US5094865A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two stage process for cooking/browing/crusting food by microwave energy and infrared energy
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-02-18
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2011-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A two-stage process for baking/crusting food products is proposed. The First Stage is carried out in a microwave oven chamber; the Second Stage is carried out beneath a gas or electric broiler. In both stages, the food is placed on a browning/crusting device which provides a metal cooking surface, heated by adherent microwave lossy materials or on a smooth surface of one or more blocks of microwave lossy ceramic or microwave lossy igneous rock which is supported in a metal tray. In the First Stage, a First Stage kit includes a microwave transparent cover, a microwave transparent thermal insulating support and the browning/crusting device. In the Second Stage, only the browning/crusting device is used to complete the overall process. The browning/crusting device is pre-heated in a microwave oven to achieve an elevated browning/crusting temperature before applying food to the browning/crusting device.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin L. Levinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:41
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/02; A47J36/027; A23; A23L; A23L5/00; A23L5/10; A23L5/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for browning/crusting food, in two stages, comprising: in a first stage: placing a microwave-lossy browning/crusting device in a microwave chamber, said browning/crusting device including a food contacting surface on a non-metal, thermal insulating tray supporting said browning/crusting device; said browning/crusting device further being resistant to heat damage when exposed to infrared energy from an infrared broiler; said browning/crusting device being at least in part microwave-lossy; exposing said browning/crusting device to microwaves until said food contacting surface is heated to a food browning/crusting temperature; placing said food to be browned/crusted on said food contacting surface to brown/crust said food in contact with said food contacting surface; and in a second stage: exposing said browning/crusting device and said food to infrared energy by placing said browning/crusting device, with said food on said food contacting surface, beneath an infrared broiler whereby a surface of said food, opposed to said food contacting surface, is browned/crusted by said infrared energy from said broiler.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for browning/crusting food, in two stages, comprising: in a first stage: placing a microwave-lossy browning/crusting device in a microwave chamber, said browning/crusting device including a food contacting surface on a non-metal, thermal insulating tray supporting said browning/crusting device; said browning/crusting device further being resistant to heat damage when exposed to infrared energy from an infrared broiler; said browning/crusting device being at least in part microwave-lossy; exposing said browning/crusting device to microwaves until said food contacting surface is heated to a food browning/crusting temperature; placing said food to be browned/crusted on said food contacting surface to brown/crust said food in contact with said food contacting surface; and in a second stage: exposing said browning/crusting device and said food to infrared energy by placing said browning/crusting device, with said food on said food contacting surface, beneath an infrared broiler whereby a surface of said food, opposed to said food contacting surface, is browned/crusted by said infrared energy from said broiler.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said browning/crusting device retains an elevated temperature, above room temperature, subsequent to said second stage, and functions as a heated serving platter for said food.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said infrared broiler is in said microwave chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said browning/crusting device includes a metal plate which has a metal food contacting surface and has a microwave-lossy composition in contact with the opposite surface of said metal plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said browning/crusting device comprises a microwave-lossy member, formed from microwave-lossy ceramic or from microwave-lossy igneous rock, said member having at least one smooth surface which is the said food contacting surface; said member being supported on a metal tray which shields the bottom and side walls of said member from microwave energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said microwave-lossy member comprises multiple blocks of microwave-lossy ceramic or igneous rock, said blocks being assembled in an array with one flat surface of each block lying in a common plane which is said food contacting surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said food is cooked by exposure to microwave energy, in said microwave chamber, on said browning/crusting device subsequent to said first stage browning/crusting and prior said second stage browning/crusting.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said infrared broiler is preheated while said food is browning/crusting on said food contacting surface within said microwave chamber during said first stage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said food is browned/crusted in a metal pan having a bottom surface that contacts the food contacting surface of the browning/crusting device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said food is bread and, during said first stage, bread dough is baked in said metal pan having a bottom surface in contact with said food contacting surface and, during said second stage, said baked bread is browned/crusted in said metal pan beneath said infrared broiler.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said food is cake and, during said first stage, a cake batter is baked in said metal pan having a bottom surface in contact with said food contacting surface and, during said second stage, said baked cake is browned/crusted in said metal pan beneath said infrared broiler.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
In the method of claim 4 wherein the said metal plate has a concave surface which comprises said food contacting surface, positioning said food centrally on said concave surface.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for browning/crusting food, in two states, comprising: in a first stage: placing a microwave-lossy browning/crusting device in a microwave chamber, said browning/crusting device including a metal plate having a metal food contacting surface and a microwave-lossy non-metallic mass engaged with said metal plate on its opposite surface; placing said browning/crusting device on a non-metal, thermal insulating tray supporting said browning/crusting device; said browning/crusting device further being resistant to heat damage when exposed to infrared energy from an infrared broiler; exposing said browning/crusting device to microwave until said food contacting surface is heated to a food browning/crusting temperature; placing said food to be browned/crusted on said food contacting surface to brown/crust said food in contact with said food contacting surface; and in a second stage: exposing said browning/crusting device and said food to infrared energy by placing said browning/crusting device, with said food on said metal food contacting surface, beneath an infrared broiler whereby a surface of said food, opposed to said metal food contacting surface, is browned/crusted by said infrared energy from said broiler.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
176 words
A method for browning/crusting food, in two states, comprising: in a first stage: placing a microwave-lossy browning/crusting device in a microwave chamber, said browning/crusting device including a metal plate having a metal food contacting surface and a microwave-lossy non-metallic mass engaged with said metal plate on its opposite surface; placing said browning/crusting device on a non-metal, thermal insulating tray supporting said browning/crusting device; said browning/crusting device further being resistant to heat damage when exposed to infrared energy from an infrared broiler; exposing said browning/crusting device to microwave until said food contacting surface is heated to a food browning/crusting temperature; placing said food to be browned/crusted on said food contacting surface to brown/crust said food in contact with said food contacting surface; and in a second stage: exposing said browning/crusting device and said food to infrared energy by placing said browning/crusting device, with said food on said metal food contacting surface, beneath an infrared broiler whereby a surface of said food, opposed to said metal food contacting surface, is browned/crusted by said infrared energy from said broiler.
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) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |