Uniform microwave heating of food in a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for ensuring more uniform heating of food by microwaves. The method includes providing food in a portion having a predetermined size and shape; and providing a container adapted for receiving and reheating the portion of food in a microwave oven. The container forms a supporting cavity having peripheral sides and a bottom side, with the portion of food placed within the supporting cavity. The peripheral sides of the container are circumferentially shielded by a microwave reflective material that forms a circumference having axial and transverse distances that are determined so as to change the wavelength of resonant modes inside the food thereby resulting in a more uniform heating food pattern.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A shielding aid for improving the microwave heating of food in a container which comprises a band of microwave reflective material of a shape configured for surrounding the peripheral sides of the container to provide a circumferential shielding surface of microwave reflective material, wherein the band is made of a destroyable material adapted for a finite number of uses, and wherein the band forms a microwave reflective circumference having axial and transverse distances that are determined so as to change the wavelength of resonant modes of microwave energy in the supporting cavity, wherein the change of wavelength is a shortening of the wavelength such that the TE modes predominantly supported in the cavity are TE n,m,l  where n, m, l are such that 0≦n≦4, 0≦m≦2, 0≦l≦1. 
   
   
       42 . The shielding aid of  claim 41 , wherein the band is a thin band of cardboard or plastic coated with a reflective material configured to connect to the sides of the container. 
   
   
       43 . The shielding aid of  claim 41 , wherein the band has substantially the form of a crown. 
   
   
       44 . The shielding aid of  claim 41 , wherein the band is destroyed by the effect of separating the band from the container after heating. 
   
   
       45 . The shielding aid of  claim 44 , wherein the band comprises an adhesive layer at its inner surface to adhesively attach to the sides of the container and wherein the effect of separating the band from the container after heating destroys the adhesive layer. 
   
   
       46 . The shielding aid of  claim 44 , wherein the band further comprises weakening zones. 
   
   
       47 . The shielding aid of  claim 44 , wherein the band further comprises a shrinkable polymeric material that shrinks when exposed to microwave heating.