Air Fryer

• US 20180255971A1
• Filed: 03/09/2018
• Published: 09/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: NuWave LLC
• Original Assignee: NuWave LLC
• Inventors: Moon, Jung S., Huh, Eunjung
• Application Number:
  US15/916,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20180255971A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2202/00 Devices having temperature indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/00 Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels A47J27/00 - A47J33/00 take precedence insofar as these parts, details or accessories are restricted to a particular kind of cooking-vessel provided for in a single one of these groups
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/0641 with forced air circulation, e.g. air fryers

Abstract

An air fryer system is disclosed which comprises a base having a heating source and an air source located therein, both sources being supplied power for operation by an AC power cord. A cooking chamber is defined within the base and a cooking drawer fits securely within the cooking chamber to substantially seal the chamber against heat loss during use. A handled food basket which detachably secures to the cooking drawer is configured to facilitate even distribution of heated air within the cooking chamber. A digital, touch screen user interface attached to a surface of the base is electronically coupled to a controller for powering on the fryer system and setting cooking conditions. The preferred system also includes infrared heating, time and temperature controls, and an automatic safety shutoff mechanism.

Claims

1. An air fryer system comprising:

a base having an outer surface, a heating source housed within, and an air source located therein, both the heating and air sources being supplied power for operation through a power source coupled to the base;

a cooking chamber defined within the base and configured to be effectively heated through operation of the heating and air sources;

a cooking drawer, a portion of which fits securely within the cooking chamber and a portion of which substantially seals the cooking chamber against heat loss during use;

a handled food basket which detachably connects to the cooking drawer such that the handle is outside the cooking chamber and the food basket is inside the cooking chamber when the cooking drawer is secured within the cooking chamber;

a divider positioned within the food basket;

an electronic controller within the base for controlling at least the heating source, the air source and the power source; and

a user interface positioned on an outer surface of the base for inputting cooking parameters to the electronic controller.

2. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the food basket locks into the cooking drawer.

3. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the heating source comprises an infrared source.

4. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises programmable time and temperature buttons.

5. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of preset time and temperature settings.

6. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of programmable buttons.

7. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the divider is perforated.

8. The air fryer system of claim 1, wherein the divider is V-shaped.

9. An air fryer system comprising:

a base having an outer surface, a heating source, and an air source, both the heating and air sources being supplied power for operation through a power source coupled to the base;

a cooking chamber defined within the base and configured to be effectively heated through operation of the heating and air sources, wherein the heating source and air source are positioned within the base such that a temperature at any point within the cooking chamber is within five degrees of a set temperature;

a cooking drawer, a portion of which fits securely within the cooking chamber and a portion of which substantially seals the cooking chamber against heat loss during use;

a handled food basket having a divider and being detachably connected to the cooking drawer such that the handle is outside the cooking chamber and the food basket is inside the cooking chamber when the cooking drawer is secured within the cooking chamber;

an electronic controller within the base for controlling at least the heating source, the air source and the power source; and

a user interface positioned on an outer surface of the base for inputting cooking parameters to the electronic controller.

10. The air fryer system of claim 9, wherein the user interface comprises programmable time and temperature buttons.

11. The air fryer system of claim 10, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of preset time and temperature settings.

12. The air fryer system of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of programmable buttons.

13. The air fryer system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of programmable buttons can be changed after programming.

14. The air fryer system of claim 9, wherein the divider is perforated.

15. The air fryer system of claim 14, wherein the divider is V-shaped.

16. A method for heating an air fryer system comprising the steps of:

setting a desired temperature for the air fryer system having a heating element;

providing power at a first level to the heating element to create an increasing temperature within the air fryer system;

sensing the increasing temperature within the air fryer system;

at a first threshold comprising one of either an elapsed time or a temperature achieved within the air fryer, continuously reducing power to the heating element from the first level to a second power level;

maintaining power to the heating element at the second power level until the increasing temperature within the air fryer reaches the desired temperature; and

maintaining the desired temperature within the air fryer.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first threshold comprises an elapsed time.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first threshold is a temperature within the air fryer system.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the second power level is greater than zero.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first power level is approximately maximum power.