Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-07
2001-11-27
Paik, Sang (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C219S443100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323466
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to portable stoves and, more particularly, to a stove suitable for use in roasting coffee, keeping beverages warm, and heating and cooking other consumables and configured to be used safely when resting on various types of surfaces, including tabletops and carpeted floors and other ground surfaces.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The ceremonial roasting and drinking of coffee has been an important social custom in parts of East Africa for a considerable period of time in excess of several decades. Traditionally, the coffee was roasted and brewed on a stove heated by means of charcoal. The stove would typically be used in an outdoor environment or an indoor environment with an earthen floor. The stove would be placed on the outside ground surface or the ground surface formed by the earthen floor.
In more recent environments, social ceremonies are more likely to take place indoors where the floor surface is other than earthen. The floor surface may be, for example, wood or carpet that could be damaged by high heat. Moreover, it has become well known that the burning of charcoal indoors presents a serious health hazard due to the production of carbon monoxide.
It is the goal of the present invention to provide a portable stove that is suitable for use in coffee ceremonies and for other purposes in indoor environments.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, a stove for heating consumables comprises a housing having an upper portion, and a lower portion connected to the upper portion around a reduced width interface. An electric heating element is positioned in a top portion of the upper portion and projects upwardly therefrom to allow containers of various sizes to be placed on the element. The various sizes include those having a width greater than that of the upper portion. The element has a plug-in connector projecting laterally therefrom. The stove also includes a receptacle carried by a side portion of the upper portion. The receptacle is configured to receive the connector and connect the connector, and thereby the element, to a source of electricity. The housing is dimensioned to position the element to be readily accessible by a person seated on a ground surface or on a chair when the stove is resting on the ground surface. The dimensioning of the housing is also such that the element is readily accessible to a person standing adjacent to a table on which the stove is resting. The lower portion of a housing is hollow and has a height sufficient to isolate a surface on which the stove is resting from excessive heat generated by the element.
As used herein, the term “consumables” is intended to be broadly construed to include water, coffee and other beverages, and various types of food or other substances that are consumed by humans or other living creatures. The term “source of electricity” includes electric wiring that provides a conductive path that ultimately is connected or connectable to an electric outlet or an equivalent thereof. The term “ground surface” includes various types of natural and man-made outdoor surfaces as well as various types of indoor surfaces commonly found in inhabited structures. The latter include tile, wood, carpeted, concrete, and other types of known floor surfaces and floor coverings. The term “excessive heat” means a degree of heat sufficient to be likely to cause damage to a ground surface.
In its preferred form, the stove of the invention includes an on/off switch mounted on the lower portion of the housing and operatively accessible from outside the housing. An electric conductor extends inside the housing from the receptacle into the upper portion and down into the lower portion to the switch. A power cord extends from the switch and out of the housing.
The switch preferably includes a dial positioned outside the housing and having a radial flange. The flange has an inner radial surface that is at least substantially flush with an outer surface of the lower portion of the housing. This arrangement helps prevent accidents caused by items snagging on the switch.
Preferably, the upper portion of the housing includes a main portion in which the electric heating element is positioned, and a side projection that encloses the receptacle. Also preferably, a pair of handles is positioned on opposite outer portions of the housing to enable the stove to be carried by a user.
The invention provides a stove that meets the goal stated above of suitability for use in various environments. The is stove is sufficiently versatile to be used either indoors or outdoors and to be used resting on various types of surfaces, including indoor floor surfaces and elevated support surfaces, such as the tops of tables. The stove incorporates features found in full size stationary cooking ranges to provide safe and reliable operation. At the same time, the portability and versatility of the stove is maintained. Overall, the stove of the invention is attractive and easy to use and clean. It may also be conveniently stored when it is not in use.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 1174030 (1916-02-01), Hadaway, Jr.
patent: 1674692 (1928-06-01), McHugh et al.
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patent: 3252407 (1966-05-01), Buerki
patent: 3505498 (1970-04-01), Shevlin
patent: 3700856 (1972-10-01), Kullman
patent: 3761680 (1973-09-01), Ingrao
patent: 4195560 (1980-04-01), DuBois et al.
patent: 4196342 (1980-04-01), Chailloux
patent: 4425720 (1984-01-01), Elevitch
patent: 4481408 (1984-11-01), Scheufler
patent: 5996480 (1999-12-01), Kelley et al.
patent: 538543 (1941-08-01), None
Paik Sang
Pauly Joan H.
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