Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-17
2001-03-06
Pelham, Joseph (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C126S02100R, C099S476000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198076
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to food heating devices, and more specifically to convection ovens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various food heating devices are known, such as convection ovens utilizing recirculated air as part of the heating process. Air is recirculated from the food heating chamber back to a blower and a heating element for reheating and recirculation back to the food heating chamber. Various food items can be heated, warmed, or cooked in the oven. One problem with convection ovens of this type is that greater emphasis is needed for the parts associated with the blower (e.g., housing, fan and motor) since the air being handled by the blower is above room temperature.
Various other food heating devices are known, including dehydrators. Dehydrators are often used to dry meats and fruits. Typically, dehydrators utilize lower temperature air (e.g., about 150° F.) and are used over an extended period of time (e.g., several hours). Further, the food items are often consumed at a later time, rather than immediately after heating while in the heated condition.
There is a need for continued development of food heating devices, such as convection ovens, where cost issues are addressed, and sufficiently high temperature air is generated so as to heat food in a desired manner, such as to heat, warm, or cook appetizers or other foods to be consumed for meals or snacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention relates to non-recirculating convection ovens including a housing enclosing a food heating chamber where the housing includes a removable lid and at least one exhaust air outlet to the exterior of the food heating chamber. A food supporting tray is positioned in the food heating chamber. The food supporting tray has a solid food supporting portion. A blower assembly is provided for heating intake air and moving the heated air through the food heating chamber to cook one or more food items positioned on a tray. The heated air is exhausted from the food heating chamber at the at least one exhaust air outlet to the atmosphere after cooking the one or more food items supported on the tray. The intake air is taken entirely from the atmosphere around the convection oven and none of the exhaust air is reheated. Generally, the heated air is at least 250° F. adjacent to the food to be heated. The present invention also relates to a method of cooking food where the exhaust air is not recirculated.
Other aspects of the invention relate to non-recirculating convection ovens and other ovens which utilize heated, moving air where an upper housing portion defines a food heating chamber. The upper housing portion includes an outer wall portion, a removable lid, and at least one exhaust air outlet. A lower housing portion below the upper housing portion includes an intake air inlet for intake air, a motor, a fan driven by the motor, and a heating element. A heated air outlet from the lower housing portion is in air flow communication with the food heating chamber.
One aspect of the present invention includes using a single food supporting tray where the tray includes an aperture through a center portion of the tray, and where a food supporting portion of the tray surrounding the center portion is solid. The tray may further include an upwardly extending central lip. An air passage may be defined between the outer wall portion of the upper housing portion and an outer periphery of the tray. Heated air passes above and below the tray before exiting the oven. Instead of having a central opening, the tray may be completely solid. The at least one exhaust air outlet is positioned between the removable lid and the outer wall portion of the upper housing portion, or in the lid.
A further aspect of the present invention includes the use of a plurality of stacked food supporting trays in the food heating chamber where the trays include a solid food supporting portion, and at least one of the trays includes an aperture through a center portion of the tray, the food supporting portion of the tray with the aperture surrounding the center portion. Preferably, another of the trays lacks a central opening.
An additional aspect of the present invention includes a symmetrical housing and a symmetrical tray where the housing and the tray generally define circular or round outer peripheries. Still further aspects relate to various flow directing features within the upper housing portion provided for circulation of the heated air within the food heating chamber.
A further aspect of the present invention relates to the lower housing portion being separable from the upper housing portion. The lower housing portion may include a lip formed around the heated air outlet from the lower housing portion. The upper housing includes a heated air inlet opening sized for receipt of the lip of the lower housing portion.
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DeWitte Matthew J.
Moen Vernon D.
Tienor Lawrence J.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
National Presto Industries, Inc.
Pelham Joseph
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