초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for cooking food products on both sides and, simultaneously, cooking them in the middle, and a method of cooking food products using said apparatus. In preferred embodiments, versions of the apparatus of the present invention comprise a crown pivotal

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for cooking food products on both sides and, simultaneously, cooking them in the middle, and a method of cooking food products using said apparatus. In preferred embodiments, versions of the apparatus of the present invention comprise a crown pivotally connected to a base support, connected to a base, wherein when the crown is in the closed position with respect to the base food to be cooked is substantially enclosed in a cooking chamber comprising substantially a lower cook surface of 100 square inches or greater, a top cook surface of similar size, and is also subjected to microwaves generated by microwave generators located in the crown.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for cooking food products on both sides using at least a top heating element and a lower heating element, said apparatus comprising: (1) a base comprising at least one side panel and an upper panel, wherein said at least one side panel supports said upper panel, further comprising a

1. An apparatus for cooking food products on both sides using at least a top heating element and a lower heating element, said apparatus comprising: (1) a base comprising at least one side panel and an upper panel, wherein said at least one side panel supports said upper panel, further comprising a lower heating surface supported by said upper panel and a lower resistive heating element thermally connected to said lower heating surface, and wherein said lower heating surface is adapted to support food products to be cooked and is suitable for use to temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit;(2) a base support connected to said base comprising a least a first member, wherein said first member is operatively connected to a pivotal coupling;(3) a crown pivotally connected to said pivotal coupling, wherein said crown comprises a first crown side panel, a second crown side panel opposite said first crown side panel, a crown front panel, a crown upper panel, a crown back panel opposite said crown front panel, and a crown lower panel opposite said crown upper panel, and wherein said pivotal coupling further comprises a retaining electromagnet adapted to resist an inadvertent opening of said crown;(4) a cooking chamber comprising walls extending upwardly from said crown lower panel and a ceiling attached to said walls;(5) a top heating surface thermally connected to a top resistive heating element, wherein said top heating surface is connected to and inside of said crown;(6) wherein said crown is adapted to articulate into at least an open position and a closed position with respect to said base, wherein said top heating surface is opposite said lower heating surface, and wherein said food products to be cooked are enclosed between said top heating surface, said lower heating surface, and said cooking chamber walls when said crown is articulated into the closed position with respect to said base; and(7) wherein said crown encloses at least a first microwave generator and a first waveguide, wherein said first waveguide directs microwaves generated by said first microwave generator into said cooking chamber when said crown is in the closed position with respect to said base and said first microwave generator emits microwave radiation. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lower heating surface is comprised of aluminum. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said lower heating surface has a surface area of at least 100 square inches. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first waveguide directs microwaves generated by said first microwave generator into said cooking chamber through an aperture in a cooking chamber wall, wherein said cooking chamber wall is oriented to one side of said cooking chamber. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said crown further encloses a second microwave generator and a second waveguide, wherein said second waveguide directs microwaves generated by said second microwave generator into said cooking chamber when said crown is in the closed position with respect to said base and said second microwave generator emits microwave radiation. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said second waveguide directs microwaves generated by said second microwave generator through an aperture in said cooking chamber wall, wherein said cooking chamber wall is oriented to the rear of said cooking chamber. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein one or more edges of said top heating surface comprise an angled surface adapted to direct microwaves towards the center of said cooking chamber. 8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base encloses one or more control elements. 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said control elements comprise a computer and one or more of a timer, a temperature control for said lower heating surface, a temperature control for said top heating surface, a timer control for said microwave generator, or a radiation strength control for said microwave generator. 10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said computer is operatively linked to at least one of said control elements other than said computer. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said computer controls one or more of the cook time or cook temperature of one or more of said lower heating surface, said top heating surface, said first microwave generator, or said second microwave generator according to a cooking program. 12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said cooking program directs the generation time and radiation strength of one or more of said first microwave generator or said second microwave generator in pre-set amounts. 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said cooking program directs one or more of the top heating surface or said lower heating surface to achieve pre-set temperatures adapted to sear the outer surface of a food product to be cooked, said cooking program directs at least said first microwave generator to supply radiation for a pre-set time and strength adapted to heat the inner portion of said food product to be cooked, and said cooking program coordinates one or more of the temperature or cook time of said top heating surface, said lower heating surface, or said first microwave generator such that the heating elements and first microwave generator cease to cook when the food product is seared on the outside and is cooked on the inside. 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said top heating surface is slidably connected to said crown such that said top heating surface automatically adjusts to varying heights according to the size of the food product to be cooked when said food product is located on said lower heating surface and said crown is articulated into a closed position with respect to said base. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said top heating surface is slidably connected to an upper member of said crown by one or more slidable risers. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said risers are operatively connected to one or more springs configured to bias said risers away from said lower heating surface such that the weight placed upon food products to be cooked by said top heating element when said crown is in a closed position with respect to said base is reduced.