CN211022175U - Multifunctional cooking utensil - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-functional cookware is disclosed herein that may include a drum-shaped main chamber. The drum-shaped main chamber may include an upper opening at a top of the main chamber and a bottom opening at a bottom of the main chamber, wherein the bottom opening may be smaller than a bottom surface of the main chamber. The bottom opening may allow heat from a heat source to pass through, and a plurality of vent holes may be formed as a plurality of holes in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber below an upper edge of the main chamber. The multi-function cooker may also include an inner cooking vessel that may be configured to contain food and removably received in the drum-shaped main chamber, and a lid that may or may not be positioned over the upper opening.

Description

Multifunctional cooking utensil

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a cooker, and more particularly, to a cooking apparatus capable of being used indoors and outdoors as a cooking pot, a steamer, a grill, and a flatbottom pot.

Background

In the past decades, people's eating habits have changed greatly, and more people select convenience foods and microwave foods. Many people prefer to use time-saving kitchen appliances to cook food. In addition, kitchens in modern apartments are becoming smaller and smaller, often without sufficient space to accommodate microwave ovens, frying pans, toaster ovens, grills, steamers, slow stews, rice cookers, and the like.

Many attempts have been made to combine these cookware. For example, one invention, US6274847, combines a toaster and a slow cooker; another invention, US7530302, discloses a multifunctional cooking appliance with interchangeable functions. However, most of the kitchenware is electric cooking equipment, and electric power is needed for heating, so that some defects can exist. For example, the electric cooking apparatus cannot present the real flavor of food as compared with the conventional oven cooking or charcoal fire cooking. In addition, most of these electric cooking apparatuses can be used only indoors due to the need for electric power to operate.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a multi-functional cookware that allows a user to perform different cooking processes, such as frying, boiling, steaming, baking, roasting, grilling, etc., both indoors and outdoors, while ensuring that the food is consistent with the quality and freshness of the food made by traditional cooking methods and takes up less space than the multiple kitchen utensils or cookware needed to perform all of the above cooking processes.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the disclosure, and is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the subject matter or to delineate the scope of the claimed invention. The appropriate scope of the disclosure can be determined from the claims, with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments, a multifunctional cooker of the present disclosure may include a main chamber. The main chamber may include an upper opening at a top of the main chamber and a bottom opening at a bottom of the main chamber, wherein the bottom opening is smaller than a bottom surface of the main chamber. The bottom opening allows heat from a heat source to pass through, and a plurality of vent holes may be formed as a plurality of holes in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber below an upper edge of the main chamber. The multifunctional cooker may further include an internal cooking device configured to receive food, the internal cooking device being removably received in the main compartment, and a lid selectively placed over the upper opening.

According to one embodiment, the inner cooking device may be a cooking pan having an outer lip integrally connected to an upper edge of the cooking pan, the outer lip being sized and shaped so that the outer lip is positioned above an upper edge of the main chamber to provide a seal between the outer lip and the upper edge of the main chamber.

According to one embodiment, the outer surface of the cooking pot and the inner surface of the main chamber define an enclosure that allows the heat from the heat source to pass around the entire outer surface of the cooking pot. According to some embodiments, the heat enters the housing from the bottom opening and exits the housing through the plurality of vent holes.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the multi-function cooker may further comprise a steam cooking basket comprising a perforated bottom, the steam cooking basket being sized and shaped to be received in the cooking pot. The multi-function cooker may further comprise a support member configured to hold the steam cooking basket within the cooking pot such that a distance is created between a bottom surface of the perforated bottom of the steam cooking basket and a top surface of the cooking pot bottom.

According to one embodiment, the steam cooking basket may include a lip extending from a top periphery thereof, the lip being sized and shaped to fit snugly within the cooking pan.

According to one embodiment, the plurality of holes further comprise a corresponding plurality of fins bent inward from upper edges thereof forming a flange on an inner peripheral portion of the main chamber.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the internal cooking device may include a removable heat diffuser having a dome-shaped central region configured to substantially cover the bottom opening. The dome-shaped central region may include at least one opening covered by at least one respective flap. The internal cooking device may further include a removable grill sized and shaped to fit snugly within the main compartment against the flange. According to another embodiment, the domed central region terminates at a periphery of the domed central region and has an extended ring.

According to one embodiment, the removable heat spreader may be smaller than a bottom surface of the main chamber. According to one embodiment, the dome-shaped central region may comprise a plurality of openings covered by a plurality of respective flaps.

According to one or more embodiments, the main chamber is located on the heat source such that the bottom opening is located above the heat source. The heat source may be a gas burner, an electric burner, and a hot char bed.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a cooking method that may include providing a main cooking chamber. The main cooking chamber may include an upper opening at a top of the main chamber, a bottom opening at a bottom of the main chamber, the bottom opening being smaller than a bottom surface of the main chamber, the bottom opening being positioned above the heat source so that heat from the heat source passes through, and a plurality of vent holes may be formed below an upper edge of the main chamber as a plurality of holes in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber. The cooking method may further include positioning the main cooking chamber above a heat source such that the bottom opening surrounds the heat source, removably receiving an inner cooking device within the main cooking chamber, positioning a portion of uncooked food within the inner cooking device, and selectively positioning a lid over the upper opening.

Drawings

The drawings depict one or more embodiments in accordance with the present teachings by way of example only and not by way of limitation. In the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

FIG. 1A shows an exploded view of a multi-function cooker according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-function cooker according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows an exploded view of a multi-function cooker according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the multi-function cooker according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a multi-function cooker according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a multi-function cooker in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of a cooking method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings in connection with the exemplary embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that the present teachings may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuits have been described in relative general, rather than in detail, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

The following detailed description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and apparatus disclosed in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the exemplary embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein relate to a multi-functional cookware that can perform different cooking processes, such as most range cooking or charcoal cooking modalities, including but not limited to grilling, steaming, frying, baking, etc., indoors and outdoors using a simple and easy-to-use structure. The disclosed apparatus may include a main cooking chamber that includes a bottom opening that may be positioned above a burner or hot char bed of the oven to form a cooking chamber that may receive an interchangeable inner cooking tool and container, and to allow heat generated from the oven burner or hot char to be distributed evenly and efficiently around the entire outer surface of the inner cooking tool and container through the bottom opening while preventing heat loss. The efficient and uniform distribution of heat to the inner cooking tool and the outer surface of the container allows for adequate cooking of the food.

Fig. 1A shows an exploded view of a multi-function cooker 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the multifunction cooker 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the multi-functional cooker 100 may include a main chamber 102, which may be a drum-shaped chamber, a hyperbolic shaped chamber, or other possible shapes. The main chamber 102 may include an upper opening at the top of the main chamber 102 and a bottom opening 108 at the bottom of the main chamber 102. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the bottom opening 108 may be circular and have a surface smaller than the bottom surface of the main chamber 102. In some embodiments, the main chamber 102 may be located on a heat source 112, such as a burner 114 or a hot char bed (not explicitly shown in fig. 1B), and the bottom opening 108 may allow heat from the heat source 112 to enter the interior cavity of the main chamber 102. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottom opening 108 is sized and shaped to surround a burner of the furnace, such as burner 114.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the main chamber 102 may also include a plurality of holes 116 in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber 102 below an upper edge of the main chamber 102, in accordance with one or more embodiments. According to one or more embodiments, the aperture 116 may function as a vent that, when selectively closed, may be used to control the temperature of the interior chamber of the main chamber 102. The holes 116 allow excess heat to be removed from the interior of the main chamber 102 to ensure safety and control of the average temperature of the interior of the main chamber 102.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the multi-function cooker 100 may also include an internal cooking device 104 that may be configured to hold food in accordance with one or more embodiments. According to one embodiment, the internal cooking device 104 is removably received in the main chamber 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal cooking device 104 may include a cooking pot 118 that may be used to cook different types of food, such as rice, cooked dishes, stews, and the like. In one embodiment, cooking pot 118 may include an outer lip integrally connected to an upper edge of cooking pot 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the outer lip 120 is sized and shaped such that the outer lip 120 is positioned above an upper edge of the main chamber 102 to provide a seal between the outer lip 120 and the upper edge of the main chamber 102. In an exemplary embodiment, when the cooking pot 118 is received in the main chamber 102 as described above, heat may surround the cooking pot 118 through the inner cavity of the main chamber 102, covering substantially the entire outer surface of the cooking pot 118, and excess heat may be exhausted from the apertures 116.

As shown in fig. 1A, according to one or more embodiments, cooking pot 118 may be formed by upper rim 122 of cooking pot 118 extending downward to form an annular wall having a predetermined height. Cooking pot 118 may have different preset heights depending on different cooking purposes. For example, for baking and frying, the preset height is low; when the height-adjustable food stewing device is used for stewing dishes and cooking food, the preset height is higher.

As shown in fig. 1A and 1B, the multi-function cooker 100 may further include a lid 106 that may be selectively placed over and cover the upper opening of the cooking pot 118, according to one or more embodiments. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the lid 106 may have a dome-shaped central region 124, which may terminate at the periphery of the lid 106, and a rim 126, which may coincide with the rim 122 of the cooking pot 118. According to an exemplary embodiment, the lid 106 may include an outer lid lip 128 that may be coupled to an inner concave lid portion 130. The concave lid portion 130 may be formed as a very short cylinder sized and shaped to fit within the upper opening of the cooking pot 118, while the outer lid lip 128 meets the outer lip 120 of the cooking pot 118.

Fig. 2A shows an exploded view of the multifunction cooker 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the multifunctional cooker 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, in an exemplary embodiment, the inner cooking device 104 may also include a steam cooking basket 132 sized and shaped to be received in the cooking pot 118. Steam cooking basket 132 may include a perforated bottom 134 to allow steam to pass through steam cooking basket 132. According to an exemplary embodiment, the perforated bottom 134 may include at least one aperture that allows steam to pass through. According to another exemplary embodiment, the perforated bottom 134 may include a plurality of holes formed therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the height of the steam cooking basket 132 may be lower than a preset height of the cooking pot 118. In an exemplary embodiment, the steam cooking basket 132 may further include a lip 136 that may extend from a top perimeter of the steam cooking basket 132. The lip 136 is sized and shaped such that the perimeter of the lip 136 is spaced from the inner surface of the cooking pot 132, allowing steam to pass through the steam cooking basket and the perforated bottom 134.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, according to an exemplary embodiment, inner cooking device 104 may further include a support member 138 configured to retain steam cooking basket 132 within cooking pot 118 and create a distance between a bottom surface 140 of the perforated bottom of steam cooking basket 132 and a top surface 142 of the bottom of cooking pot 118. The area formed by the support members 138 between the bottom surface 140 of the perforated bottom 134 of the steam cooking basket 132 and the top surface 142 of the bottom of the cooking pot 118 may serve as a water reservoir. The water in the reservoir may be heated to generate steam for cooking the food in the steam cooking basket 132. The support members 138 may be configured to hold the steam cooking basket 132 above water in a reservoir at the bottom of the cooking pot 118 such that the bottom surface 140 of the perforated bottom 134 of the steam cooking basket 132 remains above the water surface.

As shown in fig. 2A, in one exemplary embodiment, the support member 138 may be a bar 144 that is curved in three corners 146, 148, and 150, such that a top view thereof is triangular. The corners 146 and 150 of the support member 138 may be bent downwardly to form three substantially vertical legs 152, 154 and 156.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, in an exemplary embodiment, the perforated bottom 134 of the steam cooking basket 132 may include a central aperture 158 that allows a removable basket handle 160 to pass therethrough. The removable basket handle 160 has a handle-shaped upper portion 162, an extended middle portion 164 and a lower engagement portion 166. The handle-shaped upper portion 162 may allow a user to lift the steam cooking basket 132 from the cooking pot 118. The lower engagement portion 166 is shaped and dimensioned such that the lower engagement portion 166 is larger than the central aperture 158, and once a user lifts the steam cooking basket 132 through the handle-shaped upper portion 162, the lower engagement member 166 engages the bottom surface 140 of the perforated bottom 134 of the steam cooking basket 132 and allows the user to remove the steam cooking basket 132 from the cooking pot 118.

Fig. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the multifunction cooker 100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, the internal cooking device 104 may include a removable heat spreader 168 having a dome-shaped central region 170 configured to substantially cover the bottom opening 108 and a removable grill 172 sized and shaped to fit snugly within the main chamber 102.

As shown in fig. 3, according to one or more embodiments, the plurality of apertures 116 may further include a corresponding plurality of tabs 174, the tabs 174 may be bent inward from an upper edge of the plurality of apertures 116. The plurality of fins 174 may direct heat entering the plurality of apertures 116 obliquely downward and upward. The plurality of fins 174 may form a flange 176 around the interior of the main chamber 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of tabs 174 may be formed during the manufacturing process in which the plurality of apertures 116 are formed, i.e., the forming process may include bending the plurality of apertures 116 of the plurality of tabs 174 inward. In one example, the plurality of holes 116 and their corresponding plurality of fins 174 may be formed in a single stamping operation on the main chamber 102.

In one exemplary embodiment, the removable grill 172 may be disposed on the flange 176 at a distance above the removable heat spreader 168. In one embodiment, the dome-shaped central region 170 of the removable heat spreader 168 may include at least one opening, such as opening 178 covered by at least one corresponding fin, such as fin 180. In one embodiment, the dome-shaped central region 170 may terminate at the perimeter of the dome-shaped central region 170 with the extension ring 182. The extension ring 182 can act as a grease ring preventing fat or grease and particles from dripping or falling from the main chamber 102 over the heat source. The removable heat spreader 168 may be smaller than the bottom surface 110 of the main chamber 102, but larger than the bottom opening 108. In an exemplary embodiment, the extension ring 182 has a sloped groove that prevents grease from flowing down the bottom of the main chamber 102 from the edge of the extension ring 182.

In one embodiment, the dome-shaped central region 170 of the removable heat spreader 168 may include a plurality of openings, such as openings 178 covered by a plurality of corresponding fins, such as fins 180. The plurality of openings may be distributed in concentric circles around the center 184 of the dome-shaped central region 170. In an exemplary embodiment, the openings near the center 184 of the dome-shaped central region 170 are smaller than the openings near the perimeter of the dome-shaped central region 170. The plurality of openings allow heat or flames from the heat source to enter the main chamber 102 and grill food placed on the removable grill 172. Some food debris may be generated during the cooking process and may fall onto the heat source through the plurality of openings in the domed central region 170 of the removable heat spreader 168 and the plurality of fins cover the plurality of openings to prevent the food debris from falling onto the heat source.

As shown in fig. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, the inner cooking device 104 may also include an annular support member 186 having a plurality of vertical supports 188 equally spaced around the circumference of the annular support member 186. The annular support member 186 may be configured to maintain the removable heat spreader 168 a predetermined distance above the bottom opening 108. In one example, the annular support member 186 may be a ring 190 attached to three vertical supports 188 equally spaced around the circumference of the ring 190.

As further shown in FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, the lid 106 may be a grill lid having a dome-shaped central area 192 large enough to accommodate larger food items, such as whole chickens. The dome-shaped central region 192 may terminate at its periphery in a bottom end that may have a rounded edge 194 adapted to seat on the edge of the main chamber 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of the multi-function cooker 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4, the inner cooking device 104 may include a circular plate 400 that may rest on the annular support 186 according to one exemplary embodiment, the circular plate 400 may include a middle surface 402, an upper ring 404 attached to an upper perimeter of the middle surface 402, forming an upper plate 408, and a lower ring 406 attached to a bottom perimeter of the middle surface 402, forming a lower plate 410 according to one or more exemplary embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment, a first side of the middle surface 402 may include ribs 412 for grilling and a second side of the middle surface 402 for baking, which may be flat (no ribs), the circular plate 400, which is a double sided plate as described above, may include handles on both sides, such as handles 414 and 416 at the upper side of the circular plate 400, handles 414 and 416 may have a circular L configuration, removable handles 418 may be used to engage the handles 414 and 416 to allow a user to remove the plate 400.

As shown in fig. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment, the main chamber 102 may be located on a burner or hot char bed, then the annular support 186 may be placed over the bottom opening 108, the circular disc 400 may be placed over the annular support 186 and 106 may cover the upper opening of the main chamber 102. Food items such as steak, fish, chicken, etc. to be cooked may be placed on the ribbed side of the circular plate 400 and the heat received from the bottom opening 108 may create a very hot cooking environment to sufficiently cook the food items. In another exemplary embodiment, one flat side of the circular plate may be placed over the annular support 186 and bread may be cooked on the flat side of the circular plate 400.

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of a cooking method 500 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The cooking method 500 may include step 502: providing a main cooking chamber including a bottom opening at a bottom of the main chamber; step 504, placing the main cooking chamber over a heat source such that the bottom opening surrounds the heat source; step 506, removably receiving an internal cooking device within said main cooking chamber; step 508, placing a portion of uncooked food in the internal cooking device; and step 510, selectively placing a lid on the upper opening of the main cooking chamber.

As shown in fig. 1A and 5, in an exemplary embodiment, step 502 may involve providing a main cooking chamber similar to the main chamber 102 having an upper opening at the top of the main chamber 102 and a bottom opening 108 at the main chamber 102. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the bottom opening 108 may be circular and have a surface smaller than the bottom surface 110 of the main chamber 102. The main chamber 102 may also include an aperture 116 in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber 102 below an upper edge of the main chamber 102.

As shown in fig. 1B and 5, in an exemplary embodiment, the step 504 of placing the main cooking chamber over the heat source may involve placing the main cooking chamber, e.g., main chamber 102, on a heat source, such as heat source 112. The main chamber 102 may be located on a heat source 112, which heat source 112 may be a furnace burner, such as burner 114 or a hot carbon bed (not explicitly shown in fig. 1B) and a bottom opening 108 that may allow heat from the heat source 112 to enter the interior cavity of the main chamber 102. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottom opening 108 is sized and shaped such that it may surround a burner of the furnace, such as burner 114.

As shown in fig. 1A, 2A, 3, and 5, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, step 506 of removably receiving the internal cooking device within the main cooking chamber may involve, for example, removably placing cooking pot 118 inside the main cooking chamber, which may be similar to main chamber 102 such that extended lip 120 of cooking pot 118 may rest on an upper edge of main chamber 102. In one example, removably receiving the internal cooking device within the main cooking chamber may further involve placing support member 138 on the bottom surface of cooking pot 118 and then placing steam cooking basket 132 on support member 138 to create an empty space at the bottom of cooking pot 118 for pouring water therein. In another example, removably receiving the internal cooking device within the main cooking chamber may involve optionally placing an annular support 186 over the bottom opening 108, placing the removable heat diffuser 168 over the annular support 186 to create a distance between the removable heat diffuser 168 and the bottom opening 108, and placing the removable grill 172 over the flange 176 above the removable heat diffuser 168.

As shown in fig. 1A, 2A, 3, and 5, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, the step 508 of placing a portion of uncooked food in the internal cooking device may involve, for example, placing a portion of uncooked food within cooking pot 118. As previously mentioned, the cooking pot 118 may be preset at different heights. The higher preset height provides a deep cooking pot suitable for cooking rice, boiling vegetables, cooking stews, etc. The lower preset height provides a cooking pan similar to a frying pan or a baking tray that can be used for frying food, baking bread, cakes, pizza, etc. In another example, placing a portion of uncooked food in the internal cooking device may involve, for example, placing a portion of uncooked food within steam cooking basket 132. Water is poured into a water reservoir formed at the bottom portion of the cooking pot 118 due to the support member 138, which can be heated to generate steam. The generated steam then passes through the steam cooking basket 132 through the perforated bottom 134 and cooks the food disposed therein. In yet another example, placing a portion of uncooked food in the internal cooking device may involve placing a piece of food on a removable grill 172, and heat or flame passing through an opening of the heat diffuser 168 may grill the food placed on the removable grill 172. The food in this example may include steak, chicken, fish, etc.

As shown in fig. 1A, 2A, 3 and 5, according to one or more exemplary embodiments, the step 410 of selectively placing a lid on the upper opening of the main cooking chamber may involve placing a lid, such as lid 106, on the upper opening of main chamber 102. When the upper opening is selectively closed, the aperture 116 may serve as a vent for controlling the temperature of the interior chamber of the main chamber 102. The apertures 116 allow heat to escape from the interior chamber of the main chamber 102, thereby providing safety and control over the average temperature of the interior chamber of the main chamber 102. Heat may pass through the interior of the main chamber 102, around the inner cooking device 104, covering substantially the entire outer surface of the inner cooking device 104, and excess heat may be removed from the apertures 116.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that these teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications and variations as fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

Unless otherwise indicated, all measurements, values, nominal values, positions, sizes, dimensions and other indications set forth in this specification, including those set forth in the claims that follow, are approximate values and are not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range consistent with the functions to which they pertain and with the conventions in the field to which they pertain.

The scope of protection is only limited by the appended claims. It is intended and should be interpreted broadly consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language used in the specification and claims as interpreted in accordance with the prosecution history which follows, and including all structural and functional equivalents.

Unless stated otherwise, it is not intended or should be construed that any element, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage or equivalent which is stated or indicated herein is rendered by nothing more than a generic disclosure of components, steps, features, objects, benefits, advantages or equivalents, whether or not recited in the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as "first" and "second" may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further restriction, an element having the prefix "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of other, identical elements in a process, method, article or apparatus that includes the element.

The Abstract of the disclosure is provided to enable the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, as can be seen in the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in a plurality of embodiments. This is for the purpose of simplifying the disclosure, and should not be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the embodiments described. Although many possible combinations of features have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed in the detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are possible. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or instead of any other feature or element of any other embodiment, unless specifically limited. Thus, it should be understood that any of the features shown and/or discussed in this disclosure may be implemented together in any suitable combination. Accordingly, the embodiments should not be limited, except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (12)

1. A multifunctional cooker, characterized by comprising:

a main chamber, comprising:

an upper opening at the top of the main chamber;

a bottom opening at the bottom of the main chamber, the bottom opening being smaller than the bottom surface of the main chamber, the bottom opening allowing heat from a heat source to pass therethrough; and

a plurality of vent holes formed in an upper peripheral portion of the main chamber below an upper edge of the main chamber;

an internal cooking device configurable to receive food, said internal cooking device being removably received in said main chamber; and

a cover selectively positioned over the upper opening.

2. The multifunctional cooker of claim 1 wherein said internal cooking device comprises a cooking pan having an outer lip integrally connected to an upper edge of said cooking pan, said outer lip being sized and shaped so that said outer lip is positioned above an upper edge of said main compartment to provide a seal between said outer lip and said upper edge of said main compartment.

3. The multifunctional cooker of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the cooking pot and the inner surface of the main chamber define an outer shell that allows the heat from the heat source to pass around the entire outer surface of the cooking pot.

4. A multi-function cooking appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein said heat enters said housing from said bottom opening and exits said housing through said plurality of vent holes.

5. The multifunctional cooker according to claim 2, further comprising:

a steam cooking basket including a perforated bottom, said steam cooking basket sized and shaped to be received in said cooking pan; and

a support member capable of supporting said steam cooking basket within said cooking pan so as to create a distance between a bottom surface of said perforated bottom of said steam cooking basket and a top surface of said cooking pan bottom.

6. The multifunctional cooker of claim 1, wherein the plurality of holes further comprise a corresponding plurality of fins bent inward from upper edges thereof to form a flange on an inner circumferential portion of the main chamber.

7. The multifunctional cooker of claim 6, wherein the inner cooking means comprises:

a removable heat sink having a domed central region configured to substantially cover the bottom opening, the domed central region including at least one opening covered by at least one respective fin; and

a removable grill net sized and shaped to fit snugly within the main chamber against the flange.

8. A multi-function cooking utensil as claimed in claim 7 wherein the domed central region terminates at the periphery of the domed central region and has an extended ring.

9. The multifunctional cooking utensil of claim 7 wherein said domed central region includes a plurality of openings covered by a plurality of corresponding tabs.

10. A multi-function cooker as recited in claim 1 wherein said internal cooking means comprises a circular plate comprising a middle surface, an upper ring attached to an upper periphery of said middle surface, a lower ring attached to a bottom periphery of said middle surface, a first side of said middle surface comprising a plurality of ribs.

11. The multifunctional cooker of claim 1, wherein the main chamber is located on the heat source such that the bottom opening is located above the heat source.

12. The multifunctional cooker of claim 1, wherein the heat source comprises a gas burner, an electric burner and a hot charcoal bed.

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