Cover of pressure cooker and pressure cooker using same

Abstract

A pressure cooker comprises a cooker body and a cooker cover. A cover may be positioned over the cooker body and include a heater, a fan, a motor, one or more protrusions, a tab, and a connector. The heater is configured to provide heat to the cooker body. The fan is configured to provide airflow to the cooker body. The motor is configured to drive the fan. The first protrusion is configured to lock the lid to the cookware body to maintain pressure in the cookware body. The tab is movable between a first position and a second position to engage or disengage the one or more first protrusions with or from the cooker body by sliding along a predetermined path. The tab is positioned on a side of the one or more first protrusions opposite the center of the cover. A connector is coupled to the first protrusion and the tab.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of pending U.S. non-provisional application 18 / 357,340, filed on July 24, 2023, and pending U.S. provisional application 63 / 392,984, filed on July 28, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a cooker, and more particularly to a cover of the cooker. Background Art

[0004] Electric cooking appliances, such as electric pressure cookers (EPCs) and air fryers, are commonly used household appliances. The various different cooking household appliances take up a lot of space, so it would be beneficial to have an appliance that can perform different types of cooking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The embodiments may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and descriptions. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. In addition, in the drawings, the same reference numerals represent corresponding components in different views.

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of a pressure cooker with air frying functionality is shown;

[0007] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A partially exploded perspective view of a pressure cooker;

[0008] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of a pressure cooker;

[0009] Figure 4 Shows the view from another point of view Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of a pressure cooker;

[0010] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of a top portion of a pressure cooker;

[0011] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view of a pressure cooker;

[0012] Figure 7 Shows Figure 1 an enlarged view of the rear end of the pressure cooker;

[0013] Figure 8 Shows Figure 1 The ring and other parts of the cover;

[0014] Fig. 9 The engagement between the cooker body and the lid is shown;

[0015] Fig.10 The latch, tab and connector of the pressure cooker are shown; and

[0016] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 Exploded diagram of . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Although cookers with combined multiple functions (e.g., pressure cooking and air frying functions) are advantageous due to their versatility, the inclusion of these different functions can significantly increase the weight of the cooker and / or cooker lid.

[0018] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the pressure cooker 10 may include a cover 100 and a cooker body 500. The cover 100 may include a heater 110, a fan 120, a motor 130 (such as Figure 6 ), one or more first protrusions 140, tabs 150, and connectors 160. The lid 100 of the pressure cooker 10 has components that allow it to perform the functions of a pressure cooker as well as an air fryer, but the components in the lid 100, such as the motor, the first protrusion, the heater, etc., have added considerable weight to the lid 100, which makes it difficult for the user to open or otherwise operate the lid without a corresponding lightening design.

[0019] The cover 100 may be positioned above the cooker body 500. The heater 110 is configured to provide heat to the cooker body 500. The fan 120 is close to the heater, and the fan 120 is configured to generate an airflow to the cooking space 510 in the cooker body 500. For example, the airflow may bring the heat generated by the heater 110 to the cooking space 510 to heat the food contained in the cooking space 510. The motor 130 is coupled to the fan 120 and is configured to drive the fan so that the fan 120 may provide an airflow. The fan 120 and the heater 110 located in the cover 100 may allow the pressure cooker 10 to be used as an air fryer.

[0020] The one or more first protrusions 140 are configured to engage with the cooker body 500 to lock the lid 100 to the cooker body 500 to maintain pressure in the cooker body 500. When the pressure cooker 10 is in operation, the first protrusions 140 can provide a secure engagement to prevent the pressure in the pressure cooker 10 from opening the lid 100.

[0021] The tab 150 is operatively coupled to the first protrusion 140. The coupling may be direct or indirect. The tab 150 may be movable between a first position P1 and a second position P2 (eg, Figure 1The user can slide the tab 150 along a predetermined route Rt from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As an example, the tab 150 is positioned on one side of the one or more first protrusions 140 opposite to the center C of the cover 100. The center C is a general concept, and it is not meant to define a specific point of the cover 100. Compared with the first protrusion 140, the tab 150 is located at the periphery 101 of the cover 100, so that if the user wants to open the cover 100, the user can apply less force (due to the mechanical advantage of the longer lever effect) to move the first protrusion 140 to disengage the first protrusion 140 from the cooker body 500.

[0022] The cover 100 may also include a connector 160. The connector 160 may be located inside the cover 100. The connector 160 may be coupled to the first protrusion 140 at one location and to the tab 150 at another location. For example, the connector 160 may include a first arm 161, and the first arm 161 may extend through the first slot 102 facing outward to be coupled to the tab 150. With the connector 160 extending between the first protrusion 140 and the tab 150, movement of the tab 150 by a user may cause the first protrusion 140 to move toward another location. As an example, the first slot 102 may be curved and follow the curvature of the perimeter of the cover 100.

[0023] In one embodiment, the connector 160 may further include a second arm 162. The second arm 162 may extend upward (eg, away from the cooker body 500) through the second slot 103 (eg, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 102). The second slot 103 may be located above the first arm 161, and the second slot 103 may conform to the contour of the first slot 102 so that they both guide the movement of the connector 160. The second arm 162 may be guided by the second slot 103. When the tab moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2 (and then to the Figure 1 When the connector 160 is in the third position P3 shown, the second arm 162 can move along the second slot 103. The first slot 102 and the second slot 103 can be concentric. The first arm 161 and the second arm 162 of the connector 160 can be an integral structure, for example, made of the same plastic material from a molding process.

[0024] As an example, the cover 100 may further include a ring 170 (eg, Figure 8160 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The ring 170 may be circular. One or more first protrusions 140 may be formed on the inner circumference of the ring 170, and the first protrusions may extend inwardly. The first protrusions 140 may be evenly distributed around the inner circumference. The cover 100 may further include a third arm 105, and the third arm 105 may be operatively coupled to the connector 160 at one position and operatively coupled to the ring 170 at another position so that the tab 150 may move the ring 170 (and the first protrusions 140) via the connector 160. For example, the third arm 105 may extend through a third slot 104 that conforms to the contour of the first slot 102. The third slot 104 may be located at a lower position than the first slot 102.

[0025] Accordingly, the cooker body 500 may include one or more second protrusions 540 (eg, Fig. 9 The first protrusion 140 and the second protrusion 540 may be arranged to engage with the first protrusion 140. The second protrusion 540 may be located at the periphery of the pot 550 of the cooker body 500. The second protrusion 540 may be evenly distributed along the periphery. When the first protrusion 140 and the second protrusion 540 are disengaged, the first protrusion 140 and the second protrusion 540 are not aligned with each other. When the first protrusion 140 and the second protrusion 540 are engaged, the first protrusion 140 and the second protrusion 540 overlap each other (at least partially). The movement of the tab 150 may rotate the first protrusion 140 to remove the overlap.

[0026] As an example, the third arm 105 may be coupled to the connector 160 via a ring 165 of the connector 160 surrounding the third arm 105. The third arm 105 may be inserted into the ring 165. The third arm 105 may be made of a different material than the connector 160. For example, the third arm 105 may be made of a metal similar to the ring 170 of the cover 100, and the third arm 105 may be welded to the ring 170.

[0027] After the tab 150 moves from the first position P1 to the second position P2, the first protrusion 140 may be disengaged from the cookware body 500. However, the lid 100 cannot be opened at this time because the latch 180 may be engaged with the cookware body 500 by inserting the hook-shaped lower end into the recess 520 of the cookware body 500. The tab 150 may further move to the third position P3. This movement may further disengage the latch 180 from the cookware body 500 so that the lid 100 may be opened, for example, by a biasing force. In addition, once the latch 180 is released, the lid 100 may be biased to be ejected.

[0028] In one embodiment, the connector 160 may further include a fourth arm 163 extending in a direction opposite to the second position P2. For example, when the connector 160 is located at the first position P1, the fourth arm 163 extends opposite to the predetermined route Rt defined by the first slot 102. The fourth arm 163 may move with the movement of the connector 160 caused by the user's operation of the tab 150. The latch 180 may move between an engaged position in which the latch 180 engages with the cookware body 500 at the recess 520 and a disengaged position in which the latch 180 does not engage with the cookware body 500. The fourth arm 163 may be configured to move the latch 180 from the engaged position to the disengaged position when the tab 150 moves from the second position P2 to the third position P3 to allow the biasing force to at least partially open the lid 100.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cover 100 may further include a base 182 defining the third slot 104. The cover 100 may include a cantilever arm 181 connected to the base 182 at a hinge 183. The fourth arm 163 may be configured to engage the cantilever arm 181 when the tab 150 moves from the second position P2 to the third position P3, so that the cantilever arm 181 is urged to pivot about the first hinge 183, thereby ultimately contacting the upper portion 180U of the latch 180 and moving the latch 180 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the latch 180 can pivot about the hinge 184 and is biased by a spring 521. Therefore, when the cantilever 181 engages with the latch 180, the upper end 180U of the latch 180 moves forward and away from the center of the cover 100; the lower end 180D of the latch 180 moves backward toward the center C of the cover 100. Thus, the lower end 180D of the latch 180 can be disengaged from the recess 520 of the cooker body 500 that accommodates the lower end 180D of the latch 180. The spring 521 can bias the latch 180 to keep the latch 180 in the engaged position. The spring 521 can be a compression spring, a tension spring, a conical spring, a torsion spring, a laminated spring or a leaf spring, or a disc spring or a Belleville spring, or other types of elastic components.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the cover 100 may further include an elastic stopper 164, which is configured to bias the connector 160 or the third arm 105 toward the second position P2 when the connector moves between the second position P2 and the third position P3. For example, the elastic stopper 164 may push the connector 160 or the tab 150 backward from the third position P3 to the second position P2, so that the cantilever 181 may move backward, and the latch 180 may move back to the engaged position based on the biasing force from the spring 521. As an example, the elastic stopper 164 may include a spring extending over the third slot 104. The elastic stopper 164 may include a compression spring, a tension spring, a conical spring, a torsion spring, a laminated spring or a leaf spring, or a disc spring or a Belleville spring, or other types of elastic components. Figure 4 As shown, the elastic stopper 164 may include an extension arm 166 at the end of a torsion spring. The extension arm 166 extends over the third slot 104. When the connector 160 moves closer to the end of the third slot 104, the connector 160 may contact the extension arm 166. Due to the torsion spring, the extension arm 166 may provide a force to push the connector 160 back toward the second position P2.

[0032] In addition, in an exemplary embodiment, the cover 100 may be biased toward the open position. For example, the cover 100 may be biased by an elastic member such as a spring, which is positioned at the periphery of the cooker body 500 opposite to the tab 150. The biasing force may come from an elastic member 191 located at a hinge 190, about which the cover 100 pivots. The cover 100 may be coupled to the cooker body 500 at the hinge 190. The hinge 190 may be located on the side of the cooker body 500 opposite to the tab. Because the cover 100 is biased, once the first protrusion 140 is first disengaged from the cooker body 500 (when the tab 150 reaches the second position P2), the cover 100 may be ejected, and then the latch 180 is positioned in the disengaged position (when the tab moves further from the second position P2 toward the third position P3).

[0033] The biasing force of the lid 100 can help the lid 100 to be opened. The lid 100 of the present disclosure can include a motor, a fan, a heater, and other components for pressure cooking, air frying, or other cooking functions, and therefore, the lid 100 can be heavier than the lid of a conventional pressure cooker. The biasing force helps the user to open the lid 100. The tab 150 helps the user to easily disengage the first protrusion 140 and the latch 180 in a predetermined sequence. The tab 150 located at the periphery of the pressure cooker allows the user to use less force (due to the mechanical advantage of using a longer lever effect), and the connection between the first protrusion 140 and the tab 150 allows the first protrusion 140 to move the same radial distance as the tab 150 (relative to a small portion thereof), so that the user can move the first protrusion 140 without too much unnecessary movement.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the pressure cooker 10 may include a handle 200. The handle 200 may extend outward from the cover 100 adjacent to the first slot 102. The handle may be located directly above the control panel 300 of the pressure cooker 10. The handle 200 may extend outward from the control panel 300. The handle 200 may form a groove 210, such as a closed groove 210. The tab 150 may move within the groove 210. The groove 210 may have a sidewall surrounding the periphery of the groove 210, which may provide protection for the user's fingers when the user operates the tab 150. The handle 200 may define an outermost periphery on a side of the cover 100 opposite to the hinge 190 that connects the cover 100 to the cooker body 500. The first slot 102 may be formed on the inner sidewall of the handle 200. The inner sidewall may face the user.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the tab 150 may be positioned at a position between the valve 111 and the cooker body 500 along the vertical axis. For example, the tab 150 may be located at a lower position than the position of the pressure release valve 111. The valve 111 is used to release the pressure in the pressure cooker and may be located at the top of the lid 100. If the user wants to safely open the pressure cooker 10, the pressure needs to be released first. The valve 111 can provide a way to quickly release the pressure in the cooker body 500, but if the pressure maintained in the pressure cooker 10 is still high, the progress of the pressure release may be frightening due to the amount of steam released. Having the tab 150 at a lower position (and preferably and optionally in the closed groove) can provide a longer distance between the tab 150 and the pressure release valve 111. This positioning and configuration can also make the user feel protective. Accordingly, the handle 200 can be positioned at a lower position than the valve 111 so that the tab 150 can move within the closed groove 210. For example, the closed groove 210 may have a shape such as Figure 5 The bottom wall 211 is shown. When the cover is opened, the bottom wall 211 separates the user's fingers operating the tab 150 from the opening between the cover 100 and the cooker body 500. Therefore, the handle 200 can protect the user's fingers from the heat coming out of the opening when the cover 100 is opened.

[0036] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, these specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the claims.

[0037] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a virtually unlimited number of variations to the above description are possible, and that the examples and figures are merely intended to illustrate one or more examples of implementations.

[0038] However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted, without departing from the claimed subject matter. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to the teachings of the claimed subject matter without departing from the central concept described herein. Therefore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but such claimed subject matter may also include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0039] In the above detailed description, many specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the claimed subject matter can be practiced without these specific details. In other cases, methods, devices or systems known to those of ordinary skill in the art are not described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the claimed subject matter.

[0040] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "one aspect," or "aspects" may mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the claimed subject matter. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment," "embodiment," "in one aspect," or "aspects" appearing in various places in this specification are not necessarily intended to refer to the same embodiment or any one particular embodiment described. Furthermore, it should be understood that the particular features, structures, or characteristics described may be combined in various ways in one or more embodiments. Of course, in general, these and other issues may vary with the particular context of use. Thus, the particular context of the description or use of these terms may provide useful guidance regarding inferences drawn with respect to that context.

Claims

1. A pressure cooker comprising: Cooker body; as well as A cover, positionable over the cooker body, comprising: a heater configured to provide heat to the cooker body; a fan proximate the heater and configured to provide airflow to the cooker body; a motor coupled to the fan and configured to drive the fan; one or more first protrusions configured to engage the cookware body to lock the cover to the cookware body, thereby maintaining pressure in the cookware body; a tab operatively coupled to the one or more first protrusions and movable between a first position and a second position to engage or disengage the one or more first protrusions with the cookware body by sliding along a predetermined path, wherein the tab is positioned on a side of the one or more first protrusions opposite to a center of the cover; and A connector is positioned within the cover and coupled to the one or more first protrusions and the tab, the connector including a first arm extending through an outwardly facing first slot.

2. The pressure cooker according to claim 1, wherein: The connector also includes a second arm extending upwardly through a second slot above the first arm, the second slot conforming to the contour of the first slot.

3. The pressure cooker according to claim 2, wherein: The first slot and the second slot are concentric.

4. The pressure cooker according to claim 2, wherein: The first arm and the second arm of the connector are a unitary structure.

5. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The cover further includes a ring on which the one or more first protrusions are formed, and the cover includes a third arm operatively coupled to the connector and the ring, wherein the third arm extends through a third slot conforming to the profile of the first slot.

6. The pressure cooker according to claim 5, wherein: The connector further includes a fourth arm extending in a direction opposite to the second position, the cover further including a latch movable between an engaged position in which the latch is engaged with the cookware body and a disengaged position in which the latch is not engaged with the cookware body, the fourth arm being configured to move the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position to allow the biasing force to at least partially open the cover after the tab is moved to disengage the one or more first protrusions from the cookware body.

7. The pressure cooker according to claim 6, wherein: The cover also includes a base defining the third slot and a cantilevered arm connected to the base at a first hinge, the fourth arm being configured to engage the cantilevered arm so that the cantilevered arm pivots about the first hinge to move the latch from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

8. The pressure cooker according to claim 6, wherein: The latch pivots about a second hinge and is spring biased to maintain the engaged position.

9. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The tab is movable between the second position and a third position, and when the tab moves from the second position to the third position, the tab is biased toward the second position.

10. The pressure cooker according to claim 9, wherein: The cover also includes a resilient stop configured to bias the connector toward the second position when the tab moves from the second position to the third position.

11. The pressure cooker according to claim 10, wherein: The resilient stopper includes a spring extending over the third slot.

12. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The cookware body includes one or more second protrusions configured to engage with the one or more first protrusions.

13. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: When the tab moves to disengage the one or more first protrusions in the cover from the cooker body, the cover is biased toward an open position.

14. The pressure cooker according to claim 13, wherein: The cover is biased by a spring positioned at a periphery of the cookware body opposite the tab.

15. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The first slot is curved and concentric about the center of the cover.

16. The pressure cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The cover also includes a handle extending outwardly from the cover adjacent the first slot to form a closed channel within which the tab is movable.

17. The pressure cooker according to claim 16, wherein: The handle defines an outermost periphery on a side of the cover opposite a hinge connecting the cover to the cooker body.

18. The pressure cooker according to claim 17, wherein: The first slot is formed on an inner side wall of the handle.

19. A pressure cooker comprising: Cooker body; as well as A cover, positionable over the cooker body, comprising: a heater configured to provide heat to the cooker body; a fan adjacent the heater and configured to provide airflow to the cooker body; a motor coupled to the fan and configured to drive the fan; one or more first protrusions configured to engage the cookware body to lock the cookware body and the cover, thereby maintaining pressure in the cookware body; a valve configured to release pressure in the cooker body; a tab operatively coupled to the one or more first protrusions, and the tab being movable to engage or disengage the one or more first protrusions with the cookware body by sliding along a predetermined path; and A handle extends outwardly on a side opposite to the hinge about which the cover pivots to form a perimeter of the cover, the handle including a closed groove in which the tab is movable.

20. The pressure cooker according to claim 19, wherein The handle defines an outermost periphery of the cover opposite the hinge.

21. The pressure cooker according to claim 19, wherein The tab is movable along a first slot positioned at the forward facing side wall above the handle.

22. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein The tab is positioned at a location between the valve and the cookware body.

23. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The tab is positioned on an outer side of the one or more first protrusions opposite to the center of the cover.

24. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The hinge includes a biasing element to open the cover.

25. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein The tab is movable from a first position to a second position, and the tab is configured to disengage the one or more first protrusions from the cookware body when the tab reaches the second position.

26. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein The tab is movable from the second position to a third position, and the tab is configured to disengage the latch of the lid from the cookware body when the tab is moved from the second position to the third position.

27. A pressure cooker comprising: Cooker body; as well as a cover positionable over the cooker body and comprising: a heater configured to provide heat to the cooker body; a fan adjacent the heater and configured to provide airflow to the cooker body; a motor coupled to the fan and configured to drive the fan; one or more first protrusions configured to engage the cookware body to lock the cookware body and the cover, thereby maintaining pressure in the cookware body; a latch coupled to the lid and the cooker body and configured to prevent a biasing force from opening the lid; and a tab operatively coupled to the one or more first projections and movable from a first position when the one or more projections are engaged with the cookware body to a second position when the one or more projections are disengaged from the cookware body, and then to a third position when the latch moves from the engaged position to the disengaged position with the cookware body.

28. The pressure cooker according to claim 27, wherein The cover is configured to move to a partially open position under the biasing force after the latch is disengaged by movement of the tab from the second position toward the third position.

29. The pressure cooker according to claim 27, wherein: The lid is configured to be biased at a hinge about which the lid pivots to pivotally open the lid.

30. The pressure cooker according to claim 29, wherein: The hinge includes a spring that biases the cover toward an open position.

31. A pressure cooker according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein The cover also includes a handle extending outwardly to form a perimeter of the cover at a side opposite to the hinge about which the cover pivots, the handle including a closed groove in which the tab is movable.

32. The pressure cooker according to claim 31, wherein The handle defines an outermost periphery of the cover opposite the hinge.

33. The pressure cooker according to claim 31, wherein The tab is movable along a first slot positioned at the forward facing side wall above the handle.

34. The pressure cooker according to claim 31, wherein The handle is positioned along a vertical axis at a location between the valve and the cookware body.

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