Patent attributes
Microwave pressure cooker including safety interlock mechanism. A blow vent is provided in cooker lid, and a lock bar is pivoted to cooker lid in a position to block blow vent when lock bar is resting under its own weight. Free end of lock bar includes a lock tab. Lock tab extends through a slot at periphery of lid. Cooker base includes handle with a cam section ending in a lock wall. Cooker lid is placed on base in a release position and rotated to a locking position. During rotation lock tab rides over cam section and then falls adjacent lock wall, thus sealing blow vent. After cooking cover is physically prevented from rotating back to release position by lock tab abutting lock wall. User must physically lift lock bar to unseal blow vent to ensure internal pressure is released. A spline may hold lock bar in raised position.