PATENT DOCUMENT

Abstract:
An arrangement ( 101 ) of a plurality of food preparation devices ( 102, 103, 104 ), e.g. steamers, boilers, grill units, roasting units or microwave devices, each of which can be set to a particular cooking time. To improve ease of use, the cooking time of all the devices is automatically adjustable, and a central switching unit ( 106 ) is provided and connected via a control line ( 102, 103, 104 ) and has a control unit for the automatic adjustment of different cooking times and/or start times for the devices  (102, 103, 104 ).

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This a continuation of my application Ser. No. 08/776,304 filed May 19, 1997 under 35 USC 120 now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an arrangement of a plurality of apparatuses for the preparation of food, for example steamers, boilers, broilers, roasters, or microwave units, each of which can be set to a particular cooking time. 
     Every large kitchen or restaurant is equipped with an arrangement of apparatuses for the preparation of food. It is furthermore known that hotels and restaurants strive to offer their guests a selection of a large number of different dishes. These dishes differ with respect to the combination of food elements, such as pieces of meat, poultry, fish and side dishes such as vegetables, rice, potatoes, etc. It is important here that the items of food require different periods of preparation. On the other hand, the food must not be overcooked, i.e. once done, the food should not be cooked further or kept warm for too long. Valuable flavor and nutrient elements are lost thereby. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Against this background, it is an object of the present invention concerned with the technical problem providing an arrangement of a plurality of food preparation apparatuses for the preparation of a complete dish consisting of several different foods. 
     In accordance with the invention preparation time of each apparatus can be controlled and a switching center is provided, which is connected to each apparatus by a control line, the switching center having a control unit for automatically establishing different preparation times for the foods to be prepared in the individual apparatuses. In accordance with the invention, a common end point in time is established with regard to the preparation time and the operating time of the apparatus of the arrangement. Since it is known what type of food is to be prepared in each one of the apparatuses, the specific preparation time can also be set in advance, possibly in accordance with the quantity, and the control unit can calculate what treatment time is necessary individually for the different foods. The start of the periods of preparation can also be staggered so as to see to it that all the foods are ready at the same end point in time. Therefore, the start of the cooking time in the apparatus in question can also be controlled. As a further advantageous embodiment, the control center may have a microprocessor. It is also preferable that an apparatus of this arrangement be connected to a storage container. This storage container holds a quantity of the food which is to be prepared in the apparatus in question, for instance a quantity of potatoes or vegetables, rice, etc. In this connection, it is also particularly preferred that the storage container be a refrigerated container. Foods delivered in frozen condition are kept frozen in the storage container until a given amount of the food in question has been fed from the storage container into the cooking apparatus. The cooking time is then also established so as first to defrost the food. Since the delivery from the storage container into the cooking apparatuses can also be controlled from the control center, the temperature of the foods fed is also always known relatively accurately so that the cooking time can also be pre-established relatively precisely with respect to this also. In principle, the actual temperature of the food can also be fed back to the control unit via a temperature sensor in the cooking apparatus. In view of the development described above, a temperature sensor and such a feedback is not, however, absolutely necessary. Furthermore, it is also preferred in this connection that one storage container be connected for loading with several cooking apparatuses or that one cooking apparatus be connected also with several storage containers. The latter, in any event, if the foods in question are “compatible”, and therefore there is no impairment of taste or otherwise if different foods are prepared one after the other in the same cooking apparatus. For example, noodles and rice appear suitable for such a manner of procedure. 
     If only one specific dish is ordered in a restaurant, then the development can be such that only the food in question is entered into the control unit/computer, which then automatically controls the different cooking apparatuses and first of all fills them with the foods of the dish and then sets the individual cooking times so that at a common end point in time (or immediately one after the other) the different items of food reach the desired stage of cooking and can be placed together on one or more plates. The combining of the switching center, which may in particular be a personal computer or microprocessor, with an electronic scale is of particular importance and is preferably provided. In such case, the information with respect to individual foods to be prepared such as, for instance, poultry, can be entered directly via the weighing. Furthermore, the control unit is then advised on basis of previously entered empirical values as to how long a time is necessary for cooking this individual food. Since this, as a rule, will be the food requiring the longest cooking time, the control of the preparation time or the start of the preparation times of the other foods can be established on basis of the predetermined end point in time of this cooking process. Furthermore, this can also be combined with a grill wall consisting of a plurality of grilling apparatuses such as described already in the Applicant&#39;s German Utility Model 94 13 628.9. The disclosure of said utility model is herewith included in its entirety in the disclosure of the present application, also for the purpose of including features of said older utility model in claims of the present application. In this respect, the control unit, the personal computer, can be informed continuously with respect to all grilling places or the like and also indicate what grilling place will be free next. In particular, a report as to which grilling place/storage container, etc. must be filled can be given to the control unit. The control unit can also indicate continuously the instantaneous condition of all connected cooking apparatuses (filled, emptied, cooking in process, etc.). The entire system can furthermore be implemented in modular manner for expansion. Of course, there can also be concerned in each case a plurality of identical cooking apparatuses, as described in detail with respect to the grill wall. 
     The object of the invention is also a method of preparing a dish consisting of several items of food, for example a piece of meat or poultry and a vegetable side dish, one food in each case being prepared in a separate apparatus such as, for instance, a steamer, a boiler, or a microwave unit. In this case, the invention proposes, as method for better preparation of dishes that the apparatuses be so controlled with respect to their treatment time by a central control system that all of the items of food are fully cooked at practically the same moment. The preparation time can preferably be program-controlled. In the development in which each of the apparatuses is connected with a storage container, it is also proposed that a centrally controlled refilling of an apparatus be effected. 
     In case of the preparation of poultry as part of a dish, particularly by grilling, the invention prefers a grilling apparatus having a grill holder which is rotatable around a horizontal grilling axis for receiving a grilled item, particularly poultry, and having a heating surface located above the grilling axis, the heating surface being arranged coaxial to the grilling axis. In this way, the grilled item placed on the rotatable grill holder is always at the same distance within the heating region from the heating surface and is therefore uniformly and intensely heated. According to the invention, the heating surface consists of individual, inductively heated heating elements the heating power which can be individually controlled, for which purpose the heating elements are provided for example with temperature sensors. Thus, a different heating power can be caused to act depending on the food being grilled or else on the desired time of preparation, and the danger of the grilled item being burned as a result of too high a heating power is definitely avoided. It is preferably furthermore provided that the heating elements be developed as bar heating elements, that the bar heating elements extend parallel to the grilling axis, and that the bar heating elements be arranged on a surrounding surface around the grilling axis, it being preferred that each bar heating element be fixed at a first end and that a second end of the bar heating element be angled towards the grilling axis. By the use of bar heating elements there is obtained, without expense, a heating surface coaxial to the grilling axis which is free of costly three-dimensional bends, as would be necessary for instance in the case of a heating coil. The angled free ends of the bar heating elements permit a sufficient and advantageous cooking of for instance the breast of poultry which is placed accordingly on the grill holder. 
     It has been found that five heating bars, preferably distributed over an arc having an open angle of 180° above the grilling axis are sufficient to provide a uniform heating surface. 
     As an alternative, it is provided that each heating element be U-shaped with two legs extending from a cross piece, that each heating element be held on its two leg ends and that the free end region having the cross piece be angled towards the grilling axis. Preferably, three U-shaped heating elements, distributed over an arc having an open angle of 180° above the grilling axis form a uniform heating surface. Here also, due to the angled free end region, in particular via the cross piece of the U-shaped control unit element which lies relatively close to the grilling axis, a large heating power is made available for cooking for instance a poultry breast held in corresponding manner on the grill holder. Here also each U-shaped heating element can have its heating power individually controlled and the heating elements themselves or their direct vicinity can be provided with suitable temperature sensors. 
     In order to increase the heating power, it is furthermore contemplated to arrange a reflector over the heating element. This reflector is preferably of conical shape and has its smallest diameter directed towards the free end of the bar heating elements or the free end regions of the U-shaped heating elements. Furthermore, the reflector is angled there, as a result of which the heating elements lie fully protected behind a protective screen. 
     The grilling apparatus of the invention has a rear wall, in approximately the center of which there is arranged an adaptor for connecting the grill holder on one side to the grilling axis. The rotatability of the grill holder is assured, for instance, by a rotor situated behind the rear wall over the adapter. This measure makes it possible rapidly to replace completely cooked grilled food by food which is still to be grilled. Furthermore, it is provided in accordance with the invention that the first ends of the bar heating elements or the leg ends are also individually held in the rear wall, so that they can easily be replaced. Furthermore, the reflector is preferably also held on the rear wall. 
     It can be provided that the rear wall be part of a housing which is closed on all sides which receives a grilling place which is accessible through a front door. The grilling apparatus of the invention is thus shaped in the same manner as previous household grilling apparatuses and can, for instance, replace them. It is furthermore then provided that this grilling place can be evacuated to a low-pressure as compared with the surrounding pressure so as, without impairment of the flavor, to permit a gentle but nevertheless rapid grilling for healthy nutrition. 
     In order to maintain air circulation, it is furthermore provided that the housing and/or the reflector have a passage opening. 
     As an alternative to this development, it can be provided in accordance with the invention that a vertical support wall comprises several grilling places, rows of grilling places preferably lying one above the other on the support wall, the grill axes of the individual grilling places of one row being possibly also staggered with respect to the grill axes of the neighboring row. Such an arrangement is advantageous for example for both snack bars and gourmet cooking, since then a rapid throughput of grilled foods is possible. If the grilling time for example for frozen poultry is for instance 30 minutes, then, with eight grilling places, one piece of poultry can be cooked every 3 to 4 minutes. 
     In particular, for such arrangements of grilling places it can furthermore be provided, in accordance with the invention, that in each case indications of the stage of cooking of the grilled material of each individual grilling place can be given by, for instance, indication of the grilling time which has elapsed, of the remaining grilling time until the completely cooked stage, etc. In a further development of the invention, it can also be provided that a scale is connected to each grilling place, that with respect to each grilling place it can be specified what type of grilled item is concerned, for example poultry, and that a computer automatically calculate from this the cooking time for the grilling place in question and control the cooking process. The computer may also lengthen the cooking process if suddenly fewer customers than anticipated should order the grilled food. This is particularly easy with frozen foods to be grilled. On the other hand, if all the grilling places are occupied, it can be determined via the computer which grilling place will become free next. Such an indication can be brought about for instance by a further item to be grilled being weighed on the scale. 
     Below the grilling axis, a grease pan can be provided which has side walls which extend up to approximately the height of the reflector. This measure prevents fat from splattering for instance against the side walls of a housing. Furthermore, the grease pan catches the fat dripping off from the item being grilled, whereby the fat can easily be disposed of, for instance also by offering it to a customer. Furthermore, the grease pan can in the manner of a reflector reflect the heat of the heating surface, whereby, in particular, also the defrosting of a frozen grill item can also be accelerated since at this time the grease pan is still not soiled by splattered or dripping fat. 
     Furthermore a griddle for conventional grilling can also be provided on the grilling axis. The grill holder for receiving the grill item can have the form of a simple spit, one end of the grill holder being designed for connection to the adapter and the opposite free end terminating in a point. However, grill holders having a shape which corresponds substantially to that known from European Patent Application 88 100 835.3 are preferred since they are suitable, in particular, for frozen poultry. There is preferred in this connection a grill holder which has individual struts which extend substantially coaxial to the grilling axis and terminate at the free end in a tip and form on the adapter side an inner space which is held free of grilled items even when the holder is in use. By this measure, not only is the grilled-food holder developed optimally for the receiving of poultry since its shape can be adapted to the abdominal or breast cavity of the poultry, but it also permits a central heating bar which like the others is individually controlled with for instance a temperature sensor as actual-value generator to be arranged on the grilling axis and thus enormously to accelerate a defrosting process, for instance in the case of frozen poultry. Such a heating bar can co-rotate or else be stationary. 
     In the embodiment of the invention it is furthermore provided that the grill holder have a resting shoulder fastened to the grill holder within the grill item. The item being grilled is held by the grilled-food holder in the manner that the individual struts pass completely through the grilled item, as a result of which free regions are produced on the end side of the grilled item and circulation of air through the grilled item which promotes the grilling process is made possible. As further measure, it is provided that the free end of the grill holder which faces away from the adapter is provided with a counter-holder for fastening the grilled item against the shoulder, as a result of which the grilled item is held dependably both in axial direction and in radial direction. 
     Another measure provides that a nozzle is associated with the grilling place, that the nozzle is connected to one or more spice containers and that the item being grilled can be sprinkled with spice by means of the nozzle, and/or the atmosphere of the grill area can be enriched by spices. Such an enrichment can also be effected in the manner that the spices can be brought, for instance, into the grilling area also with water in grease pan. 
     Finally, it is provided that the free end of the grill holder have a connection for a handle by which the grill holder can be inserted into the adapter or removed from it. In particular, when the grill holder is hot, this excludes the possibility of burning oneself and guarantees easy handling without the need for instance of insulated gloves. 
     So that small items to be grilled can also be grilled with a suitable grill-item holder with which a large grilling capacity is also to be obtained, it is also proposed that the grill holder comprise a preferably circular, co-rotating base plate positioned vertical to the grilling axis, that the adapter be arranged in the center of the base plate, and that the base plate comprises several mounts for replaceable receivers for the grilling axis horizontally, and that the mounts are annularly arranged around the grilling axis at regular angles apart. In advantageous manner, several completely different items to be grilled can thus be cooked simultaneously on a single grill, the replaceable mounts for the grilled items ensuring suitable receivers can be used for completely different grilled items. It is provided that each mount is mounted in the base plate for rotation around its own axis of rotation parallel to the grilling axis and that each mount has a force-transmission element via which each receiver can be rotatably mounted in the base plate around its own axis of rotation by means of a drive. By the independent rotation of each receiver for individual pieces of grilled food assurance is had that these pieces of grilled food are completely uniformly radiated, whereby a uniform grilling process is assured. In a first variant, it can be provided for the drive of this self-rotation that each force-transmission element has a gearwheel which is operatively connected with the gearwheel on the stub shaft. In this connection the gearwheel of the force-transmission element can mesh directly with the gearwheel on the stub shaft, or else further intermediate gearwheels are provided. As an alternative to this, it can be provided that each force-transmission element have a toothed wheel which contacts a tooth and/or ring of teeth not co-rotating with the grill holder in order to produce the rotation by itself of the corresponding receiver. In particular, the toothed wheel can have, in the manner of a impeller wheel, for instance four teeth which strike one after the other against the non-co-rotating teeth and in each case turn the receiver by a certain angle, for instance 90° or 138°, around its axis of rotation. A detent apparatus can for this purpose be provided within the force-transmission element, as a result of which a precise region of rotation for the self-rotation is established by one of the vanes for example striking against a tooth and the receiver itself is held fast upon rotation of the grill holder. A further drive concept provides for each force-transmission element to comprise a gearwheel which, similar to a planetary gearing, is operatively connected with an internally toothed gear rim, the gear rim annularly surrounding the gearwheels. A further preferred drive concept provides that each force-transmission element comprises a gearwheel which cooperates with an externally toothed gear rim, the gear rim being annularly surrounded by the gearwheels. In the alternative embodiments of the drive, further force-transmission elements can also be arranged between the gear rims and the gearwheels. Another drive concept provides that each force transmitting element has a drive wheel, for instance in the manner of a pulley or a sprocket, wheel around which a drive belt travels for instance in the manner of a drive cord or a drive chain, and that the drive belt is driven by a further drive wheel which is independent of the grill holder. A spring-wire rope can be used, for instance as drive cord. In such drives, the stationary drive wheels which are independent of the grill holder are preferably teeth, a ring of teeth or gear rims arranged on a wall, for instance a rear wall of an oven-like grill. It is furthermore provided that the adapter, the toothed wheels, drive wheels and gearwheels of the force-transmission elements and/or all further force-transmission members be arranged on the underside of the base plate, opposite the receivers. This guarantees a drive which is reliable, very robust and protected for example from any splatterings of fat by the base plate itself. A further embodiment of the invention can provide that the adapter, the toothed wheels, the drive wheels together with the revolving drive belt and the gearwheels of the force transmissions and/or further force-transmission members are encapsulated by a cover plate. Depending on the development, corresponding recesses must then be provided for the drive. On the one hand, dirtying is prevented thereby and on the other hand the risk of injury from exposed toothed wheels, drive wheels and their drive belt, gearwheels and/or force-transmission members in expanded condition of the grill holder is practically excluded. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the base plate can be bowl-shaped with feet on its bottom side on which the grill holder can be placed in the expanded condition. This considerably facilitates the handling, since the bowl shape of the base plate catches fat dripping off from the grilled food, etc. so that the work surface is not soiled. In accordance with the invention, the grill holder furthermore has a middle support which extends concentrically to the grilling axis and which is developed in the manner of a spit in order to receive large items to be grilled such as, pheasants, ducks or small turkeys, as well as a roast. The middle support in its development on the grilling axis has a free space to receive a heating bar which is arranged on the stub shaft. This heating bar on the one hand produces an internal heat within the said larger items to be grilled or else creates a second heating surface lying on the grilling axis for the different receivers for individual items to be grilled arranged concentrically to it. In order to assure particularly good efficiency of such a heating bar, it can be provided that the middle support has, arranged in ring shape around the grilling axis, individual struts which extend along the grilling axis and can debouch at a free end into a spit-like tip and which on the adapter side form the free space, which even upon use is maintained free of items to be grilled for the reception, for instance, of the heating bar. The item to be grilled is held on the individual bars of the middle support passed through by the individual struts so that free regions are formed on both sides of the item to be grilled so that circulation of air through the item being grilled is possible so as to support the grilling process. For this, there contribute freely ending individual bars fastened on the base plate between the individual struts spaced uniformly to the grilling axis like the latter, the free ends thereof being bent towards the grilling axis. These individual bars hold the free space free, for instance, of fatty bits of the grilled food. The concentric middle support furthermore comprises a slide piece on which one or more counter holders for the grilled food and/or one or more receivers are displaceably guided. Finally, the middle support can comprise at its free tip a connection for a handle by means of which the grill holder can via the adapter be attached to or removed from the stub shaft. This connection is preferably of the bayonet type so that dependable handling is assured. As receivers for the individual pieces of grilled food a large number of different shapes enter into consideration. One embodiment provides—in candlestick-like manner—a dish with a central mandrel on which the food to be grilled simply placed. For this purpose, the mandrel is developed in such a manner that a food being grilled cannot rotate when placed on it. As an alternative to this, several mandrels can be provided. In particular, for fastening, for instance, poultry legs, a fork-shaped counter-holder can be provided on the slide piece of the middle support, the piece being grilled being held by it by means of two resilient prongs. This counter-holder can be guided displaceably by means of a slide part on the slide piece and locked there. Another receiver serves for the grilling for instance of shish kebab on a spit, the one tip of which is held for instance clamped by a stop inserted in a mount for the food being grilled. The second end of the spit is furthermore preferably rotatably held in a counter-holder which is arranged on the slide piece of the middle support. The counter-holder has an arm which is displaceably guided by means of a slide part on the slide piece and can be locked thereon, it having at least one hole and/or bearing for attachments of receivers corresponding to a rotary mounting. The receiver can also have resilient tongues arranged in ring shape around the axis of rotation and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation, the tongues serving to hold the item being grilled. One embodiment of this receiver can furthermore provide that the radial distance between the tongues and the axis of rotation is adjustable. Another preferred embodiment of a receiver provides that it is designed like a basket with lattice walls. Such a receiver is best suited for grilled food such as fruit and vegetables. In particular, such lattice walls can be designed so as to be adapted three-dimensionally to the food to be grilled. Furthermore, the lattice walls in this connection preferably surround a grilled-food space and this grilled-food space is accessible through an opening in a part of the lattice wall. It is provided that the grilled-food space be of rotational symmetry to the axis of rotation, and that the lattice walls be in two parts, each surrounding about one half of the grilled-food space and being swingable about a hinge. The lattice wall parts are in this connection kept closed by the force of a spring or a bolt. For easy handling, the individual receivers, which are rotatably mounted only on one side of the mount have at their other end preferably a connection for a handle by means of which the receiver can be inserted into the mount and removed from it. The receiver can be so shaped that it is held in operation by a counter-holder on the slide piece of the middle support. Thus, a single counter-holder developed in disk shape can serve as counter-holder for several receivers. This counter-holder can be adapted to be locked on the slide piece, or the counter-holder can be supported by a spring against a shoulder fastened to the middle support. This shoulder can be part of a cap which is placed on the tip of the middle support and is locked there, for instance, by a bayonet lock. The other side of the cap is preferably developed as receiver for the hand tool. Preferably, in the same manner, a counter-holder is provided for grilled food which is held by the middle support itself. Such a counter-holder is developed in the manner that resilient legs are spread apart by a slider part which is guided on the slide piece of the middle support and rest against the grilled food, holding it fast . 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a grilling place arranged in a housing; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section along the line II—II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a grilling place arranged in a housing; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross section along the line IV—IV of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a grill holder in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a handle for the handling of the grill holder of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through the grill holder; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of the grill holder along the arrow VIII in FIG. 5; 
     FIGS. 9 through 11 are a counter-holder for fastening the grilled item, shown in its individual parts; 
     FIG. 12 is a top view of a grill wall having a plurality of grilling places; 
     FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of three food preparation apparatuses with associated storage containers and a central control unit; 
     FIG. 14 is a grill holder in accordance with the invention, with two different receivers for grilled items; 
     FIG. 15 is a top view of a grill holder according to FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is a third receiver for grilled items; 
     FIG. 17 shows a fourth receiver for grilled items; 
     FIG. 18 shows a fifth receiver for grilled items; 
     FIG. 19 shows a sixth receiver for grilled items; 
     FIG. 20 is a top view along the arrow XV of FIG. 14 of a grill holder with four receivers, for instance for fish; 
     FIG. 21 shows the holding of a large grilled item by a middle support; 
     FIG. 22 is a handle for handling the grill holder and receivers; 
     FIG. 23 shows in part the receiver of FIG. 17 in a view along the arrow XXIII of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 24 is a cross section through a base plate in the region of a mount for a receiver; 
     FIG. 25 is a cross section along the line XXV—XXV of FIG. 23; and 
     FIG. 26 is a bottom view of a base plate serving to explain different drive concepts. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows, in front view, a housing  1  which is closed on all sides and contains a grilling place  2  similar to an oven. The grilling place  2  is accessible by a front door  3 . Alongside of it, the housing  1  has a switch panel  4  with operating members  5  and indicating members  6  for the grilling place  2 . 
     The grilling  2  having a horizontal grilling axis  7  around which a grill holder  20 —merely indicated in FIG. 1 —preferably in accordance with FIG. 3, is rotatable to receive a grill item  29 , has a heating surface  8  lying above said grilling axis  7  and developed and arranged coaxial to the grilling axis  7 . The heating surface  8  is formed of individual, preferably inductively heated heating elements  9  which are developed as bar heating elements and can be controlled individually with respect to their heating power by means of the operating elements  5 . For this purpose, a temperature sensor, not shown in detail, is provided in each case as actual-value indicator of the temperature. The five heating bars  9  provided extend parallel to the grilling axis  7  and lie on a surrounding surface  10  coaxial to the grilling axis  7 , the heating surface  8  which is thus formed covering, in accordance with the view in FIG. 1, an arc having an open angle of 180°. 
     The bar heating elements  9  are in each case held on a first end  11  in a rear wall  12  of the grilling place  2 . The free second ends  13  of the heating bars  9  are bent towards the grilling axis  7 ; see also FIG.  2 . 
     Over the heating surface  8  there is arranged a reflector  14  which is slightly conical and which is fastened in the region of its largest diameter also to the rear wall  12  of the grilling place  2 . In front of the free ends  13  of the heating elements  9  the reflector has a forwardly bent protective screen  15  so that the heating surface  10  can radiate only onto the food being grilled and the heating elements  9  are thus protected, for instance, from contact with one&#39;s hand. 
     Below the grilling axis  7 , there is a grease pan  16  the side walls  17  of which extend to about the height of the reflector  14 . This grease pan  16  is arranged on a griddle for conventional grilling provided there. 
     A closable passage opening  18  assures air circulation for the grilling place  2 . Furthermore, such a closed grilling place  2  is also excellently suitable for evacuation and thus for low-pressure cooking. 
     In particular, it can furthermore be noted from FIG. 2 that a nozzle  60  having nozzle openings  61  is associated with the grilling place  2 . This nozzle  60 —not shown here—is connected with one or more spice containers. If this spice container can be acted on, for instance, by compressed air, then a food being grilled on the grill holder  20  can be sprayed with spice emerging from the nozzle openings. Particularly in the case of a closed grilling place in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2, it is, however, also generally sufficient to saturate the atmosphere of the grill space  2  sufficiently with spice in order to cook the grilled item to taste. To be sure, this nozzle can also be connected with the grease pan  16  so that spices having for instance a liquid base can be sprayed there. 
     The grilling place  65  of FIGS. 3 and 4 is substantially similar to the grilling place  2  and, accordingly, the same position numerals have been extensively used. The main difference resides in the development of the heating elements  66 . They are substantially U-shaped with two legs  68 ,  69  extending from a cross piece  67 . The free leg ends  70  are held in the rear wall  12 . The free end regions  71  with the cross piece  67  are angled towards the grilling axis  7 . As shown, three U-shaped heating elements  66  form the heating surface  8  here. 
     Each of the rear walls  12  has approximately at its center an adapter  19  for the reception on one side of a grill holder  20  in accordance with FIG. 5 on the grilling axis  7 . Such a receiver can be developed form-locked and forcelocked. The decisive factor is that the movement of rotation of the adapter  19  which is driven by a motor is transmitted also to the grill holder  20  of FIG.  3 . The grill holder  20  is developed essentially in the manner of a spit and one end  21  is developed for connection to the adapter  19  in the manner that the grill holder  20  has a bore hole  22  by which the grill holder  20  can be pushed onto the adapter  19 . An extension  23 , inserted into a corresponding recess  24  in the adapter  19 , provides assurance that the grill holder  20  is carried along upon a rotating movement. A polygonal development of the bore hole and/or the adapter can also be provided. 
     The free end  25  of the grill holder  20  terminates in a tip  26  by which it can penetrate for example through poultry, see FIG.  7 . The grill holder  20  has individual struts  27  which extend coaxially to the grilling axis  7  and are held on the adapter side in ring shape on a foot  28  by, for instance, welding. Towards the free end  25 , these individual struts extend approximately parallel or coaxial to the grilling axis  7  thereby forming on the adapter side an inner space  29  which is held free of items being grilled even upon use; see FIG.  5 . Towards the free end  25  of the grill holder  20 , the individual struts  27  are combined to form the tip  26  by which the grill item  56 , for example a poultry part, can be penetrated. On passage from the inner space  29  which is kept free of grilled items to the tip  26 , the individual struts  27  form a shoulder  55  which holds the grilled food  56  from the inside. The development of the inner space  29  which is free of grilled food makes it possible to arrange on the grilling axis  7  another heating part  30  which can rotate together with the adapter  19  or else can remain fixed. 
     Free-ending bars  51  are furthermore welded for instance on the foot  28 , they having bends  52  at their free end. These bars  51  serve to protect the middle heater bar  30  from, for instance, fatty bits hanging from the grilled food  56 . 
     The grill holder  20  furthermore comprises on the adapter side a stop  31  fixed on the grill holder, it having the form of a plate on which the grilled food  56  comes to rest at the latest upon the pushing over of the grill holder  20  via the tip  26 . On the side  32  of the plate  31  facing away from the grilled food, feet  33  are arranged so that the grill holder, standing vertically on the feet  33 , can be provided with the grilled food  56 . 
     On the grill holder  20 , the grilled food  56  is clamped between the shoulder  55  and a counter-holder  34 , the individual parts of which are again shown in FIGS. 9 to  11 . Such a clamping has the advantage that at both ends of the grilled food  56 , free regions  57 ,  58  are formed by the individual struts  27  and the bars  51 , through which air can circulate through the grilled food  56 . 
     The counter-holder  34  comprises a slide piece  35  which is displaceably guided on the free end  25  of the grill holder  20 , and from which legs  36  diverge to rest against and hold fast the grilled food  56 . The number and development of the legs  36  is practically any desired; fixed mandrels can also be provided, for instance, on the slide piece  35 . The embodiment shown here with legs  36 , having end bends  37 , however, has the advantage that the grilled food  56  is held resiliently without damage by the widening of the legs  36 , as a result of which a change in the grilled food  29  by the cooking process has no effect on the holding fast. This resilient holding is further supported by the fact that a compression spring  39  in accordance with FIG. 10 is clamped between an annular shoulder  38  on the slide piece  35  and an abutment fastened to the grill holder. In accordance with the embodiment shown, this abutment is developed as cap  40  in accordance with FIG.  11 . The cap  40  covers the tip  26  of the grill holder  20  and is dependably held on it by a bayonet lock  41 , for which purpose the grill holder  20  has one or more pins  42  and the cap  40  has corresponding recesses  43  for the attachment and locking. 
     The counter-holding is possible as alternative in a single-piece embodiment in which holding mandrel, holding legs, etc. are arranged on a carrier which can be fastened on the grill holder in self-resilient manner and/or axially displaceable against the force of a spring in the manner described above. 
     The cap  41  furthermore has a connection  44  in the form of an extension  45  of rectangular cross section extending along the grilling axis  7 , which extension bears bolts  46  transverse thereto. A handle  47  as shown in FIG. 6 has a receiver  48  which corresponds to said connection  44  and in which the grill holder is held fixed against rotation by the rectangular development in cross section of the extension  45  and fixed in axial position by locking of the bolts  46  in recesses  49 . For further simplification of the handling, there is also provided on the handle  47  a hook  50  which is bent towards the receiver  48  by 180° and is open towards that side, for instance in order to receive hot parts. 
     FIG. 12, finally, shows a grill wall  75  with a total of nine grilling places  76 , shown in simplified form. These grilling places  76  can be provided separately from each other or open with, for instance, a common exhaust hood. Furthermore, the individual rows of grilling places  76  can for instance be staggered with respect to each other. First of all, here again, a nozzle which is connected via a conduit  81  in each case to spice containers  77  is associated with each grilling place  76 . By means of valves  78 , a desired spice from a spice container  77  can be associated with each grilling place  76  via a control the operating elements  79  of which are merely indicated. Furthermore, a scale  80  is connected to each grilling place  76 . After measuring the weight of a food to be grilled, a computer can calculate the cooking time from the weight and, after entry of the type of food to be grilled and then after selection of a specific grilling place  76 , automatically control the grilling process, also for instance causing the lengthening of the grilling process in the event, for instance, of a reduction in the stream of guests. 
     With respect to the basic concept of the invention of providing an arrangement of a plurality of food preparation apparatuses with which a single end time for the cooking is reached, reference is had in particular to FIG.  13 . 
     In FIG. 13 there is shown and described an arrangement  101  of a plurality of food preparation apparatuses  102 ,  103 ,  104 . They may consist, for instance, of a steamer  104 , a boiler  103 , and a microwave unit  102 . 
     The apparatuses  102 ,  103  and  104  are connected by a control line  104  to a control unit, here in the form of a personal computer  106 . 
     Above each apparatus  102 ,  103 ,  104  there is a storage container  107 ,  108  and  109 . Via a feed channel  110 ,  111 ,  112 , which can in each case be blocked by a shut-off member  113 ,  114  and  115 , shown diagrammatically, the storage containers  107 ,  108  and  109  are connected to the corresponding apparatus  102 ,  103  and  104 . While a vegetable, for instance, is present in the storage container  107 , potatoes are present in the storage container  108  and rice in the storage container  109 . In addition, other cooking apparatuses can also be provided and be connected to the control line  105 , in which, in particular, a meat or fish component or a poultry component of the dish to be produced is prepared. With reference to such an apparatus for the preparation of poultry, reference is had, in particular, to German Utility Model Application 94 13 628.9. The content of that utility model application is herewith incorporated in its entirety in the disclosure of the present application, also for the purpose of including features of said incorporated utility model application in claims of the present application. 
     The individual apparatuses  102 ,  103  and  104  have, on their bottom, flaps  116 ,  117  and  118  which have been merely diagrammatically indicated. In addition, the finished cooled items from the cooking apparatuses  102 ,  103  and  104 —not shown in detail in this drawing—are also coupled by joined discharge paths in such a manner that the elements of the dish then come onto a plate  119 . 
     Since the preparation times for the individual foods, in this case rice, potatoes and vegetables, differ, the feeding into a cooking apparatus  102 ,  103  and  104  and the following cooking time are so controlled that the food are completely cooked practically at the same moment and can be placed on a plate  119 ,  120  or  121 . 
     This can also be controlled in the manner that the foods become fully cooked one after the other so that one can move the plate from one preparation apparatus  102 ,  103  and  104  to the next. 
     FIG. 14 shows a grill holder  201  having a base plate which extends perpendicular to the grilling axis  202  and on which a receiver  204  for, for instance, a leg of meat and a receiver  205  for, for instance, a shish kebab spit are arranged. For easier viewing, only two receiver  204 ,  205  have been shown here; preferably between three and five receivers which are arranged at regular angular distances apart in ring shape around the grilling axis  202  are present. By the development of the mounts  300 , the receivers can be replaced as desired, including for instance by embodiments in accordance with FIGS. 15 to  20 . On the underside  206  of the base plate  203  there are arranged feet  207  by which the grill holder  201  can be placed with vertical grilling axis  202  on a work surface  208 , for example. The grilling axis  202  can also be vertical in operation or else preferably horizontal. By the feet on the bottom side  206  the latter is spaced from the work surface  208  and therefore parts of force-transmission elements can easily be arranged on the bottom, in this case gearwheels  209 , by which the receivers can be placed by a drive (not shown) in rotation of their own around their axes of rotation  10 ,  11 . Furthermore, on the bottom  206  of the base plate  203  there is an adapter  212  for the attachment and locking of a driven stub shaft. 
     On its upper side  213 , the bowl-shaped base plate  203  has a middle support  214  developed generally in the form of a spit. The middle support  214  consists essentially of individual struts  215  extending parallel to the grilling axis  202  and arranged coaxial to said axis, the struts developing towards the adaptor  212  a free space  216  to receive, for instance, a central heating bar. At their other end, the individual struts terminate in a tip  17 , in which connection between the tip  217  and the free space  216 , a sliding piece  218  ceivers (sic)  204 ,  205  are held and guided. Furthermore, between the individual struts  215  there are arranged freely terminating bars  344  which are provided at their free end with bends  345  towards the grilling axis  202 . 
     The receiver  204  consists of a plate-like stop  221  inserted in a mount, the plate  222  having centrally a mandrel  223  for the placing on of a food to be grilled. The mandrel  223  consists of intersecting pointed surfaces whereby a turning of the grilled food on the mandrel is effectively prevented. A counter-holder  20  for this grilled food is displaceable by means of a slide part  224  on the slide piece  218  of the middle support  212  and thus guided in a manner adaptable to grilled food and can be fixed on the slide piece  218  by means, for instance, of a screw  225  (not shown in detail). From the slide part  224 , there extend in fork-like manner two prongs  226 —see with respect to this also FIG.  15 —which resiliently hold the grilled food. In this connection, the spring force is so dimensioned that the grilled food can still turn in this resiliently held position. For easy handling of the counter-holder  220 , the two prongs  226  are angled upward at their free end, whereby the counter-holder  26  can be spread slightly. 
     The receiver  205  for, for instance, a shish kebab spit, has a stop  226  which is inserted in a further mount  300  of the base plate  206 . This stop  226  consists essentially of a bundle  228  of individual bars  227  which, bent out towards the grilled food, hold the grilled food fast. In the center, the bundle  228  of individual bars receives the actual shish kebab spit  229  which passes through the food being grilled. At the end, opposite the mount, the shish kebab spit  229  is rotatably mounted in the counter-holder  219 . This counter-holder also has a slide part  230  which is displaceable on the slide piece  218  of the middle support  214 . From the slide bar  230  there extends an arm  231  which is passed through  221  by a bore hole  232  for receiving the handle-side end of the shish kebab spit  229 ; see in this connection also FIG.  15 . The slide part  230  can also be fixed by a screw  233  (not shown in detail) which is preferred, particularly, in the case of receivers  205  which are used only individually. 
     In particular, in the case of uniformly long receivers with the same development for mounting in a counter-holder, the arm  231  is preferably disk-shaped, as indicated in FIG.  15 , with in each case holes/bearings  232  for the corresponding receivers. Furthermore, the arm  231  is held resiliently against the receivers via the slide part  230  by the force of a spring  234  which rests on a shoulder  235  which is secured on the middle support. 
     The shoulder  235  is formed by a cap  236  which is placed on the tip  217  of the middle support  214  and locked there by means of a bayonet lock  237 . This cap, furthermore, has a connection  238  in the form of an extension  239  of rectangular cross section extending along the grilling axis  202 , which bears bolts  240  transverse thereto. A handle  241 , shown in FIG. 22, has a receiver  242  which corresponds to this connection  238  and in which the grill holder is held fixed against rotation by the development of the extension  239  with a rectangular cross section and by the locking of the bolts  240  in the recess  243  of the receiver  242  is held fixed in axial direction on the handle  241 . For further ease in handling, there is also provided on the handle  241  a hook  243  which is bent 180° towards the receiver  242  and is open to that side. 
     FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a receiver  250  which is developed in basket-like manner with lattice walls  251 . The lattice walls  251  surround a grilled-food space  252  which is accessible by opening a part  253  of the lattice wall. The grilled-food space  252  is developed with rotational symmetry to the axis of rotation  254  and two lattice-wall parts  253 ,  255  surround the grilled-food space  252 . The lattice-wall part  253  is swingable around a hinge  256  against the force of a spring which holds the lattice-wall part  253  in the closed position shown. In addition, or as alternative, FIG. 15 shows how, by means of a cap  261  placed on two end pieces  257 ,  258  of a frame  259 ,  260  spanning the lattice wall, the lattice-wall parts  253  and  255  are interlocked. This cap  261  can also have an extension  262  as counterpart of the receiver  242  of the handle  241 . The opposite side of the receiver  250  has a hexagon  263  for insertion into a mount  300  in accordance with FIG.  24 . In known manner—see FIG.  25 —this simple insertion connection is secured by means of a spring-mounted ball  264 . 
     The receiver  265  shown in FIG. 17 has resilient tongues  267  arranged eccentric to the axis of rotation  266  and extending substantially parallel to the axis of rotation  266 , a grilled food being held by said tongues. On the grilledfood receiving side the tongues  267  are bent towards the axis of rotation  266  but leave a passageway free. On the mount side, the tongues  267  have sections  268  perpendicular to the grilling axis  266  and form so-to-speak a “bottom” as abutment for a grill material. Centrally there is arranged there again at the point of intersection of the sections  268  a hexagon  269  with securing ball  270  for insertion into a mount, as shown in FIG.  24 . 
     It can be provided that the radial distance between the tongues and the axis of rotation can be adjusted. This, for instance, in the manner that the straight sections are made tubular, the tongues being inserted displaceably in them. 
     The embodiment shown in FIG. 18, concerns a simple meat spit  244  of, for instance, round shape which terminates at the end in a hexagon  245  with securing ball  246  for reception in a mount  300 . The meat spit  244  can have one or several rows of mandrels or barbs  247  by which even larger pieces of meat are reliably held. On the tip  248  of the meat spit  244 , a cap  236  according to FIG. 14, with an attachment  238  for a handle  241  is again locked for easy handling by means of a bayonet lock  237 . 
     The receiver  271  in accordance with FIG. 19 corresponds on the mount side to the receiver  265 , so that corresponding parts bear the same reference numerals. However, in this case the tongues  272  are strongly bent at their free end  273  away from the axis of rotation  266  so that foods to be grilled can be pushed in simple manner into the receiver  271  and, for example, sausages can also be grilled without damaging their skin. 
     FIG. 20 shows, in top view, four similar receivers  320  on a grill holder according to FIG.  14 . The four receivers  320  are basket-like, shaped for instance in accordance with FIG. 16, in order to hold fish for instance. They consist of frames which hold a lattice  322  spanned. The receivers  320  open towards the front so that loading of the receivers with foods to be grilled, preferably fish, is possible even with the grill holder placed on the adapter. Furthermore, FIG. 20 is a top view of the middle support  214  with the individual struts  215  and the freely ending bars  344 . 
     On the basis of a grilled-food holder  275 , it is explained in FIG. 21 how a middle support  276  can be used, so to speak. as a spit for, in particular, larger poultry such as capons, baby turkeys, etc. as grilled food  277 . Corresponding to FIG. 14, the middle support  276  is formed of individual struts  278  which leave a free space  279  for the reception for instance of a heating bar arranged on the grilling axis  280 . Corresponding to FIG. 14, the tip of this middle support  276  is also provided with a cap  281 . Such a tip makes it possible to penetrate for instance through poultry. The base plate  286  which bears the middle support  276  and which is of plate-shape or bowl shape, has an opening into which a substantially ring-shaped adapter  283  is inserted. By means of a bore hole  284 , this adapter can be placed on a stub shaft, an extension  285 , introduced into a corresponding recess in the stub shaft, guaranteeing the carrying along of the grill holder upon a rotating movement. The individual struts  278  can be welded in advantageous manner to this annular adapter  283  which passes through the bottom  286  of the base plate  282 . Freely ending bars  287  are furthermore welded on the annular adapter  283 , they in each case being provided on their free end with bends  288  towards the grilling axis  280 . These bars  287  serve, for instance, to protect a middle heating bar from, for instance, bits of fat hanging from the grilled food  277 . 
     The grilled food  277  is held fast between the bottom  286  of the base plate  282  and a counter-holder  289 . The counter-holder  289  comprises a slide part  290 , which is displaceably guided on a slide piece  290  by which slide part legs  292  are spread apart to rest against the grilled food  277  and hold it fast. The developments of the legs  292  is practically any desired; stationary mandrels can, for instance, also be provided on the slide part  291 . The embodiment provided here with legs  292  having end bends  293  has the advantage, however, that the grilled material  277  is resiliently held without damage by the spreading apart of the legs  292 , whereby a change in the grilled food  277  by the cooking process has no effect on the holding fast. This resilient holding is further supported by the fact that, between an annular shoulder  294  fastened on the middle support and the slide part  291 , a compression spring  295  is clamped. Such a counter-holder  289  can also be made in one piece, for instance together with the cap  281 , in which case, for example, holding mandrels, holding legs, etc. can be arranged self-resiliently and/or axially displaceable in the manner described above against the force of a spring on a carrier which can be fastened to the middle piece. The grill item  277  is held by the middle support  276  on its inside by a shoulder  296  in such a manner that at both ends of the grilled food  277  there are free regions  297 ,  298  of the individual struts  278 , so that an unimpeded flow of air through the grilled food is assured. In this connection, the shoulder  296  is preferably adapted to the chest cavity of for instance poultry. 
     FIGS. 23 to  25  show the interaction of the hexagon  269 , for instance, with the securing ball  270  of the receiver  265  of FIG. 16, again shown in FIG. 23 turned 90° around the axis of rotation  266 , having a mount  300  in a base plate  301  in accordance with FIG.  24 . Such mounts  300  are arranged in a ring around the grilling axis at regular angular distances apart of, for instance, 120°, see FIG. 14, and are turnable around their axis of rotation  302 . For this purpose, each mount  300  has a force-transmitting element  303  via which, by a drive not further shown, the mount  300  can be placed in rotation by itself. The force-transmission element consists essentially of a gearwheel  304  and its shaft  306 , which is held here in a ball-bearing  305  and has a widened region  307  with a central recess  308  which is developed in a manner corresponding to the hexagon  369  and the securing ball  370 . The surface  309  of the bottom  310  of the base plate  301  ends flush with this widened region  307 . The gearwheels  304  of the force-transmission elements  303  which are arranged on the bottom side  311  of the bottom  310  are encapsulated by a cover plate  312 . Depending on the drive of the gearwheels  304  by, for instance, a gearwheel mounted on the stub shaft, by a gear rim located on the outside or as provided here lying on the inside, corresponding recesses  313  are to be provided in the cover plate  312  in each case corresponding to the drive. Accordingly, supports  314  must possibly be provided between the lower side  311  of the bottom  310  and the cover plate  312 . FIG. 22 shows furthermore in cross section through the hexagon  269  the mounting of the securing ball by means of a spring  315 . 
     On basis of FIG. 26, further drive concepts for producing self-rotation of the individual receivers will be explained. A first concept provides that each force-transmission element has a toothed wheel  320  with, for instance, four vane-like teeth  321 . The axis of rotation  322  of the wheel  320  coincides with the axis of self-rotation of a recess arranged opposite the base plate  323 . Upon a rotation of the grill holder  324  around the grilling axis  325 , one tooth  321  after another strikes against a tooth  326  arranged preferably on a rear wall of a grill space and which is independent of the movement of the grill holder  324 , as a result of which the wheel  320  is turned, for instance, by 90° around its axis  322 . This force-engagement element preferably then engages in this position until it strikes the next tooth  326 . In the next drive concept shown in FIG. 26, it is provided that each force-transmission element have a gearwheel  330  the axis of rotation  331  of which coincides with an axis of rotation of a receiver arranged on the opposite side of the base plate  323 . The gearwheel  330  is driven by travel on an inwardly toothed gear rim  332  which is also preferably arranged fixed, for instance, on a rear wall of an oven-like grill. The last drive concept contemplates that on each axis  335  of self-rotation of a receiver, there is arranged a drive wheel, for instance in the form of a sprocket wheel  336 . By a rotating drive belt, in this case a chain  337 , the drive wheels  336  are placed in rotation. This chain can also be fixed for instance on a rear wall of an oven-like grill, directly or for instance via another fixed gearwheel similar to the embodiment shown, but the gearwheel  338  can also be externally driven around its axis  339  so that the self-rotation of the receivers can be freely selected within a wide range. 
     With such drive concepts it is very easily possible, for instance by the pulling-off of the corresponding drive wheels, that one or more mounts for receivers do not also