Convection based cooking apparatus having enhanced heat retention

Abstract

An invention is afforded for a convection based cooking apparatus having enhanced heat retention. The convention based cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber configured to holding food to be processed. An air inlet is situated in fluid communication with the cooking chamber for receiving air into the cooking chamber, and an air outlet is provided in fluid communication with the cooking chamber for venting the cooking chamber. In addition, a heating source is included that is configured to switch between an ON state and an OFF state, whereby a temperature of air located within the cooking chamber is regulated. Further, a drafting means is provided that is configured to circulate air present within the cooking chamber. In communication with the air outlet is a vent prevention apparatus. The vent prevention apparatus allows air to escape the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the ON state, and prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the OFF state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convection based cooking apparatus having enhanced heat retention, comprising:
 a cooking chamber configured to holding food to be processed;   an air inlet in fluid communication with the cooking chamber for receiving air into the cooking chamber;   an air outlet in fluid communication with the cooking chamber for venting the cooking chamber;   a heating source configured to switch between an ON state that provides heat and an OFF state that does not provide heat, whereby a temperature of air located within the cooking chamber is regulated;   a drafting means configured to circulate air present within the cooking chamber; and   a vent prevention apparatus in communication with the air outlet, wherein the vent prevention apparatus allows air to escape the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the ON state, and wherein the vent prevention apparatus prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the OFF state.   
     
     
         2 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the heating source comprises at least one gas burner. 
     
     
         3 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the drafting means is a blower. 
     
     
         4 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vent prevention apparatus comprises a shutter in communication with a linear solenoid. 
     
     
         5 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the shutter prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the OFF state. 
     
     
         6 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the shutter allows air to escape the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the ON state. 
     
     
         7 . A method for providing enhanced heat retention in a convection based cooking apparatus, comprising:
 setting a heating source to an ON state and allowing air to escape a cooking chamber via an air outlet, wherein the heating source provides heat when set to the ON state;   determining whether a temperature within the cooking chamber has reached a predetermined level; and   setting the heating source to an OFF state and preventing air from escaping a cooking chamber via the air outlet when the temperature within the cooking chamber has reached a desired level, wherein the heating source does not provide heat when set to the OFF state.   
     
     
         8 . A method as recited  claim 7 , further comprising the operation of circulating the air present within the cooking chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising the operation of drawing air across the heating source and into the cooking chamber via a drafting means. 
     
     
         10 . A method as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the drafting means is a blower. 
     
     
         11 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the heating source comprises at least one gas burner. 
     
     
         12 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the heating source comprises at least one electric heating element. 
     
     
         13 . A method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the vent prevention apparatus prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the OFF state. 
     
     
         14 . A method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the vent prevention apparatus allows air to escape the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the ON state. 
     
     
         15 . A convection based cooking apparatus having enhanced heat retention, comprising:
 a cooking chamber configured to holding food to be processed;   an air outlet in fluid communication with the cooking chamber for venting the cooking chamber;   a heating source configured to switch between an ON state that provides heat and an OFF state that does not provide heat, whereby a temperature of air located within the cooking chamber is regulated;   a drafting means configured to circulate air present within the cooking chamber; and   a vent prevention apparatus in communication with the air outlet, wherein the vent prevention apparatus allows air to escape the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the ON state, and wherein the vent prevention apparatus prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber via the air outlet when the heating source is in the OFF state.   
     
     
         16 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the heating source comprises at least one electric heating element. 
     
     
         17 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the drafting means is a blower. 
     
     
         18 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the vent prevention apparatus comprises a shutter in communication with a linear solenoid. 
     
     
         19 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the shutter prevents air from escaping the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the OFF state. 
     
     
         20 . A convection based cooking apparatus as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the shutter allows air to escape the cooking chamber when the heating source is in the ON state.