ARTICULATED DEVICE FOR GRILLING FOOD IN AN OVEN

Abstract

Articulated device (10a, 10b), of the extractable type, that optimizes the grilling of food in an oven (20); it is made up of two superimposed grates constrained to each other a first lower grate (101) that is engaged in the lateral guides (203) of the oven and a second upper grate (102) that is frontally liftable, which are constrained to each other with a lateral articulation means (103) acting as a double-action hinge that allows it (102) to position itself on the food in adhesion, each time adapting itself to its specific shape. The proposed solution improves daily professional practice, while obtaining the following advantages: cooking times and energy consumption are reduced thanks to a greater heat transfer by conduction, there is greater cooking homogeneity, one can make the grilling marks on both sides of the food without having to turn it.

Claims

1. Articulated device, of the extractable type, for optimizing the grilling of food in an oven, such as a multi-level professional convection oven with a front-opening cooking chamber and multiple lateral supporting guides placed horizontally with a regular pitch, said device comprising a first grate and a second grate superimposable to each other being rotatably constrained to each other in such a way as to interpose said food therein; said articulated device being characterised in that said first grate is lower, that is to say, it is arranged below the second grate, with a total width such as to be engaged in said lateral guides of the oven, while said second grate is arranged above the first grate with a total width that is smaller than it in such a way as not to interfere with said lateral guides to be frontally liftable when it is inside said oven; and wherein said first grate and said second grate are constrained to each other with a lateral articulation means acting as a double-action hinge, of the type with two rotational axes spaced from each other as a connecting rod, which allows said second grate to rotate and rise to position itself on said food in adhesion and in a substantially parallel way with respect to each other, adapting itself automatically each time to the shape and variable height of said food.

2. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that said total width of the first grate corresponds to the sizes of the Gastronorm standard, such as the size GN 1/1, GN 1/2, GN 2/1 or the other GN sizes.

3. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that in a first version it is for ovens with the opening on the short side of the grates, with said total width that for example is of 325 mm according to said GN 1/1 standard size.

4. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that in a second version it is for ovens with the opening on the long side of the grates, with said total width that for example is of 530 mm according to said GN 1/1 standard size.

5. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first grate has, on the two opposite sides corresponding to said lateral guides, supporting fins which protrude externally up to said total width in such a way as to slide to be engaged on them and support said articulated device.

6. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that said first grate and/or said second grate integrate said articulation means from the outside, with the aid of an end extension.

7. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that said second grate is provided at the front, that is to say, on the opposite side with respect to said articulation means, with a hand grip accessory which acts as a rotating and insulating handle, intended to safely lift and rotate said second grate that is at high temperature inside the oven.

8. Articulated device according to claim 1, characterised in that said hand grip accessory can be functionally combined with a forced hooking means that keeps the food pressed.

Description

CONTENT OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are axonometric views of the solution proposed by the invention, in different positions to show the articulation, in a first version (10a) for ovens with the opening on the short side of the grates, which for example is of 325 mm according to the GN 1/1 standard size; FIG. 1d shows the rotation and lifting according to the proposed articulation.

[0042] FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c are orthogonal views of the solution proposed by the invention, as in the previous FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.

[0043] FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are axonometric views of the solution proposed by the invention, in different positions to show the articulation, in a second version (10b) for ovens with the opening on the long side of the grates, which for example is of 530 mm according to the GN 1/1 standard size; FIG. 3d shows the rotation and lifting according to the proposed articulation.

[0044] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are orthogonal views of the solution proposed by the invention, as in previous FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d.

[0045] FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c are axonometric views of the solution proposed by the invention, as in the previous FIGS. 1 and 2, being positioned inside an oven on lateral guides. In FIG. 5a, it is shown in a collapsed position, with the two grates in contact with each other and with no food interposed; In FIG. 5b, it is shown in the same position and with a hand grip accessory that facilitates its activation when the temperature is high. In FIG. 5c, on the other hand, the upper grate is frontally lifted to show the insertion or the extraction of the food.

PRACTICAL REALIZATION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] The present invention (FIGS. 1-5) relates to an articulated device (10a, 10b), of the extractable type, which allows to optimize the grilling of food in an oven (20), according to the aims set out; preferably, and in a non-exclusive way, reference is made to a multi-level convection oven of the type commonly used in the professional sector, having the cooking chamber (201) with a front opening door (202) and lateral guides (203) for horizontally inserting the extractable supports, such as the grates and/or the trays (FIG. 5a). As a non-exhaustive example, in the present description and in the enclosed figures reference is preferably made to the GN 1/1 standard sizes, that is to say, corresponding to said Gastronorm standard in the rectangular size with dimensions of 530 mm325 mm; however, any other dimensions, multiples, submultiples or particular sizesboth standard and non-standardcan be provided.

[0047] In general, it was observed that in a convection oven, with grates, there is the known effect of the transfer of heat to the food by means of the conduction of the grate, which is added to the typical convection effect of the oven, thus making said grilling marks on the contact surfaces; in the proposed solution such an effect is enhanced by the fact that it simultaneously and effectively takes place both on the top and on the bottom of the food, in a uniform way, according to the modes described hereinafter.

[0048] In more detail and to facilitate understanding, the proposed solution is provided in a first version (10a) (FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 2c) for ovens (20) with the opening (202) on the short side of the grates, which for example is of 325 mm according to said GN 1/1 standard, being thus arranged with a greater depth with respect to the front access (FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c); the invention is then also provided in a second version (10b) (FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4a, 4b, 4c) for ovens with the opening on the long side of the grates, for example of 530 mm, wherein the width of the access is greater than the depth. However, the proposed solution can be carried out according to all the Gastronorm standard sizes as it is nowadays provided in the professional sector, such as GN 1/2 or GN 2/1, or in any other desired size; the proposed grate, in fact, is particularly suitable for cooking in said professional convection ovens, but is also suitable for other types of front-opening ovens, both for professional and for domestic use.

[0049] The proposed device (10a, 10b) is engaged in said lateral guides (203) of the oven (20) in such a way as to be inserted and extracted in a substantially conventional way, according to the common practice, to be integrated in the existing and commonly used cooking equipment, without modifying it. In particular, the advantageous solution according to the present invention (10a, 10b) provides a system made up of a first lower grate (101), of support in said lateral guides (203), and a second upper grate (102) that is smaller with respect to the centre distance between said guides to be frontally liftable, said grates (101, 102) being constrained to each other by means of a lateral articulation means (103) acting as a double-action hinge (103, 106, 107, 108, HV). It (103) acts as a connecting rod with two suitably spaced rotational axes (106, 107), which constrains said second grate (102) to said first grate (101) to enable its (102) easy rotation and lifting (108, HV), positioning itself in adhesion on the food item and automatically adapting itself to its thickness, that is to say, in a substantially parallel way between the grates (101, 102).

[0050] The height (HV), that is to say, the distance between the two grates during cooking, is in fact variable according to the specific shape of the food item to be cooked; with the articulation system provided (103) it is thus possible to easily grill (101, 102), in an optimal and uniform way on the top and on the bottom, both thin products like meat slices or vegetables and products having a medium thickness like a whole fish or chicken thighs, and the cooking of thicker products like cockerel is also facilitated.

[0051] In particular, the proposed device has a first and a second grate (101, 102) with a lateral articulation means (103) that acts as a double-action hinge (106, 107), with two rotational axes that are parallel and spaced with respect to each other as a connecting rod, in such a way that said second grate (102) automatically adapts itself, each time, to the height (HV) provided by the thickness of the products arranged on said first supporting grate (101), stopping them from above with its weight and transferring more heat to them, thus improving cooking and leaving on the food said grilling marks, according to the aims set out. If necessary, in order to enhance such effects, a forced hooking means is also provided, which keeps pressed the food being cooked, keeping said second grate in tension.

[0052] It is observed that said first grate (101) is for supporting the product from the bottom during cooking and for constraining said second grate on the opposite side with respect to the front access (202), that is to say, on the bottom of said cooking chamber (201). To this purpose, a rigid grate (101) is provided, preferably made up of metal bars or tubes in place of the conventional wires, which is intended to be engaged on said lateral guides (203), typically sliding in a bearing condition, thus having a total width (L1, 10a) (L3,10b) corresponding to them, by means of supporting fins (105, 10a) which protrude laterally from the grate (FIGS. 1, 2, 5) or resting directly (10b) on the most external bars (FIGS. 3, 4), or on a perimetric frame. Said second grate (102), on the other hand, is for stopping and grilling the food from above, inside the cooking chamber (201); to this purpose, it (102) has a total width (L2, 10a) (14, 10b) that is smaller than the net centre distance between the guides (203) in such a way as to enable its introduction and easy activation also inside the oven (20, 201), with a rotation and lifting (106, 107, 108) from the front side (202) (FIGS. 1c, 3c, 5c), to position it (102) each time in adhesion on the food, as described above.

[0053] By way of example only, with particular reference to said GN 1/1 standard, in the first version of the invention (10a) (FIGS. 1, 2, 5) the first grate (101) has a total width (L1) of 325 mm, while the second grate (102) has a smaller total width (L2) than the net centre distance between said lateral guides (203) for the purpose of lifting and rotation, being smaller than 275 mm; in the second version of the invention (10b) (FIGS. 3, 4), on the other hand, the first grate (101) has a total width (13) of 530 mm, while the second grate (102) has a total width (L4) of less than 470 mm. Please note that in the reference images the integration of said articulation means (103) in said first (101) and second (102) grate, although made in a different way, that is to say, recessed with respect to the external edge (10a) or constrained from the outside (10b), optionally with the aid of an end extension (101, 109) as well, ensures in any case an easy insertion in a bearing condition in the lateral guides (101, 203, L1, L3) and an easy lifting (102, 108, L2, L4) from the front opening (202), without interfering with them (203).

[0054] Preferably, for safety and hygiene reasons and to facilitate the use thereof, the above-described device (10a, 10b) is also provided with a hand grip accessory (104), for example a rotating and insulating handle, intended to safely lift and rotate said second grate that is at a high temperature inside the oven (20) (FIGS. 5b, 5c). Preferably, said accessory is mounted at the front, and namely on the opposite side with respect to said articulation means. In a variant, said hand grip accessory can be functionally combined with said forced hooking means.

[0055] The proposed solution (10a, 10b) is extremely versatile thanks to a double-action articulation (103, 106, 107, 108, HV) that enables the adaptation to particular heights (HV) or use configurations, as well as the optimization of spaces. If required, for example, it is also possible to collapse the second grate (102) onto the first grate (101), in contact with each other, and namely with said height (HV) at zero, like a conventional single grate or support, providing maximum dimensions that are in any case compatible with the space inside the cooking chamber (FIG. 5a).

[0056] Finally, the proposed device (10a, 10b), made as described above, achieves the aims set out considerably improving daily professional practice.

[0057] In particular, the following advantages are simultaneously provided: [0058] cooking times are considerably reduced with respect to a single grate, thanks to a greater heat transfer by conduction on the product; [0059] greater cooking homogeneity is achieved; [0060] the cooked product carries the grilling marks on both sides, without having to be turned.

REFERENCE

[0061] (10a, 10b) articulated device, of the extractable type, for grilling food in an oven, as provided by the invention; a first version (10a) for ovens with the opening on the short side, that is to say, inserted in the depth direction, and a second version (10b) for ovens with the opening on the long side, that is to say, inserted in the width direction, are provided; [0062] (101) first lower grate; [0063] (102) second upper grate; [0064] (103) lateral articulation means, acting as a double-action hinge; [0065] (104) hand grip accessory; [0066] (105) supporting fins; [0067] (106) lower rotation of the articulation means; [0068] (107) upper rotation of the articulation means; [0069] (108) lifting from the front with rotation; [0070] (109) end extension; [0071] (20) oven; [0072] (201) cooking chamber; [0073] (202) front opening door [0074] (203) lateral supporting guides; [0075] (L1, L3) total width of the first grate, for resting on the guides; [0076] (L2, L4) total width of the second grate, free to rotate between the guides; [0077] (HV) variable height, that is to say, distance between the two grates, adaptable according to the thickness of the food item.