초록 ▼

A combination for preparing a food product and method of using the combination are disclosed. The combination includes a housing supporting a cooking chamber, which communicates with a flavor enhancement chamber. The cooking chamber and the flavor enhancement chamber are selectively and independentl

A combination for preparing a food product and method of using the combination are disclosed. The combination includes a housing supporting a cooking chamber, which communicates with a flavor enhancement chamber. The cooking chamber and the flavor enhancement chamber are selectively and independently controlled by an automated controller. In using the combination, a user provides the food product, places a flavor enhancement substance within the flavor enhancement chamber, arranges the food product on a preparation rack, and position the rack with the food within the cooking chamber. With the food positioned within the combination, the user programs parameters for a food preparation cycle into an operating code resident in the automated controller. Upon activation by the user, the controller executes the operating code. In response, the flavor enhancement chamber releases a flavor enhancement for impregnation into the food product, and the cooking chamber completes preparation of the food product.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A food preparation device comprising:a housing; a cooking chamber confined by the housing; a flavor enhancement chamber communicating with the cooking chamber; and an automated controller selectively controlling an operating mode of the flavor enhancement chamber independently from an operation m

1. A food preparation device comprising:a housing; a cooking chamber confined by the housing; a flavor enhancement chamber communicating with the cooking chamber; and an automated controller selectively controlling an operating mode of the flavor enhancement chamber independently from an operation mode of the cooking chamber. 2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel supported by the housing communicating with the automated controller, the control panel determining an operating mode for the cooking chamber by relaying a cooking chamber operating instruction to the automated controller, in which the automated controller is a programmable electronic controller.3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel supported by the housing communicating with the automated controller determining an operating mode for the flavor enhancement chamber by relaying a flavor enhancement chamber operating instruction to the automated controller, in which the automated controller is a programmable electronic controller.4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a control panel supported by the housing communicating with the automated controller, the control panel determining an operating mode for the cooking chamber by relaying an operating instruction to the automated controller, the control panel further determining an operating mode for the flavor enhancement chamber by relaying an operating instruction to the automated controller, in which the automated controller is a programmable electronic controller.5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a cover communicating with the cooking chamber sustaining an environment of the cooking chamber.6. The device of claim 1 further comprising an external shell adjacent the housing, the external shell providing a thermal insulation cavity circumventing the housing.7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a food preparation support member communicating with the cooking chamber, the cooking chamber applying a level of energy to a food product, the food preparation support member supporting the food product during the application of the level of energy to the food product.8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a food preparation support member communicating with the cooking chamber, the food support member supporting a food product, the flavor enhancement chamber generating a flavor enhancement, the flavor enhancement absorbed by the food product.9. The device of claim 1 further comprising a food preparation support member communicating with the cooking chamber, the food support member supporting a food product, the flavor enhancement chamber generating a flavor enhancement, the flavor enhancement absorbed by the food product, the cooking chamber applying the level of energy to the food product concurrent with the generation of the flavor enhancement by the flavor enhancement chamber.10. The device of claim 1, in which the cooking chamber comprises an energy generation device applying a level of energy to a food product, the level of energy applied to the food product preparing the food product.11. The device of claim 1, in which the flavor enhancement chamber comprises an energy generation device applying a level of energy to a flavor enhancement substance, the energized flavor enhancement substance providing a flavor enhancement, the flavor enhancement absorbed by a food product, the absorption of the flavor enhancement preparing the food product.12. The device of claim 1, in which the flavor enhancement chamber comprises a first energy generation device applying a level of energy to a flavor enhancement substance, the level of energy applied to the flavor enhancement substance providing a flavor enhancement, the flavor enhancement absorbed by a food product, the absorption of the flavor enhancement preparing the food product, and in which the cooking chamber comprises a second energy generation device applying a level of energy to the food product, the level of energy applied to the food product further preparing the food product.13. The device of claim 5, in which the cover comprises a mode regulation member regulating the environment of the cooking chamber.14. The device of claim 1 further comprising:a control panel supported by the housing communicating with the automated controller, the control panel determining an operating mode for the cooking chamber by relaying an operating instruction to the automated controller, the control panel further determining an operating mode for the flavor enhancement chamber by relaying an operating instruction to the automated controller, in which the automated controller is a programmable electronic controller; a cover communicating with the cooking chamber sustaining an environment of the cooking chamber, the cover comprising: a mode regulation member regulating the environment of the cooking chamber; and a latching member communicating with the cooking chamber securing the cover adjacent the cooking chamber; an external shell adjacent the housing providing a thermal insulation cavity circumventing the housing; a first energy generation device applying a level of energy to a flavor enhancement substance, the energized flavor enhancement substance providing a flavor enhancement, the flavor enhancement absorbed by a food product, the absorption of the flavor enhancement preparing the food product; a second energy generation device applying a level of energy to the food product, the level of energy applied to the food product further preparing the food product; and a food preparation support member communicating with the cooking chamber, the food preparation support member supporting the food product during the application of the level of energy by the first energy generation device, in which the application of the level of energy by the first energy generation device occurs non-concurrently with the energy applied to the food product by the second energy generating device. 15. A method for enhancing flavor of a food product by steps comprising:providing the food product in a pre-preparation state; placing a flavor enhancement substance within a flavor enhancement chamber, the flavor enhancement chamber communicating with a cooking chamber; arranging the food product on a food support member communicating with the cooking chamber; selecting a preparation mode for operation of the cooking chamber; assigning a flavor enhancement time period independent from the preparation mode time period for an impregnation of the food product with a flavor enhancement; generating the flavor enhancement through an activation of the flavor enhancement substance; and preparing the food product by cycling through the preparation mode. 16. The method of claim 15, in which the preparation mode is selected by steps comprising:choosing the preparation mode from a group comprising a steam mode, a pressure mode, a warm mode and a cold mode; determining a period of exposure of the food product to the chosen preparation mode; keying into a control panel both the chosen preparation mode and the period of exposure of the food product to the chosen preparation mode; and executing both the keyed chosen preparation mode and the keyed period of exposure of the food product to the chosen preparation mode with an automated controller communicating with the control panel. 17. The method of claim 16, in which the flavor enhancement period is assigned by steps comprising:deciding on a delay period for activation of the flavor enhancement substance; electing a period of delay for the selected preparation mode; ascertaining an activation period over which exposure of the food product to the generated flavor enhancement occurs; entering into the control panel the ascertained activation period over which exposure of the food product to the generated flavor enhancement occurs, along with the decided delay period for activation of the flavor enhancement substance, in addition to the elected period of delay for the selected preparation mode; executing the entered ascertained activation period over which exposure of the food product to the generated flavor enhancement occurs, along with the decided delay period for activation of the flavor enhancement substance, in addition to the elected period of delay for the selected preparation mode, using the automated controller communicating with the control panel; and preparing the food product by cycling through the preparation mode. 18. The method of claim 17, in which the selected preparation mode provides a level of energy for the preparation of the food product, and in which the impregnation of the food product with a flavor enhancement is non-concurrent with the period of exposure of the food product to the provided energy of the chosen preparation mode.19. The method of claim 17, in which the selected preparation mode provides a level of energy for the preparation of the food product, and in which the impregnation of the food product with a flavor enhancement is concurrent with the period of exposure of the food product to the provided energy of the chosen preparation mode.20. A food product flavor enhancement combination comprising:a cooking chamber confined by a housing; a flavor enhancement chamber confined by the cooking chamber; and an automated controller selectively controlling an operating mode of the flavor enhancement chamber independently from an operation mode of the cooking chamber during preparation of a food product, flavor of the food product enhanced by steps for enhancing flavor of a food product.