Abstract:
A cooking apparatus for batter based foods that can be inserted into the slot of a traditional toaster and cooked using the toaster&#39;s heating mechanism. The apparatus has two hingedly connected complimentary cooking members, that when closed one upon the other, define an interior cavity shaped in the form of the desired cooked product. A clamping mechanism is built into the handles of each of the two cooking members and an overflow reservoir is formed by each of the cooking members and is positioned between the handles to vent gasses, steam, and/or excess batter upward when the device is placed in the toaster for cooking, thereby protecting the interior mechanism of the toaster from spillage.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    There are no related applications. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
       [0003]    None. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention generally relates to an insert member for a conventional toaster usable for cooking any liquid, semi-liquid, semi-solid, or batter material that solidifies with the application of heat. More specifically, this invention relates to cooking forms insertable in a conventional toaster, shaped to permit the cooking of foods that are liquid, semi-liquid, or semi-solid in their uncooked state, for example, breakfast foods such as waffles or pancakes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The cooking of food products that start from a batter and subsequently solidify with the application of heat while cooking is well known. For example, so-called “waffle irons” are widely available for creating a crisp, flat, food item traditionally eaten during breakfast or as a dessert ingredient. The familiar rectangular or circular shape with multiple indentations is designed to advantageously contain various syrups, jams and jellies, or other condiments. Nevertheless, making “homemade” waffles or pancakes is a time consuming, equipment intensive undertaking generally reserved for weekends or special occasions. The process generally involves pulling a heavy, unwieldy, waffle iron or flat plate from storage in one of the kitchen cabinets (put there because the device is so rarely used and counter space is limited), plugging it in, greasing it, pre-heating it, mixing the batter, lifting the iron&#39;s top and pouring the batter in, closing the top and waiting a sufficient time for cooking. Thereafter, clean-up can be equally daunting because these cookware devices cannot be put into the dishwasher or submerged in the sink. Hence, they are generally wiped clean as best as possible instead of being washed, thereby increasing the likelihood of bacterial colonization, and placed back into the dark confines of the kitchen cabinet, further increasing the opportunity for the growth fungi and bacteria. Similarly, pancakes or griddle cakes are slightly less problematic to cook but equally time consuming and messy to prepare. 
         [0006]    What is needed is a cooking appliance that can quickly and easily cook batter-based food items, yet is easy to manipulate and clean, and optimally, can make use of existing kitchen appliances in order to maximize their efficiency and conserve counter space. The prior art is replete with various waffle and pancake making devices. The instant invention solves the above noted disadvantages. 
         [0007]    A number of cooking devices are shown in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 1,546,347 issued 9 Jan. 1923 is a waffle iron that cooks waffles in a generally vertical orientation. This device is a large, counter-top appliance utilizing the familiar clamshell-like configuration used commonly in current waffle makers. Flat, textured cooking surfaces are joined at a hinged connection in a vertical orientation. These cooking surfaces are pressed together while cooking, then separated when cooking is complete in order to permit access to the food item within. The traditional means of using these waffle cooking devices is that an appropriate amount of batter is poured onto one cooking surface, thereafter the other surface is closed upon it until cooking is complete. This device is used by first closing the cooking surfaces against one another, then filling the device via its fill spout, and cooking. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,922 issued 28 Jan. 1997 is a hamburger grilling appliance including a bifurcated sidewall assembly that effectively seals the device while cooking but allows easy access to the cooked food when the device is opened, thereby facilitating removal of the cooked product. It is inappropriate for use with batters, however, with a problem of leakage of the uncooked material. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an insert for conventional toasters enabling the user to cook batter-based foods, for example, waffles and pancakes, using the toaster&#39;s heating mechanism. It solves the aforementioned problems in the prior art regarding unwieldiness or difficulty in cleaning up, and additionally makes more efficient use of an already existing kitchen appliance. It includes two hingedly connected complimentary cooking surfaces, that when closed one upon the other, define an interior volume shaped in the form of the desired product, for example a waffle or pancake. Additional features include a clamping mechanism built into the handles and an overflow reservoir positioned to vent gasses, steam, and/or contain excess batter when the device is placed in the toaster for cooking, thereby protecting the interior mechanism of the toaster from spillage or other deleterious materials which may ultimately affect its functioning. The handles may also serve as a means of suspending the device within the toaster slot in the event that the aforementioned slot is particularly deep and/or the desired food product is designed to be significantly smaller in one dimension compared to the depth of the aforementioned slot. This placement additionally enables easier manipulation of the entire device, for example, when opening the device and removing the cooked food product. 
         [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide a device that is easy to clean, and because it relies upon the heating source within the toaster, the entire device is dishwasher safe. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide a device that is light in weight and takes up little space for storage. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the invention that it will permit the existing toaster that users already own to function in multiple roles, thereby eliminating the need for traditional electric waffle iron and its attendant inconveniences. 
         [0013]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the waffle maker invention showing the entire cooking form assembly when filled and closed. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged side elevation view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectioned side elevation view of a base member of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the base member of the invention with handles removed depicting its non-stick coated cooking surface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of the cover member of the invention with handles removed depicting its non-stick coated cooking surface. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is an enlarged side elevation view of the cover member shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the handle assembly. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the handle assembly in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the handle assembly in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of the handle assembly as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a detailed side elevation of the handle assembly in  FIG. 7  without the silicone insulating cushion depicted in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a perspective plan view of a pancake maker in a closed position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a front end view of the pancake maker shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is rear end view of the pancake maker shown in  FIG. 12 , and 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is an enlarged side elevation view of the pancake maker shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The preferred embodiments and best modes of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 1 through 11 . While the invention is described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, it is not intended that the present invention be so limited. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0031]    This invention may be constructed from any heat resistant, yet heat conductive material. Such heat conductive materials have been made from metallic material, including aluminum for the primary cooking elements. However, it is noted that this invention may also successfully using sheet steel, stainless steel, copper, cast iron, Pyrex® (or similar borosilicate glass), porcelain, ceramic, or polymeric material. The cooking surfaces are also preferably coated with one or more non-stick coatings, for example Teflon® (i.e., fluorocarbon polymers), (e.g., tetrafluoroethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene). 
         [0032]    The present cooking device  20  includes a base member  25  having a hinge  26  at one end and cover member  30  with a hinge  31  at a corresponding end. Not shown is a hinge pin interconnecting the aforementioned hinge elements  26 ,  31 , which are themselves incorporated into the base member  25  and cover member  30 . A cooking cavity  28  best shown in  FIG. 4  is shaped in the relief of the form of the food product to be cooked. Additionally, a plurality of square shaped protuberances  45  with tapered side walls  46  and a top planar surface  47  extend outward from the cooking surface to form the waffle embodiment. Each adjacent protuberance in linear alignment ranges from about 0.55 inches to about 0.75 inches from center point to center point of each protuberance. In a most preferred arrangement, the protuberances  45  are spaced about 0.65 inches apart. A complimentary cooking cavity  33  is also present in the cover member  30 . The aforementioned members  25 ,  30  and cavities  28 ,  33  are shaped to define complimentary portions of the final form of the cooked food material. The entire cooking apparatus  20  is sized for insertion into a conventional toaster. The base member  25  and cover member  30 , when closed, define a substantially sealed cavity shaped in the desired final form of the food product to be cooked. It is an important feature of this invention that the aforementioned compartment is substantially sealed in order to effectively contain food material placed therein, but permits sufficient leakage at the seam for venting steam or excess batter during the cooking process. The batter leaking into the seam between base member  25  and cover member  30  in effect becomes its own sealant, thereby preventing leakage of additional material into the heat source, typically a conventional toaster. In practice, metal (or other heat resistant but heat conductive material) in the vicinity of the seam or sealing area will heat rapidly because it is not in direct contact with the batter. As batter leakage occurs into the seam, the batter contacts this relatively highly heated material and immediately solidifies, thereby creating its own seal thus preventing leakage of additional batter. An area of the cooking apparatus which operates differently in this regard is the top or overflow reservoir cup area located between the handles. 
         [0033]    An overflow reservoir or cup  50  is defined by the two end cup halves  27 ,  32  defined in the base member  25  and cover  30  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In use, steam created by the cooking process tends to rise, following a path in the direction of the cup  50 . Consequently, excess batter follows this path of lower resistance and since a seal has not been formed, tends to collect in the cup  50 . 
         [0034]    Another important feature of this invention is the placement of its handles  38 ,  39  and the clamping feature formed by the handles. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 , L shaped handles  38 ,  39  are preferably positioned at the opposite end of base member  25  and cover member  30 , away from the hinge  26 ,  31 . The handles  38 ,  39  are generally co-axial when the apparatus is in its closed position and ready for insertion as shown in  FIG. 2 . Hence, when in a closed position, the handles  38 ,  39  are ideally positioned for easy insertion or extraction of the apparatus from a toaster slot. The handles are individually mounted on the base and cover members  25 ,  30 , such that when the device is open, one handle  38  is mounted to the base member  25 , with the other handle  39  mounted to the cover member  30 . Handling characteristics of the apparatus are thereby maximized whether opened or closed, consequently obviating any need for oven mitts, hot pads, or the like. In use, all required manipulation of the device may be accomplished using the handles exclusively. The handles have one leg  36  which has a generally U shaped configuration as is shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 , and  9  and acts as a clamp with an insulating silicone grip or cushion  37  mounted on the other leg. 
         [0035]    A handle attaching pin  42  permits rotational or pivoting movement of the handle  38  attached to the base member  25  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Not shown is a similar pin mounting its respective handle  39  to cover member  30 . The handles  38 ,  39  each have a clamping leg member  36  manufactured from a resilient material, sized to fit over the combined thicknesses of the base and cover members  25 ,  30  when closed. In use, the handles  38  and  39  and their respective leg clamp members  36  are rotated around pin  42  away from the base and cover members  25 ,  30  so that the cooking apparatus  20  may be opened. In closing, the handles and their respective leg clamps are rotated downward with the leg clamps  36  frictionally moving over the top portion of the base and cover members, thereby locking the base and cover members  25 ,  30  into their respective closed positions, ready for insertion into the toaster. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 12 through 15  are drawings show a pancake making assembly  60  using the same structural components as previously discussed without the waffle protuberances  45 . This assembly has a central cavity with a curved side wall  62  and a planar end wall.  64 . 
         [0037]    Handles  38 ,  39  and clamping members  40 , and  41  are rotated away from base member  25  and cover member  30  in order to open the device. The now open apparatus may be placed on a table or countertop, and either the base member  25  or cover member  30  filled with an appropriate amount of batter. The unfilled member is rotated about hinge  26 ,  31  and allowed to rest atop the filled member. Handles  38 ,  39  are rotated inward, towards the now adjacent base and cover members  25 ,  30 , and clamps  40 , and  41  rotate on pin  42  to lock the base member and cover member together. The entire assembly is then placed into a conventional toaster, wherein heat produced therein cooks the batter in the cooking cavity. Small amounts of batter may leak due to imperfect sealing at the interface of said base member  25  and cover member  30 , but the apparatus self seals by solidifying instantly upon coming in contact with the comparatively highly heated portions of the base and cover members  25 ,  30  not previously in contact with the batter. Steam or other byproducts of the cooking process tend to vent upward into the portion of the base and cover members  27 ,  32  that form the overflow reservoir  50 . Excess batter will tend to follow this path of less resistance, thereby tending to collect into said overflow reservoir  50  rather than into the toaster, thereby simplifying cleanup. 
         [0038]    It is noted that the critical features of this invention are equally amenable for use with regard to cooking any batter-based product that solidifies with the application of heat. The specific embodiments described herein include waffle making and pancake making incarnations, but are not limited to same. Moreover, it is understood that while this invention is ideally suited for use in a conventional toaster, this invention may be used with any heat source with little or no modification. For example, this invention may be equally useful in conjunction with an open flame, so-called toaster oven, or conventional oven. 
         [0039]    The principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments which have been described above. Instead, the embodiments described here should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims: