US 8,474,444 B2 · Intervening heat conducting medium

Abstract

A device for recovering, harnessing and reutilizing heat from along a side wall of a cooking vessel, a cooking vessel comprising such device, and a method of using such device. The device can be constructed as part of the cooking vessel or can be an accessory that attaches to different sized cooking vessels via adjusting means. Specifically, the device is made of a highly conductive and durable metal or metal alloy and comprises a skirt-like body, extending from the side of the cooking vessel and attached to a perforated slip-like portion that may be attached to or integrated into the side wall of the cooking vessel. The device harnesses and reutilizes heat from the underside of the body and safely and efficiently transfers the heat to the cooking vessel through conduction. The device can further comprise diffusers, a bottom portion with a plurality of ventilation openings, and a heat shield.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A device for attachment to a side wall of a vessel, comprising:

a cylindrical element mounted to or attached to said side wall of said vessel at a first elevation above a bottom end portion of said vessel;
a perforated portion attached to said cylindrical element and wrapped around the side wall of the vessel in flush contact therewith;
and
a body element extending from said cylindrical element, wherein said body element comprises a first end portion that is attached to or integrally molded to said cylindrical element and a second end portion which is located at a distance from said side wall, and further wherein said body element has a curved cross-section adapted to extend about a periphery of said vessel, away from said side wall, and downwardly to a second elevation above said bottom end portion of said vessel;
wherein said body element includes a bottom portion connected to said second end portion;
and wherein said bottom portion comprises a plurality of ventilation openings.

3 more elements

A method for harnessing and transferring heat to a side wall of a vessel, comprising the steps of:

attaching to the vessel a device comprising:
a cylindrical element for attaching the device to the side wall of the vessel, wherein the cylindrical element is mounted to or attached to the side wall of the vessel at a first elevation above a bottom end portion of the vessel;
a perforated portion attached to the cylindrical element and wrapped around the side wall of the vessel in flush contact therewith;
and
a body element extending from the cylindrical element, wherein the body element is attached to or integrally molded to the perforated portion, and further wherein the body element extends about a periphery of the vessel and downwardly to a second elevation above the bottom end portion of the vessel;
applying a heat source to the vessel;
and
directing heat via conduction to the side wall of the vessel with the body element of the device;
wherein said body element comprises a first end portion attached to or secured to said cylindrical element and a second end portion which is located at a distance from said side wall of said vessel and at said second elevation above said bottom end portion of said vessel, wherein said body element has a curved cross section shaped to extend from said first end portion, away from said side wall and downwardly to said second end portion;
and wherein said body element further comprise a bottom portion connected to said second end portion, and wherein said bottom portion comprises a plurality of ventilation openings.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intervening heat conducting medium

Life of this patent

Intervening heat conducting medium

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims29