CN115435306A

CN115435306A - Cooking stove with steam generating device

Info

Publication number: CN115435306A
Application number: CN202110618271.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴鹏; 张洁
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2021-06-01
Filing date: 2021-06-01
Publication date: 2022-12-06
Also published as: EP4348118A1; WO2022253547A1

Abstract

It is described a cooking stove (1) for heat treating a food product, the cooking stove (1) comprising at least: one or more cooking zones (2), the one or more cooking zones (2) being configured to support a cooking container and to heat the cooking container and/or a food product present within the cooking container; and a steam generating device (3) for heat treating the food product by means of steam. The steam generating device (3) comprises at least: a steam generator (15), the steam generator (15) configured to generate steam; a water tank (16), the water tank (16) configured to store water; and a coupling assembly (17), the coupling assembly (17) releasably carrying the water tank (16) and/or being configured to releasably carry the water tank (16) and to direct water to the steam generating station, the steam generator (15) being configured to generate steam from the water at the steam generating station.

Description

Cooking stove with steam generating device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a cooking stove for heat treating food products, and in particular to a cooking stove provided with a steam generating device for heat treating food products by steam.

Background

Cooking stoves are well known for preparing food products by thermally conditioning the food products.

A typical cooking stove comprises one or more cooking zones, each configured to support, in use, a respective cooking container and to be selectively controllable to heat the respective cooking container, and hence also the food product placed therein, for example by means of resistive or inductive heating.

The new cooking stove is also provided with steam generating means for preparing food products by means of steam.

Two exemplary cooking stoves of this type are known from WO-A-2017092988 and WO-A-2018219709.

These cooking stoves comprise a water boiler capable of containing water and an electric heater for heating the water boiler and thereby also the water present in the water boiler, thereby heating the water and generating the required steam.

Even if such cooking stoves work very satisfactorily, such integrated steam generating devices have the inconvenience that the available cooking time is limited due to the depletion of water.

There is therefore a need in the art for improvements to known cooking stoves with steam generating devices.

In particular, there is a need in the art to allow for extended steam cooking times.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking stove which overcomes at least one of the above inconveniences in a straightforward manner.

According to the present invention, a cooking stove according to independent claim 1 is provided.

Preferred non-limiting embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims depending directly or indirectly on claim 1.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a cooking stove comprising at least:

-one or more cooking zones configured to support a cooking container and to heat said cooking container and/or a food product present inside said cooking container; and

-a steam generating device configured to heat treat the food product by means of steam.

The steam generating device at least comprises:

-a steam generator configured to generate steam;

-a water tank configured to store water; and

a coupling assembly carrying and/or configured to carry the water tank and to direct water to a steam generating station at which the steam generator is configured to generate steam from the water.

Thereby, the water tank is releasably connected to the coupling assembly and/or the water tank is releasably connectable to the coupling assembly.

By arranging the water tank, the cooking time can be prolonged. Furthermore, the water tank can be easily refilled (also during cooking itself) and the remaining water can be removed if necessary.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the food product to be heat-treated may be a single ingredient or a mixture of ingredients. It should also be noted that the food to be treated may be altered throughout the heat treatment; i.e. ingredients can be added or removed from the food during the heat treatment.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each of the cooking zones may be configured to be intended to serve as any of the following parts of a cooking stove: the portion is configured to support the cooking vessel and is provided with means for directing thermal energy in any form into the cooking vessel and/or into a product present within the cooking vessel. For example, the cooking area may be defined by a surface for supporting the cooking vessel and an electronic element, such as a resistor or an electrical coil, associated with (e.g. arranged below) the surface. Another example is a cooking zone defined by a support element for supporting a cooking container and a nozzle arranged below at least a portion of the support element and configured to enable a controlled outflow and combustion of gas.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the cooking receptacle may be of any type, form and material (e.g., steel, cast iron, aluminum, clay, ceramic, etc.) as long as the cooking receptacle is suitable for placement onto a cooking area and for heat treatment of a product disposed within the cooking receptacle. Obviously, the specific type of cooking vessel may differ according to the specific solution of the way in which the thermal energy is provided to the cooking vessel and/or the food product. A non-exhaustive list of cooking vessels includes pans, pots and kettles.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, at least a portion of the water tank is transparent, and/or the water tank comprises a filling level indicating device for indicating a filling level of water within the water tank.

In this way, the fill level of water within the water tank can be controlled, and the water tank can be disconnected from the coupling assembly if necessary to refill the water tank and reconnect the water tank to the coupling assembly.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the coupling assembly comprises a housing structure having a seat for accommodating, in particular releasably accommodating, at least a portion of the water tank.

In this way, the water tank can be easily coupled to the coupling assembly.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the water tank may be angularly movable about the rotation axis at least between the first angular position and the second angular position with respect to the rotation axis. Furthermore, the water tank is in the operating position and in the rest position when the water tank is in the first angular position and in the second angular position, respectively.

By controlling the water tank between the operating position and the resting position, the position of the water tank can be optimized in dependence of the operating state of the steam generating device.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the cooking stove comprises a top surface carrying the cooking area and lying in a plane. When the tank is arranged in the second angular position, one face of the tank is located below or in the plane.

In this way, a flat top surface can be obtained when the steam generating device is not used. There is no interfering portion protruding from the top surface.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the housing structure is angularly movable about the axis of rotation to move the tank between the first and second angular positions.

This is a simple and efficient way to angularly move the water tank between the first and second angular positions.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the water tank is oriented laterally, in particular vertically, with respect to the top surface of the cooking stove, in particular when the water tank is in the respective operating position.

This allows water to flow out of the tank by gravity. Additionally, this also allows for easy grasping and viewing of the water tank.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the coupling assembly includes a conduit fluidly connecting and/or configured to fluidly connect the steam generator with the water tank.

The conduit provides a simple connection between the water tank and the steam generator.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the steam generating device and/or the steam generator further comprises a water tray, in particular at least for collecting used water.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the cooking stove further comprises a main structure carrying one or more cooking areas and steam generating means. The water tray is removably coupled to and/or coupleable to the main structure.

This allows the water tray to be removed from the main structure and facilitates cleaning of the water tray and removal of any water present within the water tray after operation of the steam generating apparatus.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the tank is fluidly connected to and/or configured to be fluidly connected to a water tray. In particular, the steam generator may be configured to heat water within the water tray in order to generate steam and/or receive water from the water tray and generate steam. The steam generator may be at least partially formed by a water pan configured to be heated, and/or the steam generator may comprise a heatable steam generating unit configured at least partially as a unit separate from the water pan.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the steam generating device further comprises a cover at least partially bounding and/or configured to at least partially bound a steam cooking space that receives steam generated by the steam generator.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the steam generating device further comprises one or more trays arranged and/or arrangeable within the steam cooking space and designed to carry food products.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, wherein the steam generator is configured to generate steam, the steam generating device may further comprise a tray adapted for collecting used water, which tray may be arranged, in particular removably, below a tray designed for carrying food and above a water tray.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the cooking stove further comprises a recess, and the steam generating device is at least partially arranged within the recess.

In this way, the space occupied by the steam generating device is optimized.

According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, the water tank includes at least an outlet configured to allow water to flow from the water tank and a valve configured to open and close the outlet with the water tank attached to and detached from the coupling assembly, respectively.

By providing a valve it is ensured that water cannot accidentally flow out of the water tank when the water tank is not connected to the coupling assembly.

Drawings

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a cooking stove according to the invention, with certain parts removed for clarity;

fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the cooking stove of fig. 1 in a first configuration, with certain components removed for clarity; and

fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the cooking stove of fig. 1 in a second configuration, with certain components removed for clarity.

Detailed Description

With particular reference to fig. 1, numeral 1 generally designates a cooking stove 1 for heat treatment, in particular for heating, of food products.

The cooking stove 1 comprises at least:

one or more cooking zones 2, each configured to support a respective cooking container, such as a pan, a pot, a kettle or the like, and to heat a food product inside and/or present inside the cooking container; and

a steam generating device 3, the steam generating device 3 being configured to heat treat the food product by means of steam.

In particular, each cooking zone 2 and steam generating device 3 may be configured to thermally treat respective food products, which may be different from each other. Additionally and/or alternatively, the cooking area 2 and the steam generating means 3 may continuously process the same food product.

The cooking stove 1 may comprise a main structure 4 carrying the cooking area 2 and/or the steam generating means 3.

In more detail, the cooking stove 1, in particular the main structure 4, may comprise a top surface 5 carrying the cooking area 2. In particular, the top surface 5 extends in a (horizontal) plane, in particular in a plane in a horizontal direction.

Furthermore, the main structure 4, in particular the top surface 5, may comprise a recess 6, the steam generating means 3 being at least partially arranged within this recess 6.

The cooking stove 1 may further comprise a control unit configured to selectively control the operation of the cooking area 2 and/or the steam generating means 3. In particular, the control unit may be integrated into the main structure 4.

In particular, the cooking stove 1 may further comprise one or more supply units (not shown), which are arranged in particular within the main structure 4 and operatively connected to the control unit, the cooking area 2 and the steam generating device 3, and which are configured to selectively supply energy to the cooking area 2 and/or the steam generating device 3 under control by means of the control unit. In particular, the energy may be in the form of electrical energy or in the form of gas to be combusted.

According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, the cooking area 2 is configured to receive energy in the form of gas to be combusted. Alternatively, the cooking area 2 may be of the inductive or radiant type and the energy required will be electrical energy.

With particular reference to fig. 1 to 3, each cooking zone 2 may be dependent on the type of combustion gas, and the control unit may be configured to selectively control the flow of gas to each cooking zone 2, thereby controlling the energy input.

In more detail, each cooking zone 2 may comprise a carrier 7 for supporting a cooking container 3 and a nozzle 8 arranged below at least a portion of the respective carrier 7 and configured to allow a controlled outflow and combustion of the gases. In particular, each carrier 7 is placed on a respective portion of the top surface 5.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown, the cooking stove 2 may comprise a glass-ceramic surface (defining the top surface 5), and each cooking area 2 is defined and/or determined by a respective utility portion of the glass-ceramic surface, and at least one respective electrical resistance or respective electrical coil is arranged below the respective utility portion of the glass-ceramic surface.

With particular reference to fig. 1 to 3, the cooking stove 2 further comprises a control interface 9, which control interface 9 is configured to allow setting and/or defining one or more operating parameters of each cooking area 2 and/or steam generating device 3, in particular before, during and/or after heat treatment of the food product.

According to the non-limiting embodiment shown, the control interface 9 is integral with the main structure 4, in particular the top surface 5. In particular, the control interface 9 comprises a control knob 10, but alternatively or additionally the control interface 9 may comprise a touch display and/or a control switch.

Additionally or alternatively, the control interface 9 may comprise a mobile device provided with a corresponding software program for setting and/or defining operating parameters.

With particular reference to fig. 1 to 3, the steam generating device 3 comprises at least:

a steam generator 15, in particular a steam generator 15 arranged within the recess 6, the steam generator 15 being configured to generate steam;

a water tank 16, the water tank 16 being configured to store water, in particular water to be delivered to the steam generator 15; and

a coupling assembly 17, which coupling assembly 17 releasably carries the water tank 16 and/or is configured to releasably carry the water tank 16 and to guide the water to a steam generating station, at which the steam generator 15 is configured to generate steam from the water.

Furthermore, the water tank 16 is releasably connected and/or releasably connectable to the coupling assembly 17, in particular allowing for repeatedly connecting and disconnecting the water tank 16 to and from the coupling assembly 17. In this way, the water tank 16 can be detached before and/or during and/or after operation of the steam generating device 3 in order to fill the water tank 16 with water and to connect the water tank 16 to the coupling assembly 17 again.

Additionally, the tank 16 may extend along the longitudinal axis a.

In particular, the water tank 16 can be detached (released) from and connected to the coupling assembly 17 by moving along respective directions (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis a.

In more detail, the water tank 16 may include:

an inlet configured to allow water to be introduced into the tank 16; and

an outlet 19, the outlet 19 being configured to allow water to flow out of the tank 16, in particular the outlet 19 being arranged at a first axial end (with respect to the longitudinal axis a) of the tank 16.

According to some possible embodiments, the inlet and the outlet 19 may coincide.

According to some alternative embodiments, the inlet may be arranged at a second axial end of the water tank 16 opposite to the first axial end. According to such alternative embodiments, the water tank 16 may also include a cover element designed to selectively cover and open the inlet.

Preferably, the tank 16 may further include a valve configured to open and close the outlet 19 with the tank 16 attached to and detached from the coupling assembly 17, respectively.

Furthermore, the water tank 16 may comprise a filling level indicating device for indicating a filling level of water in the water tank 16. Alternatively or additionally, at least a portion of the water tank 16, particularly a major portion (extending away from the coupling assembly 17), may be transparent.

Preferably, the water tank 16 can be arranged at least in the operating position and preferably also in the rest position. In particular, the water tank 16 is adapted to deliver water to the steam generator 15 when in the operating position.

Preferably, the longitudinal axis a is transverse to the top surface 5, in particular (substantially) perpendicular to the top surface 5, with the tank 16 in the operating position. Even more preferably, the longitudinal axis a is (substantially) parallel to the top surface 5 with the tank 16 in the resting position.

Furthermore, the water tank 16 may be oriented transversely, in particular (substantially) perpendicularly, with respect to the top surface 5, in particular when the water tank 16 is in the operating position.

More specifically, the water tank 16 may extend laterally, in particular (substantially) perpendicularly away from the top surface 5, in particular when the water tank 16 is in the operating position.

With particular reference to fig. 3, the water tank 16 may be disposed within the recess 6 when in the seated position.

In more detail, the water tank 16 may include a first face 20 (see fig. 1 and 2) and a second face 21 (see fig. 3) opposite the first face 20.

In particular, the first face 20 may face a user with the tank 16 in the operating position.

With particular reference to fig. 3, the second face 21 may lie in a plane with the tank 16 in the operating position. In other words, the second surface 21 may be arranged flat with respect to the top surface 5 with the water tank 16 arranged in the operating position.

Advantageously, at least a portion of the tank 16 and/or the entirety of the tank 16 may be angularly movable about the rotation axis B at least between a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the rotation axis B.

Furthermore, the water tank 16 may be in an operating position and a resting position when the water tank 16 and/or at least a portion thereof is in the first and second angular positions, respectively.

With particular reference to fig. 1 to 3, the coupling assembly 17 comprises a housing structure 22, which housing structure 22 has a seat for housing (in a releasable manner) at least a portion of the tank 16, preferably at least the outlet 19.

Furthermore, the coupling assembly 17 may comprise a conduit configured to direct water to and/or towards the steam generating station, and/or the conduit may fluidly connect the steam generator 15 with the water tank 16, in particular the outlet 19, and/or configured to fluidly connect the steam generator 15 with the water tank 16, in particular the outlet 19.

Preferably, the housing structure 22 is angularly movable about the rotation axis B to move the water tank 16 between the first and second angular positions (and thus between the operating and seated positions).

Alternatively or additionally, the water tank 16 may comprise a first tank part and a second tank part which is hinged to the first tank part and which is rotatable about a hinge axis, in particular a hinge axis coinciding with the rotation axis B.

In addition, the steam generating device 3 and/or the steam generator 15 may further comprise a water tray 23, which water tray 23 is particularly used for collecting at least used water (i.e. water that has been vaporized by the steam generator 15 and thereafter changed back to a liquid phase).

Furthermore, the water tray 23 may be removably coupled and/or coupleable to the main structure 4. In particular, the water tray 23 may be removably arranged and/or disposable within the recess 6.

Furthermore, the steam generating device 3 may further comprise a cover 24, the cover 24 delimiting and/or being configured to at least partially delimit a steam cooking space 25, the steam cooking space 25 receiving steam generated by the steam generator 15. In particular, the cover 24 is removably placed on the water tray 23 and/or is removably placeable on the water tray 23.

Furthermore, the steam generating device 3 may comprise one or more trays 26, which one or more trays 26 are arranged and/or may be arranged within the steam cooking space 25, and each tray 26 is designed to carry a food product. Preferably, each tray 26 may include a plurality of through holes to allow the steam to spread within the steam cooking space 25.

In addition, the trays 26 may be arranged one on top of the other within the steam cooking space 25.

In embodiments where the steam generator 15 is configured to generate steam, the steam generating device 3 may further comprise a tray (not shown) for collecting used water, which may be arranged, in particular removably, below the tray 26 designed to carry food and above the water tray 23, and which is adapted to collect used and dirty water before it falls into the water tray 23 and contaminates any water that should be heated within the water tray 23.

In more detail, the steam generator 15 may be configured to be powered by means of electrical energy. In particular, the supply unit may be configured to supply electrical energy to the steam generator 15.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the steam generator may be operated by resistance heating or induction heating.

Alternatively or additionally, the steam generator 15 may be operated by means of the gas to be combusted.

According to some possible embodiments, the steam generator 15 may be configured to receive water directly from the water tank 16 through a conduit of the coupling assembly 17.

Alternatively or additionally, the water tank 16 may be fluidly connected to the water tray 23, e.g., by a conduit, and/or configured to be fluidly connected to the water tray 23, e.g., by a conduit, and in particular, the steam generator 15 may be configured to heat water within the water tray 23 to generate steam and/or to receive water from the water tray 23 and generate steam. The steam generator 15 may be at least partly formed by a water pan 23 configured to be heated, and/or the steam generator 15 may comprise a heatable steam generating unit (not shown) configured at least partly as a separate unit from the water pan 23.

In use, the cooking stove 1 is capable of heat treating food products by heat treating food products placed in cooking containers on one or more cooking areas 2 and/or by heat treating food products by means of steam by means of the steam generating device 3.

The operation of the steam generating means 3 is controlled by the control unit and the energy required by the steam generating means 3 is delivered by the supply unit to the steam generator 15.

In particular, the steam generator 15 generates steam by means of water originating from a water tank 16.

The steam generator 15 may receive water directly through the conduit and/or from the water pan 23. Alternatively or additionally, the steam generator 15 may heat the water present in the water tray 23.

Advantageously, before and/or during and/or after operation of the steam generating device 3, the user can detach the water tank 16 from the coupling assembly 17 in order to fill the water tank 16 with water. The filled tank 16 may then be reconnected to the coupling assembly 17.

In particular, the user may control the filling level of the water inside the water tank 16 by means of a filling level indicating unit and/or by visually inspecting a transparent portion of the entire water tank 16.

Clearly, changes may also be made to the cooking stove 1 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

List of reference numerals

1. Cooking stove

2. Cooking area

3. Steam generating device

4. Main structure

5. Top surface

6. Concave part

7. Supporting element

8. Nozzle for spraying liquid

9. Control interface

10. Control knob

15. Steam generator

16. Water tank

17. Coupling assembly

19. An outlet

20. First side

21. Second surface

22. Shell structure

23. Water plate

24. Covering element

25. Cooking space

26. Tray

A longitudinal axis

B axis of rotation

Claims

1. A cooking stove (1) for heat treating a food product, the cooking stove (1) comprising at least:

-one or more cooking areas (2), the one or more cooking areas (2) being configured to support a cooking container and to heat the cooking container and/or a food product present within the cooking container; and

-a steam generating device (3), the steam generating device (3) being configured to heat treat a food product by means of steam;

wherein the steam generating device (3) comprises at least:

-a steam generator (15), the steam generator (15) being configured to generate the steam;

-a water tank (16), the water tank (16) being configured to store water; and

-a coupling assembly (17), said coupling assembly (17) carrying said water tank (16) and/or being configured to carry said water tank (16) and to direct said water to a steam generating station, said steam generator (15) being configured to generate said steam from said water at said steam generating station;

characterized in that the water tank (16) is releasably connected and/or can be releasably connected to the coupling assembly (17).

2. The cooking stove according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the water tank (16) is transparent and/or the water tank comprises a filling level indicating means for indicating a filling level of the water within the water tank (16).

3. The cooking stove according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coupling assembly (17) comprises a housing structure (22), the housing structure (22) having a seat for accommodating at least a part of the water tank (16).

4. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (16) is angularly movable about a rotational axis (B) with respect to the rotational axis (B) at least between a first and a second angular position; wherein the water tank (16) is in an operating position and a resting position when in the first and second angular positions, respectively.

5. The cooking stove according to claim 4, further comprising a top surface (5), the top surface (5) carrying the cooking area (2) and lying in a plane; wherein a face (21) of the water tank (16) is located in or below the plane when the water tank (16) is arranged in the second angular position.

6. The cooking stove according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the housing structure (22) is angularly movable about the rotation axis (B) for moving the water tank (16) between the first and the second angular position.

7. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (16) is oriented transversely, in particular vertically, with respect to a top surface (5) of the cooking stove (1) carrying the cooking area (2), in particular when the water tank (16) is in a respective operating position.

8. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling assembly (17) comprises a conduit fluidly connecting the steam generator (15) with the water tank (16) and/or configured to fluidly connect the steam generator (15) with the water tank (16).

9. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam generating device (3) further comprises a water tray (23), the water tray (23) in particular being used for collecting at least used water.

10. The cooking stove according to any preceding claim, further comprising a main structure (4), the main structure (4) carrying the one or more cooking areas (2) and the steam generating means (3); wherein the water tray (23) is removably coupled and/or coupleable to the main structure (4).

11. The cooking stove according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the water tank (16) is fluidly connected to and/or configured to be fluidly connected to the water tray (32); in particular, the steam generator (15) is configured to heat the water within the water tray (23) to generate the steam and/or to receive the water from the water tray (23) to generate the steam, in particular wherein the steam generator (15) can be at least partially formed by the water tray (23) configured to be heated and/or the steam generator (15) can comprise a heatable steam generating unit which is at least partially configured as a unit separate from the water tray (23).

12. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the steam generating device (3) further comprises a cover (24), the cover (24) at least partially delimiting/configured to at least partially delimit a steam cooking space (25), the steam cooking space (25) receiving the steam generated by the steam generator (15).

13. The cooking stove according to claim 12, wherein the steam generating device further comprises one or more trays (26), which one or more trays (26) are arranged and/or arrangeable within the steam cooking space (25) and designed to carry the food product, in particular wherein the steam generator (15) is configured to generate the steam, and the steam generating device (3) further comprises a tray for collecting used water, preferably wherein the tray for collecting used water is arranged, in particular removably, below the tray (26) designed to carry food and above the water tray (23), and is adjusted for collecting used and dirty water.

14. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a recess (6); wherein the steam generating device (3) is at least partially arranged within the recess (6).

15. The cooking stove according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (16) comprises at least:

-an outlet (19), said outlet (19) being configured to allow the water to flow out of the water tank (16); and

-a valve configured to open and close the outlet (19) with the water tank (16) attached to and detached from the coupling assembly (17) respectively.