DE10015799C2 - Food warmer to keep food warm while eating - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a food warmer according to the generic term of claim 1.

When eating hot meals, there is a general desire to keep them warm for as long as possible. This is especially true for already dishes on the plate, which, until they are complete Consume, should be kept on the plate so warm that their taste for people who eat through intensive chewing or very slow eating, need longer eating times, is still fully effective. That wish has not only health reasons, but is based on the known Experience that one on the plate is no longer warm or already food that is completely cold is reluctant to eat.

For dishes not yet on the plate, the above reasons mentioned for a long time therefore keep warm plates or the known Warmer with candle or alcohol used to serve the dishes should keep warm as long as possible before placing on the plate. These well-known food warmers all have the disadvantage that they heat the food from below. The in corresponding reference plates food on the warming plates or over the warmer sometimes simmer or burn on their sometimes not quite level Floor spots, whereas their surface or upper layer of food  nevertheless slowly cools down and does not work even when the heat is applied properly remains fully warmed.

With the subject of the utility model DE 92 09 649 U1 is a table Food warming device with electrical heating become known at which the electric heater in one over a stand part on one Base plate attached reflector is arranged, the rigid on Stand part attached reflector adjustable in height appropriate distance above the food can be arranged. With this device the dishes are on a side table or next to the actual one The seating and dining area are also temporarily stored on the dining table and to avoid the disadvantages of burning the aforementioned Food in the floor area, kept warm from above with the help of a heating element.

A very slow feeder must use this table food warming device consuming his plate from time to time while eating place the base plate under the reflector with the heating element so that it can consume his remaining food warmly with pleasure. Directly from the with relatively small base plate provided with small feet, the dining person can only eat from an elevated position of the plate and must also pay attention to the outer edge of the reflector for every spoon brought to the mouth, so as not to run into it. Because the reflector in this warming device only shifted in height, but not inclined or tilted it is relatively difficult for the diner to use the spoon between the outer edge of the reflector and the upper edge of the elevated position Feed plates through to mouth.

He sets the reflector as high as possible, so that the space for eating becomes large, then either the food is kept warm on the plate is no longer adequately guaranteed or electricity consumption is skyrocketing accordingly in height, or you quickly reach the limit of one for the feeder, warming of his ambient temperature, in order to achieve any effect on the surface of the food.

With the subject of utility model DE 18 44 124 U is another Device for keeping warm and reheating prepared dishes  become known in which an infrared heater with a heat source Reflector is provided, which is adjustable in height over a plate is arranged. You can already prepare between the heater and the plate Dishes that are in plates, bowls or the like desired temperature can be reheated. With this device, as well as with the subject of the further known utility model DE 87 05 540 U1, relating to a thermal bridge for keeping food warm, in contrast to the present invention, it is relative bulky, difficult to transport, heat-radiating gastronomic Large appliances that put the food in the kitchen on the serving counter between Kitchen and dining room or on, and in rare cases, also on the table keep the food warm before eating. For direct consumption in the last two cases, the serving plates, serving dishes or bowls from the base plates under the heat sources or taken down several times so that on the actual food plate of the dining person, e.g. B. by means of a cutlery from the template dishes or out of the bowl.

There is therefore a wish, even those already on the plate Keep food warm longer and less destructively than previously known.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a food warmer create the food while eating directly at the dining area on the Plates are warmed so well for as long that they are on their surface or stay evenly warm in their upper food layer and neither boil on the bottom of the plate on the surface of the food or burn, taking the plate off after each cooling down remaining food not yet consumed on a base plate under one with electric current or another energy source operable on a base by means of a height-adjustable movable Support arm attachable screen with reflector as a heat source must become.

This object is achieved by the im Features specified claim 1 solved. Advantageous configurations  of the food warmer according to the invention are in the subclaims specified.

The food warmer according to the invention is in particular for normal high round Plates that always stand directly on the table top when eating can and which have a diameter of about 25 cm, suitable. On Umbrella with reflector and a heat source in it is about 20 cm above the surface of the food so that the food from the person eating it is good visible and easily accessible with the cutlery through the large Space between the screen and plate can be consumed. For this purpose, the screen with the reflector and the heat source can be placed in it movable support arms, as well as locking joints or via lockable Hinges not only shifted in height, but as required be tilted or tilted to the side for optimum access to the Feeders to the meal, without hindrance by the behind the plate arranged base of the food warmer, to enable.

A swiveling, rotating or folding, if necessary, semi-open light filter the bottom of the screen diminishes or prevents one on the food glaring or reflective for those who eat and those around them Residual light radiation from the IR heat source.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an am uppermost support arm part of a temperature sensor that can be pivoted outside the screen by means of microwaves (such as from DE 28 03 480 A1 known) which are aimed at the surface of the food, without contact continuously the temperature and controls the via a temperature controller Radiation time of the heat source depending on the food temperature. This will cause the food surface to overheat temporarily Avoided security and a permanent heat release with the necessary annoying constant switching on and off of the heat source by hand, can be avoided very economically.

There is a second option for non-contact temperature measurement in that over one on the base of the base as close as possible to the edge of the plate  arranged temperature sensor (as described, for example, in DE 30 39 991 A1 is described) the prevailing surface temperature of the Food is felt on the edge of the plate and so, z. B. with the help of a electronic resonant circuit, the heat source within a preselectable temperature range automatically switched on or off again becomes.

A third possibility of a very precise temperature measurement within a small temperature range is that a small wireless Temperature measuring probe (as described, for example, in DE 29 35 271 is) plugged directly into the rim of the dish and with With the help of a radio device, your data is continuously sent to a radio receiver or a temperature controller connected to it. Thereby is advantageously no longer just the temperature at the Food surface, but also any free from the dining person himself selectable area inside the food residue on the plate measurable and almost automatically as quickly as possible without major hysteresis adjustable.

In a particularly compact embodiment of the invention, in the transport and rest position both the support arm and the umbrella with the reflector close to the narrow box-shaped base container stow a unit. So if the food warmer is eating in one Restaurant is needed, it can be transported there very well and always the same fold-out position of the reflector or screen against Pre-adjustable stops on the container above the base container Tight side, or on the screen, easy to do.

The invention is illustrated below with reference to the drawings explained in more detail. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a food warmer with a spot-shaped heat source, a hyperbolically shaped screen and a wireless temperature measuring probe,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a food warmer comprising a box-shaped base container, a flat cylindrical screen and a temperature sensor at the top Stützarmteil,

FIG. 2a is a view of the screen of which is arranged in Fig. 2 the reflector from below using a spirally extending IR radiators,

Fig. 2b is a view of a wide-mesh grid to cover the IR radiator of FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portable narrow box-shaped food warmer in the use position and

Fig. 3a shows the perspective view of the food warmer of Fig. 3 in the folded transport and rest position.

First of all, it should be pointed out that the application of the present invention is not limited to keeping food warm during consumption, even if the present invention is described using the example of a circular plate on a table, which is shown in FIG. 1. The food warmer according to the invention can just as well be used advantageously on other occasions for keeping food warm, for example when keeping the food to be served warm on an oval or square tableware on a side table or directly in the kitchen on the stove. However, the present invention is to be explained in more detail below with the aid of several embodiments of different food warmers for consumption at the table.

Fig. 1 shows a food warmer 1 with a screen 2 according to the invention with a heat source 26 ( Fig. 2) therein, which is arranged about 20 cm above a circular plate 11 . The food warmer comprises a flat, heavy base 4 , an on / off switch 12 and a flexible support arm 3 to which the screen 2 is attached. On the underside of the screen, a flat foldable and rotatable half-open light filter 13 is arranged so that it can be plugged on. If it is folded away from the underside of the screen on a hinge (not shown), the device with additional benefits can also be used as a light source if necessary.

The center 8 of all IR rays 7 emanating from the screen 2 in a conical shape on the food 9 is located approximately 12.5 cm from the base wide side 6 . With the heat source switched on, e.g. B. an IR radiator 26 ( Fig. 2), the plate 11 with the food 9 thereon is completely circularly exposed to the IR rays 7 and heated accordingly. When the food 9 has reached a sufficiently high temperature, the heat flow can be switched off with the on / off switch 12 and a heat build-up with the consequent consequences of overheating of the food surface can be avoided.

Instead of the constant annoying switching on and off by hand, this control process can also be carried out by the temperature sensor 39 inserted into the food 9 by means of radio transmission. The radio receiving device was not shown here for reasons of clarity. However, it can be accommodated both in the base 4 and in the screen 2 or in the support arm 3 . This direct and punctiform measurement of the temperature inside the food 9 enables a very precise and rapid adaptation of the entire food or the remaining food remainder to the dining temperature desired by the user and set accordingly on the controller ( FIG. 2).

Fig. 2 shows a food warmer 10 with a box-shaped base container 40th Close to the vessel broadside 60, an existing three Stützarmteilen 14, 15 and 16, support arm 30 is mounted on the container surface 50th The support arm parts 15 and 16 can be adjusted in any position via locking joints 17 and 18 which can be fixed by wing nuts (not shown). The uppermost support arm part 16 holds a flat cylindrical screen 20 with ventilation holes 19 , 19 'and 19 "at a height of about 20 cm (as in FIG. 1) above a table top. The lower support arm part 14 is vertically fixed near the container wide side 60 in the middle of the anchored base container 40 and holding via the lower lock link 17 the central Stützarmteil 15th This in turn keeps the uppermost locking joint 18 releasably the uppermost Stützarmteil 16th on the top Stützarmteil 16, a contactless measuring temperature is bulb 21 which with its measuring beam 24, the temperature on the food surface not shown here measures.

A temperature controller 22 , which also includes an on-off switch 120 , is provided on the container surface 50 , on which the level of the surface temperature of the food can be set and also displayed accordingly. On the wide side 60 of the container there are two flat insertion openings 32 , 32 'for two extendable flat support feet 23 , 23 ' with front grips on the right and left of the support arm 30 on the container base. In the pulled-out state, the support feet 23 , 23 'prevent the food warmer 10 from tilting when, for. B. are no batteries in the base container 40 or if both the support arm parts 15 and 16 and the screen 20 are too far.

A contoured charger 25 is flanged to the base container 40 on the other broad side 60 'of the container. As a result, the lever arm ratios compared to the support arm 30 and the relatively heavy screen 20 are advantageously improved, so that the food warmer can tip over more difficultly. Finally, if the food warmer 10 still tilts to the base container 40 together with the charger 25, an additional heavy counterweight 33 adapted to both contours can be flanged. This achieves the highest possible safety against tilting of the food warmer 10 , so that the screen 20 can be positioned furthest away from the base container 40 .

The reference numerals of the components which are similar or identical to the food warmer 1 from FIG. 1 are identified in the food warmer 10 from FIG. 2, for better understanding, by appending a "0" to the original reference numerals.

Instead of the batteries or accumulators arranged in the interior of the base container 40 in this FIG. 2, in compartments not shown in detail, it is of course also possible here alternatively or additionally to provide a mains connection cable (not shown) with corresponding switching devices. Furthermore, in the flat cylindrical screen 20 , instead of the spiral line-shaped IR radiator 26 described in more detail in FIG. 2a, a plurality of small hyperbolic reflectors can also be arranged side by side. These can only be partially covered by a half transparent light filter disk that can be rotated concentrically under the screen 20 . As a result, the ratio between the incidence of light and IR rays on the food 9 , variable, without a hard transition, at the table, depending on the ambient brightness and room temperature, can be adjusted by the user by simply rotating the filter disk by hand.

FIG. 2a shows a possible embodiment of the reflector 31 arranged in the screen 20 of FIG. 2. The reflector 31 comprises a spiral line-shaped infrared radiator 26, ventilation holes 19, 19 ', 19 "and a shoulder 27 for a customized in Fig. 2b shown in detail wide-mesh protective screen 28 with a to the internal diameter of the screen 20 edge 29. The guard may at any time place or, in addition to the removable light filter 13 ( FIG. 1), can be attached to the screen 20. As a result, the highest possible proportion of IR rays can be emitted by the food warmer without risk of injury from touching the heating tube 26 .

The mode of operation of the food warmers 1 and 10 described above is essentially restricted to domestic or stationary needs, since they are difficult to store and transport due to their bulky and bulky design.

In contrast to the two food warmers 1 and 10 described above, the food warmer 100 shown in perspective in FIGS . 3 and 3a is also suitable for transportation and quick installation at any location. Again, the same or similar names with the original components, of the food warmer 10 shown in FIGS . 2 to 2b, are identified by adding a further "0" to the already known reference numerals.

In Fig. 3, the food warmer is 100 with herausgeklapptem from the base container 400 screen 200 in the position of use. The screen 200 is releasably attached to the base container 400 at a non-limited height and to the support arm 300 in the desired direction of radiation by means of a rigid support arm 300 via lockable hinges 170 and 180 . The lower hinge 170 is located near the front narrow container side 600 in a rectangular longitudinal groove 34 which extends over the entire container surface 500 . It can be fixed to the base container 400 by means of wing nuts (not shown). The same applies to the hinge 180 located on the screen 200 , it can also be fixed relative to the support arm 300 .

The longitudinal groove 34 is somewhat wider than the support arm 300 and can completely accommodate it in the folded position, so that the surface of the support arm 300 forms a flat plane with the container surface 500 . An on-off switch 1200 and a display device 35 are provided on the container surface 500 , as in the previously described food warmers 1 and 10 . The display device 35 shows e.g. B. the state of charge of the batteries located in the interior of the base container 400 in a compartment 36 or indicates the operating state of an on or off rectilinear IR emitter 260 ( FIG. 3a) in the narrow rectangular screen 200 via an additional light signal.

In addition to the compartment 36 , another compartment 37 for a charger or another heavy counterweight is located at the very rear in the narrow base container 400 . This type of series connection of two compartments 36 and 37 for heavy objects on the base of the base container 400 creates an extremely stable counterweight to the support arm 300 with the screen 200 and the IR radiator 260 located therein. Compared to the food warmers 1 and 10 already described above, this food warmer 100 very advantageously further reduces the tendency to tip over in the position of use due to its narrow design.

Furthermore, for a presettable inclination of the support arm 300 at approximately 50 °, a lockable stop 38 is provided at the end of the longitudinal groove 34 on the narrow side 600 of the container; it can protrude into the swivel range of the support arm 300 in such a way that on the one hand it can always assume a sufficient inclination for operation, but on the other hand it cannot be prevented from pivoting into the longitudinal groove 34 . A very similar adjustable stop is located near the upper lock hinge 180 on the screen 200 . By means of the stop 38 and the stop, not shown, on the screen 200 , the height of the screen above the table, for. B. 20 cm, can be quickly found and practically set in the same advantageous manner for the position of use just required.

FIG. 3a shows the perspective view of the portable food warmer 100 from FIG. 3 in the transport and rest position. The support arm 300 has been pivoted about 130 ° and lies completely in the longitudinal groove 34 of the base container 400 . The narrow rectangular screen 200 with the reflector 310 and the straight-line IR emitter 260 in it was rotated during this pivoting process so that its long side comes to lie flat on the opposite narrow side 600 'of the container. This results in a compact flat and pocket-like shape of the food warmer 100 , which can be transported very easily even on the go.

The mode of operation and the expansion options for this portable food warmer 100 are essentially the same as for the two stationary food warmers 1 and 10 described in more detail above in FIGS . 1 and 2. However, in this embodiment it should be ensured that any unnecessary weight gain that is carried out is disadvantageous for the transport.

Of course, here too, the switching on and off of the heat source 260 can be automated with the aid of temperature sensors and corresponding control and display devices.

So z. B. the temperature sensor can also be galvanically connected by means of a thin cable with a temperature control device located in the base container 400 . The regulation of the radiation energy currently required by the feeder, ie the IR radiation, is then carried out on the basis of the direct current which is only available in this portable embodiment, not with the aid of a potentiometer circuit, which would result in unnecessary energy losses, but instead, for example by B. optionally parallel or series-connected additional IR emitters arranged in a straight line within the rectangular reflector.

Another possibility for regulating the amount of heat just required by the person feeding it can consist in that only a straight-line IR radiator 260 can be switched on or off continuously with the aid of a corresponding temperature control device via a temperature sensor in a type of feedback circuit. With this type of circuit, the accuracy of the correct heat output desired by the feeder through the IR radiator 260 is largely determined by the responsiveness of the temperature sensor used.

Claims (12)

1. Food warmer for keeping food warm during consumption at the dining area by a heat source that can be operated with electrical current or another energy source in a screen with a reflector that is attached laterally to a height-adjustable support arm on a base, characterized in that the base ( 4 ), or a base container ( 40 , 400 ), is arranged outside the radiation cone of the heat source ( 26 , 260 ), ie behind the plate ( 11 ) with the food ( 9 ), the heat source ( 26 , 260 ) additionally being movable Support arms ( 3 , 30 , 300 ), as well as locking joints ( 17 , 18 ) or via lockable hinges ( 170 , 180 ) can be tilted and / or tilted. 2. Food warmer according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflector ( 31 , 310 ) with a pivotable, rotatable or foldable light filter ( 13 ) can be covered on its underside. 3. Food warmer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a hyperbolic shaped screen ( 2 ) with a reflector and a punctiform heat source therein. 4. Food warmer according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that a wide-mesh grid ( 28 ) can be inserted into the reflector ( 31 , 310 ) from below. 5. Food warmer according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pivotable non-contact measurement of the temperature sensor ( 21 ) is arranged on or close to the screen ( 2 ; 20 , 200 ) at the upper support arm end ( 3 ; 30 , 300 ), which controls the IR radiator ( 26 , 260 ) via a temperature controller ( 22 ). 6. Food warmer according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a small temperature sensor ( 39 ) which can be inserted into the food ( 9 ) and which monitors the food temperature by means of radio transmission. 7. Food warmer according to claim 1 to 6, characterized by a flat box-shaped base container ( 40 , 400 ) having compartments ( 36 , 37 ) inside for batteries, accumulators, other energy sources or a charger. 8. Food warmer according to claim 1 to 7, characterized in that in the base or container surface ( 5 ; 50 , 500 ) an on-off switch ( 12 ; 120 , 1200 ) for the IR radiator ( 26 , 260 ) and a temperature controller ( 22 ) for the temperature sensor ( 21 , 39 ) are arranged. 9. Food warmer according to claim 1, 2 and 5 to 8, characterized in that a support arm ( 300 ) from the position of use by means of an in the upper region of a narrow container side ( 600 ) in a longitudinal groove ( 34 ) located lower lockable hinge ( 170 ) to Approx. 160 ° away from a first adjustable stop ( 38 ) located on the narrow side of the container ( 600 ) until it can be swung into the longitudinal groove ( 34 ) of a container surface ( 500 ), the screen ( 200 ) being released by loosening an upper lock () 180 ) can be folded in a flat position with the container surface ( 500 ) to the opposite narrow container side 600 '. 10. Food warmer according to claim 1, 2 and 5 to 8, characterized in that two flat insertion openings ( 32 , 32 ') for two extendable flat support feet ( 23 , 23 ') are provided in the wide side of the container ( 60 ) on the right and left of the container bottom , 11. Food warmer according to claim 1, 2, 5 to 8 and 10, characterized in that on the broad side of the container ( 60 ') in the contour of the cross-section of the base container ( 40 ) adapted charger ( 25 ) can be flanged. 12. Food warmer according to claim 1, 2, 5 to 8, 10 or 11, characterized in that on the broad side of the container ( 60 ') of the base container ( 40 ) or on the base container ( 40 ) flanged charger ( 25 ), one in the The counterweight ( 33 ) adapted to the cross section of both devices can be flanged.