FR2804590A1 - HOUSEHOLD BREAD GRILL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a household toaster comprising at least one toasting chamber and at least one heating element (1, 7). The heating element (1, 7) has a sandwich-like structure with at least two layers, in which the layer forming the heating device is not in direct contact with the product to be grilled and the top layer is electrically insulated. The heating element (1, 7) is in direct contact with the product to be toasted through said top layer, as a contact heating element.

Description

The present invention relates to a toaster

  household comprising at least one roasting chamber and at least one heating element. Various household toasters are known with one or two toasting chambers in the form of a narrow slot, in which or in which the heating elements are arranged with the possibility of

limited movement.

  The disadvantage of known household toasters is that, due to the distance which separates the heating elements from the product to be toasted, the overall efficiency of said toaster is low and that, moreover, the air present between the product to be broil and the heating element heats up very strongly, rises inside the roasting chamber and finally escapes through the slot with a very high temperature,

  there is a risk of burns to the user.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a household toaster of the type indicated in the introduction, which has a yield

  high and with which the risks of burns of the user are reduced.

  This object is achieved in accordance with the invention by the fact that the household toaster comprises at least one heating element which comprises a sandwich structure with at least two layers, in which the layer which constitutes the heating device has no contact direct with the product to be grilled and the upper layer is electrically insulating, the heating element being able to be applied by this upper layer directly against the product to be grilled, as

as contact heating element.

  In accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the contact heating element is produced in the form of a ceramic glass element, of the Ceran type, with at least one layer which constitutes the heating device proper and a layer of glass ceramic. . The glass ceramic layer is in contact

with the product to be grilled.

  In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element is produced in the form of a heating fabric. A heating cloth has the advantage of being able to adapt to the shape of the

product to be cooked.

  Preferably the layer constituting the heating device is a thick heating layer. The thick heating layers can be applied in a simple manner on a substrate, by a paste process. Their production is very inexpensive in the case of large series, since the coating can be carried out in large areas, for example by a screen printing process, and the coated substrates, then, must only be baked in ovens

continuous plans.

  According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element comprises at least one halogen heating means. The halogen heating means can be covered with a special glass, for example Ceran-type glass ceramic. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the roasting chamber is adjustable from a flat chamber to a chamber having dimensions that are substantially identical in all directions of space. A heating element is arranged in a support for the product to be roasted and movable in the vertical direction. An additional heating element is arranged horizontally, preferably at the level of the roof of the roasting chamber. This heating element is thus arranged opposite the heating element in the support for the product to be grilled. When the space between the support of the product to be toasted and the roof is small, the toasting conditions are comparable to those of the conventional toaster, except that the heating elements are arranged horizontally and that the product to be toasted, for example bread to

  flat toast, must be loaded horizontally.

  Advantageously, the support for the product to be toasted, movable in the vertical direction, forms an adjustable side of the toasting chamber. The height of the interior chamber thus formed, which serves as a roasting chamber, is preferably adjustable from practically zero up to a height which is greater than the width and the depth of the roasting chamber. The advantage of such an arrangement is that one can not only toast flat toast bread, but also toast or brown rolls and other baked goods. Advantageously, the maximum interior chamber of the household toaster, which can be formed in this way, is completely closed on the side, by side walls, only in its upper part. In its lower part, the interior chamber is provided with a wide access opening in its side wall. The product to be toasted or baked is loaded into the household toaster through this access opening. To grill or cook the product, move the product holder to be grilled upwards, in the upper part of the chamber, completely closed on the sides by

side walls.

  Preferably, the support for the product to be grilled is linked to at least one toothed wheel which meshes with at least one fixed rack. During a vertical movement the toothed wheel meshes with the teeth of the rack. Preferably, the force of application of the toothed wheel on the rack determines the damping of the movement, that is to say that the support for the product to be grilled is braked in a defined manner in its downward movement due to gravity. by a predefined application force of the toothed wheel on the rack. Advantageously, the support for the product to be grilled is further provided with a device which increases the engagement forces between the toothed wheel and the rack, so as to stop the movement of

  lowering of the product to be grilled due to the action of gravity.

  These devices are advantageously arranged in predetermined locations so that the support for the product to be toasted can be

  stopped in predefined vertical positions.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an electromagnet which presses the toothed wheel against the rack. The electromagnet can therefore exert a force on a frame which is linked to the toothed wheel by means of a

  rocker or lever. At the end of cooking, the excitation of the electro-

  magnet ceases and the support for the product to be roasted moves down under the action of its own weight or under the action of a spring; the product to be grilled or cooked can then be collected through

access opening.

  In a particular embodiment of the invention, the

  medium for grilling can be moved by a motor.

  The support for the product to be grilled is advantageously guided in its vertical movement by at least two columns or rails of

vertical guidance.

  Snap-fitting means can be provided to retain the support for the product to be grilled in predetermined vertical positions. The latching means may consist of a lug on an actuating lever for the support of the product to be toasted, which engages in notches in the body of the eater toaster. The predefined vertical positions of the support for the product to be grilled preferably correspond to a loading position, a

  position for baking or browning and a position for grilling.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the support for the product to be grilled, in one of its predefined vertical positions, is located at the lower end of the continuous side walls and defines a closed toasting chamber with said side walls and the vault of the interior chamber. The maximum closed roasting chamber thus formed is advantageously used for cooking or browning products. Preferably, a window is fitted in the walls of the

  broiling, so that one can monitor the cooking process.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, mist evacuation openings are provided in the walls of the

roasting chamber.

  The temperature of the household toaster or the degree of "golden" of the product to be cooked or toasted is preferably adjusted using

a rotary selector.

  The complete management of the device's operation can be ensured by intelligent electronics, in particular when the

  support for the product to be grilled is motor driven.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, there is provided in the household toaster, a humidification device which delivers moisture into the toasting chamber. The advantages of a humidification device are appreciable, in particular during baking, since this prevents the crust from cracking. This can be further improved by air circulation and / or warm air heating. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the humidification device comprises a substance which absorbs moisture from the air at room temperature and delivers moisture at the operating temperatures of the household toaster. Preferably, this substance has the property of absorbing moisture from the ambient air at ambient temperatures. All hygroscopic chemical compounds are suitable for this. Advantageously, this substance is removably placed in the household toaster. Thus, it can be removed from the toaster, when it is not used in humidification mode, and placed in a refrigerator or freezer as a desiccant. The two advantages are then combined, namely on the one hand the rapid regeneration of the substance so that it can again yield moisture in the toaster and on the other hand the protection of the refrigerator against the formation of frosted. In order to facilitate handling, the absorbent substance is advantageously housed in a cartridge provided with an envelope

breathable.

  A presentation of the moisture absorbing substance at room temperature as a hygroscopic chemical compound has the advantage that said substance can be regenerated without user intervention. Usually a household toaster is used to brown or toast rolls or other baked goods in the morning for family needs. The toaster then generally remains half a day or even a full day without being used. In this cold state, the hygroscopic chemical compound can again absorb moisture, until it reaches its saturation state, it can also be manually recharged with water

by a user.

  According to a further embodiment of the invention, the substance absorbing humidity at room temperature has a large internal surface compared to its external dimensions. At room temperature, a thin film of water is deposited on this surface which evaporates at operating temperature. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the substance which absorbs moisture at room temperature is a zeolite. Zeolites, because of their cellular crystal structure, can absorb significant amounts of water. They also have the advantage of being able to be freely shaped, which allows them to be accommodated easily in the toaster. In place of zeolites, one can also use any other desiccant product accepted in the food sector,

like for example silica gel.

  In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the humidification device is formed of at least one drip evaporator. A drip evaporator has the advantage of allowing precise control of the amount of water supplied. The water reserve of the drip evaporator can be filled at any time and immediately. You can then use the toaster as many times as you want. It is not necessary, as in the embodiment of the invention presented above, to wait for the end of a phase of regeneration of a desiccant product, or to regenerate

this one actively.

  The drip evaporator, preferably, is coupled to a reservoir via a valve. This allows the tank to be removed for filling or emptying. The drip evaporator preferably pours into an evaporation gutter provided with streaks. These streaks divide the drops of water into a number of fractions and thus increase the total evaporation area. Thus the liquid introduced is evaporated very efficiently. The vaporization can advantageously be increased by placing the evaporation gutter around a heating element. In this way, the water introduced evaporates immediately and does not remain in the form of

droplets in the toaster.

  In an advantageous alternative embodiment of the invention, the humidification device is produced in the form of at least one evaporator. The evaporator preferably works according to the principle of the instantaneous water heater. The tank can - as in the case of the drip evaporator - be coupled to the evaporator via a valve. This also allows in this case to

  remove the tank to fill it separately or empty it.

  The evaporator is a very hygienic solution for a humidification device, since it can be completely emptied and no water remains. The construction of the evaporator can be very simple. A drain tube surrounded by a heating coil is connected to the tank. At the front end of the tube is mounted a steam nozzle provided with a pressure relief valve. A valve can be placed between the water tank and the drain tube, which valve allows the water tank to be removed. The evaporator can

  advantageously be provided with a scale indicator.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the humidification device is formed of at least one liquid injector-sprayer. The advantage of a liquid injector-sprayer

  ensure optimal spraying of liquid into the toaster.

  The water introduced vaporizes immediately after spraying and does not

  not remain as droplets in the toaster. The injector

  liquid sprayer can be a common sprayer. This has the advantage that the supply of moisture can be controlled directly by the user. An alternative embodiment uses an automatic injection unit. This combined with humidity sensors inside the roasting chamber allows very precise regulation of the humidity supply. In these embodiments of the invention, it is advantageous for the liquid injector-sprayer to deliver moisture into the flow

  air from a fan. A variant consists in that the injector-

  sprayer sends the liquid onto a jet breaker plate. So the

  liquid is finely sprayed and immediately vaporizes.

  In another embodiment of the invention, the injector

  liquid sprayer sends the liquid over a heater. Due to the direct supply of heat and the total surface

  significant of the sprayed liquid, the latter immediately vaporizes.

  Preferably, the heating device is arranged in the

air flow from a fan.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the humidification device is formed by a piezoelectric injector-sprayer. We can thus obtain in a simple way a

  excellent distribution of the water injected.

  Preferably, the humidification device delivers the humidity into the toasting chamber at the operating temperatures of the household toaster. This avoids the formation of

  droplets inside the toaster.

  In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the heating element consists of a support shell, a micanite heating element and a cover plate. Preferably the cover plate is made of refractory glass or aluminum sheet

  coated with Teflon. The cover plate is preferably removable.

  As an additional advantage, the cover plate is made of a material that can be washed in a dishwasher. Preferably, the plate

  cover is provided with a non-stick coating.

  According to another embodiment of the invention, the heating element is formed of a support plate, in which the heating wires are integrated. Preferably, the heating wires are connected via a contact strip provided on the

side of the support plate.

  Advantageously, the support plate can be removed from the toaster. Other advantages of the invention will become apparent during the

  description made with reference to the drawings. The drawings represent a

  exemplary embodiment of the invention

  The drawings and the description contain a number of

  characteristics combined with each other. A person skilled in the art can also consider these characteristics in isolation and

  group them into other advantageous combinations.

  The drawings represent: Figure 1, a heating element for a household toaster, comprising a support shell, a micanite heating element and a cover plate and Figure 2, a heating element for a household toaster,

  formed of a support plate with integrated heating wires.

  FIG. 1 represents a heating element with a sandwich structure for a household toaster. The frame 3 of a heating element 4 in micanite is fixed to a support shell 2. On this frame 3 are stretched heating wires 5. A cover plate 6 is applied to the composite structure formed of the support shell 2 and of the heating element 4 in micanite. This cover plate can be made of refractory glass or aluminum coated with Teflon. In operation, the product to be grilled is placed directly on the cover plate 6. Due to the surface heat supply, the heat is distributed uniformly in the product to be grilled or

  brown, as well as in the broiling chamber.

  The cover plate is provided with an anti-

  adhesive, so that little residue remains on it after using the household toaster. The cover plate 6 can

  be separated from the heating element 1 and cleaned in a washing machine

  dishes. FIG. 2 shows a heating element 7 for a household toaster, in which heating wires 8 are integrated in a support plate 9. The support plate 9 can be made, for example, of Ceran type glass ceramic. The integrated heating wires 8, shaped as conductive tracks, are electrically connected to the side of the support plate 9, by means of a contact strip 10. The high density of the conductive tracks and the good thermal conductivity of the plate of ceramic glass ensure an even distribution of heat, so that heat is supplied from

  surface way to the product to be cooked and to the broiling chamber.

  The heating element 7 is connected to the interior of the toaster via a plug connector, not shown. Thus the heating element can be removed easily and cleaned without difficulty. The heating element 7 is arranged so that it can be cleaned in a dishwasher. Thanks to an intelligent control, the size of the heated surface can be adapted to the size of the product to be cooked. For this, only certain sectors of the surface of the heating element 7 can be put into operation.

selectively.

Claims (28)

  1. Household toaster comprising at least one toasting chamber and at least one heating element (1, 7), characterized in that the heating element (1, 7) has a sandwich-type structure with at least two layers , in which the layer forming the heating device is not in direct contact with the product to be roasted and the upper layer is electrically insulated, and in that the heating element (1, 7) is in direct contact with the product to grill with this top layer, as part of contact heating.   2. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact heating element is produced in the form of a ceramic glass heating element with at least one layer constituting the heating device and a type vitroceramic layer. Ceran, and is in contact with the product to be toasted through said layer of ceramic glass.   3. Household toaster comprising at least one toasting chamber and at least one heating element (1, 7), characterized in that the heating element (1, 7) is produced in the form heating cloth.   4. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer constituting the heating device is a thick layer 5. Household toaster comprising at least one toasting chamber and at least one heating element (1, 7), characterized in that the heating element (1, 7) comprises at least one halogen heating.   6. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that the toasting chamber is adjustable from a flat chamber to a chamber having dimensions that are substantially identical in all directions of space and that a support for grilling product   movable in the vertical direction is disposed therein.   7. Household toaster according to claim 6, characterized in that a heating element (1, 7) is arranged horizontally at the level of the roof of the toasting chamber. 8. Household toaster according to claim 6, characterized in that the support for the product to be toasted can be moved in the vertical direction using at least one wheel.   toothed which meshes with at least one rack.   9. Household toaster according to claim 6, characterized in that the support for the product to be toasted is guided by at least two guide columns in its movement. vertical.   10. Household toaster according to claim 6, characterized in that there are provided snap-fastening means by means of which the support for the product to be toasted can be held in   predetermined vertical positions.   1 l. Household toaster according to claim 10, characterized in that the predefined vertical positions of the support for toasting product correspond to a loading position, a position halfway up, a position for cook and a position for grilling.   12. Household toaster according to claim 6, characterized in that the interior chamber of the toaster is completely closed by side walls only in its upper part and comprises in its lower part a   large access opening in its side wall.   13. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that a humidification device is arranged inside the household toaster, which device   delivers moisture to the roasting chamber.   14. Household toaster according to claim 13, characterized in that the humidification device comprises a substance absorbing humidity at ambient temperature which yields humidity at the operating temperatures of the household toaster. 15. Household toaster according to claim 14, characterized in that the substance absorbing humidity at room temperature is placed in a cartridge provided with a breathable jacket.   16. Household toaster according to claim 14, characterized in that the moisture-absorbing substance at temperature   ambient is a hygroscopic chemical compound.   17. Household toaster according to claim 14, characterized in that the substance absorbing humidity at room temperature has a large internal surface by   compared to its external dimensions.   18. Household toaster according to claim 14, characterized in that the moisture-absorbing substance at temperature ambient is a zeolite.   19. Household toaster according to claim 13, characterized in that the humidification device is formed of   minus a drip evaporator.   20. Household toaster according to claim 19, characterized in that the drip evaporator delivers liquid on a heater.   21. Household toaster according to claim 13, characterized in that the humidification device is formed of   minus a liquid injector-sprayer.   22. Household toaster according to claim 21, characterized in that the injector-sprayer delivers liquid in the air flow from a fan.   23. Household toaster according to claim 21, characterized in that the injector-sprayer injects liquid onto a heating device.   24. Household toaster according to claim 13, characterized in that the humidification device is formed of   minus a piezoelectric sprayer.   25. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating element (1) is formed by a support shell (2), by a micanite heating means (4) and a cover plate (6).   26. Household toaster according to claim 25, characterized in that the cover plate (6) is formed from a refractory glass plate or from a sheet of aluminum to Teflon coating.   27. Household toaster according to claim 25, characterized   in that the removable cover plate (6).   28. Household toaster according to claim 25, characterized in that the cover plate (6) is formed of a   material washable in dishwasher.   29. Household toaster according to claim 25, characterized in that the cover plate (6) is provided with a non-stick coating.   30. Household toaster according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating element (1) is formed by a support plate (9) in which the heating wires (8) are integrated. 31. Household toaster according to claim 30, characterized in that the heating wires (8) are connected by means of a contact strip (10) arranged on the side of the support plate (9).   32. Household toaster according to claim 30, characterized   in that the support plate (9) can be removed from the grid household bread.   33.Household toaster according to any of   claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the threads   heaters (8) are shaped into conductive tracks.