COOKING ATTACHMENT FOR A HEATABLE VESSEL OF A FOOD PROCESSOR

Abstract

A cooking attachment for a heatable vessel of a food processor, which cooking attachment has one or more base openings, through which steam exiting from the vessel can enter into the cooking attachment and condensate can flow out of the cooking attachment into the vessel. In order for food which is contained in the cooking attachment to be cooked more quickly and uniformly, and/or to be kept hot following preparation, irrespective of its position within the cooking attachment, it is proposed that the cooking attachment should have a heating device which provides heating irrespective of the steam exiting from the vessel.

Claims

1. A cooking attachment (2) for a heatable vessel (3) of a food processor (1), wherein said cooking attachment (2) features one or more bottom openings (4), through which steam exiting the vessel (3) can enter the cooking attachment (2) and condensate can flow from the cooking attachment (2) into the vessel (3), wherein the cooking attachment (2) features a heating device (5), which provides heating irrespective of the steam exiting the vessel (3).

2. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cooking attachment (2) has a cooking attachment wall (6), wherein the heating device (5) is arranged in or on the cooking attachment wall (6).

3. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cooking attachment (2) features a lid (7) with a lid wall (8), wherein the heating device (5) is arranged in or on the lid wall (8).

4. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cooking attachment (2) features an insertable base (14), wherein the heating device (5) is arranged in or on the insertable base (14).

5. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the cooking attachment (2) and/or the insertable base (14) features a channel (9), which is designed for collecting liquid, in particular, in the form of condensate forming in the cooking attachment (2) and/or liquid originating from the foods contained in the cooking attachment (2).

6. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 5, wherein the channel (9) is formed in the cooking attachment wall (6) and, in particular, annularly defines a bottom region (10) of the cooking attachment wall (6).

7. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 5, wherein the heating device (5) is assigned to the channel (9).

8. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (5) comprises a plurality of partial elements (11), which are arranged in or on the cooking attachment wall (6) and/or the lid wall (8) and/or the insertable base.

9. The cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1, wherein the heating device (5) features an induction and/or convection heater.

10. A food processor (1), particularly a cooking and mixing utensil, with a cooking attachment (2) according to claim 1.

11. A method for preparing and/or keeping foods hot within a cooking attachment (2), particularly within a cooking attachment (2) according to claim 5, wherein liquid contained within a channel (9) formed in the cooking attachment (2) is evaporated by means of a heating device (5) assigned to the channel (9), wherein the channel (9) particularly surrounds the foods annularly such that steam rising from the channel (9) moistens and/or heats the surfaces of the foods, which are not in contact with the cooking attachment (2) and/or an insertable base (14) of the cooking attachment (2).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the liquid contained in the channel (9) consists of condensate formed during the previous preparation of the foods within the cooking attachment (2), particularly a steaming process.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the cooking attachment (2) is attached to a heatable vessel (3) of a food processor (1) while the foods are prepared, wherein steam exiting the vessel (3) can enter the cooking attachment (2) through openings (4) arranged in the bottom region (10) of the cooking attachment (2).

Description

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail below. In the corresponding drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a food processor with a vessel and a cooking attachment arranged thereon,

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a section through a part of the vessel with a cooking attachment according to a first embodiment arranged thereon,

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a section through a part of the vessel with a cooking attachment according to a second embodiment arranged thereon, and

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a section through a cooking attachment according to a third embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a food processor 1 that is realized, for example, in the form of a cooking and mixing utensil in this case. The food processor 1 features a vessel 3 (in this case an agitator vessel) with a lid 12. The lid 12 has a central lid opening 13, through which steam generated in the vessel 3 can flow into a cooking attachment 2 arranged on the vessel 3.

[0031] The cooking attachment 2 is closed with a lid 7 that, if applicable, has openings for allowing steam to escape. Furthermore, a (not-shown) heater is assigned to the vessel 3 in order to heat the vessel 3. If applicable, an agitator is also arranged in the vessel 3.

[0032] The section illustrated in FIG. 2 shows an upper part of the vessel 3 with the lid 12, as well as the cooking attachment 2 with the lid 7. The lid 12 at least partially closes the vessel 3, wherein the central lid opening 13 provided in the lid 12 enables steam to flow from the vessel 3 into the cooking attachment 2.

[0033] The cooking attachment 2 has a cooking attachment wall 6, within which a heating device 5 with multiple partial elements 11 is arranged. Furthermore, a channel 9 is arranged in a bottom region 10 of the cooking attachment 2 and essentially surrounds the bottom region 10 of the cooking attachment 2 annularly. The partial elements 11 of the heating device 5 are likewise configured annularly and extend parallel to one another in planes arranged on top of one another. Furthermore, the bottom region 10 of the cooking attachment 2 also features an annular partial element 11 that is arranged within the ring formed by the channel 9. The heating device 5 may be realized, for example, in the form of an electric resistance heater with individual resistor elements, wherein the resistor elements represent partial elements 11 as defined by the invention. The cooking attachment 2 features a power connection for supplying the heating device 5 with power. Although the cooking attachment 2 features its own power plug in the exemplary embodiments shown, the heating device 5 of the cooking attachment 2 may alternatively also be supplied with power by means of the food processor 1 and/or the heatable vessel 3. If the cooking attachment 2 features an independent power supply, the cooking attachment 2 can be advantageously used in the form of a stand-alone device and therefore independently of the food processor 1 and/or the heatable vessel 3.

[0034] According to FIG. 3, the cooking attachment 2 may feature an insertable base 14 (or more than one insertable base), which likewise features partial elements 11 of the heating device 5. The partial elements 11 are advantageously arranged in the bottom region of the insertable base 14, as well as in the lateral region thereof. The cooking attachment 2 and the insertable base 14 are supplied with power by means of the food processor 1. For this purpose, the food processor 1, the vessel 3, the lid 12, the cooking attachment wall 6 and, if applicable, the insertable base feature electric lines 15. Corresponding electric contacts are arranged at the interfaces between the food processor 1 and the vessel 3, between the vessel 3 and the lid 12, between the lid 12 and the cooking attachment 2 and, if applicable, between the cooking attachment 2 and the insertable base 14 in order to ensure the electric power supply.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a cooking attachment 2 individually, i.e. the cooking attachment 2 is not connected to a heatable vessel 3 of a food processor 1. The cooking attachment 2 shown features a channel 9 that annularly surrounds a bottom region 10 of the cooking attachment 2. Partial elements 11 of a heating device 5 are assigned to the channel 9, as well as to adjacent areas of the bottom region 10 and the cooking attachment wall 6. The cooking attachment 2 features a power connection for realizing its power supply. The lid 7 of the cooking attachment 2 likewise features a heating device 5 with multiple partial elements 11, wherein the lid 7 is connected to the power supply of the cooking attachment 2 by means of corresponding contacts and electric lines 15.

[0036] According to the invention, the user of the food processor 1 fills the vessel 3 with a liquid, for example with water, and closes the food processor with the lid 12. The cooking attachment 2 is then arranged on the lid 12. Foods to be cooked are placed into the cooking attachment 2. The cooking attachment 2 is then closed with the lid 7. If applicable, one or more insertable bases 14 may also be placed into the cooking attachment 2 such that multiple levels are formed within the cooking attachment 2.

[0037] The liquid contained in the vessel 3 is heated by means of a heater assigned to the vessel 3. As soon as the boiling point of the liquid is reached, steam rises from the vessel 3 and escapes through the lid opening 13. The steam reaches the food preparation space of the cooking attachment 2 through the bottom openings 4 thereof such that the cooking attachment wall 6 and the foods contained in the cooking attachment 2 are heated.

[0038] Since a certain time period is required until steam is generated within the vessel 3, the user can additionally activate the heating device 5 in order to preheat the foods contained in the cooking attachment 2. The heating device 5 consists of a resistance heater, the heating resistors of which are embedded into the material of the cooking attachment wall 6. In this case, the individual partial elements 11 (heating resistors) of the heating device 5 can be controlled independently of one another such that different temperature zones can be realized within the cooking attachment 2. For example, the uppermost partial element 11 arranged adjacent to the lid 7 may have a higher temperature than the partial element 11 lying underneath. If one or more insertable bases 14 (if applicable with their own partial elements 11) are assigned to the cooking attachment 2, multiple levels can be heated with different temperatures. Different types of food can be arranged on each level, wherein fish can be arranged, for example, on a lower level and vegetables can be arranged on an upper level. Due to the plurality of partial elements 11, the preparation of the foods contained in the cooking attachment 2 can also be simultaneously completed if their properties deviate from one another.

[0039] The heating device 5 may either be activated and deactivated manually by the user or automatically by a control of the food processor 1. If an automatic control is used, the heating device 5 can be controlled in dependence on a current preparation progress of a recipe.

[0040] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the lid 7 of the cooking attachment 2 may also feature a heating device 5 with one or more partial elements 11. The partial elements 11 may be arranged in or on the lid wall 8 of the lid 7 in such a way that they emit thermal energy in the direction of the food preparation space of the cooking attachment 2. For example, foods can thereby be advantageously scalloped with cheese or also grilled. The partial elements 11 arranged in the lid 7 are advantageously supplied with power by means of the power connection of the cooking attachment 2.

[0041] As soon as the water contained in the vessel 3 evaporates, the foods contained in the cooking attachment 2 are cooked by the steam, as well as by the heating device 5. If applicable, the heating device 5 can be deactivated at this point such that the foods are then heated by the steam only.

[0042] As soon as the preparation of the foods is completed, the heater assigned to the vessel 3 is deactivated such that the transfer of steam from the vessel 3 into the cooking attachment 2 is stopped. The foods can now be removed from the cooking attachment 2 and arranged on a plate by the user.

[0043] The cooking attachment 2 can be used as a heat retaining vessel if the user does not intend to remove the foods from the cooking attachment 2 immediately after their preparation. In this case, the heating device 5 is operated in a heat retaining mode. The cooking attachment 2 may remain attached to the vessel 3 (as illustrated in FIG. 2 or 3) or be removed from the vessel 3 (as illustrated in FIG. 4) in this heat retaining mode.

[0044] In order to prevent the foods arranged in the cooking attachment 2 from drying out in the heat retaining mode, a liquid such as, for example, condensate collected during a previous evaporation cycle is evaporated in the channel 9 formed in the bottom region 10 of the cooking attachment 2. For this purpose, the liquid collected in the channel 9 is heated by means of the partial element 11 arranged closest to the channel 9. The heating process causes the liquid to evaporate such that the foods within the cooking attachment 2 are heated on the one hand and kept moist on the other hand. Premature cooling and drying-out of the foods can thereby be prevented or at least delayed. As an alternative to the collected condensate, the liquid may also consist of liquid originating from the foods or separately added liquid.

[0045] The channel 9 can be selectively heated by means of the assigned partial element 11 in the heat retaining mode of the cooking attachment 2 only, as well as during the previous preparation of the foods.

REFERENCE LIST

[0046] 1 Food processor [0047] 2 Cooking attachment [0048] 3 Vessel [0049] 4 Bottom opening [0050] 5 Heating device [0051] 6 Cooking attachment wall [0052] 7 Lid [0053] 8 Lid wall [0054] 9 Channel [0055] 10 Bottom region [0056] 11 Partial element [0057] 12 Vessel lid [0058] 13 Vessel lid opening [0059] 14 Insertable base [0060] 15 Electric line