Cooking vessel comprising a sensor support

Provided is a cooking vessel (1) including a body (2) equipped with a bottom (3) and a lateral wall (4), a handle (20) mounted to the body (2) by mounting means (6, 22), and a sensor (30) disposed in a receiving housing (11) near the bottom (3) and equipped with at least one electrically insulated conducting element (31, 32), said sensor (30) and said conducting element (31, 32) being mounted to a support (40) which extends from the bottom (3) along the lateral wall (4) and which is mounted to the handle (20). The support (40) includes a retaining part (42) for the sensor and the conducting element and at least one programmed deformation area (50, 55a, 55b) to allow mobility between the retaining part (42) for the sensor and the conducting element and the handle (20) in at least one direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1559693 filed Oct. 12, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cooking vessel made to be placed on a cooktop, burner or the like for cooking food, for example a skillet, saucepan, stockpot, or pressure cooker, more particularly a cooking vessel equipped with a body comprising a sensor, particularly a temperature sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

There is a cooking vessel known from the document DE20203556 comprising a body equipped with a bottom and a lateral wall, a handle mounted to the body by mounting means and a sensor disposed in a housing near the bottom and equipped with two electrically insulated conducting elements. The mounting means comprise a part disposed on the body and a part on the handle. The sensor and the conducting elements are mounted to a support that extends from the bottom, along the lateral wall. The support is rigidly mounted to the handle.

Thus, the handle equipped with its part of the mounting means and the support equipped with the sensor form a subassembly that can be produced independently from the rest of the cooking vessel. In this subassembly, the position between the sensor and the part of the mounting means can vary around a theoretical value and can have a minimum value or a maximum value, depending on the manufacturing tolerances. The body equipped with its part of the mounting means for the handle and the receiving housing for the sensor also forms a subassembly. The position between the receiving housing for the sensor and the part of the mounting means disposed on the body can also vary around a theoretical value and can have a minimum value or a maximum value, depending on the manufacturing tolerances.

During the final mounting of the handle subassembly onto the body subassembly, the sensor is positioned so as to be tightly fitted into its housing, and the handle part of the mounting means is also mounted so as to be tightly fitted into the body part of the mounting means. In the case where, for example, the position between the sensor and the handle part of the mounting means has a value close to the minimum value, and conversely, when the position between the receiving housing for the sensor and the part of the mounting means has a value close to the maximum value, stresses will appear in the support and the sensor, particularly in the area where the support is mounted on the handle, given that the mounting of the handle to the body is solid and tightly fitted.

Furthermore, in operation, the expansion differentials of the body and the support will also generate stresses in both the support and the sensor.

Thus, in use, these stresses can impair the operation of the sensor, damage the conducting elements, or break the support. Consequently, the cooking vessel may no longer have the functionalities provided by the sensor.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to propose a cooking vessel equipped with a sensor that offers reliable, repeatable, and long-lasting operation.

Another object of the invention is to propose a cooking vessel equipped with a sensor that is simple in design and economical to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved with a cooking vessel comprising a body equipped with a bottom and a lateral wall, a handle mounted to the body by mounting means, and a sensor disposed in a receiving housing near the bottom and equipped with at least one electrically insulated conducting element, said sensor and said conducting element being mounted to a support which extends from the bottom along the lateral wall and which is mounted to the handle, characterized in that the support includes a retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and at least one programmed deformation area to allow mobility in at least one direction between the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and the handle.

Thus the handle equipped with a part of the mounting means, the sensor, and the support advantageously forms a first subassembly, and the body equipped with a part of the handle-mounting means and the housing for the sensor forms a second subassembly.

During the assembly of the two subassemblies, the programmed deformation area makes it possible to accommodate the position tolerances between the housing for the sensor and the part of the handle-mounting means disposed on the body of the first subassembly and between the part of the handle-mounting means and the sensor of the second subassembly.

The term programmed deformation area is understood to mean an area capable of being deformed, preferably in front of the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element. The dimensions and the material of the deformation area are chosen so as to make it possible to obtain a deformation amplitude that is compatible with the position tolerances between the housing for the sensor and the part of the handle-mounting means disposed on the body of the second subassembly and the position tolerances between the sensor and the part of the handle-mounting means of the first subassembly, without generating harmful stresses on sensitive components like the sensor.

Advantageously, the programmed deformation area is deformed elastically. Thus, the programmed deformation area can return to its original shape after having been deformed.

Preferably, the support includes a programmed deformation area that is S-shaped.

The S shape is connected by a first end to the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and by a second end to a mounting part for the support which is connected to the handle. The neutral axis of the S shape is elongated, particularly relative to the neutral axis of a straight shape, in order to allow greater mobility.

Thus, this arrangement makes it possible to obtain mobility between the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and the handle, particularly in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which the S shape is located.

Advantageously, the S shape has a cross section S1and the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element has a cross section S2, S1being less than one third of S2.

This cross-sectional ratio makes it possible to obtain a rigid retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and a deformable S shape which constitutes the programmed deformation area.

Advantageously, the support comprises a mounting part disposed in a receptacle of the handle and the support comprises a programmed deformation area formed by two flexible tongues disposed opposite each other on the mounting part, which cooperate with two support surfaces of the receptacle of the handle.

The flexible tongues allow the mounting part of the support to move inside its receptacle. This arrangement makes it possible to obtain mobility between the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element and the handle.

Advantageously, the two flexible tongues include two angular free ends which form reverse locking means of the harpoon type once the mounting part is inserted into the receptacle.

This arrangement makes it possible to fulfill a function for retaining the support inside the handle without adding any additional parts, which is particularly economical.

Preferably, the support is made of a metal material, particularly an austenitic non-ferromagnetic stainless steel.

The support made of a metal material is adapted to withstand high temperatures, particularly in proximity to the bottom of the body. A support made of austenitic non-ferromagnetic stainless steel makes it possible, when the cooking vessel is used with an induction heating means, to obtain a support that does not couple with the induction heating means.

Advantageously, the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element has a substantially constant cross section, particularly in the shape of a flattened U.

This arrangement makes it possible to produce the support economically, particularly from a metal strip that is stamped to form a U shape.

Advantageously, the support includes tabs for retaining the conducting element.

Preferably, the sensor and a part of the conducting element are encapsulated in a tubular metal sheath, and the support includes two mounting tabs for the tubular sheath, the two mounting tabs having a spring effect for retaining the tubular sheath on the support.

These arrangements make it possible, particularly when the support is made from a metal strip that is cut out and then shaped by stamping, to provide the tabs directly in the cutout, thus avoiding having to add any parts in order to fulfill the function of retaining the conducting element and mounting the tubular sheath of the sensor.

Thus, the support equipped with tabs for retaining the conducting element and tabs for retaining the tubular element of the sensor is composed of a single piece.

Advantageously, the lateral wall includes a groove and the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element is disposed in the groove.

This arrangement makes it possible to integrate the support into the body so as not to have any protruding parts, thus facilitating cleaning and improving the esthetics.

Preferably, the means for mounting the handle on the body comprise a lug welded to the body, said lug cooperating with a housing inside the handle.

Advantageously, the sensor is a temperature sensor, particularly an NTC or a thermocouple.

NTC is understood to mean Negative Temperature Coefficient thermistor.

Preferably, the cookware item is a skillet, saucepan, stockpot, or pressure cooker.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should be noted that in this document, the terms “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lower,” “upper,” “longitudinal,” “transverse,” “top,” and “bottom” used to describe the cooking vessel refer to this cooking vessel during use, when it is positioned in a horizontal plane.

As may be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, a cooking vessel1comprises a body2comprising a bottom3and a lateral wall4. The body2is made of aluminum, for example by the stamping of a blank or by a casting operation. The bottom3has a thickness inside which is disposed a receiving housing11for a sensor30. The receiving housing11forms a tunnel which includes an opening12in the lateral wall4and which extends radially from this opening12toward the center of the bottom3.

The cooking vessel1comprises a handle20which extends radially to the body2in a longitudinal direction. The handle20is disposed on the lateral wall4of the body2by mounting means6,22. The body2includes a part of the mounting means formed by a welded lug6. The lug6has the overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, which has a first end7adapted to be mounted to the body2, and a second end8comprising a threaded blind hole9.

The handle20comprises an end21equipped with a part of the mounting means which is formed by a receiving housing22for the lug6. The end21of the handle20includes two protuberances23,24and a collar25surrounding the two protuberances23,24which form the receiving housing for the lug6. The end21of the handle20comprises a flanged through hole26, formed in the extension of the housing22. The hole26is made to receive a screw27capable of cooperating with the threaded blind hole9of the lug6.

As may be seen inFIG. 3, the temperature sensor30can be formed by an NTC thermistor or a thermocouple. NTC is understood to mean Negative Temperature Coefficient. The temperature sensor30is equipped with two insulated conducting elements31,32, which are disposed in a tubular stainless steel sheath33, sealed at one end34. The temperature sensor30is positioned at the bottom of the tubular sheath33, near the sealed end34. The tubular sheath33is adapted to be completely inserted into the receiving housing11so that the sensor30is maintained in a tightly fitted position, practically without play. The conducting elements31,32are electrically connected to a control circuit28(FIG. 2) capable of processing the amplitude measured by the temperature sensor. The control circuit28is disposed in the handle20and can include, for example processing and display means and/or means for communicating with a heating means.

According toFIG. 3, the cooking vessel1comprises a support40comprising, at a first end, a mounting part41capable of cooperating with a receptacle29disposed at the end21of the handle20. The receptacle29has a parallelepiped shape and includes a rectangular opening15. The receptacle29is disposed below the housing22for receiving the lug6. The support40includes a retaining part42for the tubular sheath and the conducting elements. The retaining part42comprises a part42afor retaining the tubular sheath33and a part42bfor retaining the conducting elements31,32. The retaining part42ais disposed at a second end of the support40.

The support40is made from a metal strip that is cut out and then shaped by stamping. The retaining part42for the tubular sheath and the conducting elements has a substantially constant cross section in the shape of a flattened U. The cross section has a flat surface43and two lateral edges44a,44b, each comprising a free end45a,45b.

The retaining part42afor the tubular sheath33includes two tabs46a,46b, which extend from the two free ends45a,45bof the lateral edges44a,44babove the flat surface43so as to form a receiving housing47for the tubular sheath33. The two mounting tabs46a,46bhave a spring effect for retaining the tubular sheath33on the flat surface43of the support40.

The retaining part42bfor the conducting elements31,32includes tabs48that extend from the free end45aof the lateral edge44aabove the flat surface43so as to form a part49aof an area49for receiving the conducting elements31,32.

The support40includes a programmed deformation area50that is S-shaped. The S shape is connected by a first end51to the retaining part42for the tubular sheath and the conducting elements and by a second end52to the mounting part41of the support40that is connected to the handle20. The S shape has a rectangular cross section.

Thus, the retaining part42for the tubular sheath and the conducting elements is movable relative to the handle20, particularly in a substantially vertical direction, perpendicular to the plane in which the S shape is located.

The mounting part41of the support40has a flattened U-shaped cross section which comprises a flat surface53and two lateral edges54a,54b. The flattened U-shaped part of the mounting part41is dimensioned for being inserted into the receptacle29of the handle20. Two flexible tongues55a,55bextend longitudinally from the two lateral edges54a,54b, toward the outside of the U. The support40includes a programmed deformation area formed by the flexible tongues55a,55bdisposed opposite each other on the mounting part41. The flexible tongues55a,55bhave two free ends56a,56b, which cooperate with two opposing support surfaces16a,16bof the receptacle29of the handle20. The flat surface53of the flattened U is located in the plane in which the S shape is located.

The mounting part41of the support40can move inside its receptacle29transversely to the longitudinal direction, in a substantially horizontal direction. Thus, the retaining part42for the tubular sheath and the conducting elements is movable relative to the handle20in a horizontal direction, perpendicular to the vertical direction.

The support40includes, in the flat surface43, a perforation57. The perforation57is disposed at the end of the retaining part42bfor the conducting elements31,32, near the programmed deformation area50. The conducting elements31,32are positioned in the perforation57so as to pass from the part49ato a part49bof the receiving area49for the conducting elements31,32.

The lateral wall4includes a groove5(FIG. 1) extending from the opening12of the receiving housing11for the sensor30to the top of the lateral wall4just under the lug6. The groove5is for receiving the support40once the tubular sheath33is inserted into the receiving housing11.

As may be seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, the conducting elements31,32are disposed in the support40in the part49aof the receiving area49and in the handle20in the part49bof the receiving area49for the conducting elements31,32. The part49bincludes, at the end21, a conduit70(FIG. 3) and a guide channel73for the conducting elements, disposed alongside the protuberance23.

According toFIGS. 5 and 6, a braking device60for the conducting elements31,32is disposed in the handle20. The braking device is formed by a silicone stop60that has a slot61. The conducting elements31,32are positioned inside the slot61, which is oriented in the longitudinal direction. The conducting elements31,32are connected to a connector17of the control circuit28. The handle20has a free end19equipped with an opening18which extends in the longitudinal direction. The connector17is disposed in the opening18. The handle20comprises a receiving housing72for a residual part of the conducting elements31,32, which form at least one loop. The receiving housing72is disposed between the silicone stop60and the connector17. The opening18opens into the receiving housing72.

A cover71is mounted on the handle20. The cover71covers the part49bof the receiving area49for the conducting elements31,32, the receiving housing72of the residual part of the conducting elements31,32, and the silicone stop60.

The cooking vessel1comprises two subassemblies, which can be produced independently and joined in a final assembly operation. A first subassembly, called the handle subassembly, is formed by the handle20equipped with the receiving housing22for the lug6, the support40, the conducting elements31,32, and the sensor30equipped with its tubular sheath33. A second subassembly called the body subassembly is formed by the body2equipped with the lug6, the receiving housing11for the sensor30, and the groove5.

The method for assembling the handle subassembly comprises the following steps:Mounting the sensor30equipped with the conducting elements31,32inside the tubular sheath33and connecting the conducting elements31,32to the connector17;Feeding the tubular sheath33into the opening18at the free end19of the handle20, then feeding the tubular sheath33into the conduit70;Inserting the conducting elements31,32into the slot61of the silicone stop60, then positioning the silicone stop60inside the handle20;Pre-positioning the conducting elements31,32in the part49bof the receiving area49and in the receiving housing72, a part of the conducting elements31,32and the connector17extending beyond the opening18and a part of the conducting elements31,32and the tubular sheath extending beyond the conduit70, then mounting the cover71on the handle20, particularly by gluing.

At this stage of the assembly, a standard handle pre-subassembly for a family of cooking vessels may be considered to have been produced.

To finish the handle subassembly, the assembly method comprises the following steps:feeding the tubular sheath through the perforation57of the support40(FIG. 4) and inserting the mounting part41into the receptacle29of the handle20;forcibly inserting the tubular sheath33into the receiving housing47so as to mount the sensor30on the support40;arranging the conducting elements31,32in the retaining part42band folding the tabs48to form the part49aof the receiving area49;tensioning the conducting elements31,32inside the receiving area49by exerting traction on the connector17and/or on the conducting elements31,32, the braking device formed by the stop60allowing the conducting elements to move in the direction of the traction, the receiving area49being formed by the part49bin the handle20and by the part49ain the support40;inserting the connector17into the opening18and the residual part of the conducting elements31,32into the receiving housing72of the handle20, the residual part of the conducting elements31,32forming at least one loop, the braking device then preventing the conducting elements31,32from moving in the direction opposite the direction of the traction during the formation of the loop.

During the final assembly operation, the housing22of the handle20is mounted so as to be tightly fitted onto the lug6and the tubular sheath33is inserted so as to be tightly fitted into the receiving housing11. During this operation, the programmed deformation areas50,55a,55bmake it possible to accommodate the dimensional tolerances of the two subassemblies.

Of course, the invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated, which have been given only as examples. Modifications are still possible, particularly from the point of view of the composition of the various elements or the substitution of technical equivalents, without going beyond the scope of protection of the invention.

Thus, in a variant of embodiment, the S shape of the programmed deformation area of the support can have another shape, for example one or more straight shapes extending parallel to each other between the mounting part and the retaining part for the sensor and the conducting element.