HANDLING DEVICE FOR FRIED FOOD

Abstract

The present invention relates to a handling device for roasted food, having a support sheet (12) for placing roasted food thereon, and a tray (14), especially for catching the roasting juice given off by the roasted food, wherein the tray (14) comprises a tray bottom (16), a wall (18) surrounding the tray bottom (16), and an outlet device (24), the outlet device (24) being situated in or on the wall (18), the outlet device (24) comprising an outlet tube (34) having a first end (36) and a second end (38), and in the region of the first end (36) or the second end (38) of the outlet tube (34) there is arranged a closure cap (48), which is movable into an open position for opening the outlet tube (34) and into a closed position for closing the outlet tube (34).

Claims

1. A handling device for roasted food, having a support sheet (12) for placing roasted food thereon, and a tray (14), especially for catching the roasting juice given off by the roasted food, wherein the tray (14) comprises a tray bottom (16), a wall (18) surrounding the tray bottom (16), and an outlet device (24), especially for draining the frying juice, the outlet device (24) is situated in or on the wall (18), the outlet device (24) comprises an outlet tube (34) having a first end (36) and a second end (38), and in the region of the first end (36) or the second end (38) of the outlet tube (34) there is arranged a closure cap (48), which is movable into an open position for opening the outlet tube (34) and into a closed position for closing the outlet tube (34).

2. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure cap (48) comprises at least one closure opening (50), which frees up the outlet tube (34) in the open position of the closure cap (48).

3. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 1, characterized in that a cover (42) having at least one cover opening (44) is situated in the region of that end (36, 38) of the outlet tube (34) where the closure cap (48) is situated.

4. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover (42) is arranged on a sleeve (46), which can be pushed onto the outlet tube (34) or pushed into the outlet tube (34).

5. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 3, characterized in that at least one closure opening (50) is aligned with at least one cover opening (44) in the open position of the closure cap (48).

6. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 3, characterized in that the cover (42) comprises a recess (62) surrounding the cover opening (44), in which a sealing element (66) is arranged.

7. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure cap (48) is arranged on the sleeve (46) movably in rotation and/or translation and the sleeve (46) comprises at least one guide groove (68) and the closure cap (48) comprises at least one stopping means engaging with the at least one guide groove (68), or vice versa, whereby the movement of the closure cap (48) relative to the sleeve (46) is limited.

8. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure cap (48) is situated in the region of the first end (36) of the outlet tube (34) and in the region of the second end (38) of the outlet tube (34) there is arranged a retention element (58), especially for catching larger particles contained in the roasting juice.

9. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 6, characterized in that the retention element (58) comprises at least one holding element (56) with which the outlet tube (34) is arranged on the retention element (58) or vice versa.

10. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 7, characterized in that the outlet tube (34) and the holding element (56) are joined together by friction locking.

11. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 6, characterized in that the retention element (58) is arranged on the inside of the wall (18).

12. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 6, characterized in that the retention element (58) comprises a handle (60).

13. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 1, characterized in that the handling device (10) comprises at least one foot (30) having at least one support damper (32).

14. The handling device for roasted food according to claim 1, characterized in that the support sheet (12) is configured as a perforated sheet.

Description

[0038] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained with the aid of the following figures. There are shown:

[0039] FIG. 1 an exploded view of a first exemplary embodiment of a handling device according to the invention,

[0040] FIG. 2 an exploded view of the outlet device of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1,

[0041] FIG. 3 a top view of exemplary embodiment represented in Figure indicating the cross sectioning plane A-A,

[0042] FIG. 4 cross sectional view A-A of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1 according to the cross sectioning plane indicated in FIG. 3,

[0043] FIG. 5 a rear view of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1 indicating the cross sectioning plane B-B,

[0044] FIG. 6 cross sectional view B-B of the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 1 according to the cross sectioning plane indicated in FIG. 5,

[0045] FIG. 7A a cross sectional view of part of the outlet device of a second exemplary embodiment,

[0046] FIG. 7B a projection view of the sealing element of the second exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 7A, and

[0047] FIG. 8 a projection view of a sleeve of the outlet device of a third exemplary embodiment.

[0048] FIGS. 1 to 8 show various views of several exemplary embodiments. For sake of clarity, not all reference numbers are used in each figure. The same reference numbers are used for the same and functionally identical parts.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a handling device 10 according to the invention. The handling device 10 comprises a support sheet 12 and a tray 14. The tray 14 comprises a tray bottom 16 and is bounded by an encircling wall 18. The tray bottom 16 is preferably formed as a trough, having a lowest point 20 when the handling device 10 is used in the intended position (see FIG. 6). Thus, liquid which is caught in the tray 14, especially roasting juice, can collect at a defined location in the tray 14. In the wall 18 there is arranged a wall opening 22, at which an outlet device 24 is arranged. The wall opening 22 and the outlet device 24 are situated in the region of the lowest point 20 of the tray 14. The tray bottom 16 is tilted toward the lowest point 20. Thus, the liquid collecting in the tray 14 can be removed entirely through the outlet device 24.

[0050] The support sheet 12 is arranged above the tray 14. As is seen especially in FIG. 6, the support sheet 12 for this purpose has an encircling, flattened rim 26, which lies against the wall 18. The play between the support sheet 12 and the tray 14 is preferably adjusted such that the support sheet 12 can be lifted off from the tray 14 without resistance. At the same time, the rim 26 may serve as a centering, so that only a minimal slippage of the support sheet 12 on the tray 14 is possible. The flattened rim 26 furthermore has the advantage that roasted food arranged on the support sheet 12 is prevented from slipping off the support sheet 12 when manipulating the handling device 10.

[0051] The support sheet 12 furthermore has a plurality of holes 28. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the holes 28 may be formed in various sizes. Advantageously, many small holes 28 are arranged in the central region of the support sheet 12, where the roasted food is usually positioned, so that a lattice-like structure is produced. In this way, the liquid given off by the roasted food can flow directly into the tray 14. The liquid can thus get into the tray 14 arranged beneath the support sheet 12 on the shortest possible path.

[0052] Thanks to the support sheet 12 arranged above the tray 14, the liquid present in the tray 14 is protected against evaporation. In order to achieve at the same time the most effective possible catching of the roasting juice and a good protection against evaporation, the holes 28 have a diameter of 2 to 3 mm. This hole size has proven to be especially advantageous in this regard. Furthermore, additional holes 28 are arranged along the edges and in the corners of the support sheet 12. Thanks to their position at the edge and in the corners of the support sheet 12, neither are they covered, even when cooking large roasted food. Due to their large diameter, they can ensure that even larger quantities of resulting liquid can flow swiftly into the tray 14. Thus, with the exemplary embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 6, up to three times more roasting juice can be obtained as compared to a traditional oven sheet.

[0053] The handling device 10 has four feet 30. The feet 30 are arranged directly on the tray 14 and joined to the tray 14 as a single piece. On each of the feet 30 there is arranged a support damper 32. The support dampers 32 are designed to be removable from the feet 30, so that they can be removed for cleaning purposes, for example.

[0054] A more detailed representation of the outlet device 24 is shown in FIG. 2. The outlet device 24 comprises an outlet tube 34 having a first end 36 and a second end 38. The outlet tube 34 moreover comprises an outlet tube opening 40, which in the present exemplary embodiment is formed by the cross section opening at the first end 36 of the outlet tube 34. In the region of the first end 36 of the outlet tube 34 there is arranged a cover 42, having a cover opening 44. The cover 42 is arranged on a sleeve 46, which is pushed onto the outlet tube 34. The cover 42 here lies against the outlet tube opening 40.

[0055] In the region of the first end 36 of the outlet tube 34 there is furthermore arranged a closure cap 48 with a closure opening 50. The closure cap 48 is arranged on the sleeve 46 such that the closure cap 48 can turn relative to the sleeve 46 about the longitudinal axis of the outlet tube 34. By turning it, the closure cap 48 can be arranged such that the cover opening 44 and the closure opening 50 are aligned. The closure cap 48 is then located in an open position.

[0056] The volume flow of liquid emerging from the outlet device 24 can be regulated by turning the closure cap 48 to adjust how much the cover opening 44 and the closure opening 50 will overlap. If the cover opening 44 and the closure opening 50 do not overlap, the closure cap 48 will be in a closed position. In the closed position, no liquid can emerge from the outlet device 24.

[0057] An outlet tongue 52 is arranged on the closure cap 48 in the region of the closure opening 50. The outlet tongue 52 enables a clean flow of liquid out from the closure opening 50. In particular, this can prevent an uncontrolled back flow of liquid emerging from the closure opening 50 onto the closure cap 48. A lever 54 is arranged on the closure cap 48 for easy and safe operation of the closure cap 48.

[0058] In the region of the second end 38, the outlet tube 34 is arranged on the wall 18, especially at the wall opening 22. The outlet tube 34 in this case is welded to the wall 18. A retention element 58 is arranged on the outlet tube 14, on which holding elements 56 are arranged. The retention element 58 is held by the holding elements 56 on the outlet tube 14. The distance between the outer edges of the two holding elements 56 is somewhat larger than the internal diameter of the outlet tube 34, so that the holding elements 56 when pushed into the outlet tube 34 are slightly deformed elastically in the direction of the middle of the outlet tube 34. In this way, the holding elements 56 act like pretensioned spring elements, which press against the inner wall of the outlet tube 34 and thus produce a friction locking with the outlet tube 34.

[0059] As is shown in the cross section representations of FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the retention element 58 is arranged in the tray 14 on the inside of the wall 18. The dimensions of the retention element 58 are chosen such that the retention element 58 covers the entire wall opening 22.

[0060] The retention element 58 is configured as a sieve, so that particularly large particles can be held back in the tray 14. In this way, a clogging of the outlet device 24 can be prevented. This is especially relevant when the handling device 10 is being used for cooking with aromatized steam. In order to create the aromatized steam, herbs and vegetables for example are placed in the tray 14 along with water or wine. So as not to impair the functionality of the outlet device 24 when draining off the resulting gravy, large particles can be caught by the retention element 58. For better handling, especially when pulling off the frictionally locked outlet tube 34 and/or when especially soiled, the retention element 58 has a handle 60.

[0061] It becomes clear, especially from FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, that the handling device 10 shown, and especially the outlet device 24, consists of few individual parts, which are joined together in particular by plug-in connections. In this way, the handling device 10 can be easily assembled or disassembled without special tools. This is especially advantageous, since in this way the handling device 10 can be thoroughly cleaned with little effort.

[0062] FIG. 7A shows a second exemplary embodiment of the outlet device 24 with the aid of a cross sectional representation. Unlike the cover 42 of the sleeve 46 as represented in FIG. 2, the cover 42 in the second exemplary embodiment has a recess 62, in which a disc-shaped sealing element 66 can be inserted, being represented in FIG. 7B. The sealing element 66 has a through opening 64, which surrounds the cover opening 44 in the mounted state. The sealing element 66 produces a sealing action for the cover 42 relative to the closure cap 48.

[0063] FIG. 8 shows in perspective view a sleeve 46 of an outlet device 24 according to a third exemplary embodiment, looking at the cover 42. The recess 62 is situated around the cover opening 44, being configured in this exemplary embodiment such that the sealing element 66 not represented here can be designed as an O-ring.

[0064] Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 8 that the sleeve 46 has a guide groove 68 in the region of the cover 42. The closure cap 48 engages with the guide groove 68. The guide groove 68 defines the open position and the closed position in that the closure cap 48 is stopped against the respective ends of the guide groove 68, for which purpose the closure cap 48 is provided with stopping means, not seen here.

[0065] It can be seen from FIGS. 2, 7A and 8 that the sleeve 46 has a shoulder 72, thereby producing a region with an enlarged diameter leading toward the cover 42, on which the closure cap 48 is mounted. Furthermore, the sleeve 46 has a total of three recesses 70 distributed evenly over the circumference, running substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the sleeve 46. The closure cap 48 can have three projections 74 pointing radially inward, which engage with the recesses 70 in a corresponding rotary position, so that the closure cap 48 is pushed onto the sleeve 46 until the closure cap 48 lies against the sleeve 46 and against the sealing element 66. If the closure cap 48 is moved from this rotary position, the closure cap 48 will grasp the shoulder 72 with the projections 74 such that the closure cap 48 interacts in form fitting with the sleeve 46.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0066] 10 Handling device [0067] 12 Support sheet [0068] 14 Tray [0069] 16 Tray bottom [0070] 18 Wall [0071] 20 Lowest point [0072] 22 Wall opening [0073] 24 Outlet device [0074] 26 Rim [0075] 28 Hole [0076] 30 Foot [0077] 32 Support damper [0078] 34 Outlet tube [0079] 36 First end [0080] 38 Second end [0081] 40 Outlet tube opening [0082] 42 Cover [0083] 44 Cover opening [0084] 46 Sleeve [0085] 48 Closure cap [0086] 50 Closure opening [0087] 52 Outlet tongue [0088] 54 Lever [0089] 56 Holding element [0090] 58 Retention element

60 Handle

[0091] 62 Recess [0092] 64 Through opening [0093] 66 Sealing element [0094] 68 Guide groove [0095] 70 Recess [0096] 72 Shoulder [0097] 74 Projections [0098] L Longitudinal axis