U.S. patent application number 11/133863 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-23 for cooking apparatus.
Invention is credited to Karl J. JR. Styron, Karl J. SR. Styron.
Application Number | 20060260602 11/133863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37447170 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060260602 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Styron; Karl J. SR. ; et
al. |
November 23, 2006 |
Cooking apparatus
Abstract
A cooking unit has a gas burner, which supports a pair of nested
cooking containers. An inner cooking container has perforated wall
structure to allow cooking medium deposited in the outer cooking
container to cook items inside the inner container. A pivotal lid
closes the containers during cooking and serves as a guiding chute
when the cover is open and food is dumped from the inner container.
A handle secured on an end wall of the inner container extends
substantially horizontally, allowing a one-hand maneuvering of the
inner container.
Inventors: |
Styron; Karl J. SR.;
(Creole, LA) ; Styron; Karl J. JR.; (Creole,
LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEATY PROFESSIONAL LAW CORPORATION;THOMAS S. KEATY
2 CANAL STREET
2140 WORLD TRADE CENTER
NEW ORLEANS
LA
70130
US
|
Family ID: |
37447170 |
Appl. No.: |
11/133863 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/40 ; 126/41R;
126/9R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 36/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/040 ;
126/041.00R; 126/009.00R |
International
Class: |
F24C 3/08 20060101
F24C003/08 |
Claims
1. A cooking apparatus, comprising: an outer container unit having
a closed bottom and upwardly extending walls; a burner support
assembly having at least one burner head and a rack for supporting
a bottom of the outer container unit; an inner container unit
configured for selectively nesting inside the outer container unit;
said inner container unit being provided with an outwardly
extending handle secured to an upper edge of the inner container
unit and extending transversely to a vertical axis of the inner
container unit.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured
for covering an open top of the inner container unit, said lid
being hingedly secured to an end wall of the outer container
unit.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner container unit
comprises a pair of parallel side walls, a first end wall extending
transversely between the parallel side walls, and a second,
inclined end wall extending opposite the first end wall.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said handle is secured to the
inclined end wall.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an upper edge of the first end
wall carries an outwardly extending lip to facilitate supporting of
the inner container unit in relation to the outer container
unit.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said inner container unit
comprises a perforated wall and bottom structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a base
panel and a pair of parallel guide members secured to opposite
sides of the base panel and extending transversely to the general
plane of the base panel.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lid comprises a base
panel having an inner surface, an outer surface and an outer end,
and wherein said outer surface carries a support member for the
base panel for supporting the outer end of the base panel above a
support surface.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said outer container unit
comprises a generally rectangular body having upwardly extending
outer container walls, three of which are provided with an
outwardly extending flange.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said burner support assembly
comprises a generally rectangular frame defined by upright frame
walls, said frame being supported by a plurality of supporting
legs.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of said outer container
walls has a longitudinal dimension at least slightly smaller than
the longitudinal dimension of a corresponding frame wall and has a
vertical dimension at least slightly greater than a vertical
dimension of a corresponding frame wall.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said rack is secured between
said frame walls above said at least one burner head.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said burner assembly
comprises a pair of spaced burner heads.
14. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said burner heads are
connectable to an exterior source of fuel.
15. A cooking apparatus comprising: an outer generally rectangular,
open top pan structure having a pair of parallel side walls, a
first transverse end wall and a second inclined end wall; an inner,
generally rectangular, open top pan structure having perforated
sidewalls, perforated end walls and a perforated bottom, said inner
pan structure being dimensioned and configured to nest within the
outer pan structure, said inner pan structure being provided with a
handle extending transversely to a vertical axis of the inner pan
structure and secured to an upper edge of said inclined end wall;
and a burner assembly provided with a rack dimensioned and
configured to support the outer pan structure.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a cover hingedly
attached to an end wall of outer pan structure.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said cover comprises a
substantially flat panel and a pair of guide members secured to
opposing sides of the panel, said guide members facilitate
dispensing of food products from said inner pan structure.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said cover comprises a cover
handle secured to an outer surface of the panel, said cover handle
forming a rest when the cover is moved to an open position.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said guide members extend
downwardly from said flat panel when the cover is in a closed
position.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to cooking machines, and more
particularly to a burner-supported cooking apparatus for cooking
and heating the contents of a container placed over the burner.
[0002] There exists numerous types of cooking units, such as
portable stoves, burners, outdoor grills and the like for use in an
outdoor location. A special line of products is directed towards
cooking machines designed for boiling seafood in large quantities
on gas-powered burners. The cooking pot or pan is usually a large
container, which is heavy and cumbersome. Often times, the large
pots have a pair of handles on the sides allowing a user to grip
the pot on opposite sides and move the pot to and from the burner
support. Sometimes, the full pot is particularly heavy, requiring
two persons to lift and move the pot. Other conventional pot have
one arcuate handle on top; when the pot is heavy, it is often
preferred that two people grasp the handle and move the pot.
[0003] While these conventional cooking units work satisfactory
under many conditions, they are often impossible to handle with one
hand. If the cook has another item in one of his/her hands, the
cook may find it extremely difficult to maneuver the heavy pot. It
is also possible that physical limitations may require the user to
use only one hand when shifting position of the pot or moving the
pot from the burner unit.
[0004] The present invention contemplates provision of such a
cooking apparatus that allows the user to move the pot with one
hand and/or remove the contents of the cooking pot using one hand,
if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
provide a cooking apparatus that can be supported by a portable gas
burner unit.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
cooking apparatus that allows a one-hand manipulation of the
cooking pot and emptying of the cooking pot with one hand.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved through a provision of a cooking apparatus, which uses a
burner support assembly and a pair of nesting cooking pots. The
inner cooking pot has perforated walls and bottom, while the outer
pot has solid walls and solid bottom, which is configured to rest
on a rack of the burner support assembly. A handle extending
transversely to the vertical axis of the inner pan allows the user
to easily tilt the inner pot with one hand. The food product, which
was cooking in the inner pot, exits the pot onto an open cover. A
flange secured to the end wall of the inner pot provides a support
for the inner pan when it is tilted against an upper edge of the
outer pan.
[0008] The hinged cover is secured to the outer pan; the cover has
opposing side guide members, which form a chute, helping the food
items to slide on the cover into a receiving container, such as an
ice chest, a cooler and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like
parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the
cooking apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the inner cooking container of
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of the outer cooking
container of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of the burner support
assembly of the apparatus of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a detail perspective view of the cover for use in
the cooking apparatus of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10
designates the cooking apparatus of the present invention. As can
be seen in the drawings, the cooking apparatus 10 comprises a
burner support assembly 12, an outer cooking container, or pan 14,
an inner cooking container or pan 16, and a lid, or cover 18. The
inner cooking pan 16 is dimensioned and configured to nest within
the outer cooking pan 14 during food preparation and storage.
[0016] The burner assembly 12 comprises a generally rectangular
frame defined by four upright walls 20, 22, 24, and 26. A plurality
of supporting legs 28 are secured under the corners of the frame to
allow the burner assembly to rest on a supporting surface, such as
the ground. The upper edges of each frame wall are provided with
horizontal flanges 30, 32, 34 and 36 extending along the edges of
the corresponding walls 20, 22, 24 and 26, respectively.
[0017] One or more burner heads 40 is secured within the burner
frame. The burner heads 40 are connected to a gas supply (not
shown) during operation. A suitable conduit 42 connects the burner
heads 40 to the independent fuel source. A supporting rack is
secured to the inner surfaces of the frame walls, 20, 22, 24 and
26. The rack has a peripheral lip 44 secured along the inner
parameter of the walls and a pair of parallel bars 46, 48 extending
from end to end of the lip 44 on both sides of the burners 40. A
transverse bar 50 extends between the bars 46 and 48, forming a
grid on which the bottom of the outer pan 14 rests. The fuel heads
40 extend below the rack and are designed to heat the contents of
the outer pan 14.
[0018] The outer generally rectangular pan 14 is configured to fit
within the frame defined by the upright walls 20, 22, 24 and 26,
with relative precision, such that little space is retained between
the vertically extending walls of the frame 12 and vertical walls
60, 62, 64, and 66 of the outer pan 14. The space between the walls
of the outer pan and the burner walls creates a chimney effect
facilitating heat distribution.
[0019] The vertical dimensions of the walls 60, 62, 64, and 66 are
greater than the vertical dimensions of the walls of the frame 12,
such that the top edge of the outer pan 14 extends above the outer
edges of the frame walls, as can be better seen in FIG. 1. The
longitudinal dimensions of the outer container walls 60, 62, 64,
and 66 and slightly smaller than longitudinal dimensions of the
frame walls 20, 22, 24, and 26 to allow the outer container to fit
within the burner frame.
[0020] The walls 60, 62, and 66 are provided with horizontal
outwardly extending lips 70, 72 and 76. A hinge 74 is secured on
the second end wall 64, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The outer pan 14
has a closed bottom 65 and an open top. The inner pan 16 fits
within the open top of the outer pan 14, nesting within the outer
pan 14 during use.
[0021] The inner generally rectangular pan 16 has a pair of side
walls 80, 84, a first end wall 82 and a second end wall 86. The
walls 80, 82, and 84 extend transversely to the bottom 85, while
the second end wall 86 in an inclined wall. An outwardly extending
lip 38 is secured to the upper edge of the first end wall 82 to
allow the inner pan to be supported on the edge of the outer pan
when the inner pan is tilted for dispensing the food products. The
walls 80, 82, 84, and 86 as well as the bottom 85 of the inner pan
16 are perforated to allow food material in the inner pan 16 to be
heated and cooked during use. If desired, the inner pan 16 may have
perforations in the bottom and side walls, and not in the end
walls, or have only a perforated bottom.
[0022] A handle 90 is secured to the top edge of the inner pan 16.
The handle 90 has a pair of parallel bars 92, 94 connected by a
transverse bar 96. The handle 90 extends horizontally as an
extension of the upper edges of the inner pan walls 80 and 84,
transversely to a vertical axis of the inner pan 16. When the inner
pan 16 is positioned inside the outer pan 14, the inner pan 16 is
supported by the lip 88 and the handle 90 on the upper edge of the
outer pan 14.
[0023] The lid 18 comprises a flat base panel 100 which is sized
and configured to substantially cover the open top of the inner pan
16. A pair of guide members 102 and 106 extend transversely to the
general plane of the panel 100. When in an open position, the guide
members extend upwardly from an inner surface of the cover 18 and
form a chute, guiding the food items sliding along the panel 100
toward the dispensing edge 106. When lid is in the closed position,
the guide member 102 and 106 extend downwardly substantially
covering the open top of the inner pan 16 and extending along the
side walls 62, 66 of the outer container 14.
[0024] A cover handle/support is secured to an outer surface of the
panel 110 adjacent the dispensing edge 106. The handle/support 104
is formed as a generally U-shaped body. When the lid 18 is opened,
as shown in FIG. 1, the handle 104 rests on the supporting surface,
which can be on the ground or the top of a cooler, or ice chest,
which can be conveniently provided independently from the cooking
apparatus 10. The handle/support 104 allows to somewhat elevate the
dispensing edge 106 and oriented the panel 100 at an angle that
slows movement of the food along the panel 100. Secured along the
inner edge of the plate 100 is a hinge 108 which allows the lid 18
to be hingedly attached to the hinge 74 of the outer pan 14 and
pivot between the open and closed positions.
[0025] During use, the operator positions the outer pan 14 on the
rack of the burner assembly 12 and deposits the cooking liquid
therein. The user then positions the inner pan 16 into the outer
pan 14 allowing the cooking liquid to penetrate through a plurality
of mesh openings 17 formed in the inner pan 16. The user then
deposits the food product in the inner pan 16 and closes the lid
18. Once the cooking is finished, the user pulls up the lid 18 with
one hand and lowers the outer support 104 to rest on a supporting
surface.
[0026] The user then pulls the handle 90 upwardly with one hand,
with the inclined wall 86 facilitating easy removal and tilting of
the inner pan over the plate 100 of the lid 18. By continuously
moving the inner pan 16, the user can almost overturn the inner pan
16 over the plate 100 allowing the food product to slide onto the
plate 100.
[0027] If desired, spices and seasonings can be added to the food
product while it is positioned on the panel 100. The outwardly
extending guide members 102, 106 prevent scattering of the food
items outside of the plate 100. Once all food items have been
removed, the user can then easily lift the inner pan 16 by the
handle 90 and then empty the liquid or the cooking medium from the
outer pan 14.
[0028] The outer pan 14 can be transported separately from the
burner assembly 12 with the inner pan 16 positioned inside or
outside of the outer pan, as desired by the user. The lid 18 can be
closed to save space during transportation and storage, thus making
the apparatus 10 a compact, easily transportable unit.
[0029] The outer pan 14, the inner pan 16, as well as the lid 18
can be made from an easily cleanable sanitary material, for
instance aluminum or stainless steel.
[0030] Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of
the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I
therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited
only by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *