USRE23709E - Automatic gas and electric pressure - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1, 1953 1; PAGE AUTOMATIC GAS AND ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER 3' Sheets-Sheet 1' Original Filed Sept. 27, 1945 INVENTOR IRVING- PAGE BY Q - ATTORNEY Rev 23,709

' 1. PAGE AUTOMATIC GAS AND ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER Sept. 1, 1953 Original Filed Sept.v 2'7, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 H T m N R E o v Q T m m m v R Tll- Y a B F iflflfl F J m 9 l o J 9 m 6 s m kt J am 1 mm Sept. 1, 1953 1. PAGE Re. 23,709

AUTOMATIC GAS AND ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER Original Filed Sept. 27, 1945 's'sheets-sheex 3 5 is! (in: aunjr i HO 95 f 7.- INVENTOIR .98 I -v N PA 3- JJA BY P 7 Reissued Sept. 1, 1953 D ELECTRIC PRESSURE AUTOMATIC GAS AN COO KER

Irving Page, New York, N. Y.

Original No. 2,537,695, dated January 9, 1951, Serial No. 618,850, September 27, 1945. Application for reissue December 29, 1951, Serial No.

8 Claims.

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue ification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pressure cookers, and has more particular reference to an automatic gas and electric pressure cooker.

More particularly the invention proposes a new and improved pressure cooker or pot which is arranged to be heated by a gas flame, and by an electric winding. An automatic arrangement is proposed to control the supply of gas to the flame and the supply of electric current to the winding, so as to turn off the heat when the internal pressure of the pot reaches a predetermined amount. An arrangement is also proposed whereby one or both of the heating devices may be further operated so as to maintain the heat for a predetermined time to cook those foods, which require pressure as well as time. ese foods which are cooked quickly when the predetermined pressure is reached are finished the first time that the automatic device works to shut oif the heating devices.

The invention furthermore contemplates providing the pressure pot with a safety valve and a pressure gauge so that it may be safely operated.

It is also proposed to characterize the new pressure pot by the fact that it includes a container for a pot and a cover. Clamps are used to clamp the cover in position on the container.

It is proposed to so arrange the clamps so that they operate to close vent openings formed in the container and serve to permit the escape of gases while the cover clamp are being loosened. It is proposed that the clamps control a switch which controls the circuit with the electric wind- A novel arrangement is also proposed for cooling the pot so that when the cover is removed from the container, the pot is not too hot to be handled.

A novel way is proposed for holding the cover in position on the top of the pot.

Still further the invention proposes a new and improved gas and electric automatic pressure pot as briefly explained, which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, ref erence Will he had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a gas and electric automatic pressure pot constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational viewlooking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig.

Fig. 5A is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 5 having portions thereof broken away to reveal detailed construction.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior of the container, specifically illustrating parts which assist in supporting the pot.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 'I'I of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed view of the pressure responsive device which operates the automatic control for the gas and electric heating devices.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 3 but disclosing the parts in greater detail.

Fig. 10A is a view similar to a portion of Fig. 10, but illustrating a different position of the parts.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 3, and more specifically the upper right-hand corner thereof.

Fig. 11A is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of Fig. 11.

Fig. 12 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electric circuit of the device.

The new and improved gas and electric automatic pressure pot in accordance with this invention, includes a container l5 adapted to reeeive and hold the pot [6 in which food may be placed for cooking. The pot I6 has handles [6' and the container l5 has handles [5. The container i5 has a horizontal bottom spider-like partition I 1 upon which the pot It may rest. This partition I! is provided with a projection 18 at one point which engages a complementary groove l9 formed in the pot l6 by which it is possible to position the pot IS in identical positions on the partition ll. The pot I6 is provided with a cover 20 having a handle 20'.

The container [5 is provided with a cover 2| having a rim 22 adapted to rest upon a rim 23 formed upon the top of the container IS. The

rims 22 and 23 have parallel interengaged surfaces 24 for assisting in sealing the cover 2| on the container I5. Clamp means is provided for clamping the cover 2| in position. These clamp means include clamps 26 engageable over the rims 22 and 23 and provided with clamp screws 21 which may be tightened to tighten the clamps in position on the rims 22 and23lfor clamping the cover 2| in position.

Each clamp 29 is provided with a projecting end portion 28, which have small plug-like portions 29 normally engaging into vent openings 38 formed in the cover 2| and connecting with tubes 39' which connect with tubes 39".- Thearrangement is such that when the clamps 2B are tight then the plug-like projections 29 engage the vents 3 and tightly seal the tubes 39'.

A handle 32 is mounted upon the top of the cover 2| by which the cover 2| may be easily gripped and moved. A partition 33 divides off a top section of the cover, which is filled with asbestos 34, or other heat insulation material for preventing the topof the cover from becoming too hot. A safety valve 36 and a pressure gauge 31 are mounted on the projected top ends of the tubes 39 which extend through the cover 21 for cooperation with the pot I8. More particularly the cover of the pot I6 is provided with funnel portions38 which" communicate with the interior of the pot- IB. The tubes 39 of the safety valve I 36 and the pressure gauge 3! fit into and tightly engage the funnels 38 when the cover 2|) is correctly positioned on the pot I6 and the cover 2| is mounted upon the container I5.

The interior of the container I5 is provided with opposed shelves 48 upon which clamps 4| are mounted. These clamps 4| are slidable in tracks 42 on the shelves 48. The clamps 4| are capable of being clamped in several adjusted positions. Clamp screws 43 engage through the clamps 4| and are cooperative with series of openings 44 formed upon the shelves 40. The clamps 4| comprise a pair of clamp jaws 45 and 45' which are engageable with flanges 41 formed on adjacent portions of the cover 28 and pot I8,

see Figs. 5 and 5A. Theseflangesfl, atone point, are formed with very small recesses 48 into which small projections 49 on the jaws 45 and 46' engage, see Fig. 5A, for correctly securing the cover 20' upon the pot I6 so that the" funnels 38: will align with the tubes 39.

The opposed edges of theshelves 48 are formed with tracks 58 within which semi-circular slides 5| are slidably mounted. Clamp screws 53- are cooperative with the slides 5| to hold them in extended and retracted positions. The screws 53 are mounted upon the lowermost members 5| and pass through slots 54 formed in other members 5|. In this way it is possible to clamp the members 5| in extended or retracted positions. In extended positions the members 5| are capable of engaging about the sides of the pot I 6 for assisting in holding the pot centrally within the container I5. In retracted positions the members 5| may engage several different sizes and shapes of pots.

A cooler system is associated with the container I5 and the cover 2| by which it is possible to cool off the pot I6. This cooler system in cludes a water coil 55 engaged around the pot I5. The coil 55 has an inlet 55 extending out from the side of the container I5 and adapted to be connected by a water hose with a water faucet or other water supply and a valve controlled outlet 68. A water coil 58 is mounted within the cover 2|. This coil 58 has an inlet 59 extending out from the side of the cover 2| and adapted to be connected with a water supply hose and a valve controlled outlet 59.

A gas burner is provided for heating the pot I8. This gas burner is in the nature of the usual annular gas burner member 6|. This member 8| is supported within the bottom of the container I 5 below the partition IT. The gas burner member 8| has the usual inlet 62 for the airgas mixture.

A gassupply pipe 63 is connected with the inlet 62 in the usual way. The gas pipe 63 extends through the sides of the container l5. A gas supply valve 64 is mounted upon the gas pipe 63 by which the gas may be controlled. An auxiliary automatic control valve 66 is mounted upon the gas pipe 53 within the container I5. This valve 69 has an operator stem 61 which extends upwards through a bushing 68 mounted upon the partition I1. The top of the stem Ii! is provided witha knob 69 which-is engaged by a cam arm 1-0.. This cam. arm I0 is supported by a pintle H upon a bracket I2 mounted within the container I5.

The upper end of the cam arm 18 is provided with an offset portion 13 which engages the side of a pressure responsive device I4 mounted on and through the wall of the pot I6. This pressure responsive device I4 is shown in detail. in Fig. 9.. It consists of a gland-like. body I6 mounted on and through the wall of the pot I5. A plunger l1. projects from the outer end: of the body I5. A loading spring I8 normally urges the plunger 17' inwards. The plunger IT is connected with a piston which slidesiin a cylinder 8| formed within the body 16. The cylinder 8| connects witha passage 82 which connects. with the interior of the pot I6. When a predetermined pressure is reached within the pot I6, the piston 88 will be moved, compressing the spring "I8 so that the plunger IT is extended and engages the end I3 of the cam arm in pivoting the cam arm and causing the valve stem 51 to be moved downwards closing the valve 68. This cuts off the gas supply to the burner member 6|. A contraction spring 86 acts between the cam arm 10 and the container I5 for normally tending to pivot the cam arm so that the oiTset end I3 maintains its position against the plunger 11.

An electric heating winding 88 is mounted within the bottom of the container I5 below the partition I]. This electric heating winding 88 is connected in a circuit 89 which includes a manually operable switch 98' and an automatic switch 9|. This automatic switch 9| consists of a contact arm 92 mounted upon the cam arm Ill and cooperative with a stationary contact arm. 93 mounted within the container I5. When the cam arm I8 pivots to close the valve 55 the switch 9| automatically opens so as to open the electric circuit through the heating winding 88. The bottom of the container I5 is closed with a disc 94. An air inlet tube is mounted through the side of the container and. acts to supply air to the gas burner member BI between the partition I! and the disc 94 to support combustion. The gases resulting from combustion rise in the container I5 past the spider-like partition I! and exhaust from the interior of the container I5 through the exhaust ports 95', see Figs. 1, 2 and 4. The heating winding 88 also serves as a pilot to light the gas burner 6|. The container I5 has a colored glass window l-5a opposite the burner 6| by which it is possible to see whether or not the burner is lit.

A latch is associated with the cam arm 10 for locking it in the position when the gas valve 66 is closed and. the switch 9| is open. This latch includes a tubular gland 96 mounted through the wall of the container I5. A stem 91 passes through the gland 96. The outer end of the stem 91 has a handle 98 by which it may be moved. The inner end of the stem 91 is provided with a flange 99 against which an expansion spring I acts. This spring I00 tends to urge the stem 91 inward. A keeper element IOI is mounted upon the cam arm 10. Normally the stem 91 engages against the bottom face of the keeper IOI. However, when the cam arm 10 pivots to close the valve 66 and open the switch 9|, the stem 91 will move inward and engage the side of the keeper I0| locking the cam arm 16 in its pivoted position, see Fig. 10A.

One of the clamps 26 controls a switch I connected in series in the circuit 89. This circuit also includes an indicator lamp I06. The switch I05 is of the type which is normally open. When the screw 21 of the clamp 26 is turned completely inwards, it forces the switch I05 closed, see Fig. 11. The lamp I06 is mounted upon the cover 2|. A translucent guard I01 is mounted over the lamp I06. The circuit 69 extends from the cover 2| to the container I5 through contacts I08 and I09 on these parts, respectively, which engage each other when the cover 2| is in position on the container I5. The contact I09 of the container I5 are spaced and the contact I09 in the cover 2| bridges the contacts I08 when the cover I5 is in position on the container I5, see Fig. 11A.

The circuit 89 also includes a time switch III). This time .switch has an adjustment knob I I I by which it may be set. The time switch IIO controls the circuit B9. It is operated by a circuit H2. A shunt connection I|4 from the time switch III) shunts the automatic switch 9|. The time switch III! may be set to open the circuit 09 after a preselected time. Because of the shunt I I4 the circuit 89 may be kept closed by the time switch 0 even though the automatic switch 9| is open, if this operation is desired.

The operation of the new and improved pressure pot may be understood from the following:

Let us assume that the pot is in the condition as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this condition the gas burner member BI is being supplied with gas and the flame is heating the spider-like partition l1 and the pot I6. Since the switch 9| is closed the electric winding 88 is being supplied with electric current for heating the pot I6. When the internal pressure within the pot I6 exceeds a safe limit the safety valve 36 will act. The gauge 31 may be examined at any time to ascertain the pressure in the pot I6.

When the internal pressure of the pot I6 has reached a predetermined amount, depending upon the design of the spring 18 in the pressure responsive device 14, which may be replaced by other devices with springs of other design, the plunger 11 will be extended. When the plunger 11 moves outwards it pivots the cam arm causing the valve 66 to be closed and the switch automatically turns of? the the heating winding 88 and of gas to the burner member 9| to be open. This supply of current to closes off the supply 6|. If it is desired to maintain cooking at the desired pressure and temperature it is merely necessary to release the cam arm 10 by disengaging stem 91 from keeper WI, and the spring 86 rotates the cam arm to its original position. This closes the switch 9| and supplie current to the heating coil 88. The valve 66 is reopened so that the gas is again supplied to the burner member 6| which will be ignited by the winding 88. If it is desired to solely use the electric heating device, the main valve 64 of the gas pipe 63 is turned 01f. When the internal pressure within the pot I6 again reaches the maximum, the plunger 11 will again project and again the cam arm 19 will function to reopen the switch 9|. However, since it is possible to operate the pressure pot without the gas burner, it is merely a matter of design to so design the electric heating winding 83 that the pressure within the pot I6 will be closely maintained but not reached for a pre-determined time. For example, five minutes or ten minutes depending upon design.

When the cover 2| is mounted upon the container I5 and the clamps 26 are tightened for holding the cover in position, one of the clamp screws 21 will close the switch I05. This closes the circuit 89. The indicator lamp I06 lights up and indicates this fact. When the circuit 89 is closed the heating winding 68 becomes energized. It acts as a pilot for lighting the gas burner 6|. The time switch ||0 controls the circuit 89. The pressure responsive device 14 makes it possible to maintain selected pressures and temperatures within the pot I6 by pivoting the cam arm 10 against the action of the spring 86 to close the control valve 66 of the gas pipe 63. Such pivotal movement of the cam arm 10, under the influence of the pressure responsive device 14, also opens the switch 9| to open the circuit 89 and de-energize the heating coil 88.

After the food within the pot I6 has been cooked it is necessary to cool off the cover and the pot I6. This may be done by opening the supply of water to the coils 55 and 58. After a short time the clamp screws 21 are loosened. If there is still internal steam or pressure within the pot I6, this pressure will escape through the vent openings as the clamps 26 become loose.

The cover 2| may now be safely removed and then the pot I6 with its cover 20 may be removed.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

l. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot, comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, and pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas and electric means inoperative.

2. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas means inoperative, and manually operative means for restoring the operation of said gas and electric heating means.

3. A gas and electric automatic pres-sure pot comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, pressure responsive means connected with said not for rendering said gas means inoperative, and manually operative means for restoring the operation of said gas and electric heating means, the container and its cover being provided with a water-cooling system adapted for manual control subsequently to the gas and electric heating means being rendered inoperative, thereby providing a pressure pot having controllable heating and cooling means.

4. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, pressure responsive means connected said pot for rendering said gas means inoperative, and manually operative means for restoring the operation of said gas and electric heating means, the container being provided with a horizontal, bottom spider-like partition on which said pot rests, said pot and partition being provided with interengageable portions to ensure that the pot is always in the correct position for operation and use.

5. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas means inoperative, manually operative means for restoring the operation of said gas and electric heating means, a cover for said pot, funnel portions provided on said cover and communicating with the interior of said pot, a pressure gauge tightly fitting into and engaging one of said funnels and a safety valve tightly fitting into and engaging another of said funnels when the pot cover is correctly positioned on the pot and the container cover is in position, said pressure gauge and safety valve extending through the said container cover and projecting thereabove.

6. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a ,pot removably mounted in said containcr, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means,

pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas means inoperative, and.

manually operative means for restoring the operation of said gas and electric heating means, said pressure responsive means being mounted on and eatending laterally through the pot wall and being actuated by the attainment of a predetermined pressure within the pot.

7. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot, comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed within and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, and pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas and electric means inoperative, said electrical heating means including a circuit having an automatic switch and a time switch either of which is capable of breaking said circuit, said circuit and switches being interconnected electrically so that the circuit may be maintained in closed condition by the time switch even when the automatic switch is open.

8. A gas and electric automatic pressure pot, comprising a container for a pot, a cover for said container, a pot removably mounted in said container, gas and electric heating means disposed and supported by said container, said gas and electric heating means being positioned below said pot, said electrical heating means when energized initiating ignition of said gas means, pressure responsive means connected with said pot for rendering said gas and electric means inoperative, and manual means for rendering the gas heating means inoperative whereby the pressure pot is adapted to be operated by the electrical heating means alone.

IRVING PAGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Prindle Dec. 13, Todd Mar. 9, Booker June 24, Herdrich Sept. 27, Fish Apr. 27, 'Coles Sept. 28, Hettinger July 12, Saeki Mar. 17, McFarlane Oct. 27, Demuth May 11, Simpson June 4, Goughnour Apr. 29, Carroll Nov. 11, Starr May 5, Rosellini Jan. 2, Walder Dec. 14, Swartz Feb. 7, Wilcox Mar. 28, Graham Jan. 19, Allen Feb. 20, Wilson Jan. 1, 1946 Whitney June 7, 1949 Newell Mar. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Sweden Feb. 21, 1933 France Apr. 23, 1914 Number Number

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