(19)
(11) EP 2 659 196 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
28.06.2017 Bulletin 2017/26

(21) Application number: 11794708.5

(22) Date of filing: 07.12.2011
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24C 15/32(2006.01)
F22B 1/28(2006.01)
(86) International application number:
PCT/EP2011/072065
(87) International publication number:
WO 2012/089469 (05.07.2012 Gazette 2012/27)

(54)

A COOKING DEVICE COMPRISING A STEAM GENERATOR

KOCHVORRICHTUNG MIT EINEM DAMPFERZEUGER

DISPOSITIF DE CUISSON COMPORTANT UN GÉNÉRATEUR DE VAPEUR


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30) Priority: 29.12.2010 TR 201011094

(43) Date of publication of application:
06.11.2013 Bulletin 2013/45

(73) Proprietor: Arçelik Anonim Sirketi
34950 Istanbul (TR)

(72) Inventors:
  • GUR, Metin
    34950 Istanbul (TR)
  • KALAYCI, Cemalettin
    34950 Istanbul (TR)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 658 798
WO-A1-2009/157480
US-A1- 2008 134 993
EP-A1- 1 985 742
JP-A- 2001 004 786
US-A1- 2010 034 526
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a steam generator.

    [0002] In cooking devices, steam cooking is performed by delivering the steam obtained from the water heated in the steam generator to the oven cavity. However, the delivery of the water droplets into the oven cavity together with the steam results in the reduction of the cooking effectiveness. Various designs are available in the state of the art for the solution of the said problem.

    [0003] In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1909038, a cooking device comprising a steam generator is explained. A barrier unit is situated in the steam generator in order to prevent the bubbles and the water droplets from being transmitted to the oven cavity together with the steam.

    [0004] In another state of the art document, the United States Patent No. US2010054717, in the household appliance wherein steam cooking is performed, barriers that prevent splashing are disposed on the steam transmission line through which the steam is transmitted to the cooking chamber.

    [0005] In another state of the art document, the Japanese Patent Application No. JP2010121803, in a household appliance wherein steam cooking is performed, the steam outlet of the steam generator is configured so as to prevent splashing. In another state of the art document, European Patent Application No. EP1658798A1, a cooking device with a steam generator is explained. However, barriers that could prevent splashing are not disclosed.

    [0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooking device the steam cooking effectiveness of which is increased.

    [0007] The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention and explicated in the claims is of the type wherein steam cooking is performed and comprises a steam generator. The inlet which provides the entry of the water to the steam generator and the outlet which provides the exit of the generated steam out of the steam generator are disposed on the ceiling of the steam generator. Thus, the amount of the water droplets that are delivered together with the steam transmitted from the steam generator to the cooking volume is minimized and the cooking effectiveness is increased.

    [0008] In the present invention, an inlet stopper is situated opposite the water that is delivered into the steam generator from the inlet, which decreases the speed thereof. Thus, the water is prevented from splashing by impacting the base of the body at high speeds and from being delivered out of the outlet together with the steam.

    [0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, an outlet stopper is used that the steam contacts before reaching the outlet and which prevents the water droplets, that rise together with the steam, from reaching the outlet. The outlet stopper is situated just in front of the outlet. Thus, the water droplets in the steam that are delivered out of the steam generator through the outlet are minimized.

    [0010] In present invention, the inlet stopper comprises a first extension that extends downwards from the ceiling. The first extension is shaped as a hollow rod and an orifice is disposed thereon, which provides the water to be delivered into the body. A ridge, which provides the water coming from the inlet to be slowed down by at least partially closing the orifice, is situated in front of the orifice. The water coming from the inlet and flowing into the first extension impacts the ridge and thus the flow thereof slows down. Thus, the problem of the water being delivered out of the outlet together with the steam as a result of impacting the base at high speeds and splashing is minimized.

    [0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet stopper is similarly shaped as the inlet stopper. The outlet stopper comprises a second extension shaped as a hollow rod and an opening disposed on the second extension. A barrier, which forms a surface that the rising steam contacts before reaching the outlet by at least partially closing the horizontal cross-section of the opening, is situated in front of the opening. Thus, the water droplets in the steam are stopped before they reach the outlet by being collected by means of contacting the barrier.

    [0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the orifice and the opening face opposite directions. Thus, the barrier and the ridge form an obstruction which prevents the water coming from the inlet from directly reaching the outlet.

    [0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the steam generator furthermore comprises a step so as to form a recess from the ceiling into the body. The height of the step is at least as much as the length of the second extension. Thus, an air gap which provides that the water never reaches the second extension in the body and the gushing of the water from the outlet, instead of the steam, is prevented.

    [0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lengths of the first extension and the second extension are equal to each other.

    [0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the body forms a pass by narrowing down at almost the center point of the inlet and the outlet. Thus, the rising steam is provided to move more quickly towards the outlet.

    [0016] By means of the present invention, the cooking effectiveness is increased by minimizing the amount of the water delivered into the cooking volume during the steam cooking.

    [0017] The model embodiments that relate to the cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, where:

    Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooking device.

    Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the steam generator.

    Figure 3 - is the sideways cross-sectional view of the steam generator.

    Figure 4 - is the view of detail A in Figure 3.

    Figure 5 - is the view of detail B in Figure 3.

    Figure 6 - is the bottom partial perspective view of the ceiling.

    Figure 7 - is the view of detail C in Figure 6.



    [0018] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:
    1. 1. Cooking device
    2. 2. Cooking volume
    3. 3. Steam generator
    4. 4. Body
    5. 5. Ceiling
    6. 6. Inlet
    7. 7. Outlet
    8. 8. Inlet stopper
    9. 9. Outlet stopper
    10. 10. First extension
    11. 11. Orifice
    12. 12. Ridge
    13. 13. Second extension
    14. 14. Opening
    15. 15. Barrier
    16. 16. Step
    17. 17. Pass


    [0019] The cooking device (1) comprises
    • a cooking volume (2) wherein the foods to be cooked are placed,
    • a steam generator (3) which has a body (4) and a ceiling (5) that covers the upper face of the body (4),
    • an inlet (6) disposed on the ceiling (5) and which allows water to enter the steam generator (3),
    • an outlet (7) disposed on the ceiling (5) and which allows the steam generated in the steam generator (3) to exit the steam generator (3)


    [0020] (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

    [0021] By means of both the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) being disposed on the ceiling (5), the water droplets are prevented from being delivered into the cooking volume (2) together with the steam and the cooking effectiveness is increased.

    [0022] In the present invention, the steam generator (3) comprises an inlet stopper (8) which is disposed in front of the inlet (6) and which slows down the speed of the water received from the inlet (6) to the steam generator (3). Thus, the water received from the inlet (6) to the steam generator (3) is prevented from impacting the water in the steam generator (3) at high speed and from exiting the steam generator (3) through the outlet (7) together with the steam by splashing.

    [0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the steam generator (3) comprises an outlet stopper (9) disposed in front of the outlet (7) and which provides the water droplets that rise together with the steam delivered out of the steam generator (3) from the outlet (7) to return to the steam generator (3) by impacting thereon. Thus, the water droplets that are propelled together with the steam are prevented from being delivered to the cooking volume (2) by exiting the steam generator (3).

    [0024] In the present invention, the inlet stopper (8) comprises
    • a first extension (10) shaped as a hollow cylinder and which extends into the steam generator (3),
    • the orifice (11) disposed on the first extension (10) and which allows the passage of the water from the inlet (6) into the steam generator (3) and
    • a ridge (12) disposed opposite the inlet (6) at the lower end of the first extension (10), which at least partially closes the opposite side of the inlet (6), to which the water entering the first extension (10) from the inlet (6) impacts and which provides the said water to be slowed down before it is received into the steam generator (3) from the orifice (11).


    [0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the outlet stopper (9) comprises
    • a second extension (13) shaped as a hollow cylinder and which extends into the steam generator (3),
    • an opening (14) disposed on the second extension (13) and which allows the delivery of the steam from the outlet (7) to outside the steam generator (3) and
    • a barrier (15) disposed opposite the outlet (7) at the lower end of the second extension (13), which at least partially closes the opposite side of the outlet (7) and which prevents the water droplets in the rising steam from reaching the opening (14) by impacting thereon.


    [0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the orifice (11) and the opening (14) face opposite directions. Thus, the water received into the steam generator (3) from the orifice (11) is prevented from reaching the opening (14) by splashing.

    [0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the steam generator (3) furthermore comprises a step (16) disposed on the ceiling (5), extending inwards from the ceiling (5) and the height of which is equal at least to that of the second extension (13). Thus, air gap is formed in the steam generator (3) and the water that fills into the steam generator (3) is prevented from reaching the opening (14).

    [0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lengths of the first extension (10) and the second extension (13) are equal to each other.

    [0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the steam generator (3) comprises a pass (17) disposed between the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) and where the side walls of the body (4) come closer to each other. Thus, the generated steam is provided to be directed to the outlet (7).

    [0030] By means of the present invention, the amount of the water in the steam delivered from the steam generator (3) to the cooking volume (2) is minimized and thus the cooking effectiveness is increased.

    [0031] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These should be considered within the scope of the protection postulated by the claims of the present invention.


    Claims

    1. A cooking device (1) comprising a cooking volume (2) wherein the foods to be cooked are placed, a steam generator (3) which has a body (4) and a ceiling (5) that covers the upper face of the body (4), an inlet (6) which allows water to enter the steam generator (3), an outlet (7) which allows the steam generated in the steam generator (3) to exit the steam generator (3), wherein the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) are disposed on the ceiling (5), and wherein the inlet (6) comprises a hollow cylinder on the ceiling (5), characterized in that in front of the inlet under the ceiling (5) a hollow cylinder is shaped as a first extension of an inlet stopper (8), such as to be a prolongation of the hollow cylinder of the inlet (6), said inlet stopper (8) further having

    - an orifice (11) disposed on the first extension (10) and which allows the passage of the water from the inlet (6) into the steam generator (3) and

    - a ridge (12) disposed opposite the inlet (6) at the lower end of the first extension (10), which at least partially closes the opposite side of the inlet (6), to which the water entering the first extension (10) from the inlet (6) impacts and which provides the said water to be slowed down before it is received into the steam generator (3) from the orifice (11).


     
    2. A cooking device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an outlet stopper (9) that has

    - a second extension (13) shaped as a hollow cylinder and which extends into the steam generator (3),

    - an opening (14) disposed on the second extension (13) and which allows the delivery of the steam from the outlet (7) to outside the steam generator (3) and

    - a barrier (15) disposed opposite the outlet (7) at the lower end of the second extension (13), which at least partially closes the opposite side of the outlet (7) and which prevents the water droplets in the rising steam from reaching the opening (14) by impacting thereon.


     
    3. A cooking device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the orifice (11) and the opening (14) that face opposite directions.
     
    4. A cooking device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the steam generator (3) having a step (16) disposed on the ceiling (5), extending inwards from the ceiling (5) and the height of which is equal at least to that of the second extension (13).
     
    5. A cooking device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by the first extension (10) and the second extension (13) the lengths of which are equal to each other.
     
    6. A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the steam generator (3) having a pass (17) disposed between the inlet (6) and the outlet (7) and where the side walls of the body (4) come closer to each other.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Gargerät (1), der einen Kochbereich (2), in den die gekocht werdende Nahrungen gesetzt werden, einen Dampferzeuger (3) mit einem Gehäuse (4) und einen Deckabschnitt (5), der die obere Seite des Gehäuses (4) bedeckt, einen Einlassabschnitt (6), der den Eintritt des Wassers in den Dampferzeuger (3) erlaubt und einen Auslassabschnitt (7), der den Austritt des im Dampferzeuger (3) erzeugten Dampfes aus dem Dampferzeuger (3) erlaubt, umfasst und wobei hier der Einlassabschnitt (6) und der Auslassabschnitt (7) auf dem Deckabschnitt (5) liegen und hier der Einlassabschnitt einen hohlen Zylinder auf dem Deckabschnitt (5) umfasst, wobei der hohle Zylinder vor dem Einlassabschnitt unter dem Deckabschnitt (5) in Form einer ersten Erweiterung des Einlassstopfens (8) ausgebildet ist, so dass der Einlassabschnitt (6) in Form der Erweiterung des hohlen Zylinders ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet dass, der genannte Einlassstopfen (8) zusätzlich folgende umfasst;

    - ein Bohrloch (11), der in der ersten Erweiterung (10) angeordnet ist und den Eintritt des Wassers durch den Einlassabschnitt (6) in den Dampferzeuger (3) erlaubt, und

    - einen Vorsprung (12), der an dem unteren Ende der Erweiterung (10) gegenüber dem Einlassabschnitt (6) liegt, den Abschnitt gegenüber dem Einlassabschnitt (6) teilweise abdeckt, wohin das Wasser aus Einlassabschnitt (6) gegen der ersten Erweiterung (10) anstosst und das Verlangsamen des Wassers vor dem Eintritt in den Dampferzeuger (3) durch das Bohrloch (11) gewährlistet.


     
    2. Gargerät (1) nach Anspruch 1 gekennzeichnet durch einen Auslassstopfen (9), der die folgenden umfasst;

    - eine zweite Erweiterung (13), die in dem dem Dampferzeuger (3) verläuft und in Form eines hohlen Zylinders ausgebildet ist,

    - einen Spalt (14), der auf zweiten Erweiterung (13) angeordnet ist, die das Weiterleiten des Dampfes durch den Auslassabschnitt (7) ausserhalb des Dampferzeugers (3) erlaubt und

    - eine Barriere (.15), die gegengesetzte Seite des Auslassabschnitts (7) teilweise bedeckt und die unter dem unteren Ende der zweiten Erweiterung (13) des angeordneten Auslassabschnitts (7) sich befindet, die die Wassertropfen, die nach dem Anstossen an den Spalt (14) an den Spalt erreichen und im hochsteigenden Dampf vorhanden sind, verhindert,


     
    3. Gargerät (1) nach Anspruch 2 gekennzeichnet durch einen Bohrloch (11) und einen Spalt(14), die zueinander entgegengesetzt stehen.
     
    4. Gargerät (1) nach Anspruch 2 gekennzeichnet durch einen Dampferzeuger (3), der vom Deckabschnitt (5) her zum Inneren verläuft, eine Stufe (16) an dem Deckabschnitt (5) umfasst und wobei die Höhe des Deckabschnitts gleich der zweiten Erweiterung (13) ist.
     
    5. Gargerät (1) nach Anspruch 2 gekennzeichnet durch einen ersten Vorsprung (10) und einen zweiten Vorsprung (13), die die gleiche Länge aufweisen.
     
    6. Gargerät (1) nach einem der vorhergegangenen Ansprüche gekennzeichnet durch einen Dampferzeuger (3), der einen Übergang (17) zwischen dem Einlassabschnitt (6) und dem Auslassabschnitt (7) hat und wobei die Seitenwänden des Gehäuses (4) sich gegenseitig annähern.
     


    Revendications

    1. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) comprenant un volume de cuisson (2) dans lequel sont placés les aliments à cuire, un générateur de vapeur (3) qui présente un corps (4) et un plafond (5) recouvrant la face supérieure du corps (4), une entrée (6) permettant à l'eau d'entrer dans le générateur de vapeur (3), une sortie (7) permettant à la vapeur produite dans le générateur de vapeur (3) de sortir du générateur de vapeur (3), dans lequel l'entrée (6) et la sortie (7) sont disposées sur le plafond (5), et l'entrée (6) comprend un cylindre creux sur le plafond (5), caractérisé en ce que, devant l'entrée sous le plafond (5), un cylindre creux est formé comme un premier prolongement d'une butée d'entrée (8), de manière à être un prolongement du cylindre creux de l'entrée (6), ladite butée d'entrée (8) comportant en outre:

    - un orifice (11) disposé sur le premier prolongement (10) et qui permet le passage de l'eau de l'entrée (6) dans le générateur de vapeur (3) et

    - une nervure (12) disposée à l'opposé de l'entrée (6) à l'extrémité inférieure du premier prolongement (10), qui ferme au moins partiellement le côté opposé de l'entrée (6), auquel l'eau entrant dans le premier prolongement (10) de l'entrée (6) impacte et qui provoque l'atténuation de ladite eau avant qu'elle ne soit reçue dans le générateur de vapeur (3) à partir de l'orifice (11).


     
    2. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par une butée de sortie (9) qui a

    - un deuxième prolongement (13) en forme de cylindre creux et qui s'étend dans le générateur de vapeur (3),

    - une ouverture (14) disposée sur le deuxième prolongement (13) et qui permet la sortie de la vapeur de la sortie (7) vers l'extérieur du générateur de vapeur (3) et

    - une barrière (15) disposée à l'opposé de la sortie (7) à l'extrémité inférieure du second prolongement (13), qui ferme au moins partiellement le côté opposé de la sortie (7) et qui empêche les gouttelettes d'eau dans la vapeur montante d'atteigner l'ouverture (14) par impact sur celle-ci.


     
    3. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par l'orifice (11) et l'ouverture (14) orientés dans des directions opposées.
     
    4. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le générateur de vapeur (3) présentant une marche (16) disposée sur le plafond (5) s'étendant vers l'intérieur depuis le plafond (5) et dont la hauteur est égale au moins à celui du second prolongement (13).
     
    5. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisé par le premier prolongement (10) et le deuxième prolongement (13), dont les longueurs sont égales entre elles.
     
    6. Un dispositif de cuisson (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le générateur de vapeur (3) présentant un passage (17) disposé entre l'entrée (6) et la sortie (7) et où les parois latérales du corps (4) se rapprochent les uns des autres.
     




    Drawing














    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description