US6414290B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Patterned microwave susceptor
Assignee: Graphic Packaging International LLC
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Filing: 1998-03-19
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Granted: 2002-07-02
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Expires: 2018-03-19
Abstract
Abstract The heating effect of a microwave susceptor can be improved by providing a pattern of microwave transparent areas in the susceptor. The transparent areas are preferably circles having a diameter of about 0.5 inch. The distance between adjacent circles is preferably about 0.5 inch. The susceptor may be used to brown and crispen the crust of frozen pizza heated in a microwave oven. The crust of the pizza is browner, especially at its central area, than the crust of pizza heated using a conventional susceptor.
Inventors
- 👤 Lorin R. Cole
- 👤 Terrence P. Lafferty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:09
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/647; H05B6/6491; H05B6/6494; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3401; B65D2581/3402; B65D2581/3405; B65D2581/3406; B65D2581/3437; B65D2581/3439; B65D2581/344; B65D2581/3463; B65D2581/3467; B65D2581/3471; B65D2581/3472; B65D2581/3486; B65D2581/3494
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
In an imperforate microwave susceptor comprising a layer of metallized plastic film laminated to a dimensionally stable substrate, the improvement wherein the susceptor has a pattern of substantially transparent circles in the layer of metal on the plastic film that enhances the heating effect of the susceptor in the central area of the susceptor, with each circle having a diameter of about 1.3 cm, the distance between adjacent circles being between about one and three cm, and the susceptor being electrically continuous.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an imperforate microwave susceptor comprising a layer of metallized plastic film laminated to a dimensionally stable substrate, the improvement wherein the susceptor has a pattern of substantially transparent circles in the layer of metal on the plastic film that enhances the heating effect of the susceptor in the central area of the susceptor, with each circle having a diameter of about 1.3 cm, the distance between adjacent circles being between about one and three cm, and the susceptor being electrically continuous.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement of claim 1 , wherein the proportion of the cumulative area of the transparent circles in the central area of the susceptor to the total area of the central area of the susceptor is from about 10 to 20%, and the central area of the susceptor having an area of about 80 sq. cm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
A microwave susceptor comprising: a dimensionally stable substrate; and a generally continuous layer of metallized plastic film laminated to the substrate to form a microwave susceptor, the film having spaced-apart microwave-transparent areas within one generally continuous microwave-interactive area for enhancing the heating effect of the susceptor, each of the transparent areas having a major linear dimension of about one eighth an operating wavelength of a microwave oven.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A microwave susceptor comprising: a dimensionally stable substrate; and a generally continuous layer of metallized plastic film laminated to the substrate to form a microwave susceptor, the film having spaced-apart microwave-transparent areas within one generally continuous microwave-interactive area for enhancing the heating effect of the susceptor, each of the transparent areas having a major linear dimension of about one eighth an operating wavelength of a microwave oven.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein each of the transparent areas has a major linear dimension of about 1.3 cm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein each transparent area has a width to height ratio between about 1 to 1 and about 2 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein each transparent area has a generally circular shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein adjacent transparent areas are separated by between about 1 and 3 cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein the susceptor is electrically continuous.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein the dimensionally stable substrate is paper or paperboard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein the susceptor has a center portion surrounded by an outer portion, and wherein the center portion of the susceptor is at least 10 cm from a nearest edge of the susceptor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 10 , wherein a cumulative area of the microwave-transparent areas disposed within the center portion is about 10% to 20% of a total area of the center portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein a cumulative area of the microwave transparent areas is about 7% to 15% a total area of the susceptor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein the susceptor includes a peripheral margin portion having a microwave-transparent grid pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The microwave susceptor of claim 3 , wherein the transparent areas become more concentrated toward a center region of the susceptor.
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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) | 2005-07-01 | 2005-12-31 | 2006-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-01 | 2009-12-31 | 2010-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-01 | 2013-12-31 | 2014-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |