GB2514677A

GB2514677A - Cooking device

Info

Publication number: GB2514677A
Application number: GB1407145.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Watson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-05-02
Filing date: 2014-04-23
Publication date: 2014-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-23
Also published as: GB201307937D0; GB201407145D0; GB2514677B

Abstract

A device for cooking a single item of food comprising a vessel having a substantially continuous external wall and a separate substantially continuous internal wall, the external wall being separated from the internal wall by the body 1 of the vessel. The internal wall is adapted to form a substantially continuous cooking surface and the body of the vessel has an aperture which runs from the cooking surface to the exterior of the vessel, wherein in use substantially all of the cooking surface is occupied by the single item of food 17. The aperture may be at the bottom of the vessel and residue or fat from the food may drain through the aperture to a disposable bag (5, Fig.1a). The body of the vessel may comprise a pair of half shell units mounted detachably via a hinge.

Description

Cooking device

Background

This invention relates to a compact electric cooking device or appliance for cooking a single item of food such as a sausage.

When cooking just one or two sausages a lot of energy is wasted using a frying pan or an open grill due to the large heating areas and the time taken to reach the required cooking temperature.

Frying or grilling require constant attention to avoid burning and uneven cooking.

When frying a sausage some residue/fat remains inside and on the surface of the sausage. This is often considered to be unhealthy.

Statement of invention

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device or appliance for cooking a single item of food comprising a vessel having a substantially continuous external wall and a separate substantially continuous internal wall, the external wall being separated from the internal wall by the body of the vessel, the internal wall being adapted to form a substantially continuous cooking surface, the body of the vessel having an aperture which runs from the cooking surface to the exterior of the vessel, wherein in use substantially all of the cooking surface is occupied by the single item of food.

The body preferably comprises the material of the vessel, the space between the internal and external walls and/or the supporting structures between the internal and external walls.

Preferably the aperture is located at the bottom of the vessel.

Preferably the residue from the cooking of the single food item drains through the aperture.

Preferably the residue is fat or cooking fluids or the like.

Preferably the residue is collected in a bag or container attached to the bottom of the vessel or positioned beneath the vessel.

Preferably the vessel is supported by a framework.

Preferably the framework raises the vessel from the surface of the worktop on which the device is placed.

Preferably the vessel is moveable on the framework.

Preferably the vessel is moved vertically to engage with the bag or container for collecting residue.

Preferably the shape of the internal wall is matched to the food item being cooked.

Preferably the shape of the external wall matches the shape of the food item being cooked.

Preferably the shape of the external wall is a rocket or the like.

Preferably the internal wall comprises a heating element adapted to heat the internal surface.

Preferably the heating element is an inductive heating element.

Preferably the internal wall comprises a thermally conductive material.

Preferably the body of the vessel comprises a thermally non-conductive material.

Preferably the body of the vessel comprises a pair of half-shell units mounted for opening and closing around the food item.

Preferably the pair of halt-shell units are adapted to mutually engage with one another.

Preferably each of the half-shell units are hingedly mounted with one another.

Preferably each of the half-shell units are detachable trom one another.

Preferably the device further comprises a control means tor controlling the cooking of the item of tood.

Preferably the control means comprises temperature sensing means to detect the temperature of the heating element and/or the interior surtace, means for turning on and off the heating element and means for setting the desired temperature and cooking time.

Preferably the control unit is adapted to turn the heating element on only when the half-shell units are closed around the item of food.

Preferably a plurality of vessels are provided for cooking multiple items at tood at once.

Preferably the cooking surface comprises a plurality of spikes adapted for piercing the item of food.

Preferably the device comprises a cradle adapted to fit around the single item of food is provided for placing and retaining the food item in the vessel.

Preferably the cradle is adapted to mutually engage with the cooking surface and the single item of tood.

Preferably the cradle comprise two units hingedly mounted with one another.

Preferably the inductive heating element keeps the body cool during use.

As mentioned, the vessel may take the form of space rocket or any other novelty shape.

There may be a sequence of individual lights and switches that can simulate the launching of the food item. There may be a "prepare to launch" switch and light, an "Ignite boosters" switch and light and a "Launch Rocket" switch and light.

When the food item is a sausage, a rocket vessel may encapsulate the sausages in a confined space, therefore considerably reducing the heat/energy requirement. As mentioned, the device may be adapted to cook more than one sausage.

As also mentioned, the appliance may include a framework and different shaped vessels or capsules may be fitted to the framework to facilitate the cooking of food items other than sausages. In the case of a rocket vessel, the framework may take the form of a launch pad and rocket tower.

The appliance may allow for automatic cooking.

The appliance may incorporate a top loading facility for some frozen sausages, which may slide in easily.

During cooking, an aperture will enable any residue to drain out of the bottom of the appliance. As mentioned, the residue may drain into a heat resistant disposable bag. The bag could be disposed of as fuel in a solid fuel cooker.

The appliance will cook quickly and economically.

Cooking the sausage in this way will add fun to meal times, when children will want their parents to launch a sausage".

Advantages The appliance will use less energy than conventional cooking appliances because of its localised heating.

The appliance will allow for the draining of fat and other residues for healthier cooking.

A unique disposable residue collector will enable easy disposing of unwanted residue, thus preventing fat going down the drain.

The appliance is compact therefore could be left out on the worktop unlike some other grills.

The appliance may allow for fully automatic cooking.

This invention will enable quick, clean, efficient and healthy cooking of sausages and other food items.

The drawings An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the sausage cooking appliance in its closed and cooking position.

Figure 1 a shows the capsule open.

Figure 2 shows the cooking appliance in the horizontal position with the capsule open and closed.

Figure 3 shows the receptacle removed and also the rocket capsule in a midway position.

Figure 4 shows other possible applications for the cooking appliance.

Figure 5 shows the appliance with a burger attachment on.

Detailed description

With reference to the drawings, a sausage cooking appliance will incorporate a base (7) a rocket launch pad-style tower (2) and a rocket-shaped cooking enclosure or vessel. The rocket-shaped cooking enclosure has generally straight sides (externally) and a curved tip (externally).

The base (7) will house a receptacle (6) to collect any spillages, controls (14) and (20) and a digital display (13).

A disposable bag (5) will allow for a much safer residue collection and should the bag rupture then any residue will be collected into the receptacle (6).

The Rocket shaped cooker (1), will consist of two halves, one side being hinged. The two hinged halves are secured together with a latch (4).

Inside each half of the cooking body, there is a removable and perhaps clam-shaped non-stick cooking liner (12) and (12a). The liners may be available in various shapes and sizes to accommodate various sizes of sausages and other food items.

The liners in FIG1a and FIG2 contain ridges (19) as shown in FIG 2. These ridges may give the sausage a barbequed appearance. Spikes (11), on the liners will hold the sausage vertically and additionally will facilitate any residue to flow out.

A healing element (15) positioned between the body and the non-slick liners will heat the sausages or other similar food items. The heating elements may be incorporaled in lhe non-stick liners, which may be cylindrical in shape.

The sausage position is shown tentatively as (17).

A small orifice (ha) in lhe middle of a liner, will allow for a temperature probe and lead (3a) to reach the centre of the sausage possibly wilhin an extended spike, for temperature moniloring, the temperature sensor may also be detachable allowing for temperature measuring from other areas.

The temperature probe/sensor will supply a temperalure read oul to lhe digital display (13) and 10 an automalic over-temperature cul-out safely device.

The nose cone of the rocket shaped cooking appliance may contain a hinged section (la) which allows for top sausage loading. The cone may also incorporate a vent (10).

The cooking portion (lhe Rocket part) is supporled at approximately mid-section of the tower. This support allows the Rocket part to pivot. An electrical connection could be accommodaled at lhis poinl (3). This will allow for an electrical connection and power supply cable (8) which could either run internally or externally. The power supply may also enter the body through an alternative point. A flexible protected lead (16) will transfer power from one half section of the cooking portion to the other, this allows for all round and thorough cooking and with little heat loss.

The temperature probe (3a) measures temperatures. These values are transferred to a digital display (13). There is a power switch (14) and a power dial (20).

Further additional supports (21) may be of a magnetic nature, or simple stabilizing support.

FIG 4 shows a multiple support with additional novelty shaped heating elements, for example for a fish and a piglet for bacon and rashers.

FIG 5 shows a further option in which the cooker resembles a burger and a bread bun (1 b).

The cooking section represents the actual burger and bun with several exposed and artificial relish items (18) such as cheese, tomatoes and gherkins, including the artificial burger and bun itself, whereas the real burger (1 7a) remain hidden internally and is shown in FIG5.

FIG 3 shows a basic representation of the Sausage Launcher and base with the temperature probe.

A further example of an embodiment of the invention is described below.

1 An electrical cooking appliance for cooking a sausage or sausages, or other food items in an enclosed compartment.

2 The compartment containing the food item according to 1 will be referred to as the "Pod" or "Pods" 3 The electrical cooking appliance according to 1 in which multiple "Pods" can be attached 4 The "Pod" according to 2 in which revolves around an axis point on the cooking appliance according to 1 thus allowing cooking in all positions.

The "Pod" or "Pods" according to claim 2 in which a hinge or hinges allows the Pod to open into two parts to facilitate the introduction of food items.

6 The hinge or hinges according to 5 may be positioned at any point either longitudinally or laterally.

7 The "Pod" according to 2 in which the food is encapsulated therefore reducing heat loss during the cooking of food items.

8 The "Pod" or "Pods" according to 7 when in any position has a hinged or clipped lid to facilitate food loading without opening the main compartment.

9 The cooking appliance according to 1 in which a base can support a Pod or a tower.

The cooking appliance according to 1 in which the tower supports the "Pod" 11 The Pod according to 2 can be detachable allowing the fitment of other "Pod" attachments.

12 Other attachment "Pods" according to 8 in which different novelty or non-novelty shapes such as burgers, hot dogs, fish or bacon or any other food item can be cooked.

13 All "Pods" according to 2 to 9 in which the cooking residue escapes into a disposable heat-resistant bag.

14 The disposable heat resistant bag according to 13 in which the contents can be weighed.

The heat resistant bag according to 13 in which when used with the electric cooking appliance according to 1 becomes a fat measuring device.

16 All "Pods" according to 2 to 10 in which the attachments will be safely secured on a well-balanced base incorporating a bund area and receptacle for collecting any spillages 17 The electrical cooking appliance according to 1 in which the electrical power is supplied to the "Pod" or "Pods" either directly from the base or via the tower.

18 The electrical power according to 17 which is converted to thermal energy by an electrical element.

19 The electric element according to 18 which is an integral part of the liner or liners or be a separate component part situated between the "Pod" body and the liner or liners.

The thermal energy according to 18 in which the element is a separate component will be transferred to the food by thermal conduction via a non-stick liner or liners.

21 The liner or liners according to 19 can be of different shapes and sizes to suit different foods.

22 The liner or liners according to 19 in which may incorporate spikes for food support and drainage, or curved ridges or straight ridges to give a seared barbequed appearance.

23 All "Pods" according to 2 will have one or several apertures enabling for one or more temperature probes or other sensing devices.

24 The sensing devices or probes according to 23 in which may include a product presence sensor.

25 The product presence sensor according to 24 in which rotation of the Pod around its axis point can be allowed or restricted.

26 The electrical cooking appliance according to 1 in which food can be cooked fully automatically or by temperature sensing or by time or both.

27 The electrical cooking appliance according to 1 in which is in the shape of a Space Rocket, Tower and Launch Pad.

28 The Pod" or Pods" attachments as described in any of the previous 1- 27 when used for cooking sausages may be in the form of the Space Rocket section.

29 The electrical cooking appliance as described in 1 in which the shape can be infinitely diverse.

The cooking appliance, inclusive of other attachments and apparatus as herein described, with reference to and as thoroughly described in previous 1-29 with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

In yet a further example of an embodiment of the invention there is provided a rocket and launch pad shaped sausage cooking appliance. The rocket part houses the sausage, which is hinged allowing the rocket to open into two parts. The rocket part may house two liners which maybe non-stick, these may have ridges and spikes on their surface. The rocket part can be mounted to a tower by way of a pivoting mount. A tower may carry the power supply to the rocket from the base. The tower may support multiples of one or multiples of two sausages. The tower may accommodate various shaped cooking enclosures for cooking various different foods. The rocket shaped cooking enclosure can allow the residue to escape via its base into a heat resistant, elasticated, disposable bag.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for cooking a single item of food comprising a vessel having a substantially continuous external wall and a separate substantially continuous internal wall, the external wall being separated from the internal wall by the body of the vessel, the internal wall being adapted to form a substantially continuous cooking surface, the body of the vessel having an aperture which runs from the cooking surface to the exterior of the vessel, wherein in use substantially all of the cooking surface is occupied by the single item of food.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is located at the bottom of the vessel.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein residue from the cooking of the single food item drains through the aperture.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the residue is fat or cooking fluids or the like.
5. A device according to claim 3, wherein the residue is collected in a bag or container attached to the bottom of the vessel or positioned beneath the vessel.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel is supported by a framework.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the framework raises the vessel from the surface of the worktop on which the device is placed.
8. A device according to claim 6, wherein the vessel is moveable on the framework.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the vessel is moved vertically to engage with the bag or container for collecting residue.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the internal wall is matched to the food item being cooked.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the external wall matches the shape of the food item being cooked.
12 A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the external wall is a rocket or the like.
13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal wall comprises a heating element adapted to heat the internal surface.
14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the heating element is an inductive heating element.
15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal wall comprises a thermally conductive material.
16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the vessel comprises a thermally non-conductive material.
17. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the vessel comprises a pair of half-shell units mounted for opening and closing around the food item.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the pair of half-shell units are adapted to mutually engage with one another.
19. A device according to claim 17, wherein each of the half-shell units are hingedly mounted with one another.
20. A device according to claim 17, wherein each of the half-shell units are detachable from one another.
21. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a control means for controlling the cooking of the item of food.
22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the control means comprises temperature sensing means to detect the temperature of the heating element and/or the interior surface, means for turning on and off the heating element and means for setting the desired temperature and cooking time.
23. A device according to claim 21, wherein the control unit is adapted to turn the heating element on only when the half-shell units are closed around the item of food.
24. A device according to any preceding claim wherein a plurality of vessels are provided for cooking multiple items at food at once.
25. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the cooking surface comprises a plurality of spikes adapted for piercing the item of food.
26. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a cradle adapted to fit around the single item of food is provided for placing and retaining the food item in the vessel.
27. A device according to claim 26, wherein the cradle is adapted to mutually engage with the cooking surface and the single item of food.
28. A device according to claim 26, wherein the cradle comprises a plurality of spikes adapted for piercing the item of food.
29. A device according to claim 26, wherein the cradle comprises two units hingedly mounted with one another.
30. A device according to claim 14, wherein the inductive heating element keeps the body cool during use.
31. A device substantially as described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A device for cooking a single item of food comprising a vessel having a substantially continuous external wall and a separate substantially continuous internal wall, the external wall being separated from the internal wall by the body of the vessel, the internal wall being adapted to form a substantially continuous cooking surface, the body of the vessel having an aperture which runs from the cooking surface to the exterior of the vessel, wherein in use substantially all of the cooking surface is occupied by the single item of food, and wherein a cradle is provided comprising two units hingedly mounted with one another to fit around the single item of food for placing and retaining the food item into the vessel, the cradle comprising a plurality of spikes for piercing the item of food.2. A device for cooking a single item of food comprising a vessel having a substantially continuous external wall and a separate substantially continuous internal wall, the external wall being separated from the internal wall by the body of the vessel, the internal wall being adapted to form a substantially continuous cooking surface, the body of the vessel having an aperture which runs from the cooking surface to the exterior of the vessel, (\J 20 wherein in use substantially all of the cooking surface is occupied by the single item of food, wherein the internal wall comprises a heating element adapted to heat the internal surface and the heating element is an inductive heating element.3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the aperture is located at the bottom of the vessel.4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein residue from the cooking of the single food item drains through the aperture.5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the residue is fat or cooking fluids or the like.6. A device according to claim 4, wherein the residue is collected in a bag or container attached to the bottom of the vessel or positioned beneath the vessel.7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vessel is supported by a framework.8. A device according to claim 7, wherein the framework raises the vessel from the surface of the worktop on which the device is placed.9. A device according to claim 7, wherein the vessel is moveable on the framework.10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the vessel is moved vertically to engage with the bag or container for collecting residue.11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the internal wall is matched to the food item being cooked.12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the external wall matches the shape of the food item being cooked.13 A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the external wall is a rocket or the like.14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the internal wall comprises a heating element adapted to heat the internal surface.15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the heating element is an inductive heating element.16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal wall comprises a thermally conductive material.17. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of (\J 20 the vessel comprises a thermally non-conductive material.18. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body of the vessel comprises a pair of half-shell units mounted for opening and closing around the food item.19. A device according to claim 18, wherein the pair of half-shell units are adapted to mutually engage with one another.20. A device according to claim 18, wherein each of the half-shell units are hingedly mounted with one another.21. A device according to claim 18, wherein each of the half-shell units are detachable from one another.22. A device according to any preceding claim, further comprising a control means for controlling the cooking of the item of food.23. A device according to claim 22, wherein the control means comprises temperature sensing means to detect the temperature of the heating element and/or the interior surface, means for turning on and off the healing element and means for selling the desired temperature and cooking time.24. A device according 10 claim 22, wherein the control unit is adapted 10 turn the healing element on only when the half-shell units are closed around the item of food.25. A device according 10 any preceding claim wherein a plurality of vessels are provided for cooking multiple items at food at once.26. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein lhe cooking surface comprises a plurality of spikes adapted for piercing the item of food.27. A device according lo claim 2, wherein a cradle adapted to fit around the single ilem of food is provided for placing and relaining the food item in the vessel.28. A device according to claim 27, wherein the cradle is adapted to mutually engage with the cooking surface and the single item of food.29. A device according to claim 27, wherein the cradle comprises a plurality of spikes adapted for piercing the item of food.30. A device according to claim 27, wherein the cradle comprises two units hingedly mounted with one another.31. A device according to claim 2, wherein the inductive heating (\,j 20 element keeps the body cool during use.
32. A device substantially as described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.