System and method for a programmable counter-top electric dehydrator

• US 8,835,810 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NuWave LLC
• Original Assignee: NuWave LLC
• Inventors: Moon, Jung S.
• Primary Examiner(s): JENNISON, BRIAN W
• Application Number:
  US12/506,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20090321410A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385, 219/386, 219/395, 219/400, 219/402, 219/411, 219/440, 219/490, 219/492, 219/497, 219/501, 219/502, 219/506, 993/25, 993/30, 994/46, 994/47
• US Class Current: 219/386
• CPC Class Codes: A21B 1/22 by electric radiators A21B2/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A21B 3/04 Air-treatment devices for ovens, e.g. regulating humidity
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 9/003 Small self-contained devices, e.g. portable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A system and method directed to a dehydrating device, which may include a dehydrating enclosure and an adapter. The adapter may be operable to couple the dehydrating enclosure to a power unit, which may include a power source disposed inside the power unit, and a control source operable to control the power source. The power unit may be detachably couplable to at least one of the dehydrating enclosure or a cooking enclosure. The power unit and the cooking enclosure may collectively combine into a multi-stage counter-top electric oven. The power unit and the dehydrating enclosure may also collectively combine into a dehydrator. The dehydrating enclosure may include a plurality of stackable dehydrating trays through which dehydrating air is circulated from the power unit.

Claims

1. A power unit, comprising:

a power supply disposed inside the power unit adapted to be coupled to a power source; and

a controller operable to control the power supply,

the power unit being alternatively detachably couplable to either one of both;

cooking enclosure, and a dehydrating enclosure,

wherein the power unit comprises;

a sensor, coupled to said controller, operable to determine whether the power unit is coupled to either one of both of;

the cooking enclosure; and

the dehydrating enclosure.

2. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the power unit comprises a power head.

3. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises:

a heating unit coupled to said controller; and

a fan unit coupled to said controller.

4. The power unit according to claim 3, wherein said heating unit comprises:

a heating element coupled to said controller, operable to provide heat to a given one alternatively detachably couplable enclosure, said enclosure comprising at any given time, any one of both of the cooking enclosure and the dehydrating enclosure; and

at least one thermostat system, coupled to said controller, operable to measure an internal temperature of said enclosure and to provide the internal temperature measured as an input to said controller.

5. The power unit according to claim 4, wherein said at least one thermostat system comprises at least one of:

a thermister, coupled to said controller, operable to measure the internal temperature of said enclosure;

or

a thermostat, coupled to said controller, adjustable to set a desired temperature of said enclosure.

6. The power unit according to claim 3, wherein said fan unit comprises:

a fan chamber;

a fan mounted in said fan chamber operable to create a dehydrating air flow throughout any one of;

the cooking enclosure or the dehydrating enclosure.

7. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the controller limits a maximum desired temperature of the dehydrating enclosure when the power unit is coupled with said dehydrating enclosure, wherein a maximum temperature of the dehydrating enclosure is less than a maximum temperature of the cooking enclosure.

8. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein said sensor comprises a switch with both a first activation status when the power unit is coupled with the cooking enclosure, and a second activation status when the power unit is coupled with the dehydrating enclosure.

9. The power unit according to claim 8, wherein said switch comprises

an actuator sensor communicatively coupled to said controller;

and

an actuator coupled to at least one of the power unit or a portion of said enclosures;

wherein said actuator is adapted to trigger said actuator sensor,

wherein said actuator sensor being adapted to determine whether either of the cooking enclosure or the dehydrating enclosure is coupled to the power unit, and

wherein said actuator sensor, if such coupling is determined, is adapted to determine which of either of the cooking enclosure and the dehydrating enclosure is coupled to the power unit, and is adapted to provide to said controller said determination of which of the enclosures is coupled to the power unit.

10. The power unit according to claim 9, wherein the power unit is coupled to the cooking enclosure, and wherein the controller comprises:

an input interface operable to receive a multi-stage cooking recipe;

a storage device operable to store the multi-stage cooking recipe; and

a processor operable to execute the multi-stage cooking recipe operable to control said power supply.

11. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the power unit and the cooking enclosure collectively comprise a multi-stage counter-top electric oven.

12. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the power unit and the dehydrating enclosure collectively comprise a dehydrator.

13. The power unit according to claim 12, wherein said controller comprises:

an input interface operable to receive a multi-stage dehydration process;

a storage device operable to store the multi-stage dehydration process; and

a processor operable to cause the power supply to execute the multi-stage dehydration process.

14. The power unit according to claim 13, wherein the controller is operable to notify a user to change the position of at least one dehydrating tray comprising the dehydrating enclosure.

23. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein the controller is operable to set at least one temperature setting devised for removal of bacteria without elimination of vital enzymes.

24. The power unit according to claim 23, wherein the at least one temperature setting comprises at least one of:

106°

F., 116°

F., 150°

F., 175°

F., 225°

F., 250°

F., 275°

F., 300°

F., 325°

F., or 350°

F.

25. A system comprising the power unit according to claim 1, and further comprising:

a dehydrating enclosure,

wherein said dehydrating enclosure comprises;

an upper annular top surface cover portion comprising;

an opening through which to receive the power unit, and a plurality of opening vents arranged about a top surface of said upper annular cover portion adapted to allow air flow through said upper annular top surface cover portion of said dehydrating enclosure; and

a plurality of dehydrating trays,

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays is adapted to be stacked on top of another of said plurality of dehydrating trays;

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays comprises;

a plurality of holes in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray;

a plurality of latches in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray;

 

wherein said plurality of latches of a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays is adapted to interlock with said plurality of holes of a second of said plurality of said dehydrating trays;

an outer wall;

an inner wall comprising a plurality of first openings; and

a horizontal tray portion comprising;

 

a plurality of radial bottom tray portions with at least one surface to support foodstuff to be dehydrated; and

 

wherein each pair of said plurality of radial bottom tray portions comprises a second opening formed therebetween; and

 

wherein said first plurality of openings allow airflow through said inner wall, and wherein said second opening allows airflow through said horizontal tray portion.

15. A dehydrating unit, comprising:

a dehydrating enclosure comprising;

an upper annular top surface cover portion comprising;

a circular opening at a center of said upper annular top surface cover portion, and

a plurality of opening vents arranged about a concentric circle in said upper annular top surface cover portion for allowing air flow through said upper annular top surface cover portion of said dehydrating enclosure; and

a plurality of dehydrating trays,

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays are adapted to be stacked on top of one another;

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays comprises;

an annular shaped top portion comprising an outer raised circular wall,

a plurality of holes in at least one surface of each of said dehydrating trays, and

a plurality of latches on each of said plurality of said dehydrating trays,

wherein said plurality of latches of a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays is adapted to interlock with said plurality of holes of a second of said plurality of said dehydrating trays;

an inner raised wall concentric to said outer raised circular wall,

wherein said inner raised wall comprises;

plurality of openings allowing airflow from an inner opening through the inner raised wall to a tray portion of a given one of said plurality of said dehydrating trays; and

a plurality of radial bottom tray portions with at least one surface to support any foodstuff to be dehydrated, and wherein between a given pair of said plurality of said radial bottom tray portions comprises an opening operative to allow vertical air flow between said given pair of said plurality of said radial bottom tray portions;

a base comprising at least one opening operable to allow dehydrating airflow through said base, and at least one handle operable to lift the dehydrating unit; and

a power unit, comprising;

a power supply disposed inside the power unit adapted to be coupled to a power supply; and

a controller operable to control said power supply,

said power unit being alternatively detachably couplable to either of both;

said dehydrating enclosure, and a cooking enclosure,

wherein the control source comprises a sensor operable to determine whether said power unit is coupled to the cooking enclosure or said dehydrating enclosure.

16. The dehydrating unit according to claim 15, further comprising an adapter operable to detachably couple the power unit and said dehydrating enclosure.

17. A dehydrating device, comprising:

a dehydrating enclosure comprising;

an upper annular top surface cover portion comprising a circular opening at a center of said upper annular top surface cover portion to receive the power unit, and a plurality of opening vents arranged about said upper annular top surface cover portion for allowing air flow through said upper annular top surface cover portion of said dehydrating enclosure; and

a plurality of dehydrating trays,

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays are adapted to be stacked on top of one another;

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays comprises;

an annular top portion comprising an outer raised double walled circular wall,

wherein said outer raised double walled circular wall comprises;

a plurality of holes in at least one surface, and

a plurality of latches in at least one surface,

wherein said plurality of latches of a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays is adapted to interlock with said plurality of holes of a second of said plurality of said dehydrating trays;

an inner raised wall concentric to said outer raised double walled circular wall,

wherein said inner raised wall comprises;

a plurality of openings allowing airflow from an inner opening through the inner raised wall to a tray portion of a given one of said plurality of said dehydrating trays; and

a plurality of radial bottom tray portions comprising at least one surface for supporting any foodstuff to be dehydrated, and wherein a given pair of said plurality of said radial bottom tray portions having openings therebetween to allow air flow vertically therethrough; and

an adapter operable to removably couple said dehydrating enclosure to a power unit,

said power unit comprising;

a power supply disposed inside said power unit, said power supply adapted to be coupled to a power source; and

a controller operable to control said power supply,

said power unit being alternatively detachably couplable by at a least a portion of said power unit to either of both;

said dehydrating enclosure, and a cooking enclosure,

wherein the controller comprises a sensor operable to determine whether the power unit is coupled to the cooking enclosure or said dehydrating enclosure.

18. The dehydrating device according to claim 17, wherein a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays comprises:

a substantially circular raised outer wall,

the wall forming said plurality of openings on a top portion thereof, and

the wall comprising said plurality of latches on a bottom portion thereof, said latches operable to couple with one or more of said openings on the top portion of a second dehydrating tray of said plurality of dehydrating trays positioned below said first of said dehydrating trays.

19. The dehydrating device according to claim 17, wherein each of said plurality of said dehydrating trays forms a substantially circular raised ring positioned in a portion of the said dehydrating tray, the raised ring being fixedly and detachably mountable to a second dehydrating tray positioned on top thereof.

20. The dehydrating device according to claim 19, wherein the raised ring comprises a substantially vertical wall comprising a plurality of openings to allow airflow, and forming one or more spaces circulating dehydrating air between a vertical orifice portion of said each of said plurality of said dehydrating trays and a tray portion, and said orifice defined by the substantially vertical wall and through which orifice dehydrating air is blown downward from, or drawn upward through, the power unit.

21. A method, comprising:

sensing, by at least one controller of a power unit, a determination of which of at least two alternatively detachably couplable enclosures are coupled to the power unit, wherein at least one of said enclosures comprises a dehydrating enclosure comprising;

an upper annular top surface cover portion comprising an opening of said upper annular top surface cover portion in which to receive the power unit, and a plurality of opening vents arranged about the opening in said upper annular top surface cover portion for allowing air flow through said upper annular top surface cover portion of said dehydrating enclosure; and

a plurality of dehydrating trays,

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays are adapted to be stacked on top of one another;

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays comprises;

an annular top comprising an outer raised double walled circular wall,

a plurality of holes in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray, and

a plurality of latches in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray,

wherein said plurality of latches of a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays is adapted to interlock with said plurality of holes of a second of said plurality of said dehydrating trays;

an inner raised wall concentric to said outer raised double walled circular wall,

wherein said inner raised wall comprises;

a plurality of openings allowing airflow vertically between respective adjacent pairs of said plurality of said dehydrating trays from an inner opening through the inner raised concentric wall to a tray portion of a given one of said plurality of said dehydrating trays; and

a plurality of radial bottom tray portions having at least one surface and having at least one opening between a given pair of said radial bottom tray portions allowing vertical air movement through said bottom tray portion; and

controlling a power supply of the power unit based on said sensing.

22. A method, comprising:

controlling, by at least one controller of a power unit, operation of the power unit; and

sensing, by at least one sensor of the power unit, a state of combining the power unit with at least one of a plurality of enclosures, wherein said plurality of enclosures comprises;

a dehydrating enclosure comprising;

an upper annular top surface cover portion comprising a circular opening adapted to receive the power unit, and a plurality of opening vents arranged about said circular opening in said upper annular top surface cover for allowing air flow through said upper annular top surface cover portion of said dehydrating enclosure; and

a plurality of dehydrating trays,

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays are stacked on top of one another;

wherein each of said plurality of dehydrating trays comprises;

an annular top comprising an outer circular wall,

wherein said outer circular wall comprises;

a vertical surface for directing airflow,

a plurality of holes in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray, and

a plurality of latches in at least one surface of said dehydrating tray,

wherein said plurality of latches of a first of said plurality of said dehydrating trays is adapted to interlock with said plurality of holes of a second of said plurality of said dehydrating trays;

a horizontal tray portion coupled to said outer circular wall, said horizontal tray portion comprising;

a plurality of radial portions in said horizontal tray portion operable to allow airflow vertically through said horizontal tray portion with a plurality of surfaces having openings therebetween;

an inner wall, coupled to an inner portion of said horizontal tray portion, said inner wall comprising;

a vertical wall, and

a plurality of openings in said vertical wall allowing airflow through said vertical wall to said horizontal tray portion of a given one of said plurality of said dehydrating trays.