EP1441627A1 - Apparatus for heating a vessel containing foodstuffs - Google Patents

Apparatus for heating a vessel containing foodstuffs

Info

Publication number
EP1441627A1
EP1441627A1 EP02795366A EP02795366A EP1441627A1 EP 1441627 A1 EP1441627 A1 EP 1441627A1 EP 02795366 A EP02795366 A EP 02795366A EP 02795366 A EP02795366 A EP 02795366A EP 1441627 A1 EP1441627 A1 EP 1441627A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
fluid
heating
heated
enclosure
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP02795366A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Gérald SERRES VIVES
Patrick De Wasseige
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SEB SA
Original Assignee
SEB SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by SEB SA filed Critical SEB SA
Publication of EP1441627A1 publication Critical patent/EP1441627A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/2483—Warming devices with electrical heating means
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47J—KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES
    • A47J36/00—Parts, details or accessories of cooking-vessels
    • A47J36/24—Warming devices
    • A47J36/2411—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars
    • A47J36/2433—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars with electrical heating means
    • A47J36/2438—Baby bottle warmers; Devices for warming baby food in jars with electrical heating means for warming a water-bath or -jacket

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a container containing liquid or solid food, such as an apparatus used for heating a bottle, small jars for feeding babies or plates containing food for young children.
  • the heating devices commonly used operate on the principle of a water bath, being made up of a heating tank comprising a certain amount of water in which the bottle or the small pot to be heated is immersed.
  • a heating tank comprising a certain amount of water in which the bottle or the small pot to be heated is immersed.
  • Such a device is described in document DE 878 990.
  • the temperature regulation of such a device is done by a thermostat which cuts the supply of the heating element to the tank at predetermined temperatures of the latter. With such regulation it is difficult to achieve the optimum temperature in the container to be heated.
  • the container being immersed in the tank containing hot water, the temperature of the latter continues to rise even after heating is stopped.
  • the most important drawback of such a device remains the significant heating time due to the thermal inertia of the water to be heated.
  • the container to be heated is a bottle placed in a heating chamber at above a tank containing water and heated by an electrical resistance, the enclosure being closed in the upper part by a bell with an orifice for communication with the atmosphere.
  • the electrical resistance transforms the water contained in the tank into steam which heats the bottle.
  • This device has shorter heating times than the previous ones, but you still have to wait long enough to heat up and then evaporate the water in the tank.
  • the outer surface of the bottle being very hot due to contact with the steam, the user can burn himself when gripping the bottle immediately after the heating stops.
  • Document FR 2 788 677 is also known in the name of the applicant, an apparatus for cooling packaged beverages using a pump which draws iced water from a reservoir and sends it to the cap of the bottle to be cooled.
  • this device being designed only to cool a bottle is expensive, because it uses expensive components, in particular an electric pump.
  • the spreading of water on the bottle being done in a random way, this device must call upon the use of a temperature probe to function correctly, which increases even more the cost and the complexity of the device.
  • the object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose an apparatus for very rapidly reheating containers containing food and for ensuring an optimal temperature of the food to be reheated.
  • Another object of the invention is an apparatus for reheating food-containing containers which is capable of ensuring a stable temperature of the contents of the container and which at the same time allows the container to be gripped in complete safety as soon as the heating is stopped. .
  • a further object of the invention is an apparatus for heating food-containing containers which is reliable in operation while having a simple construction, and which is easy to industrialize at lower costs.
  • an apparatus for heating a container containing food, in contact with a fluid comprising, in the lower part of said container, a fluid supply reservoir and a unit for heating said fluid, since said device comprises a heat pump capable of transferring, via an upwardly opening conduit in said heating unit, a predetermined flow of fluid heated to a dispensing member oriented towards the walls of said container.
  • fluid is understood a liquid or a gas, for example water, steam or any other heat transfer fluid capable of storing and transporting the calories between the heating unit and the container to be heated.
  • the device comprises a heat pump capable of transferring the heated fluid to the container containing food.
  • heat pump is understood a heating and elevating fluid device comprising a heated unit connected, upstream, by a non-return valve, to a fluid reservoir and, downstream, to a rising pipe or delivery tube. allowing the pouring of the heated fluid, for example via a dispensing member, towards or onto the container to be heated.
  • the non-return valve allows the admission of fluid from the tank into the heating unit, but prevents any return to the tank.
  • the fluid heating unit consists of a fluid circulation pipe in thermal relation with an electric heating element.
  • the fluid circulation pipe forming the boiler can be a bent horseshoe channel connected to an electrically heated plate or to an electrical resistance and, therefore, the fluid passing through it rapidly rises in temperature.
  • Such a heat pump is arranged between the fluid supply reservoir and the container to be heated.
  • the fluid from the tank arrives in the boiler by gravity, passing through the non-return valve.
  • the electrical resistance quickly heats the fluid, for example the water present in the boiler bringing it to boiling.
  • the vapor pressure causes the water to rise in the riser, then expel it to the container to be heated.
  • the boiler having evacuated all of the fluid contained therein, the pressure drops due to the venting following the emptying of the duct amount.
  • the boiler then fills again with fluid from the tank and the cycle begins again.
  • Such a heat pump therefore ensures the discharge of the heated fluid above the reservoir water body in a simple and economical manner, without requiring more sophisticated means of pumping the fluid.
  • Another advantage of using such a heating unit is that we manage to control and keep constant the temperature of the fluid leaving the boiler, by a simple thermostat control of the electric heating element of the latter.
  • the temperature of the fluid leaving the boiler which is constant and the fluid flow that is to say the quantity of fluid sent, which is equal to the capacity of the boiler, and the setting time in contact with the fluid with the container, the final temperature for heating the food contained in the container can be precisely determined. It is thus possible to choose the duration of heating of said container according to the quantity and content of the container.
  • said container is arranged inside a fluid recovery enclosure connected by a recycling pipe to said tank.
  • said container is supported by a grid above the level of the fluid in said enclosure.
  • grid By grid is understood a separation plate of two volumes comprising at least one through orifice which lets the fluid pass from one volume to another.
  • the grid supporting said container preferably comprises a passage section allowing a flow rate through the grid greater than the flow rate of the boiler.
  • said device comprises a cover for closing said enclosure.
  • said heat pump transfers the fluid from the reservoir to the distributor member intermittently.
  • a boiler with a lower capacity is chosen, because it reaches temperature more quickly, associated with a sufficiently large clearance valve to allow it to operate intermittently.
  • This boiler will send repetitively, the heated fluid in the form of bursts to said container, the quantity sent at once corresponding to the capacity of the boiler.
  • the number and volume of bursts sent to the container in a predetermined period of time define the heat input of the fluid to the container to be heated.
  • the device can be used with containers of different volumes and contents.
  • said dispensing member opens into the upper part of said container.
  • the dispensing member sends the heated fluid to the bottom or side of the container.
  • watering is preferred in the upper part of the container to be heated, since the fluid arriving in the upper part then flows by gravity along the walls of the container, which allows it a longer contact time, thereby improving heat transfer. with the latter.
  • said dispensing member is a chute comprising at least one fluid flow orifice oriented towards said container.
  • the container would be rained in rain, in which case the pipe arriving from the boiler would open into a sprinkler knob placed above the container to be heated; or an indirect watering of the container in which the fluid arriving from the boiler would be projected onto the interior surface of a fluid distribution dome which would then send it to the container to be heated.
  • watering is preferred in which the heated fluid is channeled through a conduit which ends in a chute opening into a flow orifice oriented towards said container, because in this way we manage to channel, orient, or even calibrate in a way more precise the jet of fluid sent to the container to be heated.
  • said chute at least partially surrounds said container in its upper part.
  • the chute has an internal diameter equal to or greater than that of the recovery enclosure, several orifices being formed in its walls to spray the container to be heated at least partially around the periphery of its upper part, which provides heating. more uniform and faster.
  • said chute has several flow orifices of predetermined diameter uniformly distributed around its periphery.
  • the number and diameter of the orifices determine the flow rate of fluid which sprinkles the container.
  • the uniform distribution of the orifices around the periphery of the chute allows homogeneous heating of the contents of the container.
  • a device for adjusting the flow rate in the form for example, of a plate mounted movable relative to the chute making it possible to partially block certain orifices in order to adapt the flow rate of the fluid to the volume, content or size of the container to be heated.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises a box inside which is arranged said enclosure situated above said tank which is raised relative to said heating unit, the heating unit communicating by a rising pipe with said chute. .
  • stage elements allow a simple circulation in a closed circuit of the fluid which flows by gravity from the recovery enclosure into the tank and from here into the heating unit, from which it is sent. in the upper part by the heat pump.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises a time measurement unit controlling the operation of said heating unit.
  • the time measurement unit can be an electromechanical or electronic timer comprising graduations corresponding to the heating time or to the quantity of the product to be heated.
  • the timer is connected to an electric circuit which controls the starting and stopping of the heating according to the preset times, and which thus determines the final temperature of the container to be heated.
  • the apparatus of the invention comprises means for regulating the temperature of the electric heating element of said heating unit allowing it to operate at at least two distinct temperatures.
  • the apparatus of the invention can distribute hot water and / or steam to the walls of the container to be heated.
  • a boiler capable of producing hot water and / or steam may be a bent vertical boiler as described in document FR 2 721 381 in the name of the applicant, or a horizontal or vertical U-shaped boiler, whose power and / or heating time are chosen to obtain water and / or steam at the outlet of the boiler.
  • the device according to the invention comprises means forming a support for said container inside said enclosure allowing the use of the device with containers of different dimensions.
  • the support means can be a movable grid and means for moving it and fixing it at different heights in said enclosure, or a set of cylinders of various heights which can be arranged one by one in said enclosure depending on the height. from the container to be heated.
  • the support means can be a movable grid and means for moving it and fixing it at different heights in said enclosure, or a set of cylinders of various heights which can be arranged one by one in said enclosure depending on the height. from the container to be heated.
  • said invention relates to a bottle warmer comprising, in the lower part of the container to be heated, a water tank and a unit for heating the water contained in the tank, due to the fact that the bottle heater comprises a heat pump capable transferring, via an upward conduit opening into said heating unit, a predetermined flow of heated water to a dispensing member oriented towards the walls of said container, the water then returning to the tank via a recycling pipe.
  • the bottle heater comprises a heat pump capable transferring, via an upward conduit opening into said heating unit, a predetermined flow of heated water to a dispensing member oriented towards the walls of said container, the water then returning to the tank via a recycling pipe.
  • Such a device ensures rapid warming of the contents of the bottle and a reliable temperature regulation inside the bottle.
  • heating is done by running hot water on the walls of the bottle, the latter can be entered by the user as soon as the heating stops without risk of burns.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention according to a first embodiment, part of the side walls being removed to show the upper part of the apparatus in axial section;
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 using a median plane A-A perpendicular to the plane of the axial section of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 5 shows an axial section of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention and it is shown in the condition of heating a bottle, but it can also be used to heat small pots or plates containing baby food.
  • the device comprises a housing 1 comprising a base 2 and a skirt 4 connecting it to the upper cover 3. Inside the housing 1 is a cavity 16 intended to receive the container to be heated.
  • the cavity 16 is embodied by an enclosure 6 preferably having a cylindrical shape which is arranged and supported inside the housing 1.
  • the enclosure 6 is sufficiently deep to be able to receive a container of the large bottle type over its entire height.
  • the enclosure 6 comprises a rim 8 in the form of a gutter which ensures the maintenance of a dispensing member 19, as will be explained below.
  • the enclosure 6 comprises a bottom wall 7 having one or more through orifices 24. The bottom wall 7 separates the enclosure 6 from the reservoir 9 for supplying fluid, the fluid being able to circulate from the enclosure 6 to the reservoir 9 via the orifice 24.
  • the fluid reservoir 9 may be integral with the enclosure 6 or removably mounted relative to the latter and to the housing 1 of the device.
  • the fluid used is water and in the description which follows, reference will be made to the use of the device with water, without excluding other heat transfer fluids such as steam, oil, etc.
  • the reservoir 9 is connected via a flow orifice 10 to the supply conduit 11 through which the fluid arrives at the heating unit forming the boiler 12.
  • a non-return valve 25 is mounted in the conduit 11 and it allows circulation of water from the tank 9 to the boiler 12 and prevents any return of water from the boiler to the tank.
  • FIG. 4 shows the valve 25 in the open position, the latter comprising a body 28 and a sphere 26 which is displaced by the pressure of the water inside the body 28 of the valve 25.
  • the boiler 12 is constituted by a fluid circulation pipe 17 in the form of a U or horseshoe, arranged in a horizontal plane inside the base 2 of the apparatus, and of a heating element 14 having a shape identical to that of the pipe 17 against which it is fixed, in the lower part of the latter.
  • the pipe 17 is made for example of a metallic material which is a good conductor of heat.
  • the heating element 14 may consist of an armored resistor mounted in thermal relation, for example by welding, against the pipe 17.
  • the entire boiler 12 is mounted on a support plate inside the base 2 of the device.
  • the boiler also comprises a thermal regulation member represented by the thermostat 15, for example of the bimetallic type, electrically connected to the heating element 14.
  • the thermostat 15 is placed in the central zone of the heating element 14 in the form of U , integral with the same support plate inside the base 2. Regulation can also be done using a CTN probe in thermal contact with the boiler, probe which is connected to an electronic card which controls the times or the power of heating.
  • the boiler 12 is connected by a rising discharge pipe 18 to a distributor member 19 located in the upper part of the housing 1 of the device.
  • the dispensing member 19 is constituted by a chute 20 provided with discharge orifices 21.
  • the chute 20 has a toroidal shape and is arranged in the upper part on the periphery of the enclosure 6.
  • the chute 20 almost completely surrounds the enclosure 6 and therefore the container 5 positioned concentrically inside the latter.
  • the inside diameter of the chute 20 has dimensions close to those of the inside diameter of the enclosure 6.
  • the inside diameter of the section of the chute 20 has dimensions equal to or even less than those of the riser 18 in order to avoid losses load in the chute 6.
  • FIG. 2 shows a partial sectional view of the device where we can notice the chute 20 supported by the upper edge forming the gutter 8 of the enclosure 6.
  • the upper cover 3 of the housing 1 of the device covers the gutter 20 in its upper part and has an inclined internal wall so as to avoid splashing water outwards, the wall orienting them towards the interior of the enclosure 6.
  • the chute 20 has several orifices 21 arranged at equal distance on the periphery of its internal face. As best seen in the detail in FIG. 3, the orifices 21 form an angle of inclination with the horizontal axis of the cross section of the chute, this angle being calculated so that the jet of fluid has a good incidence with the wall of the container to be heated and that it thus avoids splashing, while flowing along the wall of the container 5.
  • the angle of inclination ⁇ may be approximately 30 °.
  • the device also includes an adjustment button 23 which controls the heating phase.
  • the button 23 can be a timer connected to an electrical circuit which stops the supply of the heating element 14 as soon as a preselected period has elapsed.
  • the button 23 can also be a button for selecting a quantity of food to be heated which is connected to a electronic control board for the heating phase.
  • the user begins by filling the reservoir 9 with water.
  • the reservoir 9 has a capacity large enough to allow continuous operation of the boiler, without defusing the heat pump, this capacity being for example at least 300 ml .
  • the non-return valve 25 allows cold water from the reservoir 9 to be admitted into the boiler 12.
  • the user places the container to be heated, for example a bottle 5 in the cavity 16 of the device and he actuates the button selection 23 to control the heating phase depending on the amount of liquid to be heated contained in the bottle.
  • the heating element 14 rapidly raises the water temperature, bringing it to boiling almost instantaneously in the boiler 12.
  • the vapor pressure causes the water to rise in the rising pipe 18, the valve 25 preventing any return of the latter in the tank 9.
  • the hot water arriving in the chute 20 through the riser 18 is discharged through the orifices 21 and trickles over the periphery of the bottle to be heated. After the hot water has flowed out of the bottle, it returns to the reservoir 9 passing through the flow orifice 24 of the wall 7 of the enclosure 6. Following the emptying of the rising duct 18, the pressure drops to inside the boiler, which causes it to fill again with water through the valve 25 and a new cycle begins again.
  • the chute 20 sprinkles the bottle 5 with bursts of water succeeding each other at a time interval which is a function of the capacity of the boiler 12 and the power of the heating element 14. L water flowing by bursts at constant temperature, it suffices to vary the flow time to vary the final temperature of the bottle.
  • this interval is 2 to 3 seconds, for a boiler having a capacity of 9.5 ml and a power of the heating element of 500 W which supplies hot water at a temperature about 80 to 85 ° C.
  • a bottle is quickly brought to the optimal temperature for consumption, between 35 and 45 ° C, within approximately 2 to 3.5 min, this time being determined according to the quantity of liquid it contains.
  • the time to reheat the bottle is much shorter compared to a conventional heating in a water bath which is approximately 6 to 7 min.
  • a small pot containing a pasty or solid food reaches the optimum temperature for consumption in a period of 6 to 8 min with the device of the invention, compared to a period of 20 min with a conventional device.
  • the apparatus comprises a bell-shaped cover which covers the upper part of the housing 1. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the apparatus, by reducing the heating time, and also makes it possible to ensure a function of keeping the container warm after the appliance has been switched off. Since the water does not park in the enclosure 6, but in the tank 9 located under the enclosure, the temperature of the bottle no longer rises after the heating has stopped. In addition, the cover keeps this final temperature constant for at least 30 min.
  • the apparatus of the invention is intended for use with containers to be heated of different dimensions.
  • the enclosure 6 it is possible to arrange in the enclosure 6 several cylindrical supports with a perforated bottom, each support having a height adapted to that of the container to be heated so that the upper part of the latter is close to the watering zone of the chute 20.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an appliance for reheating a food according to a second embodiment of the invention in which the same reference designates a similar part of the first embodiment.
  • the device has a modular construction by being made up of several stacked parts mounted at least partly in a removable manner.
  • the apparatus comprises a lower housing 30 containing the heating element 14, the fluid circulation pipe 17 and the heating regulation and control members.
  • An upper housing 33 is supported by the lower housing 30.
  • a water tank 31 is removably mounted inside the housing 33.
  • the housing 33 supports in its upper part a tank 34 forming a chamber for recovering the hot water which is sprayed on the container to be heated, shown in this figure in the form of a plate 36 containing the food to be heated.
  • a chute 20 comprising discharge orifices 21 surrounds the container 36 in its upper part.
  • the cover 37 keeps the contents of the plate 36 warm.
  • the operation is identical to that of the apparatus according to a first embodiment.
  • the cold water contained in the reservoir 31 arrives in the pipe 17 of the boiler 12 and is brought to boiling almost instantaneously.
  • the hot water passes through a thermosyphon effect in the riser 18 and from here into the chute 20 from where it is discharged through the orifices 21 towards the periphery of the plate 36.
  • the hot water After flow on the periphery of the plate 36, the hot water returns to the reservoir 31 through the flow orifice 35 of the tank 34 which is in communication with the orifice 38 of the reservoir 31. Several cycles thus follow each other until the temperature is obtained optimal heating on the plate 36.
  • the device of the invention as a sterilizer by sending steam into a closed enclosure containing the container to be sterilized.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)
  • Commercial Cooking Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for heating a vessel (5) containing foodstuffs, through contact with a fluid, in the lower part of said vessel (5), a fluid supply reservoir (9, 31) and a unit for heating (12) said fluid. The invention is characterized in that said apparatus comprises a heat pump designed to transfer, via a riser (18) emerging into said heating unit (12), a predetermined heated fluid flow to a dispensing member (19) oriented towards the walls of said vessel (5).

Description

APPAREIL POUR RECHAUFFER UN RECIPIENT CONTENANT DES APPARATUS FOR HEATING A CONTAINER CONTAINING
ALIMENTSFOOD
La présente invention concerne un appareil pour réchauffer un récipient contenant des aliments liquides ou solides, tel qu'un appareil utilisé pour réchauffer un biberon, des petits pots destinés à l'alimentation des bébés ou des assiettes contenant la nourriture des enfants en bas âge.The present invention relates to an apparatus for heating a container containing liquid or solid food, such as an apparatus used for heating a bottle, small jars for feeding babies or plates containing food for young children.
Dans les dispositifs connus pour réchauffer les aliments pour enfants, les calories sont produites par des résistances électriques disposées à proximité du récipient à chauffer, l'échange de chaleur avec ce dernier pouvant se faire par l'intermédiaire de la gaine d'air qui entoure le récipient, par la vapeur ou par l'eau.In known devices for reheating food for children, calories are produced by electric resistors arranged near the container to be heated, the exchange of heat with the latter being able to take place via the air duct which surrounds the container, by steam or water.
Les dispositifs chauffants couramment utilisés fonctionnent sur le principe du bain-marie, en étant constitués d'une cuve chauffante comportant une certaine quantité d'eau dans laquelle est plongé le biberon ou le petit pot à réchauffer. Un tel dispositif est décrit dans le document DE 878 990. La régulation en température d'un tel dispositif se fait par un thermostat qui coupe l'alimentation de l'élément chauffant de la cuve à des températures prédéterminées de ce dernier. Avec une telle régulation on peut difficilement aboutir à la température optimale dans le récipient à chauffer. De surcroît, le récipient étant immergé dans la cuve contenant de l'eau chaude, la température de ce dernier continue à s'élever même après l'arrêt du chauffage. L'inconvénient le plus important d'un tel dispositif reste le temps de chauffage important dû à l'inertie thermique de l'eau à chauffer.The heating devices commonly used operate on the principle of a water bath, being made up of a heating tank comprising a certain amount of water in which the bottle or the small pot to be heated is immersed. Such a device is described in document DE 878 990. The temperature regulation of such a device is done by a thermostat which cuts the supply of the heating element to the tank at predetermined temperatures of the latter. With such regulation it is difficult to achieve the optimum temperature in the container to be heated. In addition, the container being immersed in the tank containing hot water, the temperature of the latter continues to rise even after heating is stopped. The most important drawback of such a device remains the significant heating time due to the thermal inertia of the water to be heated.
Il a été pallié en partie à ces inconvénients par des dispositifs chauffants à la vapeur tels que décrits dans les documents US 1 977 482 ou FR 2 753 071. Dans ces documents, le récipient à chauffer est un biberon placé dans une enceinte de chauffe au dessus d'une cuve contenant de l'eau et chauffée par une résistance électrique, l'enceinte étant fermée en partie haute par une cloche comportant un orifice de mise en communication avec l'atmosphère. La résistance électrique transforme l'eau contenue dans la cuve en vapeur qui réchauffe le biberon. Ce dispositif présente des temps de chauffe moins importants que les précédents, mais il faut quand même attendre assez longtemps pour arriver à chauffer et ensuite évaporer l'eau de la cuve. De surcroît, la surface extérieure du biberon étant très chaude due au contact avec la vapeur, l'utilisateur peut se brûler lors de la préhension du biberon immédiatement après l'arrêt du chauffage.These drawbacks have been partially overcome by steam heating devices as described in documents US 1 977 482 or FR 2 753 071. In these documents, the container to be heated is a bottle placed in a heating chamber at above a tank containing water and heated by an electrical resistance, the enclosure being closed in the upper part by a bell with an orifice for communication with the atmosphere. The electrical resistance transforms the water contained in the tank into steam which heats the bottle. This device has shorter heating times than the previous ones, but you still have to wait long enough to heat up and then evaporate the water in the tank. In addition, the outer surface of the bottle being very hot due to contact with the steam, the user can burn himself when gripping the bottle immediately after the heating stops.
On connaît par ailleurs du document FR 2 788 677 au nom de la demanderesse, un appareil pour refroidir les boissons conditionnées en utilisant une pompe qui aspire l'eau glacée d'un réservoir et l'envoie sur le capuchon de la bouteille à refroidir. Toutefois cet appareil étant conçu seulement pour refroidir une bouteille est coûteux, car il fait appel à des composants chers, notamment une pompe électrique. De surcroît, l'épandage de l'eau sur la bouteille se faisant d'une façon aléatoire, cet appareil doit faire appel à l'utilisation d'une sonde de température pour fonctionner correctement, ce qui augmente encore plus le coût et la complexité de l'appareil.Document FR 2 788 677 is also known in the name of the applicant, an apparatus for cooling packaged beverages using a pump which draws iced water from a reservoir and sends it to the cap of the bottle to be cooled. However, this device being designed only to cool a bottle is expensive, because it uses expensive components, in particular an electric pump. In addition, the spreading of water on the bottle being done in a random way, this device must call upon the use of a temperature probe to function correctly, which increases even more the cost and the complexity of the device.
Le but de l'invention est de remédier aux inconvénients précités et de proposer un appareil pour réchauffer de manière très rapide les récipients contenant des aliments et pour assurer une température optimale de l'aliment à réchauffer.The object of the invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and to propose an apparatus for very rapidly reheating containers containing food and for ensuring an optimal temperature of the food to be reheated.
Un autre but de l'invention est un appareil à réchauffer les récipients contenant des aliments qui soit apte à assurer une stabilité de la température du contenu du récipient et qui permette en même temps une préhension en toute sécurité du récipient dès l'arrêt du chauffage.Another object of the invention is an apparatus for reheating food-containing containers which is capable of ensuring a stable temperature of the contents of the container and which at the same time allows the container to be gripped in complete safety as soon as the heating is stopped. .
Un but supplémentaire de l'invention est un appareil à réchauffer les récipients contenant des aliments qui soit fiable en fonctionnement tout en présentant une construction simple, et étant facile à industrialiser pour des coûts moindres.A further object of the invention is an apparatus for heating food-containing containers which is reliable in operation while having a simple construction, and which is easy to industrialize at lower costs.
Ces buts sont atteints avec un appareil pour réchauffer un récipient contenant des aliments, par contact avec un fluide, comportant, en partie inférieure dudit récipient, un réservoir d'alimentation en fluide et une unité de chauffe dudit fluide, du fait que ledit appareil comporte une pompe thermique apte à transférer, via un conduit montant débouchant dans ladite unité de chauffe, un flux prédéterminé de fluide chauffé à un organe distributeur orienté vers les parois dudit récipient.These objects are achieved with an apparatus for heating a container containing food, in contact with a fluid, comprising, in the lower part of said container, a fluid supply reservoir and a unit for heating said fluid, since said device comprises a heat pump capable of transferring, via an upwardly opening conduit in said heating unit, a predetermined flow of fluid heated to a dispensing member oriented towards the walls of said container.
Par fluide on comprend un liquide ou un gaz, par exemple de l'eau, de la vapeur ou tout autre fluide caloporteur apte à emmagasiner et à transporter les calories entre l'unité de chauffe et le récipient à chauffer.By fluid is understood a liquid or a gas, for example water, steam or any other heat transfer fluid capable of storing and transporting the calories between the heating unit and the container to be heated.
Selon l'invention, l'appareil comporte une pompe thermique apte à transférer le fluide chauffé vers le récipient contenant des aliments. Par pompe thermique on comprend un dispositif de chauffage et d'élévation de fluide comportant une unité de chauffé reliée, en amont, par un clapet anti-retour, à un réservoir de fluide et, en aval, à un conduit montant ou tube de refoulement permettant le déversement du fluide chauffé, par exemple via un organe distributeur, vers ou sur le récipient à chauffer. Le clapet anti-retour permet l'admission de fluide du réservoir dans l'unité de chauffe, mais interdit tout retour vers le réservoir.According to the invention, the device comprises a heat pump capable of transferring the heated fluid to the container containing food. By heat pump is understood a heating and elevating fluid device comprising a heated unit connected, upstream, by a non-return valve, to a fluid reservoir and, downstream, to a rising pipe or delivery tube. allowing the pouring of the heated fluid, for example via a dispensing member, towards or onto the container to be heated. The non-return valve allows the admission of fluid from the tank into the heating unit, but prevents any return to the tank.
L'unité de chauffe du fluide est constituée d'un tuyau de circulation de fluide en relation thermique avec un élément chauffant électrique. Le tuyau de circulation de fluide formant chaudière peut être un canal coudé en fer à cheval relié à une plaque chauffée électriquement ou à une résistance électrique et, de ce fait, le fluide le traversant monte rapidement en température.The fluid heating unit consists of a fluid circulation pipe in thermal relation with an electric heating element. The fluid circulation pipe forming the boiler can be a bent horseshoe channel connected to an electrically heated plate or to an electrical resistance and, therefore, the fluid passing through it rapidly rises in temperature.
Une telle pompe thermique est agencée entre le réservoir d'alimentation en fluide et le récipient à chauffer. Ainsi, le fluide du réservoir arrive dans la chaudière par gravité, en traversant le clapet anti-retour. La résistance électrique chauffe rapidement le fluide, par exemple l'eau présente dans la chaudière la portant à l'ébullition. La pression de vapeur provoque la montée d'eau dans le conduit montant, puis l'expulsion de celle-ci vers le récipient à chauffer. La chaudière ayant évacué la totalité du fluide qui y était contenu, la pression tombe du fait de la mise à l'air consécutive au vidage du conduit montant. La chaudière se remplit alors de nouveau de fluide en provenance du réservoir et le cycle recommence. Une telle pompe thermique assure donc le déversement du fluide chauffé au-dessus du plan d'eau du réservoir de manière simple et économique, sans faire appel à des moyens plus sophistiqués de pompage du fluide.Such a heat pump is arranged between the fluid supply reservoir and the container to be heated. Thus, the fluid from the tank arrives in the boiler by gravity, passing through the non-return valve. The electrical resistance quickly heats the fluid, for example the water present in the boiler bringing it to boiling. The vapor pressure causes the water to rise in the riser, then expel it to the container to be heated. The boiler having evacuated all of the fluid contained therein, the pressure drops due to the venting following the emptying of the duct amount. The boiler then fills again with fluid from the tank and the cycle begins again. Such a heat pump therefore ensures the discharge of the heated fluid above the reservoir water body in a simple and economical manner, without requiring more sophisticated means of pumping the fluid.
Un autre avantage de l'utilisation d'une telle unité de chauffe est qu'on arrive à maîtriser et maintenir constante la température du fluide sortant de la chaudière, par une simple régulation à thermostat de l'élément chauffant électrique de cette dernière. Ainsi, en connaissant : la température du fluide sortant de la chaudière qui est constante et le flux de fluide, c'est-à-dire la quantité de fluide envoyée, qui est égale à la capacité de la chaudière, et le temps de mise en contact du fluide avec le récipient, on peut déterminer avec précision la température finale de réchauffement de l'aliment contenu dans le récipient. On peut ainsi choisir la durée de chauffage dudit récipient en fonction de la quantité et du contenu du récipient.Another advantage of using such a heating unit is that we manage to control and keep constant the temperature of the fluid leaving the boiler, by a simple thermostat control of the electric heating element of the latter. Thus, knowing: the temperature of the fluid leaving the boiler which is constant and the fluid flow, that is to say the quantity of fluid sent, which is equal to the capacity of the boiler, and the setting time in contact with the fluid with the container, the final temperature for heating the food contained in the container can be precisely determined. It is thus possible to choose the duration of heating of said container according to the quantity and content of the container.
Avantageusement, ledit récipient est agencé à l'intérieur d'une enceinte de récupération du fluide reliée par une conduite de recyclage audit réservoir.Advantageously, said container is arranged inside a fluid recovery enclosure connected by a recycling pipe to said tank.
On pourrait certes imaginer d'envoyer le fluide chauffé vers le récipient placé dans une enceinte de récupération qui pourrait collecter et garder ce fluide dans un espace entourant le récipient. On pourrait également imaginer de vidanger ce fluide vers l'extérieur de l'appareil. On choisit cependant de le recycler en l'envoyant vers le réservoir, en obtenant ainsi un fonctionnement en circuit fermé du fluide à l'intérieur de l'appareil, qui est nettement plus économique et s'avère d'une utilisation plus pratique.One could certainly imagine sending the heated fluid to the container placed in a recovery enclosure which could collect and keep this fluid in a space surrounding the container. One could also imagine draining this fluid towards the outside of the device. However, we choose to recycle it by sending it to the tank, thus obtaining a closed circuit operation of the fluid inside the device, which is clearly more economical and proves to be more practical to use.
De préférence, ledit récipient est supporté par une grille au dessus du niveau du fluide dans ladite enceinte.Preferably, said container is supported by a grid above the level of the fluid in said enclosure.
Par grille on comprend une plaque de séparation de deux volumes comportant au moins un orifice traversant qui laisse passer le fluide d'un volume à l'autre. La grille supportant ledit récipient comporte de préférence une section de passage permettant un débit d'écoulement à travers la grille supérieur au débit de la chaudière. De ce fait, le récipient ne reste pas plongé dans le fluide chauffé et sa température ne continue plus d'augmenter une fois le chauffage arrêté, ce qui fait que le récipient peut garder sa température initialement programmée.By grid is understood a separation plate of two volumes comprising at least one through orifice which lets the fluid pass from one volume to another. The grid supporting said container preferably comprises a passage section allowing a flow rate through the grid greater than the flow rate of the boiler. As a result, the container does not remain immersed in the heated fluid and its temperature does not continue to increase once the heating has stopped, which means that the container can keep its temperature initially programmed.
Avantageusement, ledit appareil comporte un couvercle de fermeture de ladite enceinte.Advantageously, said device comprises a cover for closing said enclosure.
Ceci permet un réchauffage en atmosphère fermée du récipient qui présente l'avantage d'être plus rapide et de maintenir constante la température du récipient un certain temps après l'arrêt du chauffage.This allows heating in a closed atmosphere of the container which has the advantage of being faster and of keeping the temperature of the container constant for a certain time after the heating has been stopped.
Utilement, ladite pompe thermique transfère le fluide du réservoir vers l'organe distributeur par intermittence.Usefully, said heat pump transfers the fluid from the reservoir to the distributor member intermittently.
On pourrait certes imaginer une pompe thermique associée à une chaudière ayant une capacité suffisamment importante pour envoyer en une seule fois le fluide chauffé vers le récipient contenant l'aliment à réchauffer, voire en étant associée à un clapet anti-retour à faible jeu. Dans une variante, on choisit une chaudière à capacité moindre, car elle arrive plus rapidement en température, associée à un clapet à jeu suffisamment important pour lui permettre un fonctionnement par intermittence. Cette chaudière va envoyer de manière répétitive, le fluide chauffé sous forme de salves vers ledit récipient, la quantité envoyée en une fois correspondant à la capacité de la chaudière. Le nombre et le volume de salves envoyées vers le récipient dans une période de temps prédéterminée définissent l'apport calorifique du fluide au récipient à réchauffer. De ce fait, en choisissant le nombre de salves d'un volume connu d'un fluide de capacité calorifique connue, on peut facilement l'adapter à un récipient de volume et de contenu donnés. Ainsi, en variant le nombre de salves on peut utiliser l'appareil avec des récipients de volumes et contenus différents.One could certainly imagine a heat pump associated with a boiler having a sufficiently large capacity to send at one time the heated fluid to the container containing the food to be heated, or even by being associated with a non-return valve with low clearance. a variant, a boiler with a lower capacity is chosen, because it reaches temperature more quickly, associated with a sufficiently large clearance valve to allow it to operate intermittently. This boiler will send repetitively, the heated fluid in the form of bursts to said container, the quantity sent at once corresponding to the capacity of the boiler. The number and volume of bursts sent to the container in a predetermined period of time define the heat input of the fluid to the container to be heated. Therefore, by choosing the number of bursts of a known volume of a fluid of known calorific capacity, it can easily be adapted to a container of given volume and content. Thus, by varying the number of bursts, the device can be used with containers of different volumes and contents.
Avantageusement, ledit organe distributeur débouche dans la partie supérieure dudit récipient.Advantageously, said dispensing member opens into the upper part of said container.
On pourrait imaginer que l'organe distributeur envoie le fluide chauffé en partie inférieure ou latérale du récipient. On préfère cependant un arrosage dans la partie supérieure du récipient à chauffer, car le fluide arrivé en partie haute s'écoule ensuite par gravité le long des parois du récipient, ce qui lui permet un temps de contact plus important, améliorant ainsi le transfert thermique avec ce dernier.One could imagine that the dispensing member sends the heated fluid to the bottom or side of the container. However, watering is preferred in the upper part of the container to be heated, since the fluid arriving in the upper part then flows by gravity along the walls of the container, which allows it a longer contact time, thereby improving heat transfer. with the latter.
De préférence, ledit organe distributeur est une goulotte comportant au moins un orifice d'écoulement du fluide orienté vers ledit récipient.Preferably, said dispensing member is a chute comprising at least one fluid flow orifice oriented towards said container.
On aurait pu, certes, imaginer un arrosage en pluie du récipient, dans quel cas le conduit arrivant de la chaudière déboucherait dans un pommeau d'arrosage placé au-dessus du récipient à chauffer; ou encore un arrosage indirect du récipient dans lequel le fluide arrivant de la chaudière serait projeté sur la surface intérieure d'un dôme de répartition de fluide qui l'enverrait par la suite vers le récipient à réchauffer. On préfère toutefois un arrosage dans lequel le fluide chauffé est canalisé par un conduit qui se termine par une goulotte débouchant dans un orifice d'écoulement orienté vers ledit récipient, car ainsi on arrive à canaliser, à orienter, voire à calibrer d'une manière plus précise le jet de fluide envoyé vers le récipient à chauffer.One could, of course, have imagined that the container would be rained in rain, in which case the pipe arriving from the boiler would open into a sprinkler knob placed above the container to be heated; or an indirect watering of the container in which the fluid arriving from the boiler would be projected onto the interior surface of a fluid distribution dome which would then send it to the container to be heated. However, watering is preferred in which the heated fluid is channeled through a conduit which ends in a chute opening into a flow orifice oriented towards said container, because in this way we manage to channel, orient, or even calibrate in a way more precise the jet of fluid sent to the container to be heated.
Avantageusement, ladite goulotte entoure au moins partiellement ledit récipient en sa partie haute.Advantageously, said chute at least partially surrounds said container in its upper part.
Pour ceci, la goulotte présente un diamètre intérieur égal ou supérieur à celui de l'enceinte de récupération, plusieurs orifices étant pratiqués dans ses parois pour asperger le récipient à réchauffer au moins partiellement sur le pourtour de sa partie haute, ce qui offre une chauffe plus uniforme et plus rapide.For this, the chute has an internal diameter equal to or greater than that of the recovery enclosure, several orifices being formed in its walls to spray the container to be heated at least partially around the periphery of its upper part, which provides heating. more uniform and faster.
De préférence, ladite goulotte comporte plusieurs orifices d'écoulement de diamètre prédéterminé uniformément répartis sur son pourtour. Le nombre et le diamètre des orifices déterminent le débit de fluide qui arrose le récipient. La répartition uniforme des orifices sur le pourtour de la goulotte permet un chauffage homogène du contenu du récipient. Dans une variante, on peut imaginer un dispositif de réglage du débit sous forme, par exemple, d'une plaque montée mobile par rapport à la goulotte permettant d'obturer en partie certains orifices afin d'adapter le débit du fluide au volume, au contenu ou à la taille du récipient à chauffer.Preferably, said chute has several flow orifices of predetermined diameter uniformly distributed around its periphery. The number and diameter of the orifices determine the flow rate of fluid which sprinkles the container. The uniform distribution of the orifices around the periphery of the chute allows homogeneous heating of the contents of the container. In a variant, it is possible to imagine a device for adjusting the flow rate in the form, for example, of a plate mounted movable relative to the chute making it possible to partially block certain orifices in order to adapt the flow rate of the fluid to the volume, content or size of the container to be heated.
Avantageusement, l'appareil de l'invention comprend un boîtier à l'intérieur duquel est agencée ladite enceinte située au dessus dudit réservoir qui est surélevé par rapport à ladite unité de chauffe, l'unité de chauffe communiquant par un conduit montant avec ladite goulotte.Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention comprises a box inside which is arranged said enclosure situated above said tank which is raised relative to said heating unit, the heating unit communicating by a rising pipe with said chute. .
Une telle construction faisant appel à des éléments étages permet une circulation simple en circuit fermé du fluide qui s'écoule par gravité de l'enceinte de récupération dans le réservoir et d'ici dans l'unité de chauffe, d'où il est envoyé en partie haute par la pompe thermique.Such a construction using stage elements allows a simple circulation in a closed circuit of the fluid which flows by gravity from the recovery enclosure into the tank and from here into the heating unit, from which it is sent. in the upper part by the heat pump.
De préférence, l'appareil de l'invention comprend une unité de mesure du temps commandant le fonctionnement de ladite unité de chauffe.Preferably, the apparatus of the invention comprises a time measurement unit controlling the operation of said heating unit.
L'unité de mesure du temps peut être une minuterie électromécanique ou électronique comportant des graduations correspondant au temps de chauffe ou à la quantité du produit à chauffer. La minuterie est reliée à un circuit électrique qui commande la mise en marche et l'arrêt du chauffage selon les temps présélectionnés, et qui détermine ainsi la température finale du récipient à chauffer.The time measurement unit can be an electromechanical or electronic timer comprising graduations corresponding to the heating time or to the quantity of the product to be heated. The timer is connected to an electric circuit which controls the starting and stopping of the heating according to the preset times, and which thus determines the final temperature of the container to be heated.
Avantageusement, l'appareil de l'invention comprend des moyens de régulation en température de l'élément chauffant électrique de ladite unité de chauffe lui permettant un fonctionnement à au moins deux températures distinctes. Ainsi, en faisant varier la température de l'unité de chauffe on arrive à obtenir des temps de chauffe variables pour une même quantité de produit à chauffer. Incidemment, on peut imaginer que, en utilisant l'eau comme fluide caloporteur et une chaudière appropriée, l'appareil de l'invention peut distribuer de l'eau chaude et/ou de la vapeur vers les parois du récipient à chauffer. Par exemple, une chaudière apte à produire de l'eau chaude et/ou de la vapeur peut être une chaudière verticale coudée telle que décrite dans le document FR 2 721 381 au nom de la demanderesse, ou une chaudière horizontale ou verticale en U, dont la puissance et/ou le temps de chauffe sont choisis pour obtenir de l'eau et/ou de la vapeur à la sortie de la chaudière.Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention comprises means for regulating the temperature of the electric heating element of said heating unit allowing it to operate at at least two distinct temperatures. Thus, by varying the temperature of the heating unit, it is possible to obtain variable heating times for the same quantity of product to be heated. Incidentally, it can be imagined that, using water as a heat transfer fluid and an appropriate boiler, the apparatus of the invention can distribute hot water and / or steam to the walls of the container to be heated. For example, a boiler capable of producing hot water and / or steam may be a bent vertical boiler as described in document FR 2 721 381 in the name of the applicant, or a horizontal or vertical U-shaped boiler, whose power and / or heating time are chosen to obtain water and / or steam at the outlet of the boiler.
De préférence, l'appareil selon l'invention comporte des moyens formant support pour ledit récipient à l'intérieur de ladite enceinte permettant l'utilisation de l'appareil avec des récipients de dimensions différentes.Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises means forming a support for said container inside said enclosure allowing the use of the device with containers of different dimensions.
Les moyens formant support peuvent être une grille mobile et des moyens pour la déplacer et la fixer à différentes hauteurs dans ladite enceinte, ou un jeu de cylindres de diverses hauteurs que l'on peut agencer un par un dans ladite enceinte en fonction de la hauteur du récipient à chauffer. Ainsi, en utilisant des moyens d'adaptation très simples on peut agencer des récipients plus ou moins profonds à l'intérieur d'un même appareil, tels les biberons de différentes dimensions, les petits pots ou les assiettes contenant de la nourriture à chauffer.The support means can be a movable grid and means for moving it and fixing it at different heights in said enclosure, or a set of cylinders of various heights which can be arranged one by one in said enclosure depending on the height. from the container to be heated. Thus, by using very simple adaptation means, it is possible to arrange more or less deep containers inside the same device, such as bottles of different sizes, small pots or plates containing food to be heated.
Avantageusement, ladite invention concerne un chauffe-biberon comportant, en partie inférieure du récipient à chauffer, un réservoir d'eau et une unité de chauffe de l'eau contenue dans le réservoir, du fait que le chauffe-biberon comporte une pompe thermique apte à transférer, via un conduit montant débouchant dans ladite unité de chauffe, un flux prédéterminé d'eau chauffée à un organe distributeur orienté vers les parois dudit récipient, l'eau retournant ensuite au réservoir par une conduite de recyclage.Advantageously, said invention relates to a bottle warmer comprising, in the lower part of the container to be heated, a water tank and a unit for heating the water contained in the tank, due to the fact that the bottle heater comprises a heat pump capable transferring, via an upward conduit opening into said heating unit, a predetermined flow of heated water to a dispensing member oriented towards the walls of said container, the water then returning to the tank via a recycling pipe.
Un tel appareil assure un réchauffement rapide du contenu du biberon et une régulation fiable de la température à l'intérieur du biberon. De surcroît, réchauffement se faisant par ruissellement d'eau chaude sur les parois du biberon, ce dernier peut être saisi par l'utilisateur dès l'arrêt du chauffage sans risque de brûlure.Such a device ensures rapid warming of the contents of the bottle and a reliable temperature regulation inside the bottle. In addition, heating is done by running hot water on the walls of the bottle, the latter can be entered by the user as soon as the heating stops without risk of burns.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'étude des modes de réalisation pris à titre nullement limitatif et illustrés dans les figures annexées dans lesquelles :The invention will be better understood from the study of the embodiments taken without any limitation being implied and illustrated in the appended figures in which:
- la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un appareil de l'invention selon un premier mode de réalisation, une partie des parois latérales étant enlevée pour montrer la partie supérieure de l'appareil en section axiale;- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus of the invention according to a first embodiment, part of the side walls being removed to show the upper part of the apparatus in axial section;
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe partielle de l'appareil de la figure 1 en utilisant un plan médian A-A perpendiculaire au plan de la section axiale de la figure 1 ;- Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus of Figure 1 using a median plane A-A perpendicular to the plane of the axial section of Figure 1;
- la figure 3 représente une vue à échelle agrandie du détail B de la figure 2; - la figure 4 représente une vue en coupe axiale à échelle agrandie du détail C de la figure 1 ;- Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of detail B of Figure 2; - Figure 4 shows an axial sectional view on an enlarged scale of the detail C of Figure 1;
- la figure 5 montre une section axiale d'un appareil selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.- Figure 5 shows an axial section of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.
La figure 1 montre un appareil selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention et il est représenté en condition de chauffe d'un biberon, mais il peut également être utilisé pour réchauffer des petits pots ou des assiettes contenant la nourriture des bébés. L'appareil comprend un boîtier 1 comportant un socle 2 et une jupe 4 le reliant au capot supérieur 3. A l'intérieur du boîtier 1 se trouve une cavité 16 destinée à recevoir le récipient à réchauffer.Figure 1 shows an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention and it is shown in the condition of heating a bottle, but it can also be used to heat small pots or plates containing baby food. The device comprises a housing 1 comprising a base 2 and a skirt 4 connecting it to the upper cover 3. Inside the housing 1 is a cavity 16 intended to receive the container to be heated.
La cavité 16 est matérialisée par une enceinte 6 ayant de préférence une forme cylindrique qui est agencée et supportée à l'intérieur du boîtier 1. L'enceinte 6 est suffisamment profonde pour pouvoir recevoir un récipient du type biberon de grandes dimensions sur toute sa hauteur. En partie supérieure l'enceinte 6 comporte un rebord 8 en forme de gouttière qui assure le maintien d'un organe de distribution 19, tel qu'il sera expliqué plus loin. En partie inférieure, l'enceinte 6 comporte une paroi de fond 7 présentant un ou plusieurs orifices traversants 24. La paroi de fond 7 sépare l'enceinte 6 du réservoir 9 d'alimentation en fluide, le fluide pouvant circuler de l'enceinte 6 au réservoir 9 via l'orifice 24.The cavity 16 is embodied by an enclosure 6 preferably having a cylindrical shape which is arranged and supported inside the housing 1. The enclosure 6 is sufficiently deep to be able to receive a container of the large bottle type over its entire height. . In the upper part, the enclosure 6 comprises a rim 8 in the form of a gutter which ensures the maintenance of a dispensing member 19, as will be explained below. In the lower part, the enclosure 6 comprises a bottom wall 7 having one or more through orifices 24. The bottom wall 7 separates the enclosure 6 from the reservoir 9 for supplying fluid, the fluid being able to circulate from the enclosure 6 to the reservoir 9 via the orifice 24.
Le réservoir de fluide 9 peut être solidaire de l'enceinte 6 ou monté de manière amovible par rapport à cette dernière et au boîtier 1 de l'appareil. Selon une variante préférée de réalisation de l'invention, le fluide utilisé est l'eau et dans la description qui va suivre il sera fait référence à l'utilisation de l'appareil avec de l'eau, sans pour autant exclure d'autres fluides caloporteurs tels la vapeur, l'huile, etc.The fluid reservoir 9 may be integral with the enclosure 6 or removably mounted relative to the latter and to the housing 1 of the device. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fluid used is water and in the description which follows, reference will be made to the use of the device with water, without excluding other heat transfer fluids such as steam, oil, etc.
Le réservoir 9 est relié via un orifice d'écoulement 10 au conduit d'alimentation 11 par lequel le fluide arrive à l'unité de chauffe formant chaudière 12. Un clapet anti-retour 25 est monté dans le conduit 11 et il permet la circulation de l'eau du réservoir 9 vers la chaudière 12 et empêche tout retour de l'eau de la chaudière vers le réservoir. La figure 4 montre le clapet 25 en position d'ouverture, ce dernier comportant un corps 28 et une sphère 26 qui est déplacée par la pression de l'eau à l'intérieur du corps 28 du clapet 25.The reservoir 9 is connected via a flow orifice 10 to the supply conduit 11 through which the fluid arrives at the heating unit forming the boiler 12. A non-return valve 25 is mounted in the conduit 11 and it allows circulation of water from the tank 9 to the boiler 12 and prevents any return of water from the boiler to the tank. FIG. 4 shows the valve 25 in the open position, the latter comprising a body 28 and a sphere 26 which is displaced by the pressure of the water inside the body 28 of the valve 25.
La chaudière 12 est constituée par un tuyau de circulation du fluide 17 en forme de U ou de fer à cheval, agencé dans un plan horizontal à l'intérieur du socle 2 de l'appareil, et d'un élément chauffant 14 ayant une forme identique à celle du tuyau 17 contre lequel il est fixé, dans la partie inférieure de ce dernier. Le tuyau 17 est réalisé par exemple en un matériau métallique bon conducteur de la chaleur. L'élément chauffant 14 peut être constitué par une résistance blindée montée en relation thermique, par exemple par soudage, contre le tuyau 17.The boiler 12 is constituted by a fluid circulation pipe 17 in the form of a U or horseshoe, arranged in a horizontal plane inside the base 2 of the apparatus, and of a heating element 14 having a shape identical to that of the pipe 17 against which it is fixed, in the lower part of the latter. The pipe 17 is made for example of a metallic material which is a good conductor of heat. The heating element 14 may consist of an armored resistor mounted in thermal relation, for example by welding, against the pipe 17.
L'ensemble de la chaudière 12 est monté sur une plaque support à l'intérieur du socle 2 de l'appareil. La chaudière comprend également un organe de régulation thermique représenté par le thermostat 15, par exemple du type à bilame, relié électriquement à l'élément chauffant 14. Le thermostat 15 est placé dans la zone centrale de l'élément chauffant 14 en forme de U, solidaire de la même plaque support à l'intérieur du socle 2. La régulation peut également se faire à l'aide d'une sonde CTN en contact thermique avec la chaudière, sonde qui est reliée à une carte électronique qui commande les temps ou la puissance de chauffe.The entire boiler 12 is mounted on a support plate inside the base 2 of the device. The boiler also comprises a thermal regulation member represented by the thermostat 15, for example of the bimetallic type, electrically connected to the heating element 14. The thermostat 15 is placed in the central zone of the heating element 14 in the form of U , integral with the same support plate inside the base 2. Regulation can also be done using a CTN probe in thermal contact with the boiler, probe which is connected to an electronic card which controls the times or the power of heating.
La chaudière 12 est reliée par un conduit montant 18 de refoulement à un organe distributeur 19 situé dans la partie supérieure du boîtier 1 de l'appareil. L'organe de distribution 19 est constitué par une goulotte 20 munie d'orifices d'évacuation 21. La goulotte 20 a une forme toroïdale et est agencée en partie haute sur la périphérie de l'enceinte 6. La goulotte 20 entoure pratiquement complètement l'enceinte 6 et par conséquent le récipient 5 positionné de manière concentrique à l'intérieur de cette dernière. Le diamètre intérieur de la goulotte 20 a des dimensions proches de celles du diamètre intérieur de l'enceinte 6. Le diamètre intérieur de la section de la goulotte 20 a des dimensions égales voire inférieures à celles du conduit montant 18 afin d'éviter les pertes de charge dans la goulotte 6.The boiler 12 is connected by a rising discharge pipe 18 to a distributor member 19 located in the upper part of the housing 1 of the device. The dispensing member 19 is constituted by a chute 20 provided with discharge orifices 21. The chute 20 has a toroidal shape and is arranged in the upper part on the periphery of the enclosure 6. The chute 20 almost completely surrounds the enclosure 6 and therefore the container 5 positioned concentrically inside the latter. The inside diameter of the chute 20 has dimensions close to those of the inside diameter of the enclosure 6. The inside diameter of the section of the chute 20 has dimensions equal to or even less than those of the riser 18 in order to avoid losses load in the chute 6.
La figure 2 montre une vue partielle en coupe de l'appareil où l'on peut remarquer la goulotte 20 supportée par le rebord supérieur formant gouttière 8 de l'enceinte 6. Le capot supérieur 3 du boîtier 1 de l'appareil recouvre la gouttière 20 en sa partie haute et présente une paroi interne inclinée de manière à éviter les éclaboussures d'eau vers l'extérieur, la paroi les orientant vers l'intérieur de l'enceinte 6. La goulotte 20 présente plusieurs orifices 21 disposés à égale distance sur le pourtour de sa face interne. Tel que mieux visible sur le détail de la figure 3, les orifices 21 font un angle d'inclinaison avec l'axe horizontal de la section transversale de la goulotte, cet angle étant calculé de manière à ce que le jet de fluide ait une bonne incidence avec la paroi du récipient à réchauffer et qu'il évite ainsi les éclaboussures, tout en s'écoulant le long de la paroi du récipient 5. Dans le cadre de cet exemple, l'angle d'inclinaison α peut être d'environ 30°.Figure 2 shows a partial sectional view of the device where we can notice the chute 20 supported by the upper edge forming the gutter 8 of the enclosure 6. The upper cover 3 of the housing 1 of the device covers the gutter 20 in its upper part and has an inclined internal wall so as to avoid splashing water outwards, the wall orienting them towards the interior of the enclosure 6. The chute 20 has several orifices 21 arranged at equal distance on the periphery of its internal face. As best seen in the detail in FIG. 3, the orifices 21 form an angle of inclination with the horizontal axis of the cross section of the chute, this angle being calculated so that the jet of fluid has a good incidence with the wall of the container to be heated and that it thus avoids splashing, while flowing along the wall of the container 5. In the context of this example, the angle of inclination α may be approximately 30 °.
Tel que visible à la figure 1 , l'appareil comprend également un bouton de réglage 23 qui commande la phase de chauffe. Le bouton 23 peut être une minuterie relié à un circuit électrique qui arrête l'alimentation de l'élément chauffant 14 dès qu'une période présélectionnée à été écoulée. Le bouton 23 peut également être un bouton de sélection d'une quantité d'aliment à réchauffer qui est relié à une carte électronique de commande de la phase de chauffe.As shown in Figure 1, the device also includes an adjustment button 23 which controls the heating phase. The button 23 can be a timer connected to an electrical circuit which stops the supply of the heating element 14 as soon as a preselected period has elapsed. The button 23 can also be a button for selecting a quantity of food to be heated which is connected to a electronic control board for the heating phase.
En fonctionnement, l'utilisateur commence par remplir d'eau le réservoir 9. Le réservoir 9 présente une capacité suffisamment importante pour permettre le fonctionnement en continu de la chaudière, sans désamorçage de la thermopompe, cette capacité étant par exemple d'au moins 300ml. Le clapet anti-retour 25 permet l'admission de l'eau froide du réservoir 9 dans la chaudière 12. L'utilisateur place ensuite le récipient à réchauffer par exemple un biberon 5 dans la cavité 16 de l'appareil et il actionne le bouton de sélection 23 pour commander la phase de chauffe en fonction de la quantité de liquide à réchauffer contenue dans le biberon. L'élément chauffant 14 fait monter rapidement en température l'eau, portant celle-ci à ébullition pratiquement instantanément dans la chaudière 12. La pression de vapeur provoque la montée de l'eau dans le conduit montant 18, le clapet 25 empêchant tout retour de cette dernière dans le réservoir 9. L'eau chaude arrivée dans la goulotte 20 par le conduit montant 18 est évacuée par les orifices 21 et ruisselle sur la périphérie du biberon à réchauffer. Après écoulement de l'eau chaude sur le biberon, celle-ci revient au réservoir 9 en passant par l'orifice d'écoulement 24 de la paroi 7 de l'enceinte 6. Suite au vidage du conduit montant 18, la pression tombe à l'intérieur de la chaudière, ce qui fait que celle-ci se remplit à nouveau d'eau au travers du clapet 25 et un nouveau cycle recommence.In operation, the user begins by filling the reservoir 9 with water. The reservoir 9 has a capacity large enough to allow continuous operation of the boiler, without defusing the heat pump, this capacity being for example at least 300 ml . The non-return valve 25 allows cold water from the reservoir 9 to be admitted into the boiler 12. The user then places the container to be heated, for example a bottle 5 in the cavity 16 of the device and he actuates the button selection 23 to control the heating phase depending on the amount of liquid to be heated contained in the bottle. The heating element 14 rapidly raises the water temperature, bringing it to boiling almost instantaneously in the boiler 12. The vapor pressure causes the water to rise in the rising pipe 18, the valve 25 preventing any return of the latter in the tank 9. The hot water arriving in the chute 20 through the riser 18 is discharged through the orifices 21 and trickles over the periphery of the bottle to be heated. After the hot water has flowed out of the bottle, it returns to the reservoir 9 passing through the flow orifice 24 of the wall 7 of the enclosure 6. Following the emptying of the rising duct 18, the pressure drops to inside the boiler, which causes it to fill again with water through the valve 25 and a new cycle begins again.
Durant toute la phase de chauffe, la goulotte 20 arrose le biberon 5 avec des salves d'eau se succédant à un intervalle de temps qui est fonction de la capacité de la chaudière 12 et de la puissance de l'élément de chauffe 14. L'eau s'écoulant par salves à température constante, il suffit de faire varier le temps d'écoulement pour faire varier la température finale du biberon.During the entire heating phase, the chute 20 sprinkles the bottle 5 with bursts of water succeeding each other at a time interval which is a function of the capacity of the boiler 12 and the power of the heating element 14. L water flowing by bursts at constant temperature, it suffices to vary the flow time to vary the final temperature of the bottle.
Dans un exemple de réalisation de l'invention, cet intervalle est de 2 à 3 secondes, pour une chaudière ayant une capacité de 9,5 ml et une puissance de l'élément chauffant de 500W qui fournit de l'eau chaude à une température d'environ 80 à 85°C. Ainsi, un biberon est rapidement amené à la température optimale de consommation, comprise entre 35 et 45° C, dans un délai d'environ 2 à 3,5 min, ce délai étant déterminé en fonction de la quantité de liquide qu'il contient. On remarque le fait que le temps pour réchauffer le biberon est beaucoup plus court par rapport à un chauffage classique au bain-marie qui est d'environ 6 à 7 min. De la même manière, un petit pot contenant un aliment pâteux ou solide atteint la température optimale de consommation en une période de 6 à 8 min avec l'appareil de l'invention, par rapport à une période de 20 min avec un appareil classique.In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, this interval is 2 to 3 seconds, for a boiler having a capacity of 9.5 ml and a power of the heating element of 500 W which supplies hot water at a temperature about 80 to 85 ° C. Thus, a bottle is quickly brought to the optimal temperature for consumption, between 35 and 45 ° C, within approximately 2 to 3.5 min, this time being determined according to the quantity of liquid it contains. We note the fact that the time to reheat the bottle is much shorter compared to a conventional heating in a water bath which is approximately 6 to 7 min. In the same way, a small pot containing a pasty or solid food reaches the optimum temperature for consumption in a period of 6 to 8 min with the device of the invention, compared to a period of 20 min with a conventional device.
Dans une variante avantageuse de réalisation de l'invention, l'appareil comporte un couvercle en forme de cloche qui recouvre la partie supérieure du boîtier 1. Ceci permet d'améliorer le rendement de l'appareil, en réduisant le temps de chauffe, et permet également d'assurer une fonction de maintien au chaud du récipient après l'arrêt de l'appareil. L'eau ne stationnant pas dans l'enceinte 6, mais dans le réservoir 9 situé sous l'enceinte, la température du biberon ne s'élève plus après l'arrêt du chauffage. De plus, le couvercle permet de maintenir constante cette température finale pendant au moins 30 min.In an advantageous variant embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a bell-shaped cover which covers the upper part of the housing 1. This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the apparatus, by reducing the heating time, and also makes it possible to ensure a function of keeping the container warm after the appliance has been switched off. Since the water does not park in the enclosure 6, but in the tank 9 located under the enclosure, the temperature of the bottle no longer rises after the heating has stopped. In addition, the cover keeps this final temperature constant for at least 30 min.
Dans une variante non représentée aux figures, l'appareil de l'invention est prévu pour l'utilisation avec des récipients à réchauffer de différentes dimensions. Pour ceci, on peut agencer dans l'enceinte 6 plusieurs supports cylindriques à fond perforé, chaque support ayant une hauteur adaptée à celle du récipient à réchauffer de manière à ce que la partie supérieure de ce dernier soit voisine de la zone d'arrosage de la goulotte 20.In a variant not shown in the figures, the apparatus of the invention is intended for use with containers to be heated of different dimensions. For this, it is possible to arrange in the enclosure 6 several cylindrical supports with a perforated bottom, each support having a height adapted to that of the container to be heated so that the upper part of the latter is close to the watering zone of the chute 20.
La figure 5 illustre un appareil de réchauffage d'un aliment selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention dans lequel une même référence désigne une pièce similaire du premier mode de réalisation. L'appareil présente une construction modulable en étant constitué de plusieurs parties empilées montées au moins en partie de manière amovible. L'appareil comprend un boîtier inférieur 30 renfermant l'élément chauffant 14, le tuyau de circulation du fluide 17 et les organes de régulation et de commande du chauffage. Un boîtier supérieur 33 est supporté par le boîtier inférieur 30. Un réservoir d'eau 31 est monté amovible à l'intérieur du boîtier 33. Le boîtier 33 supporte en sa partie supérieure une cuve 34 formant enceinte de récupération de l'eau chaude qui est aspergée sur le récipient à réchauffer représenté dans cette figure sous la forme d'une assiette 36 contenant l'aliment à réchauffer. Une goulotte 20 comportant des orifices d'évacuation 21 entoure le récipient 36 dans sa partie haute. Le couvercle 37 assure le maintien au chaud du contenu de l'assiette 36.FIG. 5 illustrates an appliance for reheating a food according to a second embodiment of the invention in which the same reference designates a similar part of the first embodiment. The device has a modular construction by being made up of several stacked parts mounted at least partly in a removable manner. The apparatus comprises a lower housing 30 containing the heating element 14, the fluid circulation pipe 17 and the heating regulation and control members. An upper housing 33 is supported by the lower housing 30. A water tank 31 is removably mounted inside the housing 33. The housing 33 supports in its upper part a tank 34 forming a chamber for recovering the hot water which is sprayed on the container to be heated, shown in this figure in the form of a plate 36 containing the food to be heated. A chute 20 comprising discharge orifices 21 surrounds the container 36 in its upper part. The cover 37 keeps the contents of the plate 36 warm.
Le fonctionnement est identique à celui de l'appareil selon un premier mode de réalisation. Ainsi, après la mise en route de l'appareil, l'eau froide contenue dans le réservoir 31 arrive dans le tuyau 17 de la chaudière 12 et est portée à l'ébullition quasiment instantanément. L'eau chaude passe par un effet de thermosiphon dans le conduit montant 18 et d'ici dans la goulotte 20 d'où elle est évacuée par les orifices 21 vers la périphérie de l'assiette 36. Après écoulement sur la périphérie de l'assiette 36, l'eau chaude revient au réservoir 31 par l'orifice d'écoulement 35 de la cuve 34 qui est en communication avec l'orifice 38 du réservoir 31. Plusieurs cycles se succèdent ainsi jusqu'à l'obtention de la température optimale de chauffe dans l'assiette 36.The operation is identical to that of the apparatus according to a first embodiment. Thus, after starting the device, the cold water contained in the reservoir 31 arrives in the pipe 17 of the boiler 12 and is brought to boiling almost instantaneously. The hot water passes through a thermosyphon effect in the riser 18 and from here into the chute 20 from where it is discharged through the orifices 21 towards the periphery of the plate 36. After flow on the periphery of the plate 36, the hot water returns to the reservoir 31 through the flow orifice 35 of the tank 34 which is in communication with the orifice 38 of the reservoir 31. Several cycles thus follow each other until the temperature is obtained optimal heating on the plate 36.
D'autres variantes et modes de réalisation de l'invention peuvent être envisagés sans sortir du cadre de ses revendications. Ainsi, on peut imaginer d'utiliser l'appareil de l'invention en tant que stérilisateur en envoyant de la vapeur dans une enceinte fermée contenant le récipient à stériliser. Other variants and embodiments of the invention can be envisaged without departing from the scope of its claims. Thus, one can imagine using the device of the invention as a sterilizer by sending steam into a closed enclosure containing the container to be sterilized.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Appareil pour réchauffer un récipient (5) contenant des aliments, par contact avec un fluide, comportant, en partie inférieure dudit récipient (5), un réservoir (9,31) d'alimentation en fluide et une unité de chauffe (12) dudit fluide, caractérisé en ce que ledit appareil comporte une pompe thermique apte à transférer, via un conduit montant (18) débouchant dans ladite unité de chauffe (12), un flux prédéterminé de fluide chauffé à un organe distributeur (19) orienté vers les parois dudit récipient (5).1. Apparatus for heating a container (5) containing food, by contact with a fluid, comprising, in the lower part of said container (5), a reservoir (9,31) for supplying fluid and a heating unit (12 ) of said fluid, characterized in that said device comprises a heat pump capable of transferring, via an upward duct (18) opening into said heating unit (12), a predetermined flow of heated fluid to a distributor member (19) oriented towards the walls of said container (5).
2. Appareil selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que ledit récipient (5) est agencé à l'intérieur d'une enceinte de récupération (6,34) du fluide reliée par une conduite de recyclage (24,35) audit réservoir (9,31).2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said container (5) is arranged inside a recovery enclosure (6,34) of the fluid connected by a recycling pipe (24,35) to said tank ( 9.31).
3. Appareil selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit récipient (5) est supporté par une grille (7) au dessus du niveau du fluide dans ladite enceinte.3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said container (5) is supported by a grid (7) above the level of the fluid in said enclosure.
4. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit appareil comporte un couvercle de fermeture (37) de ladite enceinte (6,34).4. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that said apparatus comprises a closure cover (37) of said enclosure (6,34).
5. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite pompe thermique transfère le fluide du réservoir (9,31) vers l'organe distributeur (19) par intermittence.5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said heat pump transfers the fluid from the reservoir (9.31) to the distributor member (19) intermittently.
6. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit organe distributeur (19) débouche dans la partie supérieure dudit récipient (5).6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said distributor member (19) opens into the upper part of said container (5).
7. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit organe distributeur (19) est une goulotte (20) comportant au moins un orifice d'écoulement (21) du fluide orienté vers ledit récipient.7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said distributor member (19) is a chute (20) comprising at least one flow orifice (21) of the fluid oriented towards said container.
8. Appareil selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite goulotte (20) entoure au moins partiellement ledit récipient (5) en sa partie haute.8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said chute (20) at least partially surrounds said container (5) in its upper part.
9. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 7 ou 8, caractérisé en ce que ladite goulotte (20) comporte plusieurs orifices d'écoulement (21) de diamètre prédéterminé uniformément répartis sur son pourtour.9. Apparatus according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that said chute (20) has several flow orifices (21) of predetermined diameter uniformly distributed around its periphery.
10. Appareil selon l'une des revendications 2 à 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un boîtier (1) à l'intérieur duquel est agencée ladite enceinte (6) située au dessus dudit réservoir (9) qui est surélevé par rapport à ladite unité de chauffe (12), l'unité de chauffe (12) communiquant par le conduit montant10. Apparatus according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a housing (1) inside which is arranged said enclosure (6) located above said tank (9) which is raised relative to to said heating unit (12), the heating unit (12) communicating through the riser
(18) avec ladite goulotte (20).(18) with said chute (20).
11. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une unité de mesure du temps commandant le fonctionnement de ladite unité de chauffe (12).11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a time measurement unit controlling the operation of said heating unit (12).
12. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de régulation en température (15) de l'élément chauffant électrique (14) de ladite unité de chauffe (12) lui permettant un fonctionnement à au moins deux températures distinctes.12. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises temperature regulation means (15) of the electric heating element (14) of said heating unit (12) allowing it to operate at minus two separate temperatures.
13. Appareil selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens formant support pour ledit récipient (5) à l'intérieur de ladite enceinte (6) permettant l'utilisation de l'appareil avec des récipients de dimensions différentes.13. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means forming a support for said container (5) inside said enclosure (6) allowing the use of the apparatus with containers of different dimensions.
14. Chauffe-biberon comportant, en partie inférieure du récipient (5) à chauffer, un réservoir d'eau (9) et une unité de chauffe (12) de l'eau contenue dans le réservoir (9), caractérisé en ce que le chauffe-biberon comporte une pompe thermique apte à transférer, via un conduit montant (18) débouchant dans ladite unité de chauffe (12), un flux prédéterminé d'eau chauffée à un organe distributeur (19) orienté vers les parois dudit récipient (5), l'eau retournant ensuite au réservoir (9) par une conduite de recyclage (24). 14. Bottle warmer comprising, in the lower part of the container (5) to be heated, a water tank (9) and a heating unit (12) for the water contained in the tank (9), characterized in that the bottle warmer comprises a heat pump capable of transferring, via a rising conduit (18) opening into said heating unit (12), a predetermined flow of heated water to a dispensing member (19) oriented towards the walls of said container ( 5), the water then returning to the tank (9) via a recycling line (24).
EP02795366A 2001-11-07 2002-11-06 Apparatus for heating a vessel containing foodstuffs Withdrawn EP1441627A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0114406A FR2831785B1 (en) 2001-11-07 2001-11-07 APPARATUS FOR HEATING A CONTAINER CONTAINING FOOD
FR0114406 2001-11-07
PCT/FR2002/003792 WO2003039310A1 (en) 2001-11-07 2002-11-06 Apparatus for heating a vessel containing foodstuffs

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EP (1) EP1441627A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2005507295A (en)
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FR (1) FR2831785B1 (en)
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WO (1) WO2003039310A1 (en)

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JP2005507295A (en) 2005-03-17
WO2003039310A1 (en) 2003-05-15
CN1484507A (en) 2004-03-24
US6906289B2 (en) 2005-06-14
US20040074395A1 (en) 2004-04-22
RU2308865C2 (en) 2007-10-27
FR2831785B1 (en) 2004-08-06
CN1319483C (en) 2007-06-06
FR2831785A1 (en) 2003-05-09

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