RADIANT/CONVECTION COOKING DEVICE

Modular shelving systems for mounting foods within a food preparation environment, including mounting multiple levels of stacked shelves, and mounting inclined shelves which may be advantageous in cooking fowl and other tapered food articles. Radiant energy and moving hot air oven embodiments with efficient adjustable volume cooking cavities, economical construction details, and reduced volume storage. Manually powered spit food mounting embodiments, utilizing horizontal and inclined spit rods to facilitate, among other things, cooking of tapered food articles, such as, by way of non-limiting and non-exhausted examples, fowl and leg of lamb. Powered spit food mounting embodiments utilizing horizontal and inclined rods. Modular cooking cavity extensions which expand to meet cooking requirements. Safety interlocking switching features, which also make embodiment use more versatile. Vertical axis horizontal turntable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to devices which cook foods utilizing radiant heat and hot air movement.

BACKGROUND

Household countertop radiant/convection ovens which utilize hot air movement and radiant heat to cook foods are in common use today.

Among these devices are ovens which are generally cylindrical in design, with a base containing a removable drip pan, with one or more wire shelves removably mounted above the drip pan, and a clear cake cover type dome, having a utility box generally centrally externally mounted on the dome's upper surface. This utility box typically contains a motor driven fan, a rod-type radiant heating element mounted directly below the fan, and a control circuit which controls cooking time and temperature.

Also common on these devices are metal or plastic sidewall extension rings which elevate the clear cake cover type domes and thus extend the height and volume of the devices' cooking chambers.

These devices generally range in size from about 12 to 14 inches in diameter, and 9 to 12 inches in height without using extension rings or extended depth cake cover type domes.

Their fans generally utilize radial centrifugal straight vein fan blades, which are about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, with zigzag resistive electric rod-type heating elements, measuring also around 5×5″ disposed directly below the fan blades.

These devices are designed to cook a wide variety of foods, including: baked goods, such as cookies and cupcakes; vegetables; cuts of meat; fish; and small and large fowl, up to and including about a 16 pound turkey.

These devices have many advantages when compared to conventional household ovens, including: small size, the ability to easily watch foods as they cook, quick warm-up, significantly reduced cooking times, convenient countertop high cooking, the ability to brown and color foods, reduced electrical consumption, compact storage, and relatively easy cleanup,

These devices also are generally: easy and inexpensive to construct, relatively small to ship and store, and are lightweight and easy to handle.

In general, these devices provide a high quality of cooking, with foods coming out with good presentation, texture, juiciness, and flavorfullness.

However, these devices also have some noted disadvantages. One of these is that fowl, and in particular larger fowl, tend to be browned unevenly, due to the devices' relatively small rod type heating elements, which are disposed relatively close to the middle upper surfaces of foods being cooked. Regarding such large fowl, part of this is exacerbated by the fact that when such large, or even smaller fowl, are placed on a level wire shelf, the backs and/or bellies of the fowl tend to be inclined, with one end of the fowl being elevated closer to the heating element than the opposite end.

Another disadvantage these devices have is that their cylindrical shape is inefficient. As an example a 14 inch in diameter round wire shelf has a surface area of about 154 in.2, where as a 14 in. square wire shelf has a surface area of 196 in.2, or about 27% more surface area.

Yet another disadvantage these devices have is that they generally take up the same amount of space whether they are in use or they are being stored.

Yet another disadvantage these devices have is that they rely on difficult to clean wire shelves to support foods being cooked.

Embodiments herein address some or all these disadvantages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 10, 11 and 12specifically, as well as other figures and descriptions herein generally, embodiment112is comprised of:control utility box114, including electric motor116, shiny heat reflector118, motor driven oven circulation fan blade120, and radiant rod type heating element122.Control utility box114removably drop mounts onto upper translucent sidewalls126. It may also latch fixedly in this dropped relationship.Upper translucent sidewalls126removably drop mounts onto either base128, as shown inFIG. 14, or removably drop mounts onto extension ring124, as shown inFIGS. 10 and 11.If upper translucent sidewalls126, is drop mounted onto extension ring124(FIGS. 10 and 11), extension ring124removably drop mounts onto base128, where it also may be latched.Drip pan130removably mounts within base128(FIGS. 11 and 12).Zero or more wire shelves100, at user discretion, may mount within upper translucent sidewalls126and/or within extension ring134(FIGS. 11 and 12). Extension ring134may be translucent, similar to upper translucent sidewall126, or it may be opaque, as a non-limiting non-exhaustive example, it may be fabricated from metal. Likewise, upper translucent sidewalls126may be, as non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, opaque or translucent.

Although not illustrated, embodiment112may be cylindrical, extruded elliptical or irregular curves, or extruded polygonal, such as, as non-limiting and non-exhausted examples, vertically extruded hexagons or octagons or regular or irregular polygonals, or other suitable shapes, instead of box shaped.

In operation, as a non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, a user places drip pan130within base128, and then places one or more wire shelves100filled with food into drip pan130(FIGS. 11 and 12in particular).

The user then mounts either extension ring124, including upper translucent sidewalls126, or simply upper translucent sidewalls126only, either including control utility box114; onto base128, by lowering either onto base128. The user then inputs into control display panel132, the desired cooking parameters, such as cooking temperature and time.

If browning is desirable on both sides of the food being cooked, such as cooking a cut of meat, or a fowl, or fish; the food may be partially rotated to various angles, or may be fully flipped one or more times during the cooking cycle.

After cooking is complete, the user then removes and serves the food.

In the event the user is cooking an irregular shaped food, such as, as non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, a turkey, chicken, leg of lamb, etc., the user may fold back support leg102as shown inFIGS. 3, 7, and 15, to incline wire platform104, so that the outer surfaces of the food may cook more evenly. The inclined platform along with the food134and any other underlying support wire shelves100is then placed into drip pan130.

Food may be positioned vertically by placing one or more horizontally disposed raised shelves below an inclined shelf, such as shown inFIG. 15.

FIGS. 13 and 16show how embodiment112may be compacted for storage, or other purposes, by inverting and telescoping extension ring124over upper translucent sidewalls126, and then inverting and telescoping control utility box114into upper translucent sidewalls126.

FIGS. 17 and 18show embodiment136which is a removable stop to prevent foods from sliding down wire shelf100at least when wire shelf100is inclined (FIGS. 3, 7, 15, 17, and 18). Alternatively, embodiment136may be mounted at other locations on wire shelf100, such as, as non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, higher or lower on shelf100or further left or further right on shelf100. Also as non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, embodiment136may be permanently attached to wire shelf100and/or be constructed as part of wire shelf100, and/or may be fabricated by molding, and or wire bending, and/or by other suitable means. Also, embodiment136may be proportioned to provide a stop higher on the inclined shelf100shown inFIGS. 17 and 18.

FIGS. 19 through 24show embodiment138, which is a hand powered spit food mounting system. Referring especially toFIGS. 23 and 24, embodiment138is comprised of: left spit rod140, right spit rod142, both of which are fixedly attached to spit pivot144which rotates within upward opening slot152in spit support146. As seen best inFIG. 24, spit pivot144has groove148, which at its base150(FIG. 24) is octagonal in cross-section.

Groove148lowers into, and rotates within, upward opening slot152which is disposed on the upward portion of spit support146(FIG. 24especially). The bottom of upward opening slot152is a ½ octagon, close to the same diameter as base150, with four generally equilateral sides on its bottom. Thus, when spit pivot144rotates within upward opening slot152, it has tactile stops every 45° of rotation, which helps in the precise radial positioning of foods mounted on left spit rod140and right spit rod142.

Spit rods140and142on the side opposite spit pivot144, removably, slidably, and telescopically engage spit rod receptacles154and156respectively (FIGS. 19 and 23), which are generally tubes fixedly attached to spit pivot158(FIG. 23). Spit pivot158includes groove160, which has an external configuration which is generally a mirror image of groove148. Thus the entire spit assembly can be used with either spit pivot144or spit pivot158engaging spit support146.

In use, as a non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, a user skewers food160roughly through its lateral horizontal center using both left spit rod140and right spit rod142.

Alternatively, the user may skewer one or more food articles onto one and/or both of left spit rod140and spit rod142.

Whichever groove (146or160) was chosen to slide into upward opening slot152, the other groove is then slid into pivot receptacle162or pivot receptacle166in spit support164. If the user chose to slide whichever groove into pivot receptacle166, the spit assembly is then inclined, as shown inFIGS. 19, 20, 21, and 22. This inclined disposition may cook irregular foods, such as fowl and leg of lamb, which are somewhat conical in outer form, more evenly under the overhead radiant heat source (seeFIGS. 19, 20, and 21).

If user chose to slide whichever groove into pivot receptacle162, the pivot assembly is then disposed generally horizontally.

Structural base168is disposed within drip pan130, which in turn is disposed within base128, which in turn supports extension ring124(FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23). An assembly comprising upper translucent sidewalls126supporting control box114is then lowered onto and couples with the upper rim of extension ring124.

The user then sets the cooking time and temperature using control display panel132, and allows cooking to take place for a predetermined amount of time. During this time, the food may be rotated one or more times by hand, at user determined angles, to help even out the radiant and hot air movement cooking. After cooking, the food is dismounted from left spit rod140and right spit rod142, and served.

Alternatively, food160may be left mounted on left spit rod140and right spit lot142, and the entire spit assembly165, including food160, may be removed from drip pan130, and used on a table for carving and/or serving stand.

FIGS. 25 through 30show embodiment170which is similar to embodiment138except spit assembly196is powered by a gear reduced electric motor172through motor shaft attached pinion gear174, which detachably engages drive gear176, which is fixedly attached to spit pivot178(FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 31). This replaces the need for hand rotation of spit assembly196and the food mounted on it, as shown in embodiment138. No octagons are used in the spit pivot grooves during power rotation.

Hand rotation and positioning of spit assembly196and the food mounted on it, whether the spit rods are in an inclined198or horizontal200disposition, is still an option by rotating spit assembly19690° about a vertical central drip pan198axis. This prevents pinion gear174from engaging drive gear176, and allows hand rotation for precise food positioning.

Gear reduced electric motor172is mounted within appendage180of control utility box182(FIGS. 26 and 29). Dropping190(FIG. 30) the assembly comprising control utility box182, including shiny heat reflector184, and resistive rod electric heating element186, and gear reduced electric motor172, motor driven fan192and upper translucent sidewalls190; onto extension ring188(seeFIG. 30), causes pinion gear174to engage drive gear176, regardless of whether the spit assembly is disposed inclined198(solid lines) or horizontally200(dotted lines) (seeFIG. 29).

FIGS. 38andFIG. 39show embodiment202most of which is ghosted out in dotted lines, except for safety interlock switch222, and switch actuator ribs220and221. Switch actuation rib220is fixedly attached to extension ring214near the top of extension ring214, and switch actuation rib221is fixedly attached to base216, near the top of base216. Safety interlock switch222is fixedly attached to, and is disposed within, appendage206, as shown inFIG. 38.

Either of switch actuation ribs220and221, by pressing against the actuation lever on safety interlock switch222(FIGS. 38 and 39), turns on the operation of embodiment202when lid assembly208is placed on top of either extension ring214or base216. This is a safety feature which may help prevent scorched countertops and the risk of fire, especially, but not limited to, when lid assembly208is rested in an upright position on a flat support surface, such as shown inFIG. 37.

As an alternative to either switch actuation rib221or switch actuation rib220pressing directly against the actuation lever of safety interlock switch222, an intermediate rod linking the either actuation rib (221or220) to the actuation lever might be used. As a non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, such a rod might be mounted in a vertical slidable manner between either switch actuation rib221or switch actuation rib220, and the switch222actuation lever. This could be done on any of the vertical sidewalls of upper translucent sidewalls204, or at any other suitable location. Such a structure would allow mounting safety switch222within control utility box210, or at any other suitable location away from actuation ribs224or221. This may make manufacture simpler.

As another alternative, safety interlock switch222, instead of being mechanically actuated, might be magnetically triggered. In this example alternative, either of switch actuation ribs220and221would be replaced with a magnet, which, when placed in proximity to a magnetic version of switch222, would turn on the device. Such a construction might be extremely durable and long-lived.

FIGS. 40, 41, and 42show embodiment224, comprising horizontally rotating turntable226rotated by motor powered pinion gear228which engages turntable peripheral gear230when lid assembly232is lowered234onto base236. This structure and function are similar to that of pinion gear174being energized by geared electric motor172engaging drive gear176when control utility box182is lowered190onto extension ring188inFIGS. 29 and 30.

Turntable226as a centrally mounted tube shaped member on its underside and rotates on top of, and is telescopically connected to, axle rod238(FIG. 42), which provides a central rotational axis.

Structural base240also mounts support244which aligns turntable226vertically to positively engage turntable peripheral gear230with pinion gear228. Support244is capped on its upper portion by a rotating or fixed low-friction member, such as acetyl plastic wheel241(FIG. 42). Structural base240also removably and fixedly mounts within, and on top of the floor of, drip pan242.

Horizontal rotating turntable226floor may have a solid sheet floor as illustrated, or may be of perforated sheet design, or may be screen or wire mesh, or may be of other suitable construction.

In operation, as a non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, a user might place food directly on top of turntable226; or might place food mounted on a horizontal or inclined shelf, such as wire shelf100(FIGS. 1 through 9), or might place food mounted on a manual spit such as embodiment138; any of which would then rested on top of turntable226.

Lid assembly232; including control utility box248, appendage250, and motor powered pinion gear228; is then lowered234(FIG. 40) onto base236which contains turntable226mounted onto structural base240. Lowering lid assembly232onto base236, results in pinion gear228engaging turntable peripheral gear230, and turntable226being thus motor driven.

Using control utility box248, the user then sets the cooking parameters such as time and temperature and cooks, and afterwards, serves the food.

The horizontal rotation provided by turntable226at least may help foods cook more evenly.

After removing turntable226and structural base240from drip pan242, embodiment224might also mount a motor powered spit assembly such as shown for embodiment170(FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, and 31).