Patent Publication Number: US-2013233185-A1

Title: Food dehydrator device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an improved device for dehydrating food, and more particularly, an improved device for dehydrating food items having a range of dimensions. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Drying is a method of food preservation in which water is removed from the food. Bacteria, yeasts and molds need the water in the food to grow, and drying effectively prevents them from surviving in the food. 
     Open-air drying using sun and wind have been practiced since ancient times to preserve a variety of foods, but this method often takes a long time, exposes food to undesirable environmental elements, and does not produce consistent results. 
     Given the shortcomings of open-air drying, electric food dehydrators have gained in popularity. These devices speed the drying process and ensure more consistent results over the open-air drying technique. Because food items typically sought to be dehydrated are typically be sliced and arranged in a single layer, large surface areas are required for large quantities of food. It is desired, however, that such food dehydrator devices be as compact as possible so that they are suitable for use in a home kitchen and, at the same time, be able to accommodate food items of various dimensions. It is further desired to have a food dehydrator device in which the rate of dehydration may be adjusted to suit the type of food to be dehydrated. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a compact food dehydrator that permits the drying of large quantities of food of a variety of dimensions at a user-controllable rate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of food dehydrating devices disclosed herein provide a number of advantages over prior art devices, such as being compact in size and, at the same time, permitting control over the rate of drying of the food items, and accommodating food items having a range of dimensions. 
     In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a food dehydrator device is provided. The food dehydrator device comprises a top member, a bottom member, and a plurality of trays disposed between the top and bottom members. Each one of the trays comprise a support, upper and lower skirts disposed about a periphery of the support, and first and second opposing sides. The upper and lower skirts of adjacent support trays cooperate to form an enclosed side wall between the top and bottom members. A first set of posts is disposed along each one of the first opposing sides in a first arrangement and a second set of posts is disposed along each one of the second opposing sides in a second arrangement. Adjacent trays may be actuated between first and second configurations or positions by the rotation of adjacent trays relative to each other, e.g., in a preferred embodiment by a rotation of approximately 90 degrees. In the first configuration, the first and second pairs of opposing sides of adjacent trays are aligned, and wherein in the second configuration the first and second pairs of opposing sides of adjacent trays are offset by 90 degrees. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first and second opposing sides are of equal lengths. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the preferred embodiment, the posts of each one of the first and second set of posts protrude from both upper and lower sides of the tray. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first set of posts comprises a first number of spaced posts. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the second set of posts comprises a second number of spaced posts different from the first number. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first and second sets of posts are spaced in an alternating manner in the first and second arrangements, respectively. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first set of posts comprises an odd number of posts, and wherein the second set of posts comprises an even number of posts. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the preferred embodiment, one of the upper or lower skirts is disposed at a peripheral edge of the support, and the other one of the upper or lower support is disposed at a distance inward of the peripheral edge of the support. 
     In accordance with a eighth aspect of the preferred embodiment, a maximum distance between adjacent trays is provided in the first configuration, and a minimum distance between adjacent trays is provided in the second configuration. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment, a food dehydrator device is provided, the device comprising a chamber defined by a top portion, a bottom portion and peripheral side walls. A plurality of gas-permeable supports is disposed within the vented chamber, the supports each comprising a peripheral edge having a pair of opposing sides. A first set of distance members is disposed on at least a first side of the peripheral edge in a first arrangement, and a second set of distance members is disposed on at least a second side of the peripheral edge in a second arrangement different from the first arrangement. The first and second distance members cooperate to provide first and second distances by a 90 degree rotation of adjacent supports. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the preferred embodiment, the food dehydrator device further comprises a fan to generate an airflow through the vented chamber. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the preferred embodiment, the food dehydrator device further comprises a heat source coupled to the fan. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first and second set of distance members are disposed on both top and bottom sides of the peripheral edge. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the preferred embodiment, an odd number of distance members is provided in the first arrangement. 
     In accordance with a fifth aspect of the preferred embodiment, an even number of distance members is provided in the second arrangement. 
     In accordance with a sixth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the distance between adjacent distance members is roughly equivalent in the first and second arrangements. 
     In accordance with a seventh aspect of the preferred embodiment, the chamber comprises one or more vents defining an opening to allow the airflow being generated by the fan to pass therethrough. 
     In accordance with an eighth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the food dehydrator device further comprises one or more shields configured to be actuated relative to the openings to control the size of the openings from being completely or partially open to completely closed. 
     In accordance with a ninth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the first pair of opposing sides have equal lengths, and wherein the second pair of opposing sides have equal lengths. 
     In accordance with a tenth aspect of the preferred embodiment, the food dehydrator device further comprises an actuating means for actuating the one or more shields. 
     In accordance with a further preferred embodiment, a food dehydrator device is provided. The device comprises a base, a lid and a plurality of support trays therebetween. The base comprises a centrally-disposed fan to generate an airflow. The lid comprises one or more vents defining an opening to allow the airflow being generated by the fan to pass therethrough. The lid further comprises one or more shields configured to be actuated relative to the openings to control the size of the openings from being completely or partially open to completely closed. 
     The support trays each have top and bottom surfaces, a support grid, upper and lower skirts disposed about a periphery of the support grid. The upper and lower skirts of adjacent support trays cooperate to provide an enclosed side wall between the base and the lid. The support trays also each comprise first and second pairs of opposing sides and a centrally-disposed aperture defining an air passageway. 
     A first set of posts is disposed along each side of the first pair of opposing sides of each support tray, the first set of posts being arranged in a first arrangement and being provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the support trays. A second set of posts is disposed along each side of the second pair of opposing sides of each support tray, the second set of posts being arranged in a second arrangement that is different from the first arrangement and being provided on the top and bottom surfaces of the support trays. A central air passage is defined between the fan and the lid by the centrally-disposed aperture of the plurality of trays. 
     Adjacent trays may be stacked in one of a first or a second configuration or position providing a maximum or a minimum distance between adjacent trays, respectively. In the first configuration, at least one of the first or second posts of one tray is placed on top of the first or second posts of an adjacent tray, respectively, to provide the maximum distance between adjacent support trays. In the second configuration, both the first and second set of posts of adjacent trays are disposed alongside one another to provide the minimum distance between adjacent support trays. Adjacent trays may be actuated between the first and second configuration by a rotation of adjacent trays relative to each other, e.g., a 90 degree rotation. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the dehydrating device in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the dehydrating device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top elevation view of the dehydrating device; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a food tray; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the food tray of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front elevation view of one side of the dehydrating device of  FIG. 1  with the facing external ribs removed to show the location of the three tray posts; 
         FIG. 6B  is a front elevation view of the side of the dehydrating device of  FIG. 1  that is adjacent to the side shown in  FIG. 6A , also with the facing external ribs removed to show the location of the two tray posts; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the dehydrating device taken along  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3  in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 7B  is the same cross-sectional view of  FIG. 7A  showing the dehydrating device without the lid in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view of the dehydrating device taken along  7 - 7  of  FIG. 3  in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the dehydrating device taken along  8 - 8  of  FIG. 3  in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross-sectional view of the dehydrating device taken through a side portion of the device in  FIG. 3  in a second configuration; and 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross-sectional view of the dehydrating device taken through a side portion of the device in  FIG. 3  in a second configuration. 
     
    
    
     Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIGS. 1 and 2  a fully-assembled food dehydrator device  10  is depicted as comprising a lid  40 , a base  20  and a plurality of trays  30  provided in a stacked relation between the lid  40  and the base  20 . 
     The base  20  is provided with a power switch  22  and, as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 7C , the base  20  comprises a fan  26  coupled to a motor and heat source  24 . The fan  26  is configured to generate airflow through the plurality of trays  30 . The base  20  may optionally comprise footings  28  to stabilize the base  20  on top of a counter top or other working surface. 
     The lid  40  is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 3  as comprising a plurality of vents  44 ,  46  configured to allow the airflow generated by the fan to exit the device  10 . An actuator  42  may be provided to actuate one or a plurality of shields disposed below the lid (not shown) to control the vent openings  44  in a range positions from being completely open to completely closed.  FIGS. 1 and 3  depict the vent opening  44  as being completely open. It is understood that the rate of dehydration may be controlled by extent of venting provided to the device  10 , as well as the rate of airflow through the device  10 , and the amount of heat applied. 
     A plurality of trays  30  are stacked between the base  20  and the lid  40 . Although the figures show the device  10  as having  5  trays  30 , it is understood that any number of trays may be utilized in the device  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the trays  30  are dimensioned identically, preferably as polygons having pairs of opposing sides and, even more preferably, as a square. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  depict an embodiment of a square-shaped tray  30  as comprising a grid  36  having a central aperture and upper and lower skirts  32 ,  34  along its periphery. The upper skirt  32  is shown as being stepped inward of the lower skirt  34 . This configuration permits the upper and lower skirts  32 ,  34  to cooperate and provide an enclosed side wall, while at the same time permitting the spacing between adjacent trays  30  to be adjusted between a first maximum distance (d 1 ) and a second minimum distance (d 2 ), as shown in  FIGS. 7C and 9B , respectively. When adjacent trays  30  are spaced at a first maximum distance (d 1 ), both the upper and lower skirts  32 ,  34  form the external side wall of the device  10  ( FIGS. 2 ,  6 A- 6 B,  7 A- 7 C). In contrast, when adjacent trays  30  are spaced at a second minimum distance (d 2 ), only the lower skirt  34  form the external side wall of the device  10  ( FIGS. 8 ,  9 A- 9 B). 
     The tray  30  further comprises first and second pairs of opposing sides  300 A,  300 B. A first set of posts  302 A,  304 A is provided along each of the first pair of opposing sides in a first configuration, and a second set of posts  302 B,  304 B is provided along each of the second pair of opposing sides in a second configuration. In the first configuration, the three posts  302 A,  304 A are provided as being equally spaced relative to one another and in the second configuration, two posts  302 B,  304 B are provided, also as being equally spaced relative to one another. 
     The distance between the grids  36  of adjacent trays  30  are determined by the height of the posts  302 A-B,  304 A-B and their orientation with respect to adjacent trays  30 . 
       FIGS. 6A-B  depict a maximum distance dl between adjacent grids  36  resulting from the alignment of posts  302 A and  304 A between adjacent grids  36  along the first pair of opposing sides  300 A as well as the alignment of posts  302 B and  304 B between adjacent grids along the second pair of opposing sides  300 B. The maximum distance d 1  shown in  FIGS. 6A-B  therefore corresponds to the larger one of the sum of the heights of the posts  302 A and  304 A and of the posts  302 B and  304 B. 
     FIGS.  8  and  9 A-B depict a minimum distance d 2  between adjacent grids  36  resulting from rotating alternating grids at a 90 degree angle. Because the first and second configuration of the posts, as provided on the first and second opposing sides, are provided in different spaced relationship, there is no alignment of posts between adjacent grids  36  and rather each one the posts  302 A,  304 A,  302 B,  304 B do not abut one another but rather directly contacts the grid  36  or a peripheral area of the tray  30  that is roughly coplanar with the grid  36 . In accordance with this embodiment, the minimum distance d 2  corresponds to the height of the tallest single post. 
     The central apertures  38  of the stacked trays  30  provide an air passageway between the fan  26  and the plurality of vents  44 ,  46 . The relative positions of the plurality of vents  44 ,  46  are significant in providing the ability to control the direction of air flow within the chamber of the device. For example, closing vents  44  by actuating the shields (not shown) to close the openings would result in the airflow impinging on the lid to recirculate outward and back downward from the lid. To that end, the lid may be configured to have a dome-like shape that directs the upwardly impinging air back downward onto the trays. Peripheral vents  46  may permit for the release of accumulating air pressure in the chamber of the device  10 . 
     It is to be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     For example, while a particular embodiment of the food dehydrator has been described and illustrated having a configuration that provides first and second distances between the trays by rotating adjacent trays by 90 degrees, it is to be understood that food dehydrators constructed as disclosed herein may be configured having other polygonal orientations capable of providing such different distances between the trays by rotating in an amount other than 90 degrees, e.g., by rotating 60, 45, 30 degrees or the like.