Abstract:
A barbeque ( 20 ) including at least one grill plate ( 36 ), at least one gas burner ( 38 ) and a drainage arrangement. The at least one grill plate ( 36 ) extends between a front end and a tear end and has an upper surface. The at least one gas burner ( 38 ) extends between a front end and a rear end, with the front end of the at least one burner ( 38 ) being inward of the front end of the at least one grill plate ( 36 ). The drainage arrangement directs fluid from the upper surface of the at least one grill plate ( 36 ) to beneath the least one burner ( 38 ). The drainage arrangement is positioned inwardly of the front end of the at least one grill plate ( 36 ) and outwardly of the front end of the at least one burner ( 38 ).

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Application No. 2007905063, filed on Sep. 17, 2007, said priority application being fully incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to improvements in barbeques. The invention has been primarily developed for use in gas barbeques having rail type burners and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many types of gas barbeque are known. For example, barbeques having rectangular grill plates positioned above rectangular, or rail type, gas burners are known. The rail type burners are generally rectangular and extend between the front and rear ends of the rectangular grill plates. In order to provide space at the front of the barbeque for burner control valves and the like, the horizontal distance between the front ends of the burners and the grill plates is often larger than the horizontal distance between the rear ends of the burners and grill plates. As a result, the burners do not heat the grill plates evenly with the rear of the grill plates becoming hotter than the front of the grill plates. This causes uneven cooking. 
         [0004]    Barbeques with circular grill plates and circular burners generally do not suffer from this problem as the burners and grill plates are substantially symmetrical front to rear and side to side. 
         [0005]    Grill plates are also known with a series of holes or openings therein, which allow fat and other fluids to drain away from food being cooked. However, such fluids can ignite when they fall onto the burner flames. The resultant flames can also pass back through the holes in the grill plate and are undesirable as a safety hazard. They can also burn the food being cooked. Barbeques are also known with solid grill plates (i.e. without any openings therein) which have one or more channels about their periphery with a drain hole through which fat and other fluids is directed. However, existing arrangements direct, and collect, such fluids between the grill plate and the burners. This is dangerous as the fluids, which are flammable, collect near a flame. Additionally, the collected fluid is often gathered at the rear of the barbeque which makes it difficult to remove and/or clean, often requiring significant disassembly of the barbeque. 
         [0006]    Barbeques are also known which have some form of recess in the grill plate within which liquids or other materials such as woodchips can be placed in order to contribute moistures or other flavours to food being cooked. However, such recesses reduce the available cooking space of the grill plate and can render this type of barbeque unsuitable or inefficient for use without a substance being placed in the recess. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is the object of embodiments of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages. Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a barbeque comprising: 
         [0008]    at least one grill plate extending between a front end and a rear end and having an upper surface; 
         [0009]    at least one gas burner extending between a front end and a rear end, the front end of the at least one burner being inward of the front end of the at least one grill plate; and 
         [0010]    a drainage arrangement for directing fluid from the upper surface of the at least one 
         [0000]    grill plate to beneath the least one burner, 
         [0011]    wherein the drainage arrangement is positioned inwardly of the front end of the at least one grill plate and outwardly of the front end of the at least one burner. 
         [0012]    The barbeque preferably comprises a pair of grill plates, which are most preferably substantially rectangular. The barbeque preferably comprises four burners, which are most preferably substantially rectangular. A pair of the burners are preferably positioned beneath each of the grill plates. 
         [0013]    The drainage arrangement preferably includes a receptacle, with an opening in its lowermost point, extending substantially across the width of each of the grill plate(s). The first receptacle(s) is/are preferably integrally formed with each of the grill plate(s) and positioned adjacent the front end of each of the grill plate(s). The drainage arrangement preferably also includes a frontwardly downwardly sloping upper surface of each of the grill plate(s). 
         [0014]    The drainage arrangement preferably includes a second receptacle, with an opening in its lowermost point, adapted to collect the fluid draining from the first receptacle(s). The second receptacle preferably extends substantially across the width of all of the grill plates, beneath the first receptacle(s). The second receptacle is preferably adjacent the front end of the grill plate(s). 
         [0015]    The drainage arrangement preferably also includes a reservoir adapted to collect the fluid draining from the second receptacle. The reservoir is preferably positioned beneath the burner(s). 
         [0016]    In a second aspect, the present invention provides a barbeque comprising: 
         [0017]    at least one substantially solid rectangular grill plate extending between a front end and a rear end and having a lower surface; and 
         [0018]    at least one substantially rectangular gas burner extending between a front end and a rear end and having an upper surface, the front end of the at least one burner being more horizontally inward from the front end of the at least one grill plate than the rear end of the at least one burner is front the rear end of the at least one grill plate, 
         [0019]    wherein the vertical distance between the upper surface of the at least one burner and the lower surface of the at least one grill plate is less at the front end of the least one burner than at the rear end of the at least one burner. 
         [0020]    The grill plate(s) lower surface(s) and the burner(s) upper surface(s) are preferably planar and inclined with respect to each other by about 2.5 degrees. 
         [0021]    The grill plate(s) lower surface(s) is preferably inclined at about 2.5 degrees from horizontal and the burner(s) upper surface(s) are preferably substantially horizontal. 
         [0022]    The grill plate preferable includes a downwardly depending peripheral flange around its lower surface. The distal edge of the flange is preferably horizontal. 
         [0023]    In a third aspect, the present invention provides a gas barbeque rail type burner comprising: 
         [0024]    a burner body with an opening therein; and 
         [0025]    a container, positionable within the opening, and adapted for releasable engagement with the burner. 
         [0026]    The burner is preferably substantially rectangular and includes a substantially rectangular opening therein, the opening extending between upper and lower surfaces of the burner. 
         [0027]    The container preferably has an open upper end and engages the burner with the open end positioned horizontally between the upper and lower surfaces of the burner. 
         [0028]    The container preferably includes a handle, most preferably adjacent the open end. 
         [0029]    The burner preferably includes flame holes along the periphery of the opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0030]    Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a barbeque; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a cutaway view of the barbeque shown in  FIG. 1  at line  2 - 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of a grill plate; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the grill plate shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of the grill plate shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a grill plate. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is an upper perspective view of a third embodiment of a grill plate; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is an upper perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a grill plate; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the grill plate shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the grill plate shown in  FIG. 9 , adjacent a burner; 
           [0041]      FIG. 11  is an underside perspective view of the grill plate shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a burner; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  is an exploded view of the burner shown in  FIG. 12 , with a fluid therein; 
           [0044]      FIG. 14  is a cut-away view of the burner shown in  FIG. 13  installed in a barbeque; 
           [0045]      FIG. 15  is an exploded view of the burner shown in  FIG. 12  with solids therein; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away view of the burner shown in  FIG. 15  installed in a barbeque. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0047]      FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a barbeque  20  with a front F and rear R. The front and rear of all components of the barbeque in all drawings shall be indicated with a F and an R respectively. The barbeque  20  has a body  22 , with a pair of forwardly opening doors  24 , on castors  26 . A gas cylinder  27  is located within the body  22  and accessed via the doors  24 . The barbeque  20  also includes a series of burner controllers  28  mounted behind a hinged panel  30 . The barbeque  22  also includes a hood  32 , with a handle  34 , which can be hinged from the position shown in  FIG. 1  towards the rear of the barbeque  20 . 
         [0048]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , opening the hood  32  in this way provides access to a pair of rectangular grill plates  36 . The grill plates  36  extend from the front to the rear of the barbeque  20 . A pair of gas, rail-type, burners  38  are mounted beneath each of the grill plates  36 . 
         [0049]    As best shown in  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the grill plates  36  include a series of longitudinal ridges  40  with a series of longitudinal channels  42  therebetween, which extend between the front and rear ends of the grill plate  36 . The grill plates  36  also each include a first receptacle  44  adjacent and along their front ends. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the receptacles  44 , when viewed from the front, have a substantially shallow V-shape and a central opening  46  at their lowermost point. The receptacles  44  forms part of a drainage arrangement, the remainder of which will be described in more detail below. 
         [0050]    As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the drainage arrangement also includes a second shallow V-shaped receptacle  48  positioned beneath the first receptacles  44 . The second receptacle  48  includes an opening  50  at its lowermost point which leads to a downwardly directed duct  52 . The duct  52  is positioned above a removable container  54 . The drainage arrangement also includes upper surfaces  36   a  of the grill plates  36  which, as best shown in  FIG. 10 , are angled downwardly (about 2.5 degrees from horizontal) from their rear ends to their front ends, and thus towards the first receptacles  44 . 
         [0051]    The operation of the drainage arrangement will now be described. During cooking, fats, juices and other fluids from food being cooked drain, under influence of gravity, forwardly along the upper surface  36   a  of the grill plates  36  into the first receptacles  44 . The fluids collected in the receptacles  44  then drain, under influence of gravity, through openings  46  into the second receptacle  48 . Fluids collected in the second receptacle  48  then drain, again under influence of gravity, through the opening  50  and then the duct  52  into the container  54 . 
         [0052]    This drainage arrangement has numerous advantages. Firstly, the removal of the fats, juices and other fluids from the food provides a healthier cooked food. Secondly, the container  54  is positioned below the burners  38  and thus beneath a source of flame, thereby improving safety. Thirdly, the container  54  is positioned at the front F of the barbeque  20  for convenient removal for emptying. Fourthly, when viewed from the side, all components of the drainage arrangement are positioned forwardly away from the burners  38  and thus forwardly away from their flames, again improving safety. 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows a second embodiment of a grill plate  56 , which can also be used with the barbeque  20 . The grill plate  56  is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of the grill plate  36  except it has a planar upper surface. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows a third embodiment of a grill plate  58  which can also be used with the barbeque  20 . The construction and operation of the grill plate  58  is again substantially identical to that of the grill plate  36  except its drain receptacle  60  slopes in only one direction and has an opening  62  at the lowermost end of the receptacle  60 , 
         [0055]      FIG. 8  shows a fourth embodiment of a grill plate  64  which can be used with the barbeque  20 . The grill plate  64  is substantially identical in construction and operation to that of the grill plate  58 , except it has a planar upper surface. 
         [0056]    All of the previously described grill plates can be used in various combinations with the barbeque  20  in order to best suit the food being cooked thereon. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  shows the positioning of the grill plates  36  relative to the burners  38 . When viewed from the side, the horizontal distance between the front ends of the grill plate  36  and the burner  38 , denoted a, is larger than the horizontal distance between the rear ends of the grill plate  36  and the burner  38 , denoted b. Further, the upper surface  38   a  of the burner  38  is substantially horizontal, whereas lower surface  36   b  of the grill plate  36  is inclined at about two and a half degrees to horizontal. As a result, the vertical distance between the front ends of the grill plate  36  and burner  38 , denoted c, is smaller than the vertical distance between the rear ends of the grill plate  36  and burner  38 , denoted d. This inclination positions the front end of the grill plate  36  closer to the flame of the burner  38  compared to that of the rear end of the grill plate  36 . This advantageously provides more heat to the front end of the grill plate  36  compared to that of the rear end of the grill plate  36  and results in a more even temperature distribution over the cooking surface of the grill plate  36 . 
         [0058]    The grill plate  36  also includes a downwardly depending peripheral flange  68  with a horizontal distal edge  70 . The flange  68  assists with the even heat distribution as it concentrates heat toward the front of the grill plate  36  by encapsulating the convection currents. As best shown in  FIG. 11  the lower surface  36   b  of the grill plate  36  also includes a number of raised baffles  72 , which strengthen the grill plate  36 . 
         [0059]    In addition, the central cooking surface of the grill plate  36  has a substantially constant thickness. As a result, the inclination of the lower surface  36   b  is mirrored in the upper surface  36   a , which conveniently drains fluids towards the receptacle  44 , as previously discussed. 
         [0060]      FIG. 12  shows, in isolation, one of the burners  38 . The burner  38  has a substantially rectangular hollow body  74 , which receives gas from an inlet pipe  76 . The body  74  has a pair of openings  76  and  78 . The body  74  has a series of flame holes around its outer periphery and also the inner periphery of the openings  76  and  78 . The burner  38  also includes a removable container  80  which can be inserted within the opening  78 . As best shown in  FIG. 13 , the container  80  includes a handle  82  and an outwardly directed flange  84  around its upper end. When inserted in the opening  78 , the flange  84  rests upon ledges  86  to releasably retain the container  80  adjacent the opening  78 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show the container  80  filled with a fluid  88 , for example water. The container  80  and the water  88  become heated in use and impart moisture to the food being cooked to prevent it drying out during the cooking process. Flavoured liquids, such as wine, can also be added to the container  80  in order to impart both moisture and additional flavour to the food being cooked. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show the container  80  filled with woodchips  90  which, upon heating, impart a smoked flavour to the food being cooked. 
         [0063]    The releasable container  80  can advantageously be quickly and easily removed from the barbeque  20  when its use is not requited. It can easily be removed for cleaning or refilling, is adapted to hold a variety of different materials and its use does not reduce the barbeque&#39;s overall cooking area. 
         [0064]    Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the barbeque can also be made in a 2-burner configuration consisting of 1 hotplate, a 6-burner configuration consisting of 3 hotplates, and an 8-burner configuration consisting of 4-hotplates.