Patent US5288962A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5288962A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microwave cooking enclosure for food items
Assignee: Conagra Frozen Foods Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-16
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Granted: 1994-02-22
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Expires: 2012-11-16
Abstract
Abstract An enclosure for cooking and browning pot pies and similar food items in a microwave oven is disclosed. The enclosure has a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein, and a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield. A pan for containing a food item and having a susceptor lining for further cooking and browning the food item is located below the first reflective shield and susceptor layer. A second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein can be advantageously positioned below the pot pie pan. The arrangement of the reflective shields and the susceptor layer in connection with the pan provide for the selective cooking and browning of the food item to the desired degree. Another embodiment of the present invention includes having a reflective shield defining a single hole therein positioned below the pan, along with a susceptor layer above the pan.
Inventors
- 👤 Matthew W. Lorence
- 👤 Charles H. Turpin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:46
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/647; H05B6/6491; H05B6/6494; B; B65; B65D; B65D81/00; B65D81/34; B65D81/3446; B65D81/3453; B65D2581/00; B65D2581/34; B65D2581/3401; B65D2581/3402; B65D2581/3405; B65D2581/3408; B65D2581/3437; B65D2581/3463; B65D2581/3466; B65D2581/3471; B65D2581/3472; B65D2581/3486; B65D2581/3489; B65D2581/3494; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S99/00; Y10S99/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a pan for containing the food item and having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the food item; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein and positioned below said pan, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a pan for containing the food item and having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the food item; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein and positioned below said pan, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the area of the susceptor layer is at least as large as that of the hole of the first reflective shield.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the hole of the first reflective shield and the hole of the second reflective shield correspond to the approximate size and shape of the pan.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The enclosure of claim 4, wherein said holes are aligned with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The enclosure of claim 5, wherein the holes are further aligned with the pan.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The enclosure of claim 4, wherein the hole of the first reflective shield and the hole of the second reflective shield are circular.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The enclosure of claim 7, wherein the hole in the first reflective shield is about 3 inches in diameter and the hole in the second reflective shield is about 21/2 inches in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The enclosure of claim 7, wherein said holes are concentrically aligned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The enclosure of claim 9, wherein the pan has a circular bottom which is concentrically aligned with the holes of said first and second reflective shields for optimum cooking and browning of the food item.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
A carton for cooking and browning a pot pie in a microwave oven, comprising: a carton having a top panel, a bottom panel and a supporting structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel; a pan for containing a pot pie, the pan positioned in the carton between the top and bottom panels and having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the pot pie; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan, such that the shield is located between the top panel of the carton and the susceptor layer; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein and positioned below said pan, whereby the carton provides for the selective cooking and browning of a pot pie when cooked in the carton.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
152 words
A carton for cooking and browning a pot pie in a microwave oven, comprising: a carton having a top panel, a bottom panel and a supporting structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel; a pan for containing a pot pie, the pan positioned in the carton between the top and bottom panels and having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the pot pie; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan, such that the shield is located between the top panel of the carton and the susceptor layer; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein and positioned below said pan, whereby the carton provides for the selective cooking and browning of a pot pie when cooked in the carton.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The carton of claim 12, wherein the pan contains a pot pie.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The carton of claim 12, wherein the area of the susceptor layer is at least as large as that of the hole in said first microwave reflective shield.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The carton of claim 12, wherein the supporting structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel is comprised of four side walls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The carton of claim 12, wherein the hole of the first reflective shield and the hole of the second reflective shield correspond to the approximate size and shape of the pan.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The carton of claim 16, wherein said holes are aligned with each other.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The carton of claim 17, wherein the holes are further aligned with the pan.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The carton of claim 16, wherein the hole of the first reflective shield and the hole of the second reflective shield are circular.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The carton of claim 19, wherein the hole in the first reflective shields is about 3 inches in diameter and the hole in the second reflective shield is about 21/2 inches in diameter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The carton of claim 19, wherein said holes are concentrically aligned with each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The carton of claim 21, wherein said pan has a circular bottom which is concentrically aligned with the holes of said first and second reflective shields for optimum cooking and browning of the pot pie.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The carton of claim 22, wherein the pan contains a pot pie.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
192 words
A carton for cooking and browning a pot pie in a microwave oven, comprising: a carton having a top panel, a bottom panel and four side walls; a pan containing a pot pie, said pan having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the pot pie, said pan positioned in the carton between the top and bottom panels; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein positioned adjacent to the top panel; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan such that the shield is located between the top panel of the carton and the susceptor layer; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein positioned adjacent to the bottom panel of the carton, said hole of the first shield and said hole of the second shield correspond to the approximate size and shape of the pot pie to be cooked in the carton, said holes are aligned with one another and are further aligned with the pan, whereby the carton provides for the selective cooking and browning of a pot pie when cooked in the carton.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
192 words
A carton for cooking and browning a pot pie in a microwave oven, comprising: a carton having a top panel, a bottom panel and four side walls; a pan containing a pot pie, said pan having a susceptor lining for converting microwave energy to thermal energy for cooking the pot pie, said pan positioned in the carton between the top and bottom panels; a first microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein positioned adjacent to the top panel; a susceptor layer positioned below the first reflective shield and above said pan such that the shield is located between the top panel of the carton and the susceptor layer; and a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein positioned adjacent to the bottom panel of the carton, said hole of the first shield and said hole of the second shield correspond to the approximate size and shape of the pot pie to be cooked in the carton, said holes are aligned with one another and are further aligned with the pan, whereby the carton provides for the selective cooking and browning of a pot pie when cooked in the carton.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
77 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a pan for containing a food item, said pan having a susceptor lining for cooking and browning the food item; a susceptor layer positioned above said pan; and a microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein, said reflective shield positioned below the pan, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a pan for containing a food item, said pan having a susceptor lining for cooking and browning the food item; a susceptor layer positioned above said pan; and a microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein, said reflective shield positioned below the pan, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the pan is positioned between a top panel and a bottom panel of the enclosure and further comprising a support structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enclosure of claim 25, wherein the hole of the reflective shield corresponds to the approximate size and shape of the pan.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The enclosure of claim 28, wherein said hole is aligned with the pan.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enclosure of claim 28, wherein the hole of the reflective shield is circular and has a diameter of about 21/4 inches.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The enclosure of claim 28, wherein the hole is circular and wherein the pan has a circular bottom which is concentrically aligned with the hole.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 31, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
114 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a top panel, a bottom panel and a support structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel; a pan for holding a food item, said pan having a susceptor lining for cooking and browning said food item; a susceptor layer positioned above said pan; and a reflective shield defining a single hole therein, said reflective shield positioned below the top panel, such that it is located between the top panel and the susceptor layer, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
114 words
An enclosure for cooking and browning a food item in a microwave oven, comprising: a top panel, a bottom panel and a support structure for maintaining said top panel in an elevated position relative to said bottom panel; a pan for holding a food item, said pan having a susceptor lining for cooking and browning said food item; a susceptor layer positioned above said pan; and a reflective shield defining a single hole therein, said reflective shield positioned below the top panel, such that it is located between the top panel and the susceptor layer, whereby the enclosure provides for the selective cooking and browning of a food item when cooked in the enclosure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 33, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The enclosure of claim 33, wherein the hole of the reflective shield corresponds to the approximate size and shape of the pan.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The enclosure of claim 35, wherein the hole is aligned with the pan.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The enclosure of claim 36, wherein the hole is circular and wherein the pan has a circular bottom which is concentrically aligned with the hole.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 37, wherein the pan contains a food item.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
The enclosure of claim 35, further comprising: a second microwave reflective shield defining a single hole therein, said second shield positioned above the bottom panel of said carton such that it is located between the pan and the bottom panel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The enclosure of claim 39, wherein the holes of said first and second shield are aligned with each other.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The enclosure of claim 40, wherein the holes are aligned with the pan.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
12 words
The enclosure of claim 41, wherein the pan contains a food item.
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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) | 1997-02-21 | 1997-08-23 | 1998-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-02-21 | 2001-08-23 | 2002-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-02-21 | 2005-08-23 | 2006-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |