US5059279A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Susceptor for microwave heating
Assignee: Conagra Brands Inc
•
Filing: 1990-05-25
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A selectively demetallized metal film is provided in which the metal film has different amounts of metal removed in different areas to provide a film having a graduated optical density from one area to another. The amount of metal present in the film can vary gradually and continuously or in stages resulting in a series of bands or patches. Each portion of the film appears uniform, homogeneous and uninterrupted to the unaided eye. The product is produced by providing a substrate such as plastic film having a thin semiconductive metal film coated thereon. Different amounts of the metal are removed from the film in different areas, preferably by exposing the metal film in different areas to different amounts of an etchant which can be provided in the form of minute droplets of one size in one area and of a different size in a different area. The etchant can be applied by halftone printing as variably sized dots on uniformly fixed centers with larger dots of etchant applied in some areas than in others to remove a greater amount of the metal.
Inventors
- 👤 David Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 10:02
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/22; B44C1/227; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; C; C23; C23F; C23F1/00; C23F1/02; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3437; B65D2581/3439; B65D2581/344; B65D2581/3463; B65D2581/3467; B65D2581/3471; B65D2581/3472; B65D2581/3477; B65D2581/3478; B65D2581/3479; B65D2581/3483; B65D2581/3486; B65D2581/3494; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising, a nonconductive sheet backing as a supporting material, an electrically conductive or semi conductive coating substance as a layer on the backing sheet to produce heat when exposed to microwave energy in a microwave oven, said coating substances having gradations in the amount of said coating substance from one area thereof to another to provide differences in the amount of heat produced in different areas thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising, a nonconductive sheet backing as a supporting material, an electrically conductive or semi conductive coating substance as a layer on the backing sheet to produce heat when exposed to microwave energy in a microwave oven, said coating substances having gradations in the amount of said coating substance from one area thereof to another to provide differences in the amount of heat produced in different areas thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The susceptor of claim 1 wherein the gradations in the amount of said substance are arranged such that the greatest amount is in a center portion of said coating substance and declining amounts of said substance are present in areas proceeding toward a peripheral portion of the susceptor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The susceptor of claim 1 wherein the coating substance comprises a metal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising a non-conductive backing of flexible sheet material, an electrically conductive or semiconductive metal film thereon having a selected resistivity in one area and a different resistivity in a second area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising a non-conductive backing of flexible sheet material, an electrically conductive or semiconductive metal film thereon having a selected resistivity in one area and a different resistivity in a second area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The susceptor of claim 4 for microwave heating wherein a portion of the metal coating is etched to provide a pattern of variably sized recesses of removed metal, said recesses of removed metal being located on uniform fixed centers with different amounts of metal being removed in some recesses than in others to provide a pattern of recesses of larger and smaller sizes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product of claim 5 wherein the metal is removed in a halftone pattern composed of a series of rows and columns having predetermined centers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The product of claim 6 wherein the recesses have a diameter of about 10 microns to about 500 microns, with about 60 to about 500 cells per linear inch in each row.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A decorative package formed from a metal coated sheet prepared by providing a conductive substrate having a thin metal film thereon, removing different amounts of the metal film from different portions of the substrate to provide differences in the amount of metal film remaining in the different portions thereof whereby the different portions of the metal film exhibit differences in optical density.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A decorative package formed from a metal coated sheet prepared by providing a conductive substrate having a thin metal film thereon, removing different amounts of the metal film from different portions of the substrate to provide differences in the amount of metal film remaining in the different portions thereof whereby the different portions of the metal film exhibit differences in optical density.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A metal coated product comprising a nonconductive backing of flexible sheet material, a metal film thereon having a selected resistivity in one area and a different resistivity in a second area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A metal coated product comprising a nonconductive backing of flexible sheet material, a metal film thereon having a selected resistivity in one area and a different resistivity in a second area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The product of claim 9 for microwave heating wherein the portion of the metal coating is etched to provide a pattern of variably sized regions of removed metal, said regions being located at predetermined centers with more metal being removed in some regions than in others.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product of claim 10 wherein the removed metal is arranged in a halftone pattern as a series of rows and columns having fixed centers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The product of claim 11 wherein the openings have a diameter of about 10 micros to about 500 microns, with about 60 to about 250 cells per linear inch in each row.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The metal coated product of claim 9 wherein said metal coated product is formed into a decorative package having at least one compartment therein to hold an article and the differences in resistivity of the metal film in different areas produce a decorative effect.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The susceptor of claim 2 wherein said coating substance includes at least one peripheral ring surrounding the central portion and said ring contains a reduced amount of the coating substance per unit area compared with the central portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The susceptor of claim 14 wherein a plurality of said rings are provided, each said ring having a reduced amount of said coating substance per unit area compared with an adjacent area centrally thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising, a non-conductive backing of flexible sheet material, an electrically conductive or semiconductor metal film thereon having a selected optical density in one area and a different optical density in a second area.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
A susceptor for microwave heating comprising, a non-conductive backing of flexible sheet material, an electrically conductive or semiconductor metal film thereon having a selected optical density in one area and a different optical density in a second area.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
A metal coated product comprising, a nonconductive backing of flexible sheet material, a metal film thereon having a selected optical density in one area and a different optical density in a second area.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
A metal coated product comprising, a nonconductive backing of flexible sheet material, a metal film thereon having a selected optical density in one area and a different optical density in a second area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The susceptor of claim 16 for microwave heating wherein a portion of the metal coating is etched to provide a pattern of variably sized recesses of removed metal, said recesses of removed metal being located on fixed centers with different amounts of metal being removed in some recesses than in others to provide a pattern of recesses of larger and smaller sizes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The product of claim 18 wherein the metal is removed in a halftone pattern composed of a series of rows and columns on uniform fixed centers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
The product of claim 17 for microwave heating wherein a portion of the metal coating is etched to provide a pattern of variably sized regions of removed metal, said regions being located on predetermined centers with more metal being removed in some regions than in others.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The product of claim 20 wherein the removed metal is arranged in a halftone pattern as a series of rows and columns on predetermined centers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The product of claim 21 wherein the openings have a diameter of about 10 micros to about 500 microns, with about 60 to about 250 cells per linear inch in each row.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
45 words
The metal coated product of claim 17 wherein said metal coated product is formed into a decorative package having at least one compartment therein to hold an article and the differences in optical density of the metal film in different areas produce a decorative effect.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The susceptor of claim 16 wherein said metal film includes at least one peripheral ring surrounding a central portion and said ring contains a reduced amount of the metal per unit area compared with the central portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The susceptor of claim 24 wherein a plurality of said rings are provided, each said ring having a reduced amount of said metal per unit area compared with an adjacent area centrally thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
134 words
A process for producing a microwave susceptor having at least two regions of microwave active metal material, said method including the steps of, providing a substrate having a microwave active film of metallic material thereon, and selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least each of first and second areas thereof, said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the first area being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a first resistivity and said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the second area being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a second resistivity, the second resistivity being different from the first resistivity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
134 words
A process for producing a microwave susceptor having at least two regions of microwave active metal material, said method including the steps of, providing a substrate having a microwave active film of metallic material thereon, and selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least each of first and second areas thereof, said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the first area being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a first resistivity and said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the second area being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a second resistivity, the second resistivity being different from the first resistivity.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process according to claim 26 wherein said step of selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least each of the first and second areas includes exposing the second area to etchant droplets of a first average size and exposing a second region to etchant droplets of a second average size, the first average size being different from the second average size.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
A process according to claim 26 wherein said step of selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least each of the first and second areas includes applying etchant solution to the microwave active film in the first and second areas, said step of applying etchant to the metal film including applying the etchant to a roller and transferring the etchant from the roller to the microwave active film by capillary attraction.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 28 including a step of washing the metal film after said step of transferring the etchant to the metal film.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 28 including steps of irradiating the film with infrared radiation after the etchant has been applied thereto and washing the film after the step of irradiating.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 26 wherein said step of selectively removing a portion of the film from the substrtate in at least each of the first and second areas includes applying different amount of an etchant to each of the first and second areas.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
68 words
A susceptor for microwave heating, said susceptor comprising, a backing and a microwave active metal coating supported on said backing, said microwave active metal coating defining at least first and second areas of microwave active metal, said first area of microwave active metal having a first resistivity and said second area of microwave active metal having a second resistivity, said second resistivity being different from the first resistivity.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
A susceptor for microwave heating, said susceptor comprising, a backing and a microwave active metal coating supported on said backing, said microwave active metal coating defining at least first and second areas of microwave active metal, said first area of microwave active metal having a first resistivity and said second area of microwave active metal having a second resistivity, said second resistivity being different from the first resistivity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
A susceptor according to claim 32 wherein said first area of metal coating includes therein a plurality of recesses of a first average size and said second area of metal coating includes therein a plurality of recesses of a second average size, said second average size being different from said first average size.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
69 words
A susceptor according to claim 32 wherein said first area of microwave active metal comprises a halftone pattern of rows and columns of recesses, on predetermined centers, having a first average size, and said second area of microwave active metal comprises a halftone pattern of rows and columns of recesses, on predetermined centers, having a second average size, said second average size being different from said first average size.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A susceptor according to claim 32 wherein said first region of microwave active metal has a circular configuration, and said second region of microwave active metal comprises a ring circumscribing said first region of microwave active metal.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
A susceptor according to claim 35 wherein said first resistivity is higher than said second resistivity.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for producing a microwave susceptor having at first and second areas of microwave active metal material, said method including the steps of, providing a substrate having a microwave active film of metallic material thereon, and selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least said first area thereof, said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the first area being conducted in a manner which leaves a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a first resistivity, said process being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material in said second area that has a second resistivity which is different from the resistivity of said first area.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for producing a microwave susceptor having at first and second areas of microwave active metal material, said method including the steps of, providing a substrate having a microwave active film of metallic material thereon, and selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least said first area thereof, said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the first area being conducted in a manner which leaves a coating of microwave active metallic material therein having a first resistivity, said process being conducted in a manner leaving a coating of microwave active metallic material in said second area that has a second resistivity which is different from the resistivity of said first area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The process of claim 37 wherein said step of selectively removing a portion of the microwave active film from said first area includes exposing the first area to etchant droplets for removing a portion of the metallic film contacted by the droplets.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
71 words
The process according to claim 37 wherein said step of removing a portion of the microwave active film from the substrate in at least said first area includes applying etchant solution to the microwave active film in said first area, said step of applying etchant to the metal film including applying the etchant to a roller and transferring the etchant from the roller to the microwave active film by capillary attraction.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process according to claim 39 including a step of washing the metal film after said step of transferring the etchant to the metal film.
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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) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |