Euro-Pro Exhibit 1001
`Euro-Pro v. Acorne
`Page 1 of 15
`IPR2014-00186
`Page 1 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23,2003
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`Sheet 1 of 9
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`Sep. 23, 2003
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23, 2003
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`Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23,2003
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`Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23, 2003
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`Sheet 6 of 9
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23, 2003
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`Sheet 8 of 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 23, 2003
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`Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`FIG‘ I0
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`1
`MULTIFUNCTIONAL COOKING SYSTEM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/901789, filed Jul. 11, 2001, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,515,262, and claims the benefits provided under
`35 USC §120.
`
`BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
`
`1. Field of Invention
`
`The present invention relates to cooking appliances and,
`more particularly,
`to a multifunctional cooking system
`including a deep well cooker having a plurality of heating
`elements capable of being selectively energized to corre-
`spond to different cooking modes.
`Electric cooking pots for preparing and serving hot foods
`are well known in the art. Such cooking pots typically
`include a deep well member and a heating element arranged
`in functional relation thereto for supplying heat. Such deep
`well members are often constructed of stainless steel or
`
`enameled steel for reasons of sanitation and durability. It is
`known that both stainless steel and enameled steel have a
`
`relatively low coefficient of heat conductivity as compared ’
`with other metals.
`
`Applying heat only to the bottom of a deep well member,
`especially when constructed of stainless steel or enameled
`steel, can result in the upper portion of the deep well member
`being insufficiently heated. Thus,
`the food in the upper
`portion of the well member may become too cool for serving
`purposes due to the loss of heat in combination with the low
`ratc of hcat conductivity of thc stainless stccl or cnamclcd
`steel material and the slow rate at which heat is supplied to
`the upper portion of the deep well member.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Various solutions have been proposed in the prior art to
`solve this problem. One example of a prior art deep well
`cooker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,377 to Henke
`comprising a heat sink preferably formed of aluminum or
`another corrosion resistant metal having a relatively high
`coefficient of heat conductivity, which is positioned over the
`deep well member from below. The heat sink member is
`generally U-shaped and has a bottom part parallel to and
`spaced from the bottom of the well member and side parts
`parallel to and engaging the sides of the well member in heat
`exchanging relation. An electric heating element is disposed
`in the space between the bottom of the well member and the
`bottom part of the U-shaped heat sink member. When the
`electric heater is energized, heat is supplied to the bottom of
`the well member by direct radiation and by radiation from
`the bottom part of the U-shaped member and by convection
`due to the air in the space occupied by the heating element.
`Simultancously, howcvcr, hcat also flows from the bottom
`part of the U-shaped member, up the side parts of the
`U-shaped member and into the sides of the well member.
`The heat supplied by conduction to the sides of the well
`member provides for more uniform heating of the well
`member while also providing for more eflicient utilization of
`the energy supplied to the heating element.
`Another example of a prior art cooking device having
`multiple heating elements is disclosed in US. Pat. No.
`3,393,295 to Jcpson ct. al. comprising a pan with a lowcr
`electric heating element supported on its underside and a
`deep cover with an upper heating element supported within.
`A thermostatic control is connected to the lower heating
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`element for energization thereof. When the cover is closed,
`an electrical connection for energizing the upper heating
`element is completed. The control serves thermostatically to
`control the energization of either element in a repeating,
`alternating sequence and is capable of performing the func-
`tions of a frying pan, broiler, and oven. However,
`this
`invention is not directly applicable to deep well cookers nor
`does it disclose a wrap-around heating element for control-
`ling heat distribution to the upper surfaces of a deep well
`member within such a cooker.
`
`Thus, the present invention has been developed to provide
`an alternative solution to the problem of regulating the
`distribution of heat to all surfaces within a deep well cooker
`and also to provide other functional advantages over the
`prior art.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
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`Accordingly, the present invention provides a multifunc-
`tional dccp wcll cookcr that
`includes a bottom heating
`element and a wrap-around heating element, which is dis-
`posed about the deep well member for heating the sides
`thereof. The bottom heating element and the wrap-around
`heating element are interconnected by a temperature control
`switch for heat regulation and a function control switch for
`selectively energizing the desired heating elements individu-
`ally or in combination to provide various different cooking
`modes. Thus, the present multifunctional cooker is capable
`of providing the user with a wide variety of cooking modes
`such as steaming, stir-frying, roasting, baking, or deep-
`frying within a single deep well cooker by selectively
`energizing the respective heating elements and using
`optional cooking accessories such as lift racks and/or frying
`baskets, which are applicable to a particular cooking tech-
`nique.
`Other features and technical advantages of the present
`invention will become apparent from a study of the follow-
`ing description and the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The novel features of the present invention are set forth in
`the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well
`as other features and advantages thereof will be best under-
`stood by reference to the following detailed description of an
`illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the
`accompanying figures wherein:
`FIG. 1A is a front elevational view of the multifunctional
`
`deep well cooker of the present invention;
`FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of the multifunctional
`cooker in an open condition showing the positions of the
`wrap-around and bottom elements;
`FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the multifunctional cooker
`showing the position of the bottom heating element;
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram representing the electrical
`circuitry and components of the present multifunctional
`deep well cooker;
`FIG. 4 is a plan View of the wire lead assembly of the
`heating element of the present invention;
`FIG. 5A is a partial cutaway elevational view showing the
`details of the construction of the wrap-around heating ele-
`ment in a double-sided configuration;
`FIG. 5B is a partial cutaway elevational view showing the
`details of the construction of the wrap-around heating ele-
`ment in a single—sided configuration;
`FIG. 6 is an enlarged front elevational view showing the
`wrap-around heating element installed about the deep well
`member of the present multifunctional cooker;
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional View of an alternative embodi-
`ment of the multifunctional cooker illustrating a bottom
`induction heater;
`FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view taken along the section line
`8—8 of FIG. 7 showing the arrangement of the induction
`heater and related components;
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional View of an alternative embodi-
`
`ment of the multifunctional cooker illustrating a bottom hot
`plate heater; and
`FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view taken along section line
`10—10 of FIG. 9 showing the details of the bottom hot plate
`heater.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`With further reference to the drawings, there is shown
`therein a preferred embodiment of a multifunctional deep
`well cooker in accordance with the present invention, indi-
`cated generally at 10, and illustrated in FIG. 1. The present
`multifunctional deep well cooker 10 is comprised of an outer
`housing 22 equipped with external handles 24 and feet 26.
`Cooker 10 is also provided with a hinged lid 28 equipped
`with a knob or handle 30. Lid 28 includes an odor elimi-
`
`nating filter assembly 15.
`In the preferred embodiment the housing 22 is constructed
`of sheet steel or other suitable material and is provided in
`different exterior finishes such as powder coating, stainless
`steel, or plated steel with different accent finishes such as
`copper and bronze.
`The present cooker 10 also includes an inner deep well
`member 36 including a peripheral flange member 36a inte-
`grally formed thereon. The deep well member 36 resides
`permanently within the housing 22 such that the flange 36a
`is disposed about the upper edge of the housing 22 as shown
`in FIG. IR. The deep well member 36 is constructed of
`enamel-coated steel, cast aluminum, or cast iron having
`different surface finishes such as a nonstick coating and/or
`an anodized coating.
`In the preferred embodiment the present cooker 10 also
`includes a removable cooking well 37 as most clearly shown
`in FIG. 2, which is also constructed of stainless steel,
`enamel-coated steel, cast alun1ir1un1 or other suitable mate-
`rial. The cooking well 37 is easily removed from the deep
`well member 36 for washing for the convenience of the user.
`A layer of heat resistant insulating material 21 (FIGS. 7
`and 9) is disposed in the air space as at 20 between the
`housing 22 and the deep well member 36. Numerous types
`of heat insulating materials having physical and chemical
`properties suitable for this application are commercially
`available. Since such heat
`insulating materials are well
`known to those skilled in the art, further detailed discussion
`of the same is not deemed necessary.
`A temperature control switch 32 and a multi-function
`control switch 34 are mounted within the housing 22 to
`provide the various functions of the present cooker as shown
`in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The temperature control switch 32 and
`the function control switch 34 are electrically interconnected
`with the bottom heating element 38 and the wrap-around
`heating element 40 and regulate their operation as explained
`hereinafter in further detail.
`
`Referring again to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the present
`cooker 10 is generally rectangular in the preferred embodi-
`ment. However, it will be appreciated that the cooker 10 may
`also be constructed in an oval, circular, or square configu-
`ration. It will be understood that the bottom heating element
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`38 is constructed to approximate the dimensions of the deep
`well member 36 and, similarly,
`the wrap-around heating
`element 40 is configured to approximate the circumference
`of the deep well member 36. In this manner, optimal heating
`of both the bottom and side wall surfaces of the deep well
`member 36 can be achieved at all times during operation of
`the present cooking system.
`Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown therein a sche-
`matic representation of the electrical circuitry and compo-
`nents of the present cooking system. It will be appreciated
`by those skilled in the art that the present cooking system is
`designed for use with a standard 120 Volt/60 Hz household
`electrical system. The temperature control circuit includes
`the temperature control switch 32, which is electrically
`connected to resistor 42, which in turn is connected to an
`indicator light 44 and in turn to the ceramic terminal block
`46. The temperature control switch 32 is also electrically
`interconnected to the function control switch 34, which is
`capable of passing current to either bottom heater 38 or
`wrap-around heater 40 individually or in combination to
`selectively energize the heating elements depending upon
`the desired cooking mode. In the preferred embodiment the
`bottom heater 38 operates in the range of 400 to 600 watts
`and the wrap-around heater at a level of 600 watts. Of course
`these wattage ratings may vary for a given application and
`cooker capacity.
`Although the function control switch 34 is depicted in the
`schematic as a conventional electromechanical switch, it
`will be understood that the selection of the bottom heater 38
`and the wrap-around heater 40 may be accomplished by
`digital or other electrical controls and that
`the example
`shown is intended to be merely illustrative and not restric-
`tive in any sense.
`Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown therein a heater
`lead wire assembly, indicated generally at 50, for installation
`on the terminal ends of the heater ribbon strands or wire 53.
`
`In the manufacturing process the terminal ends of the heater
`wire 53 are tightly twisted with a bundle of nickel conduc-
`tors 51 to create a heat sink, which effectively insulates the
`heater wire 53 from the temperature controls. Further, the
`twisted bundle of nickel conductors 51 and heater wire 53 is
`covered with a fiberglass insulation sleeve 52 and further
`insulated by ceramic sleeves 54 and 56 to insure that the
`temperature controls are accurate and not influenced by their
`proximity to the wrap-around heater element 40. A terminal
`loop connector 55 is applied to the terminal end of the heater
`lead wire assembly 50 in a known manner for connection to
`terminal block 46.
`
`Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the details of the
`construction of the present heater elements will be
`described. Each of the heater elements 38 and 40 are
`
`constructed as a layered assembly wherein a supporting
`mica sheet assembly, indicated generally at 70, is interposed
`between an interior mica insulation board 72 and an exterior
`mica insulation board 74.
`
`Since the physical and chemical properties of mica insu-
`lation board are well known to those skilled in the art, further
`detailed discussion of these materials is not deemed neces-
`sary.
`
`Still referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, it will be noted that the
`supporting mica sheet assembly 70 is fabricated with a
`plurality of notches 76 and 76a, which are formed at
`predetermined intervals along the opposite lateral
`ledges
`thereof. During the construction process of the heater
`elements,
`the heater wire 53 is drawn across a pair of
`diagonally opposed notches as at 76 and 76a, wrapped in
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`5
`continuous revolutions around the supporting mica sheet 70,
`and advanced in this manner along the entire length thereof
`as shown by directional arrows. It will be appreciated that
`when constructed using the aforementioned technique, a
`so-called double sided heating element having heating wire
`53 disposed on both sides thereof is produced.
`Using an alternative construction technique shown in
`FIG. 5B, a so-called one-sided heater element can be pro-
`duced by initially drawing the heater wire 53 across the
`supporting mica sheet 70 as described in the first step
`hereinabove. Next, the wire 53 is interlaced between adja-
`cent notches 76 on the same lateral edge of the supporting
`mica sheet 70 as shown by directional arrows. Thereafter,
`the wire 53 is again drawn across the supporting mica sheet
`70 to the next diagonally opposed notch 76a on the opposite
`lateral edge thereof. Next, the wire 53 is interlaced between
`adjacent notches 76a on the opposite lateral edge of the
`supporting mica sheet.
`In this manner, it will be understood that a so-called
`one-sided heater element having at least 75% of the total
`amount of heater wire 53 used in its construction disposed
`on one surface of the supporting mica sheet 70 may be
`produced. Such a one-sided heater element is advantageous
`in reducing the radially outward deflection of heat generated
`by the heating elements thereby improving heating elIi-
`ciency and providing a cooler outer surface in the event of
`user contact for safety purposes.
`In both of the above described embodiments, the support-
`ing mica sheet 70 is permanently captured between the
`interior and exterior insulation boards 72 and 74 and secured
`
`at periodic intervals as shown by rivets 75 or other suitable
`fasteners to maintain alignment of the layers.
`In an assembly procedure of the present cooker 10, the
`wrap-around heating element 40 is secured to an outer
`surface of the deep well member 36 by use of an adjustable
`band clamp, indicated generally at 80 as shown in FIG. 6.
`The band clamp 80 is conducted of sheet metal such as steel
`in the form of an elongated belt and includes a turn buckle
`mechanism, indicated generally at 82, which is capable of
`securing the heater belt 40 about the outer periphery of the
`deep well member 36.
`The wrap-around heating element 40 is mounted onto
`studs 77 which are coupled to and project from the band
`clamp 80 in predetermined locations. A plurality of elon-
`gated slots 79 are formed in the terminal ends of wrap-
`around heater element 40 so as to be positioned in alignment
`with studs 77. Studs 77 engage the elongated slots 79 during
`assembly and provide for slight differences in length and
`movement between the interior and exterior insulation
`boards 72 and 74 and supporting mica sheet 70.
`It will be noted that the wrap-around heater element 40 is
`fabricated to a predetermined length and during assembly is
`positioned so as to leave a gap as at 85 corresponding to the
`position of the temperature and function control switches,
`which are subject
`to heat damage.
`In the construction
`process the gap 85 may be filled with fiberglass insulation,
`material 88 mica insulation board or other appropriate
`insulating materials to protect the temperature and multi-
`function controls.
`
`In an alternative embodiment of the present cooker 10',
`the bottom heating element comprises an induction heater,
`indicated generally at 100 and illustrated in FIG. 7. In this
`embodiment a spiral induction coil 102 as sccn in FIG. 8 in
`the form of a flat disc is connected to a power supply (not
`shown) for supplying high frequency electric power to the
`coil 102. In this apparatus when a high-frequency current is
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`supplied from the power supply to the coil 102, an electro-
`magnetic field is generated. Heat for cooking is generated in
`the deep well member 36 as the result of the interaction
`between the high frequency electromagnetic field and the
`metallic material of the deep well member 36.
`By utilizing the induction hcatcr 100 a large amount of
`electric power can be supplied to the coil 102 because the
`coil
`itself does not generate heat. Further,
`the heating
`efficiency is very high because the induction coil 102 is
`disposed adequately close to the deep well member 36 being
`separated therefrom by a glass plate as at 104 (FIG. 7). In
`this embodiment of the present cooker 10' an exhaust fan
`106 having an electric motor 108 is provided to remove
`accumulated heat from the lower portion of the housing 22
`as shown in FIG. 8.
`
`A metallic heat sink structure 110 is also provided to
`absorb heat to protect the electrical components from poten-
`tial heat damage. Since such heat sink structures are well
`known to those skilled in the art, further detailed discussion
`thereof is not deemed necessary.
`is particularly
`The induction heater 100 embodiment
`advantageous for the rapid heating of cooking oils used in
`deep frying and/or stir-frying cooking techniques wherein
`quick recovery of heat lost upon loading of chilled food
`items into the cooking oils is desirable to prevent oil
`saturation.
`
`In yet another alternative embodiment the cooker 10" is
`provided with a bottom hot plate heater, indicated generally
`at 120, and illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment a
`tubular heating element 121 is contained within semicircular
`channels 125 formed within a cast aluminum heating plate
`122 as most clearly shown in FIG. 10, which is disposed in
`close proximity to and directly underneath the deep well
`member 36. It will be noted that in the preferred embodi-
`ment
`the heating plate 122 is constructed in a concave/
`convex configuration, which has been demonstrated to pro-
`vide resistance to heat deformation. The concave surface
`
`122a of the heat plate 122 is disposed upwardly adjacent the
`deep well member 36 as shown in FIG. 9. In an alternative
`embodiment the heating plate 122 may be constructed in a
`convex/concave configuration (not shown) such that the
`convex surface is disposed upwardly adjacent the deep well
`member 36.
`
`It is anticipated that the present multifunctional cooking
`system will be utilized in combination with various cooking
`accessories such as lift-racks, frying baskets and/or optional
`serving sets, which are insertable into the cooking well 37
`and utilized for various cooking modes such as steaming,
`stir-frying, roasting, etc.
`In summary, the present invention has been developed to
`provide a multifunctional cooking system including a deep
`well cooker that includes a bottom heating element and a
`flexible, wrap-around heating element which is disposed
`about the deep well member for heating the sides thereof
`The bottom heating element and the wrap-around heating
`element are interconnected by a temperature control switch
`for heat regulation and a multi-function control switch for
`selectively energizing the desired heating elements of the
`system for different cooking modes.
`Although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, it
`should be understood that additional equipment and struc-
`tural components will be provided as necessary, and that all
`of the components described above are arranged and sup-
`ported in an appropriate fashion to form a complete and
`operative system incorporating features of the present inven-
`Page 13 of 15
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`US 6,624,392 B2
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`7
`It is also understood that variations may be made in the
`present invention without departing from the scope of the
`invention. For example, the present multifunctional cooking
`system may utilize double-sided and also single-sided heater
`elements as disclosed herein, which may be advantageous
`for specific applications.
`Moreover, although illustrative embodiments of the
`invention have been described, a latitude of modification,
`change, and substitution is intended in the forgoing
`disclosure, and in certain instances some features of the
`invention will be employed without a corresponding use of
`other features. Accordingly,
`it
`is appropriate that
`the
`appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner
`consistent with the scope of the invention.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A deep well cooker comprising:
`an outer housing having a lid member;
`a deep well member residing within said housing, said
`deep well member having a bottom surface with inte-
`grally formed sidewalls and an open top;
`heating means including a bottom heating element and a
`wrap-around heating element radially disposed about
`said deep well member and positioned intermediate
`said housing and said deep well member;
`temperature controlling means electrically interconnected
`to said heating means for regulating the temperature of
`said heating elements; and
`function controlling means electrically interconnected to
`said temperature controlling means and to said heating
`elements enabling said bottom heating element and said
`wrap-around heating element to be selectively ener-
`gized to provide variable cooking modes.
`2. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said bottom
`heating element is formed by wrapping an electrical heating
`wire about a mica insulation board along the entire length
`thereof in a predetermined configuration.
`3. The deep well cooker of claim 2 wherein said mica
`insulation board includes a plurality of notches formed in the
`lateral edges thereof at periodic intervals such that said
`heating wire can be engaged within said notches in a
`repeating pattern.
`4. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said heating
`wire is alternately traversed across said mica insulation
`board between diagonally opposed pairs of said notches and
`then interlaced between adjacent pairs of said notches in a
`predetermined pattern such that at least 75% of said heating
`wire is disposed on a first side of said mica insulation board.
`5. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said mica
`insulation board is constructed in the form of an elongated
`belt.
`6. The deep well cooker of claim 5 wherein said heating
`wire is wrapped in continuous revolutions about said mica
`insulation board between diagonally opposed pairs of said
`notches to produce said repeating pattern.
`7. The deep well cooker of claim 3 wherein said heater
`wire is tightly intertwined at the terminal ends thereof with
`a bundle of nickel lead wires to form a heat sink to insulate
`said temperature controlling means from said heating ele-
`ments.
`
`8. The deep well cooker of claim 7 wherein said twisted
`bundle of heater wire and said nickel lead wires is covered
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`with a fiberglass insulation sleeve and at least one ceramic
`sleeve to form a lead wire assembly.
`9. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said housing
`and said deep well member are rectangular in configuration.
`10. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said housing
`and said deep well member are oval in configuration.
`11. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said bottom
`heating element comprises an induction heater including an
`induction coil capable of generating a high frequency mag-
`netic field for generating heat within said deep well member
`for cooking.
`12. The deep well cooker of claim 1 wherein said bottom
`heating comprises a hot plate type heater including a heating
`plate.
`13. The deep well cooker of claim 12 wherein said heating
`plate is constructed in a concave/convex configuration with
`the concave surface thereof disposed upwardly adjacent said
`bottom surface of said deep well member to resist heat
`deformation.
`
`14. The deep well cooker of claim 12 wherein said heating
`plate is constructed in a convex/concave configuration with
`the convex surface thereof disposed upwardly adjacent said
`bottom surface of said deep well member to resist heat
`deformation.
`
`15. An improved deep well cooker having an outer
`housing, a deep well member residing within said housing
`having a bottom surface with integrally formed side walls
`and an open top defining a cooking pot, a bottom heating
`element disposed adjacent said bottom surface intermediate
`said housing and said deep well member, and a temperature
`control switch electrically interconnected to said bottom
`heating element wherein the improvement comprises:
`a wrap-around heating element radially disposed about
`said side walls and intermediate said deep well member
`and said housing and electrically interconnected to said
`temperature control switch; and
`a multi-function control switch electrically interconnected
`to said temperature control switch, said bottom heating
`element, and said wrap-around heating element
`enabling each of said heating elements to be selectively
`energized to provide variable cooking modes for said
`cooker.
`16. The improved deep well cooker of claim 15 wherein
`said bottom heating element comprises an induction heater
`including an induction coil capable of producing a high
`frequency electromagnetic field for generating heat within
`said deep well member for cooking.
`17. The improved deep well cooker of claim 15 wherein
`said bottom heating element comprises a hot plate type
`heater including a heating plate.
`18. The improved deep well cooker of claim 17 wherein
`said heating plate is constructed in a concave/convex con-
`figuration with the concave surface thereof disposed
`upwardly adjacent said bottom surface of said deep well
`member to resist heat deformation.
`
`19. The improved deep well cooker of claim 12 wherein
`said heating plate is constructed in a convex/concave con-
`figuration with the convex surface thereof disposed
`upwardly adjacent said bottom surface of said deep well
`member to resist heat deformation.
`
`60
`
`Page 14 of 15
`Page 14 of 15
`
`

`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: 6,624,392 B2
`: September 23, 2003
`2 George T.C. Li
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above—identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Title page,
`Item [73], Assignee, change “Acerne” to —— Acorne ——.
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Third Day of February, 2004
`
`0'Y\ W4)»
`
`JON VV. DUDAS
`Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Page 15 of 15
`Page 15 of 15