Device for the closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like

Abstract: It comprises a timing unit to determine the time for which the cooking instrument will function, and means (9) for keeping the cover closed. It is characterized in that the device includes means for detecting (10) the position of the cover and means for actuating (2) opening of the cover, which detecting means (10) detect the closed position and permit actuation of the means (9) which keep the cover closed, with the timer unit deactivating the closing means in such a way that, when the cover is closed, it remains closed due to the action of the means (9) which keep the cover closed, the cover opening after the time preset by the timing unit through the action of the cover opening actuating means(2), which act when the means (9) keeping the cover closed are deactivated.

Description: The present invention relates to a device for the closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like. Known in the art are devices for the closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like, which include a timing unit to determine the time for which the cooking instrument will function, and means for keeping the cover closed. With such devices, the closing and opening of the cover of the cooking instrument are implemented by a pneumatic system, with an air compressor unit, and all the accessories associated with said system. The utilization of pneumatic systems on said devices involves high costs due both to the time needed to construct same and the materials required for that construction. Moreover, utilization of this pneumatic system means that more space is occupied by the device, so that the cooking instrument fitted with it also has that same disadvantage. Moreover, the known devices include counterweights to implement the automatic opening of the cover when the means which keep the cover closed cease to act. Said counterweights have the disadvantage that, when the closing means cease to act, they fall violently and involve a significant danger for users of the cooking instruments fitted with them. A device for closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument is disclosed in US-A-4.763.571. This device includes a timing unit, and means for maintaining the cover closed. Furthermore, the device includes means for detecting the position of the cover and means for actuating opening of said cover, in the form of a counterweight. Other prior art documents are US-A-4.913.040 and US-A-5.341.727. These documents disclose other kinds of cooking instruments having means for closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument. Both US-A-4 763 571 and US-A-4 913 040 disclose devices according to the preamble of the independent claim. The device of the invention manages to overcome said disadvantages, while providing further advantages to be described below. The device for automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like, is as claimed in claim 1. The opening of the cover and the time it remains closed are automatically controlled thereby, which is very important for certain cooking instruments, since exposure of the foods to a preset temperature over a period longer than necessary can lead to their deterioration. Utilization of an electromagnet provides control over the time the cover remains in the closed position, supply or non-supply of current being based on the action of the timing units with which the kitchen instruments are fitted. Following the preset time, said timing units cut off electrical current to the electromagnet, thereby achieving automatic opening of the cover through the action of the cover opening actuating means. Gas-operated springs tend to keep the cover permanently open. Thus, when Lhe Liming unit deactivates the means which keep the cover closed, the cover opens automatically. Preferably, the means for detecting the position of the cover consist in a microswitch. When closing of the cover is implemented, part of the cover presses upon the microswitch, thereby detecting closing of the cover. Advantageously, the means which activate opening of the cover are articulated, at one of their ends, onto the casing of the cooking instrument, while the other end is articulated onto the cover. For a better understanding of all that has been set out some drawings are attached in which, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictive example, a practical case of embodiment is shown. In said drawings: Figure 1 is a partial elevation view of the rear part of the device for closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, object of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the device with the cover of the cooking instrument open; and Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the device with the cover of the cooking instrument closed. As can be seen in Figure 1, the device 1 for closing and automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like, includes a pair of gas-operated springs 2 for the purpose of keeping the cover of the cooking instrument in the open position at all times. Said gas-operated springs 2 are articulated, by their upper ends, to some fins 3 which emerge from a piece 4 articulated, at each of its ends, onto some supports 5 fitted onto the casing 6 of the cooking instrument. Said articulated piece 4 rotates around a spindle 7, thereby opening or closing the cover. The gas-operated springs 2 are also articulated by their lower ends to some fins 8 which emerge from the casing 6 of the cooking instrument (Figures 2 and 3). As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the device 1 object of the invention also includes an electromagnet 9 for the purpose of keeping the cover closed, a microswitch 10 which detects this closure and allows the electromagnet 9 to come into operation, a metal bar 11 attached to a piece 12 which actuates the cover, which interacts with the electromagnet 9 when the cover has been closed, and a timing unit (not shown) which counts the time during which the cover must remain in said position. The device 1 therefore operates as follows. Starting with the cover of the cooking instrument in open position, the user of the instrument closes the cover, which closure is detected by the microswitch 10. Said microswitch 10 permits the passage of electric current through the electromagnet 9, so that when the metal bar 11 which is attached to the cover actuating piece 12 comes into contact with the electromagnet 9 the cover is fixed in the closed position. At the same time, the user must act upon the timing unit to set the time during which the cover must remain in that position. Once the programmed time has elapsed the timing unit cuts off the supply of current to the electromagnet, so that said electromagnet 9 ceases to act and the gas-operated springs 2 cause automatic opening of the cover of the cooking instrument. Despite the fact that reference has been made to specific embodiments of the invention, it is obvious to an expert in the subject that the device described can incorporate many variations and modifications, and that all the details mentioned can be replaced by other technically equivalent details without thereby departing from the sphere of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims: Device (1) for the closing and the automatic opening of the cover of a cooking instrument, especially grills, griddles and the like, which includes a timing unit to determine the time for which the cooking instrument will function, means (9) for keeping the cover closed, detecting means (10) of the position of the cover and actuating means (2) for the opening of the cover, which detecting means (10) detect the closed position of the cover and allow the activation of the means (9) for keeping the cover closed, the timing unit carrying out the deactivation of the means (9) for keeping the cover closed, such that, when the closing of the cover is carried out, the cover remains closed by the action of the means (9) for keeping it closed, said cover opening up after a time predetermined by the timing unit due to the action of the actuating means (2) for the opening of the cover which act when the means (9) for keeping the cover closed are deactivated characterized in that the means (9) for keeping the cover closed comprise an electromagnet, while the actuating means (2) for the opening of the cover are gas-operated springs. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for detecting the position of the cover consist in a microswitch (10). Device as claimed in any of the previous claims, characterized in that the actuating means (2) for the opening of the cover are articulated, by one of their ends, onto the casing (6) of the cooking instrument, while the other end is articulated onto the cover.

Inventors: GIL GARCIA VICENTE, GIL GARCIA, VICENTE
Applicants: GIL GARCIA VICENTE, GIL GARCIA, VICENTE
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A47J36
IPC codes: A47J36, A47J37