Abstract:
A disposable microwave food shield for preventing splatter of food onto the interior surfaces of microwave ovens made from absorbent, yet rigid paper material.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based on our prior provisional application No. 60/641,020 Dated Jan. 4, 2005 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The invention relates generally to devices which are used in food preparation to prevent splatter of the food and also relates generally to disposable products. More specifically, the invention relates to a paper based, disposable shield, which will be used in the preparation of food in a microwave oven, so as to prevent the splatter of food onto the interior surface of the microwave oven.  
         [0005]     The use of microwave ovens to prepare meals has become commonplace. That is to say the microwave is no longer used only to reheat beverages or prepared and pre-packaged meals. It is now commonly used for almost all cooking and heating applications from leftovers to complete meals. One of the difficulties in using microwave ovens is the generation of “Hot Spots” due to the lack of uniformity of microwave penetration within the substance being heated. These “Hot Spots” cause one or more small areas of the food being heated to reach a rapid localized boiling point and explode or pop, thereby splattering bits of food onto the interior surface of the microwave oven.  
         [0006]     Current methods of reducing “Hot Spots” include rotating turntables which continually rotate the food as to distribute the internal microwave energy. Even with the use of these turntables, the food often splatters leaving the inside of the microwave soiled and in need of cleaning. Furthermore, there are instances where it is necessary to bring the food to a boil, and when such boiling occurs, the microwave oven is likely to be soiled by the splatter of the boiling food.  
         [0007]     Currently, the most common method of preventing microwave ovens from being splattered with food is to cover the food being heated with another dish or lid. If an entire dish, such as a casserole, is being prepared, the lid may be used to prevent food splatter. However, it is very common to heat food on a serving dish, plate, bowl or other lidless container. In such cases, another plate is often placed over the open heating dish in order to protect the interior of the microwave. The problem here is that the person now has two dishes to wash from the preparation of a single dish of food. Alternatively, people often place a paper towel or napkin over the food being heated to protect against splatter. The use of the paper towel or napkin is desirable because it is relatively inexpensive to use and can simply be discarded after use. The napkin or paper towel rests on the food and absorbs any splatter caused by the “Hot Spots” or boiling food. The use of the napkin or paper towel, however, results in the undesirable absorption of liquids from the food, such as cheese, creams or sauces. This absorption also causes the paper towel or napkin to stick to the food.  
         [0008]     Consequently, there is a need for a device and method for covering food during microwave cooking and heating so as to protect the interior of the microwave from being soiled with splattering food. There is also the need for this device and method of covering food to eliminate the addition of more dirty dishes and not leave paper towels or napkins sticking to the food. This device needs to be inexpensive and easy to use.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention provides a disposable yet rigid shield to be placed over and above the food, covering it, on a serving plate or other lidless dish so as to block the splatter of food and prevent soiling of the interior of the microwave. The device of the present invention is inexpensive (similar in cost to a paper towel) easy to use and disposable. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0010]     FIG. ( 1 ) shows a perspective view of the present invention to show its design.  
         [0011]     FIG. ( 2 ) shows the present invention as viewed from the bottom up. It shows the open bottom, pleated sides, and crossbar reinforced top.  
         [0012]     FIG. ( 3 ) shows the present invention from the side with some reference dimensions.  
         [0013]     FIG. ( 4 ) shows the present invention in its normal position as it would be placed over a dish.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]     Referring first to  FIG. 1 , the disposable microwave food shield is preferably made of a substantially circular unitary piece of paper having a reinforced flat upper face and downwardly projecting pleated sides. The pleated sides imparts rigidity and absorbency to the disposable microwave food shield so that it independently maintains its shape when in use. The reinforcement bar at the top prevents the top from sagging onto the food underneath. The disposable microwave food shield has no bottom face (see  FIG. 2 ), but rather is open to allow it to be placed over an open serving dish or container to encompass the food within the interior portion of the disposable microwave food shield.  
         [0015]     Preferably the angle subtended between the side portion and top face may range from approximately 90° to 135°, with the most preferred angle being 112°. Preferably the height of the disposable microwave food shield is between two (2) and six (6) inches, with the most preferred height, shown in  FIG. 3 , to be three (3) inches. The diameter of the upper face may range from three (3) to twelve (12) inches with the most preferred diameter to be 8.5 inches. The open diameter at the bottom may range from five (5) to fifteen (15) inches with the most preferred diameter to be eleven (11) inches.  
         [0016]     Referring now to FIG. two ( 2 ), the disposable microwave food shield is of a conical shape having  70  pleated sides projecting downwardly from the upper face creating the side portion. The upper face also has a four bar crossmember pressed into it to add rigidity. The bottom of the disposable microwave food shield is open.  
         [0017]     Preferably, the material of which the disposable microwave food shield is made of is an absorbent mixture of paper, cotton and synthetic fibers.