Abstract:
A toaster and convection oven includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, a heating mechanism in thermal communication with the heating compartment and configured to heat the heating compartment, a user interface including a plurality of user controls to be manipulated by a user, the user controls allowing the user to program a dual cook mode including a first cooking mode and a second cooking mode, and a control unit operatively connected to the user interface and to the heating mechanism. The control unit is configured to receive a signal from the user interface and to control operation of the heating mechanism in dependence upon the signal to run the first cooking mode and the second cooking mode sequentially without further input from the user.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to toaster ovens and, more particularly, to a toaster and convection oven that is selectively operable in a variety of modes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various toaster ovens exist for heating and cooking a variety of food items. For example, existing toaster ovens are used for toasting bagels, heating sandwiches, baking desserts, broiling meats and reheating leftovers. Heating and cooking these food items is often accomplished by the operation of upper and lower heating elements within the toaster oven, and temperature control and time control over these heating elements through a user interface or control panel. 
         [0003]    While existing toaster ovens are generally suitable for what is regarded as ordinary performance, there is room for improvement in terms of ease of use and performance, including more precise control of the cooking operation. In particular, existing toaster ovens are only particularly suited to toast or bake certain food items and are only temperature and time controllable to a limited extent. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven having multiple pre-programmed operating modes. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven that has preset and adjustable temperature and cook times. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven that is programmable to cook in multiple sequential modes. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven having a digital display and controls. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a toaster and convection oven having heating elements that are independently controllable. 
         [0010]    According to an embodiment of the present invention, a toaster and convection oven is provided. The oven includes a housing having an internal heating compartment, a heating mechanism in thermal communication with the heating compartment and configured to heat the heating compartment, a user interface including a plurality of user controls to be manipulated by a user, the user controls allowing the user to program a dual cook mode including a first cooking mode and a second cooking mode, and a control unit operatively connected to the user interface and to the heating mechanism. The control unit is configured to receive a signal from the user interface and to control operation of the heating mechanism in dependence upon the signal to run the first cooking mode and the second cooking mode sequentially without further input from the user. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a toaster and convection oven having a heating compartment, a plurality of heating elements within the heating compartment and a user interface including a plurality of user control is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a first cooking signal and a second cooking signal in response to actuation of the user controls, the first cooking signal corresponding to a first cooking function having a first cooking parameter and the second cooking signal corresponding to a second cooking function having a second cooking parameter, controlling the heating elements to perform the first cooking function, and controlling the heating elements to perform the second cooking function automatically, subsequent to performing the first cooking function and without further actuation of the user controls. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toaster and convection oven in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the toaster and convection oven of  FIG. 1  illustrating internal components thereof. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic, side cross-section of the toaster and convection oven of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4-7  are perspective views of the toaster and convection oven of  FIG. 1 , illustrating various selectable oven rack positions. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a enlarged, detail view of a control panel of the toaster and convection oven of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a toaster and convection oven  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The oven  10  includes a thermally insulated housing  12  that defines an internal heating compartment  14 . The compartment  14  may be accessed through a door  16  having a transparent front panel  18 . In an embodiment, the door  16  is pivotally connected to the housing  12  at a lower edge thereof. As shown therein, the door  16  also has a handle  20  allowing a user to open the door  16  to provide access to the compartment  14 . A plurality of feet  22  support the housing  12  in spaced relation to a countertop or other surface. The oven  10  also includes a crumb tray  23  slidably received by the housing  12  which can be pulled out from the front of the oven  10  for easy cleaning. 
         [0018]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the front of the housing  12  includes a user interface in the form of a control panel  24  having a graphic display, herein shown as a liquid crystal display (LCD)  26 , and an array of user controls, as discussed hereinafter. 
         [0019]    As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the internal compartment  14  includes one or more pairs of opposed slots  28  for slidably receiving one or more removable racks  30 . In the preferred embodiment, there are four pairs of opposed slots  28  corresponding to four positions to insert the racks  30  into the oven  10 .  FIGS. 4-7  illustrate the placement of a rack  30  at each of the four positions, with  FIG. 4  illustrating the lowest position and  FIG. 7  illustrating the highest position. In the preferred embodiment, the two upper positions (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) contain position stops that prevent the racks  30  from being pulled more than halfway out of the oven  10 . If a user desires to completely remove the rack  30 , it can be removed by lifting up on the front of the rack  30  to disengage it from the position stops, and then sliding it out of the oven compartment  14 . 
         [0020]    Importantly, the interior walls of the compartment  14  are coated with a non-stick material. This inhibits the buildup of debris and the like within the compartment and provides for easier cleaning. 
         [0021]    With further reference to  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment, the internal compartment  14  is heated by five tubular heating elements  32 ,  34  configured to produce radiant heat. Three upper heating elements  32  are located adjacent to the ceiling or top of the compartment  14  and two lower heating elements  34  are located along the floor or bottom of the compartment  14 . In an embodiment, the tubular heating elements  32 ,  34  are Calrod® heaters, such as stainless steel Calrod® heaters, although any other type of heating element known in the art, such as quartz, tungsten, halogen, etc., may also be utilized without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the heating elements  32 ,  34  are shown producing radiant heat in reference to a food item (not shown) within heating compartment  14 . 
         [0022]    As also shown in  FIG. 3 , the oven  10  also includes a fan  36  which functions to circulate heated air within the compartment  14  and around a food item as it cooks. In this manner, the oven provides for convection heating of food items, as discussed in detail hereinafter. While  FIG. 3  shows the fan  36  positioned adjacent to the floor of the compartment  14 , the fan  36  may be positioned anywhere within the compartment  14  sufficient to circulate air around a food item. 
         [0023]    With further reference to  FIG. 2 , the user interface  24  is electrically connected to, and configured to control, operation of the heating elements  32 ,  34  and the convection fan  36 . In particular, the user interface  24  includes a control unit/microprocessor (not shown) and control circuitry configured to control the heating elements  32 ,  34  and fan  36  in dependence upon one or more user inputs, and according to control algorithms stored in memory. Importantly, the upper and lower heating elements  32 ,  34  are independently controllable by the microprocessor and control circuitry. In particular, both the three upper and two lower heating elements  32 ,  34  may be selectively operated at zero wattage (OFF), full wattage or a selected wattage between zero and full wattage. For example, one or both of the heating elements  32 ,  34  may be operated at half wattage. 
         [0024]    In other embodiments, any number or all of the heating elements  32 ,  34  may be operated at a wattage between zero watts and full wattage for a first portion of a cooking/heating cycle, and at another, different wattage for a second portion of a cooking/heating cycle, as discussed in detail below. 
         [0025]      FIG. 8  illustrates the user interface  24  that may be utilized by a user to select one or more cooking functions, cooking time, cooking temperature and the like (i.e., user inputs). As shown therein, the user interface  24  includes the LCD display  26 , a plurality of depressible buttons including a start/stop button  38 , a speed convection button  40 , a dual cook button  42 , an ‘add time’ button  44 , a convection button  46 , and an oven light button  48 , and a rotatable and depressible selector knob  50 . The display  26  is preferable a blue-backlit LCD screen that displays the function, time, temperature, and toast shade selected by a user, and includes PREHEATING and READY readouts. When the oven is not in use, the display  26  is configured to display a clock. 
         [0026]    With further reference to  FIG. 8 , the selector knob  50  is rotatable by a user to select a cooking function. For example, cooking functions may include toast, bagel, waffle, dual cook, bake, broil, roast, pizza, sandwich, keep warm and leftover. These cooking functions corresponding to predetermined cooking routines stored in memory. The selector knob  50  is also configured to selectively change a preset time or temperature, and to choose toast shade. The knob  50  may be rotated to scroll through cooking function, time and temperature and is pressed to select the desired operation. In addition, the knob  50  is operable to set the clock time. 
         [0027]    The ‘add time’ button  44  allows a user to automatically add 30 seconds to any function by depressing the button  44  during toasting or cooking. The convection button  46  may be pressed at any time to activate the convection fan  36  to add convection cooking to any of the preselected cooking functions. As will be readily appreciated, convection provides faster and more even baking and cooking than cooking by radiant heat alone. The speed convection button  40 , alternatively, provides even faster cooking by activating the fan  36  without preheating. 
         [0028]    The oven  10  also includes an internal light (not shown) that is configured to automatically turn on when the door  16  is opened. In an embodiment, the control unit of the user interface is configured to detect when the oven door  16  is opened, and to automatically turn on the oven light for two minutes. In addition, oven light button  48  may be pressed by the user to selectively turn the light on or off, as desired. In the event that a user turns on the light by pressing button  48  but does not turn it off, the control unit is configured to turn the light off after two minutes. 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 8 , the dual cook button  42  allows a user to combine two different cooking functions or two different temperatures within one cooking function, thereby providing maximum flexibility and customization of a cooking operation. Finally, a the start/stop button  38  ay be pressed to start the cooking operation after a cooking function/mode, temperature and time has been selected, and to stop the cooking process at any time, as desired. 
         [0030]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1-8  operation of the oven  10  in various cooking modes will now be described. To select TOAST mode, a user rotates the selector knob  50  until TOAST is highlighted on the display  26  and presses the knob  50  to select the mode. TOAST SHADE will then flash on the display  26 , and a user may again scroll and through and select a desired toast shade, from 1 to 7, by utilizing the knob  50 . The display will then prompt the user to select the number of slices to be toasted by flashing the word “SLICES.” Again, a user may scroll and select using the knob  50 . Finally, a snowflake icon will flash on the display  26 . A user may then rotate the dial to select if the bread to be toasted is frozen, otherwise a user may press start/stop button  38  to begin toasting. Importantly, if the toast is too light, 30 seconds of toasting time may be added by depressing the add time button  44 . 
         [0031]    To select BAGEL mode, a user rotates the selector knob  50  until BAGEL is highlighted on the display  26  and presses the knob  50  to select the mode. TOAST SHADE will then flash on the display  26 , and a user may again scroll and through and select a desired toast shade, from 1 to 7, by utilizing the knob  50 . The display will then prompt the user to select the number of halves/slices to be toasted by flashing the word “SLICES.” Again, a user may scroll and select using the knob  50 . Finally, a snowflake icon will flash on the display  26 . A user may then rotate the dial to select if the bagel is frozen, otherwise a user may press start/stop button  38  to begin toasting. In the BAGEL mode, the control unit controls the heating elements  32 ,  34  to provide full heat on the top and half on the bottom. If the bagels are not toasted to a desired shade, 30 seconds of toasting time may be added by depressing the add time button  44 . 
         [0032]    To select WAFFLE mode, a user rotates the selector knob  50  until WAFFLE is highlighted on the display  26  and presses the knob  50  to select the mode. TOAST SHADE will then flash on the display  26 , and a user may again scroll and through and select a desired toast shade, from 1 to 7, by utilizing the knob  50 . The display will then prompt the user to select the number of waffles to be toasted by flashing the word “SLICES.” Again, a user may scroll and select using the knob  50 . Finally, a snowflake icon will flash on the display  26 . A user may then rotate the dial to select if the waffle is frozen, otherwise a user may press start/stop button  38  to begin toasting. If the waffles are not toasted to a desired shade, 30 seconds of toasting time may be added by depressing the add time button  44 . 
         [0033]    To select BAKE mode, a user turns the selector knob  50  and depresses it to select BAKE. A temperature readout will flash and a user may then rotate the selector knob  50  once again until the desired temperature is displayed, and then set the temperature by depressing the knob  50 . A time readout will then flash and a user can select the baking time using the knob  50 . Notably, convection or speed convection can be selected at any time before or after pressing the start/stop button  38 . If speed convection is selected by depressing speed convection button  40 , the food can be added to the oven and the start/stop button  38  pressed to initiate cooking. If bake or convection bake is selected, pressing the stop/start button  38  will initiate preheating and the display  26  will show PREHEATING. The control unit is configured to generate an audible beep when the set temperature is reach, thereby prompting a user to add food to the oven  10  and initiate baking. A timer on the display  26  will begin counting down, and an audible beep is generated when the cooking time has expired. In addition, once cooking time expires, the control unit will also automatically control the heating elements  32 ,  34  and the fan  36  to their off positions. 
         [0034]    The selection of the operation in BROIL or ROAST modes is substantially similar to the selection and operation in BAKE mode, as described above. Notably, the top center heater  32  is only activated during the BROIL mode, and is not utilized in any other cooking mode. 
         [0035]    To select PIZZA mode, a user inserts a pizza stone sized for the oven  10  onto one of the racks  30  and inserts the rack  30  into the compartment. The selector knob  50  is then turned to PIZZA and depressed. A temperature readout will flash and a user may then rotate the selector knob  50  once again until the desired temperature is displayed, and then set the temperature by depressing the knob  50 . Pizza size will then begin to flash, and knob  50  may be utilized to select pizza size. A time readout will then flash and a user can select the cooking time using the knob  50 . If the pizza to be cooked is fresh, the dial  50  may be rotated to hide the snowflake icon, or otherwise turned to display the snowflake icon for frozen pizza. When fresh pizza is selected (snowflake not displayed), the control unit is configured to preheat the oven. Once the oven  10  is up to temperature, the pizza may be inserted into the compartment and the start/stop button  38  depressed to initiate cooking. The timer will then begin counting down and an audible beep will be generated upon expiration of the timer. Once cooking time expires, the control unit will automatically control the heating elements  32 ,  34  to their off positions. 
         [0036]    To select SANDWICH mode, a user turns the selector knob  50  and depresses it to select SANDWICH. A temperature readout will flash and a user may then rotate the selector knob  50  once again until the desired temperature is displayed, and then set the temperature by depressing the knob  50 . A time readout will then flash and a user can select the heating time using the knob  50 . The start/stop button  38  is then depressed to initiate cooking/heating. Once the start/stop button  38  is depressed, a timer on the display  26  will begin counting down, and an audible beep is generated when the cooking time has expired. In addition, once cooking time expires, the control unit will also automatically control the heating elements  32 ,  34  to their off positions. In SANDWICH mode, the control unit controls the upper heating elements  32  to operate at half power to melt cheese or the like (for open-faced sandwiches) and the bottom heating elements  34  to operate at full power (to crisp the bread). 
         [0037]    To select KEEP WARM mode, a user turns the selector knob  50  and depresses it to select KEEP WARM. A temperature readout will flash and a user may then rotate the selector knob  50  once again until the desired temperature is displayed, and then set the temperature by depressing the knob  50 . A time readout will then flash and a user can select the heating time using the knob  50 . The start/stop button  38  is then depressed to initiate heating. Once the start/stop button  38  is depressed, a timer on the display  26  will begin counting down, and an audible beep is generated when the cooking time has expired. In addition, once cooking time expires, the control unit will also automatically control the heating elements  32 ,  34  to their off positions. 
         [0038]    To select LEFTOVER mode, a user turns the selector knob  50  and depresses it to select LEFTOVER. A temperature readout will flash and a user may then rotate the selector knob  50  once again until the desired temperature is displayed, and then set the temperature by depressing the knob  50 . A time readout will then flash and a user can select the heating time using the knob  50 . The start/stop button  38  is then depressed to initiate heating. Once the start/stop button  38  is depressed, a timer on the display  26  will begin counting down, and an audible beep is generated when the cooking time has expired. In addition, once cooking time expires, the control unit will also automatically control the heating elements  32 ,  34  to their off positions. 
         [0039]    As indicated above, the oven  10  of the present invention is configured to cook food items, in part, by convection. In a convection mode, fan  36  is activated to circulated heated air around a food item as it cooks. Utilizing convection allows for faster cooking times and more even cooking. Convection cooking may be selected with any cooking function, including BAKE, BROIL, ROAST, PIZZA, SANDWICH, KEEP WARM or LEFTOVER by first selecting the cooking mode, setting the oven temperature and timer, and then pressing the convection button  46 . Depressing the convection button  46  prompts the control unit to activate the convection fan  36 , and the display  26  displays a fan icon. Convection may be initiated at any time as the function is being set, during preheating, or during cooking. In addition, convection may be turned off at any time by depressing the convection button  46  once again. 
         [0040]    Speed convection allows food to be cooked even faster than convection cooking and is specially adapted to be used with frozen entrees and when roasting vegetables and meets. Speed convection may be selected with any cooking function by depressing speed convection button  40 . Depressing the speed convection button  40  prompts the control unit to activate the convection fan  36  at a higher rate than regular convection, and the display  26  displays a speed convection fan icon. Notably, when speed convection is selected, no preheating is required and the timer will begin to count down as soon as the start/stop button  38  is pressed. 
         [0041]    As alluded to above, the oven  10  of the present invention also includes a DUAL COOK mode. DUAL COOK mode allows a user to combine any two cooking function and run them consecutively. In particular, DUAL COOK mode allows a user to program separate cooking temperatures and times for two different functions to run consecutively, or to program two different cooking temperatures and times within the same function. In an embodiment, DUAL COOK mode can be programmed using BAKE, BROIL, ROAST, PIZZA, SANDWICH and KEEP WARM functions. 
         [0042]    In use, a user can select DUAL COOK mode by pressing the dual cook button  42 . The oven  10  will then display the functions that a user may select for the first cooking cycle on display  26 . A user can then use the knob  50  to select the first function: BAKE, BROIL, ROAST, PIZZA, SANDWICH or KEEP WARM. The cooking temperature and time for the first function is then set by the user in the manner discussed above. The display  26  will then display the functions that a user may select for the second cooking cycle. A user can again use the knob  50  select the second function, as well as the cooking temperature and time for the second function. For example, if BAKE is selected for the first function, BAKE, BROIL and KEEP WARM may be displayed as options for the second function. The oven  10  may then enter a PREHEAT mode (if the first function selected is BAKE). Once the oven  10  is ready, the start/stop button  38  may be pressed to initiated the cycle. 
         [0043]    In operation in DUAL COOK mode, the oven  10  will run through the first cooking function for the set time, at the set temperature. When the first cooking function is finished, the control unit will generate and audible beep and automatically switch to the second cooking function for the set time. When the timer reaches zero on the second function, the control unit will again generate an audible beep, the display will turn white, and the heating elements will be turned off. Alternatively, cooking may be stopped at any time by pressing the start/stop button  38 . Notably, when the oven  10  is running in the first function, a user may check the settings of the second function by pushing the dual cook button  42 . 
         [0044]    As will be readily appreciated, DUAL COOK mode is particularly suited for dishes like casseroles which are baked and then browned on broil or meats which are first roasted at a high temperature and then reduced. For example, DUAL COOK mode can be used to BAKE then BROIL (to brown the top of a food item), to bake at a high temperature for a period of time and then at a lower temperature to achieve fork-tender meats with crisp exteriors, or to keep food items warm at an optimal serving temperature after they are baked (e.g., bake food items then keep warm). 
         [0045]    In connection with the above, the user interface  24  and control unit of the oven  10  are also configured to allow a user to change functions, time or temperature mid cycle during cooking. For example, to change temperature, a user may press and hold the knob  50  until a beep sounds and the display  26  flashes the previously selected temperature. The knob  50  may then be utilized to set a new temperature. Upon selection of the new temperature, the control unit will generate an audible beep to indicate to a user that the change was effected. 
         [0046]    Similarly, to change cooking time, a user may press and hold the knob  50  until the set temperature begins flashing. The knob  50  is then pressed again until the countdown timer begins flashing and the current remaining time is displayed. The knob  50  may then be utilized to set a new time. Upon selection of the new time, new countdown time will be displayed and the cooking process will continue. 
         [0047]    Lastly, to change cooking function/mode, a user may press the stop/start button  38  and then utilize knob  50  to select a new function, including a new cook temperature and cook time. 
         [0048]    the control unit will generate an audible beep to indicate to a user that the change was effected. 
         [0049]    As noted above, the toaster oven  10  of the present invention may be operated using both preset and user-adjustable temperature and cook times. In the preset modes, the toaster oven  10  is pre-programmed to deliver power to the heating elements  32 ,  34  in dependence upon the type of food being heated and according to a preset control algorithm stored in memory (controlling the wattage and on/off state for each heating element  32 ,  34 ). 
         [0050]    As will be readily appreciated, customized control over the cooking cycle (in terms of temperature, time and function(s)) allows a user to more precisely tailor a cooking/heating cycle to the type of food item placed within the heating compartment  14 , resulting in better tasting and looking food. In addition, such customizable control allows the toaster over  10  to be utilized to heat or cook food items that would normally not be well suited to cooking in conventional toaster ovens. 
         [0051]    Although this invention has been shown and described with respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of this disclosure.