WO2012117274A1

WO2012117274A1 - An electric cooking appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2012117274A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/051944
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jeffrey B. GIBBS
Original assignee: Kulturbryggan Ab
Priority date: 2011-03-03
Filing date: 2011-05-03
Publication date: 2012-09-07
Also published as: CN102151074A

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric cooking appliance of which a control element is positioned separately outside, wherein the control element is used to control an electric heating appliance which is disposed in a main body. The electric cooking appliance comprises: a main body, which includes a pot body, an aluminum liner which is positioned in the pot body and an electric heating apparatus which is arranged between the aluminum liner and the pot body; a ceramic pot, which can be placed removably in the aluminum liner; a lid, which is made from tempered glass; and a control element, which is separated from the main body and connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus. Buttons on the control element can be pressed to set parameters and start the electric cooking appliance. The control element can avoid damage from heat since it is removed from the area of the heating source, which is consequently safer and more reliable. The pot body is made of stainless steel and formed in one piece. Thus, this invention provides an electric appliance which is safe, reliable, durable and easy for manufacturing and amending.

Description

An Electric Cooking Appliance

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to an electric cooking appliance and more particularly to an electric cooking appliance controlling its electric heater by an external control part.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Many types of electric cooking appliances in the current market such as induction cooker, electric cooker etc. are traditionally available for heating foods by a heating element which is disposed in a pot body, sensing temperature by a temperature detector which is disposed in the cooking appliance for foods, and controlling the heating time or buttons by a control element installed in the pot body. The temperature in the pot body is gradually elevating up to a limit as the heating element works continuously, in the case that the control element is disposed in the pot body, electronic components of the pot body can be damaged eventually due to the excessive temperature, or if the foods overflow because of over-boiling and flow into the control element, the cleaning will become harder as well as potential damage can occur to further affect regular service. Furthermore, the bottom of the pot body is usually made of plastic and commonly near heating source, consequently the pot body can be unsafe and damaged after a long term service.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an electric cooking appliance whereby the control part is positioned separately outside for overcoming the above mentioned defects in prior art, which is thereby safe and durable.

[0004] The technical schemes employed in the present invention are: this invention involves an electric cooking appliance of which a control part is positioned separately outside of a main body, it includes a main body which comprises an electric heating apparatus used to heat the main body and a execution unit used to actuate the electric heating apparatus to heat, when the execution unit is electrically conducted, the electric heating apparatus starts heating, and when the execution unit is electrically disconnected, the heating stops; a control part, which is used to control the heating time and temperature for the electric heating apparatus; a working pot, which has a cavum to load foods. Wherein the control part is positioned separately outside of the main body and connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus. Thus, the control part is removed from the heating source; accordingly it can be safer and avoid the damages due to long-term heating.

[0005] Furthermore, the control part is connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus by a wire. Optionally, the connection can be performed as wire-less.

[0006] Furthermore, the electric cooking appliance is a slow cooker.

[0007] Furthermore, the main body includes a pot body which has a cavum and an aluminum liner positioned in the pot body, wherein the electric heating apparatus is arranged between the aluminum liner and the pot body.

[0008] Preferably, the electric heating apparatus is arranged around the outside perimeter of the aluminum liner and near the bottom. The aluminum liner can transfer the heat from the electric heating apparatus to the working pot efficiently and safely, and further heat the foods placed in the cavum of the working pot, due to the excellent thermal conductivity thereof. The heating apparatus can also be positioned in other positions of the aluminum liner only on the premise that sufficient and dispersive heat can be provided for the aluminum liner.

[0009] Furthermore, the pot body is a stainless steel pot body formed in one-piece, which has aesthetic monolithic construction and is easy to clean, the stainless steel guarantees strength and quality for the pot body, accordingly it is safer and more durable.

[0010] Furthermore, one or more handles are arranged on outer wall of the pot body in order to lift up the main body conveniently, wherein the handles shall be designed for being able to lift up the weight of the pot with a full load of food.

[0011] Preferably, the surface of the aluminum liner is covered with an oxide coating to improve aesthetics and avoid scratches.

[0012] Furthermore, the control part comprises a start button, and further includes a heating time controller, a heating temperature controller and a start time delay controller which are connected electrically to the start button respectively to control heating time and temperature for the electric heating apparatus.

[0013] Preferably, the working pot is a ceramic pot and can be placed removably in the aluminum liner. The ceramic pot can endure intense heating fluctuations, and can be cleaned conveniently due to glaze and nonstick surface which is appropriate to cook varieties of foods. Consequently, it is available for many types of cooking appliances such as microwave oven and electric oven.

[0014] Furthermore, a lid is positioned upon the working pot, wherein the lid can be made from varieties of materials based on practical needs. Preferably in the present invention, the lid is made from tempered glass so that it is safe.

[0015] The present invention has the advantages in contrast with prior art that: the electric cooking appliance involved in the present invention, wherein the control part is positioned separately outside such that it is removed from the heating source, accordingly the electric cooking appliance involved in the present invention is safer and more reliable, moreover, the pot body is a stainless steel pot body formed in one-piece, which is aesthetic and durable.

Description of the Drawings

[0016] Fig. 1 is a top view of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Fig. 2 is a front view of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Fig. 3 is a rear view of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Fig. 4 is a side view of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Fig. 6 is a front view of a grill of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a controller of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a circuit of an electric cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Wherein, 1. Main body; 11. Electric heating apparatus; 12. Pot body; 13. Aluminum liner; 14. Handles; 15. Bolt; 16. Foot; 2. Control part; 21. Heating time controller; 22. Heating temperature controller; 23. Start time delay controller; 24. Start button; 25. Increase button; 26. Decrease button; 3. Working pot; 4. Lid ; 41. Lid handle; 5. Grid; 6. Power circuit board.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0025] The preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings, such that advantages and features of the invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art easily, thereby protection scope of the present invention will be defined clearly and definitely.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1 to 4, a slow cooker according to an embodiment of the present invention, the control part of which is positioned separately outside of the main body. The slow cooker comprises a main body 1 including a pot body 12 and an aluminum liner 13 positioned inside the pot body 12, and an electric heating apparatus 11 arranged between the aluminum liner 13 and pot body 12, wherein the electric heating apparatus 11 is arranged around the outside perimeter of the aluminum liner as well as near the bottom, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the electric heating apparatus 11 is an electrical resistance heater as shown in Fig. 5; a working pot 3 which can be positioned removably inside the aluminum liner, which has a cavum to load foods; a Lid 4 equipped upon the working pot 3; a control part 2，which is used to control the heating time and temperature for the electrical resistance heater 11. The aluminum liner 13 is fitted to the pot body 12 by a bolt 15. The main body 1 also comprises an execution unit used to actuate the electrical resistance heater 11 to heat, when the execution unit is electrically conducted, the electrical resistance heater 11 starts heating, and when it is electrically disconnected, the heating stops. The control part 2 as shown in Fig. 7 is disposed separately outside of the main body 1 and connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus 11. The control part 2 further comprises a start button 24, as well as a heating time controller 21, a heating temperature controller 22 and a start time delay controller 23 connected electrically to the start button 24 respectively to control the heating time and temperature for the electrical resistance heater 11. The control part 2 further comprises a LCD display which is used to display states of power off/on, firepower in cooking, working time or delayed start time etc. for the slow cooker. The control part 2 further comprises an increase button 25 and a decrease button 26 used to set firepower, working time or delay time. The control part 2 is removed from the heating source of the main body 1, thus its electronic components can avoid damage from high temperature in the pot body 12, which is safer and more reliable. A temperature detecting sensor and power circuit board 6 are further installed in the main body 1, the control part 2 is connected to the power circuit board 6 by a wire to electrically connect with the electric heating apparatus 11, wherein the inserting of a plug is performed similarly in a way of USB for the connection. The slow cooker of the present invention comprises a grid 5 as shown in Fig. 6 or other parts which can optimize functions of the slow cooker, wherein the grid 5 can be positioned inside the working pot 3 to cook foods.

[0027] In the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pot body 12 is a stainless steel pot body formed in one-piece-, which has aesthetic monolithic construction and advantages of durability, indeformability and easy-cleaning. The pot body 12 comprises two handles 14 disposed symmetrically on the outer wall of the pot body 12 to facilitate moving the slow cooker, wherein the handles 14 are retainable to the main body 1 to bear the weight of the main body 1 with a full load of food. The main body 1 further comprises four feet 16 which are disposed symmetrically to support the main body 1. The aluminum liner 13 is smaller than the pot body 12 in size, wherein its bottom is plane, and its upper edge extends outwardly a short distance and is higher than the pot body, the aluminum liner 13 can transfer the heat of the electrical resistance heater 11 around it to the working pot 3 efficiently and safely, to further heat the foods in working pot 3 due to its good heat conductivity. The surface of the aluminum liner 13 is covered with an oxide coating to improve aesthetics and avoid scratches. The working pot 3 is a ceramic pot with the advantages that ceramic is nonstick and convenient for cleaning, it can have contact with the aluminum liner 13 preferably and its outer wall is smaller than the inner wall of aluminum liner 13 in size, the upper edge of the working pot 3 extends outwards to form two symmetrical handles on its outer extended wall, to facilitate placing or removing the working pot 3. In addition, the lid 4 can be made from varieties of materials based on practical needs and personal preferences. Preferably in the present embodiment, the lid 4 is made from tempered glass. The lid 4 also comprises a lid handle 41 used to remove the lid 4 momentarily, to add foods or check the process, as the slow cooker works without being scalded by the heat. The lid 4 further comprises two small holes and a stainless steel rim around its outer perimeter.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 8 is a schematic view of circuit interconnection according to a slow cooker of the present invention. The control part 2 is connected to a power circuit board 6 disposed in the main body 1 by a 4 PIN wire to further connect electrically with the electric heating apparatus 11 disposed in the main body 1. The slow cooker of the present invention controls the electric heating apparatus 11 by using Triac.

[0029] Users only need to press the buttons on external control part 2 to further control the electric heating apparatus 11 for the slow cooker. At off status, the LCD does not display or only shows “‐‐‐‐” indicating that the power is off; at standby and working status, the LCD shows firepower, working time or delay time for the cooking. At off status, press the start button 24 shortly to go on working status; at working status, press start button 24 for one second to end the program. The control part 2 controls the cooking process in three ways such as setting the cooking time as 0-20 hours, setting cooking temperature as states of low, high or warm setting and setting the delay time before the start of the cooking process as 0-4 hours.

[0030] Parameters can be set by using functional buttons, the increase button 25 and/or decrease button 26, when the heating temperature controller 22 is switched on, every time the increase button 25 is pressed, the firepower is accordingly changed by a sequence of warm to low to high setting, and every time the decrease button 26 is pressed, the firepower is accordingly fluctuated by a sequence of high to low to warm setting. When the heating time controller 21 or the start time delay controller 23 is switched on, the working time can also be set by using the increase button 25 and/or decrease button 26, pressing the buttons one time can increase or decrease the time for 1 hour, but if the buttons are pressed over 1 second, then the time can increase by 4 hours every second to a maximum limit of 20 hours for cooking time, or 4 hours for start time delay. The slow cooker can enter into default status if power is accessed and the start button 24 is pressed repeatedly, wherein defaults perform without delayed time such that firepower is of low setting and working time is of 8 hours setting.

[0031] General working process for the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Firstly put the raw (un-cooked) foods into the ceramic pot 3 preferably in a capacity range of 1/2 to 3/4 full, the food is perhaps over cooked if too little food is loaded, and overflowing can occur if too much food is placed in the pot; secondly put the ceramic pot 3 with foods in the aluminum liner 13 which is disposed in the pot body 12, and adjust the ceramic pot 3 allowing it to contact the aluminum liner 13 appropriately, a note here is that the bottom of ceramic pot 3 should be kept dry, then the ceramic pot 3 is covered with a lid 4; subsequently connect the control part 2 to the main body 1 by a wire to allow a control circuit of the control part 2 to electrically connect to the electric heating apparatus 11 disposed within the pot body 1; Finally, press the buttons on control part 2 to set working conditions for the slow cooker, which are generally in 3 conditions as cooking time, cooking temperature and pre-cooking waiting time.

[0032] After the start button 24 is pressed, the parameters can be set according to practical needs, and the slow cooker enters a waiting time (can be 0-4 hours or no waiting time), then it enters a cooking time under high or low or warm temperature for the set duration, then it automatically enters into status of heat preservation (warm temperature) for a period of four hours, finally the power automatically switches off. Heating the ceramic pot 3 with foods by using the electrical resistance heater 11 of the invention is safer and more reliable, wherein the electrical resistance heater 11 is controlled by the control part 2 which is separately disposed out of the main body 1.

[0033] The above detailed description illustrates the particular embodiments of the invention, but the foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no necessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as various modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An electric cooking appliance, comprising:

a main body(1), which includes a electric heating apparatus (11) used to heat the said main body(1) and an execution unit used to drive said electric heating apparatus (11) , wherein the electric heating apparatus (11) starting to heat when the execution unit connected electrically, and the electric heating apparatus (11) stopping heating when the execution unit disconnected electrically;

a control part(2), which is used to control the heating time and temperature of the electric heating apparatus(11);

a working pot(3) having a cavum used to be filled with food;

is characterized in that said control part (2) is disposed separately outside of the main body(1), and connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus(11) .

2. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein the said control part(2) is connected electrically to the electric heating apparatus(11) by a wire.

3. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the said electric cooking appliance is a slow cooker.

4. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body(1) also includes a pot body(12) having a cavum and a aluminum liner(13) disposed inside the pot body(12), wherein the electric heating apparatus(11) disposed between the said aluminum liner(13) and pot body(12).

5. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein the electric heating apparatus(11) is disposed around the outside perimeter of the aluminum liner(13).

6. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein the pot body (12) is a stainless steel pot body forged in one-piece into shape by one time.

7. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein one or more handles (14) are disposed on the outer wall of the pot body(12).

8. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein the surface of the said aluminum liner (13) is covered with a oxide coating.

9. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control part (2) includes a start switch(24), a heating time controller(21), a heating temperature controller(22) and a start time delay controller (23) used to control the heating time and temperature of the electric heating apparatus(11), which are connected electrically to the said start switch (24) respectively.

10. The electric cooking appliance according to claim 4 , wherein the working pot (3) is a ceramic pot, the working pot(3) placed inside the aluminum liner(13).