US5045660A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Invertible, microwave oven apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-11-06
•
Granted: 1991-09-03
•
Expires: 2009-11-06
Abstract
Abstract For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave-oven oven is provided which includes; a first heating member which has a first surface to heat a food in contact therewith; a second heating member which has a second heating surface to heat a food in contact therewith; connector means which engages with the first and second heating members and which keeps the first and second members in engagement while the apparatus is inverted; a cooking chamber defined by, at least, the first heating member and said second absorptive heating member; a microwave-absorptive substance for each of the heating surfaces, adapted to become hot when exposed to microwave energy and to heat the heating surfaces; and optionally, by auxiliary metal pan members for use within the steam-confining chamber. The connector means may include a microwave-reflective band disposed to adjust the amount of microwave energy directly entering the cooking chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin L. Levinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:20
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/02; A47J36/027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S99/00; Y10S99/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave cooking apparatus comprising: first heat-generating member which includes a first heat-conductive metal grill surface having in contact with its reverse surface a first microwave-absorptive material; a second heat-generating member which includes a second heat-conductive metal grill surface having in contact with its reverse surface a second microwave-absorptive material; a retaining means to retain said first and second heat-generating members in engagement while the obverse of said first and second grill surfaces oppose each other in spaced-apart relation and while the said apparatus is inverted; an enclosed cooking chamber defined by, at least, said first heat-generating member and said second heat-generating member and said retaining means; said first heat-generating member which in its grill surface up position, supports food in contact with said first grill surface when said food is being heated; said first grill surface being below but not in contact with said second grill surface; and said first heat-generating member being further adapted, in its grill surface down position, to heat and confine vaporous cooking by-products released from food cooking in contact with said second heat-conductive metal grill.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave cooking apparatus comprising: first heat-generating member which includes a first heat-conductive metal grill surface having in contact with its reverse surface a first microwave-absorptive material; a second heat-generating member which includes a second heat-conductive metal grill surface having in contact with its reverse surface a second microwave-absorptive material; a retaining means to retain said first and second heat-generating members in engagement while the obverse of said first and second grill surfaces oppose each other in spaced-apart relation and while the said apparatus is inverted; an enclosed cooking chamber defined by, at least, said first heat-generating member and said second heat-generating member and said retaining means; said first heat-generating member which in its grill surface up position, supports food in contact with said first grill surface when said food is being heated; said first grill surface being below but not in contact with said second grill surface; and said first heat-generating member being further adapted, in its grill surface down position, to heat and confine vaporous cooking by-products released from food cooking in contact with said second heat-conductive metal grill.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein the said cooking chamber is one to eight inches high.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein the said first heat-generating member weighs between 1.5 and 3.0 pounds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein the said second heat-generating member weighs between 1.5 and 3.0 pounds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, with said first heat-generating member in its grill surface up position, and including an auxiliary pan member having a base resting on the said first metal grill surface in heat transfer relationship, said pan being entirely confined within the said cooking chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 5, wherein the said base of said auxiliary pan member is provided with perforations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein said first heat-generating member has at least one handle member and said second heat-generating member has at least one handle member, said handle members being arranged in juxtaposition to permit transport and inversion of said cooking apparatus as a unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The microwave cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein said first heat-generating member has a saucer-shaped grill surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The microwave cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first heat-generating member is in its grill surface up position, and including an auxiliary imperforate metal pan member having a base and a rim, said rim being engaged with the said first metal grill surface within said cooking chamber, whereby said auxiliary pan and the cooking surface of said first metal grill define a microwave-shielded heating chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 1, wherein said first and second heating members are individual, heated serving dishes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means to retain said first and second heat-generating members in spaced-apart relation is a sleeve from 1 to 8 inches high.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 11 wherein the said sleeve is microwave-transmissive.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 12 wherein the said sleeve is partially covered with microwave-shielding.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 11 wherein said sleeve is a cylinder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave cooking apparatus comprising: a first microwave-absorptive heating member, which has a first surface to heat a food in contact therewith, a second microwave-absorptive heating member having a second surface to heat a food in contact therewith, connector means which engages with said first and second microwave-absorptive heating members and keeps said first and second members in engagement while said apparatus is inverted, an enclosed cooking chamber defined by, at least microwave-absorptive heating member and said microwave-absorptive heating member and said connector means, said second microwave-absorptive heating member being adapted, in its second surface up position, to support food in contact with said second surface while said food is being heated; said second surface being below but not in contact with said first heating surface; said second microwave-absorptive heating member and said first microwave-absorptive heating member and said connector means defining a cooking chamber to confine vaporous cooking by-products released from food cooking.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
161 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible microwave cooking apparatus comprising: a first microwave-absorptive heating member, which has a first surface to heat a food in contact therewith, a second microwave-absorptive heating member having a second surface to heat a food in contact therewith, connector means which engages with said first and second microwave-absorptive heating members and keeps said first and second members in engagement while said apparatus is inverted, an enclosed cooking chamber defined by, at least microwave-absorptive heating member and said microwave-absorptive heating member and said connector means, said second microwave-absorptive heating member being adapted, in its second surface up position, to support food in contact with said second surface while said food is being heated; said second surface being below but not in contact with said first heating surface; said second microwave-absorptive heating member and said first microwave-absorptive heating member and said connector means defining a cooking chamber to confine vaporous cooking by-products released from food cooking.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein the said second microwave-absorptive heating member weighs between 1.5 and 3.0 pounds.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein the said first microwave-absorptive heating member weighs between 1.5 and 3.0 pounds.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein the said first microwave-absorptive member and said second microwave-absorptive heating member each weighs between 1.5 and 3.0 pounds.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein the said cooking chamber is one to eight inches high.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, with said second microwave-absorptive heating member in its second surface down position, including an auxiliary metal pan member having a base resting on the said first surface in heat transfer relationship and being entirely confined within the said cooking chamber.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein said second microwave-absorptive heating member has at least one handle member and said first microwave-absorptive heating member has at least one handle member, said handle members being arranged in juxtaposition to permit transport and inversion of said cooking apparatus as a unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein said first microwave-absorptive heating member is in its first surface up position, including an auxiliary imperforate metal pan member having a base and a rim, said rim being engaged with the said first surface within said cooking chamber, whereby said auxiliary pan and said first surface define a microwave-shielded heating chamber.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The microwave cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein said first heat-generating member has a saucer shaped first surface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cooking apparatus, of claim 15, wherein, said first and second heating members are individual, heated serving dishes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
92 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible cooking apparatus comprising: a first heat-generating member, a spaced-apart second-heat generating member and an imperforate connecting wall member defining an enclosed cooking chamber; said heat-generating members having a microwave-transmissive housing and a grill having an exposed cooking surface and microwave-absorptive means to heat said grill; engagement means on each said housing peripherally disposed from said grill; said connecting wall member being a sleeve having a side wall and two open ends, said sleeve being engaged at each open end with a said engagement means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
92 words
For use in a microwave oven, an invertible cooking apparatus comprising: a first heat-generating member, a spaced-apart second-heat generating member and an imperforate connecting wall member defining an enclosed cooking chamber; said heat-generating members having a microwave-transmissive housing and a grill having an exposed cooking surface and microwave-absorptive means to heat said grill; engagement means on each said housing peripherally disposed from said grill; said connecting wall member being a sleeve having a side wall and two open ends, said sleeve being engaged at each open end with a said engagement means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said engagement means are supporting wall members extending from said housing; said supporting wall members are in surface engagement with a wall surface of said connecting wall member open ends.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 26 wherein said connecting wall member is a cylindrical sleeve and said supporting wall members have a corresponding circular configuration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 27 wherein said connecting wall member has an outer diameter corresponding to the inner diameter of said supporting wall members whereby said supporting wall members are press-fitted over the outer surface of said connecting wall member.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 27 wherein said connecting wall member has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of said supporting wall members whereby said supporting wall members are press-fitted against the inner surface of said connecting wall member.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said grill is metal and said microwave-absorptive means is a microwave-absorptive member engaged in heat transmitting relation with said grill.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said connecting wall member has a microwave reflective band covering at least a portion of its wall.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said connecting wall member has a microwave-reflecting surface over at least a portion of its outer wall.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein each said heat generating member has at least one microwave-transmissive handle and said handles are juxtaposed.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said cooking chamber is a steam-confining chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said connecting wall member has a length of 1 to 8 inches.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
11 words
The cooking apparatus of claim 25 wherein said grill is circular.
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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) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |