FR2879285A1 - Heat storage and diffusion device for use as e.g. food warmer, has flexible envelope arranged in outer cover and containing organic material in form of wheat berries which store heat when subjected microwave radiations and restore heat - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a flexible envelope (12) with an opening (18) for allowing filling of an organic material (10) under the form of wheat berries (16) in the container. The envelope is arranged in a flexible and removable outer cover (14) insulates an outer surface of the envelope and protects the envelope from soiling. The wheat berries store the heat when the berries are subjected to microwave radiations and restore the heat.

Description

ACCUMULATOR DEVICE AND SLOW HEAT DIFFUSER

  The present invention relates to a heat storage device and slow diffusion of this heat.

  It is known that there are heat storage devices used for so-called warming dishes functions.

  Thus, patent application WO 94/17646 describes an arrangement of a material capable of being heated by microwaves and of accumulating heat, in this case a composition based on mineral materials.

  This material is disposed in a peripheral insulating molded part so as to be able to transport it especially when it is hot on the one hand and to be able to place it in particular on an element that does not support heat on the other hand.

  This device has a perfectly flat surface to receive dishes and other dishes so as to keep them warm by diffusing calories from below.

  It is noted that such a device is relatively complex with a molded part and a suitable mineral composition.

  In addition, the flat surface transmits incompletely and with a very low yield the calories accumulated in the mineral heart. Indeed, the plates and some dishes, specifically ceramic, have peripheral edges in the lower part which leads to rest each plate or dish on their edge decreasing the exchange surface by direct contact.

  The diffusion is also inhomogeneous because it is important at the beginning when the heart is hot and decreases regularly, the calories in the center of the mineral heart having difficulty to diffuse appropriately towards the periphery of the heart especially at the end of use.

  There are also heat storage devices which include integrated electrical resistances which are put into service and which ensure by Joule effect temperature setting of the device. Once unplugged, this device distributes heat accumulated even if it is no longer powered. Such an arrangement is sophisticated and if it gives satisfaction, it must be reserved for a central station and can hardly be duplicated for each of the guests of a table for example or for several dishes arranged simultaneously on a

table.

  It is also noted that the dimensions of dishes, plates can be relatively different.

  There is a first unsatisfied need for a heat accumulator device capable of diffusing regularly, which can be homogenized in temperature until the last moment, which is conformable to ensure the largest possible exchange surface whatever the profile of the dish or plate, which is inexpensive so you can have different size series, which is environmentally friendly to consider recycling at the end of life. It should also be provided that the device is subject to the risk of contamination by food materials and that it must be possible to maintain this accumulator device and heat diffuser.

  Another need is that of conformable devices to apply to the human body, regardless of the place. The main problem is that of not burning the skin while ensuring a slow diffusion but with sufficient autonomy in a restricted volume, which forces to be able to extract all the calories.

  A condition is also that of having a product for which hygiene is essential.

  Well known prior art boilers are composed of a sealed envelope in which is introduced a preheated liquid. It is conceivable that such a device is relatively impractical since it implements a liquid.

  The device according to the present invention satisfies all these constraints and also allows certain aesthetic effects because it is possible to coordinate the external appearance of said device with its external environment. The device for accumulation and slow diffusion of heat according to the invention is now described in detail according to a particular embodiment, not limiting, this with reference to the accompanying drawings, the figures of which show: FIG. 1, a perspective view 2, a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3, a view of the device in place under a plate.

  For the remainder of the description, the device having several applications, one as a plate-warmer, the other as a plate warmer and yet another as a heater, the term "storage device" is used interchangeably. and dissemination.

  In FIGS. 1 and 2, this heat storage and diffusion device according to the invention comprises an organic accumulator and heat diffuser material and a flexible envelope 12.

  The assembly is disposed in an outer cover 14, flexible and preferably removable.

  The organic material accumulator and calorificator of heat more precisely is in this case constituted by a material in the form of grains 16 of sufficiently large diameter from one to a few millimeters. Grain means whole grains or crushed grains to achieve the desired particle size. In this case according to the best embodiment, it is intended to use grains of cereals and more particularly wheat grains.

  These grains of wheat can accumulate calories when they are subjected to radiation of the microwave type and are able to restore them slowly.

  The density of material remains important for a given volume because the size of one to a few millimeters is adapted to the desired function.

  The envelope is generally made from a natural fiber fabric or from fibers of a woven or non-woven plastic material.

  This envelope 12 comprises an opening 18 allowing filling. This opening may be a simple seam not closed before filling and which is then completed after filling or for example an opening with a zipper made of non-metallic material to not react with microwaves.

  The envelope is shaped to the application and aesthetic effect sought. It is indeed easy to give this envelope any external shape simple, rectangular, square, round, oval or sophisticated with indentations or any other embellishment.

  The dimensions can also be chosen without any limitation.

  The outer cover 14 has the function of isolating the outer surface of the envelope and to protect it from soiling possibly induced by the food materials contained in the dishes and other plates or to protect the cover 14 when in contact with the body in the heater applications.

  This cover can advantageously be aesthetically coordinated with the accessories of the table or with the accessories of the body. This cover is important because it avoids the encrustations of organic materials in the material of the envelope and their repeated submission to the actions of microwaves.

  It is deduced from the arrangement just described that the advantages of this device for accumulating and slowly diffusing calories are numerous.

  First, cereal grains contain compounds capable of accumulating high amounts of calories such as water and / or fat.

  In addition, these grains can be moved relative to each other to lead to a combined conformation of the device and the plate or the plate that it supports.

  In fact, the direct contact area is important, which limits the losses and increases the efficiency of the transfer.

  Note that the containers 20 such as dish or plate are kept stable on the device and can not slip, this regardless of the bottom profile of said containers. This is particularly visible in FIG. 3. Since the device has been subjected to heating by microwaves, it is known that all the grains, including the core of the volume, have been subjected to radiation and therefore to agitation of the molecules. temperature rise.

  On the other hand, during the restitution, when the grains situated at the periphery of the volume have lost the majority of their calories, the grains situated in the volume have difficulty diffusing theirs at least at a sufficient speed for example to maintain the dish. warm. At the end of life the diffusion is to be too slow.

  In this case, the device can be manipulated one or more times during commissioning to shake the grains and cause a different distribution of these grains. This gives a temperature homogenization of the volume and the temperature of the grains.

  The device can thus deliver virtually all accumulated calories in a slow, regular and integral manner.

  In the case of a heater application, the cover is advantageously pleasant in contact with the skin. It is also noted that the possibilities of conformation of the device allow a homogeneous distribution and application on any even protruding area of the body such as a shoulder.

  The cover must be made of at least one washable material to meet the hygiene conditions necessary for such an application. The granulometry or the choice of the cereal is adapted according to the needs, this remaining within the reach of those skilled in the art.

  Likewise, the amount of material required results from the volume possibilities of the device and tests to determine the time provided in relation to the desired duration.

Claims (1)

7 CLAIMS   1. Device for accumulation and slow heat diffusion, especially for applications as a plate warmer, plate warmer or body heater, characterized in that it comprises at least one organic material (10) in the form of grains contained in an envelope (12).   2. Slow heat accumulation and diffusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an outer cover (14).   3. Slow heat accumulation and diffusion device according to claim 2, characterized in that the outer cover (14) is flexible.   4. Slow heat accumulation and diffusion device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the organic material (10) consists of cereal grains.   5. A storage device and slow heat diffusion according to claim 4, characterized in that the cereal seeds are wheat grains.   6. Slow heat accumulation and diffusion device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the casing (12) is made of a flexible material.   7. Slow heat accumulation and diffusion device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (14) is removable.