Euro-Pro Exhibit 1014
`Euro-Pro v. Acorne
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`IPR2014-00186
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`3,508,485
`c. es. MUNsI—:v
`April 23, 1970
`THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED COOKING APPARATUS
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`Filed July 2. 1968
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`2 Sheets—Sheet 2
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`United States Patent Office
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`3,508,485
`Patented Apr. 28, 1970
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`3,508,485
`THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED COOKING
`APPARATUS
`George B. Munsey, Little Rock, Ark., assignor to
`Munsey Products, Inc., Little Rock, 'Ark., a cor-
`poration of Arkansas
`Filed July 2, 1968, Ser. No. 742,049
`Int. ‘Cl. A47j 37/12
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`U.S. Cl. 99-331
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`8 Claims
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`ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
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`Cooking apparatus including a receptacle having a cy-
`lindgical wall and a horizontal bottom and within which
`is disposed an electrical heating element controlled by a
`manually adjustable thermostatic switch. The switch is
`shielded from the heating element by a housing of heat
`conductive material, and has a contact surface in engage-
`merit over a substantial area with the heat conductive
`bottom of a container -supported inthe receptacle. A hori-
`zontal flange on the container supports it on the receptacle
`wall and substantially isolates the receptacle interior from
`the atmosphere. The rotary regulating shaft for
`the
`thermostatic switch extends concentrically downwardly
`through the bottom of the receptacle and has affixed there-
`to a radial arm projecting to the outer periphery of the
`bottom for cooperation with temperature calibrations on
`the cylindrical wall of the receptacle adjacent to the bot-
`tom.
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`This invention relates to improvements in cooking ap-
`paratus of the type which is adapted for use either as
`a deep fat frier or as a cooking kettle or pot, and in which
`the operating temperature of the electric heating element
`is controlled by a thermostatic switch.
`In such apparatus, it is manifestly desirable to control
`theflthermostatic switch in response to the temperature
`of the food bowl or container rather than of the thermo-
`static element itself. To achieve this end,
`in some‘ in-
`stances the heating unit itself has heretofore been welded
`orotherwise permanently affixed in conductive relation
`directly to the bottom of the bowl or container for the
`food or cooking oil or fat and a control remote from the
`heating element has been employed for controlling the
`temperature. Such prior apparatus has been diflicult to
`clean properly, due to the inseparable relation between
`the» container and the electrical components. In those in-
`stances Where the apparatus has been adapted for immer-
`sion in water for cleaning, the resulting apparatus has
`been inordinately expensive to produce and sell.
`It is accordingly a primary object of the present inven-
`tion to provide cooking apparatus of the afore-mentioned
`type in which the food or fat container is readily sep-
`arable from the electrical components to facilitate easy
`cleaning and, nevertheless, is capable of removable assem-
`bly with such components in a manner to render the
`thermostatic switch directly responsive to changes in tem-
`perature of the container while divorcing it from direct
`response to changes in temperature of the heating element,
`despite the geographic proximity of the latter.
`In particular, the arrangement is ‘such that the thermo-
`static switch is enclosed within a housing of conductive
`material arranged to substantially isolate it from changes
`ingtemperature of the surrounding heating element. The
`housing is provided with an upwardly presented contact
`surface adapted for heat conductive engagement over a
`substantial area with the bottom of the container, the heat
`exchanging relationship between the container and hous-
`ing thus being such that the temperature of the housing
`will correspond rather closely to that of the container
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`bottom. Since the housing substantially encompasses the
`thermostatic switch, the heat radiated from the housing to
`the switch will control the action of the switch.
`In‘ accordance with the invention, it is desirable that
`the bottom of the container and the marginal supporting
`flange thereon, be vertically spaced apart a distance such
`that ‘__they will simultaneously engage the upper edge of
`the receptacle within which the heating element is housed
`and the‘ contact surface of the switch housing respec-
`tively. With this arrangement, the supporting flange for
`the container prevents the escape from the receptacle of
`convection air currents such as might cause instability of
`the temperature within the receptacle.
`In the preferred embodiment,
`the rotary regulating
`shaft for the thermostatic switch depends concentrically
`through the circular bottom of the receptacle and beneath
`the bottom carries a radial control arm which moves in
`an are adjacent suitable temperature calibrations disposed
`on the outer cylindrical wall of the receptacle adjacent to
`the bgttom.
`The foregoing, as well as other incidental features and
`advantages, will become apparent from consideration of
`the following detailed description, together with the ac-
`companying drawings of the preferred embodiment of
`the invention, in which:
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
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`The preferred embodiment of the invention is illus-
`trated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIGURE 1 is an exploded elevational view of various
`parts of a cooking apparatus in accordance with the in-
`vention;
`FIGURE 2 is a horizontal plan section through the re-
`ceptacle, with the components assembled therein; and
`FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings,
`the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown
`therein. comprises a primary receptacle 10, preferably
`of suitable metal construction, having a generally hori-
`zontal bottom 12, here shown to be of circular configura-
`tion and an upstanding marginal wall 14, which may con-
`veniently be cylindrical, The upper edge of the wall 14,
`conveniently assumes the form of a marginal flange 16
`disposed in a horizontal plane and defining the mouth
`of the upwardly opening receptacle.
`V
`For supporting the receptacle on a table top or other
`horizontal surface,
`the receptacle is provided with a
`plurality of conventional supporting legs 18 preferably
`having insulating pads 19 thereon and adapted to support
`the receptacle with its bottom spaced above the support-
`ing surface a suflicient distance to avoid risk of damage
`to the surface by radiated heat.
`Supported within the receptacle, adjacent its bottom,
`is an electric heating element 20‘ which preferably is car-
`ried by brackets 21 on a conductive metal pan or heat
`shield 22. The shield 22, in turn, is supported in slightly
`spaced relation above and parallel to the receptacle bot-
`tom, as by a plurality of downwardly projecting bosses
`or indentations 23, to provide an insulating air space be-
`tween the shield 22 and receptacle bottom.
`Preferably the shield 22 includes an upstanding circular
`rim 25, having angularly spaced retainer tabs 26 diverg-
`ing upwardly therefrom. The outer ends of these tabs
`normally lie on a circle of greater radius than the mar-
`ginal wall 14 of the receptacle so as to be deflected in-
`wardly by the wall, whereby their resilient restoring force
`engages their upper edges and corners with the wall to
`resist upward displacement of the shield 22.
`The heating element 20 illustrated in the accompanying
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`3,508,485
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`drawings is of a conventional electrical resistance type. In
`the arrangement here shown, the heating element 20 is
`arranged generally in the form of an incomplete annulus
`so as to define on one side thereof a gap through which
`extends a radially oriented switch housing 28. The inner
`end of the housing 28 is thus generally at the center of
`the annulus, while the radially outer end of the housing
`28 extends through and is supported in an opening 30
`through the marginal wall 14 of the receptacle. The ter-
`minal ends of the heating element 20‘ extend into the
`housing 28 for connection,
`in conventional manner,
`in
`an electrical circuit which includes the thermostatic switch
`hereinafter described, as well as the contacts or terminals
`31 of an electrical coupling, the terminals 31, in this in-
`stance, being supported by and extending through the
`receptacle wall to the receptacle exterior, for cooperation
`with the female member of a conventional electrical
`socket.
`Within the inner end portion of the housing 28, sub-
`stantially at the center of the annular heating element 22,
`is a conventional bimetallic thermostatic switch 32 which
`also is connected in conventional manner in the electrical
`circuit through the heating element, to control the elec-
`trical energizing circuit for the heating element in ac-
`cordance with vaiiations in the temperature to which the
`thermostatic switch is subjected. It is to be noted that
`the housing 28 overlies the switch 32 and includes a de-
`pending skirt 28a which shields the switch from the heat
`radiated from the surrounding heating element 20. It
`will be appreciated that the terminal end portions of the
`heating element 20 within the housing are adjacent to the
`outer end thereof and are of such small extent and so
`distant from the switch that the radiant heat from these
`terminal end portions will be substantially insignificant,
`and in any event, insufficient to exert a controlling effect
`on the switch. Rather the disposition of the housing 28
`is such as to cause the switch to respond directly to heat
`radiated to its temperature responsive elements from the
`surrounding housing 28.
`In order to provide for adjustment of the operative
`temperature of the heating element,
`the thermostatic
`switch 32 is provided with a suitable rotary adjusting
`shaft 34, extending downwardly through central openings
`in the pan and receptacle bottoms. A radial adjusting
`arm 36 affixed to the lower end of this shaft 34, beneath
`the receptacle bottom, has an outer end projecting
`radially from beneath the bottom for manual angular
`adjustment between adjacent receptable legs 18. If de-
`sired, the cylindrical marginal wall of the receptacle may
`have disposed thereon suitable temperature calibrations
`37 for cooperation with the arm 36 to facilitate position-
`ing the arm accurately for maintaining the desired tem-
`-perature of the container.
`At a location immediately overlying the thermostatic
`switch 32, the housing 28 is formed to provide an up-
`wardly presented contact surface 38 for heat conductive
`engagement with the bottom 40 of the container 42. The
`container bottom 40 and the upwardly presented heat
`transmitting contact surface 38 are conformed in any‘ suit-
`able manner for contiguous engagement with each other
`over a substantial area, whereby heat may be conducted
`from the container to the switch housing. The container
`bottom and switch housing are thus in intimate heat ex-
`changing relationship. From the housing 28 the heat is
`radiated to the thermostatic switch enclosed therein to
`cause the thermostatic switch 32 to be controlled in di-
`rect response to variations in the temperature of the con-
`tainer 42.
`the container or
`In the embodiment here illustrated,
`bowl 42 comprises an upstanding marginal wall 44 and a
`horizontal flange 46 which encircles and projects out-
`wardly from the wall 44. It is important to note that the
`vertical distance between the flange 46 and the container
`bottom 40 is equal to the vertical distance between the
`heat transmitting surface 38 of the switch housing and
`the marginal flange 16 of the reciptacle at its mouth.
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`The thermostatic switch 32 has its various components
`mounted on a bushing 47 which is interposed between the
`heat ‘shield 22 and the contact surface portion 38 of the
`housing, to support the latter at a predetermined level in
`the receptacle. A threaded fastener 49 extends through
`the bushing,_shield and housing, to firmly secure these
`components in position.
`The container flange 46 engages the flange 16 of the
`receptacle around its entire periphery,
`to substantially
`seal or isolate the interior of the receptacle from the
`atmosphere. Preferably, the marginal wall 44 is substan-
`tially cylindrical and defines a lower portion of the con-
`tainer which is proportioned for reception within the
`receptacle. Desirably, the container also includes a prefer-
`ably substantially cylindrical upper container portion 48
`of greater diameter or horizontal dimension than the
`mouth 16 of the receptacle and the upper and lower
`container portions 46 and 44 are integrally interconnected
`by the flange 46.
`In order to adapt the apparatus for selective use, either
`as a deep fat frier or simply as akettle or the like, there
`is provided a perforated food basket 50, which is remov-
`_ab1y supported within the container, as ‘by means of
`headed pins 52 within and connected to the marginal
`container wall for operative reception in bayonet slots
`54 through the side wall of the basket. The basket is
`thus supported for ready removal within the container.
`To facilitate handling of the basket, there may be pro-
`vided relatively opposed brackets 56 on the basket side
`wall for gripping reception of the resiliently spread ends
`of a U-shaped handle 58.
`In the operation of the invention as a deep fat frier,
`the container 42 is filled to a predetermined level with
`a suitable cooking oil or fat and inserted into operative
`position within the receptacle in the manner indicated
`in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. As thus positioned, the
`upper or supporting flange 46 of the container rests upon
`the upwardly directed flange 16 at the mouth of the re-
`ceptacle 10, and together with the body of the container
`42 functions to prevent communication between the inte-
`rior of the receptacle and the atmosphere, thus prevent-
`ing the escape from the receptacle of convection air cur-
`rents, such as would result in loss of heat from the re-
`ceptacle and instability of the temperature therein; At
`the same time, the bottom 40 of the container rests on
`and is in heat conductive engagement over a substantial
`area with the heat transmitting surface or surface portion
`38 of the thermostatic switch housing, so that heat trans-
`mitted from the heating element 20 to the container 42
`will be conducted through the container bottom 40 to
`the thermostat housing 28 whereby to cause the thermo-
`stat to control the flow of electricity through the heating
`element, primarily in response to variations in tempera-
`ture of the container.
`It will be readily apparent that in order to operate
`in this manner, it is necessary to have both a substantial
`sealing or closing engagement of the container with the
`mouth of
`the receptacle and also a heat conductive
`engagement between the container bottom and the thermo-
`static switch housing. In order to simultaneously achieve
`these two relationships, the container is so proportioned
`that the vertical distance between the lower surfaces of
`its bottom and its supporting horizontal flange is precisely
`equal to the vertical distance from the heat transmitting
`surface of the thermostatic switch housing to the upper
`surface of the supporting flange of the receptacle.
`The arrangement is such that the apparatus herein de-
`scribed is capable of quite versatile usage. For instance,
`the perforated basket may be replaced by an imperforated
`auxiliary container, so that the device may be thus ren-
`dered capable of use in the manner of a conventional
`double boiler, in which the container itself is adapted to
`hold water, while the auxiliary container may contain the
`food to be prepared. Alternately, the basket may simply
`be omitted and the food to be cooked may be placed
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`directly within the container.
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`

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`3,508,485
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`5
`-An important advantage of the invention is that al-
`though the heating element is controlled by its thermo-
`static switch in direct response to variations in tempera-
`ture of the container, the container is not permanently
`associatedgwith either the heating element or switch, and
`is so arranged that it may be readily removed for wash-
`ing.
`1
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`.
`,
`Having thus described my invention, I claim:
`1. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus com-
`prising areceptacle having a generally horizontal bottom
`and an upstanding marginal wall encircling said bottom,
`said marginal wall having an upper edge in substantially
`a horizontal plane defining the mouth of the receptacle;
`an electrical heating element supported within the recep-
`tacle in substantially a horizontal plane;
`a‘. thermostatic
`switch connected to said element to control the electrical
`circuit through said element, said switch, including a hous-
`ing of heat conductive material having an upwardly pre-
`sented heat transmitting surface supported at a fixed level
`in said receptacle; a container of'heat conductive mate-
`rial removably supported in said ‘receptacle, -said con-
`tainer having a heat conductive bottoin in contiguous
`engagement over a substantial area with said heat trans-
`mitting surface of the thermostatic switch housing; said
`container‘ comprising an upstanding marginal wall, and
`a horizontal flange encircling said wall, said flange engag-
`ing said upper edge of the marginal wall of the receptacle
`to substantially isolate the interior of the receptacle from
`the atmosphere, the vertical distance between the con-
`tainer bottom and its said flange being equal to the verti-
`cal distance between the heat transmitting surface of the
`switch housing and said upper edge of the receptacle.
`2. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus, as
`defined in claim 1,
`in which said heating element is of
`generally annular configuration, and ‘said thermostatic
`switch is centered with respect to said element.
`3. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus, as
`defined in claim 1,
`in which said heating element
`is
`generally in the form of an incomplete annulus providing
`a gap in one side thereof, said housing extending through
`said gap with the inner end of the housing adjacent the
`center of the annulus, the outer end of said housing ex-
`tending through an opening in said marginal wall of
`the receptacle to the exterior thereof.
`4. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus as
`defined in claim 3, in which said thermostatic switch is
`located at the inner end of said housing.
`5. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus as de-
`fined in claim 4,
`including electrical terminal members
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`carried at the -outer end of said housing in circuit with
`said heating element and said switch.
`16. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus as
`defined in claim 1,
`in which said upstanding marginal
`wall of the container comprises a lower container por-
`tion proportioned for reception in said receptacle, and
`an upper container portion of greater horizontal dimen-
`sions than the mouth of the receptacle, said horizontal
`flange of the container interconnecting said upper and
`lower container portions, in combination with a perforated
`food basket and means for removably supporting said food
`basket within the container and above the container bot-
`tom.
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`7. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus as
`defined in claim 6, in which said upper and lower con-
`tainer portions are of generally cylindrical shape and
`said receptacle mouth and said horizontal flange of the
`container are of annular configuration.
`8. Thermostatically controlled cooking apparatus as
`defined in claim 1,
`in which said receptacle bottom is
`circular and the marginal wall of the receptacle _is gen-
`erally cylindrical, said thermostatic switch being of the
`adjustable type, including a rotary vertical adjusting shaft
`depending concentrically through said bottom of the re-
`ceptacle, and an actuating arm fixed on said shaft beneath
`the bottom for swinging movement parallel to the bottom,
`with the outer end of said arm movable in an arc. beneath
`and adjacent
`the said marginal wall, and temperature
`calibrations disposed on said marginal wall for coopera-
`tion with the switch arm to facilitate positioning of said
`switch arm to regulate said thermostatic switch for ob-
`taining the desired operating temperature of the heating
`element.
`‘
`"
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`References Cited
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`UNITED STATES PATENTS
`
`6/ 1935 Scharf.
`2,004,963
`2,725,460 11/1955 Braski et al __________ 219-436
`2,749,426
`6/ 1956 Schwaneke _______ _- 219-432
`2,7 85,277
`3/ 1957
`Jepson ........... -_ 219———442
`3,348,470
`10/ 1967 Swanson ______ __ 99-340 XR
`
`BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner
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`U.S. Cl. X.R.
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`99—340, 412; 219—432, 442, 436
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