Abstract
Cooking of marshmallows and other food items uses simultaneous, multi-axial rotation for uniform browning over heat and open flame. The apparatus includes an elongate, hollow tube having proximal and distal ends, and a rod having proximal and distal ends disposed within the elongate hollow tube. A device coupled to the proximal end of the rod rotates the rod about a first axis of rotation. A first gear is attached to the distal end of the elongate hollow tube, and a second gear, coupled to the distal end of the rod, meshes with the first gear, causing the second gear to rotate about a second axis of rotation that is different from the first axis of rotation. A food item holder is attached to the second gear, such that when the rod rotates about the first axis of rotation, the food item holder simultaneously rotates about the first and second axes.
Claims
1. Apparatus for cooking a food item, comprising: an elongate hollow tube having proximal and distal ends; a rod having proximal and distal ends disposed within the elongate hollow tube; a device coupled to the proximal end of the rod to rotate the rod about a first axis of rotation; a first gear attached to the distal end of the elongate hollow tube; a second gear, coupled to the distal end of the rod, that meshes with the first gear and rotates about a second axis of rotation that is different from the first axis of rotation; and a food item holder attached to the second gear, such that when the rod rotates about the first axis of rotation, the food item holder simultaneously rotates about the first and second axes of rotation.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the distal end of the rod includes a bent portion terminating in a sleeve with a bore defining the second axis of rotation; and the second gear is attached to a second rod disposed within the sleeve.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the second rod has opposing ends that protrude from the sleeve; and the second gear is connected to one end of the second rod and the food item holder is connected to the other end of the second rod.
4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the second rod has opposing ends that protrude from the sleeve; and the second gear and the food item holder are connected to the same end of the second rod.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes of rotation are perpendicular to one another.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second gears are flat with square, trapezoidal, or wavy teeth.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first gear is cup-shaped, having a rim with teeth and a concave surface facing toward the food item holder; and the second gear is a spur gear that meshes with the teeth on the rim of the cup.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, including a plurality of second gears that mesh with the first gear, each second gear being coupled to a respective food item holder.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein; the food item holder rotates about the first axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; and the second axis of rotation extends radially outwardly from the first axis of rotation.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device coupled to the proximal end of the rod to rotate the rod about a first axis of rotation is a hand crank.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device coupled to the proximal end of the rod to rotate the rod about a first axis of rotation is a motor.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device coupled to the proximal end of the rod to rotate the rod about a first axis of rotation is a squeeze grip coupled to a ratcheting mechanism.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the food item holder is a fork.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the food item holder is a wire cage or basket.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein gear ratio between the first and second gears is 1:1.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein gear ratio between the first and second gears is less than or greater than 1:1.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein; the food item holder rotates about the first axis of rotation in a plane perpendicular to the first axis of rotation; and the second axis of rotation is parallel to the first axis of rotation.
18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second axes of rotation define an angle between 0 and 90 degrees.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a prior-art marshmallow toaster;
(2) FIG. 2 is a front, end-on view of the device of FIG. 1;
(3) FIG. 3 shows a prior-art device for roasting marshmallows or the like comprising a pair of rods integral at one end to form a handle and clamps for holding the rods together;
(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a prior-art marshmallow toaster comprising a handle and a basket-like enclosure on the handle wherein the marshmallow may be tumbled about by manipulation of the handle so that the marshmallow will be evenly toasted on all sides and will not stick to the enclosure;
(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a prior-art roasting fork for wieners, marshmallows and the like including a plurality of separate rotatable prongs or tines, together with means for turning the tines simultaneously;
(6) FIG. 6 is a top-down view of the fork of FIG. 5;
(7) FIG. 7 is a drawing of a prior-art roasting stick for use in roasting wieners, marshmallows, corn, and the like;
(8) FIG. 8 shows a prior-art rotisserie wheel including a support member adapted for rotation in a vertical plane;
(9) FIG. 9 illustrates a prior-art electrical appliance for toasting marshmallows including a turntable supporting upright picks on each of which a marshmallow is impaled, each pick slowly rotating as the turntable turns, so that all sides of the marshmallow are faced to the oven heating elements during the toasting operation;
(10) FIG. 10 shows a prior-art roasting spit whereby various food items such as wieners may be impaled upon the tines and roasted over a fire, with the food articles being released from the tines when the sleeve is moved by its handle to retract the smaller diameter disk and to retract the tines;
(11) FIG. 11 shows the food items are released using the device of FIG. 10;
(12) FIG. 12 depicts a prior-art culinary implement consisting of a telescopic rod adapted to expand from an approximate 6 inch storage length to an approximate 30 inch usable length with a spring loaded retractable fork at one end thereof for use in the roasting of wienies;
(13) FIG. 13 illustrates the distal end of the implement of FIG. 12;
(14) FIG. 14 shows a prior-art wiener roaster having a plurality of tines, a first handle for gripping the wiener roaster, a second handle that is slidably and rotatably positioned, and a stand to be implanted in a ground;
(15) FIG. 15 is a drawing that shows a prior-art, hand-held rotary barbecue rotisserie including an elongated shaft having multiple prongs on which wieners, marshmallows, or other food is impaled for cooking;
(16) FIG. 16 is a prior-art utensil which indicates when the inside of a marshmallow is melted. The utensil would typically be held in users hand to toast marshmallow over open heat source;
(17) FIG. 17 illustrates a marshmallow toasting stick, with the stick and handle dimensions being selected so that one or more marshmallows could be suspended over the flames of a camp fire from a distance which protects an adult or child user from the heat of the fire;
(18) FIG. 18 shows a prior-art hand-held cooking utensil for safely holding and rotating food items when cooking upon an open fire;
(19) FIG. 19 depicts a prior-art marshmallow-toasting utensil comprising a handle and a wire assembly with at least one wire segment extending from the handle;
(20) FIG. 20 illustrates a prior-art hand-held rotatable campfire rotisserie having a length that allows the user to roast items placed over a heat source at a comfortable distance from the heat source, and wherein the rotisserie action allows the food items to cook evenly;
(21) FIG. 21 relates to s'mores, being directed to a prior-art machine for toasting a marshmallow loaded on a pick and concurrently melting at least a portion of a chocolate bar provided on a separate support;
(22) FIG. 22 shows a prior-art marshmallow roasting skewer or stick adapted to retain edible wafers on the skewer or stick for selective combination with a roasted marshmallow;
(23) FIG. 23 depicts a prior-art roasting apparatus including a shaft having a first end adapted to receive an edible wafer via an internal opening in the wafer, a second end, and a retaining portion near the second end that is adapted to removably retain the edible wafer to the shaft;
(24) FIG. 24 shows a prior-art campfire-cooking utensil that can be used to cook food over campfires, that rotates the food about an axis of rotation, and can cook four food items at one time.
(25) FIG. 25 illustrates a prior-art battery-operated unit that rotate a marshmallow with the push of a button;
(26) FIG. 26 shows a prior-art Spinmallow that has a telescoping arm, LED flashlight, and rotates at an ideal speed of 186 RPM;
(27) FIG. 27 is an oblique view of a preferred embodiment of the invention that facilitates multi-axis rotation for an evenly roasted product;
(28) FIG. 28 is a detail view of the multi-axis rotation head unit seen from a first perspective;
(29) FIG. 29 is a detail view of the multi-axis rotation head unit seen from a second perspective;
(30) FIG. 30 is detail view of a manually operable handle portion of the preferred embodiment;
(31) FIG. 31 illustrates an optional hinged support stand;
(32) FIG. 32A shows a triangular gear applicable to the invention;
(33) FIG. 32B shows a trapezoidal gear applicable to the invention;
(34) FIG. 32C shows a wavy or rounded gear applicable to the invention;
(35) FIG. 32D shows a spur gear applicable to the invention;
(36) FIG. 33A illustrates an alternative battery-powered motor drive;
(37) FIG. 33B illustrates an alternative ratcheting drive mechanism;
(38) FIG. 34A shows a food holder in the form of a cage;
(39) FIG. 34B shows a basket structure that is intentionally larger than the food item;
(40) FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram used to depict alternative embodiments of the invention;
(41) FIG. 36 shows a different gear arrangement;
(42) FIG. 37 illustrates multiple food items holders based upon the arrangement of FIG. 36;
(43) FIG. 38 shows the use of a cup-shaped structure;
(44) FIG. 39 depicts an alternative cup-shaped structure placement;
(45) FIG. 40 illustrates an embodiment wherein one or more food item holders spin on axes parallel to the axis of the elongated hollow rod; and
(46) FIG. 41 demonstrates that the multiple angles used with the invention need not be right angles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(47) FIG. 27 is a drawing that illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, seen from an oblique perspective. The apparatus includes a distal multi-rotational head unit 102, a shaft portion 104 and a proximal drive unit 106. The drive unit shown in FIG. 27 is manually operated, including a first gripping portion 108 and a rotatable handle 110. The length of the shaft portion of the apparatus is preferably in the range of one to three feet or greater, with longer lengths being more preferred to keep the user removed from the heat source, which may be a campfire or bonfire. To ease transport, the shaft portion may be disassembled through one or more detachable couplings, and/or the shaft portion may be telescoping.
(48) FIG. 28 is a detail view of the multi-rotational head unit seen from a first perspective. Shaft portion 104 comprises an elongate hollow tube 120 having proximal and distal ends, and a rod rotatable about a first axis of rotation disposed within the hollow tube. Upon exiting the distal end of tube 120, rod 122 undergoes one or more off-axis bends, terminating in an attachment to a sleeve 124 defining a second axis of rotation. In preferred embodiments, the first and second axes of rotation are perpendicular to one another.
(49) A first gear 130 is attached to the distal end of the hollow tube 120, such that during operation of the device, gear 130 does not rotate. A shorter rod, not very visible in the Figure, has a first end attached to a second gear 132 configured to mesh with the first gear 130, and a second end transitioning into a food holder 134, preferably a multi-pronged fork. During operation, as the proximal drive unit is activated, and with first gear 130 remaining stationary, gear 132 walks around gear 130 as the respective teeth mesh, causing fork 134 to rotate about the second axis through collar 124. As the same time, the second axis rotates in a plane different the first axis, resulting in a multi-dimensional movement of the marshmallow or other food item disposed on or in the food carrier.
(50) This multi-dimensional motion leads to a uniform exposure to the heat source not possible with prior-art devices, and an unprecedented degree of toasted goodness. The tumbling motion also assists with retaining the softening marshmallow on the skewer, preventing the all-too-common catastrophic loss of the morsel at the peak of perfection in a campfire, for example.
(51) FIG. 29 is an oblique view head mechanism of the invention seen from a different perspective. Note further that while the gears shown in FIGS. 28, 29 are approximately the same size, establishing a 1:1 gear ratio, this ratio may be modified in accordance with the invention to cause fork to spin at a faster or slower rate relative to the rotation about the shaft axis as the drive mechanism is activated.
(52) In terms of materials, metals are preferably used for components exposed to heat or flame. While all such components are preferably constructed from stainless steel, other materials may be used to reduce manufacturing costs. For example, shaft 120, rod 122 and sleeve 124 may be aluminum or non-stainless steel. The gear 130, 132 may also be non-stainless steel, though the fork 134 or other food carrier is preferably stainless for cleanliness. Gears 130, 132 may be made with stamping or cutting via mechanical die, laser or water jet. The gear material is preferably a heavier-gauge sheet metal such as 12- or 10-gauge to resist warping due to frequent heat treatment in open fires.
(53) Referring back to FIG. 29, the preferred embodiment the fork is maintained in collar 124 with a thumb screw 140 or other fastener enabling that portion of the mechanism to be disassembled for cleaning, as it is anticipated that over time the gears in particular may become covered with marshmallow goo. As seen in detail view of FIG. 30, handle 110 is also preferably attached to the rod 122 through a thumb screw 150 or other fastener enabling the rod to be pulled from shaft 120 for easy cleaning.
(54) Many options are possible with the invention in accordance with alternative embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the apparatus may come equipped with a fold-out stand 180 for accurate positioning in a fire. The stand may be telescoping (not shown), and may also be adjustable with fastener 182 facilitating removal and or repositioning along shaft portion 104.
(55) While square gear teeth have so far been shown in the drawings, other types of gears are possible in all embodiments, including triangular (FIG. 32A); trapezoidal (FIG. 32B); and wavy/rounded/sinusoidal (FIG. 32C). Spur gears (FIG. 32D) may also be used in some embodiments described below. Further, while a hand crank has been shown at the proximal end of the apparatus, a battery-operated motor (FIG. 33A) or a squeeze-ratchet mechanism (Figure (FIG. 33B) may be alternatively be used.
(56) In FIG. 33A, an electric drive may include a hand-held enclosure 300 including a motor 302 powered by batteries 308 which may be rechargeable. The motor turns a shaft 304 disposed within the elongated tube to the head unit, preferably through a series of gears for speed control. Speed may also be electrically controlled by controller 306 using one or more of the buttons 314. The hand-held unit may include one or more displays 310, 312, to indicate rotational speed and/or food temperature. Functions may be performed with a controller 306, which may receive a signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) along line 318, and may further include an LED light 316, activated by one of the button 314 shown.
(57) If a battery operated drive unit and support frame are used, the drive unit may be operated with a wireless remote control unit. With available power, the apparatus may include an LED illuminator to enhance visibility, and/or a temperature sensor and/or colorimeter may be used to determine a desired level of degree of roasting or browning. A temperature sensor may also be included in the tine(s) of the fork(s) for interconnection to a temperature readout.
(58) The squeeze-activated rotation mechanism of FIG. 33B may include a lever 332 coupled to a gear 334 through a ratchet bar 336, such that pressing on the lever turns the rod journaled in the elongated tube 338.
(59) As mentioned, in all embodiments, alternative food holders may also be used in place of a fork, including the basket shown in FIG. 34. The inside of the basket may hold the food item snugly (FIG. 34A), or the basket structure may be intentionally larger than the food item (FIG. 34B), such that the food item tumbles during operation for additional random exposure to heat.
(60) The diagram of FIG. 35 shows the head unit of FIGS. 28, 29 in a schematic form that will be used to describe alternative embodiments according to the invention. Gears 130, 132 are shown as lines, and area where the lines cross at 352 depicts meshing. Rigid connections are shown with dots, i.e., 350, and axes or rotation are shown in broken-line form. Thus, in this embodiment, a food item (not shown) simultaneously rotates about a first axis 123 and a second axis 135. As mentioned, these axes may be orthogonal to one another. Note that an additional fork 351 or food item holder may be coupled to gear 132.
(61) In the embodiment of FIG. 36, the fork 364 or food item holder is coupled to gear 366. Rotating rod 360 may come straight out of tube 361 for connection to sleeve 362. In this case, the food item rotates about the axis defined by rod 360 in a plane perpendicular to the rod, while simultaneously rotating about axis 367, which extends radially outwardly from the central axis of rod 360.
(62) FIG. 37 shows how multiple food holders may be accommodated using the design of FIG. 38. Specifically, a transverse rod 370, journaled through sleeve 372, may connect to opposing gears 376, 378 with respective food holders such a fork 374. While only two opposing gears/food holders are shown, more than two gears/food holders may be provided through a spoke-like arrangement. For example, 3, 4, 5 or six gears/food holders may mesh with gear 371 depending upon relative gear sizes.
(63) The embodiment of FIG. 38 uses a cup-shaped structure 384 terminating in a tooted distal edge that meshes with a spur gear 386 coupled to a food holder 388 through a sleeve 382. The cup-shaped structure 384 may be solid or perforated. An advantage to this configuration is that the inside concave surface may be spherical, parabolic or hyperbolic and reflective to concentrate or focus heat toward the food item. As shown in FIG. 39, a cup-shaped structure 394 may be flipped from the position shown in FIG. 38 for better visibility of the food item during cooking. FIG. 40 illustrates an embodiment wherein one or more food item holders spin on axes parallel to the axis of the elongated hollow rod, and FIG. 41 demonstrates that the multiple angles used with the invention need not be right angles, including angles between zero and 90 degrees.
(64) Although the embodiments disclosed herein have focused on marshmallows, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention is equally applicable to other food items, including wieners, dogs, brats and so forth, as well as veggies, etc. With a basket replacement for the folk, chestnuts may also be evenly roasted using the apparatus disclosed herein.
