Patent Abstract:
Methods of and device for retaining a moisture level of a food heated/reheated in a microwave oven are provided. The device includes a microwave splatter cover, a lid, or a lunch box integrated with a steam generator. The device is able to contain a steam generator capable of generating steam from added water when a microwave radiation is provided. The steam generator is able to rotatably couple with the center of the microwave cover. Water added to the cover is able to be temporary stored on the cover and subsequently flow to a dish structure underneath the cover. Alternatively, water is able to be added directly through a hole on the cover to the dish structure.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present invention claims priority to the U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/624,022 titled Microwave Steamer, filed on Apr. 13, 2012, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to method of and device for maintaining and/or enhancing the quality of food that is heated in a microwave oven. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods of and devices for enhancing and/or maintaining the moisture level of food that is heated in a microwave oven. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Microwave ovens are often used to heat up food and drinks. Nonetheless, food that is heated up by microwave becomes dry and hard, because water inside the food is vaporized and escaping from the food. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Methods of and device for retaining a moisture level of a food heated/reheated in a microwave oven are provided. In an aspect, a microwave food heating device comprising a cover portion and a steam generator coupled with the cover portion. In some embodiments, the cover portion comprises a water storage recess. In other embodiments, the steam generator comprises a water container. In some other embodiments, the water container comprises a dish structure. In some embodiments, the microwave food heating device comprises a gap allowing steam to pass between the dish structure and a bottom side of the cover portion. In other embodiments, the steam generator comprises a handle going through an aperture near a center portion of the cover portion. In some other embodiments, the handle comprises a water stopper. In some embodiments, the handle is rotatably coupled with a center portion of the cover portion. In other embodiments, the water stopper closes a hole in the cover when the handle rotates to a pre-determined position. In some other embodiments, the steam generator is made of silicone. In some embodiments, the cover portion is made of polypropylene. 
     In another aspect, a microwave splatter cover comprising a cover structure and a water container coupled with the cover structure. In some embodiments, the water container comprises a dish structure. In other embodiments, the dish structure comprises a body substantially parallel to a top portion of the cover structure. In some other embodiments, the cover structure comprises a fluid path, which couples with the water container. In some embodiments, the cover structure comprises a recess allowing water to be temporary stored until a hole in the cover structure is opened for draining the water to the water container. In other embodiments, the water container is instantly attachable to and detachable from the cover structure. 
     In another aspect, a method of retaining water in a microwave reheated food comprising generating steam at a water chamber coupled with a cover structure from added water by using a microwave radiation and covering the food with the steam. In some embodiments, the method further comprises pouring the water on the cover structure. In some other embodiments, the method further comprises temporarily storing the water on the cover structure and allowing the water to flow to the water chamber. In some embodiments, the water chamber comprises a dish structure. In other embodiments, the water chamber is rotatably coupled with an aperture approximately at a center of the cover structure. In some other embodiments, the water chamber comprises a handle comprises a solid body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1F  illustrate a microwave steam cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate the cover portion of the microwave steam cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate the steam generator of the microwave steam cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a microwave lid in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  illustrates a lunch box set in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  illustrates another food container in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method of using the microwave cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7A-7G  illustrate another microwave steam cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1A-1F  illustrate a microwave steam cover  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the microwave steam cover  100 .  FIG. 1B  is a top view of the microwave steam cover  100 .  FIGS. 1C and 1D  are the bottom views of the microwave steam cover  100 .  FIGS. 1E and 1F  are side views of the microwave steam cover  100 .  FIG. 1E  shows a side view of the microwave steam cover  100  rotates 90 degree from the side view of  FIG. 1F . The same numbers for labeling the same components are applicable throughout all figures. For example, cover portion  102  in  FIG. 1A  is the same cover portion  102  in  FIG. 1B . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1F , in some embodiments, the cover  100  comprises a cover portion  102  and a steam generator  104 . In some other embodiments, the steam generator  104  is able to be instantly attached to and detached from the cover portion  102  by a pinch/snap-and-push action of a user fingers. In some embodiments, the cover portion  102  is able to be made of polypropylene and the steam generator  104  is able to be made of silicone. A person of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that any other materials are able to be used to make the cover  100  and its components, such as the cover portion  102  and the steam generator  104 . The materials are able to be any polymeric materials, such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), stainless steels, iron, copper, and any other materials. 
     In some embodiments, the cover  100  comprises a liquid storage area  106 . The liquid storage area  106  can be a concave/recess from a surface on the top portion  108  of the cover  100 . The liquid storage area is able to be used for water storage. The liquid storage area  106  can be a bowl shape. In some embodiments, the liquid storage area  106  contains an amount meter  105  for measuring an amount of liquid that is added at the liquid storage area  106 . In some embodiments, the meter comprises scales in cubic centimeter (cc), such that a user is able to measure the amount of liquid (such as water) that is added to the liquid storage area  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the cover  100  comprises a side wall  110 . The height of the side wall  110  is able to be 2-5 inches. In some embodiments, the side wall  110  is collapsible and/or expandable along the side wall  110 . In other embodiments, the side wall  110  is mechanically detachable/attachable to the top portion  108 . In some other embodiments, the side wall  110  is instantly detachable/attachable to the top portion  108 , such as with a locking mechanism. In some embodiments, the cover  100  does not contain the side wall  110 , such that the cover  100  forms a lid structure. In some other embodiments, the cover  100  is couple with a food container, such as a typical lunch/food box, forming a box set including a food container with a lid having a streamer function provided by the steamer generator  104 . The typical lunch box can be, for example, Rubbermaid® 7K9700CIRED Lock-its 5¼-Cup Divided Food-Storage Container with Lid, and Insulated Lunch Boxes and Portable Plastic Lunch Containers by Tupperware®, and GladWare® Containers. In some embodiments, the cover  100  comprises stands  112 , which couple with the bottom side of the side wall  110 . 
     The steam generator  104  is able to comprise a dish-like structure  104 C capable of storing water. In some embodiments, the steam generator  104  comprises a handle  104 A, a fluid stopper  104 B, and a dish structure  104 C. In some other embodiments, the steam generator  104  going through the main opening  102 A on the cover portion  102  having the handle  104 A above the surface of the main opening  102 A and the dish-like structure  104 C below the surface of the main opening  102 A. The fluid stopper  104 B is able to be used to open or close the side opening  102 B by twisting the handle  104 A to move circularly, such that steam generated by the microwave radiation is able to be prevented from coming out from the side opening  102 B, which is an advantageous function. 
     In some embodiments, the steam generator  104  is made of silicone. In some embodiments, the steam generator  104  has hardness around 6 or 7 that is understood in the art of silicone manufacturing industry. A person of ordinary skill the art appreciates that the steam generator is able to be in any hardness level so long as it is able to support the weight of water without substantial spilling. In some embodiments, the cover portion  102  is made of polypropylene. A person of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that any other plastic or polymeric materials, such as silicone, are able to be used to make the cover portion  102 . In some embodiments, the cover portion  102  and the steam generator  104  are made in a non-separable unit, such as molded together. In some embodiments, the cover portion  102  and steam generator  104  are formed simultaneously in an injection mold. 
     In use, a user is able to cover a plate with food to be warmed with the microwave steam cover  100  in a microwave oven, twist the handle  104 A to open the side opening  102 B, add water to the liquid storage area  106 , allow the water to flow from the liquid storage area  106  to the dish structure  104 C that is located inside the cover portion  102 , twist the handle  104 A making the fluid stopper  104 B close the side opening  102 B, set and start the microwave oven for a pre-determined time, such as 1 minutes, converting the added water into steam to lock the moisture in the food heated and remove the microwave steam cover  100 . 
     When a microwave radiation is applied, the water in the dish like structure  104 C absorbs at least a portion of the microwave radiation and is vaporized into steam. The term steam is able to be used interchangeable with the term vapor, water vapor, or heated moisture in some embodiments. The steam comes out from the dish like structure  104 C, confined within/under the cover portion  102 , and forms a vapor covered environment, so that the food to be heated is able to remain moist. Similar principles apply to the embodiments disclosed in the present specification. A person of ordinary skill the art appreciates that other fluid, gel, solid, are able to be used to replace or used together with water. For example, a vitamin solid tablet or liquid is able to be added to the water to form a vitamin enhanced vapor. In another example, Swiss cheese is added to the dish like structure  104 C, such that a cheese flavored vapor environment is able to be created. 
       FIGS. 2A-2E  illustrate the cover portion  102  of the microwave steam cover  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a prospective view of the cover portion  102 .  FIG. 2B  is a tilted bottom view of the cover portion  102 .  FIG. 2C  is a top view of the cover portion  102 .  FIG. 2D  is a bottom view of the cover portion  102 .  FIG. 2E  is a side view of the cover portion  102 . 
       FIGS. 3A-3F  illustrate the steam generator  104  of the microwave steam cover  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In addition to the descriptions above, the steam generator  104  is able to comprise a neck  104 E which goes through and snug fit the main opening  102 A. In some embodiments, the steam generator  104  comprises steam holes  104 D allowing steam coming out from the dish structure  104 C into the space under/inside the cover  102 . In some embodiments, the top of the dish structure touches the bottom side of the cover  102  when installed, so no or not much gap between the dish structure  104  and the bottom side of the cover  102 . Accordingly, the steam holes  104 D allows steam to flow into the space under/inside the cover  102 . 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a microwave lid  200  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, the microwave lid  200  comprises a lid portion  202  and a water container  210 . The lid portion  202  is able to comprise a substantially planar body. In some embodiments, the lid portion  202  is rigid not bendable. In some other embodiments, the lid portion is flexible such that it can snug fit, such as deformation by gravity, most of the contour of the top of a food container. 
     In some embodiments, the water container  210  comprises a handle  204 . The handle  204  can be positioned in a seal position  201  and an open position  203 . At the seal position, the handle  204  is able to be pulled up by a user, such as when lifting the handle  204 , so the side of the water container  212  is in contact with the bottom of the lid portion  202  and the side of the water container  212  forms a seal preventing heated hot water from dripping out of the water container  210  when it is tilted. At the open position  203 , the handle  204  rests on the top side of the lid portion  202 . Accordingly, the side of the water container  212  is not in touch with the lid portion  202  forming an opening/gap  205 . The open position  203  can be a position when the microwave lid  200  is been used on a food container for heating up food, such that steam generated from heating up the water is able to come out from the opening  205  and cover the food. The seal/open position function is able to be applied to some or all the embodiments of the present invention. 
     The open and seal position  201  and  203  function is able to be a safety function. In some embodiments, the handle  204  connects with the water container  210  with a smaller stem. When a user lifts the handle  204 , such as when moving/carrying the microwave lid  200 , the side of the water container  212  defines and stops a vertical up movement of the water container  210 , which forms an automatic sealing function preventing heated water from spilling from the gap  205 . When the user&#39;s hand leaves the handle  204 , weight of the water container  210  makes the water container  210  automatically fall into an open position  203 , which opens up the gap  205  for steam to come out when the water is heated. 
     When in use, water is able to be poured on the lid portion  202  and flow through the holes  208  to the water container  210 . The raised barrier  206  can confine and retain water within a pre-defined boundary. In some embodiments, the microwave lid  200  comprises an outer ring area  216  higher than the inner ring recessed area  214 , such that the water can be retained in the inner ring recessed area  214 . 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a use of the microwave lid  200  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The microwave lid  200  is placed on a bowl  217 . The lid portion  202  is snug fit on the bowl  217 . Water is able to be added on the lid portion  202  and flow in to the water container  210 . After applying a microwave radiation, water is heated to become vapor/steam  220 , which is able to come out to keep the food  218  moisturized. 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a lunch box set  300  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The set  300  can comprise a cover  304  and a food container  302 . Water or any other liquid  303 , such as nutrient liquid (e.g., vitamin and soy sauce), is added to the top  308  of the cover  304 . The water  303  flows to the water chamber  306  through the holes  310 . The barrier  312  is able to ensure water  303  added flows to the chamber  316 . The water is able to retain in the chamber  306 , because the steam holes  314  is placed at a pre-determined height of the chamber  306 , which is higher than the added water level. The steam holes  306  allow steam to come out when the water receives some amount of microwave energy. View  5 AA is a side view of the lunch box set  300 . View  5 AB is the side view of the cover  304 . View  5 AC is a top view of the cover  304 . 
       FIG. 5B  illustrates another food container  400  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Similar to the lunch box set  300 , the food container  400  comprises a steamer  404  and a box  402 . The box  402  is able to be plastic boxes like Tupperware®. In some embodiments, the steamer  404  comprises a first chamber  406  isolated from the second chamber  408 , such that two different liquids can be added to the first and the second chambers  406  and  408  without mixing. The steamer  404  can comprise steam holes  414  near the top of the steamer  404 . In some embodiments, water or liquid can be added below the steam holes  414  so that water/liquid does not drip into the food to be heated. In other embodiments, the sizes of the steam holes are small enough so that water does not dip out because of surface tension. In some embodiments, the steamer  404  comprises a meter  412  such that the volume of water added is able to be controlled and/or measured. 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart illustrating a method  600  of using the microwave cover in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The method  600  starts from a step  602 . At step  604 , a food container/dish with food to be heated is placed in a microwave oven. At step  606 , a microwave cover/lid is placed over the food container. At step  608 , a pre-determined amount of water is added to a water storage of the cover. At step  610 , microwave is applied to the water on the cover to generate steam. At step  612 , food is re-heated while keep a desired moisture level. 
       FIGS. 7A-7G  illustrate another microwave steam cover  700  in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The microwave steam cover  700  is similar to the microwave cover steam cover  100 , whereas the cover  700  does not contain a water stopper  104 B and the cover does not contain a side hole  102 B. The water flowing mechanism of the cover  700  from the cover water storage  106  to the steam generator  104  is by pulling the handle  104 A upward making holes between the hole on the cover and the stem of the steam generator  104 . The same number used to refer the components in the  FIGS. 7A-7G  refers to the same components used in  FIGS. 1A-1E . 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that the term “cover” used in the present specification, in some embodiments, comprises a cover (having a side wall structure) and a lid (without having a side wall structure). In some embodiments, the term “cover” also comprises a typical microwave splatter cover that is commercially available on the market. 
     The microwave cover disclosed herein is able to be used in reheating food. The meaning of “reheating food” includes heating food that has been previously cooked. The microwave cover disclosed herein is also able to be used to cook food. The meaning of “cook food” includes turning raw food or uncooked edible material or substance to a cooked state or more cooked state, such as from raw to rare, from rare to medium well, or from raw to well done or over cooked. 
     In some embodiments, the steam generator is able to be on the other location other than on the cover. For example, the steam generator is able to be on a bottom tray and a cover without a steam generator is used to cover the bottom tray. In another example, a bottom tray and a cover both contain one or more steam generators. 
     The microwave cover can be utilized to keep the reheated food having an ideal moisture level. 
     In operation, the microwave cover is used to cover the dish with food to be re-heated. Next, water is added to the microwave cover to generate steam. The provided steam environment keeps the moisture of the food locked inside the food and/or adds moisture to the food. 
     The description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to the described embodiments are readily apparent to those persons skilled in the art and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein. It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other modifications can be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7