FR2791126A1 - Electric heater for food or drinks suitable for static, portable or mobile applications comprises flexible or semi-rigid walls capable of folding, which are double in locations holding electric heating elements - Google Patents

Abstract

Walls (4A-4D) are flexible or semi-rigid, and can be laid flat or opened out for introduction of a container (5) to be heated. Walls are formed by two thickness of flexible material closed on all sides, between which are held electrical heating resistances (3A, 3B).

Description

AT

  THERMAL APPARATUS ESPECIALLY FOR HEATING

FOOD OR BEVERAGES

  The present invention relates to a thermal device, for example for heating food or drinks, of the type operating from a source of electric current supplying at least one resistor, associated with insulating means and integrated in at least one walls of a container capable of receiving a container in which is

  arranged the food or drink to be heated.

  Such an apparatus is intended to be preferably, but not exclusively, placed in moving vehicles such as cars, trucks, handling, lifting or other machines, or even under special conditions of use such as in operating theaters, in the medical community

in general, or from laboratories.

  In fact, it is intended to be used without restriction of application in any field whatsoever, provided that it can bring better comfort and

safety of use.

  At present, the reheating of products, whatever they are, is carried out in rigid containers open at their upper end, or closed by a lid placed on it, which requires great stability of the container and its support. during the heat supply, by a total stop of the material in

  movement on which these containers are mounted.

  There are also rigid containers which can be hermetically closed, but which have the drawback of increasing pressure and therefore do not allow all or part of the products to be used, rendering them inaccessible during temperature rise. There are also electric oil or gas systems, heating containers and their contents, which are mounted on ball joints, requiring only partial stability of the support on which the container is placed. These systems have the disadvantage, during violent or uncontrolled movements or sudden stop of movements, of spreading all or part of the content,

see the container.

  In the case of using a gas stove, in a confined space, such as a vehicle interior for example, the risks linked to the combustion in a confined space of a gas are no longer to be demonstrated, the same applies to the risks when changing the gas refill. Manufacturers recommend certain precautions to be observed, but frequently

they are not.

  Small electric ovens are also known to equip moving equipment, but these devices are bulky and do not allow to move when they are in operation, under penalty of overturning and spilling the contents of the products to be heated, or the packaging containing the products does not strike the walls of the oven, risking damaging them. There is also a flexible electric device for heating empty plates or dishes, which is commonly called "dish warmer". This system is intended to heat plates, but not to heat products, and even less on moving equipment. As the products to be heated are not kept inside the dish warmer, they risk being thrown during movements of the support. In addition, all the systems mentioned above are generally energy intensive, because at an unregulated temperature. In addition, they are not intended for

  operate on moving equipment.

  These devices also generally take up a lot of space and their rigidity and / or their complexity do not allow use in a limited space, or easy storage when they are not in use. They are also generally of high cost

  both for purchase and use.

  The present invention makes it possible to remedy all of these drawbacks and to this end relates to a thermal device, in particular intended for heating food or drinks, operating from a source of electric current, supplying at least one electrical resistance, associated with insulating means and integrated in at least one of the walls of a container capable of receiving a container in which is placed the food or drink to be heated, characterized in that the walls defining the container are made of a flexible material or semi-rigid, to form a pocket, flat in a storage function and able to develop to be shaped during the introduction of the container to be heated, in a use function, at least one of the walls forming the pocket being constituted by two thicknesses of flexible material, closed on all sides and between

  which is trapped the electrical resistance.

  Such a device according to the invention offers the advantage of being able to ensure, under extreme conditions of movement of the support, a rise in temperature, without risk of spreading, or projecting the products, or causing them to rise in pressure, while allowing their use, during and / or after their rise in temperature. This device also makes it possible, by virtue of temperature regulation by temperature regulators of any type, to maintain the liquids or other products under the optimal conditions of use sought, while having very low energy consumption, without the user having to perform any monitoring. This device therefore allows use in restricted locations, on fixed or mobile equipment, for movement or for land, river, sea, air, or other navigation. After use and cooling of the device according to the invention, storage is easy, due to the flexibility of its components, and its small size. The device according to the invention also presents no risk of release of carbon dioxide, or carbon monoxide, and none of the dangers associated with the use or the change of refills of

gas, or oil filling.

  The present invention also relates to the characteristics which will emerge during the

  description which will follow, and which should be

  considered in isolation or according to all their

possible technical combinations.

  This description given by way of example not

  limiting, will make it easier to understand how the invention can be implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic overview in

  perspective of the device according to the invention.

  Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view

  transverse of the device according to Figure 1.

  Figure 3 is a plan view of a device

according to an alternative embodiment.

  Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view

  transverse of a device according to Figure 3.

  Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view

  of a device according to an alternative embodiment.

  Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view

  transverse of a device according to Figure 5.

  Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view

  of a device according to an alternative embodiment.

  Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view

of a device according to FIG. 7.

  The device 1 generally designated in FIGS. 1 and 2 operates from an electric current source 2 via either a socket 2a connected to the 220 volt network, or a socket 2b which can be a cigarette lighter socket for connection to a vehicle battery

  automobile, or any other type of food.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the current source 2 supplies one or more electrical resistors 3A and 3B which are integrated in the walls 4A, 4B, defining a container 4 capable of receiving a container 5 in

  which food or drink is to be heated.

  According to a first essential characteristic of the invention, the walls 4A and 4B defining the container 4 are made of fabric or a semi-rigid or flexible material of any kind, heat resistant, to form a pocket 4 when it found in a storage function and which is able to develop in order to be shaped during the introduction of the container 5 to be heated, in

a use function.

  The walls 4A and 4B forming the pocket 4 are constituted by two thicknesses of flexible or semi-rigid material defined by the walls 4A, 4B which are external and by two internal walls 4C, 4D, closed on all sides and between which is trapped the resistance 3A or 3B. By way of nonlimiting example, a pocket thus formed may be suspended or fixed by any means such as rings or eyelets 6

and 7 (Figure 1).

  According to a first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 and 2, the pocket 4 defines a generally parallelepiped container when it is shaped and which is closed on three sides by three bellows 8, 9, 10 connecting two walls together opposite 4A, 4D and 4B, 4C, each of them containing an electrical resistance 3A or 3B constituting the pocket 4, the fourth side 11 of the pocket constituting

  a zone for introducing the container 5 to be heated.

  In general, both for the present embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and the following, the electrical resistance 3A or 3B is constituted by a flexible single-wire conductor in an electrical insulating support of the silicone rubber type, or "Mylar" (registered trademark) laminate, or any other flexible thin insulating composition, which resistance 3A, 3B is interposed between the two thicknesses 4A, 4D and 4B, 4C forming the walls of the pocket 4, a layer of flexible thermal insulator 12 being interposed between said resistors 3A, 3B and the wall 4A and 4B of the pocket 4 located outside, therefore liable to be touched by a

user.

  In fact, the flexible or semi-rigid material 4

  constituting the bag may be a flame retardant.

  By way of example, the flexible thermal insulator 12 may consist of a non-polyester fleece

  woven, or any other flexible or semi-insulating material

  rigid heat resistant, having a minimum thickness to create good thermal insulation and

  serve as impact protection.

  In fact, the double thickness of the material constituting the pocket 4 somehow defines a

  outer pocket 4A, 4B and an inner pocket 4C, 4D.

  In general, the interior pocket 4C, 4D makes it possible to place there the products, elements or packages to be heated 5, which can be used horizontally or vertically. The user can use the device to heat and maintain at a regulated temperature of the order of 60 to 800C of liquids, simple or complex food products, in liquid, pasty, pulverulent, or granular form, or any other liquids or materials. , contained in flexible, semi-rigid, rigid packaging, previously prepared, cooked or not, intended for human or animal consumption, or for any other destination. According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the pocket 4 consists of two walls, internally sealed, each containing an electrical resistance 3A, 3B and closed over their entire periphery except for an upper opening on which hermetically fits a plug 14 for filling a liquid to be heated and a lower opening on which also hermetically fits a tap or plug

emptying 15.

  The inner pocket can also be replaced by a non-removable bag 16 made of flexible technical film 2C, closed and liquid and gas tight. This bag 16, preferably used in a vertical position, making it possible to contain the liquids to be heated, is provided at the top end with a filling base 14a, closed by a gas / degassing plug 14b, and at the bottom end a base 15a equipped with an emptying system 15b, of the pulled-push plug, tap or other type, making it possible to control the opening, the

  closing, and the flow of liquids.

  The user can use this device to heat and maintain simple liquids such as water, or possibly previously prepared or cooked, intended for human or animal consumption, at regulated temperature of the order of 60 to 80 C. or for any other destination: medical, craft, industrial, or other. The user, in this case, will only use the device to heat and maintain temperature, only liquids,

  the flexible inner bag 16 being irremovable.

  In this case, the bases are fixed by heat sealing, or any other method, to the flexible or semi-rigid bag 16 constituted by a technical film of the monofilm, coextruded, complex film, or any existing flexible or semi-rigid film or material. or to come, impervious to liquids, vapor and gases, resistant to temperatures above 80 ° C., and presenting no risk of migration of the components constituting this film, into the liquid to be raised in temperature. This bag is provided, at its upper end, with the filling base 14a provided with a gas / degassing cap 14b, or with any existing or future system, having the function of avoiding any overpressure, or vacuum, but preventing the liquid contained in the bag 16 from flowing outside. At the opposite end of the bag, is fixed the emptying base 15a, fitted with the tap 15b, with a pulled-push plug, or any existing or future system, making it possible to stop, or to run a liquid. controlling the flow and volume. This bag 16, the volume of which can vary from one centiliter to several liters, is in direct contact with the resistance (s) and temperature regulator previously described above. By way of nonlimiting example, this bag closed on its four sides will have dimensions of the order of 20 cm on each side, and an average thickness of 2.5 cm, when the pocket

interior is filled with liquid.

  According to the variant of application shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the user will use the device to mount and maintain at a low temperature 30 to 35 C liquids for medical use, of the type of solutions to be infused, or any other product requiring equivalent temperatures, which may find use in other areas. The product is necessarily contained in a packaging 17 provided, which is specific to it, or even for single use, and comprising a base for emptying and / or filling 18 (FIG. 6). The temperature of the product contained in the packaging can be continuously monitored by means of an indicator

  reversible temperature, or thermometer.

  In this case, the pocket 4 is completely closed by the two lateral sides or bellows 8 and 9, the end bellows 10 open in its center (FIGS. 5 and 6) by a window 19 4 to 5 cm long by 3 cm in height, allowing the passage of pipes or connecting nipples 20, completely open, or which can open on the fourth side 11, so as to

  allow the introduction of flexible, semi-flexible packaging 21

  rigid or rigid, containing the products which must be raised and / or maintained at temperature. The flexible electrical resistors 3A, 3B, temperature regulator, and previously mentioned insulating materials, are inserted between the walls of the pocket 4 thus formed, and this

  in that order, going from the inside to the outside.

  By way of nonlimiting example, the pocket 4 thus formed will have dimensions of the order of 20 cm for the width, 22 cm for the length and 3 cm for

thickness.

  According to the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the container is formed by a

  double pocket 4, 4 'constituted by three walls 4A, 4D -

  4C, 4B - 4'C, 4'B facing each other defining a generally parallelepiped double compartment when they are shaped and which are closed on their three sides by three bellows 8, 9, 10 and 8 ', 9' , 10 ', each of the three walls containing an electrical resistance 3A, 3B, 3C, their fourth sides 11, 11' constituting two zones of introduction of two

  containers 25, 26 to be heated, of different natures.

  In fact, the central 3C resistor is common to

two pockets 4 and 4 '.

  According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the pocket is constituted by two opposite walls, each containing in their double thickness an electrical resistance and, extending freely on either side of a hinge area so as to cover the container closely by adapting to its shape by

  by means of adjustable closing means.

  According to an improvement of the invention, the fourth side 11 of the pocket (s) 4, 4 ′ constituting the introduction zone comprises removable closure means, such as a cardan joint or a closure with

slide.

  Generally speaking, the flexible or semi-material

  rigid constituting the pocket (s) can be a fireproof product. It is also possible to provide a removable sachet, to be slipped into the pocket and which can be washed if necessary,

this for the sake of hygiene.

  Preferably, the electrical supply of the resistor 3A, 3B is effected by means of a thermostatic element 13 allowing the regulation of

temperature.

  According to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, it is possible to produce an appliance with extended capacity and to give different combinations and assemblies, making it possible to obtain: - production which makes it possible to obtain several dishes

hot at the same time.

  - realization allowing to obtain a hot dish and a hot drink simultaneously, this extended device will be produced in the same way as the

previous extended realization.

  - the combinations of realizations can vary in many ways, the only limitation

  which may be the electrical power absorbed.

  The user in the particular embodiments, will be able to benefit from the advantages enumerated beforehand and mainly use the device according to the invention to: - be able to heat canned ready meals, fresh or frozen, while driving a vehicle, or any other machine handling or lifting, without risk of fire, inhalation of carbon dioxide, or spilling food, and thus achieve substantial savings in catering, or be able to have, when restaurants are closed or nonexistent, autonomy for eat hot cooked food. This can be done in the context of work, leisure, or all

other circumstances.

  - be able to have, even in isolated places and at any time, hot water to make hot drinks such as coffees, soups, teas, infusions or chocolates, when traveling for leisure, work, or in all circumstances, aboard cars, boats, or other displacement or

handling.

  - be able to heat solutes to bring them to temperatures close to those of the human body, during an infusion, in places such as operating theaters, which are kept at low temperature, and thus not generate additional energy consumption by the operated, already under the shock of the operation. A similar use can be made, in vehicles of prompt help, during the transfer of the patient from his home to the center of

care.

  Whatever type of aforementioned device, it will be able to operate at a network voltage of 220 volts or low

voltage of 12 or 24 volts.

  To this end, the device comprises: - an electrical connection to the energy source, static or mobile, by a wire of the H03VVH2-F type, or similar, meeting present or future safety standards. This connection is provided at one end with a standardized connection socket 2a, 2b, which can be fitted with a protective fuse, and according to the particular modes of use, which can be of the “cigarette lighter” type, or any other The other end of the wire, being connected to the various electrical components ensuring and regulating the rise

  or maintaining the temperature of the products.

  - one or more flexible electrical resistors 3A, 3B single-layered silicone or laminated "Mylar", placed in series or in parallel, and which can be regulated in temperature by a thermostat, or a resettable fuse, or any electrical temperature regulation system 13. These flexible resistors, consisting of a flexible single-wire conductor integrated in an electrical insulating support of the silicone rubber or laminated "Mylar" type, or of any other flexible insulating composition of low thickness, can be supplied, according to the particular modes of use. , in low voltage, alternating current, domestic or industrial. For example, a copper and "Mylar>" resistor can have the following non-limiting characteristics: insulation: 500 Vdc; 500M. Ohm, threshold dielectric strength: 5mA, 1300 Vac, resistance: 22 Watts, 12 Volts direct current. All these characteristics are scalable according to the needs linked to the modes

private individuals.

  - a veil 12 of non-woven polyester, or any other flexible or semi-rigid insulating material, heat resistant, having a minimum thickness to create good thermal insulation, and serve as protection

against shocks.

  - an adhesive thermometer or a reversible adhesive temperature indicator, not shown in the figures, which can be affixed to any of the bellows, out of contact with the resistors, and which indicates the temperature of the product put to heat

by contact with it.

  - a fabric or any natural or synthetic flexible material, or semi-rigid, constituting the pocket 4, stable at temperatures which can range

up to 150 C or even above.

Claims (10)

  1. Thermal device, in particular intended for heating food or drinks, operating from a source of electric current, supplying at least one electrical resistance, associated with insulating means and integrated in at least one of the walls of a container capable of receiving a container in which the food or drink to be heated is arranged, characterized in that the walls (4A, 4B - 4C, 4D) defining the container are made of a flexible or semi-rigid material, for form a pocket (4), flat in a storage function and able to develop to be shaped during the introduction of the container (5) to be heated, in a use function, at least one of the walls forming the pocket (4) consisting of two thicknesses of flexible material, closed on all sides and between which the resistance is trapped electric (3A and / or 3B).   2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (4) defines a generally parallelepiped container when it is shaped and which is closed on three sides by three bellows (8, 9,) connecting two walls together opposite (4A, 4D and 4C, 4B), each of them containing an electrical resistance (3A or 3B) constituting the pocket (4), the fourth side (11) of the pocket constituting an introduction zone of the container (5) to be heated. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is formed by a double pocket   (4, 4 ') constituted by three walls (4A, 4D - 4C, 4B -   4'C, 4'B) facing each other defining a generally parallelepiped double compartment when they are shaped and which are closed on their three sides by three bellows (8, 9, 10 and 8 ', 9', 10 '), each of the three walls containing an electrical resistance (3A, 3B, 3C), their fourth sides (11, 11') constituting two introduction zones of two   containers (25, 26) to be heated, of different types.   4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the bellows or bellows (10) are open in their middle by a window (19), allowing the passage of a nozzle or welded connection pipes to a flexible package , semi-rigid or rigid, introduced into the apparatus according to the invention, by the or   the fourth sides (11), and set to heat.   5. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the fourth side (11) of the pocket (s) (4, 4 ') constituting the introduction zone   has removable closure means.   6. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (not shown) is constituted by two opposite walls, each containing in their double thickness an electrical resistance and, extending freely on either side of '' a hinge area so as to tightly cover the container, adapting to its shape through adjustable closing means.   7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (4) consists of two walls, internally sealed, each containing an electrical resistance (3A, 3B) and closed over their entire periphery except an upper opening on which hermetically fits a plug (14) for filling a liquid to be heated and a lower opening on which hermetically fits a tap or plug emptying (15).   8. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 7,   characterized in that the electrical resistance (3A, 3B and 3C) is constituted by a flexible single-wire conductor integrated into an electrical insulating support, of the silicone rubber type, or "Mylar" (registered trademark) laminated, or of any other insulating composition flexible of small thickness, which resistance is interposed between the thicknesses (4A, 4D - 4B, 4C - 4'C, 4'B) forming the wall of the pockets (4, 4 '), a layer of flexible thermal insulation (12 ) being interposed between said resistance and the thickness (4A, 4B and 4'B) of the pocket (4, 4 ') located outside, therefore susceptible   to be manipulated by a user.   9. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 8,   characterized in that the flexible or semi-rigid material constituting the pocket (s) (4, 4 ') is a flame retardant product.   10. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 9,   characterized in that the electrical supply to the resistor (3A, 3B) takes place via a thermostatic element (13) or any other component   passive allowing temperature regulation.