Cooking device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a cooking device, which preferably includes a partition, a cooking surface, a housing having an open side portion, and means for facilitating heating of an inside the housing a housing. The partition has a cooking side and, in its preferred embodiment, is moveable between a food heating position, where the cooking side faces into the housing, and a food preparation position, where the cooking side faces away from the housing. Preferably, the partition substantially seals the open side portion in both the food heating position and the food preparation position. The cooking surface is preferably attached to the cooking side of the partition, and the cooking device preferably includes means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing. Additional embodiments are disclosed herein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/505,357, filed Sep. 23, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a cooking device. More specifically, preferred embodiments of the disclosed invention relate to a cooking device having a partition that is rotatable between a food heating position and a food preparation position, where a housing of the cooking device is substantially sealed in both positions.

2. Description of the Related Art

One of the major problems facing users of conventional cooking devices, such as outdoor grills or kitchen ovens, is that the heat emerges from the housing of the cooking device when the cooking device is opened to check or prepare the food being heated therein (e.g. turn, stir, baste, etc.). This requires the user to accept the consequences of the heat loss or quickly remove the food completely from the cooking device so that the cooking device can be closed during preparation. This process discomforts the user and wastes much of the heat inside the cooking device, causing additional usage (and cost) of electricity, gas or other fuel for the cooking. Furthermore, in the case of indoor cooking devices, this process can significantly increase kitchen temperature, especially in restaurant kitchens, causing extra usage of energy for ventilation and air conditioning. There is thus a need for an improved cooking device that overcomes the disadvantages present in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a cooking device that preferably includes a cooking surface, a partition and a housing having an open side portion. The partition preferably has a cooking side and is moveable, and preferably rotatable, between a food heating position and a food preparation position. The cooking side preferably faces into the housing in the food heating position and faces away from the away from the housing in the food preparation position. The partition substantially seals the open side portion in both positions. In preferred embodiments, the cooking surface is secured to the cooking side of the partition, yet also releasable. In some embodiments, however, the cooking surface is attached to the cooking side of the partition. The cooking surface preferably comprises a first cooking grate and the cooking device preferably includes at least one tray positioned underneath the cooking grate. In some embodiments, an additional cooking grate is positioned above said first cooking grate.

A handle is preferably attached to the partition for moving the partition between the food heating position and the food preparation position. The partition is preferably axially secured to the housing such that a central vertical axis of the partition is aligned with a central vertical axis of the open side portion. The handle is preferably used to rotate the partition about the central vertical axis. In some aspects, one or more pins are used for axially securing the partition to the housing. In some aspects, the partition comprises a protruding portion for axially securing the partition to the housing.

The cooking device preferably includes a means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing. Such means may include, for example, a fuel conduit, a fuel inlet in communication with the fuel conduit, and at least one fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel conduit, where the fuel nozzles are preferably positioned near the cooking surface. Any suitable means may be utilized and the structure of such means is often at least in part dependent on the type of fuel used (e.g. electricity, gas, liquid, etc.). For example, in the case of electric means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing, the means may include heating elements and a conduit for communicating electricity to the heating elements.

Also disclosed herein is an embodiment of a cooking device that preferably include a housing having an open side portion, a partition sized to fit within the open side portion to substantially seal the open side portion. The partition is preferably secured to the housing along a central vertical axis of the partition to allow rotation of the partition about the central vertical axis. A cooking surface is preferably attached to a cooking side of the partition and means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing are preferably included. These means preferably include a fuel conduit, a fuel inlet in communication with the fuel conduit and at least one fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel conduit. At least one fuel nozzle is preferably positioned near the cooking surface. As discussed above, any suitable means may be utilized, depending on the nature of the fuel (e.g. electricity, gas, liquid, etc.).

The cooking surface preferably comprises a cooking grate, and the cooking device preferably includes a tray positioned underneath the cooking grate and/or an additional cooking grate positioned above the cooking grate. The cooking device preferably includes a handle for rotating the partition between a food heating position, where the cooking side faces into the housing, and a food preparation position, where the cooking side faces away from the housing. In the preferred embodiment, the partition substantially seals the open side portion when the said partition is in both the food heating position and the food preparation position.

In some embodiments, the cooking device comprises a base and a partition clip assembly secured to the partition for facilitating rotational engagement between the base and the partition. In some aspects, the partition clip assembly comprises a clip for securing the partition to the partition clip assembly, and a coupling for mating engagement with the base. In some aspects, the base comprises rollers in contact with the coupling for reducing friction when the partition clip assembly is rotated about the base. The partition clip assembly preferably also includes an axel for mating engagement with the base.

These and other features and objects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which should be read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1a is a front perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a cooking device in a food preparation position;

FIG. 1b is a rear perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a cooking device in a food preparation position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a housing and means for facilitating heating of the inside of the housing;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the partition, cooking grates and tray in a food heating position;

FIG. 4 is a series of perspective views showing a preferred method of using the cooking device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5a is a top view showing an embodiment of a partition clip assembly;

FIG. 5b is a front view showing the embodiment of the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5a taken along section A-A;

FIG. 5c is a side view showing the embodiment of the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5a taken along section B-B;

FIG. 5d is a perspective view showing the embodiment of the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5a taken along section A-A;

FIG. 6a is an exploded perspective top view showing the embodiment of the partition clip assembly from FIG. 5a with a roller base;

FIG. 6b is an exploded perspective bottom view showing the embodiment of the partition clip assembly from FIG. 5a with a roller base;

FIG. 7a is a perspective front view showing another preferred embodiment of the housing;

FIG. 7b is a perspective side view showing the embodiment of the housing shown in FIG. 7a;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the cooking device in a food preparation position and comprising the housing of FIG. 7 and the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the partition, cooking grates and tray in a food heating position and comprising the housing of FIGS. 7a-b and the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a series of perspective view drawings showing a preferred method of using the cooking device of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the cooking device in a food heating position and comprising the housing of FIGS. 7a-7b and the partition clip assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 12a is perspective front view showing a preferred embodiment of the horizontal supports; and

FIG. 12b is perspective side view showing a preferred embodiment of the horizontal supports.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

With principal reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, a preferred embodiment of a cooking device is shown and designated generally as 100a. Cooking device 100a preferably includes rotating assembly 200, housing 300a and means for facilitating heating 400. Rotating assembly 200 preferably includes partition 210, at least one pin 220, two cooking grates 230a-b, tray 240 and handle 250. Partition 210 is preferably similar to a revolving door, sometime also referenced as a shutter-door, and is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b with a cooking side of the partition facing away from housing 300a.

Partition 210 is preferably a sturdy, planar, heat-resistant panel that is sized to fit within the open side portion of housing 300a. Preferred embodiments of partition 210 are movable between the food preparation position (shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b) and the food heating position (shown in FIG. 3). Additional embodiments of these positions are contemplated depending on the embodiment of cooking device 100a. Partition 210 substantially seals the open side portion of housing 300a in both the food heating position and the food preparation position. In preferred embodiments, the force that substantially seals partition 210 in the food preparation position and/or the food heating position is the frictional force between the top and bottom of partition 210 and housing 300a, for example. In some embodiments, some degree of heat may escape between partition 210 and the left and right sides, for example, of housing 300a. However, in some embodiments, additional means may be used to increase the efficiency of the seal. For example, handle 250, which is discussed further below, may clip or otherwise securingly latch to the sides of housing 300a, such as in the manner shown in FIGS. 7a-12b, for example (not shown in FIGS. 1a through 6b).

Continuing with principal reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, at least one pin 220 is preferably used for axially securing partition 210 to housing 300a such that a central vertical axis of the partition is aligned with a central vertical axis of the open side portion. This alignment allows partition 210 to freely rotate about the central vertical axis without the sides of housing 300a interfering with the rotation. References herein to axes are abstract geometrical references and do not necessarily require a physical structure of an axel. Depending upon the embodiment of the invention, partition 210 may or may not have a central portion that is axial in structure.

In some embodiments, at least one pin 220 is utilized both at the center top of partition 210 and the center bottom of partition 220. In some embodiments, pin 220 extends from partition 210 such that pin 220 and partition 210 are of one-piece design. In some embodiments, pin 220 extends from housing 300a such that pin 220 and housing 300a are of one-piece design. Still in other embodiments, pin 220 may be a stand-alone component securingly fitting between partition 210 and housing 300a.

Rotating assembly 200 also includes at least one cooking surface, which preferably comprises a vertically facing cooking grate 230a. In preferred embodiments, an additional vertically facing cooking grate 230b is also included, which is preferably positioned over vertically facing cooking grate 230a. In other embodiments, the at least one cooking surface, may be tray-like, pan-like, etc. Furthermore, in other embodiments the cooking surface may be part of a larger cooking structure such as a basket, for example. In preferred embodiments, rotating assembly 200 also includes at least one tray 240. Tray 240 is preferably attached to the cooking side of partition 210 and positioned underneath the at least one vertically facing cooking grate 230a. In preferred embodiments, tray 240 would thus be directly positioned under cooking grate 230a and indirectly positioned under additional cooking grate 230b. In preferred embodiments, cooking grate 230a is semicircular in order to maximize the surface area of cooking grate 230a while eliminating any interference between cooking grate 230a and housing 300a upon turning rotating assembly 200. Tray 240 is preferably shaped to match cooking grate 230a for catching grease that falls from anywhere on grate 230a. Cooking grates 230a-b and tray 240 are preferably attached and/or attachable to partition 210 via horizontal supports 290, for example, which are shown in further detail in FIGS. 12a and 12b.

Continuing with principal reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, handle 250 is preferably attached to partition 210 for rotating partition 210 between the food heating position and the food preparation position. Handle 250 is preferably accessible to the user during both the food heating position and the food preparation position and is more preferably positioned on a side of partition 210. In preferred embodiments, and as shown in the figures, handle 250 is tab-like, substantially coplanar with partition 210 and extends from the side of partition 210. In other preferred embodiments, such as that of FIGS. 7a-12b, handle 250 can be rod-like. Other embodiments are contemplated. The upper left side and upper right side of housing 300a preferably have clip, latches, negative impressions of handle 250 made therein, or the like (as shown in FIGS. 7a-12b). This allows handle 250 to snugly fit within a side of housing 300a, thereby decreasing the space between the sides of partition 210 and housing 300a in both positions. In embodiments containing a clip, latch, negative impression, etc., the efficiency of the seal is increased.

With principal reference to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of housing 300a and the means for facilitating heating 400 are both shown with a clear view through the preferred open side portion. Housing 300a is preferably substantially box-like with an open side portion. The open side portion of housing 300a is preferably sized so that rotating assembly 200 can slide therein. In some embodiments, the open side portion is sized as an entire side of housing 300a and, in some other embodiments, the open side portion is sized as a part of a side of housing 300a. An opening in a curved housing does not fall outside the scope of an “open side portion” solely due to the nonlinear and/or nonplanar nature of the housing and/or the open side portion.

Cooking device 100a includes means for facilitating heating the inside of the housing. Facilitating means 400 includes, by way of nonlimiting example, a fuel inlet 410, a fuel conduit 420 in communication with fuel inlet 410, and at least one fuel nozzle 430 in communication with the fuel conduit 420. Preferably, four fuel nozzles are used, which are shown and referenced herein as fuel nozzle 430a-d.

The scope of the language “means for facilitating heating the inside of the housing” does not necessarily require fuel (e.g. gas, electricity, etc.) nor does it necessarily require a trigger (e.g. a matchstick, an ignition system, etc.). In the preferred embodiment, for example, fuel inlet 410, fuel conduit 420 and fuel nozzles are enough to “facilitate” heating. However, the additional presence of fuel and a match would also constitute facilitating means. An alternative embodiment of facilitating means, for example, includes an electrical inlet and an electrical conduit for carrying electricity to a heating element inside housing 300a. In another alternative embodiment, such as a smoker for example, cooking device 100a is sized largely and the “facilitating means” would constitute a lower container for holding wood or charcoal, for example. Thus, “facilitating means” refers to any structure that contributes to the process of heating the inside of housing 300a.

With principal reference to FIG. 3, a preferred structure of rotating assembly 200 in a food heating position is shown. Conduit 420 is preferably positioned to follow the circumference of cooking grate 230a so as to preferably position fuel nozzles 430a-d close to but not under grate 230a.

With principal reference to FIG. 4, now will be described a preferred method of using cooking device 100a. Cooking grates 230a-b are placed underneath each other in securing attachment to partition 210. Tray 240 is preferably placed under cooking grates 230a-b to catch any grease that drips therefrom during cooking. Cooking grates 230a-b and tray 240 are preferably removable. Any necessary fuel source is then connected with cooking device 100a. For example, a propane tank may be connected to fuel inlet 410.

Rotating assembly is initially in a food preparation position with the cooking side facing away from housing 300a. Food to be cooked, such as meats, poultry and vegetables, is placed on cooking grates 230a-b. Traditionally, vegetables, potatoes and other non-greasy food would be placed on the top, additional cooking grate 230b, while meats, poultry, etc. would be placed on lower cooking grate 230a so that dripping can fall into tray 240 free from obstruction. In some embodiments, sheets can be used in place of cooking grates 230a-b, and in other embodiments, sheets, pots and/or pans can be positioned on top of cooking grate 230a.

Continuing with principal reference to FIG. 4, handle 250 is then used to move rotating assembly 200 preferably approximately one-hundred-and-eighty degrees from the food preparation position to the food heating position. Facilitating means 400 are then used to facilitate the heating of the inside of housing 300a. This may include for example, turning a knob to send electricity to a heating element, using an ignition system to ignite a fluid, using a match to light charcoal, etc.

At times preferably chosen by the user of cooking device 100a, handle 250 can be used during the course of cooking to move rotating assembly 200 preferably approximately one-hundred-and-eighty degrees from the food heating position back to the food preparation position. For example, a user may choose to do this in order to flip, stir, baste, or otherwise prepare the food before serving or further heating in cooking device 100a. A temperature gauge may be used in conjunction with cooking device 100a.

Heat is thus preserved during food heating and food preparation, due to the fact that the inside of cooking device 100a remains insulated by partition 210. The cooking process remains controlled and escaping heat is minimized along with any discomfort to the user and any energy inefficiency. Furthermore, due to the preferred placement of fuel nozzles 430a-d, heat may be generated inside the grill yet not directly underneath the food. Drippings such as grease and excess oil, for example, preferably fall into tray 240 rather than falling onto facilitating means 400 and evaporating back into the cooked goods.

With principal reference to FIGS. 5a-12b, another preferred embodiment of cooking device, designated generally as 100b, will be shown and discussed. Cooking device 100b includes another embodiment of the housing, shown and designated as 300b, as well as an alternative structure for axially securing partition 210.

With principal reference to FIGS. 5a-6b, an embodiment of partition 210 is shown with a partition clip assembly 260, which preferably comprises a clip 262, an axel 264 and a coupling 266. For the purposes of illustration, the entirety of partition 210 is not shown in FIGS. 5a-6b, but rather just the portion of partition 210 that attaches partition clip assembly 260.

Clip 262 firmly secures partition 210 against partition clip assembly 260. Axel 264, preferably cylindrically, is adapted to be inserted into base 270 for easy rotation of partition 210. Coupling 266 is preferably shaped to secure and mate with base 270 in order to minimize linear slack between roller base 270 and partition clip assembly 260, while allowing unhindered angular rotation. Embodiments utilizing partition clip assembly 260 do not necessarily require the use of at least one pin 220. In some embodiments, however, at least one pin 220 can be used at the top of partition 210 to secure partition 210 to a housing while partition clip assembly 260 secures the bottom of partition 210.

Base 270 preferably includes, but does not require, a plurality of roller balls 272 for minimizing the friction between coupling 266 and roller base 270 during riding. Base 270 comprises an outer cylindrical portion 274 that is preferably sized to mate with coupling 266. Base 270 also preferably includes an inner cylindrical portion 274 for securing and mating with axel 264. When in use, partition 210 can “spin” about roller base 272 due to the low friction of roller balls 272, the securing male-female mating of axel 264 and inner cylindrical portion 276, and/or the securing female-male mating of coupling 266 and outer cylindrical portion 274. In this respects, a vertical axis of partition is 210 is preferably aligned with a central axis of base 270.

Coupling 266 also includes a pair of negative impressions 268 for securing engagement with roller balls 272. Although friction is generally minimized to facilitate rotation of partition 210, it is desirable to secure partition 210 against movement during long periods of cooking and food preparation. Negative impressions 268 and roller balls 272 are positioned such that negative impressions 268 will “fall” onto roller balls 272 when partition 210 is in the food preparation and food heating positions, thereby increasing the rotational resistance therebetween. Although this resistance is high enough to prevent rotation otherwise resulting from strong winds or vibrations, for example, the resistance is low enough such that rotation of partition 210 may easily be initiated by a push of the human hand.

With principal reference to FIGS. 7a-12b, partition clip assembly 260 may be directly secured to a surface 280 (e.g. via base 270). In some embodiments, partition clip assembly 260 attaches to surface 280 and housing 300b is placed adjacent partition 210 such that partition 210 is rotatable into a food preparation position and a food heating position and where partition 210 substantially seals housing 300b. In preferred embodiments, partition clip assembly 260 may be directly secured to the inside bottom surface of housing 300b. As shown in FIGS. 7a-12b, partition clip assembly 260 may also be used at the top of partition 210 in place of the top at least one pin 220 in order to axially secure partition 210 to housing 300b for rotation.

Although there has been hereinabove described a cooking device, in accordance with the present invention, for the purposes of illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or equivalent arrangements which one skilled in the art may conceive should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooking device, comprising:

a housing having an open side portion;

a partition having a cooking side, the partition being moveable between a food heating position where the cooking side faces into the housing and a food preparation position where the cooking side faces away from the housing, and the partition substantially sealing the open side portion in both the food heating position and the food preparation position;

a cooking surface securable to the cooking side of the partition; and

means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing.

2. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the means for facilitating the heating of the inside of the housing comprises:

a fuel conduit;

a fuel inlet in communication with the fuel conduit; and

at least one fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel conduit.

3. The cooking device of claim 2, wherein the at least one fuel nozzle is positioned near the cooking surface.

4. The cooking device of claim 1, wherein the cooking surface comprises a cooking grate.

5. The cooking device of claim 4, comprising at least one tray positioned underneath the cooking grate.

6. The cooking device of claim 5, comprising an additional cooking grate positioned about the cooking grate.

7. The cooking device of claim 1, comprising a handle attached to the partition for moving the partition between the food heating position and the food preparation position.

8. The cooking device of claim 8, wherein the partition is axially secured to the housing such that a central vertical axis of the partition is aligned with a central vertical axis of the open side portion.

9. The cooking device of claim 8, comprising at least one pin for axially securing the partition to the housing.

10. The cooking device of claim 8, comprising a handle for rotating the partition about the central vertical axis of the partition and between the food heating position and the food preparation position.

11. The cooking device of claim 1, comprising:

a base; and

a partition clip assembly secured to the partition for facilitating rotational engagement between the base and the partition.

12. The cooking device of claim 11, wherein the partition clip assembly comprises:

a clip for securing the partition to the partition clip assembly; and

a coupling for mating engagement with the base.

13. The cooking device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises rollers in contact with the coupling for reducing friction when the partition clip assembly is rotated about the base.

14. The cooking device of claim 13, wherein the partition clip assembly comprises an axel for mating engagement with the base

15. A cooking device, comprising:

a housing having an open side portion;

a partition having a cooking side, the partition being movable between a food heating position, where the cooking side faces into the housing, and a food preparation position, where the cooking side faces away from the housing, the partition substantially sealing the open side portion in both the food heating position and the food preparation position;

at least one pin for axially securing the partition to the housing such that a central vertical axis of the partition is aligned with a central vertical axis of the open side portion;

a handle attached to the partition for rotating the partition between the food heating position and the food preparation position;

at least one vertically facing cooking grate attached to the cooking side of the partition;

at least one tray attached to the cooking side of the partition and positioned underneath the at least one vertically facing cooking grate; and

means for facilitating heating of an inside the housing.

16. The cooking device of claim 15, wherein the means for facilitating the heating of the inside of the housing comprises:

a fuel inlet attached to the housing.

a fuel conduit in communication with the fuel inlet for delivering fuel from the fuel inlet; and

at least one fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel conduit and positioned near the cooking grate

17. A cooking device, comprising:

a housing having an open side portion;

a partition sized to fit within the open side portion to substantially seal the open side portion, the partition being secured to the housing along a central vertical axis of the partition to allow rotation of the partition about the central vertical axis;

a cooking surface securable to a cooking side of the partition; and

means for facilitating heating of an inside of the housing.

18. The cooking device of claim 17, wherein the means for facilitating the heating of the inside of the housing comprises:

a fuel conduit;

a fuel inlet in communication with the fuel conduit; and

at least one fuel nozzle in communication with the fuel conduit.

19. The cooking device of claim 18, wherein the at least one fuel nozzle is positioned near the cooking surface.

20. The cooking device of claim 17, wherein the cooking surface comprises a cooking grate.

21. The cooking device of claim 20, comprising at least one tray positioned underneath the cooking grate.

22. The cooking device of claim 21, comprising an additional cooking grate positioned about the cooking grate.

23. The cooking device of claim 20, comprising a handle for rotating the partition between a food heating position where the cooking side faces into the housing and a food preparation position where the cooking side faces away from the housing.

24. The cooking device of claim 23, wherein the partition substantially seals the open side portion in both the food heating position and the food preparation position.