U.S. patent application number 16/119860 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-07 for cooking apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is D & J Import-Export Ltd., Guangdong Shunde Ouning Technology Electrical Appliance Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Zhenxiong HUANG, Yun YANG, Jun ZHANG.
Application Number | 20190069719 16/119860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65517673 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-07 |
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00009.png)
![](/patent/app/20190069719/US20190069719A1-20190307-D00010.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20190069719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUANG; Zhenxiong ; et
al. |
March 7, 2019 |
COOKING APPARATUS
Abstract
A kitchen appliance in the form of a multi-purpose frying pan
includes a base, a cover with a hot air system, an inner pot, a
stirrer and a stirrer drive device. The inner pot can be removed
from the base. A pot cavity is formed between the lid cover and the
inner pot and the stirrer is located in the pot cavity, and the
stirrer drive device is installed in the pan. Covered and on the
outside of the hot air system, the stirrer drive device drives the
stirrer to rotate. The stirrer drive device is disposed on the lid
to prevent water or oil from polluting the motor during the
cleaning of the cookware. The stirrer drive device is arranged on
the outside of the hot air system to effectively prevent the drive
device from blocking the transmission of hot air from the hot air
system to the inner pot.
Inventors: |
HUANG; Zhenxiong; (Foshan
City, CN) ; YANG; Yun; (Foshan City, CN) ;
ZHANG; Jun; (Vancouver, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
D & J Import-Export Ltd.
Guangdong Shunde Ouning Technology Electrical Appliance Co.,
Ltd. |
Vancouver
Foshan City |
|
CA
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
65517673 |
Appl. No.: |
16/119860 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 36/165 20130101;
A47J 37/0664 20130101; A47J 37/0641 20130101; A47J 36/20
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 37/06 20060101
A47J037/06; A47J 36/16 20060101 A47J036/16; A47J 36/20 20060101
A47J036/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 1, 2017 |
CN |
201721115465.7 |
Jan 19, 2018 |
CA |
2992697 |
Mar 29, 2018 |
CA |
3000125 |
Claims
1. A cooking apparatus comprising: (a) a base comprising a heating
plate and an inner pot located over the heating plate; and (b) a
lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein
the lid comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air
into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device configured to
be attached to a stirrer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hot air system comprises a
hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device comprises a drive
motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are
laterally offset from each other within the lid.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises a cover
portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion,
the stirrer drive device and the hot air system span the cover and
handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor
are both located in the handle portion.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the stirrer drive device
further comprises a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor, and
wherein the apparatus further comprises the stirrer, the stirrer
comprising: (a) a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside
of the lid; and (b) a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly
such that rotation of the gear assembly by the drive motor causes
the stirring paddle to rotate.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the gear assembly comprises a
ring gear mated with the drive gear and a gear bracket spanning an
interior of the ring gear.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the gear bracket is positioned
under the hot air system and comprises a cylindrical side that
comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to the cooking
chamber.
7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the ring gear comprises teeth
that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis of
rotation of the gear assembly.
8. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the stirrer further comprises:
(a) a positioning rod extending through a center of the gear
assembly and into the lid; and (b) a stop block at one end of the
positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside of
the lid.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the positioning rod and the
lid are threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the
positioning rod into and out of the lid.
10. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hot air system comprises
a propeller for propelling the hot air, and wherein an axis of
rotation of the propeller is coaxial with an axis of rotation of
the gear assembly.
11. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a gear assembly protrusion
extends from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion
extends from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions
are positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the
gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion
and rotate the stirring paddle.
12. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner pot comprises a
groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and
the bottom edge of the stirring paddle sits in the groove during
stirring.
13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a bottom of the stirring
paddle slides against the inner pot during stirring, one of the
stirring paddle and inner pot comprises one of a protrusion and a
groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises
the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion fits
into the groove during stirring.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises an
outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate is
between the inner and outer pots.
15. A cooking apparatus comprising: (a) a base comprising an inner
pot; (b) a lid closable over the inner pot to form a cooking
chamber, wherein the lid comprises a hot air system configured to
direct hot air into the cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device;
and (c) a stirrer attached to the stirrer drive device, the stirrer
comprising: (i) a gear assembly detachably coupled to an underside
of the lid; and (ii) a stirring paddle coupled to the gear assembly
such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the stirring paddle
to rotate.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the hot air system comprises
a hot air system motor, the stirrer drive device comprises a drive
motor, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor are
laterally offset from each other within the lid.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the lid comprises a cover
portion and a handle portion positioned above the cover portion,
the stirrer drive device and the hot air system span the cover and
handle portions, and the hot air system motor and the drive motor
are both located in the handle portion.
18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the stirrer drive device
further comprises a drive gear rotatable by the drive motor,
wherein the gear assembly comprises a ring gear mated with the
drive gear.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the gear assembly further
comprises a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring gear.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the gear bracket is
positioned under the hot air system and comprises a cylindrical
side that comprises ventilation holes for venting the hot air to
the cooking chamber.
21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the ring gear comprises
teeth that mate with the drive gear and that face away from an axis
of rotation of the gear assembly.
22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the stirrer further
comprises: (a) a positioning rod extending through a center of the
gear assembly and into the lid; and (b) a stop block at one end of
the positioning rod that retains the gear assembly to the underside
of the lid.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the positioning rod and the
lid are threaded to permit screwing and unscrewing of the
positioning rod into and out of the lid.
24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the hot air system comprises
a propeller for propelling the hot air, and wherein an axis of
rotation of the propeller is coaxial with an axis of rotation of
the gear assembly.
25. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a gear assembly protrusion
extends from an underside of the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion
extends from a top side of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions
are positioned such that rotation of the gear assembly causes the
gear assembly protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion
and rotate the stirring paddle.
26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the inner pot comprises a
groove shaped to receive a bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and
the bottom edge of the stirring paddle sits in the groove during
stirring.
27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein a bottom of the stirring
paddle slides against the inner pot during stirring, one of the
stirring paddle and inner pot comprises one of a protrusion and a
groove and the other of the stirring paddle and inner pot comprises
the other of the protrusion and groove, and the protrusion fits
into the groove during stirring.
28. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base comprises a heating
plate positioned under the inner pot.
29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the base further comprises
an outer pot in which the inner pot sits, and the heating plate is
between the inner and outer pots.
30. A multi-functional frying pan comprising a base, a lid with a
hot air system, an inner pot, and a stirrer, wherein the inner pot
is fixed or placed in the base, a pan cavity is formed between the
lid and the inner pot, and the stirrer is positioned in the pan
cavity, characterized in that a stirrer drive device is mounted on
the lid, outside of the hot air system, and the drive device drives
the stirrer to rotate, wherein the base comprises a housing and an
outer pot, the outer pot is removable and affixed to the housing,
and the inner pot is removable and affixed or loosely placed in the
outer pot, and further comprising a heating plate affixed in the
outer pot, and wherein a pot body of the inner pot is placed on top
of the heating plate.
31. The multi-function frying pan of claim 31, wherein: the stirrer
comprises a large gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and a
positioning rod; the large gear assembly comprises a ring gear and
a gear bracket; the ring gear is integrally or detachably mounted
to the gear bracket; the stirring paddle is detached from the gear
bracket; the positioning rod is mounted on the lid through the
center of the gear bracket; the gear bracket is capable of rotating
around the positioning rod; the gear bracket comprises ventilation
holes; the stirrer drive device comprises a drive gear; and the
driving gear drives the ring gear to rotate.
32. The multi-function frying pan of claim 31, wherein: the stirrer
comprises a gear assembly, a stirring paddle, and a positioning
rod; the gear assembly comprises a ring gear and a gear bracket;
the ring gear and the gear bracket are integrally or detachably
mounted together; the stirring paddle and the gear bracket are two
independent structures; the stirring paddle is placed on the inner
pot; when the lid is closed, the gear bracket is capable of driving
the stirring paddle to rotate and stir; a rotating shaft of the
stirring paddle is coaxial with a rotating shaft of the ring gear;
the positioning rod comprises a shaft and a stop block; the shaft
of the positioning rod is fixed to the lid through a center of the
gear bracket; the stop block positions and restricts the gear
bracket between the stop block and the lid; the gear bracket
rotates around the shaft of the positioning rod; the gear bracket
comprises ventilation holes; the stirrer drive device comprises a
drive gear which drives the ring gear to rotate.
33. The multi-functional frying pan of claim 32, wherein the inner
pot has a groove at a position corresponding to the rotation of the
stirring paddle, the stirring paddle has a protrusion at the
position of the rotation, and the groove and the protrusion fit
into each other.
34. The multi-functional frying pan of claim 32, wherein the inner
pot has a protrusion at a position corresponding to the rotation of
the stirring paddle, the stirring paddle has a groove at the
position of the rotation, and the groove and the protrusion fit
into each other.
35. The multi-function frying pan of claim 33, wherein the
protrusion is cylindrical, conical, or a truncated conical shape;
and the groove is cylindrical, conical, or a truncated conical
shape.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of
kitchen appliances, and more particularly to a cooking
apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Currently there are air fryers or frying pans with a hot air
system. They are usually equipped with a rotating stirrer to
prevent food from being over-cooked or from sticking to the pan. At
present, there are mainly two ways to drive the stirrer. One is to
install a drive device on the pan's base and transmit the power to
a stirring paddle through a rotating shaft. However, such an
arrangement may cause oil or water to drip to the drive device,
which may result in damage to or reduced life of that device. The
other is to place the drive device between the hot air system and
the stirring paddle, and then to transmit rotational power to the
stirring paddle through the rotating shaft. However, this
arrangement affects the hot air transmission of the hot air system,
which further reduces the already limited ventilation area, thus
prejudicing cooking efficiency and results. Additionally, in
conventional air fryers or frying pans the stirring paddle is
usually permanently mounted on the cooker or inner pot, so cleaning
the stirring paddle is difficult or inconvenient.
SUMMARY
[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided a cooking
apparatus comprising a base comprising a heating plate and an inner
pot located over the heating plate; and a lid closable over the
inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid comprises a
hot air system configured to direct hot air into the cooking
chamber and a stirrer drive device configured to be attached to a
stirrer.
[0004] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the
stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air
system motor and the drive motor may be laterally offset from each
other within the lid.
[0005] The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion
positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and
the hot air system may span the cover and handle portions, and the
hot air system motor and the drive motor may both located in the
handle portion.
[0006] The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear
rotatable by the drive motor, and the apparatus may further
comprise the stirrer. The stirrer may comprise a gear assembly
detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and a stirring
paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear
assembly by the drive motor causes the stirring paddle to
rotate.
[0007] The gear assembly may comprise a ring gear mated with the
drive gear and a gear bracket spanning an interior of the ring
gear.
[0008] The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system
and comprise a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes
for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.
[0009] The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive
gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear
assembly.
[0010] The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending
through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop
block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear
assembly to the underside of the lid.
[0011] The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit
screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the
lid.
[0012] The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling
the hot air, and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be
coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.
[0013] A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of
the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion may extends from a top side
of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such
that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly
protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the
stirring paddle.
[0014] The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a
bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the
stirring paddle may sit in the groove during stirring.
[0015] A bottom of the stirring paddle may slide against the inner
pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may
comprise one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the
stirring paddle and inner pot comprises the other of the protrusion
and groove, and the protrusion may fit into the groove during
stirring.
[0016] The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the
inner pot sits, and the heating plate may be between the inner and
outer pots.
[0017] The hot air system may comprise a hot air heating element,
and the apparatus may further comprise an upper temperature sensor
located in the lid; a lower temperature sensor located in the base;
a processor, communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors;
and a memory, communicatively coupled to the processor, storing
computer program code that is executable by the processor and that,
when executed by the processor, causes the processor to operate in
any one of multiple cooking modes, wherein for each of the cooking
modes the computer program code causes the processor to perform a
method comprising measuring an upper and a lower temperature using
the upper and the lower temperature sensor, respectively; comparing
the upper and the lower temperature to an upper and a lower
temperature sensor setting, respectively; when the upper
temperature differs from the upper temperature sensor setting,
adjusting power to the hot air heating element such that the upper
temperature approaches the upper temperature sensor setting; and
when the lower temperature differs from the lower temperature
sensor setting, adjusting power to the heating plate such that the
lower temperature approaches the lower temperature sensor
setting.
[0018] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the
stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and for at least
one of the cooking modes the method may further comprise activating
at least one of the motors.
[0019] The apparatus may further comprise a flip indicator, at
least one of the cooking modes may be associated with a total
cooking time, and the method may further comprise, for each of at
least some of the cooking modes associated with the total cooking
time, monitoring elapsed cooking time during the cooking mode;
comparing the elapsed cooking time to the total cooking time; and
when the elapsed cooking time is at least a threshold percentage of
the total cooking time, activating the flip indicator.
[0020] The apparatus may further comprise a lid open sensor
configured to detect whether the lid is opened or closed, and the
method may further comprise, for each of at least some of the
cooking modes associated with the total cooking time, deactivating
the flip indicator in response to the lid being opened.
[0021] The apparatus may further comprise a user interface
communicatively coupled to the processor, and the method may
further comprise receiving, via the user interface, a numerically
specified temperature for at least one of the upper and lower
temperature sensor settings.
[0022] The method may further comprise receiving a signal via the
user interface to pause cooking during one of the cooking modes,
and the numerically specified temperature may be received while
cooking is paused.
[0023] The apparatus may further comprise a user interface
communicatively coupled to the processor and the method may further
comprises, when the apparatus is operating in one of the cooking
modes, receiving, via the user interface, within an extension
window extending from an end of the cooking mode, an extension
input indicating that the cooking mode is to be extended; and in
response to the extension input, extending the cooking mode by an
extension duration without ending the cooking mode.
[0024] The stirrer may rotate in the cooking mode in which the
apparatus is operating when the extension input is received.
[0025] According to another aspect, there is provided a cooking
apparatus comprising a base comprising an inner pot; a lid closable
over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber, wherein the lid
comprises a hot air system configured to direct hot air into the
cooking chamber and a stirrer drive device; and a stirrer attached
to the stirrer drive device, the stirrer comprising a gear assembly
detachably coupled to an underside of the lid; and a stirring
paddle coupled to the gear assembly such that rotation of the gear
assembly causes the stirring paddle to rotate.
[0026] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the
stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and the hot air
system motor and the drive motor may be laterally offset from each
other within the lid.
[0027] The lid may comprise a cover portion and a handle portion
positioned above the cover portion, the stirrer drive device and
the hot air system may span the cover and handle portions, and the
hot air system motor and the drive motor may both be located in the
handle portion.
[0028] The stirrer drive device may further comprise a drive gear
rotatable by the drive motor, and the gear assembly may comprise a
ring gear mated with the drive gear.
[0029] The gear assembly may further comprise a gear bracket
spanning an interior of the ring gear.
[0030] The gear bracket may be positioned under the hot air system
and comprise a cylindrical side that comprises ventilation holes
for venting the hot air to the cooking chamber.
[0031] The ring gear may comprise teeth that mate with the drive
gear and that face away from an axis of rotation of the gear
assembly.
[0032] The stirrer may further comprise a positioning rod extending
through a center of the gear assembly and into the lid; and a stop
block at one end of the positioning rod that retains the gear
assembly to the underside of the lid.
[0033] The positioning rod and the lid may be threaded to permit
screwing and unscrewing of the positioning rod into and out of the
lid.
[0034] The hot air system may comprise a propeller for propelling
the hot air, and an axis of rotation of the propeller may be
coaxial with an axis of rotation of the gear assembly.
[0035] A gear assembly protrusion may extend from an underside of
the gear assembly, a paddle protrusion may extend from a top side
of the stirring paddle, and the protrusions may be positioned such
that rotation of the gear assembly causes the gear assembly
protrusion to interfere with the paddle protrusion and rotate the
stirring paddle.
[0036] The inner pot may comprise a groove shaped to receive a
bottom edge of the stirring paddle, and the bottom edge of the
stirring paddle may sit in the groove during stirring.
[0037] A bottom of the stirring paddle may slide against the inner
pot during stirring, one of the stirring paddle and inner pot may
comprise one of a protrusion and a groove and the other of the
stirring paddle and inner pot may comprise the other of the
protrusion and groove, and the protrusion may fit into the groove
during stirring.
[0038] The base may comprise a heating plate positioned under the
inner pot.
[0039] The base may further comprise an outer pot in which the
inner pot sits, and the heating plate may be between the inner and
outer pots.
[0040] The base may comprise a heating plate under the inner pot,
the hot air system may comprise a hot air heating element, and the
apparatus may further comprise an upper temperature sensor located
in the lid; a lower temperature sensor located in the base; a
processor, communicatively coupled to the temperature sensors; and
a memory, communicatively coupled to the processor, storing
computer program code that is executable by the processor and that,
when executed by the processor, causes the processor to operate in
any one of multiple cooking modes, wherein for each of the cooking
modes the computer program code causes the processor to perform a
method comprising measuring an upper and a lower temperature using
the upper and the lower temperature sensor, respectively; comparing
the upper and the lower temperature to an upper and a lower
temperature sensor setting, respectively; when the upper
temperature differs from the upper temperature sensor setting,
adjusting power to the hot air heating element such that the upper
temperature approaches the upper temperature sensor setting; and
when the lower temperature differs from the lower temperature
sensor setting, adjusting power to the heating plate such that the
lower temperature approaches the lower temperature sensor
setting.
[0041] The hot air system may comprise a hot air system motor, the
stirrer drive device may comprise a drive motor, and for at least
one of the cooking modes the method may further comprise activating
at least one of the motors.
[0042] The apparatus may further comprise a flip indicator, at
least one of the cooking modes may be associated with a total
cooking time, and the method may further comprise, for each of at
least some of the cooking modes associated with the total cooking
time, monitoring elapsed cooking time during the cooking mode;
comparing the elapsed cooking time to the total cooking time; and
when the elapsed cooking time is at least a threshold percentage of
the total cooking time, activating the flip indicator.
[0043] The apparatus may further comprise a lid open sensor
configured to detect whether the lid is opened or closed, and the
method may further comprise, for each of at least some of the
cooking modes associated with the total cooking time, deactivating
the flip indicator in response to the lid being opened.
[0044] The apparatus may further comprise a user interface
communicatively coupled to the processor and the method may further
comprise receiving, via the user interface, a numerically specified
temperature for at least one of the upper and lower temperature
sensor settings.
[0045] The method may further comprise receiving a signal via the
user interface to pause cooking during one of the cooking modes,
and the numerically specified temperature may be received while
cooking is paused.
[0046] The apparatus may further comprise a user interface
communicatively coupled to the processor and the method may further
comprises, when the apparatus is operating in one of the cooking
modes, receiving, via the user interface, within an extension
window extending from an end of the cooking mode, an extension
input indicating that the cooking mode is to be extended; and in
response to the extension input, extending the cooking mode by an
extension duration without ending the cooking mode.
[0047] The stirrer may rotate in the cooking mode in which the
apparatus is operating when the extension input is received.
[0048] According to another aspect, there is provided a
multifunctional frying pan comprising a base, a lid with a hot air
system, an inner pot, a stirrer, and a stirrer drive device. The
inner pot is detachably affixed or placed in the base. Once closed,
the lid and the inner pot form a cooking chamber with the stirrer
placed inside. The stirrer drive device is mounted on the outside
of the hot air system on top of the lid. The stirrer drive device
drives the stirrer and causes it to rotate. Placing the stirrer
drive device on the lid helps to prevent contamination of a drive
motor, which comprises part of the stirrer drive device, by water
or oil during cleaning. Placing the stirrer drive device outside of
the hot air system may effectively prevent hot air circulation from
being blocked or disrupted by the drive device, thus helping to
ensure cooking efficiency and results. This design may make
adapting to different shapes of the lid and consequent changing
locations of the drive motor easier.
[0049] The stirrer may comprise a gear assembly, a stirring paddle,
and a positioning rod. The gear assembly may comprise an annular
ring gear and a gear bracket. The ring gear and the gear bracket
can be a one-piece part, or two separate pieces affixed together.
The stirring paddle may be detachable from the gear bracket. The
gear bracket and stirring paddle may be easily disassembled for
easy cleaning. The positioning rod may pass through the center of
the gear bracket and be attached to the lid. The gear bracket may
rotate around the positioning rod. Ventilation holes may be on the
gear bracket. The stirrer drive device may comprise a drive gear,
which drives the ring gear to rotate. The stirring paddle and gear
bracket may be easily removed for cleaning.
[0050] Ventilation holes on the gear bracket can effectively allow
the hot air from the hot air system being transmitted to the pan.
The gear bracket may rotate so that the ventilation holes keep
moving, thus redirecting air flow more evenly and, in certain
aspects in all directions, and promoting and improving cooking
efficiency and results.
[0051] The stirring paddle may be placed on the inner pot. After
the lid is closed, the gear bracket may drive the stirring paddle
to rotate and stir. The rotating shaft of the stirring paddle may
be coaxial with the rotating shaft of the ring gear. The stirring
paddle and gear bracket in certain aspects are not attached to each
other. When the lid is open, the stirring paddle may be detached
from the gear bracket, which makes it easier to remove and
clean.
[0052] A round groove may be on the inner pot, and the groove may
match a protrusion at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This
tongue-and-groove design helps to line up the stirring paddle
precisely.
[0053] A round protrusion may be on the inner pot, and the groove
may match the groove at the bottom of the stirring paddle. This
tongue-and-groove design may help to line up the stirring paddle
precisely.
[0054] The protrusions may be cylindrical, conical, or truncated
conical protrusions. The corresponding grooves may accordingly be
cylindrical, conical, or truncated conical grooves.
[0055] The base may comprise a housing and an outer pot. The outer
pot may be affixed in the housing. The inner pot may be attached or
simply placed in the outer pot. The outer pot may also play a role
in insulation and supporting the inner pot.
[0056] The multi-function frying pan may comprise a heating plate,
which may be fixed to the outer pot. The inner pot may be placed on
top of the heating plate. Use of the heating plate may increase the
heating temperature at the bottom of one or both of the pots.
[0057] According to another aspect, there is provided a cooking
apparatus comprising a base comprising an inner pot; a lid closable
over the inner pot to form a cooking chamber; at least one of a
heating plate and hot air heating element positioned to heat the
cooking chamber; a flip indicator; a processor, communicatively
coupled to the flip indicator and the at least one of the heating
plate and hot air heating element; and a memory, communicatively
coupled to the processor, storing computer program code that is
executable by the processor and that, when executed by the
processor, causes the processor to operate in a cooking mode that
is associated with a total cooking time and to perform a method
comprising monitoring elapsed cooking time during the cooking mode;
comparing the elapsed cooking time to the total cooking time; and
when the elapsed cooking time is at least a threshold percentage of
the total cooking time, activating the flip indicator.
[0058] This summary does not necessarily describe the entire scope
of all aspects. Other aspects, features and advantages will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the
following description of specific embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one or more
example embodiments:
[0060] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of a cooking apparatus,
according to one example embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a lid, which comprises part of
the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0062] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gear assembly that
comprises part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0063] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the lid of FIG. 2, coupled to
gear assembly of FIG. 3;
[0064] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.
1 with its lid open;
[0065] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the base of the
apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0066] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0067] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of a stirring paddle that
comprises part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0068] FIG. 9 depicts an exploded view of a cooking apparatus,
according to another example embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a cooking apparatus,
according to another example embodiment;
[0070] FIG. 11 depicts a user interface comprising part of the
apparatus of FIG. 10; and
[0071] FIG. 12 depicts a control system comprising part of the
apparatus FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0072] At least some example embodiments described herein are
directed at a cooking apparatus that can effectively protect an
electrical motor and prevent it from being damaged by liquids, such
as oil, during one or both of pan use and cleaning. In at least
some example embodiments the apparatus may act as a multi-purpose
frying pan; i.e., it may be able to cook food in any one or more of
multiple cooking modes, of which at least one fries the food being
cooked. In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus
comprises a heat plate in its base so that food being cooked in the
apparatus can be heated by one or both of convection (by hot air
circulated by a hot air system that comprises the electrical motor)
and conduction (by the heat plate). Additionally or alternatively,
in at least some example embodiments a gear assembly attached to an
underside of the apparatus's lid and used to rotate a stirrer is
removable from the lid, thereby facilitating cleaning of the gear
assembly and the hot air system.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1-8, in at least one example embodiment a
cooking apparatus 100 comprises a base 1, a lid 3 with a hot air
system 2, an inner pot 4, a stirrer 5, and a stirrer drive device
6. The inner pot 4 is attached to or placed in the base 1. When the
lid 3 is closed, it forms a cooking chamber with the inner pot 4.
The stirrer 5 is located inside the chamber. The stirrer drive
device 6 is mounted on the lid 3 and on the outside of the hot air
system 2. The stirrer drive device 6 drives the stirrer 5 to
rotate.
[0074] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the apparatus 100. The
inner pot 4 sits on the base 1, and a stirring paddle 52 that
comprises part of the stirrer 5 sits on the inner pot 4. The lid 3
comprises a handle portion 12 and a cover portion 10, with the
handle portion 12 attached to a top side of the cover portion 10.
Within the handle portion 12 resides a hot air system motor 16
(depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4) and a drive motor 14 (also depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 4), which comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6.
The cover portion 10 delineates a top of the cooking chamber when
the lid 3 is closed over the inner pot 4. Attached to an underside
of the cover portion 10 is a gear assembly 51, which comprises part
of the stirrer 5 and which is rotatably driven by the stirrer drive
device 6. Gear assembly protrusions 32 (shown in FIGS. 5 and 7) on
an underside of the gear assembly 51 are rotated against analogous
paddle protrusions 30 located on a top side of the stirring paddle
52, thereby rotating the paddle 52.
[0075] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, there are shown a sectional view
of the lid 3 when the lid 3 is not coupled to the gear assembly 51,
a perspective view of the gear assembly 51 itself, and a sectional
view of the lid 3 when it is coupled to the gear assembly 51,
respectively.
[0076] FIG. 2 shows the handle portion 12 attached to and
positioned over the cover portion 10. A hot air system motor 16
that comprises part of the hot air system 2 and a drive motor 14
that comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6 are both
positioned within the handle portion 12. The cover portion 10 is
rotationally symmetric about a rotational axis. The hot air system
motor 16 comprises an output shaft 38 that is coaxial with the
rotational axis. The motor's 16 output shaft 38 is attached to and
consequently rotates a propeller 18, which propels hot air through
the cooking chamber when the lid 3 is closed and the hot air system
2 is on. The propeller's 18 axis of rotation is coaxial with the
output shaft 38, and the propeller 18 is contained within a
ventilated air system housing 20. At the bottom of the housing 20
and coaxial with the rotational axis is an aperture 34 for
receiving a shaft 531 of a positioning rod 53, as discussed further
below.
[0077] The drive motor 14 of the stirrer drive device 6 is
positioned within the handle portion 12 and is laterally offset
from the hot air system motor 16. The drive motor 14 comprises an
output shaft 40; due to the curvature of the handle portion 12 and
as the drive motor 14 is laterally offset from the hot air system
motor 16, the output shafts 40,38 of the drive motor 14 and hot air
system motor 16 are not coaxial or parallel. The output shaft 40
rotates a drive gear 61, which in turn rotates the gear assembly
51, as discussed further below.
[0078] The gear assembly 51 as depicted in FIG. 3 comprises a ring
gear 511 that circumscribes a gear bracket 522. In the depicted
embodiment the gear 511 and bracket 522 are integral; they may, for
example, be welded together. In at least some different embodiments
(not depicted), the gear 511 and bracket 522 may be detachably
coupled together, such as by using clips. The gear bracket 522
comprises a generally cylindrical wall that has ventilation holes
22. Extending between the wall and the bracket's 522 center are
three bracing arms 42. The arms 42 converge at a location that
includes an aperture 36 about which the cylindrical wall is
rotationally symmetric.
[0079] FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of the lid 3 with the gear
assembly 51 detachably coupled to the underside of the cover
portion 10. Detachably coupling the assembly 51 to the cover
portion 10 permits the assembly 51 to be removed, thereby making
cleaning of the gear assembly 51 and the air system housing 20 more
convenient. The stirrer 5 comprises the gear assembly 51, the
stirring paddle 52 (depicted in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, and 9), and the
positioning rod 53. The positioning rod 53 comprises a shaft 531
having a stop block 532 at one end. The shaft 531 is threaded and
screwable into the underside of the cover portion 10 through the
apertures 36,34. When the gear assembly 51 is positioned such the
aperture 36 in the gear bracket 522 is coaxial with the aperture 34
in the air system housing 20, and the shaft 531 is subsequently
screwed into and thereby affixed to the cover portion 10, the stop
block 532 positions and restricts the gear bracket 522 between the
stop block 532 and the lid 3. The teeth, which are on the outside
of the ring gear 511, mesh with the teeth of the drive gear 61,
which comprises part of the stirrer drive device 6. Consequently,
when the drive motor 14 drives the output shaft 40, the drive gear
61 drives the ring gear 511 to rotate, which causes the gear
bracket 522 to rotate about the shaft 531 and the stirring paddle
52 to rotate as discussed further below. While the stop block 532
is used to retain the gear assembly 51 in the depicted embodiment,
in at least some different embodiments (not depicted), the gear
assembly 51 may be detachably coupled to the lid 3 in a different
manner. For example, the gear assembly 51 may be detachably coupled
to the lid 3 magnetically, by using clips, or the gear assembly 51
may be threaded and screwed into the lid 3.
[0080] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 7 in particular, a disc 28
secured to an underside of the gear bracket 522 is visible.
Extending from an underside of the disc 28 are gear assembly
protrusions 32. The stirring paddle 52 is placed on the inner pot 4
and similarly shaped paddle protrusions 30 extend from a top side
of the paddle 52. The protrusions 30,32 are positioned such that
when the gear assembly 51 is secured to the underside of the lid 3
and the lid 3 is closed, rotation of the gear assembly 51 causes
the gear assembly protrusions 32 to rotate, which consequently
interfere with the paddle protrusions 30 and drive the stirring
paddle 52 to rotate and stir. The paddle 52, disc 28, gear assembly
51, and propeller 18 all rotate about the common rotation axis.
[0081] The disc 28 in the depicted embodiment is positioned
centrally on the gear bracket 522 such that the positioning shaft
531 extends through it; however, in at least some alternative
embodiments (not depicted) the disc 28 may be elsewhere positioned,
or may be absent entirely. For example, in at least some
alternative embodiments, the protrusions 32 may extend directly
from the underside of the arms 42.
[0082] In at least one example alternative embodiment, a structure
for the stirring mechanism follows: the stirrer 5 comprises the
large gear assembly 51, the stirring paddle 52, and the positioning
rod 53. The gear assembly 51 comprises the ring gear 511 and the
gear bracket 522, which can be integrally one piece or two pieces
mounted together. The stirring paddle 52 is detachable from the
gear bracket 522. The positioning rod 53 passes through the center
of the gear bracket 522 and is attached to the lid 3. The gear
bracket 522 can rotate about the positioning rod 53. The gear
bracket 522 has ventilation holes. The stirrer driving device 6
comprises the drive gear 61, which drives the ring gear 511 to
rotate. The teeth of the ring gear 511 may face towards or, as
shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, away from the gear's 511
axis of rotation.
[0083] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 8 in particular, there are
shown a front perspective view of the apparatus's 100 base 1 and a
bottom plan view of the stirring paddle 52, respectively. The inner
pot 4 is shown sitting in the base 1 in FIG. 6, and has a groove 24
shaped such that a bottom edge 26 of the paddle 52 fits therein.
The groove 24 helps to retain the paddle 52 in a set location while
it is being driven by the stirrer drive device 6.
[0084] While the groove 24 is shown as being in the inner pot 4
with the paddle 52 fitting in the groove 24, in at least some
alternative embodiments (not depicted) one or more grooves 24 may
additionally or alternatively be in the paddle 52, and a portion of
the inner pot 4 or elsewhere in the base 1, such as a protrusion
extending therefrom, may fit in those one or more grooves 24.
Furthermore, while the bottom edge 26 of the paddle 52 fits in the
groove 24 in the depicted embodiment, in at least some alternative
embodiments (not depicted) a different portion of the paddle 52,
such as a protrusion extending therefrom, may fit in the groove
24.
[0085] Additionally, while the groove 24 in the depicted embodiment
is circular, in at least some alternative embodiments (not
depicted) the groove 24 may be differently shaped. For example, the
protrusions may be cylindrical, conical, frusto-conical
protrusions, or a combination thereof; and the corresponding
grooves may accordingly be cylindrical, conical, or frusto-conical,
or a combination thereof.
[0086] Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an exploded view of
the apparatus 100, according to another example embodiment. The
apparatus 100 of FIG. 9 is identical to the apparatus 100 of FIGS.
1-8, except the base 1 further comprises a housing and an outer pot
7 positioned therein, and a heating plate 8 between the pots 4,7.
The outer pot 7 may be permanently or detachably coupled to the
housing 1. The inner pot 4 in the depicted example embodiment sits
in the outer pot 7; in at least some different embodiments (not
depicted), the inner pot 4 may be affixed to the outer pot 7 in
some manner, such as by using a type of permanent or detachable
coupling. The heating plate 8 is affixed to an interior of the
outer pot 7, and the pot body of the inner pot 4 is placed on top
of the heating plate 8.
[0087] In the embodiment of FIG. 9, cooking may be performed using
one or both of convection (by means of the hot air system 2) and
conduction (by means of the heating plate 8). Furthermore, while
the gear assembly 51 is detachably coupled to the lid 3 in the
embodiment of FIG. 9, in at least some different embodiments, the
apparatus 100 may comprise the heating plate 8 and the gear
assembly 51 may be permanently attached (e.g., through welding) to
the lid 3.
Cooking Modes
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 10, there is depicted another
embodiment of the apparatus 100. The embodiment of the apparatus
100 depicted in FIG. 10 generally comprises the base 1 and the lid
3, as the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1-9 do, and additionally
comprises a user interface 1002 as depicted in greater detail in
FIG. 11 and a control system 1200 as depicted in FIG. 12. The user
interface 1002 and control system 1200 permit a user of the
apparatus 100 to operate it in any one of several cooking modes, as
discussed further below.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 12, the control system 1200 comprises
a processor 1202 that is communicatively coupled to various
components comprising part of the apparatus 100. As discussed in
further detail in respect of FIG. 11, below, the processor 1202
exchanges data with the user interface 1002 in order to receive
user input regarding how the apparatus 100 is to operate, and
provide the user with information on the apparatus's 100 current
operations. The processor 1202 also exchanges data with flash
memory 1214 and random access memory (RAM) 1216. The flash memory
1214 is an example of non-volatile memory, and stores computer
program code that, when executed, causes the processor 1202 and
consequently the apparatus 100 to operate in any one or more of the
cooking modes discussed below and to interface with the user via
the user interface 1002. The RAM 1216 is an example of volatile
memory, and acts as working memory for the processor 1202 while
executing all or some of that computer program code.
[0090] The processor 1202 receives information from three different
sensors: an upper thermistor 1204 that is located in the lid 3, a
lower thermistor 1206 that is located in the base 1, and a lid open
sensor 1208 that determines whether the lid 3 is opened or closed.
In at least the depicted example embodiment, the upper thermistor
1204 is positioned within the air system housing 20 and the lower
thermistor 1206 is positioned adjacent the heating plate 8;
however, in different example embodiments (not depicted), the
thermistors 1204,1206 may be differently positioned. The upper
thermistor 1204 is used to measure the temperature of the hot air
at an upper edge of the propeller 18 and the lower thermistor 1206
is used to measure the temperature inside the inner pot 4. The lid
open sensor 1208 comprises a switch located in one or both of the
base 1 and lid 3; for example, in at least one example embodiment
the lid open sensor 1208 may comprise a Hall Effect sensor located
in one of the base 1 and lid 3 and a magnet located in the other of
the base 1 and lid 3, with the magnet triggering the Hall Effect
sensor when the two are sufficiently proximate (e.g., when the lid
3 is closed). In at least the depicted example embodiment, the
thermistors 1204,1206 are Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC)
thermistors; however, in at least some different example
embodiments, one or both of the thermistors 1204,1206 may be
Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) thermistors. Additionally,
the thermistors 1204,1206 are an example type of temperature
sensor; in at least some different example embodiments (not
depicted), one or both of the thermistors 1204,1206 may be replaced
with a different type of temperature sensor, such as a diode-based
temperature sensor.
[0091] The processor 1202 outputs signals to the heating plate 8,
drive motor 14, and hot air system motor 16, and to a hot air
heating element 1210 and lighting 1212, in accordance with the
apparatus's 100 cooking mode as discussed further below. The hot
air heating element 1210 is the heating element that comprises part
of the hot air system 2 and that is used to heat the air that the
system 2 propels throughout the cooking chamber using the propeller
18. The lighting 1212 comprises a light source mounted to an
underside of the lid 3 to illuminate the contents of the cooking
chamber. The processor 1202 can individually control the heating
plate 8, hot air heating element 1210, hot air system motor 16, and
drive motor 14, thereby facilitating flexibility in the apparatus's
100 cooking modes as discussed further below. In at least the
depicted embodiment the processor 1202 controls the heating plate 8
and the hot air heating element 1210 using a relay, and controls
the drive motor 14, hot air system motor 16, and lighting using a
silicon controlled rectifier (SCR); in at least some different
example embodiments, different switching circuitry may be used.
[0092] FIG. 11 shows the apparatus's 100 user interface 1002 in
more detail. On the right-hand portion are a power button 1120,
used to turn the apparatus 100 on and off; a function button 1114,
used to change the apparatus's 100 cooking mode; a start button
1116, used to start the apparatus's 100 operation in a particular
cooking mode that has been selected using the function button 1114;
and a pause/cancel button 1118. A single press of the pause/cancel
button 1118 when the apparatus 100 is operating in a particular
cooking mode pauses any countdown timer associated with that
cooking mode while maintaining the cooking temperature. Once
pressed, to resume the countdown timer the user may do any of the
following: [0093] 1. press the start button 1116; [0094] 2. open
and then close the lid 3, which the processor 1202 detects using
the lid open sensor 1208; and [0095] 3. wait for a timeout period,
such as two minutes, without pressing any buttons on the interface
1002 or opening the lid 3.
[0096] The pause/cancel button 1118 may also be long-pressed (i.e.,
pressed and held for at least a long-press period, such as for two
seconds), which will end any cooking mode the apparatus 100 is in
at the time of the long-press. "Ending" the cooking mode means that
the apparatus's 100 countdown timer reduces to zero and the heating
plate 8, drive motor 14, hot air system motor 16, and hot air
heating element 1210 are shut off.
[0097] The user interface 1002 also comprises temperature control
buttons 1102 used to increase and decrease the temperature of the
cooking chamber; duration control buttons 1104 used to increase and
decrease cooking duration; cooking mode indicators 1106 indicating
which cooking mode the apparatus 100 is currently in; heating
status indicators 1108 indicating whether one or both of the
heating plate 8 and hot air heating element 1210 are active; a flip
indicator 1110 indicating whether the food in the cooking chamber
should be flipped; and a heat warning indicator 1112 indicating
whether the apparatus 100 remains potentially dangerously warm to
the user's touch notwithstanding that cooking may have ended. In at
least the depicted example embodiment, each of the indicators
1106,1108,1110,1112 is a binary indicator in the form of a light
that can be turned on or off. In at least some different
embodiments (not depicted), any one or more of the indicators
1106,1108,1110,1112 may additionally or alternatively comprise
non-binary indicators, such as a text display that displays
different text messages.
[0098] During cooking, in at least some example embodiments the
temperature and duration can be modified by the temperature and
duration control buttons 1102,1104 only when the cooking mode has
been paused using the pause/cancel button 1118. The user interface
1002 also comprises a light emitting diode (LED) display 1122,
which the processor 1202 uses to send simple messages to the user.
For example, in at least some example embodiments the temperature
control buttons 1102 permit the cooking temperature to be
numerically specified by the user (e.g., pushing the "+" button
1102 may increment the current temperature by a set amount such as
5 degrees, while pushing the "-" button may analogously decrease
the current temperature); the display 1122 may show the user the
current temperature he or she has set. In at least some different
example embodiments, one or both of the sets of temperature and
duration control buttons 1102,1104 may be different than as
depicted in FIG. 11. For example, the temperature control buttons
1102 may alternatively comprise a numeric keypad.
[0099] The apparatus 100 is operable in several different cooking
modes, with different cooking modes causing the processor 1202 to
use the heating plate 8, drive motor 14, hot air system motor 16,
and hot air heating element 1210 differently. In at least the
depicted example embodiment, the apparatus 100 is operable as a
crepe/naan maker (mode 1), a mini-oven (mode 2), a grill (mode 3),
an air fryer (mode 4), a stir fryer (mode 5), a top broiler (mode
6), a base broiler (mode 7), and manually (mode 8). The cooking
modes are summarized in Table 1:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Cooking Modes Upper Thermistor Default 1204
Shift Cooking Lower (relative to Time Thermistor lower (excl. 1206
thermistor Preheat pre- Mode Setting 1206) Temp. Output heating) 1
380.degree. F. -140.degree. F. 380.degree. F. Plate 8 15 mins
(193.degree. C.) (-60.degree. C.) (193.degree. C.) Hot air system
motor 16 Heating element 1210 Lighting 1212 2 350.degree. F.
-86.degree. F. 350.degree. F. Plate 8 15 mins (177.degree. C.)
(-30.degree. C.) (177.degree. C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heating
element 1210 Lighting 1212 3 420.degree. F. -104.degree. F.
420.degree. F. Plate 8 15 mins (216.degree. C.) (-40.degree. C.)
(216.degree. C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heating element 1210
Lighting 1212 4 400.degree. F. -122.degree. F. 400.degree. F. Plate
8 20 mins (204.degree. C.) (-50.degree. C.) (204.degree. C.) Hot
air system motor 16 Heating element 1210 Lighting 1212 5
420.degree. F. -95.degree. F. 420.degree. F. Plate 8 5 mins
(216.degree. C.) (-35.degree. C.) (216.degree. C.) Drive motor 14
Hot air system motor 16 Heating element 1210 Lighting 1212 6
355.degree. F. N/A N/A Heating element 1210 15 mins (179.degree.
C.) Hot air system motor 16 Lighting 1212 7 420.degree. F. N/A N/A
Plate 8 15 mins (216.degree. C.) Hot air system motor 16 Lighting
1212 8 400.degree. F. -104.degree. F. N/A Plate 8 10 mins
(204.degree. C.) (-40.degree. C.) Hot air system motor 16 Heating
element 1210 Lighting 1212
[0100] In Table 1, the "lower thermistor 1206 setting" and the
"upper thermistor 1204 shift" represent the temperatures at which
the apparatus 100 cooks food during a cooking mode. More
particularly, the "lower thermistor 1206 setting" is the
temperature target for the inner pot 4 that the processor 1202
reaches by activating the heating plate 8; and the "upper
thermistor 1204 shift" is the difference in temperature, relative
to the lower thermistor 1206 setting, that defines the temperature
target near the propeller 18 that the processor 1202 reaches by
activating the hot air heating element 1210. The "preheat
temperature" is the temperature target for the cooking chamber that
the processor 1202 reaches prior to commencing cooking by
activating one or both of the plate 8 and element 1210. The
"output" column lists the components of the apparatus 100 that the
processor 1202 activates during the cooking mode. The "default
cooking time" column lists the default duration for which cooking
occurs during the cooking mode after pre-heating has concluded.
[0101] The parameters set out in Table 1 for the various cooking
modes are examples only, and may be different in at least some
different example embodiments. For example, pre-heating may end
after a set time (e.g., 5 minutes), instead of in response to
reaching the temperature listed in Table 1. Additionally or
alternatively, the default cooking times may change in different
example embodiments, such as by being adjusted by the user either
before or after cooking has started. Additionally, in at least some
example embodiments the "lower thermistor 1206 setting" and "upper
thermistor 1204 shift" are approximate values only.
[0102] The modes of Table 1 are examples of different cooking modes
in which the apparatus 100 may operate. More generally, the
apparatus 100 may comprise at least a first and a second cooking
mode, with the first cooking mode having a lower temperature sensor
setting of a first temperature and an upper temperature sensor
setting of a second temperature. The second temperature may be less
than the first temperature, and at least one of the first and
second temperatures of the first cooking mode is different from the
first and second temperatures, respectively, of the second cooking
mode. When one or both of the upper and lower temperatures differ
from the upper and lower temperature sensor settings, the processor
1202 may adjust power to the hot air heating element 1210 and
heating plate 8, respectively, in order to cause the upper and
lower temperatures to approach the upper and lower temperature
settings.
[0103] In at least some example embodiments, during heating the
processor 1202 periodically turns one or both of the plate 8 and
element 1210 on and off until the appropriate target temperature is
reached. For example, in at least some example embodiments, when
the temperature as measured by the lower thermistor 1206 is rising,
the lid 3 is closed, and the lower thermistor 1206 measures a
temperature less than a certain temperature differential (e.g.,
10.degree. C.) less than the appropriate lower thermistor 1206
setting in Table 1, then the processor 1202 activates the plate 8
constantly at full or partial power until the lower thermistor 1206
measures a temperature within the temperature differential of the
lower thermistor 1206 setting. Once the lower thermistor 1206
measures a temperature within the temperature differential of the
lower thermistor 1206 setting, the processor 1202 shuts off the
plate 8 for a shut-off period, such as 30 seconds. At the end of
the shut-off period, the processor 1202 determines whether the
lower thermistor 1206 is still less than the appropriate lower
thermistor 1206 setting in Table 1. If it is, then the processor
1202 alternates between activating the plate 8 for a first duration
(e.g., 18 seconds), and shutting it off for a second duration
(e.g., 12 seconds), until the lower thermistor 1206 measures a
temperature equal to or exceeding the appropriate lower thermistor
1206 setting.
[0104] Additionally or alternatively, during heating when the
temperature as measured by the lower thermistor 1206 is dropping,
the lid 3 is closed, and the lower thermistor 1206 measures a
temperature less than and within a certain temperature differential
of the appropriate lower thermistor 1206 setting in Table 1, then
the processor 1202 alternates between activating the plate 8 for a
first duration (e.g., 18 seconds), and shutting it off for a second
duration (e.g., 12 seconds). If the temperature continues to drop
until it is more than the temperature differential below the
appropriate lower thermistor 1206 setting, then the processor 1202
activates the plate 8 constantly at full or partial power.
[0105] Additionally or alternatively, during heating when the lid 3
is open and the lower thermistor 1206 measures a temperature less
than a certain temperature differential (e.g., 10.degree. C.) below
the appropriate lower thermistor 1206 setting in Table 1, then the
processor 1202 activates the plate 8 constantly at full or partial
power until the lower thermistor 1206 measures a temperature within
the temperature differential of the lower thermistor 1206 setting.
Once the lower thermistor 1206 measures a temperature within the
temperature differential of the lower thermistor 1206 setting, the
processor 1202 alternates between activating the plate 8 for a
first duration (e.g., 24 seconds) and shutting it off for a second
duration (e.g., 6 seconds).
[0106] In at least some example embodiments, once the appropriate
lower thermistor 1206 setting has been reached for any of the above
examples, the processor 1202 operates the plate 8 in a suitable
holding method. For example, the processor 1202 in at least some
example embodiments keeps the plate 8 constantly on at less than
full power. In at least some different embodiments, the processor
1202 turns the plate 8 on and off, whether at full power or at less
than full power. The processor 1202 may turn the plate 8 on and off
periodically, and for any given period the durations for which the
plate 8 is on and off may be identical in some example embodiments
and different in others.
[0107] In at least some example embodiments, in any one or more of
the cooking modes the processor 1202 determines when to activate
the flip indicator 1110 by determining whether the elapsed cooking
time since cooking of a dish began using that mode represents at
least a threshold percentage of the total cooking time set for that
dish, the default value for which is listed in the "Default Cooking
Time" column of Table 1. The threshold percentage may be, for
example, 60% of the total set cooking time. When the threshold
percentage is reached, the processor 1202 activates the flip
indicator 1110.
[0108] The processor 1202 deactivates the flip indicator 1110 in
response to detecting, using the lid open sensor 1208, that the lid
3 has been opened and subsequently closed. Additionally or
alternatively, in at least some example embodiments the processor
1202 may deactivate the flip indicator 1110 following pressing of
one of the buttons comprising the user interface 1002, such as the
start button 1116.
[0109] In at least some example embodiments, in addition or as an
alternative to the binary flip indicator of FIG. 11, the flip
indicator 1110 comprises one or both of a message (e.g., a text
message, such as "FLIP", on the display 1122) and a sound. In at
least a subset of those embodiments in which the text message is
shown with the binary indicator, the message may automatically
disappear after an expiry period, while the binary indicator
remains on until deactivated as described above.
[0110] In at least some example embodiments, in any one or more of
the cooking modes in which the hot air heating element 1210 is by
default on, the processor 1202 automatically shuts off the hot air
heating element 1210 in response to a signal from the lid open
sensor 1208 that the lid 3 is open. In at least some example
embodiments, the processor 1202 may also pause the cooking mode
when the hot air heating element 1210 is on and the lid 3 is
opened.
[0111] In at least some example embodiments, the apparatus 100
further comprises a "cooking mode extension" feature in which at or
near the end of any of the cooking modes, the user may provide
input to the processor 1202 via the user interface 1002 that the
cooking mode the apparatus 100 is current operating in is to be
extended, following which the processor 1202 automatically extends
that cooking mode by a certain duration. When extending a cooking
mode, any pre-heating that would otherwise occur if that cooking
mode were to end and then re-start is bypassed, and instead the
apparatus 100 cooks the food continuously as a result of the
cooking mode being extended instead of ending and re-starting.
Furthermore, in the stir fryer cooking mode, the stirrer 5
continues to rotate when the stir fryer cooking mode is extended,
as opposed to stopping as would occur if the stir fryer cooking
mode were stopped and then re-started. In certain cases this may
help prevent food from burning. Any suitable input via the user
interface 1002 may be used as an indicator that the cooking mode is
to be extended. For example, in at least one example embodiment,
the user may push an extension input such as the start button 1116
within fifteen seconds of the end of the stir fryer cooking mode,
with the fifteen seconds being an example of an "extension window"
during which the processor 1202 is receptive to the user extending
the current cooking mode. If the extension input is provided during
the extension window, the processor 1202 extends the cooking mode
by an extension duration. In at least some example embodiments, a
cooking mode may be extended multiple times without the cooking
mode ending; that is, at or near the end of each extension duration
may be an extension window during which the user may provide
another extension input to again extend the cooking mode.
[0112] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
Accordingly, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and "comprising", when used in this
specification, specify the presence of one or more stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and components, but do not
preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and groups.
Directional terms such as "top", "bottom", "upwards", "downwards",
"vertically", and "laterally" are used in the following description
for the purpose of providing relative reference only, and are not
intended to suggest any limitations on how any article is to be
positioned during use, or to be mounted in an assembly or relative
to an environment. Additionally, the term "couple" and variants of
it such as "coupled", "couples", and "coupling" as used in this
description are intended to include indirect and direct connections
unless otherwise indicated. For example, if a first device is
coupled to a second device, that coupling may be through a direct
connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and
connections. Similarly, if the first device is communicatively
coupled to the second device, communication may be through a direct
connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and
connections. Further, when used in conjunction with a numerical
value, the words "approximate" and "approximately" mean within
+/-10% of that numerical value, unless the context indicates
otherwise.
[0113] It is contemplated that any part of any aspect or embodiment
discussed in this specification can be implemented or combined with
any part of any other aspect or embodiment discussed in this
specification.
[0114] One or more example embodiments have been described by way
of illustration only. This description is presented for purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limited to the form disclosed. It will be apparent to persons
skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications
can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.
* * * * *