Multi-purpose cookware

• US 7,717,031 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2003
• Issued: 05/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Randall Cornfield
• Original Assignee: Randall Cornfield
• Inventors: Cornfield, Randall
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, REGINALD
• Application Number:
  US10/346,870
• Time in Patent Office: 2,678 Days
• Field of Search: 994/03, 994/10, 994/13, 994/22, 994/26, 994/48, 994/50, 993/39, 993/40, 993/42, 994/11, 994/12, 994/15, 994/16, 994/17, 993/37, 994/49, 220/573.1, 220/573.2, 220/573.3, 220/912
• US Class Current: 99/413
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/16 Inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 37/10 Frying pans, e.g. frying pans with integrated lids or basting devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 220/912 Cookware, i.e. pots and pans

Abstract

A cooker having a base unit and a cover. The cover including a top and bottom ends. The bottom end having a circular edge extending straight and upwardly therefrom to form an annular wall. The annular wall further extending inwardly to form a top portion.

Claims

1. A cooking apparatus comprising:

a cooking vessel comprising an open receptacle having a bottom surface which extends upwardly to form side walls and terminate at a rim, said rim having an annular collar, said annular collar having a diameter larger than the diameter of the rim, said annular collar comprising a rack-supporting surface and a cover supporting surface situated adjacent to an annular flange;

a cover having a bottom end and a top end, said bottom end extending upwardly to form side walls, said side walls leading to said top end, said bottom end of said cover being designed to rest upon said cover supporting surface of said annular collar and be adjacent to said annular flange; and

a rack comprising at least two reversible surfaces for cooking food, said rack being designed to rest upon said rack-supporting surface of said annular collar and being suspended over said bottom surface of said cooking vessel during use, said annular collar further comprises a ridge situated between said cover supporting surface and said rack-supporting surface, said rack supporting surface being situated adjacent to said side wall of said cooking vessel, said rack further comprises at least three generally circular rails, at least two posts and a grate, said posts being connected to and situated perpendicular to each of said three rails, said grate being situated parallel between said first and second rails to thereby create differing heights for cooking, said rack providing for reversible cooking surfaces.

2. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said top end of said cover is domed shaped, said cover and said cooking vessel are at a predetermined height to maximize cooking using steam to get fried food texture and using heat and steam to accelerate the cooking process.

3. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said grate comprises opposing sides, and said posts are situated perpendicular to said grate, said first and second rails being situated on opposing sides of said grate, said opposing sides of said grate provides for said reversible cooking surfaces.

4. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooking vessel is constructed of a material selected from a group consisting of metal, metal alloys, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, carbon steel and mixtures thereof, said cooking vessel is coated with a non-stick surface material.

5. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises a handle and pressure regulator.

6. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cooking vessel comprises a handle.

7. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover and said cooking vessel are at a predetermined diameter to maximize cooking using steam to get fried food texture.

8. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bottom end of said cover and said annular flange being designed to create a vapor seal when said apparatus is in use.