Cooking Device Comprising A Multi-Layer Diffuser Base

Abstract

A cooking device includes a cooking support having a cooking face and a heating face, an aluminum layer being metallurgically assembled with the heating face, an anisotropic graphite layer being encapsulated between the aluminum layer and another aluminum layer.

The aluminum layer may be metallurgically assembled with the heating face leaving a portion of the heating face free around the aluminum layer, the aluminum layer and the anisotropic graphite layer being part of a multilayer diffuser bottom.

Claims

1. A cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) comprising a cooking support (110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810) having a cooking face (111; 311; 511; 711) and aheating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812), an aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) being metallurgically assembled with the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812), an anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824) being encapsulated between the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) and another aluminum layer (115; 215; 315; 415; 523; 623; 723; 823), characterized in that the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) is metallurgically assembled with the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812) leaving a portion of the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812) free around the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822), the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) and the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824) being part of a multilayer diffuser bottom (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820).

2. A cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) comprising a cooking support (110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810) having a cooking face (111; 311; 511; 711) and aheating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812), and a multilayer diffuser bottom (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820) comprising an aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) assembled metallurgically with the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812) leaving a portion of the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812) free around the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822), characterized in that the multilayer diffuser bottom (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820) comprises an anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824) encapsulated between the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822) and another aluminum layer (115; 215; 315; 415; 523; 623; 723; 823).

3. The cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424) is adjacent to the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412) and in that the other aluminum layer (115; 215; 315; 415) is part of the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412).

4. The cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) is arranged between the heating face (512; 612; 712; 812) and the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824).

5. The cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to claim 4, characterized in that the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823) is part of the multilayer diffuser bottom (420; 520; 620; 720; 820).

6. The cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824) is arranged between the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) and the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823).

7. The cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the heating face (512; 612; 712; 812) is made of stainless steel.

8. The cooking device (300; 400; 700; 800) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (324; 424; 724; 824) is annular.

9. The cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824) comprises at least one perforation.

10. The cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 524; 624) is free of perforations.

11. The cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the multilayer diffuser bottom (120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820) comprises an outer layer (125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625; 725; 825) made of ferritic stainless steel.

12. The cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) according to claim 11, characterized in that the outer layer (125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625; 725; 825) forms a cup having an annular edge coming into contact with the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812)

13. A method of obtaining a cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400) comprising the following steps: Providing and/or obtaining an anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424), an aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421) capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424), and a cooking support (110; 210; 310; 410) comprising a heating face (112; 212; 312; 412) having another aluminum layer (115; 215; 315; 415) capable of covering the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421); Stacking the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421), the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424) and the cooking support (110; 210; 310; 410), or inversely, the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424) leaving an annular portion of the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421) free, the heating face (112; 212; 312; 412) extending around the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421); Metallurgically assembling, by hot stamping or hot spraying under load, the aluminum heating face (112; 212; 312; 412) with the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421) around the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424).

14. The method of obtaining a cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a step of shaping the cooking support (110; 210; 310; 410) to obtain a cooking vessel.

15. The method of obtaining a cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 14, characterized in that the cooking support shaping step (110; 210; 310; 410) is carried out by stamping or by flow-forming.

16. The method of obtaining a cooking device (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (124; 224; 324; 424) and the aluminum layer (121; 221; 321; 421) are part of a multilayer diffuser bottom (120; 220; 320; 420).

17. A method of obtaining a cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) comprising the following steps: Providing and/or obtaining an anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824), an aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824), another aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823) capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824), and a cooking support (510; 610; 710; 810) comprising a heating face (512; 612; 712; 812) capable of covering the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822); Stacking the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823), the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824), the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822), and the cooking support (510; 610; 710; 810), or inversely, the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824) leaving an annular portion of the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) free, the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824) leaving another annular portion of the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823) free, the annular portion of the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) extending annularly with respect to the other annular portion of the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823), the heating face (512; 612; 712; 812) extending around the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822); Metallurgically assembling, by hot stamping or hot spraying under load, the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) on the one hand with the heating face (512; 612; 712; 812) and on the other hand with the aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823) around the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824).

18. The method of obtaining a cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a step of shaping the cooking support (510; 610; 710; 810) to obtain a cooking vessel.

19. The method of obtaining a cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to claim 18, characterized in that the cooking support shaping step (510; 610; 710; 810) is carried out by stamping or by flow-forming.

20. The method of obtaining a cooking device (500; 600; 700; 800) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the anisotropic graphite layer (524; 624; 724; 824), the aluminum layer (522; 622; 722; 822) and the other aluminum layer (523; 623; 723; 823) are part of a multilayer diffuser bottom (520; 620; 720; 820).

Description

[0040] The invention will be better understood from the study of eight exemplary embodiments, taken without any limitation, illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the elements of a first exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a cooking support and a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer and an anisotropic graphite layer,

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the elements of a second exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a cooking support and a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer and an anisotropic graphite layer, wherein the cooking support is a cooking vessel,

[0043] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the elements of a third exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a cooking support and a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer and an annular anisotropic graphite layer,

[0044] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the elements of a fourth exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a cooking support and a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer and an annular anisotropic graphite layer, wherein the cooking support is a cooking vessel,

[0045] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the elements of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer, another aluminum layer and an anisotropic graphite layer,

[0046] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the elements of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer, another aluminum layer, and an anisotropic graphite layer, wherein the cooking support is a cooking vessel,

[0047] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the elements of a seventh exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer, another aluminum layer and an annular anisotropic graphite layer,

[0048] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the elements of an eighth exemplary embodiment of a cooking device before their assembly, this cooking device comprising a multilayer diffuser bottom comprising an aluminum layer, another aluminum layer and an annular anisotropic graphite layer, wherein the cooking support is a cooking vessel.

[0049] The cooking devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 comprise a cooking support 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810 and a multilayer diffuser bottom 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820. FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate the elements of the cooking support 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810 and of the multilayer diffuser bottom 120, 220, 320, 420, 520, 620, 720, 820 before assembly.

[0050] The cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810 has a cooking face 111; 311; 511; 711 and a heating face 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812. The cooking support 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810 may be flat, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7, or form a cooking vessel comprising the heating face 212; 412; 612; 812, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 8.

[0051] The multilayer diffuser bottom 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820 comprises an aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 and an anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824. If desired, the multilayer diffuser bottom 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820 may comprise an outer layer 125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625; 725; 825 arranged opposite the cooking support 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 810. The outer layer 125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625; 725; 825 may in particular be made of ferritic stainless steel. If desired, the outer layer 125; 225; 325; 425; 525; 625; 725; 825 may form a cup having an annular edge coming into contact with the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812. As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 to 8, the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 is flat. As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 to 8, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 is flat.

[0052] The aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 is metallurgically assembled with the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812 leaving a portion of the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412; 512; 612; 712; 812 free around the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822. If desired, the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 may be a disc.

[0053] The anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 is encapsulated between the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 and another aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415; 523; 623; 723; 823.

[0054] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424 is adjacent to the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412, and the other aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415 is part of the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412. The cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410 may be made of aluminum, thus forming the other aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415. The cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410 may also be made of a colaminate material comprising the other aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 is arranged between the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 and the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824. If desired, the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 may then be made of stainless steel. The anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 is arranged between the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 and the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823.

[0056] As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 5 to 8, the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 is part of the multilayer diffuser bottom 520; 620; 720; 820. In other words, the multilayer diffuser bottom 520; 620; 720; 820 also comprises the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823. As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 5 to 8, the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 is arranged between the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 and the outer layer 525; 625; 725; 825. As can be clearly seen in FIGS. 5 to 8, the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 is flat.

[0057] In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the anisotropic graphite layer 324; 424; 724; 824 is annular.

[0058] The anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 may comprise at least one perforation (not shown in the figures) through the thickness of the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824. Preferably then, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 may comprise multiple perforations passing through the thickness of the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824.

[0059] Alternatively, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 may be free of perforations passing through the thickness of the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824.

[0060] The assembly of the cooking devices 100; 200; 300; 400 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 is carried out with a production method comprising the following steps: [0061] Providing and/or obtaining an anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424, an aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421 capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424, and a cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410 comprising a heating face 112; 212; 312; 412 having another aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415 capable of covering the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; [0062] Stacking the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424 and the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410, or inversely, the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424 leaving an annular portion of the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421 free, the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412 extending around the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; [0063] Metallurgically assembling, by hot stamping or hot spraying under load, the aluminum heating face 112; 212; 312; 412 with the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421 around the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424.

[0064] Thus, before the metallurgical assembly, the heating face 112; 212; 312; 412 rests on the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424, or inversely.

[0065] The metallurgical assembly by hot stamping or hot spraying under load of the aluminum heating face 112; 212; 312; 412 with the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421 around the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424 encapsulates the anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424 between the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421 and the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410.

[0066] The assembly of the cooking devices 500; 600; 700; 800 illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 is carried out with a production method comprising the following steps: [0067] Providing and/or obtaining an anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824, an aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824, another aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 capable of covering the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824, and a cooking support 510; 610; 710; 810 comprising a heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 capable of covering the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822; [0068] Stacking the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823, the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824, the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822, and the cooking support 510; 610; 710; 810, or inversely, the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 leaving an annular portion of the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 free, the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 leaving another annular portion of the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 free, the annular portion of the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 extending annularly with respect to the other annular portion of the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823, the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 extending around the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822; [0069] Metallurgically assembling, by hot stamping or hot spraying under load, the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 on the one hand with the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 and on the other hand with the aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 around the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824.

[0070] Thus, before the metallurgical assembly, the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 rests on the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822, or inversely.

[0071] The metallurgical assembly by hot stamping or hot spraying under load of the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 on the one hand with the heating face 512; 612; 712; 812 and on the other hand with the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823 around the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 encapsulates the anisotropic graphite layer 524; 624; 724; 824 between the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 and the other aluminum layer 523; 623; 723; 823, and bonds the aluminum layer 522; 622; 722; 822 to the cooking support 510; 610; 710; 810.

[0072] The multilayer diffuser bottom 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820 improves the thermal homogeneity of the cooking face 111; 311; 511; 711 of the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810. The anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 promotes the diffusion of calories in the plane of the multilayer diffuser bottom 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820, due to better thermal conductivity in the plane of said layer than in the thickness of said layer. The appearance of hot spots can therefore be delayed or prevented. The improved calorie diffusion in the multilayer diffuser bottom plane 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820 makes it possible to consider a reduction in the thickness of the multilayer diffuser bottom 120; 220; 320; 420; 520; 620; 720; 820. Using a perforated and/or annular anisotropic graphite layer 124; 224; 324; 424; 524; 624; 724; 824 improves the metallurgical bond between the aluminum layer 121; 221; 321; 421; 522; 622; 722; 822 and the other aluminum layer 115; 215; 315; 415; 523; 623; 723; 823.

[0073] If desired, the method of obtaining the cooking device 100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800 may comprise a step of shaping the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810 to obtain a cooking vessel. The cooking support shaping step 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810 may be a preliminary step prior to metallurgical assembly, for example a step of stamping the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810. The cooking support shaping step 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810 may be a subsequent step after metallurgical assembly, for example a step of flow-forming the cooking support 110; 210; 310; 410; 510; 610; 710; 810.

[0074] Various modifications and/or improvements that are obvious for the person skilled in the art can be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.