Electric cooking device and intermediate ring assembly for electric cooking device

Abstract

An electric cooking device includes a removable lid and / or pot assembly, a lower housing surrounding a container configured to be heated, and an intermediate ring assembly positioned between the lower housing and the removable lid and / or pot assembly. The intermediate ring assembly includes (i) an outer member disposed with the lower housing, the outer member including a decorative surface coating thereon, and (ii) an inner member having an outer portion disposed with the outer member. An inner portion of the inner member is positioned radially inward from the outer member and is unsupported by the outer member. The container engages an inner portion of the inner component and thereby thermally separated from the outer component including the decorative surface coating.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 405,948, filed on September 13, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a kitchen appliance, and more particularly to an electric cooking device. Background Art

[0004] Electric cooking devices such as pressure cookers and Dutch ovens can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 240°F. To ensure user safety, the heated metal components of such devices may be separated from the user by plastic or polymer components, such as covers and housings, which may partially serve as a thermal barrier between the user and the hot interior of the cooking device. For polymer components in direct contact with heated metal components, thermal stability (e.g., good creep resistance) may be a necessary requirement. Polymer components with outward-facing surfaces may have additional aesthetic or functional requirements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1A A perspective view of an electric cooking device, in particular a pressure cooker, is shown, including an intermediate ring assembly located between a cover assembly and a lower housing surrounding a heating vessel during operation of the device.

[0006] Figure 1B Shows Figure 1A The pressure cooker with the lid assembly removed.

[0007] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the intermediate ring assembly.

[0008] Figure 2B is an exploded view of the intermediate ring assembly.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the relationship between components of the intermediate ring assembly, the heating container, and the lower shell.

[0010] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another electric cooking device, particularly a Dutch oven, which may include an intermediate ring assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] An electric cooking device having an intermediate ring assembly configured for application of heat resistant and decorative surface coatings is described in the present disclosure.

[0012] like Figure 1AAs shown, the electric cooking device 100 includes a removable cover assembly 102 and a lower housing 104 separated from the removable cover assembly 102 by an intermediate ring assembly 106. The lower housing 104 surrounds a container 114 (see Figure 1B ), the container 114 is configured to be heated and to accommodate a removable cooking pot. If the electric cooking device 100 is a pressure cooker 120, such as Figure 1A As shown, the container 114 can reach temperatures up to about 240° F. during operation. The lower housing 104 is spaced apart from the container 114; physical contact with the container 114 is achieved by the intermediate ring assembly 106, as described below. Typically, the lower housing 104 comprises a polymer and is formed by injection molding, while the container 114 comprises a metal or alloy, such as stainless steel. Figure 1A The removable cover assembly 102 shown in may include an upper cover portion and a lower cover portion, for example, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2022 / 0061576, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0013] Figure 2A and 2B A perspective view and an exploded view are shown, respectively, of an intermediate ring assembly 106 having a two-piece ring structure including an inner member 112 disposed with an outer member 108. The inner member 112 includes a heat resistant polymer and the outer member 108 including an outwardly facing surface includes a coating adhesion polymer having a decorative surface coating 110 thereon. Thus, the intermediate ring assembly 106 is configured for both heat resistance (inner member 112) and coating adhesion 110 (outer member 108). When viewed in cross-section, the intermediate ring assembly 106 may have a generally circular, oval, polygonal, curved polygonal, or other shape. For example, as Figure 2A As shown, the inner periphery of the intermediate ring assembly 106 may have a generally circular shape.

[0014] When assembled as part of the electric cooking device 100, the inner member 112 of the intermediate ring assembly 106 engages a container 114 that is subjected to heating, and the outer member 108 including the decorative surface coating 110 is disposed with the lower housing 104. Figure 1A and 1B In the example of the present invention, the electric cooking device 100 is a pressure cooker 120. In another example, the electric cooking device 100 can be a pressure cooker 120. Figure 4 A Dutch oven 130 is shown. In this alternative example, the removable lid assembly 102 discussed above may be better described as a removable pot assembly 132 including a removable lid and a cooking pot.

[0015] Reference now Figure 2A and 2B, the inner member 112 has an outer portion 112a disposed with the outer member 108 and an inner portion 112b located radially inward from the outer member 108 and not supported thereby. Note that the term "radially inward" means toward the centerline of a device or component having a generally circular, elliptical, polygonal, curved polygonal or other cross-sectional shape. Advantageously, (only) the inner portion 112b of the inner member 112 engages the container 114, such as Figure 1B More specifically, the inner portion 112b of the inner member 112 may include a vertically extending wall 112w from which a radially extending tab 114t on the (heating) container 114 may be suspended, wherein "radially extending" means extending in a direction away from the centerline of the container 114. Thus, when the container 114 is engaged with the inner portion 112b, the radially extending tab 114t, i.e., the portion of the container 114 that extends radially closest to the outer member 108, may be vertically separated from the outer member 108. By reference to Figure 3 The cross-sectional schematic diagram can better understand the engagement of the container 114 with the inner portion 112b of the inner component 112, the placement of the outer portion 112a of the inner component 112 with the outer component 108, and the placement of the outer component 108 with the lower shell 104.

[0016] As a result of the construction of the intermediate ring assembly 106, in use, the heating vessel 114 is thermally separated from the outer component 108 including the decorative surface coating 110. In other words, the outer component 108 of the intermediate ring assembly 106 is protected or isolated from the high temperatures reached by the vessel 114 during operation. This is important because the polymer to which the decorative coating may be adhered (and which may be used for the outer component 108) may not have sufficient heat resistance to withstand the elevated cooking temperatures to which the inner portion 112b of the inner component 112 (which may be formed of a heat-resistant polymer) is exposed. In addition, the decorative surface coating 110 is applied at an outwardly facing location that may be touched by a user during operation of the electric cooking device 100, and it is desirable to avoid excessive heating of such touched locations. As shown in FIG. Figure 2A As shown, one or more outwardly facing surfaces of the outer component 108 include a decorative surface coating 110. Thus, the decorative surface coating 110 is easily visible and accessible to a user of the electric cooking device 100. This method of thermally separating a heating vessel or other heating element from another element that is accessible to the user and includes a decorative surface coating (e.g., by inserting a component or assembly configured to provide thermal separation, such as the intermediate ring assembly described herein) can be applied to other appliances besides pressure cookers and Dutch ovens.

[0017] As described above, the outer component 108 also includes a polymer located below the decorative surface coating 110, which is selected based on its ability to accept and bond to the surface coating 110. Therefore, the polymer can be referred to as a coating adhesion polymer. The polymer may not have (and does not need to have) the thermal stability and / or low thermal conductivity of the heat-resistant polymer selected for the inner component 112. The coating adhesion polymer of the outer component 108 can include, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyimide (PI), polyurethane (PU), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), styrene butadiene block copolymer (SBC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone, polypyrrole (PPy) and / or polyoxymethylene (polyacetal). Typically, the outer component 108 is formed by injection molding before applying the decorative surface coating 110. In some examples, the decorative surface coating 110 can be formed during the molding process.

[0018] The polymer used for the internal component 112 can be thermally stable at the operating temperature of the electric cooking device 100 and can also have a low thermal conductivity. Therefore, the polymer can be referred to as a heat-resistant polymer. Suitable heat-resistant polymers can have a high heat deformation temperature (HDT), also known as the deflection temperature under load (DTUL) or the heat deflection temperature under load (HDTUL). Preferably, the HDT of the heat-resistant polymer exceeds the maximum operating temperature of the electric cooking device 100. The HDT can be determined according to the standard test method described in ASTM D648. In one example, the heat-resistant polymer used for the internal component 112 can have an HDT of at least 240℉ (116℃) at 0.45MPa or at least 266℉ (130℃) at 0.45MPa. In addition or alternatively, the heat-resistant polymer used for the internal component 112 can have a low k value, which indicates the thermal conductivity of the polymer (and, conversely, indicates the thermal insulation capability). More specifically, the heat-resistant polymer can have a K value of about 0.4 W / m·K or less, in some instances, the heat-resistant polymer can have a K value of about 0.3 W / m·K or less or about 0.2 W / m·K or less, and / or the K value can be as low as about 0.1 W / m·K. The heat-resistant polymer used for the inner component 112 may include a polyamide (PA), such as nylon, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or other polymers with suitable HDT and / or k values. In some instances, the heat-resistant polymer may include reinforcing particles, such as glass beads or fibers, which, in addition to imparting higher strength and rigidity, may also enhance the thermal stability of the polymer (e.g., HDT or creep resistance). For example, the heat-resistant polymer may be a glass-filled polyamide, such as glass-filled nylon, or glass-filled polypropylene. The heat-resistant polymer may include 20%-50% glass beads or fibers in a polyamide (e.g., nylon) or polypropylene matrix. Like the outer component 108 , the inner component 112 may be formed by injection molding.

[0019] The decorative surface coating 110 can be applied to the external component 108 by, for example, vacuum metallization, electroplating, powder coating, electrostatic spraying, film insert molding, or co-molding. In one example, the decorative surface coating 110 can be a metal coating that includes one or more metals, such as aluminum, chromium ("chrome"), copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, titanium, and / or zinc. For example, after injection molding the polymer body of the external component 108, the polymer body can be positioned in a vacuum chamber for vacuum metallization or physical vapor deposition (PVD). In this process, the desired metal or alloy is heated (e.g., using resistive heating or an electron beam) and thereby evaporated to form a metal vapor that can conformally coat the exposed surface of the polymer body, thereby forming the external component 108 having the decorative surface coating 110 thereon.

[0020] In general, the decorative surface coating 110 may include a metal, paint (e.g., including inorganic or organic pigments) or a polymer as described above. In some examples, the decorative surface coating 110 may be a color coating including some combination or mixture of primary colors or multiple primary colors. The decorative surface coating 110 may have a reflective, satin or matte finish. Depending on the coating application method, the decorative surface coating 110 may have a thickness in the range of about 0.1 microns to about 100 microns, and more typically in the range of about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns. The decorative surface coating 110 may be applied to one or more outward-facing surfaces of the exterior component 108.

[0021] like Figures 1A-2B As shown, the decorative surface coating 110 may be configured in whole or in part as a circumferentially extending band having a substantially constant width. The exterior member 108 may be configured and positioned such that the decorative surface coating 110 continuously spans the front and side exterior portions of the electric cooking device 100. For example, the exterior member 108 may include a handle portion 116 configured to be disposed on an opposite side of the lower housing 104 from the handle 118, and the decorative surface coating 110 may extend or conformally coat over the handle portion 116. Again referring to Figure 2A and 2B The inner member 112 may extend completely around the inner periphery of the intermediate ring assembly 106 to define a closed annular shape. The outer member 108 may extend at least partially around, or only partially around (as shown) the outer periphery of the intermediate ring assembly 106.

[0022] A method for manufacturing the intermediate ring assembly 106 is also described. The method includes molding a coating-adherent polymer into a polymer body having at least a partial annular shape (meaning a partial or complete annular shape), and applying a decorative surface coating to the polymer body to form an external component. The decorative surface coating can be described as a conformal coating because it can conform to the exposed contours of the polymer body. The decorative surface coating can be applied by vacuum metallization or physical vapor deposition, electroplating, powder coating, electrostatic painting, film insert molding, or co-molding. Depending on the coating application method, the decorative surface coating can be formed during or after the molding process. One or more outwardly facing surfaces of the external component may include a decorative surface coating.

[0023] The heat resistant polymer may be molded into a polymer body having a complete annular shape to form an inner component having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion extending radially inward from the outer portion. The annular shape may include a generally circular, elliptical, polygonal, curved polygonal, or other closed geometric shape (or a non-closed geometric shape in the case of a partial annular shape). The respective moldings of the coating adhesion polymer and the heat resistant polymer may require injection molding. After molding and applying the decorative surface coating 110, the outer portion 112A of the inner component 112 may be placed together with the outer component 108 to form the intermediate ring assembly 106, as shown in FIG. Figure 2A and 2B The inner portion 112B of the inner member 112 may not be supported by the outer member 108, and the inner portion 112B of the inner member 112 may be configured to engage the heating container 114 of the electric cooking device 100, such as Figure 1B and Figure 3 The inner component 112 and the outer component 108 including the decorative surface coating 110 may have any or all of the features and / or characteristics described above or elsewhere in this disclosure.

[0024] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are possible without departing from the invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein. All embodiments within the meaning of the claims, whether literally or by equivalent, are deemed to be included therein.

[0025] Furthermore, the advantages described above are not necessarily the only advantages of the present invention, and it is not necessarily expected that all of the described advantages will be achieved by every embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric cooking device, comprising: removable lid and / or pot assembly; a lower housing surrounding a container configured to be heated; as well as an intermediate ring assembly positioned between the lower housing and the removable lid and / or pot assembly, the intermediate ring assembly comprising: an external component disposed with the lower housing and having a decorative surface coating on the external component, An inner component having an outer portion disposed with the outer component and an inner portion located radially inward from and not supported by the outer component, wherein the container engages the inner portion of the inner component and is thereby thermally decoupled from the outer component including the decorative surface coating.

2. The electric cooking device according to claim 1, wherein: The internal component comprises a heat-resistant polymer, the heat-resistant polymer comprising: a heat deformation temperature (HDT) above the operating temperature of the electric cooking device, and / or k value of about 0.4W / m·K or lower.

3. The electric cooking device according to claim 2, wherein: The HDT is at least 240°F (116°C) at 0.45 MPa, or at least 266°F (130°C) at 0.45 MPa.

4. The electric cooker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The heat resistant polymer is selected from the group comprising polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

5. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The heat resistant polymer includes reinforcing particles.

6. The electric cooking device according to claim 5, wherein: The reinforcing particles include glass beads or glass fibers.

7. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The exterior component includes a coating adhesion polymer capable of adhering or bonding to the decorative surface coating.

8. The electric cooking device according to claim 7, wherein: The coating adhesion polymer is selected from the group comprising: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyimide (PI), polyurethane (PU), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), styrene butadiene block copolymer (SBC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone, polypyrrole (PPy) and / or polyoxymethylene (polyacetal).

9. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The decorative surface coating comprises metal, paint or polymer.

10. The electric cooking device according to claim 9, wherein: The decorative surface coating is a metallic coating comprising one or more metals selected from the group comprising aluminum, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, titanium and zinc.

11. The electric cooking device according to claim 9, wherein: The decorative surface coating is a colored coating comprising a primary color or a mixture of multiple primary colors.

12. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers and / or in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 10 micrometers.

13. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a reflective, satin or matte finish.

14. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The decorative surface coating is produced by vacuum metallization, electroplating, powder coating, electrostatic painting, film insert molding or co-molding.

15. The electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein: The inner portion of the inner component includes a vertically extending wall configured to support a radially extending tab on the container, whereby the radially extending tab is vertically separated from the outer component when the container is engaged with the inner portion of the inner component.

16. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The inner member extends completely around the inner periphery of the intermediate ring assembly to define a closed annular shape.

17. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The outer member extends at least partially around, or only partially around, the circumference of the intermediate ring assembly.

18. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: One or more outwardly facing surfaces of the exterior component include the decorative surface coating.

19. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein: The outer member includes a handle portion disposed on an opposite side of the lower housing from the handle, and Wherein, the decorative surface coating conformally coats the handle portion.

20. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein: The decorative surface coating is configured in whole or in part as a circumferentially extending band having a substantially constant width.

21. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein: The container is configured to be heated to an operating temperature of 240°F or higher.

22. An electric cooking device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 selected from the group comprising: a pressure cooker and a Dutch oven.

23. An intermediate ring assembly for an electric cooking device, the intermediate ring assembly comprising: An annular structure includes an inner member disposed together with an outer member, the inner member including a heat resistant polymer and the outer member including a coating adherent polymer having a decorative surface coating thereon.

24. The intermediate ring assembly according to claim 23, wherein: The heat-resistant polymer includes: a heat deformation temperature (HDT) above the operating temperature of the electric cooking device, and / or k value of about 0.4W / m·K or lower.

25. The intermediate ring assembly according to claim 24, wherein: The HDT is at least 240°F (116°C) at 0.45 MPa, or at least 266°F (130°C) at 0.45 MPa.

26. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 25, wherein: The heat resistant polymer is selected from the group comprising polyamide (PA), such as nylon, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

27. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 26, wherein: The heat resistant polymer includes reinforcing particles.

28. The intermediate ring assembly according to claim 27, wherein: The reinforcing particles include glass fibers or glass beads.

29. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein: The coating adhesion polymer is selected from the group comprising: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyimide (PI), polyurethane (PU), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), styrene butadiene block copolymer (SBC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone, polypyrrole (PPy) and / or polyoxymethylene (polyacetal).

30. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 29, wherein: The decorative surface coating comprises metal, paint or polymer.

31. The intermediate ring assembly of any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein the decorative surface coating is a metallic coating comprising one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, titanium and zinc.

32. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 31, wherein: The decorative surface coating is a colored coating comprising a primary color or a mixture of multiple primary colors.

33. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 32, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers and / or in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 10 micrometers.

34. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 33, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a reflective, satin or matte finish.

35. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 34, wherein: The decorative surface coating is produced by vacuum metallization, electroplating, powder coating, electrostatic painting, film insert molding or co-molding.

36. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 35, wherein: The outer portion of the inner component is arranged together with the outer component, and Wherein, the inner component further comprises an inner portion, the inner portion being located radially inward from the outer component and not supported by the outer component.

37. The intermediate ring assembly of claim 36, wherein: The interior portion of the interior component includes a vertically extending wall configured to support a radially extending tab on a heating vessel of an electric cooking device.

38. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 37, wherein: The inner member extends completely around the inner circumference of the intermediate ring assembly to define a closed annular shape.

39. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 38, wherein: The outer member extends at least partially around, or only partially around, the circumference of the intermediate ring assembly.

40. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 39, wherein: One or more outwardly facing surfaces of the exterior component include the decorative surface coating.

41. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 39, wherein: The exterior member includes a handle portion configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the lower housing of the electric cooking device together with the handle, and Wherein, the decorative surface coating conformally coats the handle portion.

42. An intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 41, wherein: The manufacture of the inner component and the outer component comprises injection moulding.

43. An electric cooking device comprising the intermediate ring assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 42, the electric cooking device being selected from the group consisting of: a pressure cooker and a Dutch oven.

44. A method of forming an intermediate ring assembly for an electric cooking device, the method comprising: molding the coating adherent polymer into a polymer body having an at least partially annular shape; applying a decorative surface coating to the polymer body to form an exterior component; molding a heat resistant polymer into a polymer body having a complete annular shape to form an inner component having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion extending radially inward from the outer portion; as well as placing the outer portion of the inner member together with the outer member to form the intermediate ring assembly, wherein the inner portion of the inner component is not supported by the outer component, and Wherein, the inner portion of the inner component is configured to engage a heating container of an electric cooking device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein: The respective moldings of the coating adhesion polymer and the heat resistant polymer include injection molding.

46. ​​The method according to claim 44 or 45, wherein: Application of the decorative surface coating includes vacuum metallization, electroplating, powder coating, electrostatic painting, film insert molding or co-molding.

47. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 46, wherein: The exterior component is configured to be placed together with a lower housing of the electric cooking device.

48. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein: The at least partially annular shape and the fully annular shape include generally circular, elliptical, polygonal, curved polygonal or other geometric shapes.

49. The method according to claims 44 to 48, wherein: The interior portion of the interior component includes a vertically extending wall configured to support a radially extending tab on a heating vessel of the electric cooking device.

50. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 49, wherein: One or more outwardly facing surfaces of the exterior component include the decorative surface coating.

51. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 50, wherein: The exterior member includes a handle portion configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the lower housing of the electric cooking device together with the handle, and Wherein, the decorative surface coating conformally coats the handle portion.

52. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 51, wherein: The decorative surface coating comprises metal, paint or polymer.

53. A method according to any one of claims 44 to 52, wherein: The decorative surface coating is a metallic coating comprising one or more metals selected from the group comprising aluminum, chromium, copper, gold, nickel, silver, tin, titanium and zinc.

54. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 53, wherein: The decorative surface coating is a colored coating comprising a primary color or a mixture of multiple primary colors.

55. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 54, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 100 micrometers and / or in a range from about 0.1 micrometers to about 10 micrometers.

56. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 55, wherein: The decorative surface coating has a reflective, satin or matte finish.

57. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 56, wherein: The heat-resistant polymer comprises: a heat deformation temperature (HDT) above the operating temperature of the electric cooking device, and / or k value of about 0.4W / m·K or lower.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein: The HDT is at least 240°F (116°C) at 0.45 MPa, or at least 266°F (130°C) at 0.45 MPa.

59. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 58, wherein: The coating adhesion polymer is capable of adhering or bonding to the decorative surface coating.

60. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 59, wherein: The heat resistant polymer is selected from the group comprising polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

61. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 60, wherein: The heat resistant polymer includes reinforcing particles.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein: The reinforcing particles include glass fibers or glass beads.

63. The method according to any one of claims 44 to 62, wherein: The coating adhesion polymer is selected from the group comprising: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA), polyamide-imide (PAI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) such as nylon, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polystyrene (PS), polyimide (PI), polyurethane (PU), poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), styrene butadiene block copolymer (SBC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polysulfone, polypyrrole (PPy) and / or polyoxymethylene (polyacetal).

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