SMOKELESS AIR BLADE WOK

Abstract

The invention provides a food preparation vessel (100) comprising a main inlet (10) for introduction of a food material into the food preparation vessel (100), wherein the food preparation vessel (100) comprises a gas flow generator outlet (21) and a gas flow receiver inlet (22), wherein the gas flow generator outlet (21) is configured to provide a gas flow (25) in the direction of the gas flow receiver inlet (22) and having a component parallel to the main inlet (10) when the gas flow generator outlet (21) is functionally coupled with a gas flow generator in operation.

Claims

1. A food preparation vessel comprising a main inlet for introduction of a food material into the food preparation vessel, wherein the food preparation vessel comprises a gas flow generator outlet and a gas flow receiver inlet, wherein the gas flow generator outlet is configured to provide a gas flow in the direction of the gas flow receiver inlet and having a component parallel to the main inlet when the gas flow generator outlet is functionally coupled with a gas flow generator in operation.

2. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, further comprising a hub, wherein the hub comprises said gas flow generator outlet, wherein the main inlet comprises a food preparation vessel inlet edge, wherein the vessel inlet edge comprises said gas flow receiver inlet, wherein the gas flow generator outlet is configured to provide a radial gas flow in the direction of said gas flow receiver inlet and having a component parallel to the main inlet when functionally coupled with said gas flow generator in operation.

3. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the main inlet comprises a food preparation vessel inlet edge, wherein the food preparation vessel inlet edge comprises said gas flow generator outlet and said gas flow receiver inlet.

4. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, comprising a vessel wall comprising a gas flow infrastructure for a fluid connection between the gas flow outlet, the gas flow generator, and the gas flow receiver inlet.

5. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow generator is at least partially integrated in the food preparation vessel.

6. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor configured to sense an object external from the food preparation vessel approaching the main inlet or being positioned within the main inlet, wherein a control unit when functionally coupled to said sensor and said gas flow generator is configured to reduce the gas flow as function of a sensor signal of said sensor.

7. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow generator outlet has a length (L) and a height (H), wherein L>H, and wherein 0.1 mm≦H≦0.5 mm.

8. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the gas flow generator outlet is configured to provide said gas flow with a gas flow speed of at least 10 m/s.

9. The food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein the food preparation vessel comprises a vessel selected from the group consisting of a frying pan, a steel pan, a braising pan, a roasting pan, a spider, a casserole pan, a Dutch oven, a griddle, a stockpot, a sauté pan, a sauce pan, and a wok.

10. A combination of a base station and the food preparation vessel according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the base station and the food preparation vessel comprise said gas flow generator.

11. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the base station comprises a heating unit configured to heat at least part of the food preparation vessel.

12. The combination according to claim 10, wherein the base station comprises said flow generator.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the combination further comprises a control unit, wherein the food preparation vessel further comprises a sensor configured to sense an object external from the food preparation vessel approaching the main inlet or being positioned within the main inlet, wherein the control unit is configured to reduce the gas flow as function of a sensor signal of said sensor.

14. Use of the food preparation vessel according to claim 1, for preparing a food material, while reducing escape of one or more of food material and other material from the food preparation vessel with an air knife based gas flow while also allowing visible access from external from the food preparation vessel to the food material in the food preparation vessel, wherein the other material comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of gas, fat and steam.

15. A method for preparing food comprising heating food material into the food preparation vessel according to claim 1 during a food preparation time, while closing the main inlet with an air knife based gas flow during at least part of the preparation time.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

[0041] FIGS. 1a-1b schematically depict some aspects of the vessel and combination of vessel and base station;

[0042] FIGS. 2a-2f schematically depict some variants of the vessel and of the combination of the vessel and base station; and

[0043] FIGS. 3a-3e schematically depict some further aspects of the vessel and/or base station.

[0044] The drawings are not necessarily on scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1a schematically depicts an embodiment of a food preparation vessel 100 comprising a main inlet 10 for introduction of a food material—not depicted—into the food preparation vessel 100. The food preparation vessel 100 comprises a gas flow generator outlet 21 and a gas flow receiver inlet 22. The gas flow generator outlet 21 is configured to provide a gas flow especially an air knife based gas flow in the direction of the gas flow receiver inlet 22 and having a component parallel to the main inlet 10 when the gas flow generator outlet 21 is functionally coupled with a gas flow generator—not depicted—in operation. FIG. 1a is a perspective view. Reference 1 indicates a vessel selected from e.g. consisting of a frying pan, a steel pan, a braising pan, a roasting pan, a spider, a casserole pan, a Dutch oven, a griddle, a stockpot, a sauté pan, a sauce pan, and a wok. Note that the food preparation vessel 100 may essentially consist of such vessel, though especially the food preparation vessel 100 further comprises a gas flow infrastructure comprising one or more of the gas flow generator outlet 21 and a gas flow receiver inlet 22. Reference 105 indicates the vessel interior, i.e. the place where the food product is prepared from the food material. Reference 40 indicates a hub and reference 11 indicates the edge of the food preparation vessel or of the vessel interior 105. Hence, in this schematically depicted embodiment the main inlet 10 comprises a food preparation vessel inlet edge 11 comprising said gas flow receiver inlet 22. Further, this schematically depicted embodiment of the food preparation vessel 100 further comprises said hub 40, here comprising said gas flow generator outlet 21. As shown, the gas flow generator outlet 21 is configured in this embodiment to provide a radial gas flow 25 in the direction of said gas flow receiver inlet 22 and has a component parallel see further also below to the main inlet 10 when functionally coupled with said gas flow generator in operation. Reference 106 indicates a handle.

[0046] FIG. 1b schematically depicts in more detail an embodiment of a combination 1000 of a base station 200 and the food preparation vessel 100, such as schematically depicted above, wherein one or more of the base station 200 and the food preparation vessel 100 comprise said gas flow generator 30; here the base station comprises the gas flow generator 30. Hence, this figure schematically depicts a food preparation vessel system, wherein the food preparation vessel 100 can be functionally coupled to the base station 200 (or the other way around, the base station 200 can functionally be coupled to the food preparation vessel 100). This figure further schematically depicts the gas flow infrastructure 155 of the vessel 100. Here, the food preparation vessel 100 comprises a vessel wall 150 comprising said gas flow infrastructure 155 for a fluid connection between the gas flow outlet 21, the gas flow generator 30, and the gas flow receiver inlet 22.

[0047] Further, the combination comprises a control unit 50, here integrated in the base station 200, and a heater system 210, here also integrated in the base station 200. Further, the combination 1000 comprises a sensor 110, which may especially be configured to sense an object external from the food preparation vessel 100 approaching the main inlet 10 or being positioned within the main inlet 10. In the schematically depicted embodiment of FIG. 1b, the sensor 110 is integrated in the food preparation vessel 100, here in the hub 40. The control unit 50 may be configured to control the heater system 210 and flow generator 30, optionally one or both in dependence of a sensor signal of the sensor 110. The flow (generator) may be controlled in dependence of a sensor signal of the sensor 110 but may alternatively or additionally also manually be contorlled, e.g. via a switch or (other) user interface comprised by the food preparation vessel 100 and/or (optional) base station 200. The terms “switch”, “user interface”, “sensor”, may, as also indicated below in the general consideration, also refer to “switches”, “user interfaces”, “sensors”, respectively. References 157 indicates an optional filter and/or means to remove liquid (e.g. condensed water). This filter may e.g. be used to remove particles, such as ramianing fat from the gas flow, before it is introduced again in the gas flow infrastructure 155 to escape from the gas flow generation outlet 21.

[0048] The gas flow 25 is especially able to capture smell and/or splashes coming from the food material inside the vessel. Further, with the air knife gas flow 25 the food can be viewed via the main inlet through the gas flow during preparation, in contrast to e.g. a closed air fryer.

[0049] The base station 200 and the food preparation vessel may functionally be coupled e.g. via (a) male-female connection(s). In this way, the gas loop may provided from base station 200 to food preparstion vessel, and vice versa. Reference 255 indicates a gas flow infrastructure of the base station 200. This gas flow infrastructure 255 of the base station and the gas flow infrastructure 155 of the food preparation vessel may be in fluid communication during use of the combination 1000. As indicated above, the gas flow 25 may be heated to provide a heated gas flow 25. In the embodiment schematicallly depicted in FIG. 1b, the base station 200 comprises gas flow heating element 251 (here by way of example two elements are schematically depicted), which is configured to heat the gas in the gas flow infrastructure 155 or 255 (here gas flow infrastructure 255). Hence, the gas flow when emanatating from the gas flow generator outlet 21 may comprise a heated gas, such as heated to at least 50° C. The schematically depicted embodiment of FIG. 1b might allow rotation of the food preparation vessel in a horizontal plane.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the gas flow 25 has a component parallel to the main inlet. For instance, assuming a cross-sectional plane through the main inlet 10 or main inlet edge 11, the gas flow 25 may have a component parallel to such plane. As can be seen from amongst others FIGS. 1a-1b the gas flow generator outlet(s) 21 and the gas flow receiver inlet(s) 22 are especially configured to keep a substantial part of the internal volume (vessel interior 105) of the food preparation vessel 100 available for the preparation of food, and thus especially substantially free from the direct gas flow.

[0051] The food preparation vessel 100 and base station 200 may be configured such that when the food preparation vessel 100 is rotated during use, the fluid communication between the food preparation vessel and base station remain.

[0052] FIGS. 2a-2f schematically depict some variants of the food preparation vessel 100, optionally in combination with a base station 200. FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2f show variants of the combination 1000 of the food preparation vessel 100 and the base station 200, with in FIG. 2a a variant similar to FIG. 1b, but with FIG. 2b showing a variant wherein the entire gas infrastructure is integrated in the base station 200. The arrows schematically indicate the direction of the gas flow. The variants of FIG. 2a and FIG. 2c are substantially the same, though the variant of FIG. 2a scheamtically depicts a variant with a radial gas flow 25 whereas in FIG. 2c the gas flow 25 flows from edge to edge. For instance, the food preparation vessel 100 may in such embodiment be square or rectangular. FIGS. 2d and 2e schematically depict variants analogously to those of FIGS. 2a and 2c, but in the variants of FIGS. 2d and 2e the gas flow infrastructure is entirely integrated in the food preparation vessel 100. Hence, no base station may be necessary. FIG. 2f schematically depicts a variant similar to the variant of FIG. 2b, but here the main inlet 10 is configured not horizontal during operation. The angle α may e.g. be in the range of e.g. 15-80°.

[0053] FIG. 3a shows some aspects of the gas flow 25 for a variant similar to those of FIGS. 2a-2b. However, the explanation in relation to FIG. 3a relates also to the other embodiments/variants. Here, the gas flow 25 is splitted in two components, a first component 25c parallel to the main inlet 10 and a second component 25d perpendicular to the first component 25c. Note that the length of the first component is substantially larger than of the second component, such as at least 5, even more at least 10 times, yet even more at least 20 times larger. Hence, the gas flow 25 is substantially sheet like.

[0054] FIGS. 3b and 3c schematically depict two main embodiments, one with a radial gas flow 25 and one with a substantially rectangular gas flow. Note however that both embodiments of the gas flow 25 are especially sheet like gas flows. Further, note that both gas flows may substantially close the entire main inlet 10. Referring to FIGS. 3b-c, when an object would be introduced into the food preparation vessel 100, the gas flow 25 over (in) the entire main inlet 10 may be reduced (including switched off), or only over (in) part of the main inlet 10. FIG. 3d schematically depicts in more detail an embodiment of the gas flow generator outlet 21, with a length L and a height H, with L>>H. Such configuration may facilitate a sheet like gas flow. FIG. 3e schematically depicts some aspects of the gas flow 25. As shown, the gas flow may be a substantially sheet like gas flow. The height H of the opening of the gas flow generator outlet 21 may substantially be the same as the height of the opening of the gas flow receiver inlet 22, which heigh is indicated with reference H1. In general, 0.5≦H1/H≦10, especially 0.8≦H1/H≦6, like 0.8≦H1/H≦5.

[0055] The term “substantially” herein, such as in “substantially consists”, will be understood by the person skilled in the art. The term “substantially” may also include embodiments with “entirely”, “completely”, “all”, etc. Hence, in embodiments the adjective substantially may also be removed. Where applicable, the term “substantially” may also relate to 90% or higher, such as 95% or higher, especially 99% or higher, even more especially 99.5% or higher, including 100%. The term “comprise” includes also embodiments wherein the term “comprises” means “consists of”. The term “and/or” especially relates to one or more of the items mentioned before and after “and/or”. For instance, a phrase “item 1 and/or item 2” and similar phrases may relate to one or more of item 1 and item 2. The term “comprising” may in an embodiment refer to “consisting of” but may in another embodiment also refer to “containing at least the defined species and optionally one or more other species”.

[0056] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[0057] The devices herein are amongst others described during operation. As will be clear to the person skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to methods of operation or devices in operation.

[0058] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0059] The invention further applies to a device comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings. The invention further pertains to a method or process comprising one or more of the characterizing features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

[0060] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages. Furthermore, some of the features can form the basis for one or more divisional applications.