Yorkshire pudding maker

Abstract

A Yorkshire pudding maker 1 has an insulated base body 11 and a vented cover 2 which is seated onto a cover rim 14, which further has a short vertical cover rim 7. A baking tray 18 with Yorkshire pudd

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to domestic devices which are used to make Yorkshire puddings. Background The use of domestic devices to make food items such as toasted sandwiches, cakes, waffles and pies is known and popular; often as an alternative to using a larger oven, range or pan. These commonly consist of a shaped body with electrical supply to heat a type of metal hot plate, which is usually shaped to provide the mould for the food type. For example, a toasted sandwich maker device will have triangular sandwich shaped mould into which prepared bread is laid, a hinged lid is closed down to compress them and they are heated and cooked to that shape. The heating is usually provided via said hot plate which is plugged into the domestic electrical supply using appropriate plugs for whichever country they are being produced and used globally. A Yorkshire pudding is a food product which originates from the United Kingdom, in particular the Yorkshire region of the country. It is commonly made by pouring a batter made from milk, flour and eggs into a greased or oiled and preheated baking tray (ramekins or muffin tins in the case of miniature puddings). A basic formula uses 200ml flour and 200ml milk with four eggs (also 200ml) but this can vary to taste. Water produces a lighter, crisper, but less sweet pudding than using milk. They can also be baked in cast-iron frying pans or similar. A 1926 recipe involves covering the pudding with greaseproof paper to steam it and then serving it with jam, butter and sugar. The most common way to cook this mixture in the baking tray is to place it in the oven at temperatures set of 2300 for a fan oven or 2100 gas mark 8. This method of cooking involves the important aspect of access to a full-sized oven and involves the need to perform a full cooking process which is preferably part of the other elements of a full dinner, making the whole process more economical. Should a person only require Yorkshire puddings and not any other elements of a meal or if they do not have access to a full sized or other suitably appropriate oven, they could not make Yorkshire puddings without using the whole oven. The prior art therefore shows that there is a need for a device which can be plugged into the mains power and is able to cook Yorkshire puddings as and when needed, without the need for a full cooking process with an oven. The present invention aims to provide a cooking device which cooks Yorkshire puddings in a baking tray and allows them to rise under a controlled temperature and time adjustable method. Summary of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a Yorkshire pudding maker which can be used in a domestic kitchen or any other required indoor location. The device consists of a base body which is a typically squared shape with rounded corners and has a small horizontally arranged cover rim around its top edge. A baking tray with Yorkshire pudding moulds, into which a batter mixture is poured, is made of metal I anodised aluminium and is shaped to the same form as the cover rim edge, located to the top edge of the base body but slightly smaller; to allow it to seat onto the rim via a rim tab but inside a short vertical cover rim which extends from the cover rim edge. The short vertical cover rim is at least 5mm or more in height to prevent any oil or pudding mixture escaping from the baking tray when in use. A cover with handle is placed over the top to cover the baking tray and seats onto the opposing side of the short vertical cover rim. The said cover may be made of a metal which is insulated within and has a vent to the top, as shown. An alternative is a heat resistant glass cover which is also vented in the same way but allows the user to view the Yorkshire puddings as they cook. The cover is of a suitable height as to allow for room under which the puddings can rise and has rounded corners to suit the aesthetic appearance of the aforementioned base body thereto. Beneath the baking tray is the heating element which is configured to ‘loop’ under each Yorkshire pudding mould indentation in the baking tray to ensure a high and rapid heat transfer from the element to the tray. The element is attached to a control section which links directly to the power supply lead to be plugged into a standard electrical socket. The element is set horizontally under the baking tray in the hollow space provided for the electrical components, with at least 2mm space between its upper surface the and underside of the baking tray and the mould sections. The said control section of the electrical element is linked to the timer button and power button via wires, as shown, to be timed by the users own setting of 20 - 25 minutes using a slightly protruding control knob which is turned clockwise to increase the timing of the cooking period. The power button is switched on and heats for 5 minutes automatically before a beeping sound tells the user to remove the cover using the heat insulated handle and pour the Yorkshire pudding batter mixture into each of the mould in the trays body. Each mould will each have been slightly filled with a small measure of cooking oil at the start of the whole process and prior to heating. The cover is replaced over the baking tray with the batter mixture in each of the moulds and the heating element continues to heat the baking tray equally for a time between 20 and 25 minutes using the aforementioned control means. During the cooking period the device is not to be touched or moved in anyway and the cover must remain in place. If the cover is made of heat resistant glass material, the rising of the Yorkshire pudding can be observed by the user, aided by the venting of steam or smoke and the timing can be terminated and therefore the heat turned off, should the puddings rise sooner than the amount of time prescribed by them at the start. This is achieved by simply turning the timing knob anticlockwise until it reaches the 20 mark and clicks off. This control is provided by the button control sections and circuit boards located behind the button and knob mounting plates. The power button can also be depressed to switch the whole device off or to complete the cooking process at an earlier time, as the power button is linked via wires to the timer control circuit board and therefore the element control thereto. The base body which houses all electrical components is lined with heat insulation materials to ensure the protection of the components and to also maintain a cool touch to the base body exterior. On completion of the cooking process the cover is removed and the baking tray is removed from the rim seating on the base body, with the user wearing protective oven gloves. At least one raised lifting tab on the baking tray provides a means to raise the baking tray from its position. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the Patent Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the ciaims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Yorkshire pudding maker which has all the advantages of the prior art food makers and none of the disadvantages. It is another object of the present invention to provide a new Yorkshire pudding maker which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved Yorkshire pudding maker which is of durable and reliable construction. An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved Yorkshire pudding maker which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labour, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sate to the consuming public, thereby making such a product available to the buying public. Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved Yorkshire pudding maker which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. Brief Description of Figures Figure 1 shows a dimensional view of the Yorkshire pudding maker. Figure 2 shows a dimensional view of the Yorkshire pudding maker and its electrical components. Figure 3 shows a dimensional view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with Yorkshire puddings being cooked. Figure 4 shows a plan view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with four pudding moulds. Figure 5 shows a dimensional view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with the cover raised. Figure 6 shows a plan view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with six pudding moulds. Figure 7 shows a side view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with the cover raised. Figure 8 shows a side view of the Yorkshire pudding maker with the cover raised and the baking tray removed. Detailed Description of Figures A typical embodiment of the Yorkshire pudding maker is shown in Figure 1. It comprises the device 1, which has a base body 11 which is typically, but not essentially, a squared shape with rounded corners and is placed on a suitable work surface for use. A small horizontally arranged cover rim 14 is provided around its top edge and has a short vertical cover rim 7, as shown onto which a cover 2 is seated. A baking tray 18 with Yorkshire pudding moulds 6, 8, 12 and 17 for a batter mixture is made of metal I anodised aluminium and shaped to the same form as the cover rim edge 14 but slightly smaller to allow it to seat onto the rim 14 via a rim tab but inside a short vertical cover rim 7, which extends from the cover rim edge 14. The short vertical cover rim 7 is at least 5mm or more in height to prevent any oil or pudding mixture to escape from the baking tray when in use. A heat resistant handle 15 is located centrally to the cover top opposed to a rear located vent cover 3, which has venting holes 4 made in the top of the cover, to allow any steam or smoke to escape during usage. The vent cover 3 rotates via way of a central pivot washer 19 and a small handle 5. As the shape of the vent cover 3 depicts, when it is rotated it covers a certain number of the vent holes 4 and in different rotated positions it will have one or more holes revealed and ‘open’, to allow the user to regulate the venting amount as required. The baking tray 18 has a slight protruding lifting tab 34 which enables easier removal and placement of the baking tray when wearing protective gloves. The power cable 9 is set transversely through a rubber holding grommet 10 into the hollow base interior to components controlled by timing control knob 13 and power button 16, to be further explained. An alternative is a heat resistant glass cover which is also vented in the same way but allows the user to view the Yorkshire puddings as they cook. The cover is of a suitable height as to allow for room under which the puddings can rise and has rounded corners to suit the aesthetic appearance of the aforementioned base body thereto. In Figure 2 we can see that beneath the baking tray 18 is the heating element 20 which is configured to ‘loop’ under each Yorkshire pudding mould indentation 6A (the example shown here) in the baking tray 18 to ensure a high and rapid heat transfer from the element to the tray with is controlled by a thermostat. The element is horizontally attached to a unit mounted control section 21 which links directly to the power supply lead 9A passing through rubber holding grommet 10A. The element is set horizontally opposed under the baking tray in the hollow space provided for the electrical components, with at least a 2mm of space between its upper surface the and underside of the baking tray 18 and the mould sections. The said control section 21 of the electrical element 9A is linked to the timing control knob 13A and power button 16A via wires 22. Frontally disposed control sections and circuit boards 23 and 24 are actioned by timing control knob 13A and power button 16A for control of power ON / OFF and the timing of the cooking thus heating period of the element 9A. In Figure 3 the Yorkshire puddings 26, 27, 28 and 29 are shown in a cooking stage and rising on the baking tray 18B with the cooking time controlled by timing control knob 13B and the power turned on by power button 16B. Figure 4 shows a plan view of the device 1C with timing control knob 13C and the power button 16C, having the four Yorkshire pudding moulds 6C, 8C, 12C and 17C which are arranged equally in the known manner in the baking tray 18C. These are surrounded by the small horizontally arranged cover rim 14C which is provided around its top edge and has a short vertical cover rim 7C, as shown onto which a cover 2C (not shown here) is seated. Figure 5 shows the device with cover 2D lifted from base body 11D having cover rim 14D which is provided around its top edge and has the short vertical cover rim 7D. Figure 6 shows a plan view of a larger example of the device 1E with six Yorkshire pudding moulds. The baking tray 18F with pudding moulds 12F and 17F as shown here, is seated onto the base body 11F via said cover rim 14C with rim tabs 30 and 31 supporting to the underside edge, as shown. The baking tray 18F seats inside short vertical cover rim 7F with cover 2F being placed onto the cover rim surface 14C on the opposite side of the short vertical cover rim 7F, as shown in Figure 7. Cover 2F is shown with vent cover 3F and heat resistant handle 15F to its top surface. Knob mounting plates 32 and 35 are fixed to the rear facing side of the base body 11F and secure the timing control knob 13F and power button 16F onto the body whilst providing interior anchoring points for the circuit boards of the control sections thereto linked via wires 22F. The base body which houses all electrical components is lined with heat insulation material 33 to ensure the protection of the components and to also maintain a cool touch to the base body exterior. The heating element 20F is shown transversely mounted with the power cable through rubber grommet 10F. Figure 8 shows the opposing rear view with the baking tray 18G raised from the base body 11G for dispatch of cooked items or cleaning, with cover 2G also shown. 11 12 24

Claims

1) A Yorkshire pudding maker comprising; a base body which is insulated and has a vented cover and is seated onto a cover rim which further has a short vertical cover rim, a baking tray with Yorkshire pudding moulds is seated onto said rims having a controlled heating element located underneath said baking tray which is powered by a power cable and is horizontally secured by a holding grommet, a timing control knob and power button have unit mounted control sections linked by wires via circuit boards to control the device.2) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 1 wherein a vented cover is seated on the outer side of the short vertical cover rim.3) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 2 wherein the vented cover provides room for a Yorkshire pudding to rise when cooking in the baking tray.4) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 3 wherein said vented cover has a handle which is heat insulated.5) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 4 wherein said vented cover has venting holes.6) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 5 wherein the number of exposed venting holes are selected by the rotating vent cover with handle which rotates by means of a centrally appointed pivot washer.7) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 1 wherein a baking tray with Yorkshire pudding moulds is seated by its outer edge on the inner side of the short vertical cover rim.8) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 7 wherein a baking tray with Yorkshire pudding moulds has one or more lifting tabs, to aid baking tray removal.9) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 8 wherein a baking tray is seated onto rim tabs underneath it, located onto the inner upper edge of the base body.10) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 9 wherein a baking tray has at least four Yorkshire pudding Moulds.CM11) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 1 wherein the controlled heating element is horizontally located beneath the baking tray with a space between the underside of the baking tray and the top of the element.12) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 1 wherein internally disposed button mounting plates secure said timing control knob and power button and wire linked control section circuit boards to the frontal face of the base body.13) A Yorkshire pudding maker according to claim 1 wherein the heating element is controlled by a thermostat to prevent it overheating.

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