Patent · US Expired

Pizza pan shielding systems and methods

US6054697A · kind A · utility

35Cited by
48References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 24, 1998
Grant dateApr 25, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 24, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S99/14
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Pizza pan shielding systems and methods generally include one or more of the following: a pan, a bottom shield, a top shield, and a ring shield. Each of these elements preferably incorporates a plurality of perforations. The size, location and density of these perforations, and/or the material make-up of the element(s), determine whether certain types of baking energy from various heat sources will reach a food item located within the system. Substantial evenness of cooking results, in a short time period and at reasonably baking temperatures. Embodiments of the invention address the problems of underbaking in central areas of the food item and overbaking, dryness, microwave-induced toughness or burning of outer areas of the food item, such as a crust area. Embodiments of the invention have particular, though not exclusive, application to the pizza-baking devices and methods.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.