Patent ID: 7176426

Claim:
A microwaveable heat storage device capable of being embodied alternatively as a plate, a bowl, a coffee mug, a tortilla warmer and other similar heat retentive tableware, comprising: an upper microwave transparent container-shaped means including an outer rim or a handle on the container shaped means, which remains cool to allow handling, the container shaped means having a predetermined thermal mass and cross-section for providing a container for food and liquids in no physical contact and separated by a predetermined non-uniform gap from a means for absorbing microwave energy and emitting infrared radiation and cooperating with a lower means for providing a base to enclose said means for absorbing microwave energy in a relatively tight cavity; an encapsulated of a predetermined mass and cross-sectional shape rigid means for absorbing microwave energy and emitting infrared radiation in no physical contact and separated by an irregular predetermined gap from said upper means for providing a container and in minimum physical contact with a lower means for providing a base; a lower rigid, hollow shaped means for providing a microwave-transparent base for said device, cooperating with said means for providing a container to enclose said means for absorbing microwave energy in a relatively tight cavity in minimum physical contact and centering said means for absorbing microwave energy, and sealingly connected to said means for providing a container; whereby said heat storage device embodied as a piece of dinnerware can be preheated in a microwave oven in typically one minute to maintain foodstuffs and liquids hot at the table.