Cooking appliance with multiple modes

Abstract

A cooking appliance has a housing enclosing an inner cooking chamber, a front housing opening providing access to the inner cooking chamber, and a top housing opening. The cooking appliance includes an airflow conduit for directing air from a first location within to a second location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber and an airflow generator for generating airflow within the airflow conduit. The cooking appliance further includes a housing heating element at least partially within the airflow conduit such that air removed from the first location is returned to the second location only after passing the housing heating element. Tn a first cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the front housing opening and the airflow generator generates airflow within the airflow conduit, and in a second cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the top housing opening.

Description

Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WOCOOKING APPLIANCE WITH MULTIPLE MODESCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application takes priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 712,773, filed October 28, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to food cooking appliances, and more particularly to cooking appliances with multiple cooking modes, thereby providing multiple ways to cook food items.BACKGROUND

[0003] Cooking appliances, including air fryers are very popular. However, air fryers typically cook food in a single limited manner, namely by positioning food items in a basket and passing heated air over it. Accordingly, consumers tend to have multiple cooking appliances, including countertop grill products, which may apply direct intense heat, and slow cookers, which would apply less intense heat over a more extended period of time.

[0004] There is a need for a cooking appliance, such as an air fryer, that can provide multiple modes such that it can be used for a wider variety of food preparation tasks.SUMMARY

[0005] A cooking appliance is provided having a housing enclosing an inner cooking chamber, a front housing opening providing access to the inner cooking chamber, and a top housing opening. The cooking appliance further includes an airflow conduit for directing air from a first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber to a second location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber and an airflow generator for generating airflow within the airflow conduit.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0006] The cooking appliance further includes a housing heating element at least partially within the airflow conduit such that air removed from the first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber is returned to the second location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber only after passing the housing heating element.

[0007] In a first cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the front housing opening and the airflow generator generates airflow within the airflow conduit, and in a second cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the top housing opening.

[0008] In some embodiments, in the second cooking mode, the airflow generator does not generate airflow.

[0009] In some embodiments, the cooking appliance includes a cooking basket slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber, where the cooking basket slides out of the inner cooking chamber by way of the front housing opening, and where, in the first cooking mode, an item to be cooked is located within the cooking basket.

[0010] In some such embodiments, the cooking basket has an opening located such that the opening is adjacent the first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber when the cooking basket is located within the inner cooking chamber.

[0011] In some embodiments utilizing a cooking basket, the cooking basket is integrated into a front wall of the housing, such that a portion of the front wall of the housing and the cooking basket are removed from the inner cooking chamber together by way of the front housing opening.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cooking appliance further includes at least one removable cooking insert positioned in or adjacent the inner cooking chamber. In the second mode, an item to be cooked is then located within or on the at least one removable cooking insert.

[0013] In some such embodiments, the cooking appliance includes an electrical port incorporated into the housing, and the at least one removable cooking insert is in electrical communication with the housing by way of the electrical port.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0014] In some such embodiments, the at least one removable cooking insert includes at least one insert heating element, where the insert heating element is powered by way of the electrical port.

[0015] In some such embodiments, the at least one removable cooking insert is a plurality of removable interchangeable cooking inserts, each of which comprises at least one insert heating element configured to be powered by way of the electrical port.

[0016] In some embodiments utilizing a removable cooking insert, the at least one removable cooking insert is a lower grill plate positioned adjacent the inner cooking chamber, and in the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is placed on the grill plate by way of the top housing opening.

[0017] In some such embodiments, the cooking appliance includes an upper grill plate located within a housing lid that closes the top housing opening, and the housing heating element is incorporated into or positioned adjacent the upper grill plate.

[0018] In some such embodiments, a portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing lid, and in the first cooking mode, the second location at which air is returned to the inner cooking chamber is at the upper grill plate.

[0019] In some such embodiments, when in the second cooking mode, the item to be cooked prevents the housing lid from fully closing the top housing opening, thereby rendering the airflow conduit discontinuous.

[0020] In some embodiments where the housing heating element is integrated into or positioned adjacent the upper grill plate, the housing lid is fixed to the housing by way of a hinged connector. The hinged connector pivots relative to the housing about a first axis, and the housing lid pivots relative to the hinged connector about a second axis different from the first axis.

[0021] In some embodiments utilizing a grill plate accessed by way of the top housing opening, the lower grill plate includes an insert heating element for heating the lower grill plate in the second cooking mode.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0022] In some such embodiments, the lower grill plate is a first of the at least one removable cooking insert, and a second of the at least one removable cooking insert is a slow cooker insert. In the second cooking mode, the lower grill plate is positioned adjacent the inner cooking chamber and the food item to be cooked is placed on the grill plate by way of the top housing opening. In a third cooking mode, the slow cooker insert is positioned within the inner cooking chamber and the food item to be cooked is placed within the slow cooker insert by way of the top housing opening.

[0023] In some embodiments utilizing an insert, the at least one removable cooking insert is a slow cooker insert positioned within the inner cooking chamber, and in the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is placed within the slow cooker insert by way of the top housing opening.

[0024] In some such embodiments, the cooking appliance includes a cooking basket slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber. The cooking basket slides out of the inner cooking chamber by way of the front housing opening. In the first cooking mode, an item to be cooked is located within the cooking basket, and in the second cooking mode, the slow cooker insert is positioned within the cooking basket.

[0025] In some such embodiments, the cooking basket has an opening located such that the opening is adjacent the first location within the inner cooking chamber when the cooking basket is located within the inner cooking chamber. The slow cooker insert obstructs the opening when inserted, thereby preventing the circulation of airflow.

[0026] In some embodiments utilizing a slow cooker insert, the slow cooker insert includes an insert heating element for heating the slow cooker insert in the second cooking mode.

[0027] In some embodiments, the housing heating element is at least one tubular heating element in the path of airflow within the airflow conduit.

[0028] In some embodiments, the airflow generator is a fan. In some such embodiments, the airflow generator is a cross-flow fan.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0029] In some embodiments, the cooking appliance includes a housing lid for closing the top housing opening, and a first portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing and a second portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing lid. In the first cooking mode, the second location at which air is returned to the inner cooking chamber is at or adjacent the housing lid.

[0030] In some such embodiments, opening the housing by way of the top housing opening renders the airflow conduit discontinuous.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance in accordance with this disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 accessed by way of a front housing opening.

[0033] Figure 3 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in a first configuration accessed by way of a top housing opening.

[0034] Figure 4 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in a second configuration accessed by way of the top housing opening.

[0035] Figure 5 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in a third configuration accessed by way of the top housing opening.

[0036] Figure 6 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in the first configuration.

[0037] Figure 7 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in the second configuration.

[0038] Figure 8 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in the third configuration.

[0039] Figure 9 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 with a first removable cooking insert being inserted.

[0040] Figure 10 is the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 with a second removable cooking insert being inserted.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0041] Figures 11 A-B show perspective views of the first removable cooking insert.

[0042] Figures 12A-B show perspective views of an upper grill plate for integration into the housing of the cooking appliance of FIG. 1.

[0043] Figures 13 A-B show a perspective view and a sectioned view of the second removable cooking insert.

[0044] Figure 14 shows the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in use in the first configuration.

[0045] Figure 15 shows the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in use in the second configuration.

[0046] Figure 16 shows the cooking appliance of FIG. 1 in use in the third configuration.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The description of illustrative embodiments according to principles of the present invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present invention. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” and similar refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WOMoreover, the features and benefits of the invention are illustrated by reference to the exemplified embodiments. Accordingly, the invention expressly should not be limited to such exemplary embodiments illustrating some possible non-limiting combination of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features; the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

[0048] This disclosure describes the best mode or modes of practicing the invention as presently contemplated. This description is not intended to be understood in a limiting sense, but provides an example of the invention presented solely for illustrative purposes by reference to the accompanying drawings to advise one of ordinary skill in the art of the advantages and construction of the invention. In the various views of the drawings, like reference characters designate like or similar parts.

[0049] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance 100 in accordance with this disclosure. Figure 2 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 accessed by way of a front housing opening 110. Figure 3 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in a first configuration accessed by way of a top housing opening 120. Figure 4 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in a second configuration accessed by way of the top housing opening 120. Figure 5 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in a third configuration accessed by way of the top housing opening 120.

[0050] Figure 6 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in the first configuration. Figure 7 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in the second configuration. Figure 8 is a sectioned view of the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in the third configuration.

[0051] As shown, the cooking appliance 100 has a housing 130 enclosing an inner cooking chamber 140. The housing 130 includes a front housing opening 110 that provides access to the inner cooking chamber 140. The housing 130 further includes a top housing opening 120. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, in some cooking configurations, the top housing opening 120 provides access to the inner cooking chamber 140, while in other embodiments, such access is blocked by a removable cooking insert 150.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0052] The cooking appliance 100 further includes an airflow conduit 160 for directing air from a first location 170 within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber 140 to a second location 180 within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber. An airflow generator 190 is provided for generating airflow within the airflow conduit 160. As shown, the airflow generator 190 may be a fan, such as a cross-flow fan.

[0053] It will be understood that while the cooking appliance in the first configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, is illustrated with the top housing opening 120 open, this is for ease of presenting the distinctions between the configurations. As shown in FIG. 2, when in the first configuration, the housing 130 is typically opened by way of the front housing opening 140. As shown in the sectioned view of FIG. 6, when used in the first configuration, the top housing opening 120 is typically closed.

[0054] When in the first configuration, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the cooking appliance 100 typically operates in a first cooking mode. In the first cooking mode, as shown in FIG. 14, airflow 1400 passes through the airflow conduit 160, is heated at a housing heating element 200, and is then circulated 1410 through the inner cooking chamber 140. Accordingly, the airflow generator 190 generates airflow 1400 within the airflow conduit 160, thereby generating the airflow circulating 1410 within the inner cooking chamber 140. As shown, the housing heating element 200 may be a tubular heating element positioned in the path of airflow 1400 within or adjacent to the airflow conduit 160. The housing heating element 200 may heat the airflow directly, or it may instead heat a larger component, such as an adjacent upper grill plate 310, discussed in more detail below, which then heats the airflow.

[0055] The cooking appliance 100 further accordingly includes a housing heating element 200 at least partially within the airflow conduit 160. Accordingly, air 1400 removed from the first location 170 within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber 140 is returned to the second location 180 within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber only after passing the housing heating element 200. In this way, in the first cooking mode, the airflow 1400 is heated, and the heated airflow circulated 1410 through the inner cookingAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO chamber 140 then passes over food to be cooked 1420. The cooking appliance 100 thereby acts as an air fryer type appliance. It is noted that the food to be cooked 1420 is shown as a whole chicken, such a food item is merely an example, and may not be to scale. Similarly, other food items, such as chicken wings or vegetable products may be cooked as well.

[0056] In contrast, when in the second or third configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8, 15, and 16 the housing 130 is typically opened by way of the top housing opening 120. In the second and third configurations, the cooking appliance 100 may operate in either a second or third cooking mode in which the circulation of airflow may be modified or in which the airflow generator 190 does not generate airflow at all.

[0057] As shown, the cooking appliance 100 further includes a cooking basket 210 slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the cooking basket 210 may slide out of the inner cooking chamber 140 by way of the front housing opening 110. When in the first cooking mode, and when utilized in the first cooking configuration as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, where a cooking basket 210 is provided, an item to be cooked is located within the cooking basket 210.

[0058] The cooking basket 210 may then have an opening 220 located such that when the cooking basket is inserted into the inner cooking chamber 140, the opening is adjacent the first location 170 within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber. In this way, the opening 220 of the cooking basket 210 may align with the first location 170 providing access to the airflow conduit 160, thereby allowing for the circulation of airflow 1410 through the inner cooking chamber 140 when in the first configuration.

[0059] As shown, the cooking basket 210 may be integrated into a front wall 230 of the housing. In this way, a portion of the front wall of the housing 230 and the cooking basket 210 are removed from the inner cooking chamber 140 together by way of the front housing opening 110.

[0060] As shown, the cooking appliance 100 has a housing lid 240 that closes the top housing opening 120. Accordingly, when in the first configuration, where theAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO housing 130 is opened by way of the front housing opening 110, such as by removing the cooking basket 210, the housing lid 240 typically remains closed. The airflow conduit 160 may then comprise a first portion 250 of the airflow conduit 160 located within a main body of the housing 130 and a second portion 260 of the airflow conduit 160 located within the housing lid 240.

[0061] The second location 180 at which air 1400 is returned to the inner cooking chamber 140 in the first cooking mode is then at or adjacent the housing lid 240.Opening the housing 130 by way of the top housing opening 120 then requires opening or removing the housing lid 240. The housing lid 240 may be fully removable from the housing 130 or it may be fixed to the housing by way of a hinged connection 243 which may be integrated into a handle 347 of the housing lid 240. Opening the housing lid 240 relative to the housing 100 may then form a break in the airflow conduit 160, which may then render the airflow conduit 160 discontinuous.

[0062] Where the housing lid 240 is fixed to the housing 130 by way of a hinged connection 243 integrated into a handle 247 or some other pivoting connector, the handle may retain the rest of the housing lid 240 by way of a secondary pivoting connection 255. Accordingly, the pivoting connector or handle 247 then pivots relative to the housing 130 about a first axis defined by the pivoting connection 240, and the housing lid 240 may pivot relative to the pivoting connector or handle 247 about a second axis different from the first axis and defined by the secondary pivoting connection 255. As shown, the first and second axis may be parallel each other. This may allow the housing lid 240 to lay flat on top of a food item 1500 when in the second cooking configuration, as shown in FIG. 15.

[0063] In some embodiments where the second portion 260 of the airflow conduit 160 is integrated into the housing lid 240, the airflow conduit may incorporate additional airflow control surfaces 270, or vanes, for efficiently directing airflow towards the housing heating element 200 and the second location 180.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0064] The second and third configurations shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 and FIGS. 5 and 8 respectively may correspond to second and third cooking modes respectively. It is noted that the second and third cooking modes and corresponding configurations may occasionally be referred to interchangeably as a second cooking mode or configuration. The second cooking mode or configuration is typically considered in contrast with the first cooking mode and configuration as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6.

[0065] Figure 9 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 with a first removable cooking insert 150, 400 being inserted. Figure 10 is the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 with a second removable cooking insert 150, 500 being inserted. Figures 1 1 A-B show perspective views of the first removable cooking insert 150, 400. Figures 12A-B show perspective views of an upper grill plate 310 for integration into the housing 130 of the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1. Figures 13A-B show a perspective view and a sectioned view of the second removable cooking insert 150, 500.

[0066] Figure 14 shows the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in use in the first configuration. Figure 15 shows the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in use in the second configuration. Figure 16 shows the cooking appliance 100 of FIG. 1 in use in the third configuration.

[0067] In each of the second and third configurations, at least one removable cooking insert 150 is positioned in or adjacent the inner cooking chamber 140. An item to be cooked 1500, 1600 is then located within or on the at least one removable cooking insert 150. In the embodiment shown, the at least one removable cooking insert 150 is either a lower grill plate 400, used in a second configuration, or a slow cooker insert 500, used in a third configuration. Accordingly, in the second configuration, the lower grill plate 400 may be located within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber 140, and in the corresponding second cooking mode, an item to be cooked 1500 is located on the lower grill plate 400.

[0068] During use in the second cooking mode, the item to be cooked 1500 may be placed on the lower grill plate 400 and the housing lid 240 may then be lowered ontoAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO the food item. Because of the secondary pivoting connection 255 between the handle 247 and the housing lid 240, the closed housing lid 240 may then lay substantially parallel to the lower grill plate 400, so as to allow for even cooking. Similarly, because the housing lid 240 may pivot, an angle of the housing lid may adapt to an uneven layering of food items on the lower grill plate 400, such that a larger amount of food is in contact with both the lower grill plate and the upper grill plate 310 incorporated into the housing lid 240. While the food item to be cooked 1500 shown is a sandwich, it will be understood that the cooking appliance 100 may be similarly used to gook meat or chicken, among other items.

[0069] Similarly, in the third configuration, the slow cooker insert 500 may be located within the inner cooking chamber 140, and in the corresponding third cooking mode (sometimes referred to herein as a second cooking mode), an item to be cooked 1600 is located within the slow cooker insert. As shown, the slow cooker insert 500 may then be used to cook a stew 1600 or other similar food item.

[0070] As shown, the cooking appliance 100 may further include an electrical port 300 incorporated into the housing 130. The removable cooking inserts 150 may then be in electrical communication with the housing by way of the electrical port 300. The electrical port 300 may then provide electricity to the removable cooking inserts 150. Accordingly, the removable cooking inserts 150, 400, 500 may comprise at least one insert heating element 410, 510 powered by the electrical port 300 by way of an integrated plug 420. Where multiple removable cooking inserts 150 are provided, as in the case of the grill plate 400 and slow cooker 500 in the cooking appliance 100 shown, each such cooking insert 150 may comprise at least one corresponding insert heating element configured to be powered by way of the electrical port 300.

[0071] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4, the removable cooking insert 150 may be a lower grill plate 400 positioned adjacent the inner cooking chamber 140. In the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is placed on the grill plate 400 by way of the top housing opening 120. The lower grill plate 400 may then include a correspondingAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO insert heating element 410 configured to be powered by way of the electrical port 300. As shown, the insert heating element 410 may be provided as a tubular heating element which then heats the adjacent grill plate 400.

[0072] Separate from the electrical port 300, the housing may provide a mating interface 320 for fixing the removable cooking insert 150 into place. Accordingly, the lower grill plate 400 may further comprise a connector 430 for mating with the mating interface 320.

[0073] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the removable cooking insert 150 may be a slow cooker insert 500 positioned within the inner cooking chamber 140. In the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is then positioned within the inner cooking chamber 140 and within the slow cooker insert 500 by way of the top housing opening 120. The slow cooker insert 500 may then include a corresponding insert heating element 510 configured to be powered by way of the electrical port 300 by way of an integrated plug 520. As shown, the insert heating element 510 may be provided as a tubular heating element which then heats the adjacent slow cooker insert 500. As noted with respect to the lower grill plate 400, the slow cooker insert 500 may further comprise a connector 530 for mating with the mating interface 320.

[0074] It will be understood that while the electrical port 300 is shown as powering insert heating elements 410, 510, additional electrical accessories are contemplated for use in different removable cooking inserts 150. Accordingly, the electrical port 300 may be utilized to power a rotisserie insert, for example. It will be further understood that while the heating elements 410, 510 are shown as tubular heating elements, other types of heating elements are contemplated as well.

[0075] The cooking appliance 100 may further comprise an upper grill plate 310 located within or integrated with the housing lid 240 that closes the top housing opening 120. In such an implementation, the housing heating element 200 may be integrated into the upper grill plate 310. Such an upper grill plate 310 may be permanently integrated into the housing lid 240, or it may be removable for cleaning.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO

[0076] When in the first cooking mode, and when utilized in the first configuration, the upper grill plate 310 may simply be a surface heated by the housing heating element 200, so as to heat air passing through. Accordingly, the upper grill plate is typically vented such that circulating airflow 1410 passes through when the cooking appliance 100 is utilized as an air fryer in the first configuration. In this way, the second location 180 at which air is returned to the inner cooking chamber 140 is at the upper grill plate 310.

[0077] When in the second cooking mode, however, and when utilized in the second configuration with the lower grill plate 400, the upper grill plate 310 and the lower grill plate may operate in concert to cook a food item 1500 placed on the upper grill plate. Accordingly, when in the second cooking mode, once the food item is placed on the lower grill plate 310, the housing lid 240 may be at least partially closed so as to apply direct heat to both a top and bottom of the food item.

[0078] Further, when in use in the second cooking mode, as shown in FIG. 15, the food item 1500 may prevent the housing lid 240 from fully closing the top housing opening 120. As noted above, the airflow conduit 160 may have a first portion 250 integrated into the housing 130, such as within a back wall of the cooking appliance 100. The airflow conduit 160 may then have a second portion 260 integrated into the housing lid 240. As noted above, when the housing lid 240 is opened, the airflow conduit 160 may then be rendered discontinuous. The placement of the food item between the upper and lower grill plates 310, 400 may then prevent the airflow conduit 160 from being reconstituted. Accordingly, while airflow may circulate in the first cooking mode, the airflow generator 190 may not function to generate airflow in the second cooking mode, and in some embodiments, airflow circulation may be impossible in the second cooking mode.

[0079] As noted above, the removable cooking insert 150 may be provided interchangeably as a lower grill plate 400 and / or a slow cooker insert 500. Accordingly,Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO if the second cooking mode comprises use of the lower grill plate 400, a third cooking mode may be provided utilizing the slow cooker insert 500.

[0080] In the embodiment shown, where a cooking basket 210 is utilized, such a basket is often designed to remain in the cooking appliance 100 in all modes. Accordingly, even in the second and third cooking modes, the cooking basket 210 may remain inside of the inner cooking chamber 140. Accordingly, in the first cooking mode, the cooking basket 210 may be slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber 140, and an item to be cooked may be inserted directly into the cooking basket 210. The cooking basket 210 may then be returned to the inner cooking chamber 140 by way of the front housing opening 110 with the idem to be cooked located therein. In the second cooking mode, in contrast, the cooking basket 210 may remain inside the inner cooking chamber 140 and the slow cooker insert 500 may be positioned within the cooking basket 210. The item to be cooked may then be located within the slow cooker insert 500.

[0081] Further, while the cooking basket 210 may have an opening 220 located adjacent the first location 170 within the inner cooking chamber 140 when the cooking basket is located within the inner cooking chamber, the slow cooker insert 500 obstructs the opening 220. Accordingly, in the third configuration, as in the second configuration, circulation of airflow may be obstructed, and in the second cooking mode and in the third cooking mode, airflow typically would not be circulated and the airflow generator 190 would be inactive.

[0082] While the present invention has been described at some length and with some particularity with respect to the several described embodiments, it is not intended that it should be limited to any such particulars or embodiments or any particular embodiment, but it is to be construed with references to the appended claims so as to provide the broadest possible interpretation of such claims in view of the prior art and, therefore, to effectively encompass the intended scope of the invention. Furthermore, the foregoing describes the invention in terms of embodiments foreseen by the inventor for which an enabling description was available, notwithstanding that insubstantialAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO modifications of the invention, not presently foreseen, may nonetheless represent equivalents thereto.

Claims

Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WOWhat is claimed is:

1. A cooking appliance comprising: a housing enclosing an inner cooking chamber; a front housing opening providing access to the inner cooking chamber; a top housing opening; an airflow conduit for directing air from a first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber to a second location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber; an airflow generator for generating airflow within the airflow conduit; and a housing heating element at least partially within the airflow conduit such that air removed from the first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber is returned to the second location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber only after passing the housing heating element, wherein in a first cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the front housing opening and the airflow generator generates airflow within the airflow conduit, and in a second cooking mode, the housing is opened by way of the top housing opening.

2. The cooking appliance of claim 1 wherein in the second cooking mode, the airflow generator does not generate airflow.

3. The cooking appliance of claim 1 further comprising a cooking basket slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber, wherein the cooking basket slides out of the inner cooking chamber by way of the front housing opening, and wherein, in the first cooking mode, an item to be cooked is located within the cooking basket.

4. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the cooking basket has an opening located such that the opening is adjacent the first location within or adjacent the inner cooking chamber when the cooking basket is located within the inner cooking chamber.

5. The cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the cooking basket is integrated into a front wall of the housing, such that a portion of the front wall of the housing and theAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO cooking basket are removed from the inner cooking chamber together by way of the front housing opening.

6. The cooking appliance of claim 1 further comprising at least one removable cooking insert positioned in or adjacent the inner cooking chamber, and wherein, in the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is located within or on the at least one removable cooking insert.

7. The cooking appliance of claim 6 further comprising an electrical port incorporated into the housing, wherein the at least one removable cooking insert is in electrical communication with the housing by way of the electrical port.

8. The cooking appliance of claim 7, wherein the at least one removable cooking insert comprises at least one insert heating element, wherein the at least one insert heating element is powered by way of the electrical port.

9. The cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein the at least one removable cooking insert is a plurality of removable interchangeable cooking inserts, each of which comprises at least one insert heating element configured to be powered by way of the electrical port.

10. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the at least one removable cooking insert is a lower grill plate positioned adjacent the inner cooking chamber, and wherein, in the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is placed on the grill plate by way of the top housing opening.

11. The cooking appliance of claim 10 further comprising an upper grill plate located within a housing lid that closes the top housing opening, wherein the housing heating element is incorporated into or positioned adjacent the upper grill plate.

12. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein a portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing lid, and wherein, in the first cooking mode, the second location at which air is returned to the inner cooking chamber is at the upper grill plate.Attorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO13. The cooking appliance of claim 12, wherein when in the second cooking mode, the item to be cooked prevents the housing lid from fully closing the top housing opening, thereby rendering the airflow conduit discontinuous.

14. The cooking appliance of claim 11, wherein the housing lid is fixed to the housing by way of a hinged connector, and wherein the hinged connector pivots relative to the housing about a first axis, and wherein the housing lid pivots relative to the hinged connector about a second axis different from the first axis.

15. The cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the lower grill plate comprises an insert heating element for heating the lower grill plate in the second cooking mode.

16. The cooking appliance of claim 15, wherein the lower grill plate is a first of the at least one removable cooking insert, and wherein a second of the at least one removable cooking insert is a slow cooker insert, and wherein in the second cooking mode, the lower grill plate is positioned adjacent the inner cooking chamber and the food item to be cooked is placed on the grill plate by way of the top housing opening, and wherein in a third cooking mode, the slow cooker insert is positioned within the inner cooking chamber and the food item to be cooked is placed within the slow cooker insert by way of the top housing opening.

17. The cooking appliance of claim 6, wherein the at least one removable cooking insert is a slow cooker insert positioned within the inner cooking chamber, and wherein, in the second cooking mode, an item to be cooked is placed within the slow cooker insert by way of the top housing opening.

18. The cooking appliance of claim 17 further comprising a cooking basket slidably removable from the inner cooking chamber, wherein the cooking basket slides out of the inner cooking chamber by way of the front housing opening, and wherein, in the first cooking mode, an item to be cooked is located within the cooking basket, and wherein in the second cooking mode, the slow cooker insert is positioned within the cooking basket.

19. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the cooking basket has an opening located such that the opening is adjacent the first location within the inner cookingAttorney Docket: SSTN 14693 WO chamber when the cooking basket is located within the inner cooking chamber, and wherein the slow cooker insert obstructs the opening when inserted, thereby preventing the circulation of airflow.

20. The cooking appliance of claim 17, wherein the slow cooker insert comprises an insert heating element for heating the slow cooker insert in the second cooking mode.

21. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing heating element is at least one tubular heating element in the path of airflow within the airflow conduit.

22. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the airflow generator is a fan.

23. The cooking appliance of claim 22, wherein the airflow generator is a cross-flow fan.

24. The cooking appliance of claim 1 further comprising a housing lid for closing the top housing opening, and wherein a first portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing and a second portion of the airflow conduit is located within the housing lid, and wherein, in the first cooking mode, the second location at which air is returned to the inner cooking chamber is at or adjacent the housing lid.

25. The cooking appliance of claim 24, wherein opening the housing by way of the top housing opening renders the airflow conduit discontinuous.

Images