Microwave beverage and food preparation apparatus

Abstract

A microwave beverage and food preparation apparatus that, in one embodiment, converts a common fluid vessel such as a cup, mug, or bowl into a whistling kettle. A user places a lid having an alarm on a vessel containing liquid to be heated in a microwave. A member made of, or containing, nucleation-site-rich material on the underside of the lid extends into the liquid to activate boiling, thereby assuring a safe transition of the liquid to a normal boiling state. Steam escapes through an integrated whistle in the lid, alerting the user to the boiling.

1 . A food preparation apparatus, comprising: 
 a lid having an upper side and a lower side;    a whistle alarm attached to the lid; and    a boiling activator attached to the lid and extending beneath the lower side of the lid.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a container having a rim defining an open end and an interior region, and wherein the lid is resting on the rim of the container such that at least a portion of the boiling activator is within the interior region.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the whistle comprises a chambered whistle.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more ridges protruding from the lower side of the lid, the one or more ridges being configured to secure the lid to a container.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the activator further comprises a stem movably connected to the lower side of the lid.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the boiling activator is formed from a material relatively rich in nucleation sites.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the stem is movable between a first position adjacent the lower side of the lid and a second position extending away from the lower side of the lid, and further wherein the lid is capable of resting substantially flat on a flat surface when the stem is in the first position.  
   
   
       8 . A food preparation apparatus, comprising: 
 a lid having an upper side and a lower side;    an alarm whistle attached to the lid; and    a means for facilitating boiling attached to the lid.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising a means for sealing the lower side of the lid to a cup to prevent the escape of steam from the seal when a liquid within the cup is heated.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the cup further comprises a base and an open rim, and further wherein the means for facilitating boiling extends approximately mid-way between the base and the rim when the lid is resting atop the cup.