ROASTER OVEN WITH HINGED COVER

Abstract: A container for preparing and cooking food, such as a roaster oven, includes a main body having a bottom portion with sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom, a cover for covering the main body of the container, and a hinge assembly connecting the cover to the main body of the roaster oven. The hinge assembly includes a first portion attached to the cover, and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion and attached to the rear sidewall of the main body of the container. The hinge assembly allows the cover to be opened in any desired position. The hinge assembly further includes a powered convection fan for turning the roaster oven into a convection oven. The mechanism which allows the cover to be opened in any desired position includes a torsion bar, a cam, and a cam follower.

Description: ROASTER OVEN WITH HINGED COVER Background of the Invention The present invention relates to food preparation containers having a main body and a cover, and more particularly to roaster oven having a hinge assembly connecting the cover to the main body, the hinge assembly includes a convection fan for converting the roaster oven into a convection oven. The hinge assembly supports the cover in any desired open position on the main body of the oven. Roaster ovens used for preparing and cooking food are well known in the art. The conventional roaster oven includes a main body and a cover that fits on the main body of the oven. The main body typically includes a cookwell pan inserted within an outer shell of the roaster oven body. Handles are attached to the outer shell of the main body for ease in carrying the roaster oven. The cover is closed and rests on an upper edge of the cookwell pan during cooking, and to keep the food warm before serving. The cover is removed from the roaster oven during the serving of food and during cleaning. A problem exists with having a separate removable cover. After the cover is removed from the roaster oven, it must be placed on a counter top, table, or other supporting surface. The cover is usually still hot and includes condensation and other food matter on its inner surface. Setting a hot, dirty cover on a counter top or table is not desirable. Hot liquid dripping from the inner surface of the cover onto the counter top or table could possibly damage or at the very least stain the supporting surface. Therefore, it would be desirable if the cover of a roaster oven could be opened without having to remove the cover from the main body of the oven. In addition, it would be further desirable if the cover could be secured in an open position on the main body of the roaster oven such that any condensation or other food matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the cookwell pan of the roaster oven. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a hinge assembly attached to the cover of a roaster oven. The hinge assembly is designed so that the cover may be easily opened for serving food and removed from the roaster oven for cleaning. The hinge assembly also includes a convection fan assembly so that the roaster oven may transformed into a convection oven. The roaster oven of the present invention provides the option of five different cooking methods, including normal cooking, convection cooking, baking, roasting, and steaming. The hinge assembly also supports the cover in an open position. With the cover in an open position, the hinge assembly positions the cover over the roaster oven to ensure that condensation and other food matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the roaster oven. The present invention includes a two-piece container, such as a roaster oven, having a main body, a cover, and a hinge assembly connecting the cover to the main body. The main body includes a bottom portion with sidewalls extending upwardly therefrom to create an open cavity for a cookwell pan to be inserted therein. The sidewalls include handles located at opposite ends of the main body to facilitate carrying the roaster oven. The cookwell pan includes sidewalls with an upper edge and a flange extending around the periphery of the sidewalls. A control panel is located on the front of the roaster oven with at least one control knob for controlling cooking operation of the roaster oven, and a status indicator lamp for indicating the power status (off or on) of the oven. The components of the main body include the cover, a cookwell pan inserted within a heatwell pan for heating the cookwell pan. The heatwell pan is surrounded by a heating element and an insulating member 66. The heatwell pan is fastened to a collar attached around the upper rim of an outer member. The insulating member retains cooking heat in the heatwell pan and provides an air space between the heatwell pan and the outer member to allow for convection cooling of the outer member during operation of the oven. A hinge and counterbalance assembly connected between the cover and the outer member is used to support the cover in an open position, and to provides for convection cooking. The hinge and counterbalance assembly includes a first portion providing the hinge assembly and the convection oven function, and a second portion providing the counterbalance. The first portion includes a hinge cover, a motor with a motor cooling fan, a convection fan, and a switch for controlling operation of the motor and convection fan. The hinge assembly includes an upper bracket, a hinge pin acting as the pivot point between the first portion and the second portion, a cam mounted on one end of the hinge pin, a torsion bar having a cam follower attached to one end thereof, and a lower bracket in pivoting relationship with the upper bracket. The cam mounted on one end of the hinge pin interacts with the cam follower attached to the torsion bar to allow opening and closing of the cover. The torsion bar pressure supports the cover in an open position. The cover may be opened by lifting or rotating the cover about the hinge pin. In a secured open position, condensation and other matter on the inner surface of the cover drips back into the cookwell pan of the roaster oven, and not onto a counter top or table. Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description of the invention. . Brief Description of the Drawings The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roaster oven with a hinged cover constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the roaster oven of FIG. 1, shown with the hinged cover in an open position; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the roaster oven of FIG. 1; FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a hinge and counterbalance assembly connecting the cover to the main body of the oven; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view of the roaster oven with the hinge and counterbalance assembly partially broken away and the cover in a closed position; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side view of the roaster oven with the hinge and counterbalance assembly partially broken away and the cover in a partially open position; and FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side view of the roaster oven with the hinge and counterbalance assembly partially broken away and the cover in a fully open position. Detailed Description of the Invention Referring first to FIGS, land 2, a container 10 for preparing or cooking food, such as a roaster oven is shown. The container 10 includes a main body 12 and a cover 14 attached to the main body 12 with a hinge and counterbalance assembly 16. The main body 12 includes a bottom portion 18 with sidewalls 20 extending upwardly therefrom to create an open cavity 22 for a cookwell pan 24 to be inserted within the main body 12 of the container 10. The main body 12 of the container 10 is preferably rectangularly shaped with front and rear opposed sidewalls 26, 28 comprising the front and rear of the container 10, and two opposed end sidewalls 30, 32, which are generally shorter in length than front and rear sidewalls 26, 28. The main body 12 of the container 10 may also be oval-shaped, round, or square. Each of the end sidewalls 30, 32 has a handle 34 attached thereto for carrying the container 10. The cookwell pan 24 includes sidewalls 36 with an upper edge 38 and a flange 40 extending around the periphery of the sidewalls 36. Located on the front sidewall 26 of the main body 12 is a control panel 42 with at least one control knob 44 for controlling cooking operation of the roaster oven, and a status indicator lamp 46 for indicating the power status (off or on) of the oven. Housed within the control panel 42 is an automatic timer and a thermostat for adjustable cooking times and temperatures. The control knobs 44 provide the option of five different cooking methods, including normal cooking, convection cooking, baking, roasting, or steaming. The cover 14 includes an inner surface 48 and an outer surface 50, with a flange 52 extending around its periphery. The flange 52 rests on the upper edge 38 of the cookwell pan sidewalls 36 when the cover 14 is in a closed position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. Attached to the rear of the cover 14 is a hinge and counterbalance assembly 16. The hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 includes a first portion 54 attached to the outer surface 50 of the cover 14, and a second portion 56 extending downwardly from the first portion 54 and attached to the rear sidewall 28 of the main body 12. The hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 is preferably attached to the cover 14 and rear sidewall 28 by rivets, screws, or bolts and the like. Alternatively, the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 may be welded to the cover 14 and rear sidewall 28. Fig. 2 illustrates the container 10 of the present invention with the cover 14 in an open position. The cover 14 is most typically opened by rotating the cover 14 about the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 at the rear of the cover 14. The first portion 54 of the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 includes a convection fan assembly 58 extending through the cover 14 so that the roaster oven may be operated as a convection oven as well. A switch 60, preferably a power switch, located on the first portion 54 of the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 controls operation of the convection fan assembly 58. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the roaster oven container 10 illustrating its various components. The first portion 54 of the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 is attached to the outer surface 50 of the cover 14. The cover 14 is preferably made of transparent glass or plastic to allow for viewing of food items during the cooking process. The main body 12 of the container 10 includes the cookwell pan 24 for holding food items to be cooked is inserted within a heatwell pan 62 for heating the cookwell pan 24. The heatwell pan 62 is in thermal contact with the cookwell pan 24 to transfer heat from the heatwell pan 62 to the cookwell pan 24. The heatwell pan 62 is surrounded by a heating element 64, and an insulating member 66. The heatwell pan 62 is fastened to a collar 70 attached around the upper rim of an outer member 68. Fasteners 74 extend through apertures 76 in the collar 70 and heatwell pan 62 to attach the container 10 together. The outer member 68 is preferably made of a plastic material. The insulating member 66 surrounding the heating element 64 is positioned within the outer member 68. The insulating member 66 retains cooking heat in the heatwell pan 62 and provides an air space between the heatwell pan 62 and the outer member 68 to allow for convection cooling of the outer member 68 during operation of the roaster oven. Thus, the outer member 68 is always cool enough to the touch during operation of the roaster oven. The insulating member 66 is preferably made of a fiberglass material with an aluminum foil backing. The heating element 64 contains heating wires 72 extending therethrough and coupled to the control panel 42 for controlling operation of the heating element. The second portion 56 of the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 attaches to the rear sidewall 28 of the outer member 68. The heatwell pan 62 further includes a temperature sensor 78 attached thereto and coupled to the thermostat to control the temperature of the heatwell pan 62. Fig. 3 A is an exploded view illustrating the components of the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16. The hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 is used to support the cover 14 in an open position, and provides the convection oven function. As mentioned previously, the hinge and counterbalance assembly 16 includes a first portion 54 providing the convection oven function and a second portion 56 providing the counterbalance function. The first portion 54 includes a hinge cover 80, a switch 60 for controlling operation of the convection function, a motor 100 with a motor cooling fan 102 and a convection fan 58. The first portion further includes components of the hinge assembly. An upper bracket 108 separates the hinge components from the convection components. A hinge pin 86 acts as the pivot point between the first portion 54 and the second portion 56. The hinge pin 86 extends through holes formed in a lower bracket 110 the upper bracket 108, and a cam 84. A locking member 82 holds the first portion 54 together. A torsion bar 89 having a lever arm or cam follower 88 attached at one end is fastened to apertures in the sides of the lower bracket 110. The cam 84 mounted on one end of the hinge pin 86 interacts with the cam follower 89 attached to the torsion bar 89. The torsion bar 89 holds or supports the cover 14 in an open position. In other words, the torsion bar 89 prevents the cover 14 from falling down. The cam 84 may be designed with stops or indentations so that the cover 14 will stay open in pre-selected positions. In operation of the hinge mechanism as shown in FIGS. 4-6, one end of the torsion bar 89 is fixed to the lower bracket 110 by a nut 96 or other fastening device, while the other end having the cam follower 88 attached thereto is free to rotate. As the cover 14 is opened or closed, the position on the cam 84 at which the cam follower 88 rests varies. Due to the irregular shape of the cam 84, the position of the cam follower 88 varies as well. This causes the torsion bar 89 to twist and store energy to hold the cover 14 in an open position. By adjusting the shape of the cam 84, the amount of counterbalance force on the cover 14 is adjusted. FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view illustrating the hinge assembly 16 in a closed position. FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly 16 in a partially open position. In the partially open position, while opening or closing the cover 14, the center of gravity of the hinge assembly 16 changes as the cover 14 is moved, and the cam follower 88 and torsion bar 89 spring pressure increases, causing a counter balance effect so that the cover 14 does not freely fall onto the main body 12 of the cooking container 10. And, FIG. 6 is a fragmentary cross- sectional view of the hinge assembly 16 in a fully open position. In the fully open position, the center of gravity of the hinge assembly 16 is directly over the hinge pin 86, so very little cam pressure is needed for the cover 14 to remain open. While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only, and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

Claims: Claims We claim: 1. A cooking container comprising: a main body having a bottom portion with upwardly extending sidewalls and a flange extending around the periphery of the sidewalls; a cover for covering the main body of the container having a top portion with downwardly extending sidewalls and a bottom lip the end of the sidewalls; and a hinge assembly having a first portion fastened to the cover, and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion and fastened to a rear sidewall of the main body. 2. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the main body of the container comprises an outer covering. 3. The cooking container of claim 2 wherein the outer covering is preferably made from plastic. 4. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the hinge assembly comprises a motor housing and a convection fan. 5. The cooking container of claim 4 wherein the second portion of the hinge assembly is a counterbalance to hold the cover in an open position. 6. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the cover is made of glass. 7. The cooking container of claim 6 wherein the glass is transparent. 8. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the open cover is located above the main body of the container so that any condensation or other matter on the inner surface of the cover drips down into the main body of the container. 9. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the bracket is a hinge assembly fastened to the rear sidewall of the cover with rivets. 10. The cooking container of claim 1 wherein the bracket is a hinge assembly welded to the rear sidewall of the cover. 11. A roaster oven having a main body with a bottom portion and upwardly extending sidewalls and a cover with a top portion and downwardly extending sidewalls, the roaster oven comprising: a, flange extending around the upper peripheral edge of the sidewalls of the main body; a hinge assembly attached to a rear sidewall of the cover, the hinge assembly having a first portion fastened to the cover, and a second portion extending downwardly from the first portion for attachment to a rear sidewall of the main body; and wherein the hinge assembly includes a powered convection fan for converting the roaster oven into a convection oven. 12. The roaster oven of claim 11 wherein the second portion of the bracket is inserted through the slotted opening by rotating the cover about a rear edge of the rear sidewall. 13. The roaster oven of claim 11 wherein the bracket supports the cover in an open position. 14. The roaster oven of claim 13 wherein the wherein the open cover is located above the main body of the oven so that any condensation or other matter on the inner surface of the cover drips down into the main body of the oven. 15. The roaster oven of claim 11 wherein the bracket is integral with the cover. 16. A convection roaster oven comprising : a main body having a bottom portion with upwardly extending sidewalls and a flange extending around the periphery of the sidewalls; a cover having a top portion with sidewalls extending downwardly from the top portion and an outwardly extending lip at the end of the sidewalls for mating with the main body of the oven; a hinge assembly connecting the cover to the main body, the hinge assembly having a first portion attached to the top of the cover and a second portion attached to a rear sidewall of the main body; and wherein the hinge assembly includes a motorized convection fan housed within the first portion of the hinge assembly, the cover including a plurality of openings therein for cooling the motor. 17. The roaster oven of claim 16 wherein the second portion of the hinge assembly is inserted into the slotted opening when opening the cover. 18. The roaster oven of claim 16 wherein the hinge assembly inserted within the slotted opening maintains the cover in an open position. 19. The roaster oven of claim 18 wherein the open cover is positioned above the main body of the roaster oven so that any condensation or other matter on the inner surface of the cover drips down into the main body of the roaster oven. 20. A cooking device comprising: a cooking cavity; and a cover for covering the cooking cavity, wherein said cover is connected to the cooking cavity by a hinge assembly which allows the cover to be opened in any desired position. 21. The cooking device of claim 20 wherein said cooking cavity includes when mounted relative to said cooking cavity in an open position permits condensation or other matter on an inner surface of said cover to drip into said cooking cavity. 22. The cooking device of claim 20 further comprising at least one bracket attached to the cover for selectively mounting the cover in an open position relative to the cooking cavity. 23. The cooking device of claim 20 wherein said hinge assembly includes a first portion fastened to the cover, and a second portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the first portion. 24. The cooking device of claim 23 further comprising at least one slotted opening in a flange surrounding the cooking cavity for receiving the second portion of the bracket therein. 25. The cooking device of claim 20 further comprising at least one bracket attached to the cooking cavity for selectively mounting the cover in an open position relative to the cooking cavity. 26. The cooking device of claim 20 further comprising at least one bracket attached to the cover and at least one bracket attached to the cooking cavity for selectively mounting the cover in an open position relative to the cooking cavity. 27. The cooking device of claim 20 further comprising at least one bracket attached to the cooking cavity, and at least one corresponding elongated slotted opening in a rear sidewall of the cover for selectively mounting the cover in an open position relative to the cooking cavity.

Inventors: DRUMM WESLEY C, OTT RICHARD B, SCHMIDT BRUCE E, DRUMM, WESLEY, C., OTT, RICHARD, B., SCHMIDT, BRUCE, E.
Applicants: DRUMM WESLEY C, METAL WARE CORP, OTT RICHARD B, SCHMIDT BRUCE E, DRUMM, WESLEY, C., OTT, RICHARD, B., SCHMIDT, BRUCE, E., THE METAL WARE CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A47J
IPC codes: A47J27, A47J36, A47J37, A47J39