Abstract:
A cooking apparatus provides a frame for supporting a pot or cooking vessel. A basket is sized a shaped to fit the interior of the pot or cooking vessel. The pot is movable from a cooking position to intermediate draining position to a discharge position. In the discharge position, a pot lid is receptive of food articles that had been cooked. The lid is preferably pivotally attached to the frame and/or cooking vessel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/330,984, filed May 4, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference and priority of which is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to cooking devices, more particularly cooking devices that are used to boil seafood items such as crabs, shrimp, crawfish, and the like. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved seafood boiler apparatus having a specially configured basket that is shaped to fit a pot interior, and wherein the basket can be pivoted relative to the pot or lifted from the pot using handles that extend laterally from the upper end portion of the basket, the pot having a lid that pivots to an unloading position wherein contents of the basket are discharged to the lid. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Many seafood items are cooked by boiling them in a seasoned liquid. It has been known to boil crabs, shrimp and other crustacea by containing the crustacea in a perforated basket which fits inside a pot. One of the problems associated with boiling seafood is the safe removal of the seafood from the pot after cooking is completed. Prior art systems employ pots that must be lifted vertically. The steam from the cooking medium presents a hazard to the hands of a user when the user attempts to remove the basket and the contained crustacea from the cooking pot. Further, crustacea typically retain a good bit of liquid of the cooking medium which can drip upon the users or other areas outside the pot. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a seafood boiling apparatus that employs a frame. The frame includes a cooking vessel having an interior that enables a fluid cooking medium to be contained and heated. 
     One or more burners are mounted on the frame that enable heat transfer to the cooking vessel and the contained cooking medium. 
     A basket is configured to fit the cooking vessel interior. 
     A pivotal connection is formed between the basket and the frame that enables the basket to be pivoted relative to the frame between cooking and food discharge position. 
     A lid is attached the frame and movable from a cooking position that covers the cooking vessel and the basket and a food discharge position that places the lid generally horizontally or slightly inclined so that food items discharged from the basket are discharged upon the lid when in the food discharge position. 
     The basket preferably discharges contain food items upon the lid when the lid is in the open or food discharge position and the basket is rotated from the cooking position to its food discharge position. 
     In one embodiment, the basket can be removed from the frame by lifting vertically wherein the basket disconnects from the pivotal connection. 
     In one embodiment, a mechanism locks the basket in an intermediate draining position wherein the basket is placed above the cooking medium and wherein the contents are retained within the basket. 
     In one embodiment, the cooking vessel has a curved wall. 
     In one embodiment, the basket has a peripherical rod and the rod forms a pivotal connection with the frame. 
     In one embodiment, the frame has multiple slots and the peripheral rod nests in the slots. 
     In one embodiment, the lid has a containment wall or walls that contain food items on the lid when the lid is in the open or food discharge position. 
     In one embodiment, there are multiple burners mounted on the frame, each positioned directly under the vessel. 
     In one embodiment, the burners are supplied fuel via a common manifold. 
     In one embodiment, the lid includes a large planer section and a smaller planar section connected to the larger planar section. 
     In one embodiment, the small or smaller planar sections pivotally attaches the lid to the frame. 
     In one embodiment, the peripheral rod forms one or more basket handles and enables the basket to be lifted vertically. 
     In one embodiment, the peripheral rod forms one or more handles that enable the basket to be pivoted. 
     In one embodiment, the lid has containment walls that contain food items on the lid when in the food discharge position, each containment wall surrounded by a basket handle when the lid is in the cooking or closed position. 
     In one embodiment, the lid has a pair of containment walls that are opposite one another, the containment walls retaining food items on the lid when in the food discharge position, each containment wall being generally surrounded by a basket handle when the lid is in the closed or cooking position. 
     In one embodiment, the lid has lid edges, one of the lid edges attaching to the frame with a pivotal connection, and a pair of the lid edges having a containment wall attached thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front cutaway view of one embodiment of a seafood boiler showing internal basket and one of the four burners; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the boiler of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an overall perspective view of the boiler of  FIG. 1  with the lid in a closed state; 
         FIG. 4  is an overall perspective view of the boiler of  FIG. 1  with the lid in an open state; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of the boiler of  FIG. 1  showing seafood in the process of being boiled; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional side view of the boiler of  FIG. 1  showing seafood in the process of being drained from the basket; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of the boiler of  FIG. 1  showing seafood in the process of being unloaded from the basket, onto the angled cover, and being delivered on an eating surface; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative two basket arrangement (with large and small baskets); 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the two basket arrangement of  FIG. 8  showing in dashed lines the small basket being raised; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the two basket arrangement of  FIG. 8  showing in dashed lines the large basket being raised. 
         FIGS. 11-15  show an alternative pot/cooking vessel with lid where the cooking vessel has a plurality of planer sides (in this case five side) instead of a curved bottom. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-10  show of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Cooking apparatus  10  provides a frame  11 . The frame  11  can include a plurality of legs such a legs  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . The frame  11  is preferable wheeled. In that regard, each leg  12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  is provided with a wheel  16 . 
     A fuel supply such as a propane or butane cylinder or canister is provided. Fuel supply  17  transmits fuel via conduit or hose  18  to a flow line  19 . A coupling  20  can be provided for connecting conduit or hose  18  to flow line  19 . 
     The flow line  19  communicates with a manifold  21 . Manifold  21  carries fuel from hose or conduit  18  to flow line  19  and then to a plurality of burner elements  22 . Each of the burner elements can be in the form of a suitable fitting such as a nozzle or jet (commercially available), surrounded by a vertically position tube  23 . Mounting brackets  24 ,  25  can be used to support manifold  21  and the burner elements  22  in tubes  23 . 
     A heat shield  26  surrounds the burner elements  22  as shown. Heat shield  26  can be provided with a plurality of vent openings  27 . Frame  11  supports a pot or cooking vessel  28 . The pot or cooking vessel  28  has a curved wall  29  and a pair of generally semi circular end walls  30 . Each of the burner elements  22  generates a flame  31  that transfers heat to pot or cooking vessel  28  by transferring heat to curved wall  29  and then to the cooking medium  43  contained within pot or cooking vessel  28 . 
     A cover or lid  32  is provided for covering the pot or cooking vessel  28  during cooking. Cover or lid  32  has one or more handles  33 . Hinges  34  are provided for forming a pivoting connection of cover/lid  32  to pot or cooking vessel  28 . The lid is movable between a closed or cooking position (see  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ) and an open or food discharge position (see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7 ). Cover or lid  32  includes a large planar section  35  and a smaller planar section  37 . The planar sections  35 ,  37  are connected to form a generally right or 90 degree angle. 
     One or more retaining walls  36  extend from larger planar section  35 . These retaining walls  36  help to retain food items such as crustacea on cover or lid  32  when basket  40  is pivoted to a dumping position as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 . Larger planar section  35  and smaller planar section  37  are joined at edge  38 . Edge  38  can be simply a bend in cover or lid  32  or can be a welded connection. 
     After food items are cooked in pot or cooking vessel  28  and basket  40 , the basket  40  is rotated to the open or food discharge position shown in  FIG. 7  so that the food items  42  such as crabs, shrimp, etc. are discharged from basket  40  to cover or lid  32 . The cover or lid  32  can be supported by a table  39  having upper surface  41  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     Basket  40  can be of a single section such as is shown in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 6 . Alternatively, the basket can be a two part basket  55  as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . The basket  55  has a larger section  44  and a smaller section  45  (see  FIGS. 8-10 ). Each of the baskets  40 ,  55  provides a peripheral rod  56 . This peripheral rod  56  connects to the upper periphery of each basket  40  or  44 ,  45 . The peripheral rod  56  forms handles  46 ,  47  (see  FIGS. 3-4 ). These handles  46 ,  47  enable basket  40  to be pivoted as illustrated by arrow  48  in  FIG. 4  between the closed or cooking position of  FIGS. 1-5  and the open or food discharge position of  FIG. 7 . Similarly, each of the larger and smaller baskets  44 ,  45  provides a peripheral rod  56 . 
     Basket  40  includes a curved basket wall  49  and a pair of semi circular end wall  50 . Similarly, each of the larger section  44  and smaller section  45  baskets provide a curved basket wall  51  and semi circular end walls  52 . For the basket sections  44 ,  45  of  FIGS. 8-10 , the peripheral rod  56  can be in two parts. These parts include larger basket rod  53  and smaller basket rod  54 . The basket rods  53 ,  54  can be connected at a sleeve or bearing or pinned connection  64 , enabling either basket section  44  or  45  to be rotated as illustrated by arrow  48  in  FIG. 9  and independently of the other basket section. Larger basket rod  53  thus provides handle  57 . Smaller basket rod  54  provides handle  58 . 
     Locking pins  59  can be provided for holding a basket  40  or a basket section  44 ,  45  in a draining position. This draining position  62  can be seen in  FIG. 6 . In order to hold the basket  40  or basket section  44 ,  45  in the draining position  62 , locking pin  59  is placed in opening  61  which is near the top of pot or cooking vessel  28  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Locking pin  59  can be secured to pot or cooking vessel  28  using chain  60 . 
     Each of the peripheral rods  56  or  53 ,  54  registers in a recess  63  at the upper end portion  65  of pot or cooking vessel  28  as shown in  FIG. 6 . To remove basket  40  or  55  from the frame  11 , a user lifts vertically at handles  46 ,  47  (for basket  40 ) or  57 ,  58  for basket  55 . When a basket  40  or  55  is lifted vertically in this fashion, it disengages from recesses  63 . In order to remove a basket  40  or  55 , lid  32  is placed in the open or food discharge position. 
       FIGS. 11-15  show an alternative pot/cooking vessel  28 ′ with lid  32 ′ where the cooking vessel has a plurality of planer sides (in this case five side) instead of a curved bottom. One or more baskets  40 ′ can be shaped to similarly fit the planer shape of the pot cooking vessel  28 ′. Alternatively one or more baskets  40 ′ can be rectangularly or square shaped. 
     In one embodiment pot cooking vessel  28  can be sloped to the drain valve. In one embodiment legs  11  can be shorter than legs  15  (or one set of legs can be collapsible or telescopically collapsible to have pot cooking vessel  28  sloped to the drain valve. 
     PARTS LIST 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Parts Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 cooking apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 11 
                 frame 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 leg 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 leg 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 leg 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 leg 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 wheel 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 fuel supply 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 conduit/hose 
               
               
                   
                 19 
                 flow line 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 coupling 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 manifold 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 burner element 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 tube 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 mounting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 heat shield 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 vent opening 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 pot/cooking vessel 
               
               
                   
                 29 
                 curved wall 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 end wall 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 flame 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 cover/lid 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 hinge 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 larger planar section 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 retaining wall 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 smaller planar section 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 edge 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 table 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 basket 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 upper surface 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 food items 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 cooking medium/fluid 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 larger section 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 smaller section 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 47 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 arrow 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 curved basket wall 
               
               
                   
                 50 
                 semi circular end wall 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 curved basket wall 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 semi circular end wall 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 larger basket rod 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 smaller basket rod 
               
               
                   
                 55 
                 basket 
               
               
                   
                 56 
                 peripheral rod 
               
               
                   
                 57 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 58 
                 handle 
               
               
                   
                 59 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 chain 
               
               
                   
                 61 
                 opening 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 draining position 
               
               
                   
                 63 
                 recess 
               
               
                   
                 64 
                 sleeve or pinned connection 
               
               
                   
                 65 
                 upper end portion 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.