WO2012068729A1

WO2012068729A1 - Cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2012068729A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/079082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wai Hing Lai
Original assignee: Wai Hing Lai
Priority date: 2010-11-24
Filing date: 2010-11-24
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Also published as: CN203555635U

Abstract

A cooking appliance (2) is provided. The appliance (2) has a housing (4)in which a first receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid is removably received, a control unit (8) for user to control operation of the cooking appliance (2), and a heating element (18) extending from the control unit (8). When in use the heating element (18) is immersed in a cooking bath of liquid contained in the first receptacle. And the appliance (2) also has a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from the first receptacle.

Description

COOKING APPLIANCE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a cooking appliance including but not limited to a fryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of cooking appliances. One particular type of cooking appliance is provided with a receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid in which food is cooked in the liquid. An example of such cooking appliance is a deep fryer which typically comprises a container for containing a bath of cooking oil in which food is fried therein. Another example of such cooking appliance is a boiler which typically comprises a container for containing a cooking bath of water in which food is boiled or otherwise cooked therein.

Traditional fryers and boilers are designed such that when a cooking exercise is finished, the fryers and boilers are typically allowed to sit until the temperature of the cooking bath of liquid in the container has cooled down. The container is then removed from the fryers or boilers and the liquid therein is poured away or otherwise removed. This can be time-consuming because, for example, in the case of fryers, it takes a relatively long time for the hot oil to sufficiently cool down. If a user becomes impatient and attempts to empty the container prematurely, serious harm can be caused by the hot oil. Also, the container together with the oil is relatively heavy and removal of the container and the oil from the fryer can be difficult and dangerous.

The present invention seeks to address these problems, and/or to provide a deep fryer, a boiler or a similar cooking appliance which has improved safety features, or to at least provide an alternative to the public. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance comprising (a) a housing, (b) a first receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid removably received in said housing, (c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from the first receptacle, (d) a control unit for user to control operation of the cooking appliance, and (e) a heating element extending from the control unit, and when in use either immersed in a cooking bath of liquid in the first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle; wherein the first receptacle is provided with a protrusion extended from a bottom of the second receptacle through which liquid discharged from the first receptacle may exit, wherein the first receptacle is provided with a valve member in the protrusion for controlling configuration thereof, wherein the control unit is provided with means for detecting temperature of liquid in the first receptacle, and wherein the control unit is provided with means for controlling operation of the valve member.

In one embodiment, the second receptacle may be removably received in the housing, and may be arranged at a lower portion of the cooking appliance and below the first receptacle. Preferably, the cooking appliance may be provided with a filter an entrance of a channel provided in or defined by the protrusion. The filter may serve to prevent food debris from entering or clogging the channel.

The cooking appliance may be free of a thermostatic or bimetallic valve arranged in the protrusion, or in or at a channel between the entrance or the filter and the valve member. Alternatively, the cooking appliance may be free of a thermostatic or bimetallic valve arranged above the valve member. Typical thermostatic or bimetallic valves are generally difficult to manufacture with high precision in large scale manufacturing because a slight variation in manufacturing environment or procedure can often affect how the valves perform after manufacturing. If for example a bimetallic valve were used in a cooking appliance and the valve did not perform to open at a predetermined desire temperature then the cooking appliance would not be able to drain liquid in the second receptacle as desired. More seriously, if the bimetallic valve were to kick in and open prematurely at a temperature above the predetermined desire temperature then liquid at a high temperature would be able exit from the second receptacle, causing serious industrial hazard or injuries. The do-away of using thermostatic or bimetallic valves can increase safety due to unintended opening of the valves.

In one embodiment, the control unit may include an actuator, e.g. a pin member, movement of which causes the valve member to open whereby liquid is discharged from the first receptacle. The actuator may be movable vertically for engagement with said valve member. Alternatively, the actuator may be movable horizontally for engagement with the valve member. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit may be arranged at a front end of the cooking appliance. In such arrangement, a user can readily access to the control unit without having to reach to for example a rear end of and over the cooking appliance. This may be particularly inconvenient or dangerous to the user when the cooking appliance is in operation because hot steam arises and spitting occurs during operation.

The second receptacle may be provided with an opening situated in a location such that liquid exiting from said protrusion flows into the second receptacle. The second receptacle may be free of any control mechanism which interacts with the protrusion such that operation of the protrusion or the valve member does not rely on the second receptacle.

Suitably, the detection means may include a thermostat arranged at or adjacent the heating element. The detection means may include a digital thermostat. Preferably, the cooking appliance may further comprise a timer for controlling operation of the control means. One function of the timer may be to control the control means such that when time set at the timer has expired the control means is not operational and the valve member is not openable.

In one embodiment, the protrusion may have a height in the range of 10 to 20mm. In a specific embodiment, the protrusion may have a height of about 15mm.

In an embodiment, the cooking appliance may be a fryer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance comprising (a) a housing, (b) a first receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid removably received in the housing, (c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from the first receptacle, (d) a control unit for user to control operation of the cooking appliance, and (e) a heating element extending from the control unit, and when in use either immersed in a cooking bath of liquid in the first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle; wherein the first receptacle is provided with a protrusion extended from a bottom of the second receptacle through which liquid from the first receptacle may exit and wherein the cooking appliance is free of any bimetallic thermostat. The cooking appliance may be provided with a valve member for controlling configuration of the protrusion whereby closing of the valve member prevents exiting of liquid from the first receptacle. The cooking appliance may be provided with a valve member for controlling configuration of the protrusion whereby opening of the valve member allows exiting of liquid from the first receptacle. The control unit may be provided with means for detecting temperature of liquid in the first receptacle, and means for controlling operation of the valve member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cooking appliance comprising (a) a housing, (b) a first receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid removably received in the housing, (c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from the first receptacle, (d) a control unit for user to control operation of the cooking appliance, and (e) a heating element extending from the control unit, and when in use either immersed in a cooking bath of liquid in the first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle; wherein the first receptacle is provided with a protrusion extended from a bottom of the second receptacle through which liquid from the first receptacle may exit, and wherein the protrusion has a height less than 20mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a front schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a cooking appliance in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing three-dimensionally the cooking appliance of Fig. 1 with a portion thereof cut-away;

Fig. 3a is front perspective view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 1 showing major parts thereof being removed from their positions in normal use;

Fig. 3b is a receptacle of the cooking appliance of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is similar to Fig. 2 and is a schematic diagram showing three-dimensionally a portion of the cooking appliance and major parts thereof being removed;

Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of the cooking appliance of Fig. 1 with a portion thereof cut-away;

Fig. 6 is a side view of portion of the cooking appliance of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing a liquid draining mechanism of the cooking appliance of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8a is a simplified view of the liquid draining mechanism fluid of Fig. 7 in one configuration; and

Fig. 8b is a simplified view of the liquid draining mechanism fluid of Fig. 7 in another configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of a cooking appliance, generally designated 2, is shown in Figs. 1 to 8b. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, it is shown that the cooking appliance 2 in the form of a fryer has a generally rectangular housing 4, a container 6 for containing cooking oil in which food is cooked, a control unit 8 fitted at a front end of the housing 4 with a control panel 10 and a lower compartment 12. The oil container 6 has circumferential walls 14 and a generally flat bottom wall 16. In this particular embodiment, the oil container 6 has a capacity of about 3.5L although studies have shown that the present invention is applicable to cooking appliance of the type or fryers with a liquid container having a capacity from 0.8 to 8L. The control unit 8 houses circuitry controlling overall operation of the cooking appliance 2. The control panel 10 serves as an interface at which user instructions can be entered and status information of the cooking appliance 2 is indicated. The cooking appliance 2 is provided with four stands 18 at each corner of the rectangular housing 4 for supporting the weight of the cooking appliance 2 and the content therein.

Fig. 2 is a cut-open view of the cooking appliance 2. It is shown that a heating element 18 extends from an upper end 20 of an inwardly facing surface 22 of the control unit 8. The other side of the inwardly facing surface 22, or the outwardly facing side 24, is where the control panel 10 is arranged. The heating element 18 is coiled in a looped configuration and extends from the upper end 20 and reaches towards and lies adjacent the bottom of the oil container 6. In normal use, most of the heating element 18 is immersed in oil. The control unit 8 is equipped with a digital temperature sensing mechanism having a temperature sensor extended from the control unit 8 and arranged adjacent the heating element 18. It is to be noted that in this embodiment, the temperature sensor is located adjacent the heating element, and not elsewhere connected to the oil container 6.

Fig. 2 also shows a compartment 26 arranged below the oil container 6. The compartment 26 is generally defined by a box-like container. This compartment serves to contain oil discharged from the oil container. For clarity, this oil discharge chamber is hereinafter referred as waste container 26.

Fig. 3a shows the cooking appliance 2 with the control unit 8 and the heating element 18 connected thereto lifted above the oil container. When the control unit 8 is lifted away from the cooking appliance 2, it can be seen that the housing 4 has a front surface 28 provided with groove structure 30. The inwardly facing surface 22 of the control unit 8 is provided with structure (not shown) complementary to the groove structure 30 such that the control unit 8 can be fitted with the housing in use. Once fitted together the cooking appliance 2 is in an operable state.

Fig. 3b shows the waste container 26 in isolation. The waste container 26 has peripheral side walls 32, a top wall 34 and a bottom wall 36. These walls 32, 34, 36 together defined the compartment 26. The waste container 26 is also provided with a panel 38 which wraps around a front end 40 thereof. When the control unit 8 and the waste container 26 are fully and slidably fitted within the cooking appliance 2, front surface 42 (partly defined by the control panel of the control unit and the panel of the waste container) of the cooking appliance 2 becomes continuous. Please also see Fig. 1. A front end of the top wall 34 is provided with a circular opening 44 which is internally threaded. A circular cap 46 which is externally threaded is provided to close the opening 44. The cap 46 is of course removed before waste oil from the oil container 6 is to enter the waste container 26. However, when waste oil is to be stored in waste container 26, e.g. transporting the waste container 26 with waste therein elsewhere, the cap 46 is screwed to close the opening 44. In this particular embodiment, the waste container 26 has a capacity of about 3.7L although studies have shown that the present invention is applicable to cooking appliance of the type or fryers with a waste container having a capacity from 1.0 to 9.6L.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing the cooking appliance 2 with a portion thereof cut-way. Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 4 but the control unit 8 and the waste container 26 are fully fitted or otherwise received in the housing 4. The oil container 6 is provided with exit mechanism allowing oil contained therein to exit under certain predetermined circumstances. Specifically, the bottom wall 16 of the oil container 6 is provided with a drain or an opening 48. The opening 48 is covered with a mesh structure 50 for filtering away larger objects or preventing blockage of the opening 48 during drainage. It can be seen in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 that there is a member 52 protruding from a bottom surface 16 of the oil container 6 at the opening 48 towards the waste container 26. This protrusion member 50 is generally in the configuration of an L-shaped conduit with a vertical portion 54 and a horizontal portion 56. Fig. 6 is a side view of the portion of the cooking appliance 2 shown in Fig. 5 and more clearly showing not only the protrusion member 50 but also the overall mechanism for controlling retention of oil in the oil container 6 or exiting of oil from the oil container 6. The horizontal portion 56 leads towards the front end of the cooking appliance 2. The horizontal portion 56 has a closed front end 58 although a mechanical valve 60 is provided towards the front end 58, closing an opening 62 arranged at a bottom surface

64 of the horizontal portion 56. Please also see Fig. 7. A cylindrical stopper 65 is arranged at the front end 58 of the horizontal portion 56. The stopper 65 is generally movable vertically within a range. A rod 66 is provided at the center of the stopper 65 and extended therefrom. The rod 66 extends vertically and is arranged adjacent to a front wall 68 of the oil container 6. A compression spring 70 is provided to bias the stopper 65 to its upper position at which the opening 62 is closed. The oil control mechanism includes an actuator 72 arranged in a lower end 74 of the control unit 8. The actuator 72 is in the form of a pin 76 which, when the control unit 8 senses that the temperature of the oil in the oil container 6 drops below a predetermined temperature, can be caused to act on the rod 66, pushing the stopper 65 to a lower position such that oil in the oil container 6 can exit via the L-shaped conduit and the opening 62 in the bottom surface 65. On the other hand, when the temperature of oil in the oil container is above the predetermined temperature, the actuator 72 does not kick in, and the stopper

65 is biased to return to its upper position in which oil exiting from the opening 62 is prevented. In order to enhance the sealing of the stopper 64 a lower gasket 78 is provided surrounding the lower end of the stopper 65. The opening 44 of the waste container 26 and the opening 62 of the horizontal portion of the L-shaped conduit 50 are configured and positioned such that oil exiting from the L-shaped conduit 50 is received in the waste container 26 via the openings 62, 44. In this embodiment, the height of the protrusion member 50 is about 15mm although studies have identified that the height of the protrusion member 50 within 10 to 20mm or other less than 20mm is satisfactory. The height of the protrusion member 50 refers to the distance "A", as indicated in Fig. 7.

Fig. 8a is an enlarged view showing the oil control mechanism when the actuator 72 is lowered from the control unit 8 and the stopper 65 is at its lower, or open, position. Fig. 8b is an enlarged view showing the oil control mechanism when the actuator 72 is retained in the control unit 8 and the stopper 65 is at its upper, or closed, position.

The construction of this embodiment is advantageous in a number of ways. First, as described above, the temperature sensor is located and immersed in the oil in the oil container and the temperature of the oil can be detected accurately. This is to be contrasted with some conventional cooking appliances of the type in which the temperature sensor is arranged at the wall of the oil container or in an oil exit of the container. Second, the protrusion member is relatively simple in construction and is free of any thermostatic or bimetallic valve means which, for engineering or large scale manufacturing reason, is often not accurate or reliable in controlling opening or closing thereof at a predetermined temperature. Third, due to the particular construction of the protrusion member it can be made to be compact in size. The compactness of the protrusion member means that the overall height of the cooking appliance can be reduced. The reduction of height of the cooking appliance translates to a safer appliance because topping over can be minimized. Further, the opening or closing of the valve is determined by an independent operation of the control unit which is external to the protrusion member. Malfunctioning or unreliable operation of the valve is thus minimized. In another embodiment, the actuator may be designed such that it moves horizontally when it acts on the stopper. The thermostat used may be of a digital type to enhance accuracy. Yet in another embodiment, the actuator (e.g. 72) may be an electromechanical solenoid or a solenoid while armature thereof is an integral part of the rod (e.g. 66); in the latter case a user would not be able to temper or activate the valve manually even with assistance of a tool.

It should be noted that for clarity purpose conventional technologies are not explained in detail because a skilled person in the art, on reading this description, will understand that these technologies can be used with the teachings of the description. Certain features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate subcombinations.

Claims

Claims:

1. A cooking appliance comprising:- a) a housing;

b) a first receptacle for containing a cooking bath of liquid removably received in said housing;

c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from said first receptacle; d) a control unit for user to control operation of said cooking appliance; and e) a heating element extending from and/or connected to said control unit, and when in use either immersed in a cooking bath of liquid in said first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle;

wherein said first receptacle is provided with a protrusion member extended from bottom of said second receptacle through which liquid discharged from said first receptacle may exit;

wherein said first receptacle is provided with a valve member in said protrusion member, said valve member is adapted to assume a first configuration in which liquid in said first receptacle exits from said first receptacle or a second configuration in which liquid in said second receptacle is retained in said first receptacle;

wherein said control unit is provided with means for detecting temperature of liquid in said first receptacle; and

wherein said control unit is provided with means for controlling operation of said valve member.

2. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said second receptacle is removably received in said housing, and is arranged at a lower portion of said cooking appliance and below said first receptacle.

A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein a filter is provided at entrance of a channel provided in or defined by said protrusion member.

4. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said cooking appliance is free of a thermostatic or bimetallic valve for controlling exit of liquid from the first receptacle.

5. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said control unit includes an actuator, movement of which causes said valve member to open whereby liquid is discharged from said first receptacle.

6. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said actuator is movable vertically for engagement with said valve member.

7. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said pin member is movable horizontally for engagement with said valve member.

8. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said control unit is arranged at a front end of said cooking appliance.

9. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said second receptacle is provided with an opening situated in a location such that liquid exiting from said protrusion member flows into said second receptacle.

10. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said detection means includes a thermostat arranged at or adjacent said heating element.

1 1. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said detection means includes a digital thermostat.

12. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , further comprising a timer for controlling operation of said control means.

13. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said protrusion member has a height in the range of 10 to 20mm.

14. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said protrusion member has a height of about 15mm.

15. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein said cooking appliance is a fryer.

16. A cooking appliance comprising:- a) a housing;

c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from said first receptacle; d) a control unit for user to control operation of said cooking appliance; and e) a heating element extending from said control unit, and when in use either immersed in a cooking bath of liquid in said first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle;

wherein said first receptacle is provided with a protrusion member extended from bottom of said second receptacle through which liquid from said first receptacle may exit; and

wherein said cooking appliance or said protrusion member is free of any thermostatic or bimetallic valve for controlling exit of liquid from the first receptacle.

17. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said cooking appliance is provided with a valve member for controlling configuration of said protrusion member whereby closing of said valve member prevents exiting of liquid from said first receptacle.

18. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said cooking appliance is provided with a valve member for controlling configuration of said protrusion member whereby opening of said valve member allows exiting of liquid from said first receptacle.

19. A cooking appliance as claimed in Claim 16, wherein said control unit is provided with means for detecting temperature of liquid in said first receptacle, and means for controlling operation of said valve member.

20. A cooking appliance comprising:- a) a housing;

c) a second receptacle for containing liquid discharged from said first receptacle; a control unit for user to control operation of said cooking appliance; and d) a heating element extending from said control unit, and when in use immersed either in a cooking bath of liquid in said first receptacle or disposed at, in or below a bottom of said first receptacle;

wherein said protrusion member has a height less than 20mm.