TOASTER

Abstract

The invention provides an appliance for making a hollow toasted food product. The appliance includes a pair of opposed parts which is hingedly connected along one side such that opposed surfaces can, in use, be folded onto each other, a heating element in heat communication with each surface, a hollow formed in one or each opposed heating surface, such that a cavity is formed when the parts are folded closed onto each other, and wherein the opposed edges of each hollow is proximate each other, when closed. The appliance further includes an inside mould of which the outer surface is complementary and smaller than the inner surface of the cavity.

Claims

1. An appliance for making a hollow toasted bread food product, which appliance comprises: a pair of opposed parts which is hingedly connected along one side such that opposed surfaces can, in use, be folded onto each other; a heating element in heat communication with each surface; a hollow formed in one or each opposed heating surface, such that a cavity is formed when the parts are folded closed onto each other; wherein the opposed edges of each hollow is proximate each other, when closed; and an inside mould of which the outer surface is complementary and smaller than the inner surface of the cavity to accommodate, in use, two bread slices to be toasted, shaped and its edges bonded to each other with a hollow defined between the slices.

2. An appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the inside mould is removable from the cavity.

3. An appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the hollow formed in each opposed heating surface, is complementary to each other, such that a cavity is formed when the parts are folded closed onto each other and an opening formed on one side of the appliance leading to the cavity.

4. An appliance as recited in claim 3, which includes a closing part accessory to close the opening should a person wish to make a toasted food product without the inside mould.

5. An appliance as recited in claim 3, wherein the opening on one side is dimensioned to allow a handle attached to the inside mould to protrude there through.

6. An appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the inside mould comprises a heating element to heat the outer surface of the inside mould.

7. An appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the opposed edges of the heating surfaces may be respectively and correspondingly grooved and ridged to cut and trim the food product.

8. An appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the inside mould is provided with removable or retractable spacer plates extending from its sides.

9. An appliance as recited in claim 8, wherein the spacer plates is positioned to separate the edges near the opening formed in the opposed slices of bread of the food product, in use.

10. (canceled)

11. An appliance as recited in claim 2, wherein the hollow formed in each opposed heating surface, is complementary to each other, such that a cavity is formed when the parts are folded closed onto each other and an opening formed on one side of the appliance leading to the cavity.

12. An appliance as recited in claim 2, wherein the inside mould comprises a heating element to heat the outer surface of the inside mould.

13. An appliance as recited in claim 2, wherein the opposed edges of the heating surfaces may be respectively and correspondingly grooved and ridged to cut and trim the food product.

14. An appliance as recited in claim 2, wherein the inside mould is provided with removable or retractable spacer plates extending from its sides.

15. An appliance as recited in claim 3, wherein the inside mould comprises a heating element to heat the outer surface of the inside mould.

16. An appliance as recited in claim 3, wherein the opposed edges of the heating surfaces may be respectively and correspondingly grooved and ridged to cut and trim the food product.

17. An appliance as recited in claim 3, wherein the inside mould is provided with removable or retractable spacer plates extending from its sides.

18. An appliance as recited in claim 4, wherein the inside mould comprises a heating element to heat the outer surface of the inside mould.

19. An appliance as recited in claim 4, wherein the opposed edges of the heating surfaces may be respectively and correspondingly grooved and ridged to cut and trim the food product.

20. An appliance as recited in claim 4, wherein the inside mould is provided with removable or retractable spacer plates extending from its sides.

21. An appliance as recited in claim 14, wherein the spacer plates is positioned to separate the edges near the opening formed in the opposed slices of bread of the food product, in use.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention is now described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] In the drawings:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an open appliance for making a hollow toasted food product, in accordance with the invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a closed appliance for making a hollow toasted food product; and

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a top perspective view of a inside mould, in accordance with the invention.

[0026] Referring now to the drawings, the appliance for making a hollow toasted food product, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

[0027] The appliance 10 includes a pair of opposed parts 12.1 and 12.2 which is hingedly connected by means of the hinges 14 along one side such that opposed surfaces 16.1 and 16.2 can, in use, be folded onto each other. The appliance also includes electrical heating elements, not shown, in heat communication with each surface 16.1 and 16.2. A generally square hollow 18.1 and 18.2 is formed from one side of and in each opposed heating surface 16.1 and 16.2, complementary to each other, such that a cavity 20 is formed when the parts 12.1 and 12.2 are folded closed onto each other and wherein an opening 22 is formed on one side of the appliance 10 leading to the cavity 20. The opposed edges 24.1 and 24.2 of each hollow 18.1 and 18.2 is proximate each other, when closed. The appliance 10 also includes an inside mould 26 of which the outer surface 28 is complementary and smaller than the inner surfaces 16.1 and 16.2 of the cavity 20. The gap formed between the outer surface 28 of the inside mould 26 and the inner surfaces of the cavities 16.1 and 16.2 is be less than the thickness of a pair typical slice of bread, 5 mm. The inside mould 26 is provided with removable spacer plates 30 extending from its sides to suspend the inside mould 26 in the middle of the upper and lower opposed surfaces to ensure a similar gap for the upper and lower slice of bread, in use. The spacer plates 30 is positioned to separate the edges near the opening formed in the opposed slices of bread of the food product, in use, so that it is not bonded together during the toasting process to allow the opening to be flared open to insert food fillings, if needed. The inside mould 26 also includes a handle 32.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inside mould 26 also includes a heating element to heat the outer surface 28 of the inside mould so that, in use, the inside of the food product can also be toasted should it be required. The inside mould is provided with a flexible electrical cord (not shown) to be in electrical contact with electrical connections for the appliance 10. The appliance 10 is provided with an electrical switch (not sown) to put the heating element of the inside mould 26 in electrical contact with an electrical power source, should a person wish to also toast the inside of the hollow food product.

[0029] It shall be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and are not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.