising: a base, said base having an upper surface; a plurality of collectors of radiant energy reflective material, said collectors having a periphery located on said upper surface of said base and a substantially radiant energy transparent region within said periphery, said collectors further having a plurality of tabs located along said periphery and spaced apart from adjacent tabs to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy, said tabs inclined upwardly from said base over said transparent region at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said region; and a substantially radiant energy transparent encasing means enclosing said base and said plurality of collectors for promoting the uniform heating of the food product in the presence of the radiant energy heating source.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for uniformly heating a food product in the presence of a radiant energy heating source comprising: a base, said base having an upper surface; a plurality of collectors of radiant energy reflective material, said collectors having a periphery located on said upper surface of said base and a substantially radiant energy transparent region within said periphery, said collectors further having a plurality of tabs located along said periphery and spaced apart from adjacent tabs to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy, said tabs inclined upwardly from said base over said transparent region at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said region; and a substantially radiant energy transparent encasing means enclosing said base and said plurality of collectors for promoting the uniform heating of the food product in the presence of the radiant energy heating source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base is a radiant energy reflective material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said radiant energy reflective material is aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said aluminum is approximately 0.007 to 0.008 inches in thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said base located within said periphery is removed to form said tabs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the shape of said periphery of said collectors is substantially that of a square.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the shape of said periphery of said collectors is substantially that of a circle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the shape of said periphery of said collectors is substantially that of a hexagon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said angle of said tabs is approximately 80-90 degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tabs are formed from a bimetallic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, said collectors further coated with an insulating material to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said insulating material is silicone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiant energy encasing means is high temperature thermoplastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further providing that said radiant energy transparent encasing means is adapted for use in connection with a commercial conveyor belt system.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiant energy transparent encasing means is adapted to form a tray such that said encasing means defines a plurality of sectioned compartments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said collectors are spaced apart within said tray such that said plurality of sectioned compartments vary in their ability to promote the uniform heating of the food product.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 15 wherein said plurality of sectioned compartments are identified by color.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
133 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 further including a plate having a lower surface; a second plurality of collectors of radiant energy reflective material, said collectors having a periphery located on said lower surface of said plate and a substantially radiant energy transparent region within said periphery, said collectors further having a second plurality of tabs located along said periphery and spaced apart from adjacent tabs to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy, said tabs extending downwardly from said plate at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said region; and said radiant energy transparent encasing means enclosing said base and said plate such that said collectors on said base are positioned opposed to said collectors on said plate for promoting the uniform heating of said food product.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said collectors on said base and said collectors on said plate are positioned offset one from another.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein the shape of said periphery of said collectors on said plate is substantially that of a circle and said periphery of said collectors on said base is alternately substantially that of a square and substantially that of a circle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the shape of said periphery of said plurality of collectors is alternately substantially that of a square and substantially that of a circle.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing an apparatus for uniformly heating a food product in the presence of radiant energy heating source comprising: locating a plurality of collectors on a surface of a base of radiant energy reflective material; cutting a plurality of tabs from said base such that at least one side of said tab remains affixed to an outer periphery of said collectors; bending each of said collector tabs out of plane from said base toward one another at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said base; and enclosing said base in a radiant energy transparent encasing means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of manufacturing an apparatus for uniformly heating a food product in the presence of radiant energy heating source comprising: locating a plurality of collectors on a surface of a base of radiant energy reflective material; cutting a plurality of tabs from said base such that at least one side of said tab remains affixed to an outer periphery of said collectors; bending each of said collector tabs out of plane from said base toward one another at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said base; and enclosing said base in a radiant energy transparent encasing means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method defined in claim 22 further including coating said collectors with an insulating material before encasing said base and said collectors in said radiant energy transparent encasing means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The mothod defines in claim 23 wherein said insulating material is silicone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method defined in claim 22 wherein said radiant energy transparent encasing means is high temperature thermo-plastic.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus in combination with an oven for uniformly heating a food product in a radiant energy heating cavity of said oven, comprising: said oven having a radiant energy heating cavity, said cavity having walls and a floor; said apparatus having a base, said base having an upper surface; a plurality of collectors of radiant energy reflective material, said collectors having a periphery located on said upper surface of said base and a substantially radiant energy transparent region within said periphery, said collectors further having a plurality of tabs located along said periphery and spaced apart from adjacent tabs to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy, said tabs inclined upwardly from said base over said transparent region at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said region; and a substantially radiant energy transparent encasing means enclosing said base and said plurality of collectors, said apparatus further adapted to engage said cavity of said oven for promoting the uniform heating of said food product in said oven.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus in combination with an oven for uniformly heating a food product in a radiant energy heating cavity of said oven, comprising: said oven having a radiant energy heating cavity, said cavity having walls and a floor; said apparatus having a base, said base having an upper surface; a plurality of collectors of radiant energy reflective material, said collectors having a periphery located on said upper surface of said base and a substantially radiant energy transparent region within said periphery, said collectors further having a plurality of tabs located along said periphery and spaced apart from adjacent tabs to prevent arcing in the presence of radiant energy, said tabs inclined upwardly from said base over said transparent region at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to said region; and a substantially radiant energy transparent encasing means enclosing said base and said plurality of collectors, said apparatus further adapted to engage said cavity of said oven for promoting the uniform heating of said food product in said oven.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus in combination with an oven as defined in claim 26 wherein said apparatus is located within said walls of said oven.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus in combination with an oven as defined in claim 26 wherein said apparatus is located within said floor of said oven.
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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) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |