Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-15
2001-09-11
Pelham, Joseph (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C219S411000, C099S389000, C099S392000, C099S447000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288369
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooking food. Such apparatuses are widely used and are based on various principles. One of the known apparatuses is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,852,545 and 4,913,040 (Sherman et al.) and includes two heated plates so as to apply simultaneously heat and pressure to the initial food material. Other apparatuses use radiated or convection heat (charcoal, or electric). Performance of the above cooking apparatuses can be further improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a cooking apparatus which is an improvement of apparatuses of the prior art. In keeping with this objective and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a cooking apparatus having a housing means to accommodate the food to be cooked, and a heater means that provide heat for cooking. The housing has shelves that support grill(s) and/or pan(s) for cooking.
The heater means includes at least one electric heater located above the food material for radiating heat and heating up the air inside of the housing. In order to direct heat down to the food material, the above heater means includes also a reflector means whose main innovative feature is that said reflector means comprises two stages. Its first stage (the closest to the heater) is a heat absorber-generally non-reflective plate that meets the flow of rising up heat (both, radiation and convection) first, heats up itself, and radiates heat back down. The next stage is at least one reflector which is protected by the absorber from fat and juices splashes and from the intense heat. Reflector returns to the absorber plate the part of heat raised up from it. In order to increase heat insolating efficiency, the space(s) between the absorber and the reflector and/or between reflectors can be filled with crumbled foil (for instance, aluminum).
This novel arrangement increases efficiency of the apparatus during broiling up to 75-85% vs. usual 35-50% typical of apparatuses with top location of heaters and with conventional types of reflectors. Without juices and fats that pour to the heaters and burn, this arrangement eliminates staining food with carcinogenic carbon deposits, and prevents emitting smoke or fumes so that the arrangements can be used both indoor and outdoor.
The heater means can also comprise heaters located below the food (for toasting and baking).
As a result, the inventive apparatus can be used in the following variations:
a) An indoor toaster-oven with enhanced broiling capabilities
b) An indoor Broiler
c) An outdoor broiler.
The novel features of the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, will be best understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments which is accompanied by the following drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3714885 (1973-02-01), Wertheimer et al.
patent: 4396825 (1983-08-01), Cox et al.
patent: 5036179 (1991-07-01), Westerberg et al.
patent: 133847 (1985-03-01), None
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