US5517005A — Visible light and infra-red cooking apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 156 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having highly reflective and poorly absorptive inner wall for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. a plurality of means for generating radiant energy having a significant portion of energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said means for generating positioned inside said cooking chamber and including at least one source positioned above and at least one source positioned below said food position for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly from said radiant energy generating means on said food and reflecting from said inner wall radiant energy not impinging directly on said food for impinging reflected radiant energy from said radiant energy generating means to said food many times from many angles; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for supporting the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 156 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having highly reflective and poorly absorptive inner wall for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. a plurality of means for generating radiant energy having a significant portion of energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said means for generating positioned inside said cooking chamber and including at least one source positioned above and at least one source positioned below said food position for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly from said radiant energy generating means on said food and reflecting from said inner wall radiant energy not impinging directly on said food for impinging reflected radiant energy from said radiant energy generating means to said food many times from many angles; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for supporting the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The oven according to claim 1 further comprising mean for differentially controlling each of said plurality of sources by time and by intensity.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

The oven according to claim 1 further comprising a microwave radiation source.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 13 words

The oven according to claim 1 further comprising a convection oven cooking apparatus.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The oven according to claim 4 further comprising a microwave radiation source.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 18 words

The oven according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating radiant energy comprises quartz body tungsten lamps.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The oven according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of radiant energy transparent plates positioned in said chamber between said food position and said lamps.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 118 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. five 1.5 KW quartz-halogen lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber above said food position and five 1.5 KW quartz-halogen lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber below said food position generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lamps positioned in said chamber for impinging direct and reflected radiant energy on said food; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for holding the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 118 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. five 1.5 KW quartz-halogen lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber above said food position and five 1.5 KW quartz-halogen lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber below said food position generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lamps positioned in said chamber for impinging direct and reflected radiant energy on said food; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for holding the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 174 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of 1.5 KW quartz halogen lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 174 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of 1.5 KW quartz halogen lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 176 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of 1.5 KW quartz halogen lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 176 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of 1.5 KW quartz halogen lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 145 words

A method of cooking and baking a raw pizza pie in a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls comprising the steps of: a. generating at least 6 KW of radiant power having substantially ten percent of the radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a wavelength in the order of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm by using a plurality of quartz body tungsten lamps, said lamps having a first group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza and a second group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; b. positioning a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy between said pizza and said lamps; and c. controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps differentially by time and intensity.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 145 words

A method of cooking and baking a raw pizza pie in a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls comprising the steps of: a. generating at least 6 KW of radiant power having substantially ten percent of the radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a wavelength in the order of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm by using a plurality of quartz body tungsten lamps, said lamps having a first group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza and a second group of lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza for impinging at least a portion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; b. positioning a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy between said pizza and said lamps; and c. controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps differentially by time and intensity.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 141 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position therein; b. means mounted in said cooking chamber generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a substantial portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a range of wavelengths from 0.4 μm to 4.5 μm with a peak intensity at approximately 1.0 μm and including a significant portion having wavelengths in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 μm for impinging at least a portion of said energy from said generating means directly on the food and for impinging reflected energy from said generating means on the food; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for supporting the food at said food position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 141 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position therein; b. means mounted in said cooking chamber generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with a substantial portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a range of wavelengths from 0.4 μm to 4.5 μm with a peak intensity at approximately 1.0 μm and including a significant portion having wavelengths in the range of 0.4 to 0.7 μm for impinging at least a portion of said energy from said generating means directly on the food and for impinging reflected energy from said generating means on the food; and c. a support member which is transparent to said radiant energy for supporting the food at said food position.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

The oven of claim 12 wherein said portion of radiant energy in said spectrum is substantially ten percent.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 162 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. quartz body tungsten-halogen lamp means generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with radiant energy only, said radiant energy having a range of wavelengths from 0.4 to 4.5 μm with a peak intensity at approximately 1.0 μm and including a significant portion having a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm; b. an enclosure surrounding said lamp means, said enclosure having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being reflective of said radiant energy to a food position centrally of said inner surface and c. means for mounting said lamps in said enclosure whereby portions of said energy will impinge directly on at least opposite sides of the food in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 162 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. quartz body tungsten-halogen lamp means generating at least 6 KW of radiant power with radiant energy only, said radiant energy having a range of wavelengths from 0.4 to 4.5 μm with a peak intensity at approximately 1.0 μm and including a significant portion having a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm; b. an enclosure surrounding said lamp means, said enclosure having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being reflective of said radiant energy to a food position centrally of said inner surface and c. means for mounting said lamps in said enclosure whereby portions of said energy will impinge directly on at least opposite sides of the food in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of cooking a food item having a first temperature, comprising the steps of: a. generating at different positions for impingement on opposite sides of food a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light; b. directing a first portion of said energy to impinge directly on opposite sides of the food in a food position in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature; and c. reflecting a second portion of said energy to the food position to strike the food many times from many angles.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 108 words

A method of cooking a food item having a first temperature, comprising the steps of: a. generating at different positions for impingement on opposite sides of food a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light; b. directing a first portion of said energy to impinge directly on opposite sides of the food in a food position in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature; and c. reflecting a second portion of said energy to the food position to strike the food many times from many angles.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of cooking a food item having a first temperature, comprising the steps of: a. generating at least 6 KW of radiant power having a substantially 10% portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light; b. directing a first portion of said energy to impinge directly on the food in a food position in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature; and c. reflecting a second portion of said energy to the food position.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of cooking a food item having a first temperature, comprising the steps of: a. generating at least 6 KW of radiant power having a substantially 10% portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light; b. directing a first portion of said energy to impinge directly on the food in a food position in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature; and c. reflecting a second portion of said energy to the food position.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 89 words

A method of cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. generating radiant power of at least 6 KW having radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having approximately 10% of its wavelengths in the range of visible light by energizing lamps positioned above and below the pizza; b. directing energy to impinge directly on the pizza; and c. controlling the lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 89 words

A method of cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. generating radiant power of at least 6 KW having radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having approximately 10% of its wavelengths in the range of visible light by energizing lamps positioned above and below the pizza; b. directing energy to impinge directly on the pizza; and c. controlling the lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 154 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. a first group of quartz body tungsten halogen lamps and a second group of quartz body tungsten halogen lamps, each group including five lamps, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power and generating a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a wavelength in the range of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm; and b. an enclosure surrounding said lamps, the enclosure having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being reflective of said radiant energy to a food position within said inner surface and c. means for mounting said lamps in said enclosure whereby portions of said energy will impinge directly on at least opposite sides of the food in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 154 words

An oven for cooking a food item having a first temperature, wherein said oven comprises: a. a first group of quartz body tungsten halogen lamps and a second group of quartz body tungsten halogen lamps, each group including five lamps, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power and generating a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having a wavelength in the range of 0.4 μm to 0.7 μm; and b. an enclosure surrounding said lamps, the enclosure having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface being reflective of said radiant energy to a food position within said inner surface and c. means for mounting said lamps in said enclosure whereby portions of said energy will impinge directly on at least opposite sides of the food in order to bring the food to a specified second temperature, said second temperature being higher than said first temperature.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 126 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. at least five quartz body tungsten lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber above said food position and at least five quartz body tungsten lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber below said food position, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power and generating radiant energy having a significant portion of energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lamps positioned for impinging at least portions of said radiant energy directly on said food; and c. a container which is transparent to said radiant energy for holding the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 126 words

An oven for cooking and baking food comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a food position centrally thereof; b. at least five quartz body tungsten lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber above said food position and at least five quartz body tungsten lamps positioned inside said cooking chamber below said food position, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power and generating radiant energy having a significant portion of energy in the visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum, said lamps positioned for impinging at least portions of said radiant energy directly on said food; and c. a container which is transparent to said radiant energy for holding the food at said food position while cooking.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 178 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of quartz body halogen lamps for generating a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power for impinging at least a potion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 178 words

A pizza oven for cooking and baking a raw pizza pie and forming a cooked pizza therefrom, said pizza having a crust formed of dough and toppings formed of any variety of foodstuffs comprising: a. a cooking chamber having reflective inner walls for reflecting radiant energy to a pizza location centrally thereof; b. a plurality of quartz body halogen lamps for generating a significant portion of radiant energy in the electromagnetic spectrum having wavelengths in the range of visible light, said lamps having a first group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned above said pizza location and a second group of five lamps inside said cooking chamber positioned below said pizza location, said lamps generating at least 6 KW of radiant power for impinging at least a potion of said radiant energy directly onto said pizza; c. a plurality of plates which are transparent to radiant energy positioned between said pizza location and said lamps; and d. means for controlling the first group of lamps and the second group of lamps independently by time and intensity.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-05-14	1999-11-13	2000-05-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-05-14	2003-11-13	2004-05-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-05-14	2007-11-13	2008-05-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Visible light and infra-red cooking apparatus

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