초록 ▼

Methods and apparatuses for cooking food are provided. In particular, food is placed in a bowl held at an angle to horizontal. With the food in the bowl, the bowl is simultaneously heated and rotated. A scraper assembly is disposed within the bowl, to lift the food from the side and bottom surfaces

Methods and apparatuses for cooking food are provided. In particular, food is placed in a bowl held at an angle to horizontal. With the food in the bowl, the bowl is simultaneously heated and rotated. A scraper assembly is disposed within the bowl, to lift the food from the side and bottom surfaces of the bowl as the bowl rotates. A temperature sensor can be provided to provide a signal to discontinue rotation of the bowl and the application of heat to the bowl when the food has reached a desired temperature. A tilt mechanism can also be provided to maintain the food within a desired distance from the top edge of the bowl.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a base assembly, including: a top surface;an aperture in the top surface having a first diameter; anda circular side wall having a second diameter defining a receiving chamber, wherein the receiving chamber is open at the aperture in the top surface;a plurality of

1. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a base assembly, including: a top surface;an aperture in the top surface having a first diameter; anda circular side wall having a second diameter defining a receiving chamber, wherein the receiving chamber is open at the aperture in the top surface;a plurality of heating elements, wherein the plurality of heating elements are located at intervals along the circular side wall;a bowl placed within the receiving chamber, the bowl including: a side surface;a bottom surface; anda drive engagement member;a tilt sensor, wherein the tilt sensor is operable to detect a desired distance from a top edge of the bowl to material to be cooked placed within the bowl;a drive motor;a scraper assembly, including: a bridge member interconnected to the top surface; anda scraper blade interconnected to the bridge member, wherein an edge of the scraper blade is in contact with at least the side surface of the bowl; anda drive element, wherein the drive element is interconnected to the drive motor, wherein the drive element includes an engagement surface that extends into the receiving chamber, wherein the drive element is centered within the receiving chamber, wherein the drive element rotates about an axis that is at an angle from horizontal of from 0 to 140 degrees, and wherein the drive engagement member engages the engagement surface of the drive element when the bowl is placed in the receiving chamber. 2. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of support elements, wherein at least one support element is in contact with the side surface of the bowl when the bowl is placed in the receiving chamber. 3. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor; anda controller, wherein the controller is operatively connected to the plurality of heating elements, the drive motor, and the temperature sensor. 4. The cooking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is operable to discontinue a drive signal to the drive motor in response to a signal from the temperature sensor indicating that a first predetermined temperature has been reached. 5. The cooking apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller is operable to vary an operating signal provided to at least some of the heating elements in response to a signal from the temperature sensor that the first predetermined temperature has been reached. 6. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a tilt mechanism, wherein at least the angle about which the drive mechanism rotates and the angle of the receiving chamber can be selected by adjusting the tilt mechanism. 7. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a tilt mechanism, including: a tilt mechanism motor, wherein the tilt mechanism is driven by the tilt mechanism motor to place at least the receiving chamber at a selected angle from horizontal;wherein the tilt sensor provides a signal used in connection with operation of the tilt mechanism motor and the selected angle from horizontal of the receiving chamber. 8. The cooking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: insulation associated with the circular side wall of the base assembly. 9. A cooking apparatus, comprising: a bowl, including: a bottom surface;a top edge;a side extending between the bottom surface and the top edge, the side including an exterior side and having a first maximum diameter;a drive engagement member;a base assembly, including:a top surface with a receiving aperture having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is larger than the first maximum diameter;a receiving chamber;a drive motor;a drive element interconnected to and rotated by the drive motor;a plurality of heating elements, wherein the plurality of heating elements are located at intervals about a third diameter that is concentric with the second diameter of the receiving aperture;at least a first support surface, wherein the bowl is received by the receiving chamber, wherein the drive engagement member is mated to the drive element, wherein the at least a first support surface is in contact with at least a portion of an exterior side of the side of the bowl, and wherein the bowl is held at an angle of from horizontal when the bowl is received by the receiving chamber;a tilt sensor, wherein the tilt sensor is operable to detect a desired distance from a top edge of the bowl to material to be cooked placed within the bowl;a scraper assembly, including: a bridge interconnected to the top surface; anda scraper blade interconnected to the bridge, wherein at least a portion of the scraper blade is in contact with the side of the bowl. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: a tilt mechanism, wherein the angle α from horizontal of the bowl while the bowl is received by the receiving chamber is controlled by the tilt mechanism.