Controlled movable support for microwave oven
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorCarl R. Offutt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A microwave oven structure wherein a movable food support is selectively positionable in any one of a plurality of preselected different discrete positions. The support may be moved to the different positions during the cooking cycle as by a programmed timer. Alternatively, the support may be moved as a function of a sensed condition of the food being cooked, such as a temperature differential occurring therein. The movement of the support may be limited so as to permit the use of a probe inserted into the food being cooked without damage to the wires connecting the probe to the control of the oven. The support, in the illustrated embodiment, is a turntable which is controlledly rotated less than a full turn in repositioning the food being cooked.
Claims19
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity, means for providing microwave energy in said cavity during a cooking cycle, and movable means within said cavity for supporting material to be cooked in first and second different discrete positions during the cooking cycle, the improvement comprising
- control means responsive to a partially cooked condition of the material to be cooked for moving said movable means to move the partially cooked material from said first position to said second position, said control means being arranged to preclude further movement of the material during the cooking cycle whereby the material is disposed in no more than two different discrete positions during the entire cooking cycle.
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity, means for providing microwave energy in said cavity during a cooking cycle, and rotatable means within said cavity for supporting material to be cooked, the improvement comprising
- means for effecting rotation of said rotatable means from a first position to a second position spaced from said first position no greater than approximately 360.degree. at a preselected time after initiation of provision of microwave energy to said cavity, the total rotation of the rotatable means during the cooking cycle being no greater than approximately 360.degree..
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity and means for providing microwave energy in said cavity, the improvement comprising:
- movable means for supporting material to be cooked in a plurality of preselected different discrete positions during the cooking cycle;
- means for sensing the temperature of said material at two spaced positions;
- and
- means for moving said support means to a new discrete position when said sensing means senses a temperature difference exceeding a preselected amount.
In a microwave oven having wall means defining an oven cavity and means for providing microwave energy in said cavity during a cooking cycle, the improvement comprising:
- rotatable turntable means removably supported within said cavity for supporting material to be cooked in a plurality of preselected different discrete positions during the cooking cycle, the total rotation of the turntable means during the cooking cycle being no greater than approximately 360.degree., said turntable means having an electric drive means;
- and means for electrically connecting the drive means to a source of electrical potential outside said cavity with said turntable means disposed within the cavity for controlled discrete operation of the drive means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.