A marshmallow roasting unit is provided that comprises an enclosure having a roasting chamber and a side defining an enclosure opening below the roasting chamber, a skewer disposed in the roasting chamber and configured to hold a marshmallow, a heating element disposed relative to the skewer in the roasting chamber, and a removable tray configured to be inserted into the enclosure opening and hold a cracker in the enclosure under the roasting chamber. The heating element is disposed a predetermined range from the skewer such that the heating element is effective to roast the marshmallow on the skewer until the marshmallow becomes pliable and falls on to the cracker or contents disposed on the cracker held on the removable tray.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to roasting devices used to roast marshmallows and drop the marshmallows on to crackers when the marshmallows are fully roasted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Roasting a marshmallow over an open fire and combining the roasted marshmallow with gram crackers and chocolate has long been a popular food item referred to as a S'more. The typical preparation of a S'more involves roasting marshmallows on a skewer over an open fire until the marshmallows are roasted, then removing the roasted marshmallows from the skewer and placing them between two gram crackers along with a flat chocolate bar.

While convention ovens with rotisseries exist in the current market these ovens are designed for cooking chickens and other meats and are not adapted to roasting marshmallows. Some of the problems encountered while using a conventional oven to roast marshmallows include the marshmallows expanding too quickly, charring of the exterior surface before the marshmallow is thoroughly roasted, igniting the marshmallows and not browning the marshmallow at all before the marshmallow falls from the rotisserie. These problems occur because of the operating speed of the rotisserie, and the number and strength of the heating elements, and the distance from the heating elements to the rotisserie skewer.

Skewers used in certain conventional ovens or rotisseries typically mount inside the oven unit. As a result, the skewers are heated with the marshmallows. Because the skewer is heated, the skewer cannot be easily removed without the risk of being burned unless an oven mitt or other insulated hand protection covering is employed. Accordingly, an effective manner of roasting a marshmallow which thoroughly roasts and browns the marshmallow in a safe manner is desirable.

In addition, gram crackers, that are set below the rotisserie skewer of a conventional oven (e.g. on a lower grill) are typically heated and baked to the extent that the crackers are no longer suitable for creating a S'more.

Furthermore, conventional ovens or rotisseries typically have grills and other components located below the skewer that inhibit roasted marshmallows from falling on a gram cracker. In addition, drip pans that are employed in conventional ovens or rotisseries are not suitable for creating S'mores as crackers cannot accurately be positioned below a marshmallow roasting on a conventional rotisserie skewer, leading to roasted marshmallows falling at least partially on the pan. Moreover, the drip pan opening in a conventional oven or rotisserie is not sized for the removal of a roasted marshmallow.

In view of these problems, it is highly desirable to have a single apparatus for roasting marshmallows and placing the roasted marshmallow on to a gram cracker without having to touch the roasted marshmallow and which does not use an open flame.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention provide a marshmallow roasting unit that is suitable for roasting a marshmallow to create a S'more. The marshmallow roasting unit is configured to roast the marshmallow until the circumferential surface of the marshmallow is browned and the roasted marshmallow falls on to a cracker held on a removable tray of the roasting unit in accordance with the present invention.

In one embodiment, a marshmallow roasting unit is provided that includes an enclosure having a roasting chamber and a side defining an enclosure opening below the roasting chamber, a skewer disposed in the roasting chamber and configured to hold a marshmallow, and a removable tray configured to be inserted into the enclosure opening and hold a cracker in the enclosure under the roasting chamber. The removable tray includes a plurality of alignment elements configured to position the cracker below the marshmallow on the skewer when the removable tray is inserted into the enclosure opening. The skewer may be removable from the roasting chamber. In one implementation, the alignment elements are adjustable. In addition, the alignment elements may have a height sufficient to align a chocolate piece and the cracker together. The enclosure opening may be sized to enable the removable tray to be removed from the enclosure opening with the cracker disposed on the tray and the marshmallow after roasting disposed at least partially on the cracker without the enclosure side interfering with the marshmallow.

In yet another embodiment, a marshmallow roasting unit is provided that includes an enclosure having a roasting chamber and a side defining an enclosure opening below the roasting chamber, a skewer disposed in the roasting chamber and configured to hold a marshmallow, a heating element disposed relative to the skewer in the roasting chamber, and a removable tray configured to be inserted into the enclosure opening and hold a cracker in the enclosure under the roasting chamber. The heating element is effective to roast the marshmallow on the skewer so that the marshmallow becomes pliable and falls on to the cracker or contents disposed on the cracker held on the removable tray. In one implementation, the heating element is disposed within a range of 1 inch to 3 inches from a central axis of the skewer. The marshmallow roasting unit, may further comprise a rotation unit rotatively coupled to the skewer. In this implementation, the rotation unit has a predetermined angular speed effective in combination with the heating element to evenly brown a circumferential surface of the marshmallow before the marshmallow falls from the skewer.

Further, in yet another embodiment, the marshmallow roasting unit includes a controller and a temperature sensor located in the roasting chamber and electrically coupled to the controller. The controller is configured to control each heating unit to maintain a predetermined temperature in the roasting chamber. In yet another embodiment, the marshmallow roasting unit includes a rotation speed sensor disposed relative to the skewer. The controller is configured to control the speed of the rotation unit to maintain a predetermined rotational speed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings which depict different embodiments consistent with the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1A and 1Bdepict an exemplary front view of a marshmallow roasting unit100consistent with the present invention. The marshmallow roasting unit100includes an enclosure102, a timer104, a lid106and a removable tray108.FIG. 1Bdepicts the marshmallow roasting unit100with the lid106in the open position and the removable tray108detached from the enclosure102. The lid106may be hingedly connected to the enclosure102and may be capable of opening and closing during and after a marshmallow roasting operation as further discussed herein. The lid106may also have an optional viewing window109, which will allow a user to see the marshmallows roasting. The enclosure102, lid106, and removable tray108may be formed of aluminum or other material that is conducive for retaining heat in the enclosure102, able to withstand temperatures between 300° F. to 800° F. or greater without melting, and otherwise conforming to Underwriter Laboratories (UL) guidelines for oven appliances. The enclosure102may be double walled with an air space or like insulation there between to inhibiting heat transfer to an outside surface of the enclosure102or the roasting unit100. Although the enclosure102is shown to have a rectangular shape, the enclosure102may have a cylindrical, bowl, or other shape.

As shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the enclosure102has a side109defining an enclosure opening110below an internal roasting chamber216(e.g., as depicted inFIG. 2C) of the enclosure102, a removable tray and hold a cracker in the enclosure under the roasting chamber

The removable tray108is configured to be slidingly inserted into the enclosure102via the enclosure opening110.

The timer104may be a programmable electronic timer as further discussed herein or an electromechanical timer such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,930 or other commercially available appliance timer that enables a user to select from among a plurality of durations that the marshmallow roasting unit100will operate. For example, in the implementation shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B, the timer104is an electromechanical timer that includes a dial or knob105for a user to rotate to a selected one of a plurality of minute marks105a-105f. In this implementation, the timer104is electrically coupled to a respective power input of a heating element (e.g.,402inFIG. 4A) and/or an electric motor that functions as a rotational unit404of the marshmallow roasting unit100as further discussed herein so that the timer104is effective to operate or power on the heating element402and/or the rotational unit404for a duration corresponding to the selected one (e.g.,105a) of the plurality of minute marks105a-105f.

In another embodiment, a contact switch (not shown in the figures) may be positioned between the lid106and the enclosure102, and configured to interrupt power to the marshmallow roasting unit100or effectively turn off to heating element402and/or the rotational unit404when the lid106is opened. In another embodiment, a locking unit may lock the lid106when the marshmallow roasting unit100is in operation. The locking unit may include, but not be limited to, a magnet, a latch, a pin or any other suitable locking mechanism. However, in one implementation, the lid106may be omitted from the marshmallow roasting unit100or the lid106may be left in an open position as shown inFIG. 1Bwhile the marshmallow roasting unit100is operated as discussed herein to roast one or more marshmallows to create one or more S'mores with crackers held on the removable tray108.

FIGS. 2A,2B and2C depict embodiments of the removable tray108consistent with the present invention. The removable tray108comprises a bottom201having a front end201aand a rear end201b, a front face202attached to the front end201aof the tray bottom201and sized to cover the enclosure opening110, a handle204attached to the front face202, and a plurality of alignment elements206a-206dconfigured to position one or more crackers212held on the bottom201of the tray below a respective marshmallow314on a skewer300when the removable tray108is inserted into the enclosure opening110. Each adjacent pair of the alignment elements206a-206ddefines a respective cracker placement area210a,210b, and210cIn the implementation shown inFIGS. 2A-2C, the alignment elements206a-206dare spaced apart laterally on the tray108in a direction corresponding to the axis of rotation of a skewer300disposed in the roasting unit100as described in further detail herein.

The removable tray108may also include one or more backstop elements208disposed relative to the alignment elements206a-206dto inhibit a cracker212positioned in a respective cracker placement area210a-210cfrom moving towards the front face203of the tray108(for example, when the tray108is inserted in the enclosure opening110. In the implementation shown inFIGS. 2A-2B, one backstop element208spans the width of the tray108and abuts each of the alignment elements206a-206c. However, in an alternative implementation, the tray108may have a respective backstop element208for each cracker placement area210a-210c. In this implementation, the backstop elements208may be staggered between the front face202and the alignment elements206a-206dso that each cracker placement area210a-210cmay accept different sized crackers212.

The bottom201of the removable tray108may also have a plurality of ribs or protrusions211a-211ceach of which is positioned between the alignment elements206(e.g., between an adjacent pair of alignment elements) and the rear end201bof the tray bottom201.

Each rib211a-211crises less than the thickness (t) of a cracker212above the tray bottom201, inhibiting a cracker212positioned in a respective cracker placement area210a-210cfrom moving towards the rear end201bunless the tray108(or at least the tray bottom201) is tilted from front end201atowards201bat a predetermined angle, where gravity enables the respective cracker212to slide over the rib211a,211b, or211c. As discussed herein, by using ribs211a-211cinstead of backstop elements between the alignment elements206and the tray's rear end201b, a user may tilt the tray108to enable the crackers212(or S'mores created with the crackers212) to slide from the cracker placement areas210a-210con to a plate or other serving dish without the user having to touch the crackers212or S'mores.

In one implementation, the height of the alignment elements206(e.g., as measured out of the page inFIGS. 2A and 2B) may be such that a cracker212and a chocolate piece214may be aligned together in the cracker placement area208. The alignment elements206may be secured to the removable tray108using screws or other fasteners so that the alignment elements206(alone or in combination with the backstop elements208and ribs211a-221c) are effective to prevent the crackers212and chocolate piece214from moving while the tray108is in the enclosure102. The front face202may be fabricated from a material with a low thermal conductive coefficient to prevent heating of the front face206during the roasting operation.

In another embodiment a second set of alignment elements215, which may be moveable extensions of the stop element208, may be positioned to assist in aligning a chocolate piece214relative to a respective cracker212disposed in a cracker placement area208. In another embodiment, the alignment elements206may be detachable (via screws or other removable fasteners) from the tray108. In yet another embodiment, the alignment elements206and215may be adjustable to accommodate a plurality of different cracker212and chocolate piece214sizes. For example, the backstop element208may have a channel (not in view inFIGS. 2A and 2B) facing the rear end201bto which each of the alignment elements206and215may be slidingly engaged. In this implementation, each alignment element206and215may have a fastener or clamp that may be adjusted to temporarily affix the alignment element206or215to the backstop element208or to the tray bottom201at a desired or selected position.

FIG. 2Cdepicts one embodiment of the removable tray108inserted through the enclosure opening110and installed in the enclosure102of the marshmallow roasting unit100in accordance with the present invention. The enclosure102includes a roasting chamber216for roasting a marshmallow to create a S'more in accordance with the present invention. The removable tray108when inserted in the enclosure opening110is disposed under the roasting chamber216so that a marshmallow roasted in the roasting chamber216falls on a cracker212held on the removable tray108. The lid106, if employed, covers an access opening217of the roasting chamber216to contain heat generated during the roasting operation. The lid106may be made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity coefficient than the enclosure102to prevent the lid106from heating during the roasting operation.

In another embodiment, a contact switch (not shown in figures) may be positioned on the front face202of the removable tray108on the side of the front face202opposite the side109of the enclosure102that defines the enclosure opening110. The contact switch may be configured to turn off the marshmallow roasting unit100(e.g., the heating element402or rotational unit404) when the removable tray108is removed from the enclosure opening110. In another embodiment, a locking unit may lock the removable tray108when the marshmallow roasting unit100is in operation. The locking unit may include, but not be limited to, a magnet, a latch, a pin or any other suitable locking mechanism. By providing a locking unit mechanism to turn off the marshmallow roasting unit100when the removable tray108is removed from the enclosure012, the roasting unit inhibits user exposure to or contact with the heating elements402.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bdepict one embodiment of a marshmallow spacing unit308and a skewer300for roasting marshmallows in the marshmallow roasting unit100consistent with the present invention. The skewer300includes a handle304and a shaft306attached to the handle304. The shaft306has an opposite end302for receiving one or more marshmallows314thereon. The marshmallow spacing unit308includes at least one marshmallow spacing notch310formed in a plate312. The marshmallow spacing notch310may be set to a fixed distance indicative of a width of a marshmallow314. As shown inFIG. 3B, the marshmallow spacing unit308is adapted to be aligned with the skewer300. In one implementation, the skewer shaft306is the same length as the marshmallow spacing unit308such that the skewer300may be aligned to with the marshmallow roasting unit308when one end of the spacing unit308is set adjacent the end302of the skewer300opposite to the skewer handle304. Each of the notches310in the spacing unit308is an indicator reflecting where to position a respective marshmallow314on the skewer300when the spacing unit308is aligned with the skewer300so that each marshmallow314is disposed directly above a respective cracker212held on the removable tray108when the tray108is inserted in the enclosure opening110and installed in the enclosure102. In one implementation, the marshmallow spacing unit308is affixed to an external surface (e.g., on side109) of the enclosure102so that the skewer300may easily be aligned with the marshmallow spacing unit308. The plate312may be made from a material including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, paper, cardboard, or any other material that may hold its shape when aligned with the skewer300.

In another embodiment, the marshmallow spacing notch310may be adjustable. As an illustrative example, two plates with marshmallow spacing notches310offset by a predetermined distance may be arranged on top of one another and connected to allow each plate to slide independent of the other plate. By moving one plate against the other plate, the marshmallow spacing notch310may be expanded or reduced.

In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 3C, the skewer300includes an identifier (i.e., marking316) reflecting where to position the marshmallow314on the skewer300. The identifier or marking316may be formed on the skewer shaft306or may be adjustable rings which slide along the shaft. In an alternative implementation, the identifier or marking316may correspond to a first portion of the skewer having a color (e.g., yellow) different than another color (e.g., black) of the remaining portion of the skewer300.

The shaft306of the skewer300may comprise a material with a higher coefficient of thermal conductivity than the handle304to prevent the handle from becoming hot during the roasting operation. The skewer shaft306may also have a length of about six and a half inches to accommodate at least three standard sized marshmallows and may taper from the handle to the opposite end. In one implementation, the skewer300has multiple skewer shafts306each being capable of holding multiple marshmallows314at once with each shaft being spaced approximately ¾ inch from adjacent skewers306. In this embodiment, the diameter of each skewer shaft306is approximately one eighth of an inch. In another embodiment, the skewer300includes a or rubber wheel or gear (e.g.,412ainFIG. 4B) located on either or both ends of the skewer shaft306for coupling to a rotation unit404and facilitate rotation of the skewer300with little or no jitter of the skewer300during rotation.

FIG. 4Adepicts one embodiment of the skewer300positioned in the roasting chamber216of the marshmallow roasting unit100in accordance with the present invention. The roasting chamber216includes at least one heating element402, a rotation unit404, a skewer securing unit406, a handle compartment408and at least one heating element guard410. The rotation unit404, which may be a single or variable speed motor, is selectively coupled to one end of the skewer300and effective to rotate the skewer shaft306containing the marshmallows314at a predetermined angular speed effective in combination with the heating element402to evenly brown a circumferential surface of a marshmallow314held on the skewer300before the marshmallow falls from the skewer300. However, a user may selectively remove the skewer300from the roasting unit100before the marshmallow314becomes pliable and falls off the skewer300towards the removable tray108.

Each heating element guard410is disposed is proximity to a respective heating element402and at least partially surrounds the heating element402so that the heating element402is not directly exposed to the access opening217. In one implementation, the heating element guard410extends around the respective heating element402so that the heating element is not directly exposed to a cracker212held on the removable tray108when the tray108is installed in the enclosure108. Each heating element guard410may be comprised of aluminum or other conductive metal and may be 20% to 90% perforated so that the majority of heat radiated by the respective heating element402and reaching the guard410may be transferred through the guard410towards, for example, the marshmallow314on the skewer300. The portion of each heating element guard410between the respective heating element402and the removable tray108(when installed in the roasting unit enclosure102) may be less perforated (e.g., 0% to 50% perforated) than the remaining portion of the heating element guard410to inhibit or lessen the heat radiated towards a cracker212held on the removable tray108. In this implementation, the cracker212is inhibited from baking or charring while the marshmallow314is roasting on the skewer300in accordance with the present invention.

The heating element402is disposed a distance (x) within a predetermined range from a central axis411of the skewer300and adapted to radiate heat at a temperature within 300° F. to 800° F. so that the heating element402is effective to roast a marshmallow314on the skewer300until the marshmallow becomes pliable and falls off the skewer300on to a cracker212or contents disposed on the cracker212held on the removable tray108.

In one implementation, when the predetermined angular speed of the rotational unit404is set within the range of 2 revolutions per minute to 30 revolutions per minute, each heating element402(when activated to radiate heat at a temperature between 300° F. to 800° F.) may be disposed within a predetermined range of approximately 1 inch to 3 inches from the central axis411of the skewer300so that a marshmallow314held on the skewer300is evenly browned about its circumferential surface before the marshmallow314becomes pliable and falls from the skewer300.

In an alternative implementation, when the predetermined angular speed of the rotational unit404is set within the range of 2 revolutions per minute to 30 revolutions per minute, each heating element402(when activated to radiate heat at a temperature between 300° F. to 800° F.) may be disposed within a predetermined range of approximately ¼ inch to 2¼ inches from an outer circumferential surface of the marshmallow314before roasting (e.g., a standard marshmallow having a diameter of approximately 1.25 inches before roasting) so that the heating element is effective to roast the marshmallow on the skewer until the marshmallow becomes pliable and falls off the skewer on to the cracker212or contents (e.g., a chocolate piece214) disposed on the cracker held on the removable tray108. In this implementation, the heating element402and the rotational unit402are effective in combination to evenly brown the circumferential surface of the marshmallow314before the marshmallow314becomes pliable and falls from the skewer300.

Using a standard sized marshmallow having a diameter of 1.25 inches, the inventor has discovered that positioning the heating element402closer than 1 inch to the skewer300while radiating heat at or near 300° F. (or at greater temperatures) and rotating the skewer between 2 revolutions/minute to 30 revolutions/minute causes the marshmallow314to expand too quickly and ignite or burn before the inner portion of the marshmallow314melts or becomes pliable enough for the marshmallow314to fall from the skewer without igniting or burning. In particular, with the heating element402at closer than 1 inch to the skewer300and the heating element402radiating heat at a temperature of 450° F. or greater, the marshmallow315consistently expanded too quickly and contacted the heating element guard410.

The inventor further discovered that positioning the heating element402farther than 3 inches from the skewer300while radiating heat at or near 300° F. (or at greater temperatures) and rotating the skewer between 2 revolutions/minute to 30 revolutions/minute causes the marshmallow314inside of the marshmallow314to melt or become pliable and the marshmallow314then falls from the skewer300before the circumferential surface of the marshmallow314has been sufficiently browned or even lightly toasted (i.e., remains effectively white).

When the heating element402was positioned at approximately 2 inches from the central axis411of the skewer300while radiating heat in a range of 350° F. to 500° F. and rotating the skewer between 2 revolutions/minute to 12 revolutions/minute consistently causes the marshmallow314to be evenly browned about its circumferential surface before the marshmallow314becomes pliable and falls from the skewer300.

Accordingly, the heating element402(when disposed within a range of 1 to 3 inches from the skewer300while radiating in a range of 300° F. to 800° F., and preferably in a range of 350° F. to 500° F.) in combination with the predetermined angular speed of the rotation unit404(e.g., between 2 to 30 revolutions/minute, and preferably 2 to 12 revolutions/minute) is effective to brown the circumferential surface of the marshmallow314evenly while enabling the marshmallow314to become pliable and fall to a cracker212held on the removable tray108in accordance with the present invention.

To obtain marshmallow roasting temperatures in a range of 300° F. to 800° F., one or two heating elements402of approximately 650 watts to 1200 watts collectively were employed. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, a different number of heating elements and a different wattage of each heating element may be employed in combination to produce a roasting or radiating heat temperature within the range of 300° F. to 800° F.

In another embodiment, the heating element402may be attached to a chain drive or track coupled to a manual crank (not shown in figures) or to the rotational unit404to vary or adjust the distance (x) of the heating element402from the skewer shaft306, for example, within the predetermined range of 1 to 3 inches.

In one implementation shown inFIG. 4A, the end302of the skewer300opposite the handle304is adapted to be selectively engaged to an end of a rotor shaft413of the motor comprising the rotational unit404. The end of the rotor shaft413may be formed as a ratchet to receive and rotatively engage the end302of the skewer300when the skewer300is coaxially aligned with the rotor shaft413. In an alternative embodiment, a cam (not shown in figures) may be employed to link the rotor shaft413to the end302of the skewer300.

The skewer securing unit406may be a ball bearing or u-shaped notch in an inner wall413configured to allow the skewer shaft306to rotate freely while restricting the lateral and horizontal movement of the skewer300. The handle compartment408may be configured to prevent the handle304from heating during the roasting process. In an alternative implementation, the handle compartment408may be omitted when the timer105and timer dial104are moved near the rotational unit404within the enclosure102so that the enclosure102may be reduced in size, enabling the skewer handle304to be disposed external to the enclosure102and exposed to ambient air.

In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 4B, the skewer300may be coupled to the rotation unit404by a gear412alocated on one or both ends of the skewer shaft306. In this embodiment, a first gear412amay be secured to one or both ends of the skewer306with the skewer shaft306fitting through the center of the gear412a. A second gear412bmay be secured to the rotation unit404. The rotation unit404may be mounted underneath the first gear412aand may be engaged with the second gear412bon the rotation unit404. As the rotation unit404rotates, the second gear412bmoves the first gear412ato rotate the skewer shaft306. In an alternative embodiment, the gears412aand412bmay be replaced with rubber wheels or other type of wheels that may contact each other. In this implementation, the wheel replacing gear412bis coupled to the rotational unit404and through contact friction causes the other wheel replacing gear412ato move and correspondingly rotate the skewer shaft306.

In another embodiment, the rotation unit404may be coupled to a rubber wheel414using a tension band416, as depicted inFIG. 4C. In this embodiment, the skewer shaft306may be inserted through a center hole in a first rubber wheel414. A second rubber wheel418may be installed on the rotation unit404. The two rubber wheels may be coupled using a tension band416or by direct contact of the two wheels. The tension band416may include, but not limited to, a rubber belt, a steel belt, a plastic belt or any other appropriate type of tension belt.

FIG. 5depicts a cut away view of one embodiment of the marshmallow roasting unit100consistent with the present invention. In this embodiment, the skewer shaft306is connected to the rotation unit404and installed in the roasting chamber216as previously discussed. As shown inFIG. 5, when the removable tray108is installed in the enclosure102via enclosure opening110, the removable tray108is disposed under the roasting chamber216and the skewer300installed in the roasting chamber216. Alignment elements206on the removable tray108may be configured to align both cracker212and chocolate pieces214together. The rotation unit404may be coupled to the shaft306using a shaft coupling device (e.g., ratchet end of rotor shaft413) located between the shaft and the rotation unit404. The shaft coupling device413may be configured to securely attach the skewer shaft306to the rotation unit404in such a way that the shaft306does not slip during operation. The removable tray108is positioned directly under the marshmallows314on the skewer300, where the alignment elements206are configured to position each cracker212held within a cracker placement area210a-210con the tray108below a respective marshmallow held on the skewer300. As the marshmallows314are heated, the marshmallows314drop off the skewer300and fall on to the gram cracker212and chocolate piece214collectively positioned below the respective marshmallow314. The skewer300is located a predetermined distance (L) from the top edge of the removable tray108. The predetermined distance L is set to a distance effective to prevent residue from the fallen roasted marshmallows314from remaining coupled between the fallen marshmallow314and the skewer300. If the residue is allowed to remain coupled between the fallen roasted marshmallow314and the skewer300, the residue may wrap around the skewer300or prevent the marshmallow314from completely falling off the skewer300. In one implementation, the predetermined distance (L) between the skewer300and the removable tray108is 4.5 inches or more.

One feature of the marshmallow roasting unit100is that the enclosure opening110is sized to enable the removable tray108to be removed from the enclosure102and the enclosure opening110with each cracker212disposed on the tray108and each marshmallow314after roasting disposed at least partially on the respective cracker212(or on a chocolate piece214stacked thereon) without the enclosure side109interfering with the roasted marshmallow314. This is advantageous as each marshmallow314may expand significantly (e.g., 1.5 times) during roasting of the respective marshmallow314as described herein. Thus, the S'mores that are created (e.g., a gram cracker212, a chocolate piece214and a roasted marshmallow314) may be easily removed from the roasting unit100without interference from the enclosure side109defining the opening110. In one implementation in which a standard marshmallow having a diameter of approximately 1.25 inches may expand during roasting to more than 1.5 times the diameter of the marshmallow, the enclosure opening110is sized to have a height of 2 to 4 inches to allow for clearance of the tray108holding the cracker212, a piece of chocolate214on the cracker212, and a standard marshmallow314disposed on the chocolate piece214and expanded due to roasting as described herein.

Another feature of the marshmallow roasting unit100is that the heating elements402, the heating element guards410, and the rotation unit402including the rotor shaft413are each one of a plurality of components disposed within the enclosure102in proximity to the roasting chamber216as best shown inFIGS. 2C and 5. Each of the components is positioned relative to the skewer300so that, when the removable tray108is inserted in the enclosure opening110, each marshmallow314held on the skewer300is able to fall off the skewer during the roasting operation to a respective cracker212or contents (e.g., a respective chocolate piece214) disposed on the cracker212held on the removable tray108without contacting a heating element402or another one of the components (e.g., a heating element guard410or rotational unit404) within the enclosure102. Thus, unlike conventional ovens or toasters that may have a grill shelf or heating element disposed near the bottom of the conventional oven that could interfere with a marshmallow falling towards the oven bottom, a marshmallow roasting unit100consistent with the present invention does not have a component between the skewer300and the removable tray108installed in the enclosure102that may interfere with a roasted marshmallow falling from the skewer300to a cracker positioned on the removable tray108.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram depicting an exemplary process600for creating a S'more using the marshmallow roasting unit100in accordance with the present invention. First, one or more crackers212and chocolate pieces214are placed on the removable tray108between the alignment elements206or in the cracker placement areas210a-210cdefined by the alignment elements206(step602). Each cracker212may be butted up against the backstop element208and between the backstop element208and a respective rib211a,211b, or211c. Alignment elements218may also be used to align each chocolate piece214on a respective cracker212.

Once each cracker212and chocolate piece214are positioned on the removable tray, the removable tray108is inserted in to the enclosure102(Step604). Next, the marshmallows314are placed on the skewer shaft306(Step606) and are spaced apart a corresponding distance using the spacing unit308(Step608). The skewer300is then placed in to the roasting chamber216(Step610). The lid106may optionally be closed. Next, the timer104is started (Step612). Once the timer begins, the rotation unit404and heating elements402start (Steps614and616). In an alternative implementation, the heating element402may be powered on via a switch (not shown in Figures) separate from the timer104that controls the rotation unit404. In this implementation, the heating element402need not be turned off when the removable tray108is removed from the enclosure102to access the crackers or S'mores created when performing the process600or when the skewer300is removed from the roasting chamber216to add new marshmallows to be roasted.

Next, the rotation unit404and heating elements roast the marshmallows314until they fall off of the skewer300and on to the crackers212or chocolate214stacked on the crackers on the removable tray108(Step618). After or at approximately the same time as the marshmallows314fall off of the skewer300, the timer104stops (Step620), the heating elements402stops (Step622) either via the timer104or via the separate manual switch for the heating element204, and the rotation unit404stops (Step624).

FIG. 7is a block diagram depicting an exemplary control system700for the marshmallow roasting unit100consistent with the present invention. The control system700includes, a control unit702, a temperature sensor704, a rotational speed sensor706, a timer708, at least one heating element402, a rotation unit404and a display710. The control system700also includes a portable battery or have a power source for connecting to conventional power receptacle. The portable battery or power source are not shown in the figures to avoid obscuring the present invention.

The control unit702may include a CPU and memory storing a control program containing instructions executed by the CPU for controlling the operation of each heating element402and the rotation unit404as described herein. In an alternative embodiment, the control unit702may be implemented in hardware alone, using ASIC or programmable logic arrays, for example.

At least one temperature sensor704may be installed near the skewer shaft306in the roasting chamber216and may be electrically coupled to the control unit702. A rotational speed sensor706may be installed on the shaft306and may be electrically coupled to the control unit702.

In one embodiment, the control unit702may be configured to monitor the temperature as measured by the temperature sensor704. The control unit702may be configured to modulate or adjust power to each heating element402to maintain a temperature set point (or predetermined temperature) in the roasting chamber216. In another embodiment, the control unit702may be configured to monitor the sensed angular or rotational speed of the skewer shaft306as measured and output by the rotational speed sensor706to the control unit702. The control unit702modulates or adjusts power to the rotation unit404to maintain a predetermined rotational speed set point based on the sensed angular speed of the skewer so that the skewer300is driven at the predetermined rotational speed. In yet another embodiment, the control unit modulates or adjusts power to both the rotation unit404and the heating element402simultaneously to maintain their respective set points. Rotational speed and temperature set points may be adjustable through a display unit710, which may be located on the front side109of the enclosure102or via dials located on the front side109of the enclosure102.

In another embodiment consistent with the present invention, a photo-eye502coupled to the controller702may be positioned just underneath the marshmallows314on the skewer300in the roasting chamber216. Once all of the marshmallows314fall off of the skewer300, the contact on the photo-eye502is closed and, upon receiving an indication from the photo-eye502that the contact on photo-eye502is closed, the controller702causes the rotation unit414and heating elements402to power off or stop. In another embodiment, the insertion of the skewer300in the roasting chamber216closes a contact switch (not shown in figures) that automatically starts the rotation unit404and heating elements402.

FIGS. 8A,8B and8C depict a skewer cleaning unit800consistent with the present invention. The skewer cleaning unit800comprises a plate802including a notch804cut on one end of the plate. The notch804may be effective to make contact with the surface of the skewer shaft306and remove any marshmallow residue remaining on the skewer shaft306after roasting has completed. In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 8A, the notch804may be a rectangular shape. In another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 8B, the arc of the bottom of the notch804may be formed to the same arc as the skewer shaft306. In yet another embodiment, depicted inFIG. 8C, the notch804may be a triangular shape with the apex of the triangle on the furthest inside portion of the plate802.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, by producing even and high heat intensity (e.g., between 300° F. to 800° F.) consistent with the present invention, marshmallows314may be toasted to a golden brown in approximately two minutes or less. Also, because of the uniform heating of the marshmallow while the marshmallows are rotated, a superior quality of roasted marshmallow is produced. By controlling the temperature in the roasting unit100to maintain an adjustable set point, a marshmallow314may be roasted to a level of browning in accordance with the user's preference.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.