Apparatus and methods for at least semi-autonomous meal storage and cooking via fluid immersion
First Claim
1. A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device, the device including a thermal container defining a first volume and a second volume independent of the first volume and including a circulation system in selective fluid communication with the first volume and the second volume, the method comprising:
- disposing a first food item in the first volume;
disposing a second food item in the second volume;
circulating a volume of water through a first portion of the circulation system and to the first volume, the volume of water having a first temperature and configured to cool the first food item, the first temperature being at or below 40°
F.;
transitioning the circulation system to circulate the volume of water through a second portion of the circulation system and to the first volume;
heating the volume of water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature to cook the first food item;
transferring, after a predetermined length of time, a portion of the volume of water from the first volume into the circulation system such that the portion of the volume of water is circulated in the second portion of the circulation system;
heating the portion of the volume of water in the second portion of the circulation system to a third temperature greater than the second temperature, the third temperature associated with cooking the second food item, the third temperature being between 170°
F. and 212°
F.; and
conveying the portion of the volume of water to the second volume.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device having a thermal container that defines a first volume and a second volume includes disposing a first food item in the first volume. A second food item and a third food item are disposed in the second volume in a first position and a second position, respectively. A volume of fluid having a first temperature is circulated through the first volume to transfer thermal energy to the first food item. After a predetermined time, at least a portion of the volume of fluid is heated to a second temperature. A portion of the volume of fluid is conveyed to the second volume such that (1) the second food item is substantially submerged in the portion of the volume of fluid and (2) the third food item is disposed substantially outside of the portion of the volume of fluid.
70 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device, the device including a thermal container defining a first volume and a second volume independent of the first volume and including a circulation system in selective fluid communication with the first volume and the second volume, the method comprising:
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disposing a first food item in the first volume; disposing a second food item in the second volume; circulating a volume of water through a first portion of the circulation system and to the first volume, the volume of water having a first temperature and configured to cool the first food item, the first temperature being at or below 40°
F.;transitioning the circulation system to circulate the volume of water through a second portion of the circulation system and to the first volume; heating the volume of water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature to cook the first food item; transferring, after a predetermined length of time, a portion of the volume of water from the first volume into the circulation system such that the portion of the volume of water is circulated in the second portion of the circulation system; heating the portion of the volume of water in the second portion of the circulation system to a third temperature greater than the second temperature, the third temperature associated with cooking the second food item, the third temperature being between 170°
F. and 212°
F.; andconveying the portion of the volume of water to the second volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of using a fluid-immersion storage and cooking device, the device including a thermal container defining a first volume and a second volume independent of the first volume and including a circulation system in selective fluid communication with the first volume and the second volume, the method comprising:
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disposing a first food item in the first volume; disposing a second food item in the second volume; circulating a volume of water through a first portion of the circulation system and to the first volume, the first portion of the circulation system cooling the volume of water to a first temperature, the first food item in the first volume being at least partially disposed in and cooled by the volume of water; circulating the volume of water through a second portion of the circulation system and to the first volume, the second portion of the circulation system configured to heat the volume of water; heating the volume of water in the second portion of the circulation system to a second temperature greater than the first temperature to cook the first food item at least partially disposed in the volume of water in the first volume; heating a portion of the volume of water in the second portion of the circulation system to a third temperature greater than the second temperature; and conveying the portion of the volume of water in the second portion of the circulation system into the second volume to cook the second food item. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification