CA2163442C - Apparatus and method for uniformly cooking food with asymmetrically placed radiant energy sources - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for uniformly cooking food with asymmetrically placed radiant energy sources Download PDFInfo
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- CA2163442C CA2163442C CA002163442A CA2163442A CA2163442C CA 2163442 C CA2163442 C CA 2163442C CA 002163442 A CA002163442 A CA 002163442A CA 2163442 A CA2163442 A CA 2163442A CA 2163442 C CA2163442 C CA 2163442C
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- lamps
- food support
- lamp
- plane
- food
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
- H05B3/40—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes
- H05B3/42—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible
- H05B3/44—Heating elements having the shape of rods or tubes non-flexible heating conductor arranged within rods or tubes of insulating material
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B6/00—Heating by electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields
- H05B6/64—Heating using microwaves
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
- H05B3/00—Ohmic-resistance heating
- H05B3/0033—Heating devices using lamps
- H05B3/0071—Heating devices using lamps for domestic applications
- H05B3/0076—Heating devices using lamps for domestic applications for cooking, e.g. in ovens
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)
- Electric Ovens (AREA)
- Baking, Grill, Roasting (AREA)
- General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
Abstract
An oven for cooking with light having wavelengths in the visible, near visib le, and infra-red spectral ranges uses one or more quart z halogen tungsten lamps or quartz arc bulbs positioned above and below the fo od item. Uniform cooking of the food item is achieved by positioning the lamps asymmetrically with respect to the midline of the oven and by rotating the food item on a rack during the cook ing cycle.
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR UNIFORMLY COOKING FOOD WITH
ASYMMETRICALLY PLACED RADIAN~I' EN~~RGY SOURCES
Field of the Invention This invention relates to tine field of radiant source ovens. More particularly, thi7 invention relates to ovens having a rotating ruck and. an array of linear radiation sources typically shorter than the transverse dimension of the cooking location and which are arranged to maximize uniform cooking c~f a food :itE~m.
Background of the Invention Ovens following the present invention and having linear sources of visible an~3 :infra-red radiant energy are disclosed and de scribed in. inter aria LJ. S. Patent No.
5,036,179. These ovens provide high-speed, high-quality cooking and baking of food items by impinging high-intensity visible, near-visible, ana infrared r<.~.diations onto a food item. The ovens cook the food items within the short periods of time normally found in microwave cooking while maintaining the browning cf Lnf::rarec~ c:ook.ing and the quality of conduction-convection cooking. When food is exposed to a sufficiently 216~4~ 2 intense source of visible, near-visible, and infrared radiation, the food absorbs low levels of visible and near-visible radiation, thereby allowing the energy to penetrate the foodstuff and heat it deeply. The longer infrared radiation does not penetrate deeply but acts as an effective browning agent.
Ordinarily, the source of the visible, near-visible and infrared radiation for this invention is in excess of two elongated quartz-halogen tungsten lamps, or equivalent means such as quartz arc lamps. Typical quartz-halogen lamps of this type operate at 3000 degrees Kelvin and convert electrical energy into black body radiation having a range of wavelengths from .4 ~m to 4.5 ~m with a peak intensity at .965 ~,m. Each lamp can generally provide about between 1.5 and 2 kW of radiant energy with a significant portion of the energy in the visible light spectrum.
The ovens can use a plurality of these lamps or an array of several lamps either operated in unison or selectively operated in varying combinations as necessary for the particular food item sought to be cooked. These radiation sources are ordinarily positioned above and below the food item. The walls of the surrounding food chamber are preferably made from highly reflective surfaces. The visible and infrared waves from the radiation sources impinge directly on the food item and are also reflected off the reflected surfaces and onto the food item from many angles. This reflecting action improves uniformity of cooking.
The intensity of radiant energy received by an object decreases with the increase in distance between the object and the radiant energy source. Despite the improved uniformity of cooking provided by the reflective interior surfaces of the oven, the areas of the food item that are positioned directly above or below the radiation sources receive more direct energy and therefore cook more quickly than their surrounding areas.
Figures 1A and 1B show an end view and a longitudinal side view, respectively, of a single linear radiation source 100 and further show the distributions of light intensity measured at the surface of a food item positioned underneath the radiation source. As shown in both figures, the regions of the food item which are positioned directly below the light source are exposed to the maximum intensity received by the food item, while the surrounding areas are exposed to significantly lower intensities.
Figure 2A shows a lamp configuration under which a food item 104 is cooked under an array of elongate radiation sources 100 that are shorter than the length of the food item and that are arranged in parallel.
The food item is cooked to the desired degree in the regions of the food item that are close to the lamps, designated by shading in Figure 2B. The unshaded regions remain uncooked or undercooked.
Rotating the food item relative to the stationary radiation sources also yields a non-uniformly cooked end product. Figure 3A shows a circular food surface 104, such as a pizza, positioned underneath a single radiation source 100a having a length 1. The radiation source is parallel to and shorter than diameter d of the pizza. Referring to Figure 3B, when the pizza is rotated about its center C, the radiation source cooks a circular regian AA having diameter equal to the length 1 of the radiation source 100a. Moreover, cooked portion AA is itself non-uniformly cooked: the regions that are closer to the center C spend more time under the radiation source and therefore are cooked more thoroughly than those regions that are further away from it.
As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, positioning a single source 100b parallel to a diameter d of the rotating pizza will cook only an annular path BB, leaving the remainder of the pizza uncooked. A similar pattern would be achieved using a pair of lamps positioned to one side of the diameter d, such as that illustrated in U.K Patent Application GB-A-2 152 790.
Combining the concepts described with respect to Figures 3B and 4B partially solves the problem of non-uniform cooking. Figure 5A shows five equally spaced radiation sources 100c, 100d, 100e fixed over a pizza 104 which is positioned on a rotating rack (not shown).
Lamps similarly positioned are described in U.S.
ASYMMETRICALLY PLACED RADIAN~I' EN~~RGY SOURCES
Field of the Invention This invention relates to tine field of radiant source ovens. More particularly, thi7 invention relates to ovens having a rotating ruck and. an array of linear radiation sources typically shorter than the transverse dimension of the cooking location and which are arranged to maximize uniform cooking c~f a food :itE~m.
Background of the Invention Ovens following the present invention and having linear sources of visible an~3 :infra-red radiant energy are disclosed and de scribed in. inter aria LJ. S. Patent No.
5,036,179. These ovens provide high-speed, high-quality cooking and baking of food items by impinging high-intensity visible, near-visible, ana infrared r<.~.diations onto a food item. The ovens cook the food items within the short periods of time normally found in microwave cooking while maintaining the browning cf Lnf::rarec~ c:ook.ing and the quality of conduction-convection cooking. When food is exposed to a sufficiently 216~4~ 2 intense source of visible, near-visible, and infrared radiation, the food absorbs low levels of visible and near-visible radiation, thereby allowing the energy to penetrate the foodstuff and heat it deeply. The longer infrared radiation does not penetrate deeply but acts as an effective browning agent.
Ordinarily, the source of the visible, near-visible and infrared radiation for this invention is in excess of two elongated quartz-halogen tungsten lamps, or equivalent means such as quartz arc lamps. Typical quartz-halogen lamps of this type operate at 3000 degrees Kelvin and convert electrical energy into black body radiation having a range of wavelengths from .4 ~m to 4.5 ~m with a peak intensity at .965 ~,m. Each lamp can generally provide about between 1.5 and 2 kW of radiant energy with a significant portion of the energy in the visible light spectrum.
The ovens can use a plurality of these lamps or an array of several lamps either operated in unison or selectively operated in varying combinations as necessary for the particular food item sought to be cooked. These radiation sources are ordinarily positioned above and below the food item. The walls of the surrounding food chamber are preferably made from highly reflective surfaces. The visible and infrared waves from the radiation sources impinge directly on the food item and are also reflected off the reflected surfaces and onto the food item from many angles. This reflecting action improves uniformity of cooking.
The intensity of radiant energy received by an object decreases with the increase in distance between the object and the radiant energy source. Despite the improved uniformity of cooking provided by the reflective interior surfaces of the oven, the areas of the food item that are positioned directly above or below the radiation sources receive more direct energy and therefore cook more quickly than their surrounding areas.
Figures 1A and 1B show an end view and a longitudinal side view, respectively, of a single linear radiation source 100 and further show the distributions of light intensity measured at the surface of a food item positioned underneath the radiation source. As shown in both figures, the regions of the food item which are positioned directly below the light source are exposed to the maximum intensity received by the food item, while the surrounding areas are exposed to significantly lower intensities.
Figure 2A shows a lamp configuration under which a food item 104 is cooked under an array of elongate radiation sources 100 that are shorter than the length of the food item and that are arranged in parallel.
The food item is cooked to the desired degree in the regions of the food item that are close to the lamps, designated by shading in Figure 2B. The unshaded regions remain uncooked or undercooked.
Rotating the food item relative to the stationary radiation sources also yields a non-uniformly cooked end product. Figure 3A shows a circular food surface 104, such as a pizza, positioned underneath a single radiation source 100a having a length 1. The radiation source is parallel to and shorter than diameter d of the pizza. Referring to Figure 3B, when the pizza is rotated about its center C, the radiation source cooks a circular regian AA having diameter equal to the length 1 of the radiation source 100a. Moreover, cooked portion AA is itself non-uniformly cooked: the regions that are closer to the center C spend more time under the radiation source and therefore are cooked more thoroughly than those regions that are further away from it.
As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, positioning a single source 100b parallel to a diameter d of the rotating pizza will cook only an annular path BB, leaving the remainder of the pizza uncooked. A similar pattern would be achieved using a pair of lamps positioned to one side of the diameter d, such as that illustrated in U.K Patent Application GB-A-2 152 790.
Combining the concepts described with respect to Figures 3B and 4B partially solves the problem of non-uniform cooking. Figure 5A shows five equally spaced radiation sources 100c, 100d, 100e fixed over a pizza 104 which is positioned on a rotating rack (not shown).
Lamps similarly positioned are described in U.S.
5,036,179. The sources are equal in length, and their length 1 is less than the diameter d of the pizza 104.
The center source 100c lies above the diameter of the pizza, and the outer radiation sources are positioned parallel to it.
When the pizza is rotated about the center C, the energy generated by radiation sources 100d and 100e creates partially cooked annular paths similar to region BB in Figure 4B. These paths are also exposed by the center source 100c, although their exposure time is minimal as explained with respect to Figure 3B.
Designing an oven having radiation sources that extend beyond the outer boundaries of the food location in the oven would allow uniform cooking of the food region even where the sources are arranged as in Figure SA. However, there are limits to the size of radiation sources that can be manufactured for use in ovens of the present type, making it often impractical to utilize radiation sources that are longer than the area of food sought to be cooked. To attempt to do so would unnecessarily limit the size of the food items which could be cooked using combined visible and infra-red radiation. A lamp configuration is therefore needed that will provide uniform cooking even where the size Substitute Sheet of the cooking surface exceeds the d:irnension of the lamps.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rot<~table 5 about an axis of rotation, the food sv.zppc:rt having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation; a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant enE:rgy :in the ~,ri.sible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that di:rec:~t:ly faces the radiation source at least at sc:~me poi.rut while the oven cooks a food item supported by the foad support; and the radiation source including an array of elongate first lamps each having an effective lengtr. w.~ric;h is s~vc>rter than the widest dimension of the cooking area arLd a lc:~ngitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps positianea facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between eac..h first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rc:atation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source r_hroughout the entire cooking az-ea for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
The invention also provides an .wen for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a f:aod support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food suppo t having a cooking area thereon which ha s a widest: dimens ion extend_Lng in. a ~~ a direction perpendicular_ to the axis of_ rotation; and a radiation source for directing radiant ernergy having a significant portion of the rad.iant~ energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the coc>kirg area is defined as any portion o:E the food support triat~ directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food sup~>ort , the radiation source comprising: an arz-ay of first. lamps, each fir:~t lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first. lamps, the first larnps facing the food support such that the perpendicular d~.stance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the long:itudina_~ axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps, wherein all of the first lamps are positioned to one side of the plane, and an array of ssecond lamps, each second lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal. axes of she other second lamps and to the plane, the second lamps facing t:he food support such that the perpendicular distance between each second lamp and the plane differ:> from that of the c:>ther second :Lamps, each of the first and second lamps having ~a.n effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area; wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source vhroughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
The invention further provides an oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, tLie food support having edges and a widest dimension d extension between the edges in a 5b direction perpendicular tca the axis o:C rotation; an array of elongate lamps for direct_ng radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L
of approximately 10/12d or greater, but less than d, each lamp further having a l.ongitud;:in.al ax:i_ ~ parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including; a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between t:he fa_xvst lamp and a p7_ane containing the axis of rotation and extending paralle7_ to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1/10L, a second .lamp positioned above t:he food support: such that the perpendicular distance betweE~n the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.5/10L, a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular di:~tance betwee=_n the t~ruiz-d lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.5/10L, a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp ar_d she plane is substantially equal to 3.5L, and a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal t:o 5.9/lUL; said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fiftYi lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side, and rotation means for rotating the food supporr_ about th.e axis of rotation.
The invention still provides an oven fear cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, tkze food support having edges and a widest dimension d extending between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation r; an array 5c of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energ~~ in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support., each lamp rwv:i.rug a filament length L
such that L/d is approximately k:>etween 10/12 and 1, but less than 1, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the .longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including; a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axa.s of rotation and extending parallf=1. to the longit:udina:C_ axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1.2 (L/d), a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.4(L/d); a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpend.icu:Lar ~:~i~~~t:ance k:~etween the third lamp and the plane is substantial k.y equa:i t: 0 6 . 6 (L/d) ; a fourth lamp positioned above the food support: such that the perpendicular distance between the .fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.2 (L/d?; a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp ar,~d the p-Lane is substantially equal to 7 . 08 (L/d) ; said first , second arud t:hi r"d lamps being located on one side of the plarue and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side; and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
From another aspect, the invention provides a method of cooking a food item positioned on a food support having an axis of rotation and a cooking area thereon with a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the me t: hod corcvpr-i sing the steps of 5d directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible arod near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food item positioned on the cooking area; ir~ir_~.aiting said radiant energy from a plurality of spaced apa2:~t lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to a plane c~onta:~.ning trw: axis of :rotation of the food support, the Lamps spaced different distances from said plane and having ef fe~ct ive leng~:h s which are shorter than the widest dimension of the c.oak_~ng area, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of true pluralit?y of spaced apart lamps at least at some point wh~~.le the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and rotating the food support about the axis ~:~f rotat.ic,~ri, where:Ln the food support receives a desired. amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout thE:. entire cooking area for uniform cooking.
Description of the Drawings Figures 1A and 1B are an erld view and a side view respectively, of a lamp and with its associated intensity distribution measured at the surface of a food item positioned underneath the lamp.
Figures 2A through 5F3 are schematic representations showing' four different lamp arrays and the regions of a food item that rare ~aoked. by each of the respective arrays.
Figure 6 is a fronts section view of an oven according to the present invention.
5e Figure7 is a side section view of a preferred embodiment of an oven according to the pzesent invention.
Figures 8A, 8B, and ~C are a perspective view, a top plan view, and a side elevational view, respectively, showing the preferred means fo:r rotat.::i.ng the rack of t:he present invention.
The center source 100c lies above the diameter of the pizza, and the outer radiation sources are positioned parallel to it.
When the pizza is rotated about the center C, the energy generated by radiation sources 100d and 100e creates partially cooked annular paths similar to region BB in Figure 4B. These paths are also exposed by the center source 100c, although their exposure time is minimal as explained with respect to Figure 3B.
Designing an oven having radiation sources that extend beyond the outer boundaries of the food location in the oven would allow uniform cooking of the food region even where the sources are arranged as in Figure SA. However, there are limits to the size of radiation sources that can be manufactured for use in ovens of the present type, making it often impractical to utilize radiation sources that are longer than the area of food sought to be cooked. To attempt to do so would unnecessarily limit the size of the food items which could be cooked using combined visible and infra-red radiation. A lamp configuration is therefore needed that will provide uniform cooking even where the size Substitute Sheet of the cooking surface exceeds the d:irnension of the lamps.
Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rot<~table 5 about an axis of rotation, the food sv.zppc:rt having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation; a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant enE:rgy :in the ~,ri.sible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that di:rec:~t:ly faces the radiation source at least at sc:~me poi.rut while the oven cooks a food item supported by the foad support; and the radiation source including an array of elongate first lamps each having an effective lengtr. w.~ric;h is s~vc>rter than the widest dimension of the cooking area arLd a lc:~ngitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps positianea facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between eac..h first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rc:atation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source r_hroughout the entire cooking az-ea for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
The invention also provides an .wen for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a f:aod support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food suppo t having a cooking area thereon which ha s a widest: dimens ion extend_Lng in. a ~~ a direction perpendicular_ to the axis of_ rotation; and a radiation source for directing radiant ernergy having a significant portion of the rad.iant~ energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the coc>kirg area is defined as any portion o:E the food support triat~ directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food sup~>ort , the radiation source comprising: an arz-ay of first. lamps, each fir:~t lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first. lamps, the first larnps facing the food support such that the perpendicular d~.stance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the long:itudina_~ axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps, wherein all of the first lamps are positioned to one side of the plane, and an array of ssecond lamps, each second lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal. axes of she other second lamps and to the plane, the second lamps facing t:he food support such that the perpendicular distance between each second lamp and the plane differ:> from that of the c:>ther second :Lamps, each of the first and second lamps having ~a.n effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area; wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source vhroughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
The invention further provides an oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, tLie food support having edges and a widest dimension d extension between the edges in a 5b direction perpendicular tca the axis o:C rotation; an array of elongate lamps for direct_ng radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L
of approximately 10/12d or greater, but less than d, each lamp further having a l.ongitud;:in.al ax:i_ ~ parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including; a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between t:he fa_xvst lamp and a p7_ane containing the axis of rotation and extending paralle7_ to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1/10L, a second .lamp positioned above t:he food support: such that the perpendicular distance betweE~n the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.5/10L, a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular di:~tance betwee=_n the t~ruiz-d lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.5/10L, a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp ar_d she plane is substantially equal to 3.5L, and a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal t:o 5.9/lUL; said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fiftYi lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side, and rotation means for rotating the food supporr_ about th.e axis of rotation.
The invention still provides an oven fear cooking a food item, the oven comprising: a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, tkze food support having edges and a widest dimension d extending between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation r; an array 5c of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energ~~ in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support., each lamp rwv:i.rug a filament length L
such that L/d is approximately k:>etween 10/12 and 1, but less than 1, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the .longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including; a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axa.s of rotation and extending parallf=1. to the longit:udina:C_ axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1.2 (L/d), a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.4(L/d); a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpend.icu:Lar ~:~i~~~t:ance k:~etween the third lamp and the plane is substantial k.y equa:i t: 0 6 . 6 (L/d) ; a fourth lamp positioned above the food support: such that the perpendicular distance between the .fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.2 (L/d?; a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp ar,~d the p-Lane is substantially equal to 7 . 08 (L/d) ; said first , second arud t:hi r"d lamps being located on one side of the plarue and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side; and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
From another aspect, the invention provides a method of cooking a food item positioned on a food support having an axis of rotation and a cooking area thereon with a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the me t: hod corcvpr-i sing the steps of 5d directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible arod near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food item positioned on the cooking area; ir~ir_~.aiting said radiant energy from a plurality of spaced apa2:~t lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to a plane c~onta:~.ning trw: axis of :rotation of the food support, the Lamps spaced different distances from said plane and having ef fe~ct ive leng~:h s which are shorter than the widest dimension of the c.oak_~ng area, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of true pluralit?y of spaced apart lamps at least at some point wh~~.le the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and rotating the food support about the axis ~:~f rotat.ic,~ri, where:Ln the food support receives a desired. amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout thE:. entire cooking area for uniform cooking.
Description of the Drawings Figures 1A and 1B are an erld view and a side view respectively, of a lamp and with its associated intensity distribution measured at the surface of a food item positioned underneath the lamp.
Figures 2A through 5F3 are schematic representations showing' four different lamp arrays and the regions of a food item that rare ~aoked. by each of the respective arrays.
Figure 6 is a fronts section view of an oven according to the present invention.
5e Figure7 is a side section view of a preferred embodiment of an oven according to the pzesent invention.
Figures 8A, 8B, and ~C are a perspective view, a top plan view, and a side elevational view, respectively, showing the preferred means fo:r rotat.::i.ng the rack of t:he present invention.
Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the preferred lamp configuration according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention The present. invention is comprised generally of an oven 10, a rotating circular rack 31, and upper and lower arrays 18, 16 of radiant energy sources, or r.
lamps.
Figure 6 is a front section view of the oven.
The energy for cooking is supplied by lower heating lamps 16 and upper radiation heating lamps 18. The lamps are preferably quartz-halogen tungsten lamps which are capable of producing approximately 2 kW of radiant energy with a significant portion of the light energy in the visible light spectrum. When illuminated, the lighted portion of a preferred lamp has a length of approximately 25.4 cm (10 inches).
The inner surface of the inner wall 12 is preferably a highly polished metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, which is very reflective to the wide spectrum of wavelengths from the radiant lamps.
The oven has a door 40 (Figure 7) which also has a reflective inner surface.
Two radiation transparent plates 20 and 24 are used to isolate the cooking chamber from the radiant lamps, making the oven easier to clean. These plates can be formed from materials, such as high quality heat-resistant glasses and ceramics that are transparent to visible, non-visible and infrared radiations. The lower transparent plate 20 i.s supported by brackets 22a and 22b and is positioned above the lower lamps 16. The upper transparent plate 24 is supported by brackets 26a and 26b and is positioned below upper lamps 18.
Shelf 28 is mounted between the transparent plates inside the oven chamber. As shown in Figure Substitute Sheet 8A, the shelf 28 has a circular cut out portion 27 which is lined at its perimeter by a track 29. A
circular rack 31, comprised of a grid of small diameter metallic bars 33, rests loosely on the track S 29 as shown in Figure 8B. During use, a heat-resistant glass dish which holds the food is placed on top of the rack for cooking. The rack has a diameter of preferably 30.48 - 35.56 cm (12 to 14 inches) and is capable of rotating around an axis of rotation, designated r. Rollers 35 are positioned such that when one of them is rotated by a motor (not shown), they engage with the perimeter portion of the rack, causing the rack to rotate within the track 29.
Figure 7 shows a side section of the preferred _ oven according to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, there are 5 lower lamps 16a through 16e and 5 upper lamps 18a though 18e. By appropriately selecting the lateral spacing between the lamps relative to the food, even cooking can be achieved over the entire surface. This is accomplished by rotating the food item using the rack 31 and by arranging the lamps such that during the cooking cycle all regions of the food surface receive equivalent amounts of energy from the lamps. As described above, this requires arranging the lamps such that all regions of the food surface are positioned directly underneath a lamp for substantially equivalent periods of time.
This desired result is most readily accomplished by positioning the lamps asymmetrically with respect to the midline m of the lamp array. Asymmetry is achieved by positioning unequal numbers of lamps on either side of the midline, and/or by positioning the lamps at unequal distances from the midline such that the lamp arrangements on either side of the midline are not ~~mirror images~~ of one another.
Substitute Sheet _8_ Alternatively, an equal number of equally spaced lamps may be positioned on either side of the midline, and asymmetrical configurations of lamps may be selectively illuminated depending on the size and of the food item sought to be cooked and its ability to absorb visible light. Because different food types will be capable of absorbing different amounts of energy, a configuration of this type would be particularly helpful when, for example, a dish containing various foods is positioned on the rack for cooking.
A top view of the preferred lamp array is shown in Figure 9. In the preferred oven, the lamps in the upper and lower arrays are identically arranged. _ Positioning of the lamps will be described with respect to a midline m which bisects the array and which intersects the axis of rotation r (Figures 5 and 7) of the rack 31. Three of the lamps, 18a, 18b, and 18c, are positioned on one side of the midline 2G and are respectively 13.97 cm (5.5 inches), 11.43 cm (4.5 inches) and 2.54 cm (1 inch) from the midline.
The remaining two lamps, 18d, 18e, are positioned on the opposite side of the midline and are positioned 8.89 cm (3.5 inches) and 14.49 cm (5.9 inches) from the midline, respectively. The lamps are positioned approximately 7.62 cm (3 inches) above the rack 31.
The lateral positions of the lamps from the midline can be varied plus or minus .32 cm (one-eighth inch) from their stated positions while still maintaining substantially uniform radiation across the food location.
In the embodiment of Figure 7 the positions of the lower lamps 16a-16e are the same as the upper lamps 18a-18e but obviously the position of one of these two sets can be reversed with respect to the other.
Substitute Sheet _g_ To use the oven of the present invention, the food item sought to be cooked is positioned on the rack 31 and the door 4n is closed. The motor is switched on, causing the roller to engage and rotate the rack. The lamps are illuminated for a predetermined cooking time, causing the food item to cook uniformly.
The present invention is described in relation to the preferred embodiment but is limited only in terms of the language of the appended claims.
Detailed Description of the Invention The present. invention is comprised generally of an oven 10, a rotating circular rack 31, and upper and lower arrays 18, 16 of radiant energy sources, or r.
lamps.
Figure 6 is a front section view of the oven.
The energy for cooking is supplied by lower heating lamps 16 and upper radiation heating lamps 18. The lamps are preferably quartz-halogen tungsten lamps which are capable of producing approximately 2 kW of radiant energy with a significant portion of the light energy in the visible light spectrum. When illuminated, the lighted portion of a preferred lamp has a length of approximately 25.4 cm (10 inches).
The inner surface of the inner wall 12 is preferably a highly polished metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel, which is very reflective to the wide spectrum of wavelengths from the radiant lamps.
The oven has a door 40 (Figure 7) which also has a reflective inner surface.
Two radiation transparent plates 20 and 24 are used to isolate the cooking chamber from the radiant lamps, making the oven easier to clean. These plates can be formed from materials, such as high quality heat-resistant glasses and ceramics that are transparent to visible, non-visible and infrared radiations. The lower transparent plate 20 i.s supported by brackets 22a and 22b and is positioned above the lower lamps 16. The upper transparent plate 24 is supported by brackets 26a and 26b and is positioned below upper lamps 18.
Shelf 28 is mounted between the transparent plates inside the oven chamber. As shown in Figure Substitute Sheet 8A, the shelf 28 has a circular cut out portion 27 which is lined at its perimeter by a track 29. A
circular rack 31, comprised of a grid of small diameter metallic bars 33, rests loosely on the track S 29 as shown in Figure 8B. During use, a heat-resistant glass dish which holds the food is placed on top of the rack for cooking. The rack has a diameter of preferably 30.48 - 35.56 cm (12 to 14 inches) and is capable of rotating around an axis of rotation, designated r. Rollers 35 are positioned such that when one of them is rotated by a motor (not shown), they engage with the perimeter portion of the rack, causing the rack to rotate within the track 29.
Figure 7 shows a side section of the preferred _ oven according to the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, there are 5 lower lamps 16a through 16e and 5 upper lamps 18a though 18e. By appropriately selecting the lateral spacing between the lamps relative to the food, even cooking can be achieved over the entire surface. This is accomplished by rotating the food item using the rack 31 and by arranging the lamps such that during the cooking cycle all regions of the food surface receive equivalent amounts of energy from the lamps. As described above, this requires arranging the lamps such that all regions of the food surface are positioned directly underneath a lamp for substantially equivalent periods of time.
This desired result is most readily accomplished by positioning the lamps asymmetrically with respect to the midline m of the lamp array. Asymmetry is achieved by positioning unequal numbers of lamps on either side of the midline, and/or by positioning the lamps at unequal distances from the midline such that the lamp arrangements on either side of the midline are not ~~mirror images~~ of one another.
Substitute Sheet _8_ Alternatively, an equal number of equally spaced lamps may be positioned on either side of the midline, and asymmetrical configurations of lamps may be selectively illuminated depending on the size and of the food item sought to be cooked and its ability to absorb visible light. Because different food types will be capable of absorbing different amounts of energy, a configuration of this type would be particularly helpful when, for example, a dish containing various foods is positioned on the rack for cooking.
A top view of the preferred lamp array is shown in Figure 9. In the preferred oven, the lamps in the upper and lower arrays are identically arranged. _ Positioning of the lamps will be described with respect to a midline m which bisects the array and which intersects the axis of rotation r (Figures 5 and 7) of the rack 31. Three of the lamps, 18a, 18b, and 18c, are positioned on one side of the midline 2G and are respectively 13.97 cm (5.5 inches), 11.43 cm (4.5 inches) and 2.54 cm (1 inch) from the midline.
The remaining two lamps, 18d, 18e, are positioned on the opposite side of the midline and are positioned 8.89 cm (3.5 inches) and 14.49 cm (5.9 inches) from the midline, respectively. The lamps are positioned approximately 7.62 cm (3 inches) above the rack 31.
The lateral positions of the lamps from the midline can be varied plus or minus .32 cm (one-eighth inch) from their stated positions while still maintaining substantially uniform radiation across the food location.
In the embodiment of Figure 7 the positions of the lower lamps 16a-16e are the same as the upper lamps 18a-18e but obviously the position of one of these two sets can be reversed with respect to the other.
Substitute Sheet _g_ To use the oven of the present invention, the food item sought to be cooked is positioned on the rack 31 and the door 4n is closed. The motor is switched on, causing the roller to engage and rotate the rack. The lamps are illuminated for a predetermined cooking time, causing the food item to cook uniformly.
The present invention is described in relation to the preferred embodiment but is limited only in terms of the language of the appended claims.
Claims (12)
1. An oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising:
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and the radiation source including an array of elongate first lamps each having an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area and a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps positioned facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and the radiation source including an array of elongate first lamps each having an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area and a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps positioned facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
2. The oven of claim 1 wherein the first lamps are positioned above the food support and wherein the radiation source further comprises an array of second lamps each having an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area and a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other second lamps and to the plane, the second lamps positioned below the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each second lamp and the plane differs from the distance between the plane and the other second lamps.
3. An oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising:
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support, the radiation source comprising:
an array of first lamps, each first lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps, wherein all of the first lamps are positioned to one side of the plane, and an array of second lamps, each second lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other second lamps and to the plane, the second lamps facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each second lamp and the plane differs from that of the other second lamps, each of the first and second lamps having an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having a cooking area thereon which has a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation; and a radiation source for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces the radiation source at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support, the radiation source comprising:
an array of first lamps, each first lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other first lamps, the first lamps facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the first lamps differs from the distance between the plane and the other first lamps, wherein all of the first lamps are positioned to one side of the plane, and an array of second lamps, each second lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other second lamps and to the plane, the second lamps facing the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each second lamp and the plane differs from that of the other second lamps, each of the first and second lamps having an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area;
wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking when the food support is rotated.
4. The oven of claim 3, wherein all of the first lamps are positioned to one side of the plane, and wherein all of the second lamps are positioned to a side of the plane opposite to the side on which the first lamps are located.
5. The oven of claim 3 wherein the array of first lamps includes at least one more lamp than the array of second lamps.
6. The oven of claim 3, wherein the first lamps are positioned above the food support and the second lamps are positioned below the food support.
7. The oven of claim 6 wherein the radiation source further comprises;
an array of third lamps, each third lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane, the third lamps positioned below the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each third lamp and the plane differs from that of the other third lamps, wherein all of the third lamps are positioned on the same side of the plane as the first lamps, and an array of fourth lamps, each fourth lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane, the fourth lamps positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each fourth lamp and the plane differs from that of the other fourth lamps, wherein all of the fourth lamps are positioned on the same side of the plane as the second lamps, and wherein each third and fourth lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area.
an array of third lamps, each third lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane, the third lamps positioned below the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each third lamp and the plane differs from that of the other third lamps, wherein all of the third lamps are positioned on the same side of the plane as the first lamps, and an array of fourth lamps, each fourth lamp having a longitudinal axis parallel to the plane, the fourth lamps positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between each fourth lamp and the plane differs from that of the other fourth lamps, wherein all of the fourth lamps are positioned on the same side of the plane as the second lamps, and wherein each third and fourth lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area.
8. A method of cooking a food item positioned on a food support having an axis of rotation and a cooking area thereon with a widest dimension extending in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, the method comprising the steps of:
directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food item positioned on the cooking area;
initiating said radiant energy from a plurality of spaced apart lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to a plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the lamps spaced different distances from said plane and having effective lengths which are shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the plurality of spaced apart lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and rotating the food support about the axis of rotation, wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking.
directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food item positioned on the cooking area;
initiating said radiant energy from a plurality of spaced apart lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to a plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the lamps spaced different distances from said plane and having effective lengths which are shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, wherein the cooking area is defined as any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the plurality of spaced apart lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support; and rotating the food support about the axis of rotation, wherein the food support receives a desired amount of radiant energy from the radiation source throughout the entire cooking area for uniform cooking.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the initiating step includes the steps of:
initiating a first portion of said radiant energy from a first array of a number N of spaced apart first lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the first lamps positioned on one side of the plane and spaced different distances from said plane; and initiating a second portion of said radiant energy from a second array of a number more than N of spaced apart second lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the second lamps spaced different distances from said plane, all of the second lamps positioned to a side of the plane opposite to the side on which the first lamps are located, wherein each first and second lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, and wherein the cooking area includes any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the first and second lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support.
initiating a first portion of said radiant energy from a first array of a number N of spaced apart first lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the first lamps positioned on one side of the plane and spaced different distances from said plane; and initiating a second portion of said radiant energy from a second array of a number more than N of spaced apart second lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the second lamps spaced different distances from said plane, all of the second lamps positioned to a side of the plane opposite to the side on which the first lamps are located, wherein each first and second lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, and wherein the cooking area includes any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the first and second lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support.
10. The method of claim 8 wherein the initiating step includes the steps of:
initiating a first portion of said radiant energy from a first array of a number N of spaced apart first lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the first lamps positioned above the food support and spaced different distances from said plane; and initiating a second portion of said radiant energy from a second array of a number more than N of spaced apart second lamps positioned below the food support, the second lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the second lamps spaced different distances from said plane, wherein each first and second lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, and wherein the cooking area includes any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the of the first and second lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support.
initiating a first portion of said radiant energy from a first array of a number N of spaced apart first lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the first lamps positioned above the food support and spaced different distances from said plane; and initiating a second portion of said radiant energy from a second array of a number more than N of spaced apart second lamps positioned below the food support, the second lamps having substantially parallel longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes parallel to the plane containing the axis of rotation of the food support, the second lamps spaced different distances from said plane, wherein each first and second lamp has an effective length which is shorter than the widest dimension of the cooking area, and wherein the cooking area includes any portion of the food support that directly faces at least one of the of the first and second lamps at least at some point while the oven cooks a food item supported by the food support.
11. An oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising:
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having edges and a widest dimension d extension between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
an array of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L of approximately 10/12d or greater, but less than d, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including;
a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1/10L, a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.5/10L, a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the third lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.5/10L, a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 3.5L, and a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.9/10L;
said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side, and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having edges and a widest dimension d extension between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation;
an array of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L of approximately 10/12d or greater, but less than d, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including;
a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1/10L, a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.5/10L, a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the third lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.5/10L, a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 3.5L, and a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.9/10L;
said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side, and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
12. An oven for cooking a food item, the oven comprising:
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having edges and a widest dimension d extending between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation r;
an array of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L such that L/d is approximately between 10/12 and 1, but less than 1, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including;
a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1.2 (L/d), a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.4 (L/d);
a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the third lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 6.6 (L/d);
a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.2 (L/d);
a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 7.08 (L/d);
said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side; and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
a food support rotatable about an axis of rotation, the food support having edges and a widest dimension d extending between the edges in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation r;
an array of elongate lamps for directing radiant energy having a significant portion of the radiant energy in the visible and near visible light range of the electromagnetic spectrum onto the food support, each lamp having a filament length L such that L/d is approximately between 10/12 and 1, but less than 1, each lamp further having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axes of the other lamps, the array including;
a first lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the first lamp and a plane containing the axis of rotation and extending parallel to the longitudinal axes of the lamps is substantially equal to 1.2 (L/d), a second lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the second lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 5.4 (L/d);
a third lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the third lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 6.6 (L/d);
a fourth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 4.2 (L/d);
a fifth lamp positioned above the food support such that the perpendicular distance between the fourth lamp and the plane is substantially equal to 7.08 (L/d);
said first, second and third lamps being located on one side of the plane and said fourth and fifth lamps being located on the side of the plane opposite said one side; and rotation means for rotating the food support about the axis of rotation.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US6580293A | 1993-05-21 | 1993-05-21 | |
| US08/065,802 | 1993-05-21 | ||
| PCT/US1994/005753 WO1994028692A1 (en) | 1993-05-21 | 1994-05-20 | Apparatus and method for uniformly cooking food with asymmetrically placed radiant energy sources |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2163442A1 CA2163442A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
| CA2163442C true CA2163442C (en) | 2003-07-29 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002163442A Expired - Lifetime CA2163442C (en) | 1993-05-21 | 1994-05-20 | Apparatus and method for uniformly cooking food with asymmetrically placed radiant energy sources |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0699373B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3488238B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR960702725A (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE260536T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU682876B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2163442C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69433574T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1994028692A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR100307354B1 (en) * | 1998-07-29 | 2002-07-03 | 구자홍 | Microwave oven with halogen lamp |
| US6125740A (en) | 1999-03-12 | 2000-10-03 | National Presto Industries, Inc. | Rotatable cooking apparatus |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2152790B (en) * | 1983-12-02 | 1986-11-05 | Thorn Emi Domestic Appliances | Additional heating in microwave ovens |
| GB2180637B (en) * | 1985-09-18 | 1989-10-18 | Thorn Emi Appliances | A grilling arrangement |
| GB8530477D0 (en) * | 1985-12-11 | 1986-01-22 | Thorn Emi Appliances | Microwave ovens |
| IT214034Z2 (en) * | 1988-03-11 | 1990-03-05 | Alga Di Giudici Angelamaria & | OVEN FOR COOKING VIVANDE WITH HALOGEN LAMPS. |
| US5036179A (en) * | 1988-05-19 | 1991-07-30 | Quadlux, Inc. | Visible light and infra-red cooking apparatus |
| JPH0623844Y2 (en) * | 1989-05-19 | 1994-06-22 | リンナイ株式会社 | Firing chamber |
| WO1993003310A1 (en) * | 1991-07-30 | 1993-02-18 | Quadlux, Inc. | Cooking apparatus using electron and molecular excitation mode |
-
1994
- 1994-05-20 JP JP50085495A patent/JP3488238B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-05-20 DE DE69433574T patent/DE69433574T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-05-20 AT AT94917464T patent/ATE260536T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-05-20 KR KR1019950705190A patent/KR960702725A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-05-20 AU AU69177/94A patent/AU682876B2/en not_active Expired
- 1994-05-20 WO PCT/US1994/005753 patent/WO1994028692A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1994-05-20 EP EP94917464A patent/EP0699373B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-05-20 CA CA002163442A patent/CA2163442C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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| EP0699373A1 (en) | 1996-03-06 |
| ATE260536T1 (en) | 2004-03-15 |
| JPH08511084A (en) | 1996-11-19 |
| JP3488238B2 (en) | 2004-01-19 |
| AU6917794A (en) | 1994-12-20 |
| AU682876B2 (en) | 1997-10-23 |
| KR960702725A (en) | 1996-04-27 |
| WO1994028692A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
| EP0699373B1 (en) | 2004-02-25 |
| DE69433574D1 (en) | 2004-04-01 |
| CA2163442A1 (en) | 1994-12-08 |
| DE69433574T2 (en) | 2005-03-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20140520 |