US3726268A

US3726268A - Cooking apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3726268A
Application number: US00139504A
Authority: US
Inventors: R Stansell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-05-03
Filing date: 1971-05-03
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

A cooking apparatus is disclosed herein having a pair of coaxial telescoping sleeves formed with a plurality of slits or openings adapted to be in or out of registry by sliding the sleeves relative to one another. The inner sleeve of the pair includes a platform midway between its opposite ends for defining a heating chamber on one side and a food container chamber on the other side thereof. An adjustable securement mechanism is carried on one end of the outer sleeve which is responsive to expansion of the heated container for extinguishing ignited fuel in the heating chamber terminating the cooking procedure.

Description

[451 Apr. 10, 1973 United States Patent [191 Stansell i 1 COOKING APPARATUS [76] Inventor:

Rex L. SI u l w Lexington Primary Examiner-William F. ODea Drive, Glendale Calif 91203 Assistant ExammerPeter D. Ferguson Attorney-Roger A. Marrs May 3, 1971 [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A cooking apparatus is disclosed herein having a pair of coaxial telescoping sleeves formed with a 211 Appl. No.: 139,504

plurality f registry [52] US. ...l26/262, 126/43 [51] of slits or openings adapted to be in or out 0 g by sliding the sleeves relative to one another. The

[58] Field of Seal-chum......... ....126/262, 265, 266,

126/43, 374 inner sleeve of the pair includes a platform midway between its opposite ends for defining a heatin 56] References Cited chamber on one side and a food container chamber 0 the other side thereof. An adjustable securement UNITED STATES PATENTS mechanism is carried on one end of the outer sleeve which is responsive to expansion of the heated container for extinguishing ignited fuel in the heatin chamber terminating the cooking procedure.

2,502,434 4/1950 Creitz...............................126/262X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 3/1924 GreatBritain.......

1 1 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATEF ITED APR 1 0 75 SHEET 2 [1F 2 O TO R X A. $74A/6ELL INVENTOR.

COOKING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION from the can for heating and consuming purposes. In 1 some instances, the food may be heated in situ by introducing the can to a burning fuel. The food heats rapidly under this condition since any air, water, steam, gas or the like is confined and pressure cannot be relieved. Close observation must be maintained as otherwise pressure build-up will rupture the walls of the can freeing the enclosed food. In fact, an explosion generally occurs which scatters hot food in all directions. Obviously, this is a dangerous circumstance and one to be avoided.

More recently, stoves have been incorporated directly into the storage container for the food. Such primary examples reside in U. S. Letters Pat. No. 249,769; 2,575,299 and 3,369,538. These devices also suffer from inadvertent over-heating resulting in explosion unless closely watched. Furthermore, the stoves employ a confined food can or container holding area which is not adaptable for holding cans of varying or different sizes. The holding areas shown or defined by the prior art are not capable of confining the effects of an explosion since the sidewall, top, bottom or portions thereof will easily separate or or disassemble and become flying projectiles or missles.

Therefore, a long standing need exists for a stove useful in heating canned food that will extinguish its own ignited fuel at a selected natural temperature as opposed to a gage setting and which may be readily transportable as a self-contained unit by sportsmen, boatmen, campers or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the difficulties and problems encountered with conventional stoves and self-contained heating apparatus are obviated by the present invention which provides a novel cooking apparatus having a pair of coaxially disposed telescoping sleeves arranged in sliding relationship and wherein each of the sleeves is formed with slots or openings capable of being aligned to conduct air into the interior of the sleeves. The innermost sleeve of the pair includes a transverse grid or grille for supporting the food can which divides the interior of the sleeve into a fuel-burning area and a food heating area. The outermost sleeve carries an adjustable securement mechanism which senses any expansion of the can during heating and operates in response to expansion by displacing the outer sleeve relative to the inner sleeve for closing the slots or opening. The burning fuel is extinguished and no further increase in can pressure is experienced.

In addition to automatic cessation of heating, the apparatus incorporates means for accommodating a plurality of different sized cans or containers. Also, a novel means is employed for locking or retaining the sleeves in fixed axial alignment. Such means includes a bail pivotally carried through over-sized openings formed on opposite sides of the sleeves and employing the cover or lid as a cam for spreading the bailinto its unlocked position.

Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a novel cooking apparatus having means for automatically extinguishing a burning fuel in response to an actual cooking pressure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel shut-off mechanism for a portable stove which 0 senses expansion in the size of a closed and sealed container and is responsive thereto for extinguishing an ignited and burning fuel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel portable cooking device which is simple in construction, safe to use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel cooking stove for heating canned foods quickly and for shutting itself off automatically when food is hot.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a novel cooking stove having a means for heating canned food in situ, for sensing the expansion of the can under pressure and for extinguishing the heating means in response to the sensed pressure expansion of the can.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the novel cooking apparatus. of the present invention illustrating the component parts thereof prior to assembly for performing a cooking procedure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cooking apparatus shown in FIG. 1 illustrat ing the apparatus as being fully assembled preparatory for cooking;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a novel retaining mechanism for releasably interconnecting the inner and outer sleeves of the apparatus as taken in the direction of arrows 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 2 illustrating the apparatus at completion of a heating or cooking procedure;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cooking apparatus shown in FIG. 4 as taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the cooking apparatus as taken in the direction of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, in cross-section of the retainer mechanism illustrated in the direction of arrows 77 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the cooking apparatus shown in FIG. 4 as taken in the direction of arrows 8-8 thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the novel cooking apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in the general direction of arrow which includes, in general, an inner sleeve 11 coaxially disposed in telescoping sliding relationship with an outer sleeve 12 so as to properly index and register a plurality of slots or openings formed in each of the sleeves. An opening or slot in sleeve 1 1 is identified by numeral 13 while a similar slot or opening is identified by numeral 14 in sleeve 12. Inner sleeve 11 further includes a base portion 15 and a grid or grille 16 secured to the inside wall surface of the sleeve midway between its opposite ends. The bore of inner sleeve 1 1 is therefore divided into a pair of chambers consisting of a lower chamber for insertably receiving a canned fuel 17, such as alcohol or the like. When properly ignited, the heated fuel will rise past the grid or grille 16 into a food chamber occupied by a conventional food can or container 18. The food can rests upon the grid or grille 16 and is substantially coaxially disposed with respect to the innermost cylinder or sleeve 11.

The outer sleeve 12 includes a top portion 20 that closes off one end of the sleeve while the opposite end of the sleeve is open so as to maintain the sliding telescopic relationship with the inner sleeve 11. The top 20 supports an adjustment mechanism, illustrated in the direction of arrow 21, which not only permits accommodation for a variety of different sized cans in the heating chamber but provides for the automatic fuel shut-off feature which will be described later. The outer sleeve 12 also includes a thermal blanket or covering 22 that may be employed to protect the hands of the user during assembly or disassembly.

As a means for aligning the

slots

13 and 14 of the respective sleeves, index means are provided between the two sleeves. This means may readily include a pointer 23 carried along the edge of the open end of outer sleeve 12 and a marker 24 carried on the base 15 of the inner sleeve 11. Therefore, when the sleeves are slid together, the marker 23 may be aligned with the marker 24 whereby the respective slots or openings will properly index and register. When the slots or openings are so registered, the fuel chamber occupied by the fuel can 17 and the heating chamber occupied by the food can 18 are in fluid communication with the ambient environment. When the sleeves are arranged with respect to one another so that certain portions of the sleeve sidewalls block the respective openings or slots, the respective chambers are substantially cut off or isolated from the surrounding environment.

The inner and

outer sleeves

11 and 12, respectively, are provided with a lock mechanism for holding the sleeves together which takes the form of a substantially U-shaped bail 26 having opposing terminating ends which pass through holes on opposite sides of the sleeves so as to prevent substantial axial movement and substantial radial movement between the sleeves. This mechanism will be described in detail later. The bail 26 also includes a cushioned handle 27 that extends between the respective legs of the U-shaped member.

Initially, the fuel can 17 is inserted into the fuel chamber beneath the grid or grille 16 at one end of the inner sleeve 11. This is followed by insertion of the food can 18 through the opposite end of the cylinder or sleeve 11 so that the bottom of the can rests on the grid or grille 16. Next, the outer sleeve 12 is slid over the end of the inner sleeve 11 about its end opposite to the end carrying base 15. The outer sleeve is slid over the inner sleeve until the mechanism 21 engages with the top of the can 18 so as to press the can against its supporting grid or grille 16. At this time, the bail 26 may be pivoted about its mounting on the cylinders to lock the sleeves together as a unit whereby only minimum axial movement will be permitted.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the cooking apparatus of the present invention rests on top of the fuel can 17 when in use. To provide adequate support, an annular bead 30 is provided on the inside wall surface of the inner sleeve 11 which is adapted to engage with a lip formed in a conventional can. The bead 30 and the lip of the can 17 engage in an interference fit so that the can must be pressed over the bead to effect engagement. The upper surface of the fuel can 17 is in fixed spaced apart relationship with respect to the underside of the platform, grille or grid 16. When in this location, it is to be noted that the plurality of slots or openings 14 form a lower row which are in registry with the slots 13 in the inner sleeve so that a suitable air flow ensues between the fuel can and the ambient environment. Air is drawn through the aligned or registered openings or slots so that the fuel will continue to burn.

It is also to be noted that an upper row of aligned or registered slots or openings are formed about the heating chamber occupied by the food can 18. Such registered or aligned openings present a passageway for exhausting heat during the cooking procedure. The openings or slots in both the upper and lower rows adjacent the heating chamber and the fuel burning chamber are characterized as being on an angular slant with respect to the horizontal whereby the air passageway therethrough may be readily adjusted by rotating or twisting the inner and outer sleeves with respect to one another so that the terminating edges of the slots or openings increase or decrease the passageways as desired.

It is also to be noted in FIG. 2 that the grid or grille 16 includes a raised central portion, indicated by numeral 31, which engages the central bottom of the can 18. Normally, when first assembling the unit with can 18 within the heating chamber, the can may not be supported in an upright manner on the central portion 31. However, when the adjustable mechanism 21 is tightened down, the can will right itself on the central raised portion 31.

The adjustable mechanism 21 includes a screw 32 having its shank in threadable relationship with a nut member 33 and having a pressure member 34 carried on the extreme end of the shank. The pressure member 34 occupies the upper portion of the heating chamber and when the screw 32 is rotated by means of its knurled handle 35, the pressure member 34 will extend into forcible engagement with the top of the can 18. When sufficient finger pressure has been applied, the can 18 will be properly supported on the grid or grille 16 under the pressure of the pressure member 34. Inasmuch as the screw 32 can move through the top 20, cans of varying heights can be accommodated within the heating chamber. Cans of varying diameter may be accommodated up to the dimensional diameter of the inner sleeve 11.

FIG. 2 further illustrates that the bail 26 includes terminating ends 36 and 37 which are pivotally carried through

fittings

38 and 40 so that the extreme end of the terminating ends 36 and 37 are in alignment with holes 411 and 42 formed in the sidewall of outer sleeve 12. In this approximate location, the inner sleeve 11 is formed with a substantially

square opening

43 and 44 so that the opposing terminating ends 36 and 37 of the bail may pass through the aligned

openings

41, 43 and

openings

42, 44. This rectilinear movement of the terminating ends 36 and 37 into and out of engagement with the holes and openings in the sleeves is effected by divergingly directing the opposite legs of the bail 26 so that their opposing surfaces strike or ride against the opposite edge marginal region of the outer sleeve. These opposite regions are identified by

numerals

45 and 46 and the distance between the opposing surfaces of the legs of the bail is lesser than the distance across the top 20. Therefore, engagement between the legs of the bail and the

marginal regions

45 and 46 operates as a cam whereby the resultant effect is to spread the terminating ends 36 and 37 apart when engagement occurs between the

regions

45 and 46 and the legs of the bail. However, when the bail is rotated in a downward direction, the legs of the bail leave the

areas

45 and 46 so that the normal and natural spring bias of the bail will urge the ends 36 and 37 through the aligned openings. Thus, the inner and outer sleeves are permitted only a limited amount of freedom axially or radially depending upon the engagement of the end of the bail with the edges of the inner sleeve that define the square openings. It is important to note that since the opposite ends of the bail are carried on the outer sleeve by means of

fittings

38 and 40, any movement of the sleeve in an up and down direction is reflected or transferred into movement of the terminating ends 36 and 37 accordingly.

This pin or terminating end relationship is shown more clearly in FIG. 3. It can be seen that the terminating end 36 may move vertically or horizontally with respect to the axis of sleeve 12 and is restricted only by engagement with the sides of the sleeve defining the opening 43.

By raising the bail, as shown in FIG. 2 so that the diverging opposite legs of the bail engage with the top 20, the bail terminating ends 36 and 37 reside along the bottom of opening 43 adjacent one of the sides as shown in FIG. 3. This may be determined as the carrier position for the unit and the handle 27 may be readily grasped by the hand of the user during transportation and for initial set-up for assembly purposes. However, when the device is being used for heating, the bail 26 is pivoted on its terminating end within

fittings

38 and 40 so that the bail and its handle are in a lowered position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, whereby the normal resilient bias of the bail urges the terminating ends 36 and 37 through the aligned openings to loosely engage the outer sleeve with the inner sleeve. As the burning of the fuel in can 17 progresses, heat is transferred through the grille or plate 16 into the heating chamber for elevating the temperature of the food within can 18. It is the conventional practice to vacuum pack food in cans and when heated, expansion occurs so that the lid of the can, as indicated by numeral 50, will buckle, distort or otherwise become deformed due to the expansion of gasses within the can. As the expansion of the lid 50 occurs, pressure is exerted to the top or outer cylinder 12 via the pressure member 34 and the screw 32 so that the outer sleeve is slid upwardly over the inner sleeve 1 I. The upwardly sliding movement of the outer sleeve misaligns its openings or slots 14 with respect to the openings or slots 13 on the lower or inner sleeve so that a blockage occurs isolating both the heating chamber and the burning chamber from external environment. This means that the burning of the fuel will be extinguished due to the removal of air from the burning chamber. With respect to the heating chamber, heat in the chamber will remain so as to maintain the food in the can warm for many hours. Under normal circumstances, it requires only three minutes to heat the food and shut off the fuel while the food in the can will remain warm in the can for approximately four hours.

When the force of the expanded can urges the outer sleeve upward, the bail and its terminating ends 36 and 37 will travel upward until restricted or stopped by engagement of the terminating ends with the upper edge of the inner sleeve sidewall defining the

openings

43 and 44. However, the upward movement is sufficient to misalign slots or

openings

13 and 14 so that a closure of the upper and lower compartments or chambers is produced.

FIG. 6 more clearly illustrates the misalignment of the slots or

openings

13 and 14 and the placement of terminating end 36 against the upper edge of opening 43.

Referring now in detail to FIG. 7, it can be seen that slight rotary or twisting of the

sleeves

11 and 12 with respect to each other is permitted. This again results because of the side edges of

openings

43 and 44. This movement of course permits the slots or

holes

13 and 14 to-be aligned for any intended closure or limited air passage therethrough. Preferably, the ball 36 is mounted so that the

fittings

40 and 36 are centered approximately, apart on the sleeves. By so doing, an

even number of slots, such as six, for example, can be placed about the periphery of the sleeves in each row.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that by twisting the outer cylinder or sleeve with respect to the inner sleeve, the cooking temperature may be controlled since the slot openings may be reduced or increased to restrict or control the flow of air therethrough. The angle of movement is illustrated between the arrows shown in FIG. 7 while FIG. 6 illustrates the placement of

fittings

33 and 40. Obviously, for complete air passage and control purposes, the surrounding blanket 22 must also have slots or openings conforming to those in the outer sleeve.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the grille or grid 16 is segmented so that a substantial passageway exists between the lower burning chamber and the upper heating chamber. Also, the handle is preferably curved so as to conform about the base 15 when folded to make the unit compact.

Therefore, the present invention has features such as automatic shut-off and heat control for the temperature of the food by the adjustment of the air and

exhaust slots

13 and 14. It will keep the food hot for a period up to four hours. Also, it is simple in construction compared to the other devices shown in the aforementioned patents. The present apparatus may heat four different sizes of canned food with an adjustment in the outer cylinder and operation of the secureinent mechanism 21. The automatic cooking apparatus will heat a sealed can of unopened food, such as a can of Pork and Beans to eating temperature in approximately 3 minutes and will automatically shut off in 5 minutes without any chance of the can exploding, due to the fact that it does shut off automatically. With the bail 26 in the side or down position, the two cylinders cannot be separated from each other even though the food can were to explode.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: l. A cooking apparatus comprising the combination: a sealed container confining contents to be heated; a pair of elongated, hollow members arranged in movable relationship with respect to each other; means carried by said members cooperating with each other for venting the interior of said members; and means intercoupling said sealed container and a selected one of said members responsive to expansion of said sealed container for moving said selected one of said members to close said venting means. 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a heating chamber and a fuel burning chamber; means carired by one of said members for supporting said sealed container within said heating chamber; and means disposed within said fuel burning chamber for maintaining combusion to heat said heating chamber when said members are disposed so as to open said venting means. 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said members comprise coaxially disposed and telescoping cylindrical sleeves; and said venting means includes a plurality of openings formed in said sleeves and arranged in a first row about said fuel burning chamber. 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said venting further includes a second row of said plurality of openings arranged about said heating chamber.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said openings in said first and second rows are air passageways to the interior of said sleeves when said openings in said respective sleeves are in registry prior to expansion of said sealed container; and

said openings being out-of-registry to block said air passageways when said sealed container expands.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a selected one of said members includes a grid for supporting said sealed container secured across the interior thereof substantially midway between its opposite ends so as to divide said interior into a fuel burning chamber and a heating chamber;

said intercoupling means comprising an axially adjustable screw bearing against a closed end of said selected member and against the top of said sealed container.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said intercoupling means comprises an axial adjustable member releasably engageable between said sealed container and said selected member whereby said adjustable member senses expansion of said sealed container and reacts in response to expansion by closing said venting means.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair of members comprise telescoping cylindrical sleeves arranged in sliding relationship;

said venting means comprising a plurality of openings in each of said sleeves, said openings being registered when corresponding openings in each sleeve are aligned to permit the passage of air therethrough.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 including means for retaining said sleeves in substantially fixed relationship permitting limited rotary and axial displacement.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises a bail of U-shaped configuration having opposing separated terminating ends pivotally carried on opposite sides of said outer sleeve in said telescoping relationship;

said other sleeve from said outer sleeve having an opening formed therein for selectively receiving said terminating ends to hold said sleeves together.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said bail cams against said sleeve to forcibly spread said terminating ends to release said sleeves from each other.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus comprising the combination: a sealed container confining contents to be heated; a pair of elongated, hollow members arranged in movable relationship with respect to each other; means carried by said members cooperating with each other for venting the interior of said members; and means intercoupling said sealed container and a selected one of said members responsive to expansion of said sealed container for moving said selected one of said members to close said venting means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a heating chamber and a fuel burning chamber; means carired by one of said members for supporting said sealed container within said heating chamber; and means disposed within said fuel burning chamber for maintaining combusion to heat said heating chamber when said members are disposed so as to open said venting means.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 including a heating chamber and a fuel burning chamber; means carired by one of said members for supporting said sealed container within said heating chamber; and means disposed within said fuel burning chamber for maintaining combustion to heat said heating chamber when said members are disposed so as to open said venting means.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said members comprise coaxially disposed and telescoping cylindrical sleeves; and said venting means includes a plurality of openings formed in said sleeves and arranged in a first row about said fuel burning chamber.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said venting further includes a second row of said plurality of openings arranged about said heating chamber.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein said openings in said first and second rows are air passageways to the interior of said sleeves when said openings in said respective sleeves are in registry prior to expansion of said sealed container; and said openings being out-of-registry to block said air passageways when said sealed container expands.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a selected one of said members includes a grid for supporting said sealed container secured across the interior thereof substantially disway between its opposite ends so as to divide said interior into a fuel burning chamber and a heating chamber; said intercoupling means comprising an axially adjustable screw bearing against a closed en of said selected member and against the top of said sealed container.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a selected one of said members includes a grid for supporting said sealed container secured across the interior thereof substantially midway between its opposite ends so as to divide said interior into a fuel burning chamber and a heating chamber; said intercoupling means comprising an axially adjustable screw bearing against a closed end of said selected member and against the top of said sealed coNtainer.

8. The Invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair of members comprise telescoping cylindrical sleeves arranged in sliding relationship; said venting means comprising a plurality of openings in each of said sleeves, said openings being registered when corresponding openings in each sleeve are aligned to permit the passage of air therethrough

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said pair of members comprise telescoping cylindrical sleeves arranged in sliding relationship; said venting means comprising a plurality of openings in each of said sleeves, said openings being registered when corresponding openings in each sleeve are aligned to permit the passage of air therethrough.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said retaining means comprises a bail of U-shaped configuration having opposing separated terminating ends pivotally carried on opposite sides of said outer sleeve in said telescoping relationship; said other sleeve from said outer sleeve having an opening formed therein for selectively receiving said terminating ends to hold said sleeves together.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said bail cams against said sleeve to forcibly spread said terminating ends to release said sleeves from each other. What is claimed is: