Portable Stove and Slow Cooker
A multi-function, portable, electrically-heated appliance for use in vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, watercraft and aircraft. A unit with digital controls can be powered through connection to a vehicle DC power outlet such as a cigarette lighter, as well as other external power sources. A heating element transfers heat energy to a removable container housed within the base unit to heat foods or liquids. The removable container is sealed by a cover so the food or liquids may be cooked or kept warm.
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This application claims priority benefit from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/303,381, filed on Feb. 11, 2010.
BACKGROUNDFreight transportation is a critical component of global business. In fact, it is the backbone of numerous industries and companies. Trucks are the product delivery lifeline between producers and consumers; they move food, fuel, and all of the goods that keep the world economy going. With very few exceptions, literally every manufactured product is hauled on a truck at some point in its ultimate journey to the consumer.
Long-haul truckers receive their income based on various models. Drivers may be paid a fee, for example, based on any of the following: hourly wage, miles driven, size or weight of load carried, number of stops along the delivery route, or the number of pieces delivered/unloaded. There may be other measures of payment as well.
Due to the high demands of the job, drivers are known to work for months at a time without days off. Some even prefer to forgo a traditional home, and take up permanent residence in their truck, usually with a large and well-equipped sleeper berth. Long-haul company drivers typically earn as little as one day off for every week of work.
As a result, truckers are incentivized to maximize their income by spending as much time on the road as possible. While some trucks are equipped with on-board sleeping and cooking facilities, most are not. This means that truckers have to stop to eat, which may slow them down and reduce their income. In addition, it is not easy to eat healthily at typical truck stops and fast-food restaurants on the road. For all of these reasons, truckers will find tremendous utility in a portable stove that is accessible during their travels so that they can heat or cook a healthy meal of their own choosing. It is desirable that such a stove be small enough to fit between the front seats of their truck so it can be used while they are traveling. It should also be light, simple to use, easy to clean, and small enough for easy stowage in the truck cab. A flexible design should allow for heating and cooking of solid foods or liquid-based foods such as soups or stews.
Others who spend long periods of time traveling in automobiles, vans, recreational vehicles, watercraft and aircraft face the same issues as truckers in terms of desiring a way to heat and/or cook food while traveling in a vehicle. Obviously, the use of an open flame, as would be the case with a gas stove is hazardous while the vehicle is moving. Also, it will be understood that no easily connectible outside power source is available so appliances requiring more permanent electrical outlets or campsite hookups cannot be used while the vehicle is moving. As a result, portable heating devices capable of use while a vehicle is in motion have typically been limited to devices such as baby bottle warmers or coffee mug warmers and the like which have limited applicability for food heating and cooking for the general population.
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned limitations by providing for a lightweight, compact, portable, digitally controlled electric stove for use in food preparation in a variety of vehicles while on the move, or at other locations where traditional appliance connections are unavailable. The present invention makes heating and cooking food a practical option whether the vehicle is moving or stationery. It should be understood that the present invention may also be useful in places with traditional AC power sources including homes, hotels and motels, offices, or other locations where a simple to use and portable stove is convenient. Powering the portable stove in such places may be accomplished by using a DC to AC converter or by producing the portable stove with dual power circuits for using DC or AC depending on the type of power available in a given location.
For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it functions, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention in which:
The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
As shown in
A swiveling handle 219 is affixed to stove body 207 in a hole 221 on either side of stove body 207. A power cord 223 with a lighter adapter 225 is plugged into a standard automobile lighter (not shown) to provide DC power to stove unit 101.
A cover 227 is used to seal the top of stove unit 101 to retain heat inside of cooking pan 211 during operation. Cover 227 is formed of outer cover 229 and inner cover 231 with a seal ring 233 mounted to the surface of inner cover 231 facing cooking pan 211.
On the front of stove unit 101 is a digital display 235 for providing information to the user. The display also includes a set of buttons and LED indicators allowing the user to operate stove 101. A heating element 237 controlled by buttons on display 235 is affixed to the bottom of heating pan 209. Finally, a latch release 239 is situated above display 235 for unlatching cover 227.
Removable cooking pan 211 is preferably constructed of a durable material, such as aluminum, with a non-stick coating applied to all pan surfaces to enable easy cleaning and to minimize the need for cooking oils or other additives. The aluminum material is preferable as it is an excellent conductor of heat while being light and durable. Alternatively, clad cooking pan 211, may be made of materials sandwiching a thick layer of aluminum or copper between two sheets of stainless steel. Cooking pan 211 functions both as a cooking container and serving dish and preferably holds at least 1.5 liters in one embodiment with cooking pan 211 having approximate dimensions of 6.25 inches long by 6 inches wide by 4 inches deep. The configuration of stove unit 101 is intended to provide dimensions that allow it to fit comfortably between the seats of a truck or other vehicle while being lightweight and easy to stow. However, it should be understood that stove unit 101 can be made larger or smaller so that cooking pan 211 is, in turn, larger or smaller than the 1.5 liter capacity described in this embodiment.
Cooking pan 211 incorporates handles or handholds 219 with a heat-resistant rubber coating to protect the user from burns.
Heating element 237 converts vehicle electrical current to heat energy to enable heating of cooking pan 211. Heating element 237 may be, for example, a 12 volt DC 150 watt common copper heat tube element. Removable cooking pan 211 nestles within heating pan 209 to ensure full contact with heating element 237. Spring cap 707 is attached to the top of a spring (see
Referring to
In temperature mode, function switch 1007 provides for a number of individual heat settings. A typical range of operation for the portable stove is between 100° F. and 350° F. in 25° F. increments. It should be understood that 25 degree increments are customary for stoves and are convenient for users. However, the adjustment increments could be made larger or smaller during manufacture of the product to meet the particular needs of the manufacturer or the user. The temperature range may also be increased to a higher top temperature. Additionally, mode switch 45 provides for a “keep warm” function by using one of the three lower pre-defined temperature settings (100° F., 125° F. or 175° F.) to keep food or liquids warm. Other preset values may be substituted at the time of manufacture. Once set to a pre-defined temperature, stove unit 101 will automatically maintain the temperature setting. Stove unit 101 will automatically adjust and maintain the temperature of cooking pan 211 for the desired heat setting between 100° F. to 350° F. User activation of the plus temperature switch 1003 or the minus temperature switch 1005 adjusts the temperature setting up or down respectively. The default temperature setting when stove unit 101 is powered on is 200° F., but the stove designer may substitute another default temperature for power on.
Once stove unit 101 reaches a desired temperature, display 235 displays the setting for a brief period of time, 5 seconds for example, and then locks-in that temperature and maintains the temperature until the user changes the setting. Cooking pan 211 temperature is displayed on display 235 and adjusts accordingly depending on temperature changes within cooking pan 211.
CPU 1203 receives input from temperature detector 1209 that senses the temperature at the outside bottom surface of cooking pan 211 where spring cap 707 contacts cooking pan 211 on the outside bottom surface and spring 801 is mounted to the base of stove unit 101. A signal is provided to CPU 1203 for displaying the temperature sensed at spring cap 707 on digital display 235. Keypad switches 1211 include plus temperature switch 1003, minus temperature switch 1005 and mode switch 1007. When a user depresses switches 1211, a corresponding signal is sent to CPU 1203 to cause CPU 1203 to control heating element 237 and display information on digital display 235. CPU 1203 also causes heat indicator light 1101 and temperature indicator light 1103 to be illuminated when appropriate.
Protection for circuit 1201 is provided through the use of an automotive fuse that is typically rated at 20 amps and 250V. The fuse (not shown) may be incorporated inside of lighter adapter 225 for easy replacement. Stove unit 101 may be configured to provide for automatic shut-off whenever cooking pan 211 is removed for cleaning or serving to prevent overheating and ensure safety. The automatic shut-off function is effected by a spring sensor and spring cap 57 assembly that senses the position of spring cap 57.
While the invention has been described with respect to the figures, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A portable stove comprising:
- a compact, lightweight, self-contained stove unit including a recessed area;
- a stove cover that fits over an opening above the recessed area to seal in heat;
- a heating element situated within the recessed area for providing heat;
- a heating pan positioned in close proximity to the heating element that fits within the recessed area and conducts heat from the heating element to the recessed area;
- a cooking pan removably fitted within the heating pan with an outside surface of the cooking pan contacting an inside surface of the heating pan;
- a circuit for delivering power to the stove from a power source, the circuit including;
- a control panel affixed to an outside surface of the stove unit for displaying current temperature, current temperature setting and power status; and
- a switch for adjusting the temperature setting.
2. The portable stove of claim 1 wherein the power source may be either: (a) DC; or (b) AC.
3. The portable stove of claim 1 wherein the temperature may be incrementally adjusted upwards or downwards.
4. The portable stove of claim 1 wherein a top rim of the cooking pan is nested within with the top rim of the heating pan so that the stove cover seals over a top opening of the cooking pan
5. The portable stove of claim 3 wherein the cooking pan can be removed from the stove unit.
6. The portable stove of claim 5 wherein the cooking pan includes heat resistant handles integrated with the rim of the cooking pan.
7. The portable stove of claim 1 further comprising a tray that nests within the cooking pan.
8. The stove of claim 7 wherein the tray is made of solid material;
9. The stove of claim 7 wherein the tray includes holes in a base of the tray to permit steam to rise through the base.
10. The stove of claim 1 further comprising a heat conducting insert formed in a bottom of the cover that forms a lid over the heating pan when the cover is in a closed position.
11. The stove of claim 1 further comprising a seal in a bottom of the cover that fits around the periphery of an opening of the cooking pan.
12. A portable stove comprising:
- a compact, lightweight, self-contained stove unit including a recessed area;
- a stove cover that fits over the recessed area;
- a heating element situated within the recessed area;
- a cooking pan that fits in the recessed area and that is in conductive contact with the heating element;
- a circuit for delivering power to the stove from a power source;
- a display affixed to the stove unit for displaying temperature; and
- a switch for adjusting temperature.
13. The portable stove of claim 12 wherein the power source may be either: (a) DC; or (b) AC.
14. The portable stove of claim 12 wherein the temperature may be incrementally adjusted upwards or downwards.
15. The portable stove of claim 12 wherein the cooking pan can be removed from the stove unit.
16. The portable stove of claim 12 wherein the cooking pan includes heat resistant handles.
17. The portable stove of claim 12 further comprising a tray that nests within the cooking pan.
18. The stove of claim 17 wherein the tray is made of solid material;
19. The stove of claim 17 wherein the tray includes holes in a base of the tray to permit steam to rise through the base.
20. The stove of claim 12 further comprising a heat conducting insert formed in a bottom of the cover that forms a lid over the cooking pan when the cover is in a closed position.
21. The stove of claim 12 further comprising a seal in a bottom of the cover that fits around the periphery of an opening of the cooking pan.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 30, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 11, 2011
Applicant: Aervoe Industries, Incorporated (Gardnerville, NV)
Inventor: Troy Wilson (Minden, NV)
Application Number: 12/956,137
International Classification: F24C 7/10 (20060101); F24C 7/00 (20060101);