Patent ID: 6289793
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: A47J,Y10S

Abstract:
A cooking appliance, comprising:a base functioning as means for supporting components of the cooking appliance upon a horizontal countertop surface, the base having an electric line adapted to be plugged into a source of household electricity and an electric motor connected to the electric line;a pot adapted to be placed removably upon the base, to hold a quantity of packaged foods for food preparation purposes, and to be used apart from the base as a serving dish;an electric heating element adapted to heat the pot when the pot is on the base using electric power from the electric line; anda stirring mechanism on the pot adapted to connect to the motor when the pot is placed on the base and to stir the quantity of packaged foods within the pot using rotational power from the electric motor;wherein the stirring mechanism includes a stirring element that is adapted to route under power of the motor and an opposing blade; andwherein the stirring mechanism and the opposing blade are so adapted that the stirring element rotates past the opposing blade in order that the stirring element and the opposing blade can cooperatively break up clumps of food between them.