Abstract:
A device for heating or cooling material, having at least one first conductive portion sized to be inserted into the material; and at least one second conductive portion conductively attached to the first portion. the second portion is sized to absorb and conduct heat or cooling from a source proximate the second portion into the first portion. The first portion heats or cools the interior of the material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device used for baking food and other materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a conduction coil or mass used to conduct heat from a heat source into food to cook the interior of the food while the outside is also being baked or otherwise heated. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Cooking food, such as by baking, consumes time, energy and money, but produces delicious foods for family and those we dine with. Ingredients are mixed and placed in a bowl, pan, pot or other cooking dish. The dish is heated in an oven, on the stove, in a broiler, outdoor grill or other methods. 
         [0003]    It would be of advantage in the art if a device could be provided that would save time, energy and/or money while producing the same or better quality dishes. 
         [0004]    Yet another advantage would be if the device was simple, easy to clean and safe to use. 
         [0005]    It would be another advance in the art if the device could be used to either heat or cool items such as food. 
         [0006]    Other advantages will appear hereinafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It has now been discovered that the above and other advantages of the present invention may be obtained in the following manner. Specifically, the present invention is a simple, high-efficiency instrument that uses highly thermally conductive materials to drive heat energy into and out of foods, food dishes, and other materials. The heat energy is transferred by solid conductive portions that are inserted into the material and by a conductive portion that remains outside the material. This arrangement quickly and naturally equalizes the temperature differences inside and outside of the material. Thus the invention provides a device for conducting heat or cooling from an external source, such as an oven or refrigerator, to the inside of a mixture of food or other materials that need to be heated, or cooled, internally as well as external heat or cooling. 
         [0008]    The device comprises a conductive object having at least one first portion such as a prong or rod that can be inserted into the material being processed, and a second portion capable of absorbing heat or cooling that is conducted to the at least one first portion and thus to the interior of the material. The device is preferably made from metals and preferably from copper, aluminum and alloys thereof. Other conductive materials are also within the scope of this invention. For example, silver is very conductive, but is not preferred due to its higher cost than aluminum or copper. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference is hereby made to the drawings, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    The present invention provides for substantial improvements in heating and/or cooling masses of material by conduction. When used to heat material, ovens are often used, but the device is also capable of absorbing and therefore conducting heat from other sources of heat, such as a barbeque grill, particularly if the grill has a closed cover or lid. Similarly, when used to cool material, refrigerators and freezers are often used. Other environments including ambient temperature will provide cooling energy that the device conducts to the interior of the material. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention,  10  generally, that has a pair of rods  11  and  13  that are designed to be inserted into material that is to be heated or cooled internally. Rods  11  and  13  are each connected at one end to center mass  15 . Center mass  15  is shown as a coil but other shapes including a simple extension of rods  11  and  13 , a larger solid mass in a rectangular, cubic, round, donut or other shape is also within the scope of this invention. The function of rods  11  and  13 , or other shapes as noted below, is to transfer heat or cold that is conducted into them from center mass  15  so as to change the interior temperature of the material. The exterior of the material may or may not be simultaneously heated or cooled as desired. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternative embodiment  20  where rods  11  and  13  of  FIG. 1  are replaced with coils  17  and  19 . These coils get larger at the end that is to be inserted into the material being heated or cooled to transfer more heat or cold to the inside. Alternatively, coils  17  and  19  can be uniform in size, or smaller at their ends. Other shapes besides rods or coils, such as flat blades, spoons, forks and other shapes are also effective. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows yet another embodiment  30  which has one portion  21  for insertion into the material being heated or cooled and a second portion  23  for absorbing and conducting heat or cooling to the first portion  21  and thus to the interior of the material. As noted above, the shape of portions  21  and  23  is exemplary and not limiting. Other shapes that function to absorb heat or cooling and conduct the same into the interior of the material being treated are also fully within the scope of this invention. 
         [0017]    As noted above, the primary materials used for this project will be copper, aluminum, and their appropriate alloys. These materials will be extruded into a shape to maximize both strength and surface area, while having the mass to conduct adequate thermal energy into or out of the material. Each device will have one or more tines, which will be inserted into the material as described above. Some versions will have straight tines; others will have something of a cork-screw, embordering a coil of the same extrusion, acting as a radiator. This will speed the process of conduction into the material. The finished form will then be coated/ treated as needed by anodizing the aluminum or plating/treating the copper. This will be done for aesthetics and to prevent acids from leaching the base metal into the material that is to be heated or cooled. 
         [0018]    Also as noted above, the preferred materials, copper and aluminum, have been selected due to their high thermal conductivity; copper being 401 and aluminum being 237. Silver at 429 has the highest thermal conductivity of any metal but was not selected due to cost constraints. 
         [0019]    For the initial testing, 2 lb. sample materials were heated from an internal temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The devices of this invention used only 54-59% of the energy required compared to the device not being used. Using the device of this invention has been shown to cut cooking time nearly in half (with identical cooking results), or lower cooking temperature settings required for the same cooking time. 
         [0020]    If just half of U.S. households used their oven only once a week, using the present invention, would save approximately 300 million dollars a year. In addition, many mass food producers, such as restaurants, caterers, schools, military mess units etc. could also use the present invention to save time and money. This will appeal to families to more quickly create a meal, and also make cooking more attractive to those who think it just takes too much time. The present invention will also appeal to those who want to conserve energy for cost savings, as well as for the environment. 
         [0021]    While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention, except as defined by the following claims.