Field of the Invention

[I] The present invention relates to cooking apparatus and in particular, but not necessarily entirely, to heating apparatus for internalised cooking of food.

Background of the Invention

[2] According to existing arrangements, food is cooked from the outside in, using convection, microwave heating and the like.

[3] However, the insulative properties of food requires prolonged cooking to adequately cook the interior of the food. Such prolonged cooking also utilise a substantial electrical energy.

[4] For example, the chicken may take 40 minutes to cook using a conventional convection oven. Furthermore, often times the interior of the food is undercooked.

[5] As such, a need therefore exists for a means for speeding up the cooking process, ensuring that the interior of food is cooked, reducing electricity consumption and the like.

[6] The present invention seeks to provide a heating apparatus for the internalised cooking of food, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[7] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[8] According to one aspect, there is provided rotisserie cooking apparatus for the internalised cooking of food comprising: a controller unit; and a rotisserie rod rotatably coupled to the controller unit, wherein: the apparatus further comprises: a drive for rotating the rotisserie rod with respect to the controller unit; and a resistive heating element disposed within the rod and electrically connected by way of a rotatable electrical connection interface between the rod and the controller unit, the resistive heating element configured for the internalised cooking of the food in use.

[9] The rotatable electrical connection interface may comprise the controller unit comprising a socket for the releabable engagement of the rod therein in use.

[10] The rotatable electrical connection interface may comprise slip ring electrical connections.

[II] The slip ring electrical connections comprise positive and negative slip ring electrical connections

[12] The slip ring electrical connections further may comprise an earth slip ring electrical connection [13] The rotatable electrical connection interface further may comprise complementary electrical contacts having a proximal set connected to the slip ring electrical connections.

[14] A subset of the electrical contacts may be displaceable to accommodate the insertion of the rod into the socket.

[15] The rod and the socket may comprise keying for the correct alignment of the electrical contacts.

[16] The rod and the socket may comprise mechanical interference for retaining the rod within the socket.

[17] The mechanical interference may comprise the rod comprising a circumferential groove for accommodating a plurality of running plungers of the socket.

[18] The plungers comprise ball spring plungers.

[19] The controller unit may comprise heating element power supply control circuitry for controlling the power supplied to the resistive heating element.

[20] The heating element power supply control circuitry may comprise an interface comprising a first pushbutton for incrementally raising a power supply set point and a second pushbutton for incrementally lowering the power supply set point.

[21] The controller unit may comprise a display for displaying the power supply set point.

[22] The heating element power supply control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of greater than 300 W of power to the resistive heating element.

[23] The heating element power supply control circuitry may be configured to control the supply of between 400 W and 900W of power to the resistive heating element.

[24] The heating element power supply control circuitry may be configured to receive food cooking parameters and for controlling the power supplied to the resistive heating element in accordance with the food cooking parameters.

[25] The food cooking parameters comprise at least one of food weight and food type.

[26] The controller unit may comprise drive power supply control circuitry for controlling the drive.

[27] The drive power supply control circuitry may comprise an interface comprising a pushbutton toggle for selectively powering the drive.

[28] The drive may comprise an electric motor.

[29] The electric motor may be geared.

[30] The drive power supply control circuitry may be configured to receive food cooking parameters and selectively powering the drive in accordance with the food cooking parameters.

[31] The food cooking parameters comprise at least one of food weight and food type. [32] The controller unit may comprise timer power supply control circuitry for controlling a time period for of the operation of at least one of the resistive heating element and the drive.

[33] The drive power supply control circuitry may comprise an interface comprising at least one pushbutton for setting the time period.

[34] The at least one pushbutton may comprise a first pushbutton for incrementing the time period by a first time period and a second pushbutton for incrementing the time period by a second time period.

[35] The rotisserie cooking apparatus may further comprise a bracket for supporting the controller unit and the rotisserie rod extending from the controller unit.

[36] The controller unit may be slidably disengageable from the bracket.

[37] The controller unit may comprise a replaceable face.

[38] The controller unit may comprise a replaceable keypad.

[39] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[40] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[41] Figures 1 and 2 show front and side perspective views of rotisserie cooking apparatus for the internalised cooking of food in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[42] Figures 3 shows a user interface of the controller unit of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[43] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the controller unit of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[44] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[45] Figure 6 shows the modular nature of the controller unit of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[46] Figures 7 - 8 show exploded views of the rotatable electrical connection interface between the rod and the controller unit of the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[47] Figure 10 shows a socket of the controller unit for the selective engagement of the rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [48] Figure 11 shows a cutaway side perspective view of the apparatus showing the location of the heating element within the rod in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and [49] Figure 12 shows a side elevation view showing the componentry within the controller unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

[50] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure.

[51] Before the structures, systems and associated methods relating to the Rotisserie cooking apparatus for the internalised cooking of food are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[52] In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

[53] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[54] As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," "characterised by," and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[55] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[56] Turning now to figure 1, there is shown cooking apparatus comprising a controller unit 1 and a rotisserie rod 2 rotatably coupled to the controller unit 1.

[57] The apparatus comprises a drive for rotating the rotisserie rod 2 with respect to the controller unit 1. As such, the rotisserie rod 2 may span across a barbecue, oven or the like so as to allow for the externalised cooking food while the food is rotated by the rotisserie rod 2 in the conventional manner. [58] However, in contradistinction to conventional rotisseries, the apparatus is characterised in comprising a resistive heating element disposed within the rod 2 and connected by way of a rotatable electrical connection interface between the rod 2 and the controller unit 1 for the internalised cooking of the food in use.

[59] As such, the apparatus allows for the simultaneous external and internal cooking of food. Tests by the Inventor have shown that such internalised cooking may substantially reduce cooking time wherein, for example, cooking time for a chicken may be reduced by approximately 30 minutes. In this regard, the power supply supplied to the resistive heating element may, in embodiments, be between 400 and 900 W.

[60] Specifically, turning to figure 11, there is shown the resistive heating element 3 disposed within the rod 2. As can be seen, the rod 2 is cylindrical so as to make allowance for the accommodation of the resistive heating element 3 therein. In embodiments, the resistive heating element 3 may comprise electrical insulation, such as heat tolerant ceramic or the like so as to allow for the heating of the rod 2 while electrically isolating the rod 2 for safe handling.

[61] In embodiments, the rod 2 may be made of metal for superior heat conduction.

[62] Also shown in figure 11 is the rotatable electrical connection interface 29 interfacing the rod

2 and the controller unit 1 as will be described in further detail below. The rotatable electrical connection interface 29 allows the rod 2 to rotate with respect to the controller unit 1 while receiving continuous power therefrom for the powering of the resistive heating element 3.

[63] As can be seen also from figure 11, the resistive heating element 3 may be located substantially midway the rod 2 and electrically coupled to the electrical connection interface 12 by way of heat resistive electrical connectors. However, in other embodiments, the resistive heating element 3 may span approximately the entire length of the rod 2.

[64] Returning to figure 1, the apparatus may further comprise claws 25 fastened to the rod 2 for the purposes of engaging food for cooking. The claws 5 may extend radially from annular slip rings 27 releasably fastenable in position by way of screw fasteners 26.

[65] The end of the rod 2 distill the controller unit 1 may comprise a handle 28. The handle 28 may be removable so as to reveal a sharp and end of the rod 2 to assist skewering of the food.

[66] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus draws mains electrical power and may therefore comprise a mains switch 19. In this regard, figure 2 shows the opposite side of the apparatus wherein the mains electrical lead 20 can be seen exiting the controller unit 1.

[67] As will be described in further detail below, the controller unit 1 may comprise a user interface which, in embodiment, may comprise a digital display 11 and a plurality of pushbuttons 30 for the purposes of controlling the operation of the controller unit 1. [68] Furthermore, the controller unit 1 may be fastened to the barbecue, oven or the like by way of mounting bracket 21 as also be described in further detail below.

[69] Turning now to figure 3, there is shown the user interface in further detail. In a preferred embodiment, the controller unit 1 comprises digital controller circuitry for the purposes of digitally controlling the operation of the controller unit 1 and allowing for the operation of the user interface in the manner described herein.

[70] Such digital controller circuitry may comprise a processor for processing digital data which, in embodiments, take the form of a FPGA device or the like suited for the harsh operational environment required. Furthermore, the digital controller circuitry may comprise a memory device comprising software/firmware, including computer program code for controlling the controller unit 1 setting variables, lookup tables and the like.

[71] Now, as alluded to above, the user interface may comprise a plurality of pushbuttons 30.

[72] In one embodiment, the pushbuttons 30 may comprise a heating control pushbuttons 15 for controlling heating element power supply control circuitry for controlling the power supply to the resistive heating element 3. In this regard, the heating element power supply control circuitry may comprise a memory device for storing a power supply set point. Furthermore, the heating control pushbuttons 5 may comprise a first pushbutton for incrementing raising the power supply set point and a second pushbutton for incrementally lowering the power supply set point. In this manner, and for example using the exemplary power supply range described above, the pushbuttons 15 may be configured for controlling the power supply within a range of 400 to 900 W. Other power supply ranges may be implemented within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein.

[73] Furthermore, the pushbuttons 30 may comprise an on-off pushbutton 16 for controlling the operation of the heating element 3 or of the controller unit 1. In embodiments, the on-off pushbutton 16 is digitally implemented, being subservient to the mains power supply switch 19.

[74] The pushbuttons 30 may further comprise a pushbutton toggle for controlling drive power supply control circuitry for controlling the drive. As such, by selectively toggling the pushbutton 17, the drive selectively operates and the rod 2 therefore alternately rotates.

[75] Furthermore, the pushbuttons 30 may further comprise operational timer pushbuttons 18 for controlling a time period for the operation of the resistive heating element 3 and/or the drive.

[76] As can be seen, in embodiment, the timer pushbuttons 18 may comprise a first pushbutton for incrementing the time period set point by a first time period (such as in minutes, such as one minute, five minutes or the like) and a second pushbutton for incrementing the timer set point by a second time period (such as by hours, such as one hour). The timer power supply control circuitry may be configured to implement the timer set point in rollover mode such that repeated operation of the pushbuttons 18 causes the timer set point to reset once exceeding a threshold.

[77] The time period set point and/or the remaining time may be displayed by the digital display

11.

[78] It should be noted that variations to the user interface may be implemented within the purposive scope of the embodiments described herein.

[79] In embodiments, the controller unit 1 comprise a memory device comprising a look up table comprising various settings for the operation of the apparatus and retrievable from the look up table in accordance with various food parameters such as food type, food state, desired cooking result and food weight.

[80] For example, utilising the user interface, the user may input that the user wishes to cook two frozen chickens each weighing approximately 2 kg. As such, having received such food parameters, the controller unit 1 may suggest or dynamically configure both the power supply to the resistive heating element 1 and the operational time timer set point. For example, the controller unit 1 may supply 600 W of power to the resistive heating element for a period of two hours. The controller unit 1 may further instruct the user as to the appropriate temperature for the barbecue or oven, such as, wherein, for example, the controller unit 1 instructs, by way of the digital display 11, the user to set the barbecue to 200°C.

[81] In embodiments the controller unit 1 may be configured to implement a dynamic heating schedule wherein the power supply to the resistive heating element 3 varies with time such as wherein, for example, an initial low-power (such as 400 W) is supplied to the resistive heating element 3 for thawing purposes for a predetermined period such as one hour where after, upon expiration of the initial period, the power supply to the resistive heating element 3 is incremented for cooking purposes.

[82] In embodiments, the controller unit 1 may be configured for sensing the internal temperature of the cooking food so as to ascertain a cooked state. Specifically, at least temperature sensor may be located within the rod 2 to measure the temperature accordingly wherein the controller unit 1 is configured to ascertain the cooked state of the food in accordance with the temperature reading from the temperature sensor.

[83] Given that the resistive heating element 3 may itself be heating the rod 2 from within, and may not be possible for the controller 1 to ascertain the exact internal temperature of the food. However, in embodiments the controller 1 may ascertain the cooked state of food utilising temperature differentials from a plurality of temperature sensors. [84] Specifically, in this embodiment, a plurality of temperature sensors may be located along the length of the rod 2. As such, when heated, each of the temperature sensors may register a rod temperature of say, 200°C. However, if raw food is loaded onto the rod 2, certain of the temperature sensors will register a lower temperature, such as 100°C.

[85] As such, the memory device of the controller 1 may be configured for estimating the internal temperature of the food in accordance with the temperature differentials. For example, the controller 1 may estimate that the lower temperature of 100°C represents an internal temperature of the food of say room temperature, being approximately 21°C. However, as the temperature rises, such as to 120°C, the controller 1 may estimate that the internal temperature of the food is now 41°C.

[86] In embodiment, the controller 1 may identify the temperature minima for determining the temperature baseline wherein the internal cooking temperature of the food is thereafter estimated by the controller 1 in accordance with the temperature differential from the temperature minima.

[87] In a further embodiment, the controller 1 may be configured for estimating the internal cooking temperature of the food in accordance with rate of change differentials of adjacent temperature sensors wherein, for example, when starting from cold, temperature sensors adjacent food may measure a slower rise in temperature as opposed to adjacent temperature sensors devoid of food.

[88] In embodiments, the user may input into the controller 1 the food estate prior to cooking such as whether room temperature, defrosted, frozen or the like such that the controller 1 may start from the appropriate baseline when estimating the internal temperature of the food.

[89] In other embodiments, a look up table within the memory device of the controller 1 may be utilised for nonlinear relationships between the sensed temperature within the rod 2 and the internal temperature of the food.

[90] As such, the controller 1 may estimate the internal temperature of the cooking food so as to be able to control the cooking thereof such as wherein, for example, the controller 1 is configured to notify the user, reduce temperature or the like when the particular type of food has reached a desired cooked state.

[91] The controller 1 may be configured for resolving the sensed temperature into particular food cooked state categories such as rare, medium rare, medium and well done, for example.

[92] Turning now to figure 4, there is shown a rear view of the apparatus showing the controller unit 1 and the rod 2 in further detail. As can be seen, in this embodiment, the controller unit 1 is supported by the bracket 21. The bracket 21 comprises a plurality of elongate apertures in various orientations so as to be suited for fastening to differing barbecue fastening arrangements. [93] Furthermore, as can be seen, in embodiments, the controller unit 1 is configured for slidably engaging the bracket 21 wherein, as can be seen, the bracket 21 comprises a pair of outwardly extending flanges about which is engaged complimentary inwardly extending smaller flanges 22 of the controller 1 so as to allow for the slidable engagement of the controller unit 1 to the bracket 21 by lowering the controller unit 1 onto the bracket 21.

[94] As can also be seen, the rear panel of the bracket 21 comprises a notch in which the rod 2 sits. The lateral panels of the bracket 21 extend sufficiently far so as to allow for the accommodation of the socket 6 as will be described in further detail below.

[95] Turning now to figure 6, there is shown an embodiment of the controller unit 1 in accordance with an embodiment wherein the controller unit 1 is modular.

[96] As can be seen, in this embodiment, the controller unit 1 comprises a housing 14. Furthermore, the controller 1 comprises a replaceable face 12 configured to overlay the housing 14. The replaceable face 12 allows for changing of appearance, such as colouring, language

and the like so as to allow the apparatus to be suited for differing applications.

[97] In the embodiment shown, the controller unit 1 further comprises a replaceable keypad 13 configured to overlay the mechanical pushbuttons 31. Again, the replaceable keypad 13 may be replaced so to comprise differing icons for differing configurations.

[98] As can be seen from this illustration also, the controller unit 1 may comprise a PCB 23 comprising various surface mount components such as the above-described digital display 11 which, in this embodiment may take the form of an LED display.

[99] Various intermediate PCBs/supportive manifolds 32 may also be provided for accommodating the additional componentry including the drive elements as will be described in further detail below. Such intermediate PCBs 32 may be spaced by way of column spacers 33.

[100] Turning now to figure 7, there is shown a further exploded isometric view of the apparatus showing there is componentry in further detail. Specifically, as can be seen is the above-described PCB device 23. Furthermore, the also above-described drive may comprise an electrical motor 4 comprising a shaft 34 extending into a bearing 5 supporting which acts on a driveshaft 35 which rotates the rod 2 accordingly.

[101] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the rod 2 is selectively disengageable from the controller unit 1 so as to be suited for replacement, washing, loading and removing of food and the like.

[102] As regard, as is also shown in figure 7, the rotatable electrical connection interface 29 comprises the controller unit 1 comprising a socket 6 for the releasable engagement of the rod 2 therein in use. The electrical connection interface 29 further comprises a plurality of electrical connections 9 which will be described with reference to the rotatable electrical connection interface 29 in further detail below.

[103] As such, turning now to figure 8, there is shown the rotatable electrical connection interface 29 in further detail.

[104] As can be seen from figure 8, the interface 29 comprises the aforementioned socket 6.

[105] Now, in an embodiment, the interface 29 comprises slip ring electrical connections so as to allow the socket 6 to rotate with respect to the housing 14 while remaining in electrical contact.

[106] Differing slip ring electrical connections may be provided for differing electrical connections such as wherein, when the apparatus relies upon insulation for safety, slip ring electrical connections may be provided for positive and negative electrical connections. However, in a preferred embodiment, a slip ring electrical connection may be additionally provided for an earth electrical connection for earthing the rod 2.

[107] As can be furthermore seen from figure 8, discs 24 are respectively inserted into the rod 2 and the socket 6 for accommodating complimentary electrical connection pins 9. In embodiments, at least one set of the electrical pins 9 is displaceable, such as by way of Pogo pin/spring arrangement so as to allow the one set of the electrical pins 9 to be displaced to accommodate the other set of electrical pins as the rod 2 is inserted into the socket 6.

[108] Furthermore, for retaining the rod 2 within the socket 6, the rod 2 may comprise a circumferential groove 7 for accommodating a plurality of plungers 10 of the socket 6. In embodiments, the plungers 10 may take the form of ball spring plungers.

[109] As such, with such a construction, as can be appreciated, the rod 2 may be inserted into the socket 6 wherein the groove 7 and the plungers 10 retain the rod 2 within the socket 6 and the electrical connections 9 allow for the supply of power to the resistive heating element 2. Thereafter, the rod 2 may be disengaged from the socket 6 by pulling the rod 2 from the socket 6. In doing so, the electrical connections pins 9 will simultaneously disconnect thereby removing electrical power from the rod 2.

[110] In embodiments, the electrical pins 9 may be rotational agnostic wherein the electrical pins 9 are configured for correctly making electrical contact no matter the rotation of the rod 2 with respect to the socket 6. In this regard, the electrical connection pins 9 may be concentric and radially offset so as to allow for differing electrical connections at differing radial offsets.

[Ill] However, in a preferred embodiment, the rod 2 and the socket 6 comprise keying 8. The keying 8 allows for the correct alignment of the electrical connection pins 9. Furthermore, the keying 8 may prevent the rotational slippage of the rod 2 with respect to the socket. [112] In the embodiment shown, the keying 8 comprises the rod 2 comprising female keying 8A and the disk 24A of the socket 6 comprising male keying 8B.

[113] Turning now to the 12, there is shown a cross-sectional elevation view of the controller unit 1 showing the location of the various components when assembled. In this illustration the drive motor 4 is shown comprising the shaft 34 extending into the bearing 5.

[114] In embodiments, the controller 1 may be controllable from a personal computing device such as a mobile communication device such as a smartphone or the like. In this embodiment, the controller 1 may communicate with the mobile communication device using a near field wireless technologies such as Bluetooth. In this regard, the user may pair the controller 1 and the mobile communication device so as to be able to control the functionality thereof, receive readings and the like.

[115] For example, utilising a software application executing on the mobile communication device, the user may control the controller 1 such as by controlling the rotation of the rod 2, the cooking temperature, the food cooking parameters and the like.

[116] Additionally, the user may view the cooking parameters using the software application, such as the cooking time, rod temperature, food internal temperature and the like. Additionally, the user may receive notifications via the software application such as notifications relating to an expiry of a cooking time period, notification of a food reaching a desired cooked state and the like.

I nterpretation

Embodiments:

[118] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[119] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[120] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[121] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[122] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. Terminology

[123] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

[124] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[125] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[126] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[127] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

I ndustria l Applicability

[128] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the cooking apparatus industries.