Patent Description:
Currently, existing large-volume pressure cookers that have a baking function comprise a baking pot detachably placed inside an inner pot. Hot air is generated for baking function and flows into the inner pot via the cover of the cooker. During use, the hot air can flow to the space below the baking pot through the gap between the inner pot and the baking pot, which results in a loss of heat and affects the baking result. On the other hand, when a supplementary bottom heating is needed by means of a heater located at the bottom of the inner port, the heat generated by the bottom heater can also flow upwards through the gap between the inner pot and the baking pot and is distributed to the entire inner pot, and cannot be well concentrated at the bottom of the baking pot. Consequently, the temperature at the bottom of the baking pot rises slowly and cannot be high enough, providing a very low baking efficiency and affecting user experience. Examples of cooking utensils with baking pots and hot air generating means are shown in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Therefore, existing cooking utensils need to be improved.

The invention provides a cooking utensil provided with a baking pot and capable of concentrating heat below the baking pot, improving baking performance.

Specifically, the invention proposes the following technical solution: a cooking utensil comprises a body comprising an inner pot, a baking seat which generates hot air, a cover comprising a hot air duct extending from the baking seat to the inner pot, and a baking assembly detachably provided in the inner pot and comprising a baking pot for receiving food and a support assembly connected with the baking pot. the support assembly comprises a sealing component and prevents the hot air from flowing into a space located below the baking pot through a gap between an outer side of the baking pot and an inner side of the inner pot.

During the baking operation, the food inside the baking pot can be heated either by only the hot air from the top, or also by the bottom heating plate at the same time which heats the food located at the bottom of the baking pot. The support assembly divides the inner pot into an upper space and a lower space, and can prevent the hot air blown from the top from flowing to the lower space, reducing heat loss. At the same time, it can also concentrate the heat generated by the bottom heating plate in the lower space to heat the bottom of the baking pot when necessary, so as to prevent the heat from flowing upward through the gap between the inner pot and the baking pot, which causes heat loss at the bottom of the baking pot, thereby improving the baking performance.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the support assembly comprises a support and a sealing ring, a supporting face of the support which supports the baking pot fits the baking pot, the sealing ring constitutes the sealing component, the sealing ring is located at the outer periphery of the support and fits the inner wall of inner pot. The support according to this embodiment can not only stably support the baking pot, but also fit well the baking pot, so that the hot air blown from the top and the heat generated by the bottom heating plate cannot pass between the support and the baking pot. In addition, the sealing ring is arranged between the support and the inner wall of the inner pot, so that the hot air from top and the heat from bottom cannot pass between the support and the inner pot. With the support and the sealing ring, the support assembly divides the inner pot into upper and lower spaces and thus reduces the heat loss and improves the baking performance.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the support is provided with a positioning rib extending outwards all around it, the sealing ring enveloping the positioning rib. The sealing ring is thus reliably fixed to the support.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, an outer peripheral face of the sealing ring is provided with a ring rib abutting against the inner pot. The sealing performance of the sealing ring can be improved.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the bottom of the support is provided with several supporting feet. The supporting feet prop on the side wall or bottom wall of the inner pot to stably support the baking pot.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the top of the support is provided with several snap-fit holding parts, a side wall of the baking pot is provided with a ring-shaped slot that engages in a snap-fit manner with the snap-fit holding parts. The snap-fit fixation between the support assembly and the baking pot facilitates utilization and cleaning. Using the ring-shaped slot can facilitate assembly.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the baking pot comprises a supporting handle configured to be fixed on top of the inner pot so as to hang the baking pot in the inner pot, support assembly comprising a sealing support which fits both the outer wall of the baking pot and the inner wall of the inner pot so as to block the gap between the outer side of the baking pot and the inner side of the inner pot. In this embodiment, the sealing support constitutes the sealing component and is the main part or the only part of the support assembly. The sealing support realizes the sealing of the gap between the baking pot and the inner pot alone. However, considering the required airtightness, the sealing component is usually a flexible part with low rigidity and cannot support the baking pot and its contents by its own. Therefore, the baking pot comprises a supporting handle on its top, which can fix and hang the baking pot on top of the inner pot.

Preferably, the supporting handle extends beyond the opening of the inner pot when it is placed on the top of the inner pot, which is convenient for the user to take. In addition, the sealing support can be tightly fitted with the outer wall of the baking pot through its own deformation, or may additionally include a snap-fit structure that engages with a corresponding slot provided on the outer wall of the baking pot to fit on the outer wall of the baking pot.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the baking assembly further comprises a grease receiving plate located inside the baking pot, and a side wall of the baking pot is provided with a step supporting the grease receiving plate. The grease receiving plate can collect grease, prevent the inner pot from being soiled, and reduce cleaning work of the user.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the grease receiving plate, a part of the side wall of the baking pot located below the grease receiving plate, the support assembly, and a bottom of the inner pot located below the support assembly together enclose a sealed chamber. Heat generated by the bottom heating plate can be concentrated inside the sealed chamber, improving the heating efficiency at the bottom and the baking performance. At the same time, the hot air coming from the top will not enter the sealed chamber, which reduces heat loss.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the baking assembly further comprises a baking basket detachably mounted in the baking pot and provided with several feet propped on the grease receiving plate. The baking basket is more suitable for baking a small quantity of food.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the sealing member is made of a high-temperature resistant flexible material, such as high-temperature resistant silicone or rubber. By "high-temperature resistance", it is meant to refer to the ability to maintain its form and performances during the baking process of the cooking utensil under a relatively high temperature, for example <NUM>.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the baking seat is provided with a heating wire assembly, a fan assembly and an air outlet, and the cover is provided with a hot air duct in communication with the air outlet and leading to the inner pot. The blower assembly can blow the heat generated by the heating wire assembly inside the baking pot through the hot air duct located in the cover to heat the top of the food, improving baking speed and the taste of the baked food.

According to a mode of realization of the invention, the baking seat is provided in the body. Alternatively, the baking seat can also be provided in the cover.

It should be understood that the above general description and the below detailed description are merely illustrative and explanatory and cannot limit the invention.

inner pot <NUM>, baking assembly <NUM>, support assembly <NUM>, baking pot <NUM>, step <NUM>, slot <NUM>, grease receiving plate <NUM>, baking basket <NUM>, foot <NUM>, support <NUM>, supporting face <NUM>, positioning rib <NUM>, supporting foot <NUM>, snap-fit holding part <NUM>, reinforcing rib <NUM>, sealing ring <NUM>, ring rib <NUM>, gap <NUM>, sealed chamber <NUM>, baking seat <NUM>, fan <NUM>, electric motor <NUM>, heating wire assembly <NUM>, air outlet <NUM>, hot air duct <NUM>, wind passage <NUM>, sealing support <NUM>, snap-fit fastener <NUM>, cover <NUM>.

Exemplary modes of realization are described in detail herein and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. When the description below refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same references in different accompanying drawings represent the same or similar elements. The modes of realization described in the following exemplary modes of realization do not represent all the modes of realization consistent with the invention. To the contrary, they are merely examples of means, systems, devices, and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention.

In reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a cooking utensil of the invention comprises a body and a cover. The cooking utensil may comprise a plurality of covers, each of which can cover the body and configured to execute different cooking process. The cover shown in the drawings is a baking cover. The body, in addition to cooperating with the baking cover for cooking by baking, can also cooperate with a pressure cover (not illustrated) for pressure cooking. The body comprises structures such as an outer shell, a base, an intermediate plate, a temperature maintaining hood, a heating plate, and an inner pot <NUM>. The inner pot <NUM> is located inside the temperature maintaining hood. The heating plate is located between the bottom of the temperature maintaining hood and the bottom of the inner pot <NUM> and used for providing a heat source. Those structures are similar to the body structures of conventional electrical pressure cookers and are not described further herein.

The cooking utensil further comprises a baking assembly <NUM> detachably provided in the inner pot <NUM>. In reference to <FIG>, the baking assembly <NUM> comprises a baking pot <NUM> for receiving food, a support assembly <NUM> connected with the baking pot <NUM>, a grease receiving plate <NUM> and a baking basket <NUM>. The baking pot <NUM> is in the shape of a barrel that is open at the top. Several vent holes are formed in the bottom wall of the baking pot <NUM>. The grease receiving plate <NUM> is positioned inside the baking pot <NUM> in a suspended way and used for receiving grease. At the same time, it can support the baking basket <NUM>. The baking basket <NUM> is also in the shape of a barrel that is open at the top. Its side wall and bottom wall are both provided with vent holes. The baking pot <NUM> and the baking basket <NUM> are respectively provided with handles at their tops which enable a user to lift and hold them. In this mode of realization, the baking basket <NUM> is selectively used. If food to be baked is of a relatively small volume, it can be placed inside the baking basket <NUM>, which is then placed inside the baking pot <NUM>. If food to be baked is of a relatively large volume, it can be directly placed inside the baking pot <NUM> without using the baking basket <NUM>.

In reference to <FIG> and <FIG> in combination with <FIG> and <FIG>, the support assembly <NUM> comprises a ring-shaped support <NUM> and a sealing ring <NUM>. The support <NUM> is made of a metal or a high temperature resistant plastic and used for supporting the baking pot <NUM>. The sealing ring <NUM> is located at the peripheral border of the support <NUM>. After the support assembly <NUM> is placed inside the inner pot <NUM>, the sealing ring <NUM> fits the inner side wall of the inner pot <NUM>. A gap <NUM> is formed between the side wall of the baking pot <NUM> and the side wall of the inner pot <NUM>. Particularly in reference to <FIG>, as the support <NUM> supports the baking pot <NUM> and is in tight contact with the baking pot <NUM>, and the sealing ring <NUM> fits the inner pot <NUM>, the support assembly <NUM> essentially blocks the gap <NUM> in the vertical direction. As such, on the one hand, heat generated by the heating plate near the bottom of the inner pot <NUM> cannot diffuse upwards through the gap <NUM>, on the other hand, hot air flowing in the inner pot <NUM> from the top cannot flow downwards through the gap either. Therefore, the heating efficiency at the bottom of the baking pot <NUM> and at the top of the food inside it can both be increased and the baking performance is improved.

The contour of the inner side face of the support <NUM> is substantially consistent with the size and contour of the transition part between the side wall and bottom wall of the baking pot <NUM>. The part of the inner side face which supports the baking pot <NUM> is the supporting face <NUM>. The supporting face <NUM> supports at least the peripheral border of the bottom wall of the baking pot <NUM> and is in the shape of a whole ring, which not only can stably support the baking pot <NUM> but also eliminates any gap between the support assembly <NUM> and the baking pot <NUM>. Therefore, hot air from the top and heat from the bottom cannot pass between the support and the inner pot, which can improve the heating efficiency and baking performance.

In this mode of realization, the sealing ring <NUM> is sleeved on the outside of the support <NUM>. The support <NUM> is provided with a positioning rib <NUM> extending outwards around it. The sealing ring <NUM> envelops the positioning rib <NUM>. The section of the sealing ring <NUM> is in the shape of a horizontal U, with an opening that is interference fitted with the positioning rib <NUM> and reliably fixes the sealing ring <NUM> to the support <NUM>. As a simple replacement, the sealing ring <NUM> can also be directly injection molded only at the border of the support <NUM>. The outer peripheral face of the sealing ring <NUM> is provided with a ring rib <NUM>. The ring rib <NUM> can tightly abut against the inner wall of the inner pot <NUM>, improving the sealing performance of the sealing ring <NUM>. The ring rib <NUM> can be provided in a continuous manner and in a plurality form (<NUM> in the present mode of realization).

A step <NUM> is formed in a circle around the inner side of the side wall of the baking pot <NUM>. The grease receiving plate <NUM> props on the step <NUM>. The diameter of the grease receiving plate <NUM> is essentially the same as that of the baking pot <NUM>. The grease receiving plate <NUM> can collect grease, prevent the inner pot <NUM> from being soiled, and reduce the cleaning work of a user. The border of the grease receiving plate <NUM> is crimped to avoid scratching the baking pot <NUM>. Particularly in reference to <FIG>, the grease receiving plate <NUM>, the part of the baking pot <NUM> located below the grease receiving plate <NUM>, the support assembly <NUM>, and the bottom of the inner pot <NUM> located below the sealing ring <NUM> together enclose a sealed chamber <NUM>. Heat generated by the bottom heating plate can be concentrated inside the sealed chamber <NUM>, while the hot air from the top cannot enter the sealed chamber <NUM>, thereby improving the heating efficiency and the baking performance.

The baking basket <NUM> is detachably provided inside the baking pot <NUM> and is provided with several feet <NUM> propped on the grease receiving plate <NUM>. The feet <NUM> is in the general shape of a U and hangs the baking basket <NUM> inside the baking pot <NUM>.

The bottom of the support <NUM> is provided with several supporting feet <NUM>. The supporting feet <NUM> prop on the bottom wall of the inner pot <NUM>. The bottom face of the supporting feet <NUM> is consistent with the bottom of the inner pot <NUM> in shape so as to stably support the baking pot <NUM>. The top of the support <NUM> is provided with several snap-fit holding parts <NUM>. A ring-shaped slot <NUM> is correspondingly formed at the outer side of the above-described step <NUM> at the outer side of the side wall of the baking pot <NUM>. The snap-fit holding parts <NUM> engage with the slot <NUM> in a snap-fit manner. The support assembly <NUM> is fixed to the bottom side of the baking pot <NUM> in a snap-fit manner and is placed inside or removed from the inner pot <NUM> together with the baking pot <NUM>, thereby facilitating utilization and separate cleaning with the baking pot <NUM>. The snap-fit holding parts <NUM> are provided with a reinforcing rib <NUM> at the back side, which can increase the strength of the snap-fit holding parts <NUM>. When the baking pot <NUM> is pressed downwards into the support <NUM>, the ring-shaped slot <NUM> and the snap-fit holding parts <NUM> can be fixed in a snap-fit manner, facilitating assembly and without the need to adjust directions.

Returning to <FIG> and <FIG>, we can see that a baking seat <NUM> located at the rear side of the body is formed between the intermediate plate and the outer shell of the body. A fan <NUM>, an electric motor <NUM> driving the fan <NUM>, a heating wire assembly <NUM>, and an air outlet <NUM> are provided in the baking seat <NUM>. The cover is provided with a hot air duct <NUM> in communication with the air outlet <NUM>. When the cooking utensil is used for baking process, the electric motor <NUM> drives the fan <NUM> to rotate thus to blow air to the heating wire assembly <NUM> through the wind passage <NUM>. Then, with the heat generated by the heating wire assembly <NUM>, the hot air is blown into baking pot <NUM> through the hot air duct <NUM> located in the cover. The hot air heats the top of the food, increasing baking speed and improving the taste of baked food. In a non-illustrated mode of realization, the baking seat can also be provided in the baking cover.

In reference to <FIG>, which mainly show another mode of realization of the support assembly <NUM> and the baking pot <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, different from the above embodiment, the support assembly <NUM> only includes a single component, namely the sealing support <NUM>, the general form of which is annular. The inner side of the sealing support <NUM> fits the outer wall of the baking pot <NUM> and the outer side of the sealing support <NUM> fits the inner wall of the inner pot <NUM>. Therefore, the gap <NUM> between the outside of the baking pot <NUM> and the inside of the inner pot <NUM> is closed by the sealing support which constitutes the sealing component of the support assembly. The sealing support <NUM> is tightly attached to and fits the outer wall of the baking pot <NUM> mainly through its own deformation. In this embodiment, it also includes three snap-fit fasteners <NUM>, which are engaged with a corresponding slot <NUM> provided on the outer wall of the baking pot <NUM>, so as to fit the outer wall of the baking pot <NUM>. The structure of this support assembly <NUM> is simpler.

The sealing support <NUM> is made of high temperature resistant silicone or rubber, and the gap <NUM> is well sealed by the flexibility of the material. However, the flexible material is usually not rigid enough to support the baking pot <NUM> and its contents on its own. Therefore, the top of the baking pot <NUM> includes a support handle <NUM>, which can fix and hang the baking pot <NUM> on the top of the inner pot <NUM>. According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, when the support handle <NUM> is placed on the top of the inner pot <NUM>, it extends beyond the opening of the inner pot <NUM> in the radial direction, so as to facilitate the user to take it.

The terms used in the application are merely for the purpose of describing specific modes of realization and not intended to limit the invention. Singular forms, such as "a", "an", and "the", used in the application are also intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" used herein means including any and all possible combinations of one or more associated listed items.

Terms of relative spatial position such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "front", "back", "thickness", "radial", and "axial" used herein describe the relationship of a feature relative to another feature as shown in the accompanying drawings for the purpose of facilitating description and are not limited to a position or a spatial orientation. It can be understood that, based on different positioning of a product, terms of relative spatial position can be intended to include different positioning other than that shown in a drawing and should not be understood to be limitative. In addition, the qualifier "horizontal" used herein does not completely equate along the direction perpendicular to the gravity and allows a certain degree of inclination.

"Comprise", "include", and similar terms mean the element or item appearing before "comprise" or "include" includes the element or item appearing after "comprise" or "include" and its equivalent, and does not exclude other element or item.

It should be noted that, when an element is described as "fixed" to another element, it can be directly fixed to a surface of the other element, and can also be at a distance from a surface of the other element. Terms such as "mount", "connect", "connected", and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, or a removable connection , or being formed integrally; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection, or communication can be made between each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediary, or a communication between the inside of two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise specifically defined.

In the application, unless otherwise specifically stipulated and defined, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or in indirect contact through an intermediary. In addition, a first feature being "above", "on top of", and "over" a second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely mean that the level of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. A first feature being "below", "under", and "beneath" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature or merely mean that the level of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

It should be understood that "first", "second", and similar terms used in the specification of the application do not mean any order, number, or significance and are merely used to distinguish different components. "A plurality" or "multiple layers" and similar expressions mean two or a number more than two.

Claim 1:
A cooking utensil, comprising
- a body comprising an inner pot (<NUM>),
- a baking seat (<NUM>) which generates hot air,
- a cover comprising a hot air duct (<NUM>) extending from the baking seat (<NUM>) to the inner pot (<NUM>), and
- a baking assembly (<NUM>) detachably provided in the inner pot (<NUM>) and comprising a baking pot (<NUM>) for receiving food and a support assembly (<NUM>) connected with the baking pot (<NUM>),
characterized in that, the support assembly (<NUM>) comprises a sealing component and prevents the hot air from flowing into a space located below the baking pot (<NUM>) through a gap (<NUM>) between an outer side of the baking pot (<NUM>) and an inner side of the inner pot (<NUM>).