Abstract
In an apparatus for heating and/or cooking foodstuffs, in particular meat products, comprising an appliance housing with at least one opening, an accommodating device for the meat products to be heated, a heating device associated with the accommodating device and having one or more heating elements, the accommodating device has one or more accommodating compartments which is accessible by way of the opening, and an insertion cassette which corresponds to a respective accommodating compartment and which can be loaded with one or more meat products in a predetermined orientation relative to each other and is adapted to be introduced into and removed again from the accommodating compartment.
Claims
1. Apparatus for heating and/or cooking foodstuffs, in particular meat products, comprising an appliance housing (6) with at least one opening (11, 11′), an accommodating device for the meat products to be heated, and a heating device (34) associated with the accommodating device and having one or more heating elements (56, 56′), characterised in that the accommodating device has one or more accommodating compartments (10, 10′) which is accessible by way of the opening (11, 11′), and an insertion cassette (12, 12′) which corresponds to a respective accommodating compartment (10, 10′) and which can be loaded with one or more meat products in a predetermined orientation relative to each other and is adapted to be introduced into and removed again from the accommodating compartment (10, 10′).
2. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 1 characterised in that there are provided two or more accommodating compartments (10, 10′) for accommodating a respective insertion cassette (12, 12′), wherein an individually controllable heating element (56, 56′) is associated with each respective accommodating compartment (10, 10′).
3. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 and 2 characterised in that the accommodating compartment or compartments (10, 10′) has an insertion direction (39) extending substantially in the horizontal direction.
4. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 3 characterised in that the opening (11, 11′) in the appliance housing (6) is substantially completely filled up by a wall region of the insertion cassette (12, 12′) which can be inserted in the accommodating compartment (10, 10′).
5. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 4 characterised in that the insertion cassette (12, 12′) has an outer casing (29) which accommodates the meat products and which is provided with a plurality of apertures (32, 32′).
6. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 5 characterised in that the outer casing (29) has two or more wall regions, preferably side walls (30, 30′) extending vertically and parallel to the insertion direction (29) into the accommodating compartment (10, 10′) and which are of a grid-like configuration.
7. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 6 characterised in that the insertion cassette (12, 12′) has an outer casing (29) comprising preferably two moveably mutually pivotably connected casing portions (72, 72′, 126, 126′).
8. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 7 characterised in that the casing portions (72, 72′) have limbs (80, 80′) extending parallel to each other at predetermined spacings for subdividing the accommodating chamber (78) for the meat products.
9. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 7 and 8 characterised in that the casing portions (126, 126′) are in the form of two plate bodies which are pivotably moveably connected together and which on mutually facing surface regions have mutually corresponding recesses.
10. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 9 characterised in that one of the plate bodies is adapted to receive a shaping insert at the inside of the wall respectively forming the recesses.
11. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 7 through 10 characterised in that the casing portions (72, 72′) of the insertion cassette (12, 12′) have preferably outwardly projecting abutment elements (38) which are adapted to hold the casing portions (72, 72′) which are brought into contact with each other at a spacing and to be received in a guide (40) of the accommodating compartment (10, 10′).
12. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 11 characterised in that the insertion cassette (12, 12′) has a handle (14) of a preferably insulating material.
13. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 12 characterised in that the handle (14) is preferably arranged rotatably on a handle carrier (74) of a first casing portion (12) and is adapted to be brought into a locking position or a release position with its locking portion (75) with a projection (75′) on the handle carrier (74′) of the second casing portion (12) by rotation about its longitudinal axis.
14. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 13 characterised in that the heating device (34) has heating elements (56, 56′) oriented parallel to the side walls (30, 30′) of the insertion cassettes (12, 12′).
15. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 14 characterised in that the insertion cassette (12, 12′) is made from a metallic material.
16. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 15 characterised by a catch container (20) extending horizontally beneath the accommodating device.
17. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 1 through 16 characterised in that the heating device (34) is coupled in signal-conducting relationship to a preferably electronic control unit for controlling the cooking temperature and/or cooking time.
18. Apparatus as set forth in the classifying portion of aspect 1 or at least one of the preceding aspects characterised by a hot air preparation device (4) for foodstuffs.
19. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 18 characterised in that the hot air preparation device (4) includes a fan (90) and a heating unit (92), wherein the heating unit (92) is disposed in the air flow produced by the fan (90) and guided within the appliance housing (6).
20. Apparatus as set forth in one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the hot air preparation device (4) includes a chamber (42) and one or more drums (24) which can preferably be rotatably received in the hot air flow, which is adapted to expose foodstuffs in the drum (24) uniformly to the hot air flow flowing through the chamber (42).
21. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 20 characterised in that the drum (24) has a preferably cylindrical accommodating chamber (113) for the foodstuffs and is provided with a central opening (94) for the introduction of hot air at preferably an end wall (116).
22. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the drum (24) has an end region (98) which is arranged opposite to the end wall (116) with the central opening (94), the end region having outlets (100, 100′) preferably arranged at the periphery.
23. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the drum (24) has a stationary spiral member (110) extending in a spiral form along its inside peripheral surface (112) for circulating the foodstuffs accommodated in the drum (24) or includes an accommodating basket (148) displaceable in the drum and having one or more accommodating compartments (150, 150′) arranged distributed along the basket periphery for accommodating the foodstuffs.
24. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the drum (14) can be reversibly coupled and uncoupled with a holding means (48) mounted rotatably in the chamber (42), wherein the holding means (48) is rotationally drivingly coupled to a drive means (50).
25. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that at the outside of the end wall (116) preferably having the central opening (94) the drum (24) has a plurality of locking portions (118) which correspond to latching elements (120) of the holding means (48), which latching elements project in the axial and/or radial direction into the chamber (48).
26. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that in the region of its peripheral portion (96) the drum (24) has a filling and removal opening (114) which preferably extends over more than half the drum length and over an angle of about ⅕th of the overall periphery of the drum (24).
27. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the drum (24) has a preferably transparent cover (44) which covers the opening (43) of the chamber (42) in the appliance housing (6) and which is rigidly connected to the peripheral portion (96) of the drum (24).
28. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 27 characterised in that arranged on the cover (24) is a gripping portion (88) for reversibly uncoupling and coupling the drum (24) from and to the holding means (48).
29. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the rotatable drum (24) has one or more sealing portions (104) which can be brought into sealing contact with the chamber rear wall or the hot air inlet (124) and/or the cover (44) of the drum (24) has sealing portions which can be brought into sealing contact with the outside of the appliance housing front (16) of the appliance housing (6).
30. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that in the bottom region (84) the chamber (42) has a receiving reservoir (86) removable from the chamber for receiving liquid residues.
31. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the chamber (42) has an inside wall with a cleaning-facilitating surface.
32. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the hot air preparation device (4) has a feed unit for adding liquid preferably in drop form to the hot air flow.
33. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised by a discharge air passage (46) which connects the hot air preparation device (4) to the accommodating device for the meat products and which preferably carries a partial amount of the hot air flow.
34. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised in that the hot air preparation device (4) and/or the heating device (34) of the grill device (2) is coupled in signal-conducting relationship to a preferably electronic control unit for controlling the cooking temperature and/or cooking times.
35. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of aspects 15 through 34 characterised in that the control unit is connected in signal-conducting relationship to sensor means for detecting the temperature in the accommodating device for the meat products and/or the hot air preparation device (4) and/or to optical and/or acoustic signal generators for the output of information signals.
36. Apparatus as set forth in at least one of the preceding aspects characterised by a discharge air filter unit (58) by way of which the air flow passed through the appliance housing (6) is passed, which is preferably arranged downstream of the accommodating device for the meat products.
37. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 36 characterised in that the filter unit is arranged at an outlet opening at the outside of the appliance housing, the filter unit having an interchangeable filter element.
38. Apparatus as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1 or at least one of the preceding claims characterised by a cooling device (160) for the foodstuffs.
39. Apparatus as set forth in aspect 38 characterised in that the cooling device (160) includes an accommodating compartment (162) for the foodstuffs which are to be kept cool, which accommodating compartment can be inserted into and removed again from the cooling chamber on the appliance housing.
Description
[0054] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of a preferred embodiment by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention,
[0056] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view in partial section of the apparatus of FIG. 1,
[0057] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of part of the grill device according to the invention,
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of part of an alternative configuration of a discharge air filter unit,
[0059] FIGS. 5 and 6 show perspective views of the insertion cassette according to the invention in the closed and opened conditions,
[0060] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention shown in FIG. 1 with removed insertion cassette and drum,
[0061] FIGS. 8 through 11 show perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the insertion cassettes according to the invention,
[0062] FIG. 12 shows a perspective detail view of the hot air preparation device according to the invention,
[0063] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the drum according to the invention,
[0064] FIG. 14 shows a detail view of the drive means according to the invention as shown in FIG. 7,
[0065] FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention,
[0066] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a accommodating basket for foodstuffs, and
[0067] FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention.
[0068] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for heating and/or cooking foodstuffs, which has an accommodating device 2, in particular for meat products, and a hot air preparation device 4 for foodstuffs, like for example French fries. The apparatus according to the invention is in the form of a combination appliance which includes an appliance housing 6 in which the accommodating device 2 and the hot air preparation device 4 are arranged in integrated fashion.
[0069] The accommodating device 2, also referred to as and in the form of a grill device 2, is arranged in the present embodiment above the hot air preparation device 4. The grill device 2 which is arranged in the upper cuboidal portion 8 of the appliance housing 6 has two accommodating compartments 10, 10′ accessible by way of openings 11, 11′ in the appliance housing 6. The accommodating device 2 for the meat products, hereinafter referred to as the grill device 2, is adapted to accommodate two insertion cassettes 12, 12′ which in the present embodiment are fitted into the accommodating compartments 10, 10′. For handling the insertion cassettes 12, 12′ they each have a respective handle 14 projecting at the appliance housing front 16. Provided beneath the grill device 2 is an insertion slot 18 for a catch container 20 which extends in the horizontal direction and by way of which liquids which are produced or occur upon heating and/or cooking of the meat products in the grill device 2 are caught. Arranged in the lower substantially cylindrical portion 22 of the appliance housing 6 is the hot air preparation device 4 having a rotatably mounted drum 24 (FIG. 2). In addition operating and regulating elements 26, 26′ and a digital display device 28 are provided at the appliance housing front 16.
[0070] As FIG. 2 clearly shows the accommodating compartments 10, 10′ are spatially separated from each other, wherein insulation (not shown) is provided in the separating regions. That avoids transfer of heat from one accommodating compartment 10 to the adjacent compartment 10′. The insertion cassettes 12, 12′ have an outer casing 29 with vertically extending side walls 30, 30′ provided with a plurality of apertures 32, 32′. By way of the apertures 32, 32′ the heat generated by a heating device 34 (FIG. 3) of the grill device 2 can act directly on the meat products 36 (FIG. 5) which are disposed in or placed in the insertion cassettes 12, 12′. Preferably the insertion cassettes 12, 12′ are pushed into and pulled out of a respective accommodating compartment 10, 10′. The insertion cassettes 12, 12′ have abutment elements 38 guided in a guide 40 extending parallel to the insertion direction 39 of the insertion cassettes 12, 12′.
[0071] The rotatably mounted drum 24 is rotatably accommodated in a substantially cylindrical chamber 42 (FIG. 6), the drum 24 having a cover 44 which sealingly closes the opening 43 of the chamber 42 in the appliance housing 6 and which is fixedly connected to or is part of the drum 24. The hot air flow produced by means of the hot air preparation device 4 is passed out of the chamber 42 by way of a discharge air passage 46 in the direction of the grill device 2, by means of which the grill device is preheated, or the foodstuffs prepared with the grill device 2 are additionally subjected to the effect of the hot air flow. The rotary drum 24 can be reversibly coupled and uncoupled with its rearward end to a holding means 48. The holding means 48 is rotatably mounted and connected to a drive means 50 to transmit a rotary movement. The drive means 50 is coupled by way of a coupling gear 52 and a drive pinion 54 to a receiving portion 106 of the holding means 48.
[0072] FIG. 3 shows the grill device 2 without the appliance housing 6 concealing the accommodating compartments 10, 10′, in which respect it will be seen that the heating device 34 has a plurality of heating elements 56, 56′ in the form of plate heating bodies. For each accommodating compartment 10, 10′ two heating elements 56, 56′ extend parallel to the side walls 30, 30′ of the insertion cassettes 12, 12′. Arranged at the rear side of the grill device 2 is a discharge air filter unit 58 having a filter element 60 and an outlet opening 62. The filter unit 58 is disposed upstream of the outlet opening 62. Possible odors or vapors occurring within the hot air preparation device 4 and in the grill device 2 are filtered out of the hot air flow passed through the apparatus 1 by means of the filter unit 58. The air flow leaving the apparatus is thus almost free of odor substances. For the transfer of air between the hot air preparation device and the grill device the apparatus 1, beneath the grill device 2, has a bottom plate 64 with blowing-in openings 66. The heating elements 56, 56′ in the form of plate bodies comprise a carrier plate 68 of ceramic and a resistance wire 70 which in the present structure is wound in a spiral form around the carrier plate 68.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows the apparatus 1 with a discharge air filter unit 58′ of an alternative configuration, which is arranged on the outside of the appliance housing 6. The discharge air filter unit 58′ has a frame-like push-in receiving means 59 which is associated with the outlet opening 62, shown in FIG. 3, of the discharge air flow, in such a way that the outlet opening 62 is completely covered. For example a filter element 60′ having an activated carbon filter can be pushed into the push-in receiving means 59. Odor substances and particles entrained in the discharge air flow are correspondingly filtered out.
[0074] FIGS. 5 and 6 shows the insertion cassette 12 and are intended to clearly show the structure thereof. The insertion cassette 12′ has an outer casing 29 comprising two casing portions 72, 72′ which are pivotably moveably connected together. Arranged on the outer casing 29 is a two-part handle carrier 74, 74′, wherein each casing portion 72, 72′ is connected to a part of the handle carrier 74, 74′. Arranged rotatably on the handle carrier part 74 is the handle 14 which depending on the rotary position thereof is in a release position or a locking position and thus allows or prevents the two casing portions 72, 72′ of the insertion cassettes from pivoting apart. The handle 14 on the handle carrier part 74 is carried rotatably in particular about an axis of rotation arranged parallel to the plane of separation of the casing portions 72, 72′. In the locking position the handle 14 is operatively connected in holding relationship with its locking portion 75, to a projection 75′ on the handle carrier part 74′. The casing portions 72, 72′ are hingedly connected together by way of two hinges 76 arranged in the bottom region of the insertion cassette 12. The casing portions 72, 72′ of the insertion cassette 12 can be pivoted relative to each other through an angle of about 180° by means of the hinges 76. The side walls 30, 30′ are of a grid-like configuration in the illustrated embodiment. The casing portions 72, 72′ have limbs 80, 80′ on the inside for subdividing the accommodating chamber 78 for the meat products 36. Insert compartments 82, 82′ are formed by means of the limbs 80, 80′ which project approximately perpendicularly at the inside of the side walls 30, 30′ and which preferably extend parallel to the bottom region. In addition the meat products 36 to be cooked are disposed in a predetermined orientation within the insertion cassette 12, 12′ by virtue of the insert compartments 82, 82′ produced. Provided in the bottom region of the insertion cassette 12 is a drop discharge opening 84 for evaporation or cooking liquids which occur within the insertion cassette. An alternative configuration (not shown) of the insertion cassettes provides that replaceable insert compartments can be used instead of the limbs 80, 80′, in dependence on the meat products to be prepared.
[0075] As FIG. 7 shows the accommodating compartments 10, 10′ of the grill device are substantially of a rectangular cross-section in the insertion direction 39 for the approximately cuboidal insertion cassettes 12, 12′. The chamber 42 of the hot air preparation device 4 is of a cylindrical shape. Provided in the bottom region 84 of the chamber is a receiving reservoir 86 for liquid residues. The inside wall of the chamber has a surface which facilitates and assists with cleaning, the inside wall comprising a material with a smooth surface or a material with an anti-adhesion coating. The cover 44 fixedly arranged on the peripheral portion 96 of the drum 24 is equipped with a gripping portion 88 for reversibly coupling and uncoupling the drum 24 to and from the holding means 48.
[0076] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of an insertion cassette 12′ which can be inserted into the accommodating compartments 10, 10′ of the apparatus 1 and which has two casing portions 126, 126′ which are pivotably moveably connected together. The casing portions 126, 126′ each have a respective plate body 128, 128′ which has respective mutually corresponding recesses 130, 130′ at its surface region towards the plate body of the other casing portion. The recesses 130, 130′ are arranged on the mutually facing surfaces in such a way that two mutually corresponding hemispherical recesses 130, 130′ form a spherical hollow space when the casing portions 126, 126′ are pivoted together. Spherical products of a pasty material like for example sausagemeat can be prepared in the spherical hollow space. As in the above-described embodiment, the handle 14′ arranged rotatably on the casing portions 126 by way of a handle carrier 74 serves for arresting the casing portions 126, 126′ to each other. By rotating the handle 14′, it is brought into engagement with its locking portion 75 with a projection 75′ on the handle carrier 74′ on the other casing portion 126′, as has already been described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0077] FIG. 10 shows by way of example a detail region of the casing portion 126 from the outside. As can be seen the plate body 128 has through openings 132 and the wall 34 forming the recess 130 has slot-like apertures 136. Shaping or stamping inserts 138, 138′ can be positioned in the recesses 130, 130′; the inserts 138, 138′ are adapted to form letters or digits in the surface of the spherical burgers or rissoles during preparation thereof.
[0078] The shaping insert 138 shown by way of example in FIG. 11 has a circular flat shaping portion 140. The shaping portion 140, on its surface 142 towards the spherical hollow space, has a raised letter 144 projecting at the surface, in the form of an A. Provided on the rear side 146 of the shaping portion 140 are a plurality of clamping or push-in portions 148, 148′ which project perpendicularly therefrom. The shaping insert 138 is fixed in the wall 134 of the hemispherical recess 130 on the casing portion 126 by means of the clamping or push-in portions 148, 148′. The connection between the wall 134 of the recess and the clamping or push-in portions 146, 146′ of the shaping insert 138 is produced by way of a force-locking or positively locking connection whereby the shaping insert 138 is adapted to be replaceable on the casing portions 126, 126′ of the insertion cassette 12.
[0079] FIG. 12 shows a detail view of the hot air preparation device 4 which has a fan 90 producing an air flow guided within the appliance housing 6. For that purpose a passage (not shown in greater detail) is provided within the appliance housing. In addition the hot air preparation device 4 has a heating unit 92 which is arranged within the air flow produced and heats it to the required temperature. The hot air flow produced by the fan 90 and the heating unit 92 is introduced at the rear into the drum 24 by way of a central opening 94 in the end wall 116 (FIG. 8) and flows in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the drum 24 which has a cylindrical peripheral portion 96. Rotation of the drum means that the foodstuff in the drum is uniformly subjected to the effect of the hot air flow passing through the drum. The end region 98, which is associated with the cover 44, of the drum 24 has outlets 100, 100′ preferably arranged at the periphery in the peripheral portion of the drum adjacent to the cover. The hot air flow issues from the drum in a radial direction by way of the outlets 100, 100′ which are in the form of slots. Associated with the outlets 100, 100′ is a discharge air guide 102, by way of which, and by way of the discharge air passage 46 connected thereto, the hot air is transferred into the grill device 2. The cover 44 of the drum 24 has sealing portions 104 which can be brought into contact with the appliance housing front 16 so that the opening 43 in the appliance housing 6 is sealingly covered over. To drive the drum 24, the arrangement uses the drive means 50 which drives the holding means 48 by means of the drive pinion (FIG. 2), the holding means 48 having a receiving portion 106 having an external tooth arrangement 108.
[0080] FIG. 13 shows the configuration of the drum 24 which includes a spiral member 110 for circulating the foodstuff accommodated in the drum 24. The member 110 is of a spiral configuration and extends at least portion-wise along the inner peripheral surface 112 of the drum peripheral portion 96. The drum 24 which is removable from the chamber 42 has in the peripheral casing portion 96 a filling and removal opening 114 which in the present embodiment extends approximately over three quarters of the overall length of the drum and is of a dimension in the peripheral direction of the drum 24 of about a fifth of the overall periphery. At the end wall 116 in opposite relationship to the cover 44, the drum 24 has on the outside a plurality of locking portions 118 corresponding to latching elements 120 of the holding means 48.
[0081] FIG. 14 is a partial section through the chamber 42 of the hot air preparation device 4, the drum 24 being omitted from this view for clearer illustration thereof. The holding means 48 has a receiving portion 106 which is mounted rotatably at the rear side of the chamber 42 and on which are arranged latching elements 120 projecting inwardly in the radial direction. The forked locking portions 118 (see FIG. 8) of the drum 24 engage around or behind the latching elements 120 whereby a connection which is rotationally fixed in the drive direction is produced between the holding means 48 and the drum 24. To be able to uncouple the drum 24 from the holding means 48, the drum 24 is to be rotated in opposite relationship to the drive direction by way of the gripping portion 88 on the cover 44. Centrally in relation to the axis of rotation the receiving portion 106 has an aperture 122 through which a hot air inlet 124 of the fan 90 projects, and which extends to a position through the central opening 94 at the end wall 116 of the drum 24. That ensures a reliable entrance of the hot air flow produced, into the drum 24.
[0082] FIG. 15 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus 1′ according to the invention, having a grill device 2 and a hot air preparation device 4′ arranged beneath the grill device 2. In regard to the structural features of the grill device 2, attention is directed to the foregoing description relating to the previous embodiments. The hot air preparation device 4 which is in the form of a boiling unit has a rotatably mounted drum 24′ having an accommodating chamber 113 and an accommodating basket 148 arranged in the accommodating chamber 113. The basket 148 is in particular adapted to expose the foodstuffs to be prepared like for example cooking or boiling sausage in specifically targeted fashion in a predetermined orientation or arrangement, to the hot air flow passing through the chamber. The drum 24′ can be inserted together with the basket 148 and with the cover 44′ fixedly arranged on the basket into the opening 43 into the appliance housing front 16. In that case the opening 43 of the chamber 42 is sealingly closed by the cover 44′.
[0083] FIG. 16 shows a detail view of the accommodating basket 148 and the cover 44′ arranged at an end of the basket. The basket 148 has at its periphery a plurality of uniformly distributed accommodating compartments 150, 150′. Each accommodating compartment 150, 150′ has a wall surface 152 of a shape of which regions are cylindrical. The wall surface 152 is made up of a plurality of bars 154, 154′ which are arranged parallel and at a spacing from each other. The wall surface 152 thus has a plurality of apertures which extend in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating compartments 150, 150′ and by way of which the hot vapor produced comes into contact with the surface of the foodstuffs to be prepared. Arranged between the accommodating compartments 150, 150′ are respective connecting structures 156, 156′ having convexly shaped wall portions which in contrast to the wall surfaces 152 of the accommodating compartments 150, 150′ form closed wall surfaces.
[0084] FIG. 17 shows a further embodiment of an apparatus 1′ according to the invention which, besides the grill device 2, has a cooling device 160 for at least intermediate storage of foodstuffs to be prepared. The cooling device 160, like also the hot air preparation device 4, 4′, is arranged beneath the grill device 2 and has an opening 43 in the appliance housing front 16. The cooling device 16 includes a substantially cylindrical cooling chamber in which an accommodating compartment for the foodstuffs, that is of a complementary configuration, can be inserted and removed again. Like the cooling chamber the accommodating compartment has a substantially cylindrical wall 164 on which there is provided a filling and removal opening 114. The filling and removal opening 114 extends substantially over the entire length of the accommodating compartment 162. Arranged at an end of the accommodating compartment is a cover 44″ fixedly connected to the accommodating compartment 162. The cover 44″, after insertion of the accommodating compartment 162 into the cooling chamber, sealingly covers the opening 43 of the cooling device 160. A gripping portion 88 is arranged on the cover 44″. With the gripping portion 88, the accommodating compartment 162 can be pulled out of the cooling chamber and pushed into the cooling chamber again.
[0085] Preferred aspects of the present invention are set forth hereinafter, using the references employed hereinbefore. In that respect the references are non-limiting but are only to be interpreted as means for making it easier to understand and read the aspects, for the specified aspects do not exclusively relate to the above-discussed Figures. The aspects set forth hereinafter include features which can be combined with other preferred features which are to be found in the description and/or the claims.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0086] 1, 1′, 1″ apparatus
[0087] 2 grill device
[0088] 4, 4′ hot air preparation device
[0089] 6 appliance housing
[0090] 8 portion
[0091] 10, 10′ accommodating compartment
[0092] 11, 11′, 43 opening
[0093] 12, 12′ insertion cassette
[0094] 14, 14′ handle
[0095] 16 appliance housing front
[0096] 18 insert
[0097] 20 catch container
[0098] 22 cylindrical portion
[0099] 24, 24′ drum
[0100] 26, 26′ operating and regulating elements
[0101] 28 display device
[0102] 29 outer casing
[0103] 30, 30′ side wall
[0104] 32, 32′ aperture
[0105] 34 heating device
[0106] 36 meat product
[0107] 38 abutment element
[0108] 39 insertion direction
[0109] 40 guide
[0110] 42 chamber
[0111] 43 opening
[0112] 44, 44′, 44″ cover
[0113] 46 discharge air passage
[0114] 48 holding means
[0115] 50 drive means
[0116] 52 coupling transmission
[0117] 54 drive pinion
[0118] 56, 56′ heating element
[0119] 58, 58′ discharge air filter unit
[0120] 59 push-in plug receptacle
[0121] 60, 60′ filter element
[0122] 62 outlet opening
[0123] 64 bottom plate
[0124] 66 blowing-in openings
[0125] 68 carrier plate
[0126] 70 resistance wire
[0127] 72, 72′ casing portions
[0128] 74, 74′ handle carrier
[0129] 75 locking portions
[0130] 75′ projection
[0131] 76 hinges
[0132] 78 accommodating chamber
[0133] 80, 80′ limbs
[0134] 82, 82′ insert compartment
[0135] 84 bottom region
[0136] 86 receiving reservoir
[0137] 88 gripping portion
[0138] 90 fan
[0139] 92 heating unit
[0140] 94 central opening
[0141] 96 peripheral portion
[0142] 98 end region
[0143] 100, 100′ outlet
[0144] 102 discharge air guide
[0145] 104 sealing portion
[0146] 106 accommodating portion
[0147] 108 external tooth arrangement
[0148] 110 spiral member
[0149] 112 peripheral surface
[0150] 113 accommodating chamber
[0151] 114 filling and removal opening
[0152] 116 end wall
[0153] 118 locking portion
[0154] 120 latching element
[0155] 122 aperture
[0156] 124 hot air inlet
[0157] 126, 126′ casing portion
[0158] 128, 128′ plate body
[0159] 130, 130′ recess
[0160] 132 through opening
[0161] 134 wall
[0162] 136 aperture
[0163] 138, 138′ shaping insert
[0164] 140 shaping portion
[0165] 142 surface
[0166] 144 characters
[0167] 146, 146′ clamping or push-in portions
[0168] 148 accommodating basket
[0169] 150, 150′ accommodating compartment
[0170] 152 wall surface
[0171] 154, 154 bar
[0172] 156, 156′ connecting limb
[0173] 160 cooling device
[0174] 162 accommodating compartment
[0175] 164 wall
