Cooker for outdoor use and with an integrated cooking system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a battery-operated cooker (100) for outdoor use, and with an integrated cooking system. In particular, the cooker (100) is configured such that the battery unit (120) may fit into the cooking vessel (110) during transport, thereby providing a very compact solution.

Description

[0001] Cooker for outdoor use and with an integrated cooking system

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to the cookers for outdoor use, especially for cookers with integrated cooking systems.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] The technical field within outdoor cookers is driven by the desire to make outdoor cooking more enjoyable, efficient, and accessible for outdoor enthusiasts, whether they are camping, picnicking, tailgating, or simply enjoying nature.

[0006] There are different types of outdoor cookers, such as stoves, grills, smokers, ovens, and hot plates. Outdoor cookers with integrated pots are commonly referred to as "all-in-one" or "integrated cooking” systems. These cooking systems are designed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a complete cooking solution by combining a portable stove with a matching pot or cooking vessel. The integrated design ensures that the pot and the stove are optimized to work together efficiently, making outdoor cooking more convenient and streamlined. Battery-driven outdoor cookers are available in the market. These cookers are designed to be portable and operate on battery power, making them ideal for outdoor activities where access to traditional fuel sources like propane or charcoal might be limited. Battery-driven outdoor cookers offer convenience and versatility, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to cook their meals without relying on electricity or traditional fuels. However, few battery-driven outdoor all-in-one cookers seem to be available on the market and they suffer from having too little volumetric capacity.

[0007] CN215457372 (II) discloses a battery-operated cooker comprising a container part, and a controller part. The container part and the controller part are of a “split type” structure. A heater is arranged in the container part, and the container part comprises a container interface. A heating control circuit board and a battery are arranged in the controller part, and the controller part comprises a controller interface. The container interface and the controller interface comprise an electric connection structure and a signal connection structure. By the adoption of the “split type” structural design of the container part and the controller part, the container part can be independently taken away for direct use after heating is completed, thereby making carrying and cleaning convenient. Hence, the container part has the heating function, and the controller part has the battery function.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery-driven outdoor all-in-one cooker with improved volumetric capacity and at the same time being compact when transported.

[0010] A first aspect relates to a cooker for outdoor use, said cooker comprising:

[0011] - a cooking vessel comprising a cavity defined by a wall part and a base part;

[0012] - a heating unit; and

[0013] - a battery unit adapted for powering the heating unit, said battery unit comprising a top face and a bottom face; wherein the heating unit is embedded in the wall part and / or the base part of the cooking vessel; and wherein the cooking vessel, preferably the cooking vessel’s base part, is adapted for being releasably mounted to the battery unit, preferably to the battery unit’s top face.

[0014] The present invention provides for a cooker with efficient heat transfer. The integrated design ensures that the cooker's heating element is matched to the size and shape of the cooking vessel, maximizing heat transfer efficiency, and reducing cooking times.

[0015] The battery unit is adapted for fitting into the cooking vessel’s cavity during transport. In this way, the cooker is designed to be compact, making both the battery unit and the cooking vessel easy to carry and transport during outdoor activities, such as camping, backpacking, or hiking. Furthermore, all parts are kept together.

[0016] In the present context, the term “fitting into” is meant to describe the physical interaction where the battery unit is designed to fit inside the cooking vessel’s cavity. Suitable exemplary mechanisms of a “fit” could e.g., be a sliding fit, or a snap fit. A sliding fit allows for the battery unit to slide into the cooking vessel’s cavity with minimal resistance. The tolerance between the two parts is designed to permit motion but still maintain alignment and positioning. A snap fit involves the battery unit having a protrusion, tab, or notch that "snaps" into a recess or slot in the cooking vessel’s cavity, or vice versa. A tight fit, also known as a press fit or friction fit, occurs when the two parts are designed such that the battery unit is slightly larger than the cooking vessel’s cavity. This could e.g., be performed by coating the battery unit with an elastic material, such as rubber, or foam, that can be compressed.

[0017] In one or more embodiments, the cooker further comprises a lid adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel, said lid configured to cover said battery unit when the battery unit is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel, thereby preventing said battery unit to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity; wherein the lid is further adapted for preventing the battery unit from moving within the cooking vessel.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the cooker further comprises a lid adapted for preventing the battery unit from moving within the cooking vessel.

[0019] In one or more embodiments, the battery unit comprises a male electrical connector part, and wherein the base part of the cooking vessel comprises a female electrical connector part adapted for receiving said male electrical connector part.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, the male and female electrical connector parts are adapted for resistive power transfer. Non-limiting examples of resistive power transfer technologies are heating film technology, such as polyimide heating film technology, tubular heating technology, ceramic heater technology, mica heater technology, polyimide heater technology, and silicone rubber heater technology.

[0021] A preferred resistive power transfer technology is heating film technology. Electric resistance heating films comprises a substrate film printed or coated with a resistance material and electric contact busbars. This film may be laminated or coated with another layer of insulating film. These films are preferred because of efficiency, light weight, and flexibility. Polyimide heating film is particularly flexible. Tubular heaters consist of a resistive heating element inside a metal or ceramic tube. They can be straight or bent into various shapes to fit specific applications. Ceramic heaters are made from ceramic materials that have been embedded with resistive elements. They offer fast heating response and excellent thermal efficiency.

[0022] Mica heaters have a heating element embedded between mica layers, which provide electrical insulation. They are lightweight, thin, and can handle high temperatures.

[0023] Polyimide heaters (often referred to by the brand name Kapton) are thin, lightweight, and flexible. They have excellent chemical resistance and can withstand high temperatures.

[0024] Silicone rubber heaters consist of resistive heating elements embedded within a flexible silicone rubber sheet. They are known for their durability, moisture resistance, and flexibility.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the male electrical connector part extends upwards from the top face of said battery unit.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the battery unit is configured to function as the base of the cooker.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the battery unit further comprises a charging socket formed in the top face of said battery unit, thereby preventing the charging socket to be used when the cooking vessel is mounted to the battery unit.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the battery unit comprises a male connector part, and wherein the base part of the cooking vessel comprises a female connector part adapted for receiving said male connector part. This embodiment secures stability and safety. These stabilizing features keep the cooking vessel securely in place during cooking, reducing the risk of spills or accidents. In one or more embodiments, the cooker further comprises a lid adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel, said lid configured to cover said battery unit when the battery unit is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel, thereby preventing said battery unit to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, the battery unit comprises a male electrical connector part, wherein the base part of the cooking vessel comprises a female electrical connector part adapted for receiving said male electrical connector part, wherein said male electrical connector part extends upwards from the top face of said battery unit and beyond the cavity of the cooking vessel when the battery unit is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity during transport, wherein the cooker further comprises a lid adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel, said lid configured to cover said battery unit and its male electrical connector part when the battery unit is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel, thereby preventing said battery unit to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity.

[0030] In one or more embodiments, the cooker comprises a kit of cooking vessels of different volumetric capacities and all adapted for being connected to the battery unit. This embodiment allows the user to adapt their cooking setup for different meals and cooking styles.

[0031] The cooking vessel is preferably made from lightweight and durable materials, such as aluminium or stainless steel. In some embodiments the cooking vessel comprises a non-stick coating for easier cooking and cleaning.

[0032] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular value and / or to "about" or "approximately" another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent "about", it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

[0033] It should be noted that embodiments and features described in the context of one of the aspects of the present invention also apply to the other aspects of the invention.

[0034] Brief description of the figures

[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cooker in accordance with various embodiments of the invention and in its in-use configuration.

[0036] Figures 2A and 2B show perspective views of a cooking vessel in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

[0037] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a cooking vessel in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

[0038] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a battery unit in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a cooker in accordance with various embodiments of the invention and in its transport configuration.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a cooker in accordance with various embodiments of the invention and in its transport configuration.

[0041] Detailed description of the invention

[0042] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cooker 100 for outdoor use and in its use configuration where the cooking vessel 110 is releasably mounted on top of the battery unit 120. The battery unit 120 is here shown configured to function as the base of the cooker 100. A lid 130 is also shown mounted on top of the cooking vessel 110. Figures 2A and 2B show perspective views of a cooking vessel 110 according to the present invention. In Figure 2A, it is seen from its bottom side, and in Figure 2B, it is seen from its top side. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same cooking vessel 110. The cooking vessel 110 comprises a cavity 116 defined by a wall part 112 and a base part 114. A heating unit 140 is embedded in the base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110. The heating unit 140 is here configured as a heating element, where the control unit (not shown) is embedded in the battery unit 120. This configuration minimizes the energy loss between the heating unit 140 and the cooking vessel 110. The control unit is configured for activating or deactivating the heating element. The control unit may receive information from a temperature sensor (not shown), e.g., integrated into the heating element or into the wall part 112 or base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110. Alternatively, or in combination, a thermostat may be used that automatically switches off when a pre-set temperature is reached. Such a thermostat may e.g., be mechanical, such as a bimetallic thermostat. The control unit itself may also be configured to function as an electronic thermostat. Hence, in principle, the heating unit may function as in an electric kettle.

[0043] To make it possible to hold around the cooking vessel 110, it may be constructed as shown in Figure 3. Here, the cooking vessel 110 comprises an inner vessel 111, and an outer casing 113. A gas or insulation filled void may be formed there between, preferably both in the wall part 112 and in the base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110. When present in the base part 114, it makes it safer to place the cooking vessel 110 on e.g., a tabletop after heating its food content, such as a soup, stew, or porridge.

[0044] The battery unit 120 is adapted for powering the heating unit 140 embedded in the cooking vessel 110. The battery unit comprises a top face 122 and a bottom face 124, as indicated with arrows in Figure 4. The cooking vessel’s base part 114 is adapted for being releasably mounted to the top face 122 of the battery unit’s top face 122 by the aid of different types of connections. A first type of connection 126, 115 is also an electrical connection between the battery unit 120 and the heating unit 140. The battery unit 120 comprises a male electrical connector part 126 extending upwards from the top face 122, while the base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110 comprises a female electrical connector part 115 adapted for receiving said male electrical connector part 126. A second type of connection 117, 127 is mainly for safe and precise positioning of the cooking vessel 110 onto the battery unit 120. This embodiment is here shown configured as a circular rim 127 (male connection) formed on the top face 122 of the battery unit 120, and a circular cavity 117 (female connection) formed in the base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110. In principle, this male-female connection could also be configured in the opposite way with the male part formed on the base part 114 of the cooking vessel 110 and the female part formed in the top face 122 of the battery unit 120. Different shapes of female and male parts would also be possible. The advantage of the circular embodiment is that the cooking vessel 110 can be rotated on the battery unit 120 while the two units are still connected.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5, the battery unit 120 is adapted for fitting into the cooking vessel’s cavity 116 during transport. This is advantageous as the battery unit thereby is protected during transport and protects the cooker from being activated during transport. Furthermore, if used as an electronic charger during transport, the connected electrical connectors are also protected from damage. In the shown embodiment, when the battery unit 120 is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity 116, the male electrical connector part 126 extends upwards from the top face 122 of the battery unit 120 and beyond the cavity 116 of the cooking vessel 110.

[0046] In Figure 6, the cooker 100, in transport mode, is shown comprising a lid 130. The lid 130 is here shown releasably fastened to the cooking vessel 110 and covering the battery unit 120. The shape of the lid 130 is in this embodiment shaped with a central elevation 136 due to the male electrical connector part 126 extending beyond the cavity 116 of the cooking vessel 110.

[0047] The battery unit 120 is also shown with two types of charging sockets 128, 129 formed in the top face 122. This position is important as it thereby prevents the charging sockets 128, 129 to be used when the cooking vessel 110 is mounted to the battery unit 120 during a cooking operation. The charging sockets 128, 129 are water resistant for obvious reasons. The first type of charging sockets 128 (two are shown) is for discharge of the battery cells in the battery unit 120 and are here shown configured as for LISB-C connection. The second type of charging socket 129 is for charging the battery cells in the battery unit 120 and is here shown configured as a DC socket. When assembled for transport the charging sockets 128, 129 may be used. When a lid 130 is mounted, it is preferably configured with pouring holes that allow use of the charging sockets 128, 129 while mounted. An example of such a pouring hole 134 is shown in Figure 6, while another type of pouring hole 132 is also shown.

[0048] References

[0049] 100 Cooker

[0050] 110 Cooking vessel

[0051] 111 Inner vessel

[0052] 112 Wall part

[0053] 113 Outer casing

[0054] 114 Base part

[0055] 115 Female electrical connector part

[0056] 116 Cavity

[0057] 117 Female connector part

[0058] 120 Battery unit

[0059] 121 On / off button

[0060] 122 Top face

[0061] 124 Bottom face

[0062] 126 Male electrical connector part

[0063] 127 Male connector part

[0064] 128 Charging socket

[0065] 129 Charging socket

[0066] 130 Lid

[0067] 132 First pouring hole

[0068] 134 Second pouring hole

[0069] 140 Heating unit

Claims

Claims1. A cooker (100) for outdoor use, said cooker (100) comprising:- a cooking vessel (110) comprising a cavity (116) defined by a wall part (112) and a base part (114);- a heating unit (140); and- a battery unit (120) adapted for powering the heating unit (140), said battery unit (120) comprising a top face (122) and a bottom face (124); wherein the heating unit (140) is embedded in the wall part (112) and / or the base part (114) of the cooking vessel (110); and wherein the cooking vessel (110), preferably the cooking vessel’s base part (114), is adapted for being releasably mounted to the battery unit (120), preferably to the battery unit’s top face (122); characterized in that the battery unit (120) is adapted for fitting into the cooking vessel’s cavity (116) during transport.

2. The cooker (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the battery unit (120) comprises a male electrical connector part (126), and wherein the base part (114) of the cooking vessel (110) comprises a female electrical connector part (115) adapted for receiving said male electrical connector part (126).

3. The cooker (100) according to claim 2, wherein said male electrical connector part (126) extends upwards from the top face (122) of said battery unit (120).

4. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-3, wherein the battery unit (120) is configured to function as the base of the cooker (100).

5. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the battery unit (120) further comprises a charging socket (128, 129) formed in the top face (122) of said battery unit (120), thereby preventing the charging socket (128, 129) from being used when the cooking vessel (110) is mounted to the battery unit (120).

6. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the battery unit (120) comprises a male connector part (127), and wherein the base part (114) of the cooking vessel (110) comprises a female connector part (117) adapted for receiving said male connector part (127).

7. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the cooker (100) further comprises a lid (130) adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel (110), said lid (130) configured to cover said battery unit (120) when the battery unit (120) is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity (116) during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel (110), thereby preventing said battery unit (120) to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity (116).

8. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the battery unit (120) comprises a male electrical connector part (126), wherein the base part (114) of the cooking vessel (110) comprises a female electrical connector part (115) adapted for receiving said male electrical connector part (126), wherein said male electrical connector part (126) extends upwards from the top face (122) of said battery unit (120) and beyond the cavity (116) of the cooking vessel (110) when the battery unit (120) is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity (116) during transport, wherein the cooker (100) further comprises a lid (130) adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel (110), said lid (130) configured to cover said battery unit (120) and its male electrical connector part (126) when the battery unit (120) is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity (116) during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel (110), thereby preventing said battery unit (120) to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity (116).

9. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the cooker (100) further comprises a lid (130) adapted for being releasably fastened to the cooking vessel (110), said lid (130) configured to cover said battery unit (120) when the battery unit (120) is fitted into the cooking vessel’s cavity (116) during transport and at the same time to be releasably fastened to said cooking vessel (110), thereby preventing said battery unit (120) to fall out of the cooking vessel’s cavity (116); wherein the lid (130) is further adapted for preventing the battery unit (120) from moving within the cooking vessel (110).

10. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-6, wherein the cooker (100) further comprises a lid (130) adapted for preventing the battery unit (120) from moving within the cooking vessel (110).

11. The cooker (100) according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein the battery unit (120) is designed to fit inside the cooking vessel’s (110) cavity by the aid of a sliding fit, a tight fit, or a snap fit.

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