Refrigerator-oven

Abstract

A self-contained refrigerator / freezer and oven, for refrigerating / freezing and cooking food in the same enclosed chamber, which can be actuated by the operator from a variety of remote locations around the world through a public exchange computer communications system, a public switched telephone network, or the internet. The oven has a heating element such as an electrical resistance heating element or a gas burner. A controller is in communication with the heating unit and the refrigeration / freezer unit. The controller activates the refrigeration / freezing unit when a cooling mode is desired, and activates the heating unit when a heating mode is desired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a combination appliance for cooling / freezing and cooking a food item, and more specifically to a self-contained refrigerator / freezer and oven, for refrigerating / freezing and cooking food in the same enclosed chamber, which can be actuated by the operator from a variety of remote locations around the world through a public exchange computer communications system, the public switched telephone network or the Internet. [0002] Many families today have two wage earners and as a consequence, there can be a significant delay when they both return from work before the evening meal can be prepared. Not only that, but sometimes their schedules change during the day so that the time when the evening meal is to be prepared must be changed. [0003] There are a number of combination refrigeration systems and heating units known wherein the food is confined to the same space. U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,593, Mansbery et al., the conten...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] When remote actuation is desired, the present invention contemplates a first means for controlling the operation of the heating element and the refrigeration module, and a second means for sending and receiving data concerning the heating element and the refrigeration module to and from the remote location via either a telephone or the Internet, whereby an individual may evaluate data concerning the heating element and the refrigeration module received through the second means thus enabling the individual to direct and control the first means through the second means.

[0010] When remote actuation is desired, the present invention contemplates a first means for controlling the operation of the heating element and the freezer module, and a second means for sending and receiving data concerning the heating element and the freezer module to and from the remote location via either a telephone or the Internet, whereby an individual may evaluate data concerning the heating element and the freezer module received through the second means thus enabling the individual to direct and control the first means through the second means.

[0013] Yet, another aspect of the present invention contemplates a time-bake cooking cycle for a freezer oven used to cook a food item. The freezer oven comprises a cooking chamber selectively closeable by a door, a heating element for heating the cooking chamber, a freezer unit for cooling the cooking chamber, a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the cooking chamber, a data input device for inputting user-selected cooking cycle parameters, and a controller. The controller operably coupling the heating element, freezer unit, temperature sensor, and the data input device to selectively actuate the heating element and the freezer unit in response to the sensed temperature and to implement the cooking cycle as defined by the cooking cycle parameters. The time-bake cooking cycle comprising a freeze cycle, a bake cycle, and a warm cycle. In an alternate embodiment, the time-bake cooking cycle comprises a freeze cycle, a bake cycle, and a warm cycle or cool cycle, or both. During the freeze cycle the temperature of the cooking chamber is maintained at a first predetermined temperature to prevent spoilage of the food item in the cooking chamber. The bake cycle following the freeze cycle maintains the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature to cook the food item in the cooking chamber. The warm cycle following the bake cycle maintains the temperature of the cooking chamber at a temperature suitable for serving the food item upon removal from the cooking chamber.

Problems solved by technology

Many families today have two wage earners and as a consequence, there can be a significant delay when they both return from work before the evening meal can be prepared.

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