AU734602B2 - Apparatus for steaming food - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR STEAMING FOOD This invention relates to apparatus for steaming food.

This invention relates particularly to apparatus for steaming food in a commercial environment as opposed to a domestic or home environment. For example it relates particularly to apparatus suitable for use in a food kiosk, fast food outlet, milk bar or the like.

Apparatus for steaming foods of many different types are known. One such apparatus which is designed primarily for domestic use includes a water tank which can be filled with water and incorporates an immersion heating element. When the element is energised by electricity the water is heated and steam is generated. A receptacle in which food is placed for steaming, is mounted over the container. The food receptacle has a plurality of ,oo• s 15 apertures defined therein through which steam can pass to effect cooking and/or heating of food within the receptacle.

However a shortcoming of this apparatus is that the water container has to be regularly and repeatedly replenished with water. As the water reservoir and water boiling chamber are 20 one and the same this is obviously not desirable in a busy commercial environment.

Accordingly it would be advantageous if an apparatus could be devised which was not ooo subjected to this shortcoming.

According to an aspect of this invention there is provided apparatus for steaming food, including: a housing defining a steam generating compartment and a food compartment; 2 at least one receptacle for carrying food inside the food compartment of the housing; a container for water located within the steam generating compartment of the housing; steam generating means for heating water within the container to generate steam; and directing means for directing steam generated in the container over food within the food receptacles.

Typically the steam directing means includes an apertured duct extending from the water container means to the food compartment.

Preferably there are at least two food receptacles within the housing.

'S..oe 15 In one particularly preferred form there are at least two levels of food receptacles within the food compartment one above the other, and each level of food receptacles comprises -two said receptacles arranged side by side.

Typically each of the food receptacles is apertured so as to admit steam into the receptacle, eg the receptacles are made out of gauze or other apertured sheet material.

ooo Preferably the duct comprises an upper duct portion and a lower duct portion in communication with each other, the duct portions being arranged in series and each being releaseably mounted to the housing.

Advantageously the duct portions are releaseably mounted to the housing by means of complementary mounting formations on each of the duct and housing.

In one particularly preferred form the upper portion of the duct is substantially aligned with the upper level of food receptacles and the lower portion is substantially aligned with the lower level of food receptacles, and wherein the two portions are arranged to communicate with each other when mounted in the housing permitting steam flow therethrough.

Preferably the duct has a flattened configuration with two major surfaces on each side thereof extending from a front face of the housing rearwardly towards the rear of the housing, and wherein a plurality of apertures are defined broadly in each of the major surfaces so as to permit steam to flow out of the duct into the food compartment.

Preferably the apparatus includes means for collecting moisture produced as a result of condensation of the steam being passed over the food receptacles.

15 Typically the collecting means includes a condenser for condensing water and directing it to side walls of the housing where the water flows by gravity down the walls.

Preferably the apparatus also includes a pair of condensate tanks disposed proximate the O* o.

side walls of the housing for collecting moisture running down the side walls. These tanks 20 may also be called sullage water tanks and are positioned on the side wall of the housing to O provide access thereto and ease of removal.

Advantageously the apparatus also includes means for automatically controlling the level of heating of water by the heating means and thereby the quantity of steam generated by the steam generating means, eg including a temperature sensor.

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0 Advantageously the apparatus also includes a reservoir positioned proximate to the container, for replenishing water to the water container, and a conduit placing the reservoir in fluid communication with the water container.

Advantageously the apparatus also includes a float and valve assembly located in the water container and operatively coupled to the conduit, for opening water flow from the reservoir to the container when the water level drops below a predetermined lower level and closing off water flow from the reservoir to the water container when the float level rises above a predetermined upper level.

Apparatus in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe in detail one preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The purpose of providing this description is to instruct persons skilled in the art having an interest in the subject matter of .o 15 the patent application how to put the invention into practical effect. It is to be clearly understood however that the specific nature of this description does not supersede the generality of the preceding statements. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a three dimensional view of steaming apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 20 FIGS. 2 b) and c) illustrate respectively front, side, and rear views of the Poe: ••oapparatus of FIG. 1; Oooo 'oe FIG. 3 is an exploded three dimensional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 provided for the purpose of showing the internal components; FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, section through IV-IV; FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, section through V-V; FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of steaming apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the embodiment with steam duct detail omitted for clarity; FIG. 7 is a sectional top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 6 with steam duct detail omitted for clarity; FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of the front face of the housing of the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a front view of the steam ducting of the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is a sectional end view of the ducting of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a front view of a food receptacle for the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the food receptacle of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is an end view of the food receptacle of FIG. 11; FIG. 14 is a front view of a partition positioned between the steam compartment and the food compartment; FIG. 15 is a plan view of the partition of FIG. 14; and FIG. 16 is a sectional front view of part of the partition of FIG. 14.

a...i In FIGS. 1 to 5 reference numeral 10 refers to steaming apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The apparatus 10 comprises a housing 11 defining a steam generating compartment 12 and :o i a food compartment 13. A number of receptacles 15 are contained within the food compartment 13 for carrying food to be steamed. A container 16 which is a tank for holding water is located within the steam generating compartment 12 of the housing 11. A steam generating means in the form of an immersion heater 18 is located within the tank 16 for generating the steam. Directing means in the form of an apertured duct 19 extends upwardly from the tank 16 to the food compartment 13 and more specifically the food receptacles The housing 11 is in the form of a rectangular box with the food compartment 13 above the steam generating compartment 12.

There are two layers of food receptacles 15 in the food compartment 13. Each layer comprises two food receptacles 15 side by side. The food receptacles 15 are made of gauze or the like to define apertures to permit steam to enter therethrough.

The housing 11 has a front face 20 and a rear face 2with a pair of transparent doors 22 and 23 defined in the front face 20 for providing access to the food receptacle 15 within the housing 11. Typically the doors 22 and 23 slide laterally between open and closed positions. In addition or alternatively the doors may be able to swing open to provide easy access to the steam and food compartments 12 and 13.

ooooo The rear face 21 of the housing 11 has a toughened glass window to enable an operator to *e.

view the interior thereof and let in natural light. The front face 20 of the housing 11 has the opening doors 22 and 23 described above.

20 The container 16 is square rectangular with an open top and is typically slidably received oo 20 within the steam generating compartment 12. The tank 16 can be withdrawn through the t rear face 21 of the housing 11. Alternatively the container 16 may be fixed in a single position within the steam generating compartment.

The structure of the immersion heater 18 is shown in FIG. 2 and in any event the structure and functioning of the heater 18 would be well known to persons skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in further detail.

A controller 25 for automatically controlling the energy introduced to the immersion heater 18 is located on the front face 20 of the housing 11 beneath the doors 22 and 23. This controller 25 enables the level of heating and thereby the amount of steam generated in the tank or container 16 to be controlled. Naturally the controller 25 includes a temperature sensor within the housing 11 for switching the heater 18 on and off when predetermined upper and lower temperature limits are obtained The apertured duct 19 comprises an upper duct portion 31 in alignment with the upper level of the food receptacle 15 and a lower portion 30 aligned with the lower level of the food receptacle 15. Each duct portion 30 and 31 is releasably mounted to the housing 11 by means of complementary bracket formations 35 and the two portions 30 and 31 are arranged to communicate with each other so that steam can flow directly from one into another.

Overall the duct 19 has a flat rectangular configuration with a narrow front wall 36, two side walls 37 and 38, and a narrow rear wall 39, ie it is tall and thin. An array of apertures 15 is defined in the side walls 37 and 38 through which steam issues from the duct 19 into the p o food compartment 13.

An example food receptacle 15 is shown in FIG. 11. The receptacle 15 comprises a .,•eo.i shallow open topped basket formed from wire gauze 40. A handle 41 is mounted on the 20 front of the receptacle 15 for enabling it to be pulled out of the housing through the doors o*'o 22 23 on the front face 20 of the housing 11. Thus the receptacle 15 has an open or slotted configuration upon which food is supported.

Condensers 45 are located at the top of the food receptacle 15 for condensing steam which has been passed over the food. The condensed water runs outwardly towards the side walls 47 and 48 of the housing and down the walls 47 and 48 to moisture or condensation collection tanks 49 and 50 located beneath the respective side walls. As is illustrated in the drawings, the tanks typically have a handle for pulling them out of either the front or rear of the housing 11. The condensate can then be poured down a drain. It is preferable to collect and drain condesate and use fresh water to generate steam. It is much healthier as there is less chance of contamination of food.

A water reservoir 51 is located on top of the housing 11. The reservoir 51 is connected to the water container or tank 16 in the steam compartment 12 by means of a conduit not shown in Figs 1 to 5 but shown by numeral 60 in the second embodiment in Fig 6. The conduit allows water from the reservoir 51 to run down the conduit to the container 16 under the influence of gravity. The reservoir 51 provides a supply of water for replenishing the water in the tank 16 as it is driven off by the steaming process. Associated with the tank 16 is a float and valve arrangement not shown in Figs 1 to 5 but shown in the second embodiment in Fig 6 by numeral 62. The valve is opened to permit water flow o: therethrough when the level of the float in the tank 16 drops below a lower predetermined 15 level. Correspondingly the valve is closed when the float level rises above a higher predetermined level. In the illustrated embodiment the reservoir 51 forms part of the appearance of the apparatus with the front face thereof having graphic information thereon.

In addition the front face 20 of the housing 11 also has a filler cap 54 which can be lifted 20 by a user to refill the tank 16 with water. Typically the cap 54 is not positively attached to the housing 11, it simply rests by weight of gravity. Accordingly when a user lifts the free end thereof it pulls away from the housing 11.

Naturally the heater 18 also has a switch for cutting off the electricity should the immersion heater ever become exposed to air. Should this happen an audio sound device will be sounded to notify an operator of this condition. This naturally reduces the risk of damage to the equipment should the water supply be exhausted for whatever reason. It also reduces the risk of fire.

In use the tank 16 is filled with water and the immersion heater 18 is used to generate steam. The steam rises up through the steam generating compartment 12 and into the duct The steam then flows out of the apertures of the duct 19 into the food containing compartment 13.

Food to be steamed is placed in compartments 21 to 24 and steam passes outwardly through the openings in the duct 19 and into each compartment. The steam thereby subjects the food to steam cooking. The steam maintains the food at a consistent and high temperature, eg abve 60 degrees Celcius, preferably 65 -120 degreees Celsius without drying it out. Rising steam that has passed over the food condenses at the top of the housing and then runs down the walls and into the condensate collection tanks 49 and 00.

15 Periodically the water in the tanks is disposed of down a drain or into a larger collection tank..

The steam passes around the foodstuffs on the receptacle 15 to efficiently heat the food stuffs. The steam has a minimum temperature of 65 0 C, and can go up to 90'C or higher.

00*000 0OO 00*0 20 As water in the steam compartment 12 is consumed, it is replenished from the reservoir

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51 above the housing which is largely integral with the apparatus. Thus the tank 16 does 0000 0 not need to be manually filled from time to time which would require a fair amount of user 0000.

attention.

FIGS. 6 to 13 illustrate a steaming apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is structurally and functionally very similar to the first embodiment although it is perhaps technically more advanced than the first embodiment.

Accordingly unless otherwise illustrated the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components.

As with the first embodiment, the water tank 16 is coupled to a reservoir shown by numeral 51 positioned above the tank 16 by means of a conduit 60. The reservoir is typically larger than the tank 16 although its exact size is not critical. In the illustrated embodiment the reservoir holds over 20 liters of water which should comfortably supply the tank with water for at least 12 hours of operation. The conduit 60 thus extends from the reservoir 51 down the rear face 21 of the housing 11 and directly into the water container or tank 16. A float valve 62 arrangement is located at the end of the conduit When the float 63 drops below a certain level the valve 64 opens admitting water to the tank 16 through the conduit 60. When the float 63 rises with the rising water to a predetermined height, the valve 64 shuts off again. This way it is not necessary for the tank 16 to be manually replenished with water by a user. The principle involved with the 15 float valve arrangement 62 is analogous to that in a cistern for a toilet. Although not illustrated in the drawings it would also be possible for the conduit 60 to be coupled to a domestic mains water supply.

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The tank 16 may also have a tap for draining water from the tank 16 which typically 20 would be placed at the rear of the apparatus or underneath the container 16.. The tap bo°* typically has a gate valve and a handle at the end of a rotatable spindle. Manual rotation acts to lift the gate out of the flow path thereby permitting water to flow therethrough. The structure and function of the float valves and gate valves would be well known to persons skilled in the art and accordingly will not be described in further detail in the specification.

In FIGS. 14 to 16, the partition for separating the steam compartment 12 from the food compartment 13 is indicated by numeral 70. The partition 70 defines an opening 71 into 11 which the lower end of the steam duct 19 is received. The water tank 16 is positioned below the opening 71. The partition also has steam vents 72 defined in the upper portion thereof. The partition 70 is designed to be supported by complementary bracket formations within the housing 11.

Naturally the housing and other components are made out of steel of an appropriate thickness such that the equipment overall is robust and will not easily be damaged or destroyed. Further the housing is appropriately insulated to keep heat in, reducing heat losses to the outside.

An advantage of the apparatus described above with reference to the drawings is that it does not need to be manually replenished with water. Rather this occurs automatically.

Fresh water is supplied from the water reservoir down the conduit to the water container as and when required. The reservoir which is much larger than the container has a large 15 capacity to replenish the container with fresh water. Further there is an automatic controller ,for controlling the introduction of water to the container. Another advantage is that the -apparatus is fairly simple and can be provided fairly inexpensively and is of a size suitable for use in a food kiosk or the like.

20 It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative 555 example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be 5555 apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of i the invention as is herein set forth.

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Claims (11)

1. Apparatus for steaming food, including: a housing including walls and defining a steam generating compartment and a food compartment; at least one receptacle for carrying food inside the food compartment of the housing; a container for holding water to be steamed located within the steam generating compartment of the housing; steam generating means for heating water within the container to generate steam; steam directing means for directing steam generated in the container over food within the food receptacle/s; a condenser for condensing steam rising above said food receptacle/s and ~directing it towards the walls of the housing so that it can run down the walls; 15 at least one condensate tank positioned in relation to the walls of the housing so as to collect condensate running down the walls from the condenser; a reservoir positioned above the container for supplying make-up water to the o o container; and a conduit operatively connecting the reservoir to the container so that water in the 20 reservoir can flow into the container; and oo a valve assembly operatively coupled to the conduit for controlling the flow of •°oo water through the conduit and into the container to maintain the level in the ~container between a predetermined upper level and a predetermined lower level.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, having at least two levels of said food receptacles within the food compartment one above the other, and wherein each level has at least two said receptacles arranged side by side. ,U0 1 r,'OIA~ 4 13

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the food receptacles is apertured so as to admit steam into the receptacle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each of the food receptacles is made out of gauze or other apertured sheet material.

Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the steam directing means includes a duct extending from the steam generating compartment to the food compartment, and wherein the duct defines a plurality of apertures through which steam passes to exit the duct.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the duct extends upwardly from the a so steam generating compartment and the apertures are positioned so as to direct 15 steam laterally outwardly fromthe duct into the food compartment. :so

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the duct comprises an upper duct portion and a lower duct portion in communication with each other, the duct portions being arranged in series and each being releasably mounted to the housing. °oe° o°•o

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the duct portions are releasably mounted to the housing by means of complementary mounting formations on each of the o o duct and housing.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the duct has a flattened rectangular configuration with two vertically extending major surfaces extending broadly parallel to opposed walls of the housing, and said plurality of apertures 14 are defined in said major surfaces so as to permit steam to flow upwardly through the duct and then broadly horizontally outwardly out of the duct into the food compartment.

10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having a pair of said condensate tanks spaced apart from each other, one said tank being positioned to receive condensate running down one wall of the housing and the other condensate tank being positioned to receive condensate running down another wall of the housing.

11. Apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS NINTH DAY OF APRIL 2001 q 15 BRETT DAWSON BY PIZZEYS PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS *Se