COOKING APPARATUS USING LIQUID BATH

• US 20140260998A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Iceberg Point Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Iceberg Point Ventures, LLC
• Inventors: Pearson, Carl P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,863,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 99/288
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/002 Construction of cooking-vessels; Methods or processes of manufacturing specially adapted for cooking-vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/024 with liquid-heating tubes extending outside the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 27/10 Cooking-vessels with water-bath arrangements for domestic use

Abstract

A water/liquid bath system for cooking includes a conventional kitchen sink, a heating unit for heating water in the sink, a temperature sensor and control unit connected to the heating unit and responsive to the temperature of the liquid to maintain the liquid at a specific temperature for cooking food inside a cooking bag or container and immersed in the liquid bath.

Claims

1. A liquid-based cooking system, comprising:

a sink for liquid;

a heating unit for heating liquid in the container sink; and

a temperature control unit connected to the heating unit and responsive to the temperature of the liquid or food to be cooked to maintain the liquid at a specific temperature for cooking food inside a cooking bag or container present in the liquid for a period of time to cook the food.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the specific temperature is pre-established in accordance with the specific food to be cooked.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid container is a conventional, in-place kitchen sink.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sink is a portable container.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating unit is portable relative to the sink.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating unit is separate from the sink and heat is transferred to the sink.

8. The system of claim 1, including a cooking rack for supporting the food bags or containers, positionable in the sink.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensors are connected wirelessly to the control unit.

10. The system of claim 1, including remote devices for setting and/or maintain the temperature.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote devices include one of the following:

phone, smart phone, tablet or computer.

31. The system of claim 1, including two or more temperature zones, wherein one or more of the temperature zones includes both heating and cooling capability.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid is held at a temperature to keep food cold and then heated to a cooking temperature.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid is heated to a cooking temperature and then cool liquid is used to chill the food after it has been cooked, and the heated liquid removed.

34. The system of claim 1, including a recirculation pump which is positionable within the sink for circulating the liquid therein.

35. The system of claim 1, including a recirculation member having at least one inlet and outlet attached to the sink for circulating the liquid therein.

36. The system of claim 1, including a recirculation member having at least one inlet and outlet, which are adjustable in position within the sink.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating unit and the temperature control unit are portable as a unit and attachable to the sink or other container, including a system for transferring heat to the sink.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the heating source is a hot water dispenser for a sink.

12. A liquid-based cooking system, comprising:

a sink or other container for liquid;

a heating unit for heating liquid in the container or sink; and

a temperature control unit connected to the heating unit and responsive to the temperature of the liquid or food to be cooked to maintain the liquid at a specific temperature for cooking food inside a cooking bag or container present in the liquid, wherein the sink or container includes two or more temperature zones.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein each temperature zone has a separate heating unit and a separate temperature sensor unit included therewith

14. The system of claim 12, wherein a single heating unit is used to heat more than one temperature zone.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein a temperature sensor unit is used to monitor more than one temperature zone.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the liquid container is a portable container.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the liquid is water.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the specific temperature is pre-established in accordance with the specific food to be cooked.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the sink is a conventional, in-place kitchen sink.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating unit is attached to the sides or bottom of the sink.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the heating unit is separate from the sink or container and heat is transferred to the sink.

22. The system of claim 12, including a multi-level cooking rack for supporting the food bags or containers, positionable in the two or more temperature zones.

23. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature sensors are connected wirelessly to the control unit.

24. The system of claim 12, including remote devices for setting and/or maintaining the temperature.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the remote devices include one of the following:

phone, smart phone, tablet or computer.

26. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the temperature zones is controllable in temperature

27. The system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the temperature zones is adjustable in size or shape.

28. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature zones are vertically oriented.

29. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature zones are oriented side by side.

30. The system of claim 16, including a baffle between the side-by-side temperature zones.

39. The system of claim 12, wherein the temperature zones are arranged so that a single food item can be cooked/cooled to different temperatures for different regions of the food item.

40. An accessory cooking rack, comprising:

a liquid distribution or circulation system;

a temperature control system for the liquid;

a rack to hold food or containers for cooking food in the liquid; and

connecting elements connecting the liquid circulation system to hollow portions of the rack, the hollow portions including openings permitting entry and exit of liquid.

41. A liquid-based cooking system, comprising:

a kitchen appliance having an established function with a heating unit;

a sink or separate container;

a temperature control unit connected to the heating unit and responsive to the temperature of the liquid or food to be cooked in the sink to maintain liquid therein at a specific temperature for cooking food inside a cooking bag or container present in the liquid.

42. The system of claim 42, wherein the kitchen appliance is a coffee maker.