EP0641535B1 - Protecting and heat retaining hood for dishes - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a device for covering food on plates, plates or in bowls. Cover devices in the form of dining bells, cheese bells and insect protection hoods are known both in the household sector and in catering establishments. They serve to keep the food fresh and to protect it from dust, smell and insects. For fruit, for example, hoods are offered made of a wire frame that is covered with an air-permeable fabric. Some such hoods can be stretched out like an umbrella. In order to protect food such as cheese or cakes from drying out in the air, the covers used for this purpose are made in the form of plastic or glass dining bells. Furthermore, dinner bells are also used to keep food warm. In restaurants, metallic, hemispherical, mostly very voluminous cover bells are often used for this purpose, which should not only prevent the food from cooling too quickly, but should also have a decorative effect.

A disadvantage of all these fixed cover bells and hoods is their size and the space required for storage. In addition, with the cover bells for keeping warm, as soon as they are also decorative, they are relatively expensive to purchase. Precisely for the reasons mentioned, private bells are therefore dispensed with in private households and also in many catering establishments, although they are particularly advantageous when serving dishes outdoors.

A protective and warming hood has become known from CA-A-1122869, which has a bellows made of heat-insulating metal foil. The bellows is attached by means of clip-like profiles to two struts that are hinged to one another. Practice has shown, however, that a metal foil is not very suitable as a material for the bellows, because condensed water accumulates on the foil as a result of the hot food and contaminates it over time. A bellows made of metal foil can hardly be cleaned. Only a bellows made of paper works because the paper has a certain amount of air permeability. However, the bellows must be easy to replace because it cannot be cleaned.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a protective and warming hood for food, which has two mutually hinged struts, between which a bellows made of paper is arranged, which at apart the pivoted state of the struts forms a bellows-like vault, the bellows as a disposable bellows should be easy to replace. The protective and warming hood should have a heat-insulating effect, be space-saving, and be decorative and inexpensive to manufacture.

This object is achieved by a protective and warming hood for food, consisting of two curved struts, which are hinged at their ends and can be pivoted to one another from 0 ° to a maximum of 180 °, and a bellows arranged between the two struts, which when swung apart Condition of the struts forms a bellows-like vault, and the protective and warming hood is characterized by the fact that the bent struts are stamped sheet metal parts which have an L-profile in cross section and whose flat sides in the hinge area are bent upwards at the ends so that the bent-up section also the flat side of the strut includes an angle of approximately 45 °, and that the struts in the pole region each have a handle and the L-profiles of the struts in the pole region have a slit-shaped opening, and further that the bellows is made of paper and can be replaced by the two edges of the bellows cardboard strips are glued on, the ends of which can be inserted under the bent-up sections of the struts in the hinge area and one tab protruding in the pole area of the cardboard strips while slightly curving the cardboard strip into the slot-like opening of the strut can be inserted so that it is firmly attached after the cardboard strip has been relaxed.

With the help of the drawings, examples of the protective and covering hood are described.

Figur 1 :

Die über einem Teller aufgefaltete Schutz- und Abdeckhaube;

Figur 2 :

Die zusammengefaltete Schutz- und Abdeckhaube;

Figur 3 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube in halb geöffnetem Zustand;

Figur 4 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube in eine Unterlagsplatte integriert;

Figur 5 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube in eine Servierplatte integriert;

Figur 6 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube mit einem Tragbügel;

Figur 7 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube mit einer Tellerhalterung;

Figur 8 :

Die Schutz- und Abdeckhaube mit den Befestigungsmitteln für einen Papier-Faltenbalg;

Figur 9 :

Die Streben der Schutz- und Abdeckhaube für einen auswechselbaren Papier-Faltenbalg.

It shows:

Figure 1:

The protective and cover hood folded over a plate;

Figure 2:

The folded protective and cover hood;

Figure 3:

The protective and cover hood in half open condition;

Figure 4:

The protective and cover hood integrated in a base plate;

Figure 5:

The protective and cover hood integrated in a serving plate;

Figure 6:

The protective and cover hood with a bracket;

Figure 7:

The protective and cover hood with a plate holder;

Figure 8:

The protective and cover hood with the fastening means for a paper bellows;

Figure 9:

The struts of the protective and cover hood for an exchangeable paper bellows.

In Figure 1, the protective and warming hood according to the invention is shown in a simple basic embodiment in the position of use. It exists in the example shown from two semicircular struts 1 and 2, which are hinged at their ends. These struts 1, 2 can be pivoted to one another from 0 ° to a maximum of 180 °. A bellows 4 is arranged between the two struts 1, 2, so that in the pivoted-apart state of the struts 1, 2, a bellows-like vault is formed, under which, depending on the size of the hood, there is space for a plate or a plate or a bowl.

In Figure 2, the protective and warming hood is shown in the folded state. The folded bellows 4 is located between the two struts 1, 2, which here consist of stamped sheet steel parts, and the flat sides of the struts 1, 2 run parallel to one another in this state. The struts 1, 2 each have a shape on the outer side of the arch, which forms a handle 3, 3. These handles 3.20 facilitate opening and folding the protective hood. They are slightly bent upwards when the hood is in use, so that they can be easily gripped. In the swiveled-together state shown here, they are correspondingly slightly bent towards one another. The hinges 5, 6 are formed by right-angled bending of tabs formed at the ends of the struts, the tabs 7 of the strut 2 located here above having a hole and the tabs 8 of the strut 1 underneath carrying a bolt 9 - or vice versa. By slightly compressing the inner or spreading of the strut with the outer tabs, the bolts can be inserted in the train during assembly Lead holes in which they are then held in the relaxed state of the material.

Figure 3 shows the protective and warming hood in the semi-open state. The struts 1,2 can be made of sheet steel or aluminum sheet. In order to make them decorative, their surface is painted, refined with metal or anodized. The handles can also be designed in a decorative manner, for example by painting them in a different color, or additional molded parts can be mounted on the integrated handles 3, 20 as handles. Such molded parts can be made of metal, wood or plastic, and for example glued or screwed on. The bellows 4 is interchangeably attached to the struts 1,2. In the embodiment shown here, the bellows 4 is made of pleated paper in the manner of lanterns. Cardboard strips 21 are glued to the edges of the bellows, the ends of which can be inserted under the bent sections 22 of the struts 1, 2 in the hinge area. The bellows 4 can thus be used interchangeably and reusably. If the protective hood is used to cover fruit, the bellows can advantageously be air-permeable.

The bellows can be graphically designed according to the use. A bellows made of colored paper is particularly suitable for garden parties, which then serves to protect the food from dust and insects and to cool down too quickly, and also acts as an attractive and decorative table decoration. The bellows can also be used as an actual advertising space and can be provided with pictures and advertising texts, which are then conveyed as an advertising message when opened. For restaurants and hotels in particular, this offers an interesting opportunity to underline their identity with their own imprint on the bellows. For themed events such as birthdays, company anniversaries and club events, surprising effects can be achieved with very specific imprints. Bellows can be offered with names or date imprints, company logos can be printed etc. The bellows can be heat-insulating for the use of the protective hood as thermal protection. This bellows can also be designed for advertising purposes in accordance with its intended use. The bellows 4 basically follows the shape of the struts 1, 2. The struts 1, 2 shown in the drawings are semicircular. But they can also have an elliptical or even a rectangular shape. Depending on the shape of the A bellows corresponding to the shape is used.

From the variety of shapes with which the struts and the bellows can be made, there is also a variety of possible uses for the protective and warming hood according to the invention. In addition to its practical use as protection against dust, smell, sunshine, insects and as heat protection, the protective hood is particularly well suited as a decorative serving and table decoration, which can give a place setting a completely new and refreshing touch. The color combination with a matching napkin or even matching it to the dishes served opens up new horizons for the restaurateur to pamper the guest. The area of application of this protective and warming hood extends from the private household in the dining room, on the balcony or in the garden to the use in restaurants and camping. Due to the diverse design options and the simple construction of the protective hood, it is obvious that very inexpensive models can also be produced. On the other hand, it is also possible to build distinct luxury variants, for example with chromed or gold-plated struts and a corresponding bellows.

In Figure 4, the protective and covering hood is integrated in a wooden base plate, for example. One strut 1 is firmly connected to the base plate 10, while the other strut 2 is freely pivotable by 180 ° with the entrainment of the intermediate bellows 4. In order to be able to clean the base plate easily, the strut 1 can also be removably attached to the base plate 10, for example by means of clamps, push buttons, wing screws or nuts, magnets or similar fastening means. This base plate can be used in the kitchen to prepare and cut the dishes, after which the dishes are then immediately arranged on this base plate 10. The hood is then closed until the food is served. In this way, dishes such as assorted cheese, dried meat and sausages as well as fruits can be served very neatly on this platter. The base plate can also serve as an individual plate. It is placed on the table of the guests and only then is the hood opened in order to achieve a surprise effect. The base plate can also be a small table top. The two struts 1, 2 are adapted to a table top, the strut 1 is mounted on this table, and the entire table is covered by folding the strut 2 down.

FIG. 5 shows a modified form in which the protective and warming hood is arranged on a conventional serving or serving plate 11 with two handles 12. Here, in turn, one strut 1 is firmly connected to the plate 11, while the other is freely pivotable. This sideboard can be made of chrome steel, silver or glass, wood or plastic. Casseroles can also be kept warm and served with a plate or a somewhat deeper container or a glass bowl. Depending on the material, the protective and warming hood is then fastened to the plate or bowl with suitable fastening means. These can consist of brackets or push buttons, for example.

For some uses, it is advantageous if the protective hood, together with the food covered, is portable.

An embodiment of a protective hood with a support bracket 13 is shown in FIG. 6. The support bracket 13 consists of a round steel or tube and is suspended in the hinge 5,6. In this embodiment, the protective and warming hood can have a continuous floor 14 on which one strut 1 is fixedly mounted, while in turn the other strut 2 can be freely pivoted. The support bracket 13 can be mounted such that it engages in a notch or slot on the hinge under load, so that it can no longer be pivoted relative to the base 14 and therefore there is no risk of the base tipping over during carrying. Without a load on the bracket 13, it can be swiveled to both sides. In this version, plate dishes can be served particularly comfortably. Two hoods together with the plates underneath can be carried by one person, or several hoods can be hung on a support bar on the brackets will. In a further variant, the bottom can have a fold-down hook on which the bracket of a further protective hood with a bottom can be attached. This means that one person can carry at least four covered dishes to the guest table with each hand and serve there.

Another variant of the protective and warming hood is shown in FIG. 7, which enables covered dishes to be carried along. In order to hold the plate, four pivotable gripping arms 15 are pivotally mounted on the struts 1, 2. After the protective and warming hood has been put over a plate dish, these gripping arms 15 are pivoted on the struts by pivoting the handles 16 into the position shown in FIG. 7. The ends of the gripping arms 15 reach under the plate on all sides and the protective or warming hood can be carried away together with the plate underneath on the carrying bracket.

Figure 8 shows the protective and cover hood with the fastening means for a paper bellows. A strut 2 is shown below the bellows 4 in FIG. The folded bellows 4 is placed on this strut for assembly.

Finally, FIG. 9 shows the struts of the protective and covering hood for an exchangeable paper bellows. In this embodiment of the protective and warming hood according to the invention, the paper bellows manufactured in the manner of a paper lantern is glued at both ends to a cardboard strip 21. This cardboard strip 21 is shown in dashed lines in FIG. The arcuate cardboard strip 21 has the same shape and size as the flat side of the strut 1, 2 and has a protruding tab 23 in its pole area. The bent struts 1, 2 are made from stamped sheet metal parts which have an L-profile in cross section, that is to say have an outer edge bent up by 90 °. In the hinge area, the flat sides of the struts 1, 2 are bent upward, so that the bent-up section 22 forms an angle of approximately 45 ° with the flat side of the strut 1, 2. Furthermore, the one-piece struts 1, 2 shown in the example each have a handle 20 in the pole area. In the area of the handles 20, the L-profile of the struts 1, 2 is broken through, in such a way that that a slot-shaped opening 24 is formed between the flat side of the strut 1, 2 and the handle 20. When inserting the bellows into the struts 1, 2, the cardboard strips 21 are inserted with their ends under the bent-up sections 22 of the struts 1, 2. The tab 23 of the cardboard strip 21 is then inserted into the opening 24 of the struts 1, 2 by lightly compressing the cardboard strip 21. As soon as the tab 23 is inserted into the opening 24, the cardboard strip 21 and thus the bellows are held by the struts. The same process is repeated for the second cardboard strip. As soon as both cardboard strips are fastened in the struts 1,2, the protective hood is ready for use. In the swiveled-together state, the bellows is enclosed by the L-profiles of struts 1, 2 and is therefore also protected. This has the advantage that the protective hood is protected when it is stored. The simple way of installing the bellows in the struts 1,2 allows the bellows to be changed quickly and easily if it is to be replaced.

The bellows 4 can also be made transparent according to the use. Ready-to-serve dishes can thus be displayed in a protected manner, as is common in self-service buffets, for example, with the hood only being opened when dishes are removed. With the appropriate size of the protective hood, part of a buffet can also be covered. The protective hood according to the invention is usually multiple applicable. The bellows 4 can be removed for cleaning. A damaged bellows can also be easily replaced. The dishes can be presented decoratively and hygienically by using the protective hood and by using a corresponding bellows 4.

In an embodiment not shown here, the protective hood can be placed on a cookware such as a frying pan or a deep fryer. The protective hood can either be integrated into the pan, or it can be fitted onto and removed from the pan. In this application, the protective hood serves as a splash guard when roasting or frying. In this version, the bellows consists of filter paper. A dirty paper bellows can easily be replaced with a new one.

Claims (4)

1. A protective and warming bonnet for food comprising two curved braces (1,2) which are connected at their ends by hinges and can be pivoted from 0° to a maximum of 180° in relation to one another, and a folding bellows (4) disposed between the two curved braces (1,2) which, when the braces (1,2) are pivoted apart, opens out like a pair of bellows to form a dome, characterized in that the curved braces (1,2) are punched metal sheets with an L-shaped cross-sectional profile, whose flat surfaces are bent upwards at their ends in the region of the hinges so that the upward-bent section (22) and the flat surface of the brace (1,2) form an angle of approximately 45°, and in that the braces (1,2) each have a handle (20) in the polar region and the L-profiles of the braces (1,2) in the polar region have a slot-shaped opening (24), and also in that the folding bellows is made from paper and is replaceable, there being cardboard strips (21) glued to both edges of the folding bellows, whose ends can be inserted under the upward-bent sections (22) of the braces (1,2) in the region of the hinges and a projecting tongue (23) in both polar regions of the cardboard strips (21) which, if the cardboard strip is slightly bent, can be inserted into the slot-shaped opening (24) in the braces (1,2) so that it engages securely once the cardboard strip is relaxed.
2. The protective and warming bonnet for food of claim 1, characterized in that it has a continuous base (14) on which the braces rest when in use, with the hinge being rigidly connected with the base (14), and in that there is a carrying handle (13) made from round steel or a tube, which fits into the hinge (5,6) and, when used for carrying a load, engages in a notch or a slot in the hinge so that it can no longer be pivoted in relation to the base (14).
3. The protective and warming bonnet for food of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one of the braces (1) is secured to a base plate or serving platter (10,11) whilst the other can be freely pivoted onto the opposite side of the base plate or serving platter (10,11) as the folding bellows (4) unfolds.
4. The protective and warming bonnet for food of claim 1, characterized in that several pivotable gripping arms (15) are attached to the braces (1,2) for the purpose of being pivoted underneath a plate positioned under the bonnet such that the latter plus the bonnet can be carried by the former.

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