초록

A programmable slow-cooker appliance, in which a user sets a time and temperature for cooking a food item. A programmable controller prevents the unit from being used solely as a "keep warm" appliance, and a unique design allows cooling of the controller during cooking.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A programmable slow-cooker appliance, comprising: a heating unit; a cooking unit adapted to fit at least partially within the heating unit; a controller housing fixedly mounted to an outside of the heating unit; and a programmable controller mounted to the housing to control the heating uni

1. A programmable slow-cooker appliance, comprising: a heating unit; a cooking unit adapted to fit at least partially within the heating unit; a controller housing fixedly mounted to an outside of the heating unit; and a programmable controller mounted to the housing to control the heating unit, wherein said housing is configured to convect heat away from the controller. 2. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing is an enclosure for at least a portion of the controller. 3. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 2, wherein the controller housing insulates the controller from the heating unit. 4. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a heat shield, and the heat shield is made from a material selected from at least one of thermoplastics and insulating materials. 5. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 4, wherein the housing defines ventilation openings configured to allow air to flow into and out of said housing. 6. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 5, wherein the housing includes at least a pair of slots defined in an upper and lower part of the housing to define airflow thru the slots and behind the controller. 7. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller further comprises control elements and a display. 8. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 7, wherein the control elements are selected from the group consisting of a control panel, push-buttons, switches, and a digital readout. 9. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 1, further comprising a temperature measuring device in communication with said controller. 10. The slow-cooker appliance of claim 1, further comprising a piezobuzzer. 11. A control housing for a slow cooker heating unit, said housing comprising: a front wall; a bottom wall defining at least one lower opening, the bottom wall attached to the front wall; a top wall defining at least one upper opening, the top wall attached to the front wall; and a circuit board mounted behind the front wall, the circuit board apart from a wall of the heating unit. 12. The control housing of claim 11, further comprising a heat sink between the circuit board and the front wall. 13. A method of using a programmable slow-cooker appliance, the method comprising: providing a food item; placing the food item into a cooking unit of the slow-cooker appliance; selecting a cooking temperature and time using a programmable controller mounted to a housing fixedly mounted to a heating unit; and changing the heating unit temperature automatically to a lower temperature after the selected time. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising notifying a user with illuminated indicators that the slow-cooker appliance is powered and that the timer is active. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the temperature is set by default upon selection of a cooking time. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the time is selected from the group consisting of 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours and 10 hours and the temperature is selected from the group consisting of high and low. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the temperature and time are set in increments. 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising cooling the electronic circuitry of the programmable controller via a chimney effect. 19. The method of claim 13, further comprising emitting a sound.