EP1350066B1 - Food distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a food distribution device (1) comprising at least one storage surface (4), which is to be placed above a cooking and/or warming area (2). The storage surface (4) is at least partially transparent and is preferably made of plastic or glass, particularly of safety glass or of laminated glass. The aim of the invention is to ensure an almost complete removal by suction of the vapor and odors rising above the cooking and/or warming area (2). To this end, the storage surface (4) is connected to at least one, preferably several, suction pipes (5) that lead into the storage surface (4), whereby enabling the storage surface (4) to function as a nozzle surface for the removal by suction.

Description

The invention relates to a food dispensing arrangement, with at least one above a cooking and / or warming area to be arranged tray, wherein the tray is at least partially transparent, preferably made Plastic, glass, in particular made of safety glass or laminated glass. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for aspirating Steaming and odors by means of a food dispensing arrangement, with at least a shelf to be arranged above a cooking and / or keep-warm area, wherein the tray is at least partially transparent, preferably of plastic or glass, in particular of safety glass or laminated glass consists.

Food dispensing arrangements with at least one above a cooking and / or Warmhaltebereiches arranged shelf are both in the commercial as Also known in the private sector. For example, from DE 299 11 846 U1 a device for dispensing, preparing and presenting food and beverages Drinks, the receptacles for cooking appliances, food containers, Having output devices, presentation boxes and other functional modules. To accommodate the various function modules are horizontal and / or vertically adjustable plates, also called worktops or shelves are usable. The disadvantage is that in the food preparation resulting vapors and odors permanently affect the indoor climate. This document forms the preamble of claims 1 and 12.

To improve the indoor climate are kitchen arrangements with a nozzle plate having known suction device. When a nozzle plate acts it is a device that has at least one pipe with attached Including inlet nozzle. At the radial outlet of the inlet nozzle closes in usually just flush a plate. In the known kitchen arrangements is it so that the nozzle plate at a height of 1.80 m to 2.00 m above the floor is arranged above the respective hob. A disadvantage of the known Kitchen arrangements with nozzle plate is that the effectiveness of the suction is comparatively low, since the nozzle plate is relatively far above the Hob is arranged. To improve the effectiveness of the suction Therefore blowers are provided, some of which have a relatively high suction power to have. If necessary, the fan in question is set to the highest level, to achieve a good suction result. But such fans have not only a relatively large space requirement, but are also relatively loud, which the operator often perceived as detrimental and disturbing becomes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food dispensing assembly and to provide a method of the type mentioned in each case, whereby, in a simple manner, an effective extraction of the and / or vapors and odors rising from a holding area can be.

The above object is achieved by the in the characterizing part of claim 1 and the method features of claim 12 solved. The above solution offers the enormous Advantage that it is possible, the below the shelf of a food dispensing arrangement rising from a cooking and / or a warming area Vapors and odors immediately, so before leaving the area of the food delivery arrangement suck. By the immediate suction at the Eating place will not be the one behind the food delivery line Cook or the staff behind the food distribution arrangement, still the persons standing in front of the food distribution arrangement for the food distribution disturbed by odors or rising vapors.

In addition, it is ensured by the extraction of vapors at the food station, that rising from the cooking and / or keep warm area Vapors do not condense on the transparent shelf and thereby the View of the cook or people waiting to eat and / or warming areas is clouded. Finally, it comes through the suction not even for the formation of so-called steam pads between the cooking and / or keeping warm areas and the shelf arranged above, which also arranged the view of the below the shelf Food or the cooking and / or keep warm area would disturb. The inventive Arrangement thus allows an efficient removal of the released Vapors and odors, at the same time the working area of the at Kitchen arrangement working chef clearly from the so-called latent Heat, for example by water vapor, is relieved. The climatic environment thus noticeably improves, which also causes the transpiration of the Koch's diminished.

To ensure a sufficiently high suction capacity below the shelf, is inventively provided that the storage plate as a nozzle plate acts. For this purpose, at least one, preferably a plurality of suction pipes open in the tray. Due to the arrangement of the storage plate as a nozzle plate forms a directed radially to the center of the suction side Inflow out. It constricts the flow of convention and thus becomes more stable opposite cross flows. In addition, a speed field is formed from the acting as a nozzle plate tray, the further into the room extends and thus increases the detection depth. Ultimately, therefore, through the connection according to the invention between the tray and at least a suction tube in the form of a nozzle plate efficient extraction of the above a cooking and / or warming area resulting vapors or Odors only guaranteed.

Preferably, the tray is at least substantially made of glass, in particular Safety glass or laminated glass, or a transparent one Plastic. The terms "glass" and "plastic" are in this case very far too understand and embrace all of the - partly harsh - use in the kitchen suitable Glass and plastics that are transparent.

Moreover, the shelf can at least one side, that is on the outside, with be provided with a transparent coating that prevents breakage the shelf plate fragments fall down. The coating should be as possible be dirt-repellent to facilitate the cleaning of the shelf. Furthermore it makes sense that the coating takes place in such a way that the condensation ascending vapors on the shelf is made difficult or due to the coating does not cause a condensation of the rising Vapors is coming. For example, the coating to a groove profile which leads to a facilitated removal of condensed liquid droplets leads. The term shelf is not only to the filing of the rest Tied plates, decoration and the like. It goes without saying, too possible that the shelf takes over a pure protective function and / or the pending to the food dispenser observer of the food or the Cooking and / or the keep warm area separates.

The suction tube itself, in addition to the suction function described above Carrying or attachment function for the shelf has, goes to its upper End in a collection channel over. The collecting channel runs approximately at an angle from 90 ° to the suction tube, so that the suction pipe from the collecting duct to protrudes below.

Since the suction tube comparatively far from the collection channel down in the Protruding space, it is convenient to give the suction tube dimensions, the optically-aesthetically are appealing. It is important in this context, that the dimensions the suction tube in the prior art is not limited to the sucked Volume flow are aligned, but also to the size of a in a suction device of the generic type required grease filter. In the prior art, in which the suction pipes comparatively short and for the viewer due to the high-hanging and non-transparent nozzle plate are hardly recognizable, the required due to the filter element plays Diameter does not matter.

In contrast to the prior art, the grease filter is no longer in the suction tube arranged, the respective grease filter is in the collecting channel and in particular arranged at the transition of the suction tube to the collection channel. So it finds one spatial separation of the functions suction and filtering instead. this makes possible it, the dimensions of the suction tubes exclusively on the volume to be extracted vote. The diameter of the suction can in the inventive Design therefore be chosen comparatively small. In addition, an external lighting can be integrated into the suction tube so that not only a lighting, but also special designerische Effects can be achieved.

To exchange or clean the grease filter in a simple manner, is provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention that the grease filter is arranged in a withdrawable from the collecting channel drawer. Instead of its may also be provided that the grease filter, for example, via a can be removed from the collecting channel by means of a flap which can be closed is. Both embodiments allow access to the grease filter with the least Effort.

The grease filter itself may in a possible embodiment as a flat filter element be formed, as is known in the art. The level filter element is then located at the transition suction pipe - collecting duct, d. H. in the area of the mouth of the suction tube in the collecting channel. Prefers it is in this context that the filter element in the installed position is arranged obliquely. The inclined mounting position is therefore particularly favorable to drain the grease from the filter blades downwards. At a Alternative embodiment, the grease filter as a pipe section or annular Filter cartridge formed in the interior of the suction pipe opens. These Design is therefore particularly advantageous because the filter cartridge a very has a small footprint, which allows the upper collecting duct in his external dimensions are extremely small. Otherwise, since the Filter cartridge is arranged standing, the fat accumulating in the filter blades also run down.

For collecting and discharging the fat deposited by the grease filter is preferably a collecting channel is provided, which is associated with the grease filter. conveniently, the collecting channel goes into an outwardly leading discharge channel over where the fat is caught. Conveniently, the collecting trough and preferably also the discharge channel arranged on or in the drawer to ensure easy accessibility.

On the one hand, the running out of the grease filter fat and on the other hand, possibly to catch condensate accumulating on the pipe inner wall of the suction pipe and thus avoid dripping into the cooking or holding area, is in the lower part of the suction tube inside a circumferential collecting channel intended. The collecting trough is preferably located directly here following the inlet nozzle of the tray, so that they easily from accessible from outside and therefore easy to clean.

In this context, it is particularly appropriate, the collection trough detachable to connect with the suction tube connectable. The releasable connectivity and Thus, the removability of the collecting channel can, for example, by quick fasteners, Bayonet or magnet holder can be realized. The removability allows easy cleaning of the collecting trough, for example in a dishwasher. This also results in the quick and easy Possibility of replacing a polluted with a clean one Collecting channel.

To easily make a fire extinguishing, without doing so to impair the visual aesthetic impression of the arrangement according to the invention, is in the suction tube an extinguishing agent-carrying pipe, in particular with a provided lower spray head. If necessary, you can then use the extinguishing agent Tube supplied extinguishing agent and over the spray head in the direction of the cooking and / or keeping warm area are sprayed. It goes without saying that the spray head as the lower end of the suction tube as possible not over the shelf should survive, so that the fire extinguishing function on the Extinguishing agent-carrying pipe is not visible from the outside.

It is for the retention of grease and condensate on the extinguishing agent-carrying pipe favorable, also provide a collecting channel on this tube, namely on the outside and especially at the bottom. In order to have an easy interchangeability ensure this further collecting channel and this in the rest being able to clean well can also be provided in this context, that the further collecting channel is detachably connected to the extinguishing agent-carrying tube is, in the same way as in connection with the collecting trough has been described on the suction tube.

For cleaning purposes and not only of the water-bearing pipe, but Also, the interior of the suction tube, it is advisable that the water-bearing Pipe end with an extinguishing agent line is releasably connectable. Could do this For example, a bayonet connection may be provided so that the Extinguishing agent pipe is easily removable from below. The detachable Connection should be in the area of the transition from the suction pipe to Collecting channel, so that the cleaning of the entire interior of the Suction tube is as easy as possible.

To give the chef an insight through the shelf on the cooking and / or Warming range to allow is in the food dispensing arrangement according to the invention the distance from the cooking and / or holding area to the shelf smaller than 65 cm, especially about 50 cm. The shelf itself is in a height between 1.2 m and 1.5 m above the floor, with the Cook and / or keep warm at a height between 0.6 m and 0.9 m above the floor is preferably arranged. The aforementioned gap less than 65 cm between the cooking and holding area and the worktop is sufficient to pots and pans in the cooking and / or keep warm area to be able to handle well or to place these on this area and from this area.

It offers in conjunction with the food dispensing arrangement according to the invention itself, that the shelf plate on its one longitudinal side facing the customer is having a bevel or angling as a sneeze guard, wherein the bevel or angling then also at least partially from one transparent material to give customers a view of the cooking and / or keep warm area.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the work surface from the ceiling on the or the suction tubes is suspended. This contributes to an overall aesthetic impression the food dispensing arrangement and allows the free intervention from all sides in the food distribution arrangement, without being supported by or like to be prevented. In addition, watching more than one Suction tube also an optical segmentation of the cooking and / or warming area be achieved. For further storage or support, the Shelf also supported on the kitchen area or block be.

In connection with the method according to the invention it is provided that the vapors and odors are sucked off by at least one suction pipe opening into the tray and that the tray is connected to the suction tube and acts as a nozzle plate. Preferably, the suction pipe should be located at a distance from the cooking and / or keeping warm area of less than 65 cm. The suction power should preferably be between 300 m ³ / h and 600 m ³ / h, in particular between 400 m ³ / h and 500 m ³ / h, preferably at about 450 m ³ / h. According to the invention, it has been found that at the aforementioned distance of the cooking and / or keeping warm area to the shelf, the said suction is sufficient to come to a substantially complete extraction of vapors and odors.

Finally, there is a further advantage of the fact that the distance between the Tray and the cooking and / or keep warm area and / or that the suction depending on the generated below the shelf Steam quantity is set. This is subject to the objective, a condensation To prevent rising vapors on the shelf or a free View through the shelf to the cooking and / or keep warm area to everyone To ensure time. Preferably, the suction power should be set automatically be, in particular depending on the ascending Wrasenmenge.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Essensausgabeanordnung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Querschnittsansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Essensausgabeanordnung,

Fig. 3

eine Querschnittsansicht eines Teils einer erfindungsgemäßen Absaugeinrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine Querschnittsansicht in Draufsicht einer anderen Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Absaugeinrichtung und

Fig. 5

eine Seitenquerschnittsansicht der Absaugeinrichtung aus Fig. 3.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a food dispensing arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic cross-sectional view of a food dispensing arrangement according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a cross-sectional view of a portion of a suction device according to the invention,

Fig. 4

a cross-sectional view in plan view of another embodiment of a suction device according to the invention and

Fig. 5

a side cross-sectional view of the suction device of Fig. 3rd

In Fig. 1 is a food dispensing arrangement 1 with a cooking and / or warming area 2 shown. The cooking and / or warming area 2 must but not necessarily be part of the food delivery arrangement 1. Farther the food dispensing assembly 1 on a suction device 3. The Suction device 3 is provided with a storage plate 4 and a storage surface and with at least one, usually a plurality of, with the tray 4 connected suction tubes 5 connected. Furthermore, the suction device 3 is a blower or suction device not shown in detail for Extraction of the resulting in the range of food dispensing assembly 1 vapors and smells on. The dimensions of the tray 4 correspond to about here the tray 4 facing surface of the cooking and / or keep warm area 2. According to FIG. 1, the suction tubes 5 open into a collecting channel 15, which is connected to a manifold 16. It is essential that the shelf 4 and the opening into the tray 4 suction pipes connected in such a way are that the tray 4 as a nozzle plate for the extraction of above the cooking and / or keeping warm area 2 rising vapors or odors acts. The extracted below the tray 4 through the suction 5 Vapors or odors are via the collecting channel 15 and the manifold 16 discharged.

The tray 4 is at least partially made of a transparent material. As materials are here in particular glass or plastic. There the shelf 4 is transparent, it can be very close to the cooking and keeping warm area 2 zoom, without the field of view on the cooking and Keep warming area 2. According to Fig. 2, the distance a from the the storage tray 4 facing top 6 of the cooking and / or keep warm area 2 to the bottom 7 of the nozzle plate 4 is less than 65 cm and is present about 50 cm. The shelf 4 itself or its bottom is located at a distance of about 1.35 m above the floor 8, while the Top 6 of the cooking and / or warming area 2 about 85 cm above the Floor 8 is arranged. The cooking and / or keep-warm area 2 has in the present case various floor devices, in a corresponding recess 9 is provided in the kitchen area 10 or block. The distance of the top of the Recess 9 to the floor 8 is presently about 65 cm.

Moreover, it is understood that instead of the illustrated cooking and / or warming appliances also used in the kitchen area 10 built-in hobs can be.

Due to the low arrangement of the tray 4, the top 11 of the Tray 4 as a storage space for plates, but also decorative purposes or as a protective area. Moreover, the tray 4 is on one side with also made of a transparent material bevel 12th provided, which serves as a sneeze guard.

Furthermore, the food dispensing assemblies 1, on the side of the angling 12 a tray tray 13 which is attached to the kitchen area 10. Furthermore is a lower side attached to the tray 4 thermal bridge 14 or also another heating device provided.

As is apparent from the individual figures, the suction tube 5, the present case consists of stainless steel, in a collecting channel 15 via. The collection channel 15 runs approximately horizontally, while - or if available - the Suction tubes 5 project at right angles down from the collecting channel 15. present is the extracted volume flow through a from the collection channel 15th leading out manifold 16 dissipated.

As is apparent from the rest of Fig. 2, the tray 4, which is the suspension from the ceiling, exclusively on the suction tube or tubes 5 suspended. In addition, it can be provided that corresponding from the kitchen area 10 protruding supports 28 for supporting the tray 4 is provided are. The supports 28 should preferably be facing the customer Longitudinal side of the nozzle plate 4 and the food dispensing assembly 1 are located.

Each of the provided suction 5 is assigned a grease filter 17. The grease filter 17, whose filter surface is several times larger than the cross section the associated suction tube 5, is not in the suction tube 5 itself, but in the Collection channel 15 in the region of the mouth of the suction tube 5 in the collection channel 15 arranged. In the illustrated embodiments is the grease filter 17 while on or in a kind of drawer 18 in the collection channel 15 in and out of this is pulled out. As can be seen from FIG. 4, has the drawer 18 on the front handle portions 19. In the in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrated embodiment, the grease filter 17 is a flat filter element formed, which in the installed position, which is shown in Figs. 2 and 3, obliquely is arranged to allow a grease drain. For the rest may be noted be that the dimensions of the collecting channel 15 and the size of the respective Grease filter 17 are selected such that only that of the relevant Suction tube 5 extracted volume flow through the respective grease filter 17th is performed and that the already located in the collecting channel 15, already filtered Volumetric flow is not filtered again, but at any in the flow direction past grease filters is passed.

It is not shown that the grease filter 17 is a collecting channel for discharging the assigned to deposited fat, wherein the collecting channel in a discharge channel passes. The collecting channel and the discharge channel are on or in the Drawer 18 is arranged, where there is also a collecting vessel.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is another filter element provided for the grease filter 17, namely a pipe section or annular Filter cartridge. The filter cartridge is arranged standing in the collecting channel 15, wherein the suction tube 5 opens into the interior 20 of the filter cartridge. It is understood that the drawer 18 at the transition from the suction tube 5 to Collection channel 15 is excluded, so that the extracted volume flow over the interior 20 can be passed through the grease filter 17. Furthermore are located on the drawer 18 flow-leading walls 21, over the it is ensured that the originating via an upstream suction pipe Volumetric flow is not filtered again, but passed on the filter element 17 becomes, as has already been explained before.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, inside is at the bottom of the suction tube 5 a circumferential collecting channel 22 is provided. The collecting channel 22 serves for Collecting fat and condensate. The collecting channel 22 closes otherwise directly to the inlet nozzle 23 at the end of the suction tube 5 and am Transition to the tray 4 at. Not shown that the collecting trough 22nd releasably connected to the suction tube 5, to easily remove the collecting channel 22 to be able to.

As is further apparent from Fig. 3, is located in the suction tube 5 a extinguishing agent leading Tube 24, which in the present case has a lower spray head 25. Of the Spray head 25 does not protrude beyond the tray 4, but is about in the region or at the end of the inlet nozzle 23. The extinguishing agent-carrying pipe 24 is detachably connected to an extinguishing medium line 26 at the end. As a detachable connection In the present case, a bayonet connection 27 may be provided. The extinguishing agent-carrying pipe 24 can also with the extinguishing medium line 26th be bolted. In any case, the detachable connection is in the area of Transition from the suction tube 5 to the collecting channel 15, so that the suction tube. 5 after removal of the tube-carrying tube 24 by hand a complete Internal cleaning is accessible.

Not shown that at the lower end of the extinguishing agent-carrying pipe 24th a further collecting channel may be provided, which in the same way as the previously described at the collecting channel 22 of the suction tube 5, detachable is connected to the extinguishing agent carrying pipe 24 for easy cleaning and to ensure a simple exchange.

Due to the selected arrangement of the individual components of the food dispensing assembly 1 according to the invention it is possible to achieve a substantially complete extraction of vapors and odors already with a suction of about 450 cm ³ / h.

Claims (14)

1. Food distribution device (1), having at least one shelf plate (4) that is to be arranged above a cooking and/or keep-warm region (2), the shelf plate (4) being at least partially transparent, and preferably consisting of plastic or glass, in particular of safety glass or laminated glass, characterized in that the shelf plate (4) is connected to at least one, preferably a plurality of extractor tubes (5) which open out into the shelf plate (4), in such a manner that the shelf plate (4) acts as a nozzle plate for extraction by suction, and in that the extractor tube (5) is arranged at a distance from the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2) which allows the vapours and odours which rise up from the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2) below the shelf plate (4) to be extracted by suction directly, i.e. before they leave the region of the food distribution device (1), so that the region above the shelf plate (4) is kept free of rising vapours and odours.
2. Food distribution device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the shelf plate (4) is provided with a transparent coating at least on one side.
3. Food distribution device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extractor tube (5) merges into a collection manifold (15) and projects downwards from the collection manifold (15).
4. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each extractor tube (5) is assigned a grease filter (17) arranged in the collection manifold (15) and/or in that the grease filter (17) is arranged in or on a drawer (18) that can be pulled out of the collection manifold (15) or in that the grease filter (17) can be removed from the collection manifold (15) via a closable opening.
5. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grease filter (17) is designed as a planar filter element, and in that, preferably, the planar filter element is arranged obliquely in its installed position, or in that the grease filter (17) is designed as a filter cartridge in the form of a section of a tube or a ring, with the extractor tube (5) opening out into its interior (20).
6. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an illumination device is secured to at least one extractor tube (5), preferably around the extractor tube (5).
7. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a collection channel (22) is arranged on the inside of the lower region of the extractor tube (5).
8. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water-carrying tube (24) with a lower spray head (25) is provided in the extractor tube (5) and/or in that the water-carrying tube (24) is releasably connected, at the end side, to a water pipe (26), and in that, preferably, the releasable connection is provided in the region of the transition from the extractor tube (5) to the collection manifold (15).
9. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (a) from the shelf plate (4) to the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2) in the installed state is less than 65 cm, in particular is approximately 50 cm, and/or in that the shelf plate (4) is arranged at a height of between 1.2 m and 1.5 m above the floor (8) and/or in that the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2), in the installed state, is arranged at a height of between 0.6 m and 0.9 m above the floor.
10. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf plate (4), on one of its longitudinal sides, has an angled or bevelled section (12) to protect against coughing, and in that the angled or bevelled section (12) at least partially consists of a transparent material.
11. Food distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shelf plate (4) is suspended from the ceiling at the extractor tube(s) (5) and/or in that the shelf plate (4) is supported on the kitchen region (10) of the kitchen device (1) via supports (28).
12. Method for extracting vapours and odours by means of a food distribution device (1) according to one of the preceding Claims 1 to 11, having at least one shelf plate (4) that is to be arranged above a cooking and/or keep-warm region, the shelf plate (4) being at least partially transparent and preferably consisting of plastic or glass, in particular of safety glass or laminated glass, characterized in that the vapours and odours are extracted by suction through at least one extractor tube (5) which opens out into the shelf plate (4), and in that the shelf plate (4) is connected to the extractor tube (5) and acts as a nozzle plate.
13. Method according to Claim 12, characterized in that the extractor tube (5) is arranged at a distance of less than 65 cm from the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2), and/or in that extraction is carried out with a suction power of between 300 m³/h and 600 m³/h, in particular with a suction power of between 400 m³/h and 500 m³/h, preferably with a suction power of approximately 450 m³/h.
14. Method according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the distance (a) between the shelf plate (4) and the cooking and/or keep-warm region (2) and/or in that the suction power is/are preferably set automatically as a function of the quantity of vapour produced below the shelf plate (4).

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