EP3339747B1

EP3339747B1 - An oven

Info

Publication number: EP3339747B1
Application number: EP16206860.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Irfan KARAZOR
Original assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2016-12-23
Publication date: 2020-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-23
Also published as: TR201702952A2; EP3339747A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an oven comprising a steam generating device.

BACKGROUND

Typically an oven, in particular a steam oven, comprises an additional steam generator, wherein the steam generator comprises an additional separate heater for boiling water.
Document JP 3 202193 U describes an oven having a steam generating device with a water receiving tray.
Document DE 4403386 C1 describes an assembly to apply heat treatment to food within a chamber.
Document US 6,101,925 describes a humidity device for an oven. The humidity device is composed of a reservoir in the oven.
Document US 6,100,502 describes a toaster that has a steam generating system. The steam from a steam generating system is passed into the oven during the heating and rewarming of meats and casserole dishes to prevent them from drying out.
Document EP 0 277 337 A2 describes a cooking appliance with electric heating of a cooking room. EP 2 622 995 A1 relates to a container having an attachment vessel including a food supporting bottom, where chimney-like guide elements are formed to extend perpendicular to the extension of the food supporting bottom. EP 2 622 996 A1 relates to a method involving limiting an upper vessel downwardly to a food supporting bottom by a steam-transmissive partition wall, where a distance between the food supporting bottom and a top face of a lid is adjustable. EP 1 994 828 A2 relates to an electric or gas oven and pan arrangement for steam-cooking foods, the oven presenting, for containing the pan, a compartment with side walls, a rear wall, lower wall and upper wall which define a compartment for containing the pan, this latter having an upperly open body or tray arranged to cooperate with a closure lid, said pan being connectable to means for feeding steam into its interior, said means being associated with one of said walls of the oven. CN 201 348 280 Y relates to an energy-efficient dim sum steam oven comprises an electrical or gas-fired heating system and a steam source,
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved steam generating device for a heat source.

SUMMARY

The present invention is defined by the appended claims.
The present invention relates to an oven comprising a steam generating device. The device comprises a first tray with a first surface and a second surface and a compartment, which is at least partially connected with the second surface of the first tray. The compartment further comprises metal or a metal alloy. The first tray comprises at least one through hole, wherein each of the at least one through hole comprises a movable silicone cover, such that the movable silicone cover changes its initial position on the at least one through hole such that the evaporated fluid may exit. The compartment is further configured to store water and the compartment is heated up by the oven such that the water evaporates through the at least one through hole and its movable silicone cover. The movable silicone cover is flush with the first surface of the first tray and the movable silicone cover is at least partially connected with the tray and/or the compartment. The steam generating device further comprises a second tray with a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the second tray is at least partially connected with the compartment by the third surface and wherein the first tray and the second tray are arranged such to each other that the steam generating device comprises a recess or a protrusion to arrange the steam generating device in the oven.
The present invention relates to an oven, in particular a steam oven, wherein the oven comprises the here described steam generating device.
The steam generating device can be used e.g. to prepare food or prevent food from drying out. The steam generating device is to be inserted to the heat source, such as the oven.
The present invention uses the finding that heat of a heat source can be efficiently used when the generated heat of the heat source can be efficiently transferred to a so called compartment or reservoir.
The present invention therefore provides the compartment, wherein the compartment is mechanically, e.g. via strews, or chemically, e.g. via glue, connected to the first tray. Alternatively the compartment can be welded with the first tray.
It has to be mentioned that the first surface and the second surface of the first tray are connected to each other by a corresponding side wall, wherein the side wall can be configured to limit the first tray in a lateral direction or lateral extent.
Further embodiments of the present invention are subject of the further subclaims and of the following description, referring to the drawings.
The compartment is configured to store a fluid, such as water, and the compartment is heated up by the heat source such that the fluid evaporates through the at least one through hole and the movable cover. In other words the movable cover changes its initial position on the at least one through hole such the evaporated fluid may exit, leave or leak in the heat source. Therefore, a fast evaporation of the fluid can be efficiently prevented.
The movable cover is flush with the first surface of the first tray and the movable cover is at least partially connected with the tray and/or compartment. Therefore, a space-saving steam generating device can be provided. The movable cover can be at least partially connected with the tray and/or compartment by a connecting element, for example a string or a line. The connecting element can be arranged between a bottom surface of the compartment and a surface of the movable cover, wherein the bottom surface of the compartment and the surface of the movable cover face each other.
In one embodiment, the movable cover can comprise a rotation axis, wherein the rotation axis can be connected with the first tray. That is that the movable cover can be foldable, rotatable or turnable with respect to the first tray, e.g. the first surface of the first tray. The rotations axis can be arranged within the movable cover. Therefore, a space-saving steam generating device can be provided. The rotation axis can run parallel to the first surface of the first tray, wherein an orientation of the rotation axis of each movable cover can be the same or can be different to each other.
The movable cover further comprises a silicone. By using silicone a form of the movable cover can be easily tailored with respect to the at least one through hole of the first tray.
In one embodiment, the movable cover can be configured to adapt to a steam pressure of evaporated fluid. For example, a lateral extent of the movable cover can be adapted in dependence of the steam pressure. Therefore, various steam modes can be easily provided by the steam generating device.
In another embodiment, the movable cover of each of the at least one porous area covers the at least one through hole by its weight. That is that the movable covers are substantially arranged, mounted or positioned in a loose manner on the corresponding through hole. It is understood that the weight of the movable cover can be such that an evaporation of the fluid can be prevented at low temperature, e.g. between 30°C and 50°C. Therefore, various steaming conditions can be provided by the steam generating device by simply varying or changing the weight of the movable cover. That is that the movable cover can be easily exchangeable.
In one embodiment, the at least one through hole can have a conical profile and the conical profile tapers in direction from the first surface to the second surface of the first tray. Therefore, the steam pressure can be regulated depending on a diameter of the conical profile of the through hole.
The steam generating device included in the present invention comprises a second tray with a third surface and a fourth surface, wherein the second tray is at least partially connected with the compartment by the third surface and wherein the first tray and the second tray are arranged such to each other that the steam generating device can comprise a recess or a protrusion to arrange the steam generating device in the heat source. In other words, the corresponding lateral extents of the surfaces of the first and second tray can be smaller or larger than a lateral extent of the compartment. Therefore, the steam generating device can be easily inserted in the heat source.
Further on, heat generated by the heat source can be used for further applications. Thus, in one embodiment, the heat source is an oven for further applications. For instance, the heat generated by the oven can be used for warming up a further component of the steam generating device. Therefore, a weight reduction can be achieved.
In another embodiment, the steam generating device can be an integrated system. That is, that the here descripted components of the steam generating device can be configured to be integral components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1: shows a schematic cross section of a steam generating device according to an alternative embodiment;
Fig. 2: shows a schematic top view of a steam generating device according to an alternative embodiment;
Fig. 3: shows a schematic cross section of a steam generating device used in combination wit the oven of the present invention;
Fig. 4: shows a schematic cross section of an oven according to the present invention comprising the steam generating device of Fig. 3; and
Fig. 5: shows a flow diagram of a method according to an alternative embodiment.

In the figures like reference signs denote like elements unless stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a steam generating device 50. The steam generating 50 can be arranged or located in a heat source 60.
The steam generating device 50 comprises a first tray 10 with a first surface 11 and a second surface 12. The steam generating device 50 further comprises a compartment 30 or reservoir, wherein the compartment 30 is at least partially connected with the second surface 12 of the first tray 10 and wherein the compartment 30 comprises a material with high thermal conductivity. Examples for such materials can be e.g. metal or metal alloys. The first tray 10 of the steam generating device 50 further comprises at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4, wherein each of the at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4 comprises a movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 (see Fig. 2).
The compartment 30 can be configured to store a fluid 2 and the compartment 30 can be heated up by the heat source 60 such that the fluid 2 evaporates through the at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4 and its movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4. Further the movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 can be flush with the first surface 11 of the first tray 10 and the movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 can be at least partially connected with the tray 10 and/or the compartment 30. For example the movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 can be connected with a bottom surface 31 of the compartment 30 by a string or a line (not shown).
As shown in Fig.1 the at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4 can have a conical profile P1, wherein the conical profile P1 tapers in direction from the first surface 11 to the second surface 12 of the first tray 10. The heat source 60 of Fig. 1 can be an oven 55 for further applications (see Fig. 4). The steam generating system 50 can in particular be an integrated system.
Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view on the first surface 11 of the first tray 10 of the steam generating device. Fig.2 shows four movable covers C1, C2, C3, C4 and the corresponding four through holes O1, O2, O3, O4.
Fig. 2 is substantially based on the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 with the difference that the through holes O1, O2, O3, O4 have a same diameter as the movable covers C1, C2, C3, C4.
Therefore each of the movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 can comprise a rotation axis 15, wherein the rotation axis 15 can be connected or fixed with the first tray 10. The through holes are passing from the first surface 11 to the second surface 12 of the first tray 10. Alternatively the here described movable covers C1, C2, C3, C4 can be at least partially foldable, rotatable or turnable with respect to the at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4.
Fig.3 shows a steam generating device. The steam generating device 50 of Fig.3 can be based on the steam generating device 50 of Fig 1, wherein the steam generating device 50 can further comprise a second tray 20 with a third surface 21 and a fourth surface 22, wherein the second tray 20 can be at least partially connected with the compartment 30 by the third surface 21 and wherein the first tray 10 and the second tray 20 can be arranged in such a way to each other that the steam generating device 50 can comprise a recess 41 or a protrusion 42 (not shown) to arrange the steam generating device 50 in the heat source 60. In other words, the corresponding lateral extents of the surfaces 11, 12, 21, 22 of the first and second tray 10, 20 can be larger or smaller than a lateral extent of the compartment 30. Therefore, the steam generating device 50 can be easily inserted in the heat source 60, such as the oven 55 shown in Fig 4.
Fig. 4 shows the oven 55 comprising the steam generating device of Fig. 3.
The oven 55 can comprise rails 56, 57, which can be arranged on opposite side walls of the oven 55. The recess 41 of the steam generating device 50 can be formed on opposite sides of the steam generating device 50. Therefore the here described steam generating device 50 can be easily inserted in the oven 55 and vice versa. The steam generating device 50 therefore functions without using an additional separate heater system expect that of the heat source 60 or alternatively the oven 55. That means that the here descripted steam generating device 50 can be exclusively heated-up by the heat source 60 or the oven 55.
Fig.5 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a steam generating device.
The method for operating a steam generating device comprises in the steps of providing S1 a first tray 10 with a first surface 11, a second surface 12 and at least one through hole O1, O2, O3, O4 of the first tray 10. The method further comprises covering S2 each of the at least one through holes O1, O2, O3, O4 by a movable cover C1, C2, C3, C4 and providing S3 a compartment 30 with a material of high thermal conductivity. The method further comprises the step connecting S4 the first tray 10 with the compartment 30 with the second surface 12 of the first tray 10.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist.

List of reference signs

2: fluid
10: first tray
11: first surface
12: second surface
15: rotation axis
20: second tray
21: third surface
22: fourth surface
30: compartment
31: bottom surface of the compartment
41: recess
42: protrusion
50: steam pressure device
55: oven
56, 57: rails
60: heat source
O1 -O4: through holes
C1 - C4: movable covers
P1: conical profile
S1 - S4: method steps

Claims

Oven comprising a steam generating device (50), the device comprising:
a first tray (10) with a first surface (11) and a second surface (12),

a compartment (30), which is at least partially connected with the second surface (12) of the first tray (10), and wherein the compartment (30) comprises metal or a metal alloy,

wherein the first tray (10) comprises at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4), wherein each of the at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4) comprises a movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4),

wherein the compartment (30) is configured to store water (2) and the compartment (30) is heated up by the oven (60) such that the water (2) evaporates through the at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4) and its movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4), such that the movable silicone cover (C₁, C₂, C₃, C₄) changes its initial position on the at least one through hole such that the evaporated fluid may exit,

wherein the movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4) is flush with the first surface (11) of the first tray (10) and the movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4) is at least partially connected with the tray (10) and/or the compartment (30), and

the steam generating device (50) further comprises a second tray (20) with a third surface (21) and a fourth surface (22), wherein the second tray (20) is at least partially connected with the compartment (30) by the third surface (21) and wherein the first tray (10) and the second tray (20) are arranged such to each other that the steam generating device (50) comprises a recess (41) or a protrusion (42) to arrange the steam generating device (50) in the oven (60).
Oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4) comprises a rotation axis (15), wherein the rotation axis (15) is connected with the first tray (10).
Oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable silicone cover (C1, C2, C3, C4) of each of the at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4) covers the at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4) by its weight.
Oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one through hole (O1, O2, O3, O4) has a conical profile (P1) and wherein the conical profile (P1) tapers in direction from the first surface (11) to the second surface (12) of the first tray (10).
Oven according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the steam generating device (50) further comprises a second tray (20) with a third surface (21) and a fourth surface (22), wherein the second tray (20) is at least partially connected with the compartment (30) by the third surface (21) and wherein the first tray (10) and the second tray (20) are arranged such to each other that the steam generating device (50) comprises a recess (41) or a protrusion (42) to arrange the steam generating device (50) in the heat source (60).