Stoves and furnaces – Stoves – Cooking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-09-25
Yeung, James C. (Department: 3743)
Stoves and furnaces
Stoves
Cooking
C431S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293274
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of portable stoves. More specifically, this invention is in the field of portable stove systems having a container, a combustible composition disposed within the container, and a platform for maintaining a cooking surface above the container as the combustible composition burns.
2. The Relevant Technology
Portable heating and cooking devices are useful in a variety of different settings. Portable heating and cooking devices can be used by outdoor enthusiasts, campers, anglers, hikers, mountain climbers, emergency personnel, cooks, food service teams, search and rescue teams, and a variety of different individuals for convenient indoor and outdoor heating and cooking, and for emergency use. Such portable devices can typically be stored, then used when needed or desired, such as on an emergency basis for heating or for cooking.
One portable heating device comprises a container, such as a can into which a combustible chemical is placed. The chemical can be ignited and burns until burning out or until being extinguished. While such typical systems are useful for heating, such systems require that the can containing the combustible chemical be placed underneath a pan, bowl, or other surface in order to heat a food or liquid.
In order to retain the pan or bowl above the combustible chemical, a stand is typically placed over the can containing the combustible chemical and the cooking surface is placed on the stand. Such stands can become lost, can be bulky and awkward to store, and take up space during storage and transportation. In addition, certain portable heating systems featuring a chemical composition disposed in a can are designed for heating food only, rather than cooking food, and cannot boil water even after 60 minutes.
Another portable heating and cooking system is a system which employs a can into which a mixture of sawdust and wax are placed. A wick is placed into the sawdust/wax mixture to initially ignite the mixture. Other heating and cooking systems comprise a can having cardboard therein surrounded by wax. These systems are also required to be placed underneath a pan or bowl or other surface in order to heat the surface.
There is therefore a need in the art for an improved portable stove system. More specifically, there is a need in the art for a portable stove system which conserves space and avoids risk of loss of components during storage and transportation. Furthermore, there is a need in the art for a portable stove having a prolonged burning life.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved portable stove and an improved portable stove system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained, portable stove.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained, portable stove system having a cooking platform which can be placed within the stove during storage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained, portable stove system having a cooking platform which fits within the stove during storage.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained, portable stove system having a cooking platform which is selectively mounted on the top surface of the stove.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained portable stove system with means for oxygenating the interior of the stove.
It is another object of the invention to provide a self-contained portable stove which has a prolonged burning life.
It is another object of the invention to provide a portable stove which is convenient and inexpensive to produce.
It is another object of the invention to provide a portable stove system in which a lid of the stove can be selectively used as a cooking surface.
A portable, self-contained stove system of the present invention comprises: (i) a container; and (ii) an adjustable cooking platform having a storage position and a cooking position. The cooking platform is configured to be selectively coupled to the container in one of: (i) the cooking position; and (ii) the storage position.
The platform is selectively oriented at least partially outside of the container during use and is selectively oriented within the container during storage, thereby conserving space and preventing loss of the platform during storage. The cooking platform is configured to extend the cooking surface above the stove and, in one embodiment, to enable oxygen to reach the interior surface of the container body, such as by having one more apertures therethrough.
The container serves as a convenient stove. One embodiment of the container comprises: (i) a container body having an opening, an interior surface and an exterior surface; (ii) a lid selectively mounted on the container body; and (iii) an annular lip which is configured to selectively receive one of: (A) the lid; and (B) the cooking platform thereon. One lip of the present invention has a groove which selectively receives the lid or the cooking platform therein.
In one embodiment, the adjustable cooking platform comprises a split-collar, i.e., a collar having a slit therein. The split-collar has sufficient flexibility that the first and second ends of the collar can be moved with respect to each other. The collar can thus be selectively compressed such that the collar can be moved past an interior portion of the container which has an internal diameter which is smaller than the groove of the container. This allows the collar to be conveniently stored within the container. Upon removal from the container, the first and second ends of the collar extend resiliently outwardly and/or can be extended outwardly when it is desired to mount the collar within the groove of the container for cooking use.
The platform can thus be readily compressed and placed within the container for storage and then readily removed from the container and mounted in the groove of the container during use. A cooking surface, such as the lid, a pan, a bowl, or another cooking surface may then be placed on the platform.
In one embodiment, holes extend through the platform to thereby allow oxygen to flow into the container while a pan or bowl is placed on top of the cooking platform. In another embodiment, however, the platform may be comprised of a solid piece with no holes therein.
The stove system further comprises a combustible composition disposed within the container. The combustible composition is preferably a mixture comprising a base and a filler material. The base may be a wax material which is typically a solid at room temperature, for example, or, optionally, a material which is typically a liquid at room temperature. The filler material may be a cellulose-containing material such as wood shavings. An optional wick extends through the combustible composition and can be readily employed to initially ignite the composition.
The stove system is thus an efficient, self-contained system. The compressible cooking platform is selectively stored within the container, thereby preventing loss of the platform and thereby conserving space.
The lid acts both as a cover and as a cooking surface. The lid is configured to selectively (i) mount on the container in a storage position to thereby close the opening of the container; and (ii) mount on the cooking platform in a cooking position to thereby serve as a cooking surface. Food or water may be placed on the lid as a fire within the container heats the food or water. When the cooking or heating is finished, the lid also acts as an extinguisher and can be placed onto the container to extinguish the fire within the container.
These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 881199 (1908-03-01), Palmer
patent: 1104383 (1914-07-01), Potter
patent: 1210099 (1916-12-01), Pohl
patent: 1285208 (1918-11-01), Joite
pa
Anderson Annette
Deardon Michael
May Robert L.
Stove In A Can, Inc.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
Yeung James C.
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