Apparatus for Cooking Foods and a Method for Operating the Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for cooking food includes an oven, including a cooking chamber in which the food can be cooked by dry hot air, steam or hot air and steam together, a support frame to which the oven is fixed, a collecting tank designed to collect the liquid produced in the cooking chamber during the cooking of food or delivered to the cooking chamber during a washing procedure of the oven, the collecting tank being associated with the support frame and being provided with an inlet opening that can be connected to a drain of the cooking chamber, the collecting tank being provided with level sensor means configured for detecting a plurality of levels reached by the liquid in the collecting tank. A method for managing an apparatus for cooking food, including an oven for cooking the foods, fixed to a support frame with which a collecting tank is associated that is designed to collect the liquid produced in the oven during the cooking of food or delivered to the oven during a washing procedure of the oven, includes detecting a plurality of different levels reached by the liquid in the collecting tank and communicating the reaching of the levels to a command-and-control device of the oven, one of the levels being a preset permissible maximum level that the liquid can reach in the collecting tank.

Claims

1. An apparatus for cooking food comprising an oven, including a cooking chamber in which the food can be cooked by dry hot air, steam or hot air and steam together, a support frame to which said oven is fixed, a collecting tank designed to collect the liquid produced in said cooking chamber during the cooking of food or delivered to said cooking chamber during a washing procedure of said oven, said collecting tank being associated with said support frame and being provided with an inlet opening that can be connected to a drain of said cooking chamber, wherein said collecting tank is provided with level sensor means configured for detecting a plurality of levels reached by said liquid in said collecting tank, wherein said inlet opening is connected to said discharge by a pipe provided with a connecting element configured for being inserted into said inlet opening, wherein said inlet opening is provided with a normally closed check valve, that can be opened by said connecting element when the latter is inserted into said inlet opening.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said level sensor means comprise at least one first level sensor configured for detecting a first level reached by said liquid in said collecting tank and a second level sensor configured for detecting a second level reached by said liquid in said collecting tank, said second level being greater than said first level.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said collecting tank is provided with at least one third level sensor configured for detecting a third level reached by said liquid in said collecting tank said third level being greater than said second level.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said level sensor means comprise a single level sensor configured for detecting continuously the level of liquid in said collecting tank.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said level sensor means are operationally connected to a command-and-control device of the oven.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said inlet opening is provided with a seal gasket configured for making a substantially hermetic seal between said connecting element and said inlet opening, when said connecting element is inserted into said inlet opening.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said collecting tank is provided with a discharge conduit provided with a manually driven opening and closing valve.

8. A method for managing an apparatus for cooking food, said apparatus comprising an oven for cooking said foods, fixed to a support frame with which a collecting tank is associated that is designed to collect the liquid produced in said oven during the cooking of food or delivered to said oven during a washing procedure of said oven, said method including detecting a plurality of different levels reached by said liquid in said collecting tank and communicating the reaching of said levels to a command-and-control device of the oven, one of said levels being a preset permissible maximum level that said liquid can reach in said collecting tank, wherein a first level of said plurality of levels, below said preset permissible maximum level, corresponds to a level of liquid that does not have to be exceeded for a first free volume to remain inside the collecting tank that is available to receive a first quantity of washing liquid used in a first washing procedure of the oven.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said detecting comprises detecting continuously the level reached by said liquid inside said collecting tank.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising commanding the arrest of the oven by said command-and-control device when the level of liquid in the collecting tank reaches said preset permissible maximum level.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein a second level of said plurality of levels, below said preset permissible maximum level and greater than said first level, corresponds to a level of liquid that does not have to be exceeded for a second free volume to remain inside the collecting tank that is available to receive a second quantity of washing liquid used in a second washing procedure of the oven.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising inhibiting the carrying out of said first washing procedure if the level of liquid in the collecting tank exceeds said first level and inhibiting the carrying out of said second washing procedure, as well, if the level of liquid in the collecting tank exceeds said second level.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising calculating, for each of said levels of liquid, the residual working range of the oven, said residual working time depending on the residual free volume in the collecting tank at each of said liquid levels and on the amount of liquid discharged from the oven during a cooking procedure.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising communicating visually or acoustically to an oven operator the residual working range of the oven.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising inhibiting the startup of a cooking procedure if said cooking procedure has a duration that is greater than said residual working range.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be clear from the following description thereof, made for illustrative, not limitative purposes, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a combi oven according to the invention, in an isometric view;

[0049] FIG. 2 shows the oven in FIG. 1, in an elevation view:

[0050] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 2;

[0051] FIG. 4 shows a collecting tank of the oven according to the invention, in an isometric view;

[0052] FIG. 5 shows the collecting tank in FIG. 4, in a sectioned elevation view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Making reference to the Figures, an inventive apparatus for cooking food is indicated by the reference number 1, and comprises a combi oven 2, that is an oven suitable for cooking food using dry hot air or steam, or hot air and steam.

[0054] Within the oven 2 is defined a cooking chamber 3 that may be accessed through a door 21, the food being cooked inside the same.

[0055] The oven 2 is mounted on a support frame 4 which is associated with a collecting tank 5 designed to collect the liquids discharged from the oven 2 during the cooking of food, or during a washing and rinsing procedure of the oven.

[0056] The collecting tank 5 is movable, namely it may be extracted from, and inserted into, the support frame 4.

[0057] The collecting tank 5 may be provided with wheels 6, such as adjustable wheels, to allow movement thereof, and with a handle 11 by means of which an operator can move the collecting tank 5.

[0058] Alternatively, the collecting tank 5 may be fixed onto a movable wheeled frame.

[0059] When inserted into the support frame 4, the collecting tank 5 may be connected to a drain 9 of the oven 2 by means of a pipe 7 ending with a connecting element 7a, which is configured for being inserted into an inlet opening 8 obtained in the collecting tank 5, when the latter is inserted into the support frame 4, guided by a guide arrangement.

[0060] The inlet opening 8 may be provided with an automatic closing system, such as, for example, a valve 8a, e.g., a swing pattern valve or another type of check valve, normally found in closed position, and which is opened by the mechanical action of the connecting element 7a, when the connecting element 7a enters the inlet opening 8.

[0061] Thereby, when the collecting tank 5 is moved for emptying, the inlet opening 8 is closed, and there is no risk of spillage of the liquid contained in the collecting tank 5.

[0062] Furthermore, the inlet opening 8 may be provided with a seal gasket configured for making a substantially hermetic seal between the connecting element 7a and the inlet opening 8, which prevents unpleasant vapors and odors from exiting from the collecting tank 5 and the pipe 7 during the functioning of the oven 2.

[0063] The collecting tank 5 is provided with a discharge conduit 13, provided with an opening and closing valve 19, seen in FIG. 4, which may be driven manually by means of a control lever 20.

[0064] The collecting tank 5 is provided with level sensor means 10, 10a, 10b, 10c fixed to a support element 18 mounted on an upper face 15 of the collecting tank 5.

[0065] In an embodiment of the invention, there are provided three sensor levels 10a, 10b, 10c (FIGS. 4 and 5), each of them being configured for detecting a different level reached by the liquid inside the collecting tank. For example, sensor 10a can detect a first level reached by the liquid, sensor 10b can detect a second level, greater than the first level, reached by the liquid, and sensor 10c can detect a third level, greater than the second level, reached by the liquid.

[0066] The number of sensors may be different from three, and yet remain within the scope of the present invention.

[0067] Alternatively, the collecting tank 5 may be provided with one single lever sensor 10 (FIG. 2), configured for continuously detecting the level reached by the liquid in the collecting tank 5.

[0068] The level sensor means 10, 10a, 10b, 10c are operationally connected to a command-and-control device of the oven 2, not shown, such as an electronic control board.

[0069] The level sensor means 10, 10a, 10b, 10c are connected to the electronic control board through a removable connection, which is disconnected when an operator removes the tank 5 for emptying, and which is to be connected once again when the tank 5 is put back in place after emptying. The control board is programmed to detect any disconnection of the probes, should the operator forget to connect the probes or to report any failure in connecting the probes.

[0070] The level sensor means 10, 10a, 10b, 10c may comprise float sensors, rod sensors, ultrasound sensors, capacitive sensors, etc.

[0071] Sensors may be employed, each of them measuring one single liquid level, such as sensors 10a, 10b, 10c: thereby, the number of liquid levels detected, and thus the number of sensors, may be optimized based upon the best compromise between complexity, costs and flexibility of use.

[0072] Alternatively, it is possible to use one single sensor 10 providing a continuous measure of the level. This will result in obtaining the maximum information contents and flexibility of use of the cooking apparatus 1 according to the invention.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensors 10, 10a, 10b, 10c are rod sensors, which are used because they are cheap, reliable and strong even under heavy-duty conditions.

[0074] Furthermore, the oven 2 is provided with a control panel 16 which may be provided with a display 17 upon which are displayed information concerning cooking and washing procedures of the oven, as well as data on the working parameters of the oven, and any operator messages and alerts. The display 17 may be a touch screen, by means of which an operator may either select the procedure to be carried out or enter commands or data.

[0075] In the prior art oven waste liquid collection systems, described above, it is provided to monitor only the reaching of a maximum level of liquid inside the collecting tank. In one case (DE102010017177), this condition results in the closing of a valve and in the blocking of the oven at the end of the ongoing process, whereas in another case (WO2013/190368), this condition does not result in any change in the conditions of use of the oven. In both these cases, the safe operation of the oven is not 100% guaranteed.

[0076] The innovative feature of the invention is the detection of a plurality of levels, at least two, of the liquid inside the collecting tank 5 or, alternatively, a continuous detection of the liquid level.

[0077] This information is then sent to the command-and-control device of the oven, and integrated with the functioning logics of the oven, so as to guarantee a safe operation under all conditions, while optimizing the use of the system by taking full advantage of the collecting tank 5 capacity, and reducing its emptying frequency.

[0078] Since no intermediate collecting tank is provided between the oven 2 and the collecting tank 5, during the collecting tank 5 emptying operations the oven 2 shall remain out of order. Yet, thanks to the monitoring of the plurality of liquid levels in the collecting tank 5, an oven 2 operator may be preventively warned about the fill level of the collecting tank 5 and about the expectable residual working capacity, such that he or she may appropriately schedule any collecting tank 5 emptying operations.

[0079] One of the liquid levels detected is always a maximum preset level of the liquid in the collecting tank 5, which is not to be exceeded in order to guarantee a safe operation of the oven and avoid any liquid spillage inside the support frame 4 or on a surface, such as a floor, on which the support frame 4 lies. Thus, when the aforesaid maximum liquid level in the collecting tank 5 is reached, the functioning of the oven shall be stopped immediately.

[0080] Based on these premises, below is a detailed description of how the monitoring of a plurality of levels inside the collecting tank 5 allows to optimize the use of the oven and to take full advantage of the tank capacity, thanks to appropriate control logics.

[0081] It is known that the flow rate of liquid flowing out of the oven 2 drain strongly depends on the type of cooking implemented, e.g., dry cooking or steam cooking, and, as an indication, it may vary from less than 1 l/h to values of the order of 10-12 l/h. Moreover, the automatic cleaning cycle of the oven results in the discharge of an even higher amount of liquid, which also varies depending on the washing cycle used, e.g., more or less intensive, and which may reach values of the order of some tens of liters, e.g., from about 30 l to about 50 l.

[0082] Assume, by way of example, that the maximum level provided for the tank corresponds to a maximum capacity of 100 l, and that the more intensive washing cycle results in the discharge of 40 l of liquid. When the level in the tank reaches and exceeds 60 l, this washing cycle shall not be started so as to not exceed the maximum capacity of the tank. Thus, monitoring the 60 l level will allow to inhibit the start of the washing program, once this level is reached and exceeded.

[0083] Assume, again by way of example, that the less intensive washing cycle results in the discharge of 25 l of liquid. In such a case, 75 l will be the critical level to be monitored, beyond which not even this washing cycle will be allowed to start. By contrast, when the level ranges between 60 and 75 l, only the less intensive washing program will be allowed.

[0084] Moreover, once the 75-l threshold is exceeded, it will still be possible to use the oven for cooking, until the maximum level is reached. Thereby, though the user cannot wash the oven, he or she can still use the oven for cooking.

[0085] Furthermore, knowing the flow rate of liquid discharged from the oven 2 in the various cooking methods, prior to the beginning of the cooking cycle one may foresee a maximum duration of the cooking time, depending on the liquid level reached inside the collecting tank 5. In this way, the display 17 of the control panel 16 may warn the operator before the cooking starts, and inform him or her, for example, that a too long cooking process may be interrupted prematurely due to the reaching of the maximum liquid level in the collecting tank 5.

[0086] Again with reference to the example above, assume that the maximum flow rate of liquid at the drain 9 of the oven be 10 l/h.

[0087] One may decide, for example, to monitor the 90-l level, which corresponds, at worst, to a residual working range of 1 h. Upon reaching this threshold, a timer may be activated that calculates the residual cooking time left, starting from 1 h, and displays it to an operator in the display 17 of the control board 16.

[0088] One may also decide to not allow the activation of new cooking processes lasting more longer than the residual cooking time left, in order to avoid their interruption when the maximum liquid level in the collecting tank 5 is reached.

[0089] Knowing the flow rate of liquid at the drain based on the cooking parameters, the described logic may be improved by adjusting the calculation of the residual time on the actual conditions of use of the oven.

[0090] Obviously, the higher the number of liquid levels monitored in the collecting tank 5, the more information can be processed and used by the command-and-control device of the oven 2 in order to optimize an operator's use of the system.

[0091] It is worth noting that the use of a plurality of sensors, each of them measures one single level, does not necessarily result in a less reliable system. Indeed, in case of breakdown of one of the intermediate sensors, the flexibility of use of the apparatus is reduced, but the oven can still be used, though with some limitations (e.g., only for cooking processes).

[0092] An additional condition to be monitored for the purposes of guaranteeing a safe operation of the apparatus 1 according to the invention is the correct positioning of the collecting tank 5. This can be guaranteed either by a position sensor of a known type (a mechanical, magnetic, etc., micro-switch) or, if the use of sensors is to be avoided, by a mechanical fixing system that may be actuated only when the tank is in place.

[0093] For example, the support frame 4 of the oven 2 may be provided with a movable blocking lever located on the front part and designed to be actuated only if the tank has been properly located in its seat within the support frame 4.

[0094] The collecting tank 5 is configured for taking full advantage of the volume available within the support frame 4, which has the same plan dimensions as the oven 2 itself, in order to extend as much as possible, the working time of the tank between an emptying event and a subsequent emptying event. In the Example shown in the Figure, inside the support frame 4 also the canisters 14 containing the detergent products for the automatic cleaning system of the oven were arranged.