Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a microwave egg-cooking device, more particularly but not exclusively microwave egg-cooking device adapted for cooking scrambled egg.

Background to the Invention

Eggs provide a vital part of many people's diets being an essential source of protein and vitamins. There are many ways of cooking eggs and in particular, in the interest of health, scrambled egg may be favoured over for example fried eggs.

Typically scrambled eggs will be prepared and mixed in a container and then placed in a pan to be cooked on a hob. This is an effective method of cooking the eggs, however it requires multiple pieces of equipment to both prepare and cook the eggs. Additionally the egg mixture and can often be difficult to remove from the pan post cooking and cleaning of utensils is generally problematic.

Many users alternatively prepare scrambled eggs in a microwave, however the container used can be equally difficult to clean after cooking, and eggs can be liable to explode when cooked improperly and if not regularly stirred, therefore a lid or appropriate cover is also required.

Scrambling in a microwave can be an imprecise and incremental art and so repeated removal of the container from the microwave and stirring with a utensil is typically required to ensure even scrambling. The container can become overheated and the utensil must be stored dirtily somewhere outside the microwave. The present invention arose to overcome the problems associated with preparing and cooking scrambled eggs by providing a device in which both preparation and cooking may be carried out using one device which is easy to clean.

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

French patent application FR 2 910 794 (HASSANI) discloses a container including a flat bottom for equally distributing quantity of eggs placed in the container. The bottom is made of a flexible material such that egg cooked using microwave, is easily separated from the container, by applying a high pressure. The container has a closing cover provided with ventilation holes that prevent the eggs from bursting out during increased heat and pressure while cooking.

Chinese utility model CN 2 868 120 (JIAYANG) discloses an egg boiler made from silica gel, which comprises a plurality of hemispherical egg containers, a plurality of support feet and a lid disposed below the container. Middle parts of the said egg containers are provided with handles sticking out therefrom; a corresponding handle is disposed in the positions of said lids corresponding to the handle, and a plurality of riser vents are disposed at the top of the lid. Since the egg boiler provided by the utility model adopts silica gel material, eggs can be boiled in boiler and also baked in microwave oven; and since a handle is disposed in the middle of the egg container, it is convenient to take out eggs from the boiler or microwave oven after the eggs are cooked, without causing scalding of hands or using tools such as clamps and rags. Additionally, the egg boiler made from silica gel material can be squeezed and deformed, therefore after the eggs are cooked, the eggs can be squeezed out by pressing the bottom of the egg container, thus ensuring convenient use.

Granted French patent FR 2 787 984 (AUBERT) discloses an eggcup for cooking an egg in a microwave oven comprising: a container having an opening sized and shaped to house the egg or eggs to be cooked; and a lid fixable in an interdependent manner to the container, the container having a fastener substantially at the opening, the lid having an opening and a complementary fastener substantially at the opening, the fasteners being distributed on the circumference of the container and the lid, respective, at homologous positions, and wherein the container fastener faces outwardly and is positioned on a container rim of narrower thickness than the thickness of the container in a region of the opening, and wherein the lid fastener faces inwardly and is positioned on a rim of narrower thickness than the thickness of the container in a vicinity of the lid opening.

In contrast the present invention provides a very simple and effective means of achieving controlled scrambled egg in a microwave, in an easy cleanable format.

It is an aim of the present invention to overcome at least one problem associated with the prior art whether referred to herein or otherwise.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a microwave egg-cooking device comprising a base and a lid arranged to removably engage the base, wherein the base in use is arranged to accept liquid for cooking, the lid being moveable over the base to close the device, and wherein the base and lid are mutually rotatable.

The base may comprise a plate which may be removably secured therein. The plate may comprise a toothed plate. The plate may be reversibly securable within the base. A first face of the plate may have teeth projecting outwardly therefrom and the second face may comprise a planar surface. The planar surface may have an outer rim located thereon. The outer rim may comprise a circular wall and the outer rim may form a boundary for containing a raw egg on the planar surface. The plate may comprise keying means in order to retain the plate to the base. Preferably the keying means is arranged to transmit rotational movement from the base to the plate. Preferably the keying means ensures mutual rotation of the base and the plate. The keying means may comprise one or more lugs which may engage within one or more corresponding recesses. The lugs may be provided on (a periphery) of the plate and the recesses may be provided on (an internal wall) of the base. The lid may comprise a plate which may be removably secured therein. The plate may comprise a toothed plate. The plate may be reversibly securable within the base. A first face of the plate may have teeth projecting outwardly therefrom and the second face may comprise a planar surface. The planar surface may have an outer rim located thereon. The outer rim may comprise a circular wall and the outer rim may form a boundary for containing a raw egg within a cooking cavity.

The plate may comprise keying means in order to retain the plate to the lid. Preferably the keying means is arranged to transmit rotational movement from the lid to the plate. Preferably the keying means ensures mutual rotation of the lid and the plate. The keying means may comprise one or more lugs which may engage within one or more corresponding recesses. The lugs may be provided on (a periphery) of the plate and the recesses may be provided on (an internal wall) of the lid. Preferably the keying means also suspends the plate within the lid such that the plate may not fall out from the lid.

In preferred embodiments the base and/or lid includes raised and lowered parts internally, arranged in use such that liquid, egg or egg mixture within the base is turned and stirred during mutual rotation or more general agitation. Said raised and lowered parts may include lacunae.

The device may provide an egg scrambler comprising a container formed from two displaceable cups forming said lid and said base. The container may be ovaloid. The container may be provided by a top cup and a bottom cup respectively. The cups may be arranged in use to be sealably secured or lockably attached. The cups may together define a cavity in which foodstuff may be placed and cooked. The cups may comprise toothed plates capable of opposing movement, arranged in use to be mounted within the container in use, and typically displaceably mounted on the cups, said plates capable of being moved in respect of one another so as to displace and mix the foodstuff.

In preferred embodiments the cavity of the bottom cup is arranged in use to accept an egg and/or other foodstuffs such as milk, mustard or mayonnaise. The device is activated by the microwave so as to cook the egg(s), foodstuff or admixture of foodstuffs, wherein the toothed plates are subsequently twisted to stir the admixture. The egg scrambler is then placed in a microwave in order to cook the admixture. When removed from the microwave and checked the admixture may then be easily scrambled again so as to further separate the cooked eggs. Preferably the cups are formed from a synthetic plastic such as a thermoplastic polymer that it is durable, lightweight and heat resistant and suitable for microwaving. Ideally the cup outer may be comprise or include a rubber, silicone or elastomer so as to provide a surface easily gripped by the user and one that is less liable to raise in heat.

It may be envisaged that the cups may be provided in a variety of colours and patterns so as to appeal to different users and to be able to distinguish one scrambler from another, for example if the admixture being cooked differs. Typically the two cups may be arranged in use to be locked together so as to form the ovaloid container. Preferably the cups are locked together by means of a push fit, clip or twist mechanism so as to remain closed during cooking and scrambling and prevent escape of food in use. Advantageously the cavity ensures the eggs do not dry out whilst cooking by retaining the moisture in the container. Breath holes may be dispersed about the cups, ideally one-way, or valves.

Ideally the cups therefore include raised and lowered parts or teeth which act to agitate the admixture when the device is shaken or the cups mutually rotated. In some embodiments the mutual rotation may simply act to disengage the cups. In such embodiments or others shaking of the device may cause scrambling, for example wherein said raised and lowered parts may comprise lacunae through which admixture may pass to agitate. In embodiments where the cup includes displaceable plates for cleaning purposes each cup houses one thermoplastic plate wherein typically the cups have an inner wall that includes a recess for accepting the plate in order that the plate is held securely in place in use. In some embodiments the plate may be displaced or moved in use, either during cooking or in preparation.

Preferably in some embodiments the recess includes or is associated with a seal so as to prevent the escape of admixture into the cup. Alternatively the plate may be flexible so as to be readily fitted into the recess and to act as the seal. For example the plate may be formed from silicone.

In preferred embodiments the seal may be an independent layer that is positioned in the cup before the plate is accepted and it is envisaged that the seal is flexible, for example being formed from silicone therefore enabling the seal to flex in response to heat and expansion of the air and food within the device during cooking. The seal also serves to prevent admixture becoming stuck within the cup where it may be hard to clean. The seal may be provided in one or both of the cups and flex during agitation and cooking. In some embodiments the cup may be moulded to include an integrated plate rather than being a separate part.

Ideally where the plate joins to the cup wall is curved so as not to provide corners in which admixture may become trapped, therefore ensuring the device may be easily cleaned.

Ideally the toothed plates include a plurality of projections which serve as teeth so as to stir/separate the admixture when the plates or cups are moved. In preferred embodiments the plates are opposedly mounted within the cups so that the teeth of one plate are positioned concentrically to the teeth of the second plate so as to allow one plate or cup to be twisted in respect of the other so as to stir and break up the admixture contents. In preferred embodiments the top and bottom cup are moveable in respect of one another wherein typically the top may be twisted and the base remains static which both cups remained secured to one another.

Ideally one cup rim includes a channel along which the other cup may fit to and rotate so as to facilitate movement of the plates that are secured within the cups. It is envisaged that the cups may be twisted in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions. In further embodiments the cups may be mutually rotated in a first direction to disengage and a second direction to agitate admixture.

Typically said teeth are rigid and conical so that when the plates are opposed to one another in use, space between the teeth is minimal and distances may be consistent as the upper plate teeth fit closely to the lower plate teeth providing predefined spaces to achieve scrambling.

In some other embodiments the teeth may be square, flat, curved. Additionally in further embodiments the teeth may be flexible facilitating easier cleaning between the teeth.

Ideally the teeth have a smooth or glossy surface in order to allow admixture to readily drop off when cooked and to facilitate easier cleaning.

In preferred embodiments one cup has a flat base so as to be placed on a surface and remain upright.

Ideally the cup outer walls include finger grips so as to enable the two parts to be easily joined, separated and twisted. Typically the finger grips may be embossed portions of the cup outer. It is envisaged that the finger grips may be textured so as to facilitate better grip.

It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the device may be submerged in heated water for example in a sauce pan in order to cook the contents, to provide an alternative to microwaving.

Advantageously the device is suitable for dishwasher use either disengaged and exploded or as a whole.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a cooked egg comprising placing a raw egg within a microwave egg-cooking device comprising a base and a lid and removably engaging the base with the lid, the method comprising rotating the lid relative to the base in order to agitate the egg located within the device.

The method may comprise preparing a dish or meal consisting of or comprising a plurality of eggs. The method may comprise preparing scrambled eggs.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a microwave egg-cooking device comprising a base and a lid arranged to removably engage the base, wherein the base in use is arranged to accept liquid for cooking, the lid being moveable over the base to close the device, and wherein the base and lid are relatively rotatable. Brief Description of the Figures

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures that follow, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an exploded embodiment of the device;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 exploded;

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 6 shows a view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 ; and

Figure 7 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 .

Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to the figures, the cups 1 , 2 are made of thermoplastic polymer with silicone overmould, with two plates 3, 4 of thermoplastic polymer including thermoplastic polymer teeth 5, with a silicone seal 6 and steam displaceable biased lid 7, flattened base 8 and grips 9.

Preferably the device has a diameter of at least 65mm and a height of at least 80mm so as to be able to cook at least an entire egg wherein in some further embodiments it may be envisaged that the dimensions may be increased to accommodate more eggs.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. The present invention provides a microwaveable egg-cooking device 10 comprising a base 2 and a lid 1 . The lid 1 is provided by a first cup 1 and the base 2 is provided by a second lid. The lid 1 is arranged, in use, to be sealingly engaged with the base 2 in order to maintain the contents inside the device 10.

In particular, the lid 1 comprises an open faced container and the base 2 also comprises an open faced container. The lid 1 is arranged to be secured to the base 2 such that they define an internal space therebetween. The periphery of the open face of the lid 1 is arranged to locate adjacent to the periphery of the open face of the base 2 whilst allowing relative movement (rotation) of the lid 1 and the base 2.

The lid 2 comprises a downwardly extending flange or skirt 12 which is arranged to locate within an engaging groove or recess defined in the upper end of the base 2. In this configuration, an upwardly extending skirt 14 of the base 2 encloses around the downwardly extending skirt of the lid 1 .

The base 2 has a plate 3 retained therein. In particular, the plate 3 is suspended or retained in a recessed position relative to the upper open end of the base 2. This arrangement provides for a container portion defined in the base 2 into which an egg or eggs may initially be placed. For example, the plate 3 provides the lower section of the container portion and the periphery of the base 2 located between the plate 3 and the upper open end of the base 2 provides a continuous side wall for the container portion. The height of the continuous side wall is sufficient to fully retain the egg or eggs prior to cooking. This arrangement provides for a container portion defined in the base 2 which is also sufficient to allow for expansion of the cooking eggs and to provide space for any heating vapours or gases to expand and escape.

The plate 3 is retained within a supporting shoulder or groove 16 provided in the wall of the internal surface of the base 2. The plate 3 comprises keying means in order to secure the plate 3 within the base 2 and to prevent relative rotation between the plate 3 and the wall of the base 2. Accordingly, a user can manually grip the outer surface of the base 2 and any rotation of the wall of the base 2 will cause respective and simultaneous rotation of the plate 3. Similarly, if a user manually grips the wall of the base 2 and holds the base stationary or static then the plate 3 will also be held in a static or stationary condition. This can be important to ensure efficient relative rotation between the two plates 3, 4.

In a similar arrangement to the base 2, the lid 1 comprises a plate 4 retained therein. In particular, the plate 4 is retained in the lower open end of the lid 1 . The plate 4 is retained within a supporting shoulder or groove 16 provided in the wall of the internal surface of the lid 1 . The plate 4 comprises keying means in order to secure the plate 4 within the lid 1 and to prevent relative rotation between the plate 4 and the wall of the lid 1 . Accordingly, a user can manually grip the outer surface of the lid 1 and any rotation of the wall of the lid 1 will cause respective and simultaneous rotation of the plate 4. Similarly, if a user manually grips the wall of the lid 1 and holds the lid 1 stationary or static then the plate 4 will also be held in a static or stationary condition. This can be important to ensure efficient relative rotation between the two plates 3, 4.

As previously mentioned, each plate 3, 4 comprises a planar surface having a plurality of projections extending outwardly therefrom. The projections comprise teeth 5. In the preferred embodiment, the teeth 5 comprise generally pyramidal teeth. The pyramidal teeth may have a quadrilateral base which generally may be in the form of a parallelogram and specifically a rhombus (or diamond). The upper end of the pyramidal teeth may be contoured rather than converging at a sharp point.

The teeth 5 are arranged in a matrix or pattern on the plate 3, 4. In use, with the lid 1 secured to the base 2, the teeth 5 extending downwardly from the upper plate 4 are arranged to locate in troughs or spaces defined between adjacent teeth 5 extending upwardly from the lower plate 3. Conversely, the teeth 5 extending upwardly from the lower plate 3 are arranged to locate in troughs or spaces defined between adjacent teeth 5 extending downwardly from the upper plate 4. In one embodiment, the teeth 5 may be arranged in circular patterns or arrays and the teeth 5 on each plate 3, 4 may be arranged in two concentric circular arrays. For example, the upper plate may have a first array of teeth 5 arranged around a circle have a diameter, d1 and a second array of teeth 5 arranged around a circle having a diameter d3. The lower plate 4 may then have a first array of teeth 5 arranged around a circle having a diameter of d2 and a second array of teeth 5 arranged around a circle having a diameter d4. In this arrangement d1 > d2 > d3 > d4 such that the teeth 5 from both plates form concentric circles and are alternate in that the upper plate 4 provides the outer circle of teeth 5 and the second smallest whereas the lower plate 3 provides the inner circle of teeth and the second largest circle of teeth 5. One of the plates may provide a (possibly single) central tooth or projection. The patterns are arranged to mesh such that the relative rotation of the plates 3, 4 is free and the teeth 5 on the opposing plates 3, 4, do not abut each other. Such a pattern is provided by the above described concentric circular arrays of teeth 5 as described above and as illustrated in Figure 2. The intermeshing of the teeth 5 is arranged to mix and/or scramble the raw or cooked eggs. As it will be appreciated, the relative rotation of the upper teeth 5 and the lower teeth 5 will quickly and easily scramble cooked or semi cooked eggs. In a further embodiment, the device 10 may be reconfigured in order to cook an unscrambled and unmixed egg. The lower plate 3 may be reversible within the base 2 such that a first face is provided with the teeth 5 and a second face is planar and does not include any teeth. The lower plate 3 can be removed from the base 2 and re-secured in the base 2 with the planar second face facing upwardly. This provides a smooth cooking surface for an egg (or eggs). The planar second face may comprise an upstanding peripheral wall in order to provide an outer containing wall for the egg(s) to be cooked. Accordingly, this may provide a (microwave) cooked egg resembling a poached egg with the resulting egg having a circular border defined by the outer containing wall.

In addition, the upper plate 4 may also be configured in a similar manner to prevent the teeth 5 from the upper plate projecting downwardly into the egg. For example, the upper plate 4 has the teeth 5 projecting from a first face and the second face may be planar. Accordingly, the upper plate 4 can be removed from the lid 1 and re-secured with the second planar face facing downwardly. The planar second face may comprise a downwardly projecting peripheral wall in order to provide an additional or supplemental outer containing wall for the egg(s) to be cooked. This downwardly projecting peripheral wall may be of the same diameter as (and coaxial with) the upwardly projecting peripheral wall provided on the lower plate 3. Alternatively, in some embodiments it may be possible to cook an unscrambled egg in the microwave without the upper plate in position.

As mentioned above, each plate 3, 4 comprises keying means in order to retain the respective plate 3, 4 to the base 2 or lid 1 . As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3, the lower plate 3 includes two lugs 20 which are arranged offset by 180° around the circular periphery of the lower plate 3. Each lug is arranged to secure within a recess provided in the base 2 and, in particular, in the supporting shoulder or groove within the base 2. Once the lugs 20 are located in the respective recesses, any rotation of the base 2 will be mechanically transmitted to the plate 3.

In an alternative embodiment, the edge or periphery of the lower plate 3 may be provided with a sinusoidal or wavy edge which is arranged to engage in a corresponding sinusoidal or wavy supporting shoulder/surface provided by the base 2. In this embodiment, there would be numerous relative keying positions between the lower plate 3 and the base 2 whereas the two lugs keying arrangement would only permit two different relative positions to be correctly keyed. Similarly, the upper plate 4 comprises keying means in order to retain the lid 1 . Again, this keying means comprises two lugs 21 which are arranged offset by 180° around the circular periphery of the upper plate 4. Each lug 21 is arranged to secure within a recess provided in the lid 1 and, in particular, in the supporting shoulder or groove within the base 2. Once the lugs 21 are located in the respective recesses, any rotation of the lid 1 will be mechanically transmitted to the plate 4. Since the upper plate 4 is suspended facing downwardly from the lid, the upper plate 4 is also secured to the lid 1 such that as the lid is 1 removed from the base 2 the upper plate 4 is retained to the lid 1 . This enables the scrambled egg to be quickly and easily transferred to a plate/bowl. The upper plate may be secured to the lid 1 by any suitable securement means. For example, the securement means may comprise a bayonet fitting or an interference fit or any other suitable arrangement.

The device 10 may be arranged to cook a single egg or multiple eggs (for example, 2, 3, 4 or 6 or more eggs). The size and dimension of the device may be selected to provide the required cooking and mixing space.

As discussed above, the device is modular such that the components the device is quickly and easily dismantled which may aid cleaning. Furthermore, all of the components may be dishwasher proof or dishwasher safe. Since all of the components are simply clipped or clicked together, a user can quickly assemble or disassemble the device 10.

The outer surface of the lid 1 comprises gripping means in order to enable a user to easily grip and rotate the lid 1 . Similarly, the outer surface of the base 2 comprises gripping means to allow for such an efficient grip and subsequent rotation of the base 2. The gripping means may comprise a texture provided on the respective outer surface and the outer surface may comprise a silicone overmould which will prevent a users hand or fingers slipping over the surface. Furthermore, the outer surface may provide recesses or indentations into which a user may place fingers or which may simply increase the grip between the hand of a user and the base 2 or lid 1 . The base 2 is provided with a flat or planar supporting surface which supports the device upright with the cooking surface in a suitable horizontal plane. Again, the supporting surface is arranged to prevent any slippage of the device 10 relative to a surface. The supporting surface may be provided by the silicone surface of the base 2.

The device comprises venting means to enable any cooking gases/vapours to escape from inside the device 10. The venting means may be provide on an upper portion of the device 10. Overall, the present invention provides a simple to use and easily cleanable microwave egg cooking device to prepare scrambles eggs. The following point should also be noted:

- The pyramid teeth which act as the scrambler may be used in either the top or bottom compartment of the device.

- The pyramid teeth will have a flat surface on the reverse with a rim

around so an egg can be opened and emptied upon it, so another style of egg such as "Poached" "Fried" or just "Plain" can be cooked in the microwave egg scrambler.

- The pyramid teeth may have "Scramble" moulded on each piece to make it easier to identify where to place eggs.

The pyramid teeth on each component will be at different diameters from each other so they will key together when the device is closed, but it will not matter which is the top or the bottom. - The top of the egg may have air holes like a "Pepper pot" effect or similar which will allow the hot air and steam generated when microwaving to escape from within. - The lower casing and the lower scrambling teeth components may have numerous notches which enables the two parts to be keyed together. The same applies for the top.