Patent US5228319A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4120981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4120981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of cooking food
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-02
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Granted: 1978-10-17
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Expires: 1995-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Significantly improved cooking of food is achieved in machines which tumble the food in a rotating heated vessel. In one embodiment a food-containing vessel rotates past an electric heater which supplies heat to the vessel. The vessel has a cap provided with an axial vent through which a temperature sensing probe may be inserted for automatic temperature control and has means for circulating the vessel contents. A drive motor is coupled to the vessel automatically when the vessel is inserted in a stand or housing. The axis of rotation of the vessel may be inclined, and the inclination may be adjustable.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Burkhart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:41
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J37/00; A47J37/04; A47J37/047; A47J27/00; A47J27/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of cooking food which comprises tumbling the food in the presence of some liquid in a rotating vessel that is liquid-impervious except for a vent opening in a removable cap closing one end of the vessel and thereby stirring the contents of the vessel, distributing the liquid over a substantial portion of the inner surface of the vessel and promoting an even temperature distribution of the vessel contents, preselecting a desired temperature for the food to be cooked applying heat to the contents of the vessel sufficient to cause gases to be evolved, venting said gases from the vessel through said vent opening while the vessel is rotated with heat applied thereto and while retaining in the vessel the distributed liquid that is not gasified and vented, measuring the temperature of the evolved gases and thereby effectively measuring the surface temperature of the food and the temperature of the liquid in the vessel, automatically controlling the heat applied in accordance with the measured temperature of said gases, and automatically producing a signal when said pre-selected temperature is reached in order that the applicaton of heat may thereafter be reduced sufficiently to terminate cooking of food in the vessel when the food has been properly cooked.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
207 words
A method of cooking food which comprises tumbling the food in the presence of some liquid in a rotating vessel that is liquid-impervious except for a vent opening in a removable cap closing one end of the vessel and thereby stirring the contents of the vessel, distributing the liquid over a substantial portion of the inner surface of the vessel and promoting an even temperature distribution of the vessel contents, preselecting a desired temperature for the food to be cooked applying heat to the contents of the vessel sufficient to cause gases to be evolved, venting said gases from the vessel through said vent opening while the vessel is rotated with heat applied thereto and while retaining in the vessel the distributed liquid that is not gasified and vented, measuring the temperature of the evolved gases and thereby effectively measuring the surface temperature of the food and the temperature of the liquid in the vessel, automatically controlling the heat applied in accordance with the measured temperature of said gases, and automatically producing a signal when said pre-selected temperature is reached in order that the applicaton of heat may thereafter be reduced sufficiently to terminate cooking of food in the vessel when the food has been properly cooked.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the food to be cooked comprises a potato and wherein pieces of potato and a relatively small quantity of oil are placed in the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the application of heat is reduced when the measured temperature reaches a predetermined temperature in the range of about 370° F. to 390° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the temperature of the gases is measured inside the vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the food to be cooked comprises an egg and wherein the contents of an eggshell and some fat are placed in the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein the temperature of the gases is measured inside the vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the food to be cooked comprises a sauce and wherein egg yolk, lemon juice, fat, and water are placed in the vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 7, wherein the temperature of the gases is measured inside the vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 8, wherein the application of heat is automatically controlled to limit the temperature inside the vessel to about 155° F.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein solid food to be cooked, water, lemon juice, and fat are placed in the vessel, wherein the application of heat is initially controlled to limit the temperature in the vessel to about 212° F., thereafter the application of heat is reduced to lower the temperature inside the vessel to below about 150° F. and egg yolk is placed in the vessel, and then further heat is applied to the vessel and the application of heat is controlled to limit the temperature inside the vessel to about 155° F.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 10, wherein the temperature of the gases is measured inside the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the food to be cooked is a sauce and wherein the ingredients for producing the sauce, including starch, are placed in the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 12, wheren the temperature of said gases is measured inside the vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature of said gases is measured as the gases escape from the vessel through the vent opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the food is tumbled in a relatively small quantity of liquid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 15, further comprising feeding the food and liquid along the length of the vessel during the tumbling.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vessel is rotated about an axis forming an acute angle relative to horizontal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, further comprising adjusting the angle of the rotational axis of the vessel relative to horizontal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vessel is placed upon a rotational support prior to rotation, and wherein the vessel is coupled to rotating means when so supported.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the temperature of said gases is measured by means of a probe away from the walls of the vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said vessel is rotated about an axis aligned with said vent opening, and wherein said probe is adjusted so as to be substantially in alignment with said opening.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the probe is inserted into said vessel through said vent opening.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said signal is produced a predetermined time after the measurement of said predetermined gas temperature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein said time is adjusted in accordance with the type of food to be cooked.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ratio of liquid to solid food is of the order of 1:32.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vessel has a glass outer wall and wherein heat is applied to the contents of the vessel through said wall from a low thermal mass resistance type electric heater.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the vent opening is located centrally on the cap and on the axis of rotation of the vessel, and wherein the cap is elevated at least as much as the opposite end of the vessel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-16 | 1982-04-17 | 1982-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-16 | 1986-04-17 | 1986-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-16 | 1990-04-17 | 1990-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |