Patent ID: 12245723

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description will be understood best in conjunction with the figures. For illustrative purposes, the appliance is mounted in its preferential embodiments. Thus the present application is not limited to certain structures or embodiments illustrated. The figures are not to scale and must not be understood as limiting the scope of the claims to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention relates to an open oven or open radiant cooking appliance.

FIG.1shows an open radiant cooking appliance of the prior art having a C shape or a U shape and comprising:a horizontal lower part;a horizontal upper part;a vertical posterior part;U-shaped vertical lateral parts that thus provide holding thereof parallel to and at a distance from the lower part and the upper part.Said lower part, said upper part and said posterior part define the cooking chamber that receives the cooking casseroles, said cooking chamber comprising a lower cooking cassette formed by a few radiant elements.

FIG.2shows an open radiant cooking appliance1according to the invention having a C shape and a U shape and comprising:a horizontal lower cooking cassette11;a horizontal upper cooking cassette11′;a vertical posterior part12;U-shaped vertical lateral parts that thus provide the holding parallel to and at a distance from the lower cooking cassette11and the upper cooking cassette11′.Said lower cooking cassette11, said upper cooking cassette11′ and said posterior part12define the cooking chamber13that receives the cooking casseroles and contains at least two upper and lower cooking cassettes consisting of radiant elements21,21′,31,31′the lower part11and the upper part11′ comprise respectivelya proximal portion2,2′, comprising at least one proximal radiant element21,21′;a distal portion3,3′ comprising at least one distal radial element31,31′;the distal portion3,3′ comprising at least one and preferably two to five isolation means33,33′ that preferably comprise at least one first reflector331,331′ configured to direct the radiation emitted by at least one distal radiant element31,31′ towards the cooking chamber13.
Isolation/Concentration No. 1

In the present invention, the first isolation/concentration means33,33′ has the advantage of isolating the distal radiant elements31,31′ from the proximal radial elements21,21′.

According to a preferred embodiment, said at least one isolation means33,33′ comprises at least one first reflector331,331′ configured:a) by means of the proximal face thereof, for directing and/or concentrating the radiation emitted by the at least one radiant element21,21′ of the proximal part2,2′ towards the proximal part of the cooking chamber13; andb) by means of the distal face thereof, for directing and/or concentrating the radiation emitted by the at least one radiant element31,31′ of the distal part3,3′ of the cooking cassette towards the distal part of the cooking chamber13.

The advantage of the invention is avoiding a phenomenon known from the prior art, wherein the distal part of the cooking casserole (even of small size) is heated at a lower temperature than the proximal part, a phenomenon that is amplified in the case of the use of a large casserole.

In the prior art, in the absence of the reflectors331and331′, the radiation from the heating radiant elements goes beyond lower and upper distal ends of the small cooking casserole and therefore help to increase the temperature differential and therefore cooking differential between the proximal and distal face of said small cooking casserole.

Isolation/Concentration No. 2

FIG.3Ashows an embodiment wherein the at least one isolation means33of the distal part of the lower cooking cassette also comprises at least one second reflector332that separates the at least one distal radiant element31from the distal end32of the distal portion3of the lower cooking cassette.

The distal part of these reflectors makes it possible to direct and/or concentrate the radiation emitted by the at least one distal radiant element31towards the distal part3of the cooking cassette towards the distal part of the cooking chamber13and therefore consequently towards the distal part of the cooking casserole that is housed inside the cooking chamber13.

FIG.3Bshows an embodiment wherein the at least one isolation means33′ of the distal part of the upper cooking cassette also comprises at least one second reflector332′ that separates the at least one distal radiant element31′ from the distal end32′ of the distal portion3′ of the upper cooking cassette.

The distal part of these reflectors makes it possible to direct and/or concentrate the radiation emitted by the at least one distal radiant element31′ towards the distal part3′ of the cooking cassette towards the distal part of the cooking chamber13and therefore consequently towards the distal part of the cooking casserole that is housed inside the cooking chamber13.

The embodiments inFIGS.3A and3Bmay of course be combined, and the cooking device according to the invention may comprise at least one lower second reflector332and/or at least one upper second reflector332′.

Thus this second reflector or reflectors provide a complementary solution to the first reflector or reflectors to avoid the drawback of the prior art wherein the distal part of the casserole, in particular when it is a large cooking casserole, is at a lower temperature than in the proximal part thereof.

The cooking of the foodstuffs housed in the cooking casserole is thus, by virtue of this embodiment, much more even, and this in particular when the casserole is a large cooking casserole.

Another advantage of these second reflectors is that the radiant elements31,31′ can be switched on in a manner selected by the user, for example only when a large cooking casserole is being used.

In one embodiment, an isolation means consists of a reflector and an isolating static air film that separates the reflector332,332′ from the distal end of the cooking cassette to reduce any thermal loss and to reduce the diffusion of heat beyond the cooking cassette, which has the additional advantage of thus reducing the temperature of the frontal part of the cooking apparatus for safety purposes.

Isolation/Concentration No. 3

According to an embodiment presented inFIG.3A, the at least one isolation means33of the lower cooking cassette11also comprises at least one third reflector333that orients the radiation from the radiant elements towards the cooking chamber and isolates the bottom of the cooking cassette. In a preferred embodiment, said first reflector331and said second reflector332are connected together by said at least one third reflector333, by their distal ends with respect to the cooking chamber. In one embodiment, the reflectors331,332and333surround at least one radiant element31.

According to an embodiment presented inFIG.3B, the at least one isolation means33′ of the upper cooking cassette11′ also comprises at least one third reflector333′ that orients the radiation from the radiant elements towards the cooking chamber and isolates the upper part of the cooking cassette. In a preferred embodiment, said first reflector331′ and said second reflector332′ are connected together by said at least one third reflector333′, by their distal end with respect to the cooking chamber. In one embodiment, the reflections331′,332′ and333′ surround at least one radiant element31′.

Said first reflector331,331′, second reflector332,332′ and said at least one third reflector333,333′ alone or in combination with each other have the advantage of making it possible to increase, to improve, to orient and/or to channel the concentration of the radiation emitted by the at least one radiant element31,31′. It should be noted that the radiant elements31,31′ may have identical or differentiated powers.

According to one embodiment, the at least one isolation means33,33′ partially surrounds the at least one distal radial element31,31′; said at least one isolation means33,33′ comprising an opening334,334′ directed towards the cooking chamber13. In this embodiment, the radiation emitted by the at least one distal radiant element31,31′ with different or identical powers will solely be directed towards the cooking chamber13.

According to one embodiment, the first reflector331,331′, the at least one second reflector332,332′, and/or the at least one third reflector333,333′ is a reflective surface, which may be made from any adapted material, in particular metal or ceramic. According to a preferred embodiment, the reflectors are made from stainless steel.

According to one embodiment, the inclination of the first reflector331with respect to the lower horizontal surface of the lower cooking cassette11forms an angle β of between 70° and 120° (FIG.3A). According to one embodiment, the inclination of the first reflector331′ with respect to the upper horizontal surface of the upper cooking cassette11′ forms an angle (3′ of between 70° and 120° (FIG.3B). According to one embodiment, the angles13and (3′ are identical. According to another embodiment, the angles13and (3′ are different.

According to one embodiment, the inclination of the second reflector332with respect to the lower horizontal surface of the lower cooking cassette11forms an angle α of between 85° and 140° (FIG.3A). According to one embodiment, the inclination of the second reflector332′ with respect to the upper horizontal surface of the upper cooking cassette11′ forms an angle α′ of between 85° and 140° (FIG.3B). According to one embodiment, the angles α and α′ are identical. According to another embodiment, the angles α and α′ are different.

The angles of inclination of the at least one first reflector331,331′ and the angles of inclination of the at least one second reflector332,332′ are designed to improve, orient and/or channel the radiation emitted by the at least one distal radiant element31,31′.

According to one embodiment, the proximal portion2,2′ comprises a number of proximal radiant elements21,21′ of between 1 and 20, preferably between 1 and 10, and the radiant elements have identical or different powers. In a preferential embodiment, the open radiant cooking appliance comprises 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 proximal radiant elements in the proximal portion of the lower part, 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5 proximal radial elements in the proximal portion of the upper part.

According to one embodiment, the distal portion3,3′ comprises a number of distal radiant elements31,31′ of between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 6, and the radiant elements have identical or different powers. In a preferential embodiment, the open radiant cooking appliance comprises 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2 distal radiant elements in the distal portion of the lower part, 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2 distal radiant elements in the distal portion of the upper part.

According to one embodiment, the at least one proximal radiant element21,21′ and/or the at least one distal radiant element31,31′ have an elongate shape. According to one embodiment, the lower proximal radiant elements21may have a length different from the upper proximal radiant elements21′. According to one embodiment, the at least one distal radiant element31may have a length different from the distal radiant element31′. According to one embodiment, the at least one radiant proximal element31and the at least one proximal radiant element21may have identical lengths. Likewise the at least one distal radiant element31′ and the distal radiant element21′ may have identical lengths.

According to one embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the proximal radiant elements21,21′ and of the distal radiant elements31,31′ are parallel. According to one embodiment, said longitudinal axis of the proximal radiant element21,21′ and/or said longitudinal axis of the distal radiant element31,31′ are parallel to the distal end32,32′ of the cooking cassettes11,11′.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first reflector331and the at least one second reflector332extend over the whole of the width of the lower cooking cassette11. Width means the distance, along the axis, that is parallel to the distal end32. According to one embodiment, this width is defined by the distance separating the internal flanks of the apparatus, to which the lateral ends of said cooking cassettes are attached.

According to one embodiment, the at least one first reflector331′ and the at least one second reflector332′ extend over the whole of the width of the upper cooking cassette11′. Width means the distance, along the axis, that is parallel to the distal end32′.

According to one embodiment, the cooking cassettes11and11′ may have different dimensions.

According to one embodiment, the power of the at least one distal radiant element31,31′ is greater than the power of the at least one proximal radiant element21,21′. According to one embodiment, the power of the at least one distal radiant element31,31′ is on average 1 to 7 times greater than the minimum power of the at least one proximal radiant element21,21′. The unitary power of the proximal radiant elements21,21′ and distal radiant elements31,31′ may vary unitarily along the cooking cassettes11and11′. The powering up and the adjustment of the intensity of the radiant elements21,21′ and distal radiant elements31,31′ can be differentiated unitarily along the cooking cassettes11et11′. The radiant elements31,31′ may operate simultaneously or not, with different intensities or not. The distal radiant elements21,21′, may operate simultaneously or not, with different intensities or not.

According to one embodiment, the opening334of the at least one isolation means33of the distal portion3of the lower cooking cassette11is configured to be parallel to and/or opposite the opening334′ of the at least one isolation means33′ of the distal portion3′ of the upper cooking cassette11′.

According to one embodiment, the isolation means33and33′ are not similar, nor do they have similar heights. According to one embodiment, the reflectors331′,332′ are lowered so as to move as close as possible to the cooking casserole for better control of the channeling of the energy diffused by the radiant element or elements31′.

Lateral and Rear Isolation of the Cooking Chamber

In order to limit lateral entries of air that interfere between the top and the bottom of the casseroles, according to one embodiment, the lateral and rear ends of the cooking chamber13comprise lateral vertical reflectors that partially or totally close the lateral and rear openings of the cooking chamber13. In one embodiment, said reflectors cover 5 to 50% of the lateral and rear openings of the cooking chamber13.

Isolation of the Ends of the Radiant Elements

According to one embodiment, the lateral parts of the lower cooking cassettes11and/or upper cooking cassettes11′ comprise isolating lateral enclosures closed at their rear and front ends; according to one embodiment, the apparatus according to the invention furthermore comprises at least one additional elongate isolation means referred to as isolation enclosures that isolate the ends of the radiant elements. In this embodiment, the energy loss coming from the end of the radiant elements is very greatly reduced. In addition, these isolation enclosures have the advantage of isolating the ends of the radiant elements from the cool air flows coming from the fans40,40′ (cf.FIG.6) attached to the rear face of the cooking apparatus.

With reference toFIG.6, in order to overcome an insufficiency of lateral discharge of the central hot air in the open radiant cooking appliance according to the invention, frontal air deflectors50,50′ are envisaged, the purpose of which is to extract the central hot air towards external louvres60,60′.

It is possible to have one air deflector or two air deflectors50and50′. In the case where there are two air deflectors50,50′ as illustrated inFIG.6, preferentially, the two air deflectors are symmetrical with respect to a central plane of symmetry separating the open cooking appliance1into two symmetrical parts so as to obtain a lower cooking cassette11and an upper cooking cassette11′.

Each of the deflectors50,50′ has a planar surface51,51′ and an oblique surface52,52′ able to orient the central hot air towards the external louvres60,60′.

In accordance withFIG.6, preferentially, the first assembly: fan40, deflector50and external louvre60has a second mirror assembly40′,50′ and60′ on a central plane of symmetry, said plane of symmetry separating the open cooking appliance1into two symmetrical parts so as to obtain a lower cooking cassette11and an upper cooking cassette11′.

Furthermore, if such assemblies are lacking, the lateral cold air flows rush in the central part and condensation may appear in the distal portion3,3′ cooled by this cold air.

According to one embodiment, the isolation enclosures of the cooking appliance according to the invention have a length equal to the lateral dimension of the cooking cassettes. According to one embodiment, the isolation enclosures of the cooking appliance according to the invention are adapted to cover the ends of the radiant elements. According to one embodiment, the isolation enclosures have dimensions 5 to 15 millimetres greater than the dimensions of the end of the radiant elements.

The cooking appliance according to the invention is configured to receive, in its cooking chamber13, cooking casseroles of various dimensions, for cooking foodstuffs.

According to one embodiment, the radiant elements21,21′,31,31′ have a specific geometric form, in particular the form of a circular disc, the form of a horizontal circular cylinder wound on itself or the form of a prism or the form of a cylindrical tube with a constant and rectilinear diameter.

According to one embodiment, the open faces of the lower cooking cassette11and upper cooking cassette11′ furthermore comprise a protective window. Such a protective window mechanically protects the at least one distal radiant element31,31′ and the at least one proximal radiant element21,21′ from any physical impact, protects the radiant elements from any dirt generated during cooking, helps to thermally isolate the radiants from the influence of cool air flow external to the cooking chamber and also contributes to better distribution of the heating effects of the various radiant elements. According to one embodiment, such a protective window is made from glass or vitreous ceramic. According to another embodiment, such a protective window is a metal protective grille.

According to an embodiment that is not illustrated, the upper cooking cassette11′ furthermore comprises a protective grille separating the at least one distal radiant element31′ and the at least one proximal radiant element21′ from the cooking chamber13. According to one embodiment, such a protective window is made from glass or vitreous ceramic. According to another embodiment, such a protective window is a metal protective grille.

In a preferential embodiment, the cooking appliance according to the invention is configured to cook foodstuffs introduced into a cooking casserole placed in the cooking chamber13, at a temperature from 40° C. to 98°.

According to one embodiment, the cooking appliance according to the invention is supplied by electricity.

According to one embodiment, the form of the isolation means33,33′ depends on the location thereof with respect to the lower cooking cassette11or the upper cooking cassette11′.

According to one embodiment, the isolation means33,33′ of the distal external faces of the elements332,332′ is composed of air or another insulator. In this embodiment, the distal part of the cooking cassettes11,11′ is isolated against the cooling effects of the fan or fans40,40′ (cf.FIG.6) attached to the rear wall of the cooking appliance1; the radiation emitted by the distal radiant elements31,31′ are focused, directed and concentrated towards the distal part of the cooking chamber13, which has an important advantage, in particular when large cooking casseroles are used.

According to one embodiment, the isolation means34,34′ of the external faces of the elements333,333′ is composed of air or another insulator.

According to one embodiment, the first reflector331,331′ has a height of 0.5 to 10 centimetres. According to one embodiment, the first reflector331,331′ has a height greater than the proximal radiant element31,31′. The height differential is measured by the vertical difference in level between the vertical centre of the radiant element31and the upper end of the element331, between the centre of the radiant element31′ and the lower end of the element331′. The greater this differential, the more the radiation from the radiant elements31,31′ is oriented towards the targeted cooking zone, here the distal part of the cooking casseroles.

According to one embodiment, the second reflector332,332′ has a height of between 0.5 and 10 centimetres. According to one embodiment, the second reflector332,332′ has a greater height than the proximal radiant element31,31′. The height differential is measured by the vertical difference in level between the vertical centre of the radiant element31and the upper end of the element332, between the vertical centre of the radiant element31′ and the lower end of the element332′. The greater this differential, the more the radiation from the radiant elements is oriented towards the targeted cooking zone, here the distal part of the cooking casserole. The orientation is also consolidated by the angle α, α′ which, according to one embodiment, varies from 85 to 140°. This vertical differential in height by a preferential embodiment between the vertical centre of the radiant element31′ and the lower end of the element332′ is accentuated by the lower end of the element332′ passing through the protective grille of the upper radiant elements.

According to one embodiment, the opening334,334′ and the reflectors331,331′,332,332′,333,333′ have the same lengths. According to one embodiment, as illustrated byFIGS.3A and3B, the opening334,334′ and the reflectors331,331′,332,332′,333,333′ have different lengths.

According to one embodiment, the open radiant cooking appliance1according to the invention comprises an ignition means. According to one embodiment, said ignition means is a remotely controllable switch or a remotely controllable electronic system.

According to one embodiment, the open radiant cooking appliance1according to the invention comprises a means for adjusting the cooking temperature. According to one embodiment, said means for adjusting the cooking temperature is also controllable remotely or a remotely controllable electronic system.

Sectorised Reflection of the Heating Tubes

With reference toFIG.7, for the purpose of concentrating all the energy emitted by the proximal radiant elements21,21′ or distal radiant elements31,31′ towards the cooking casserole, said proximal or distal radiant elements receive a layer of insulating and reflective materials70around their face opposite to the cooking chamber13.

The layer of insulating and reflective materials70partially surrounds the proximal radial elements21,21′ or distal radiant element31,31′ so as of course to allow a diffusion of energy towards the cooking chamber13. The coverage is preferentially implemented all along the radial element21,21′,31,31′.

Sectorised Heating of the Tubes:

With reference toFIG.8, and for the purpose of optimising the cooking zones selectively, adding heating elements211can be envisaged, designed in targeted heating zones towards the cooking chamber13.

InFIG.8, a configuration is illustrated wherein a central zone210is not heated while the ends211in a cross section of the cooking appliance according to the invention are for their part heated selectively.

Preferentially, as illustrated inFIG.8, the heating zones211are symmetrically disposed on either side of the central zone210′.

The embodiments with sectorised heating of the tubes, sectorised reflection of the heating tubes and isolation of the ends of the radiant elements can of course be combined in order to optimise the evenness of the cooking obtained by means of the cooking appliance according to the invention.

Though certain embodiments have been described and illustrated, the detailed description is not constructed to limit the invention. Numerous alternative embodiments can be implemented by a person skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the claims.

EXAMPLE

Equipment and Methods

An open radiant cooking appliance according to the present invention and a cooking casserole containing a dauphinois gratin were used. Means for measuring the temperature of the dauphinois gratin in the cooking casserole were added so as to monitor the change in the cooking temperature of the dauphinois gratin at various points in the cooking casserole.

The cooking casserole containing the gratin was placed in the cooking chamber of the open radiant cooking appliance and heated to a “target” temperature of 93 or 94° C. at the core of the gratin and 98° C. on the surface of the gratin. The temperature is measured at various points on the cooking casserole.

Results

The temperature of the gratin measured at the core of the gratin at the centre and at the periphery of the dish is 93 or 94° C. On the surface of the gratin it reached 97 or 98° C.

Compared with the prior art presented above, the cooking temperature differential was reduced significantly (previous difference of 20° C. reduced by this technological innovation to 1° C.) thus allowing perfectly even cooking and browning unlike what could be observed previously. This is because, with the appliances of the prior art, to obtain even cooking and browning, it was necessary, during cooking, to pivot the cooking casserole through 180° (the front face of the cooking casserole being positioned thereby at the back of the cooking chamber), a manipulation that is constraining and impractical.