US5278378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave heating element with antenna structure
Assignee: CAMINE RESOURCES Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-29
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2012-06-29
Abstract
Abstract A microwave heating element is described which permits a more uniform microwave cooking of a foodstuff to be achieved. The element comprises a layer of electroconductive material having circular openings formed therethrough and arranged in an array that generates thermal energy when exposed to microwave energy and adjacent a foodstuff. An antenna is provided in at least some of the openings to guide microwave energy to and through the openings. The electroconductive material layer usually is adhered to a paperboard layer with an overlying polymeric film layer.
Inventors
- 👤 D. Gregory Beckett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:46
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/72; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3437; B65D2581/3439; B65D2581/344; B65D2581/3463; B65D2581/3467; B65D2581/3471; B65D2581/3472; B65D2581/3477; B65D2581/3478; B65D2581/3479; B65D2581/3486; B65D2581/3489
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A microwave heating element, comprising a layer of electroconductive material having circular openings formed therethrough and arranged in an array that generates thermal energy when exposed to microwave energy and adjacent a foodstuff, and antenna means in at least some of said openings to guide microwave energy to and through the openings, whereby a more uniform heating of a foodstuff may be achieved.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A microwave heating element, comprising a layer of electroconductive material having circular openings formed therethrough and arranged in an array that generates thermal energy when exposed to microwave energy and adjacent a foodstuff, and antenna means in at least some of said openings to guide microwave energy to and through the openings, whereby a more uniform heating of a foodstuff may be achieved.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The element of claim 1 wherein said layer of electroconductive material is adhered to a microwave-opaque substrate layer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The element of claim 2 wherein said microwave-opaque substrate layer is paper or paperboard.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The element of claim 3 wherein said layer of electroconductive material also is adhered to a layer of polymeric material on the opposite side from said paper or paperboard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The element of claim 1 wherein said antenna means comprises a plurality of islands of said electroconductive material provided in said openings.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The element of claim 1 wherein said antenna means comprises a protrusion of electroconductive material extending from the periphery of the opening into the opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The element of claim 6 wherein said protrusion comprises a rounded head portion located at the centre of the opening and an elongate neck portion joining the round head portion to the periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The element of claim 1 wherein said antenna means comprises a spiral of said electroconductive material extending from the periphery of the opening to adjacent the centre of the opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The element of claim 1 wherein said antenna means comprises a plurality of strips of said electroconductive material extending from the periphery of the opening into the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The element of claim 9 wherein said strips of electroconductive materials are of equal length and width and arranged in a uniform array of arcs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said openings are formed in a uniform array, having a diameter from about 1/4 to about 11 inches and spaced apart by about 1/8 to about 4 inches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure of claim 11 wherein said openings have a diameter of about 1/2 to about 2 inches and are spaced apart from 1/4 to about 1 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said electroconductive material layer is flexible and has a thickness of at least about 1 micron.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 13 wherein said electroconductive material layer has a thickness of about 1 to about 15 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure of claim 14 wherein said electroconductive material layer has a thickness of about 3 to about 10 microns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The structure of claim 15 wherein said electroconductive material layer has a thickness of about 7 to 8 microns.
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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) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |