Abstract:
This disclosure pertains to an apparatus for use in heating containers of food, as in cans, bottles, plastic pouches and the like by emersion into water adapted to insure uniform heating thereof by substantially insulating the containers from thermal contact with all the parts of the heating apparatus except the water in contact with the container. The apparatus can also be used to heat water alone, brew coffee, tea or other beverages.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. The Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to the art of preparing foods which need not be cooked or heated to temperatures in excess of 212° Fahrenheit by emersion of closed containers of food into water as the heating medium. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many versions of electrically heated coffee or tea pots or plain water pots are available. None of these currently available devices have the ability to additionally function adequately as a water bath heater for containers of pre-prepared food in either liquid, semi-liquid or solid form. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a multi-purpose food heating device utilized in its simplest form to heat water for later external use or to brew beverages in water by heating and to heat containers of food such as closed containers of cans, jars, baby bottles, plastic pouches of pre-prepared foods and the like. 
     A primary object of the instant invention is to provide a means of heating closed containers of food. 
     Another object is to provide a means of heating water in the apparatus. 
     Still another object is to provide an apparatus capable of heating a multiple number of containers at one time. 
     A further object is to provide uniform heating at all external surfaces of the container thereby avoiding over-heated and under-heated portions of the food in the best mode available. 
     Another object is to provide an apparatus capable of providing a simple method of removing the heated containers without endangerment to the user by coming into contact with the hot container. 
     Still another object is to provide a convenient multi-purpose heating apparatus in pseudo-conventional appearance utilizing electrical heating means. 
     A further object is a heating apparatus utilizing a power source to utility line voltage as well as automobile batteries and the like. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmented elevation view of the heating apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section taken through line 2--2 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of arrows 2--2 illustrating the interior plan view of the bottom of the apparatus claimed. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-section taken through line 3--3 of FIG. 1 viewed in the direction of arrows 3--3 illustrating the interior elevation view of the upper portions of the apparatus, lid, and removal device claimed. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The structure and method of fabrication of the present invention is applicable to a water heater complete with a cover or lid and a water pouring spout. An insulating protuberance is permanently affixed to the interior bottom surface of the water compartment. The apparatus has, as an accessory, a food container removal instrument which extends around and below the uppermost surface of the protuberance and is available to the user by emerging beyond the surface of the heating apparatus through a slot in the side outer surface which is located above the aforementioned pouring spout. Another accessory which may be used in combination with the basic heating apparatus and the removal instrument is a thermally insulated container separator constructed in a fashion permitting the water heating medium to exist within and around this accessory whilst mechanically supporting another container. 
     Now referring to the Figures, and more particularly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the food heating apparatus 1 with an electrical heating device 7 situated below the water compartment 11, an electrical cord 8 is adapted to provide electrical energy from a source not shown. The apparatus 7 is comprised of any conventional electrical heater which may be powered by energy available from wall utility outlets of nominally 120 volts AC or automobile batteries providing energy at nominal voltages of 12 volts, direct current. A selector switch, not shown, may be utilized to prepare the apparatus to accommodate to the appropriate power source or, various models can be adapted to operate at a fixed voltage. Pouring spout 12 is formed or attached near the uppermost edge of the heating compartment 11 and has a series of openings providing communication for the water contained within the compartment. A protuberance 6 is obtained by fastening an insulating material such as polytetrofluoroethlene, commonly called Teflon, a product of E. I. Du Pont de Namours Co., Inc., to the uppermost surface of the floor of the heating compartment. This protrusion serves as a platform to support any rigid container placed within the compartment so that uniform heating is obtained by preventing intimate thermal contact of a substantial nature with the heating apparatus 7. Thus, substantially, the only means of heating is obtained through the use of water or other liquid which couples uniformly the heat generated by the heater to the containers 16 and 2 as shown. In use, the container 16 is inserted into the compartment 11 and water is poured into the compartment. 
     After a desired period of time the lid 13 is removed by use of the insulating handle 14 exposing a container removal device 5. The device extends over a substantial portion of the cross sectional area internal to the compartment 11 and has radial fingers to accommodate a variety of sizes of food containers. In its rest position the device extends below the uppermost surface of the insulating protrusion 6. A handle 9, comprised of an insulating material, extends beyond the exterior surface of the apparatus heating device and is grasped by the user. The upper edge of the water compartment 11 is provided with a slot extending downwards to a point directly above pouring spout 12 to accommodate vertical removal of the removal device 5. Correspondingly, a vertical slot is cut into the vertical walls of the lid 13 insuring horizontal placement of the lid around the horizontal portion of the removal device. An upward motion raises the container above the liquid level of the heating medium and makes the food container readily available for removal. The horizontal platform created by fingers 15 is fashioned so that the platform can drop below the uppermost surface of the protrusion 6. Another accessory is an insulating spacer 4 which is used to isolate thermally additional food containers when it is desired to heat them. This spacer supports container 2 without substantially upsetting the thermal distribution of heat within the water heating medium by virtue of its low thermal mass and the ability to allow the water to circulate around and through it. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates how a container 16 rests upon the fingers 15. The protrusion 6 is shown to emerge through an area centrally located within the removal device 5. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates lid 13 displaced upwardly from the food heating apparatus 1 and having a slot 17 cut in a portion of food heating apparatus engaging rim 20. Slot 18 extends downwardly from the uppermost rim 21 of food heating apparatus 1. The horizontal portion of food removal device 5 resides in slot 18 adjacent handle 9. Spout 12 is aligned directly below slot 18. 
     Thus water surrounds the entire exterior surface of one or more closed food containers. The heating affect of the water is uniform upon these external surfaces and there is virtually no temperature differential between supporting elements of the heating device and the containers to be heated within it. The device can be utilized in conventional fashion to heat water and brew beverages by the removal of insulating spacer accessory 4 and the food container removal device 5. 
     One of the advantages of this apparatus is a simple, inexpensive means of heating closed containers of food. 
     Another advantage lies in the additional ability of the apparatus to heat water or brew beverages. 
     A further advantage includes the ability to heat more than one food container at one time. 
     Still another advantage pertains to uniform heating of the entire external surface of the food container creating substantially uniform heating of the contents therein. 
     Another advantage lies in the use of a convenient removal device which can be stored within the heating apparatus. 
     A further advantage pertains to the ability of the heating apparatus to serve many heating purposes yet appearing to be conventional in its construction and utilizing electrical energy as a means of heating. 
     Still another advantage is in the ability of the electrical heating mechanism to be utilized at various voltage levels for the electrical source of energy supplied thereto. 
     Thus, there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings embodiments of the invention which fully and effectively accomplish the objects thereof. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention. Therefore, this invention is to be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.