Patent Application
20170027366
The present invention generally relates to the field of accessories for microwave ovens. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a portable multi-level rack and enclosure assembly for use with microwave ovens.
This section is intended to provide a background or context to the disclosed embodiments that are recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Microwave ovens have made it possible to heat food more quickly and efficiently than conventional ovens. However, there exist a number of disadvantages with microwave ovens and the accessories used with them.
This section is intended to provide a summary of certain exemplary embodiments and is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments that are disclosed in this application.
The disclosed embodiments relate to microwave oven accessories. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus and method that enables more than one plate of food to be cooked inside an oven, such as a microwave oven, at the same time. In addition, the apparatus can be used to carry the multiple plates of food before and after cooking. This facilitates the easy transport of the multiple plates of food. In addition, because the two plates of food are separated by a grate, the food is cooked evenly since heat can flow through the grate between two plates of food. Also, because the invention includes a cover with an adjustable vent, the amount of moisture around the food during cooking can be controlled. Also, the adjustable vent allows the rate of cooling to be controlled after the food is cooked and removed from the oven.
In one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for cooking food in an oven includes a lower plate having a plurality of stands protruding above the surface of the plate and a grate sized to rest on the stands. The stands are of sufficient height such that when the grate is resting on the stands there is adequate space between the lower plate and grate for a plate of food to fit therebetween. A cover is provided that is sized to rest on the lower plate. Also, the cover has sufficient height to enclose the lower plate, grate, and a plate of food resting on top of the grate. A vent unit in the cover located adjacent to a vent opening in the cover, wherein the vent unit includes a closable vent door allowing the size of the vent opening to be adjustable between full open and full closed positions.
In another embodiment of the invention, a method of cooking and carrying food includes the steps of placing a first plate of food on a lower plate having a plurality of stands protruding above the surface of the plate and then placing a second plate of food on a grate sized to rest on the stands, wherein the stands are of sufficient height such that when the grate is resting on the stands there is adequate space between the lower plate and grate for the first plate of food to fit therebetween. Next, a cover is placed over the lower plate, the first plate of food, the grate, and the second plate of food, wherein the cover is sized to rest on the lower plate and having a sufficient height to enclose the lower plate, the grate and the second plate of food resting on top of the grate. Then, a vent unit in the cover located adjacent to a vent opening in the cover is adjusted somewhere between full open and full closed positions to control the amount of venting during cooking. The lower plate, first and second plates of food, grate, and cover are then placed inside a microwave oven for a desired period of time.
These and other advantages and features of disclosed embodiments, together with the organization and manner of operation thereof, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, details and descriptions are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these details and descriptions.
Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.
The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for cooking, transporting, and storing food. The disclosed embodiments are particularly useful to facilitate cooking in microwave ovens. The apparatus comprises a lower plate having a plurality of stands protruding above the surface of the plate and a grate sized to rest on the stands. The stands are of sufficient height such that when the grate is resting on the stands there is adequate space between the lower plate and grate for a plate of food to fit therebetween. A cover rests on the lower plate and is large enough to enclose the lower plate, grate and a plate of food resting on top of the grate. A vent unit is installed in the cover and located adjacent to a vent opening in the cover. The vent unit includes a closable vent door allowing the size of the vent opening to be adjustable between full open and full closed positions. This allows the user to control the amount of venting during heating. Also, after the apparatus is removed from the oven the vent may be adjusted again depending on the rate of cooling desired.
Referring now to
The lower plate 12 includes two or more stands 18. In this embodiment there are four stands 18. The stands 18 may be permanently attached to the lower plate 12. As shown in
In another embodiment of the invention, there may a different number of stands. For example in
There are many ways in which the vent unit 24 may be used. In some situations, when cooking food in a microwave oven, it may be desirable to have the vent closed, thereby retaining as much heat and moisture within the cover. In other situations, it may be desirable to have the vent unit 24 open when cooking to release excess moisture and also to prevent pressure from building up. In still other situations, it may be desirable to have the vent unit 24 partially open to achieve a compromise situation where only some of the moisture is released.
Referring now to
The various embodiments of the assembly 10 can be used in many ways to achieve the numerous advantages of the invention. As shown in
By having two plates of food cooking at the same time the user avoids the extra effort and time required to sequentially cook one plate of food, remove that plate, insert the second plate of food, and remove the second plate. Another advantage is the energy savings by not having to heat the second plate of food separately. Also, when two plates of food are heated separately, while the second plate of food is heating the first plate of food is cooling off, resulting in one plate being cooler than the other when they are served. In some instances, the first plate of food needs to be reheated so that it is not cool when served. With the assembly 10, both plates would be generally the same temperature when served.
Another advantage is that both plates of food are in the same enclosed space so that they both will be heated up at nearly the same rate. This feature is enhanced by the use of the grill 14, which has openings in it, instead of using a solid surface. With some other designs, the two plates of food are isolated from each other, which can result in one plate of food being heated more than the other. Also, the assembly 10 is easy to use, assemble, disassemble, and clean. The stands 18, which are located near the edge of the lower plate 12, make it easy to insert the first plate of food.
Another advantage of the assembly 10 is its portability. The assembly 10 makes it easy to transport the two plates of food, both before and after the food is cooked. This facilitates, for example, transporting the food from one location to another. In one instance, the food may be cooked and then removed from the oven and transported to another location. With the vent 26 closed to retain the heat, assembly 10 will help keep the food warm during transport until it is ready to be served. The design of the assembly 10 also makes it relatively stable so that the plates of food are not likely to tip during transport. In some cases the plates of food in the assembly 10 may be stored in a refrigerator either before or after cooking.
While the assembly 10 has been described as being used with a microwave oven, it may also be employed with other kinds of ovens as long as the materials chosen are compatible with those ovens. In addition, while the assembly 10 has been shown with circular components, it will be appreciated that other shapes, such as square shapes, can be employed for the lower plate, grill and cover.
The foregoing description of embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit embodiments of the present invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various embodiments. The embodiments discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the present invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products.
This patent application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/187,229, filed on Jun. 30, 2015. The entire content of the before-mentioned patent application is incorporated by reference as part of the disclosure of this application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62187229 | Jun 2015 | US |
