FR3080268A1 - SCREEN DEVICE FOR ROTING OR GRILLING FOOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a skewer device for roasting or grilling foods comprising: at least two parallel pins (10) adapted to jointly feed the foodstuffs (A), each of said pins having a free end (10a), a support ( 3, 31, 32, 33, 34) in which at least one pin (10) is slidably mounted along its longitudinal axis (XX), between an extended position for roasting or grilling food (A) and a retracted position, - a ejector member (31) for ejecting food (A) when the spindle (10) slides towards the retracted position, characterized by the fact that: - the two spindles (10) are slidably mounted in the support (3, 31, 32 , 33, 34), along their respective longitudinal axis (XX), between the extended position and the retracted position, - the two pins (10) are integral with a slide (20) adapted to ensure a joint sliding of said pins, - the ejector member (31) is arranged on the e support (3, 31, 32, 33, 34) so that when the pins (10) slide together to the retracted position, the ejector member (31) is adapted to push food (A) towards the free ends ( 10a) of said pins and eject them, - the pins (10) are rotatably mounted in the slide (20), about their longitudinal axis (XX).

Description

The subject of the invention is a skewer device for roasting or grilling food. It relates in particular to the technical field of barbecue accessories.

State of the art.

It is common to cook food using a roasting pan or barbecue. To do this, skewers are used in the form of wooden, steel or stainless steel spits, on which the food to be grilled is threaded. When the cooking is finished, you should strip the spit from the grilled food. This can be done by dragging food out of the spit, using your fingers, a knife, or a fork.

Patent documents FR2165158 (LE MASON) and FR2522487 (LORCH) are known for skewers comprising a spit with a gripping member, a part being adapted to this spit for ejecting, during mealtime, the skewered foods. In practice, it may happen that the food remains stuck to the spit after cooking, pieces of flesh adhering to said spit. Also, if this type of skewer allows food to be ejected, this ejection may require a considerable effort to take off the food. Furthermore, this

-2 forced detachment can lead to physical degradation of food or deformation thereof.

FIG. 4 of the document FR2522487 more particularly discloses a skewer with three parallel pins mounted on the same support. The central spindle is slidably mounted in this support along its longitudinal axis, between an extended position for grilling food and a retracted position. This central spindle acts as an ejector for skewered food. When the food is combined with the pins, the ejection of the food by the single central pin is not obvious, however, since it can remain connected to the two side pins. In addition, there remains the problem of delamination of food.

The invention aims to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, an objective of the invention is to provide a skewer device allowing easy ejection of grilled food.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a skewer device making it possible to easily take off the food before it is ejected from the pins.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a skewer device whose design is simple and inexpensive, and whose use is easy, in particular for threading food to be grilled.

Disclosure of the invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a skewer device for roasting or grilling food comprising:

- at least two parallel pins adapted to jointly skew the food, each of said pins having a free end,

- a support in which at least one spit is slidably mounted along its longitudinal axis, between an extended position for roasting or grilling food and a retracted position,

- an ejector member for ejecting the food when the spindle slides towards the retracted position.

This skewer device is remarkable in that:

- the two pins are slidably mounted in the support, along their respective longitudinal axes, between the extended position and the retracted position,

- the two pins are secured to a slide adapted to ensure joint sliding of said pins,

- the ejector member is arranged on the support so that when the pins slide together towards the retracted position, the ejector member is adapted to push the food towards the free ends of said pins and eject them,

- The pins are mounted mobile in rotation in the slide, around their longitudinal axis.

The two pins sliding together towards the retracted position, it is ensured that the ejector member effectively pushes the food towards the free ends of the pins, ensuring in fact a perfect ejection of roasted or grilled food. In addition, the possibility of rotating the spits makes it easy to take off roasted or grilled food before it is ejected.

Other advantageous features of the invention are listed below. Each of these characteristics can be considered alone or in combination with the remarkable characteristics defined above, and be the subject, if necessary, of one or more divisional patent applications:

- The pins are advantageously mounted movable in translation in the slide, along their longitudinal axis; each of the pins having another end opposite the free end; each other end presenting a

-4 latch adapted to lock in a respective crampon fitted on the slide; when a latch is locked in a crampon, the degree of freedom in translation of the respective spindle along its longitudinal axis is eliminated.

- Advantageously, the locking of a latch in a crampon is carried out by rotating the respective pin around its longitudinal axis, the unlocking being carried out by a reverse rotation movement.

- Advantageously, the slide is provided with a tubular engagement portion arranged in the sagittal median plane of said slide, which tubular portion is adapted to engage in an accessory for fixing said device on an edge of a wall of a barbecue.

- The slider can be provided with another tubular engagement portion arranged perpendicular to the tubular engagement portion, which other tubular portion is adapted to engage in the accessory.

Advantageously, the slide slides along guide rails carried by a front plate into which the pins and a rear plate are inserted.

Advantageously, the front plate forms the ejector member.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising the skewer device and an accessory for fixing said device to an edge of a wall of a barbecue, said accessory comprising:

- a bracket adapted to fit on the edge of the barbecue wall,

- an adjustable rod provided at one of its ends with one or more studs of different lengths, which studs are adapted to engage in the tubular portion or portions arranged on the slide).

Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly comprising the skewer device and an apparatus for the preparation of skewers, which apparatus comprises:

- a body and a cover delimiting a space in which the food is arranged,

- a means for guiding the pins to insert the food placed in the space delimited by the body and the cover.

- optionally, a mechanical fastening means secures the skewer device to the device.

Description of the figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the description of a preferred embodiment which will follow, with reference to the appended drawings, produced by way of indicative and nonlimiting examples and in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a spit used in a skewer device according to the invention, Figure 2 illustrates a skewer device where the pins are in an extended position, Figure 3 illustrates a skewer device where the pins are in a retracted position,

FIG. 4 illustrates a skewer device where the pins are in an extended position and pivoted in a first position, FIG. 5 illustrates a skewer device where the pins are in an extended position and pivoted in a second position,

- Figure 5a is a sectional view of a food racked on two pins,

FIG. 6 illustrates a skewer device and an apparatus for the preparation of skewers, the pins being in a retracted position,

- Figure 7 illustrates the assembly of the skewer device on the device of Figure 6, the pins being in a retracted position and the device being open,

- Figure 8 illustrates the assembly of Figure 7 with the pins in an extended position and the device closed,

- Figure 9 is a top view of the assembly of Figure 8,

- Figure 10 illustrates the assembly of Figures 7 to 9, the pins being in an extended position and the apparatus being open,

- Figure 11 illustrates an accessory for fixing the skewer device against a wall of a barbecue,

FIG. 12a shows in detail the connection of the pins on a slide, the pins being pivoted in a locking position,

- Figure 12b shows in detail the securing of the pins on a slide, the pins being pivoted in an unlocked position.

Preferred embodiments of the invention.

The skewer device according to the invention is used to skewer sausages, pieces of meat (beef, pork, poultry, duck, cold meats, steak, rib steak, ...), fish, fruits, vegetables, fruits seafood or other food. This skewer device then makes it possible to roast or grill these skewered foods by placing them near embers or a barbecue (wood, coal, gas, electric, ...) or fireplace.

In Figure 2, the skewer device 1 has two pins 10 which are parallel. Their center distance is for example between 3 cm and 6 cm. These pins 10 are suitable for jointly skewering food. By "jointly" is meant that each piece of food A is simultaneously connected to the two pins 10.

Referring to Figure 1, each pin 10 is preferably in the form of steel or stainless steel rod, for example flat or round. Their length can for example be between 10 cm and 50 cm. Each pin 10 has a free bevelled or pointed end for racking in food and another opposite end 10b, which can be bent, in a loop or provided with a handle for gripping.

-7The end 10b also has a latch 10c whose function is described further in the description. This latch 10c can be obtained by folding the rod forming the pin 10 or be attached, for example by welding. The latch 10c is normal or substantially normal to the longitudinal axis X-X of the pin 10.

Referring to Figures 12a and 12b, the two pins 10 are integral with a slide 20 adapted to ensure joint sliding of said pins. This slide 20 can be in the form of a plate of parallelepiped shape, with or without an attached guide portion, for example made of steel or stainless steel, having for example: a length of between 5 cm and 15 cm, a width between 1 cm and 5 cm and a thickness between 0.5 cm and 2 cm.

The rear face 20c is provided with a tubular engagement portion 22 arranged in the sagittal median plane of the slide 20. The lower longitudinal edge of the slide 20 is also provided, in its length, with a tubular engagement portion 21 disposed perpendicular to the tubular portion 22. The tubular portions 21 and 22 are advantageously of square or rectangular section, made of steel or stainless steel, and attached by screwing or welding. They open out at each of their ends.

The slide 20 has two holes opening on either side of its faces and into which the pins 10 are inserted. This insertion is carried out manually, from the free end 10a, along the longitudinal axis X-X. The holes have a diameter which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the pins 10, so that the latter have a degree of freedom in rotation around their longitudinal axis XX and a degree of freedom in translation along their longitudinal axis XX (pivot-sliding connection to the across slide 20).

The pins 10 are inserted in the slide 20 until their end 10b abuts against the rear face 20b of said slide. In FIG. 12a, the rear face 20b is provided with two studs 20c in which each of the latches 10c of the pins 10 is locked. The locking is carried out by manually pivoting the pins 10 about their respective longitudinal axis X-X. Unlocking is carried out by a reverse rotation movement (Figure 12b). In the locked position (Figure 12a), the pins 10 are secured to the slide 20, their degree of freedom in translation along their longitudinal axis X-X being eliminated.

The slide 20 has two other holes 23 opening on either side of its front and rear faces for the reception of guide rails. In Figures 2 and 3, these rails 33 are in the form of steel or stainless steel rods, flat or round. Their length can for example be between 10 cm and 50 cm. The rails 33 are mutually parallel and parallel to the pins 10. Their center distance is for example between 2 cm and 5 cm.

The rails 33 are carried by a support 3. The latter comprising two plates 31, 32 arranged at each of the ends of the rails 33. The ends of the rails 33 are fixed to the plates 31, 32 for example by screwing, bolting or welding . The plates 31, 32 are made of steel or stainless steel. The front plate 31 has for example a length between 8 cm and 10 cm, a width between 5 cm and 8 cm and a thickness between 0.5 cm and 2 cm. The rear plate 32 has for example a length between 5 cm and 10 cm, a width between 3 cm and 5 cm and a thickness between 0.5 cm and 2 cm. Two lower crosspieces 34, parallel to the rails 33, are also secured to the plates 31, 32 to stiffen the support 3. A grip handle 35 made of a thermally insulating material, for example wood, is fixed to the crosspieces 34.

Advantageously, the front plate 31 has two holes opening on either side of its front and rear faces and into which the pins 10 are inserted. This insertion is carried out manually, from the free end 10a, along the axis longitudinal XX. The holes have a diameter which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the pins 10, so that the latter have a degree of freedom in rotation around their longitudinal axis XX and a degree of freedom in translation along their longitudinal axis XX (pivot-sliding connection to the across the front plate 31).

The slide 20 is thus able to slide along the rails 33, between an extended position (Figure 2) and a retracted position (Figure 3). The extended position is reached when the slide 20 abuts against the front plate 31 or against an abutment element installed between the rails 33. The pins 10 then extend towards the front of the support 3. Foods racked on the pins 10 are positioned facing the embers or the cooking hearth while the support 3 is distant from these embers or hearth and therefore completely preserved. In addition, a rotation of the support 3 causes a rotation of all the food at the same time so that the latter can be roasted or grilled uniformly on each of their faces.

The retracted position is reached when the slider 20 abuts against the rear plate 32 or against a stop element 36 installed between the rails 33. When the latches 10c of the pins 10 are locked in the studs 20c, the translation of the slider 20 causes also the simultaneous translation of said pins between the extended position and the retracted position, the latter sliding jointly through the front plate 31, along their respective longitudinal axis.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the front plate 31 forms an ejector member for ejecting the food A when the pins 10 slide to the retracted position. More particularly, when the pins 10 slide

- 10 jointly towards the retracted position, they cause in their movement the food A which is racked in there until said food comes into abutment against the front face of the front plate 31. The pins 10 continuing their translational movement towards the rear of the support 3, the front plate 31 pushes the food A towards the free ends 10a and ejects it.

In summary, after having roasted or broiled the food A, the user simply has to translate the slide 20 to the retracted position to eject the food very easily. This translation of the slide 20 is facilitated by a grip handle 24 arranged on said slide. In FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, this handle 24 is hooked onto the handle 35 so as to keep the slide 20 in position in the extended position, during cooking of the food. One can also provide a similar hooking of the handle 24 on the handle 35 so as to maintain in position the slide 20 in the folded position.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, we see that when the pins 10 are pivoted about their longitudinal axis to pass from the locked position (Figure 4) to the unlocked position (Figure 5), they pivot not only through of the slide 20, but also through the front plate 31. This spindle rotation capacity 10 is used to detach the food A from said spits after cooking.

In FIG. 5a, the food A is connected together on the two pins 10. In fact, the rotation (illustrated by the arrows) of the pins 10 around their longitudinal axis does not cause the rotation of the food A, that -this remaining perfectly maintained in position on said pins. On the other hand, by pivoting, the pins 10 will easily come off from any pieces of flesh liable to adhere to said pins after cooking. This detachment step is carried out after cooking and before translating the slide 20 to the retracted position. So, when food A comes up against the plate

-11 before 31, there is little or no resistance to push them towards the free ends 10a and eject them. In addition, the physical integrity of roasted or grilled food is not altered during the ejection stage.

FIG. 11 illustrates an accessory allowing the skewer device 1 to be fixed on the edge of a wall P of a barbecue. This accessory 5 comprises a stirrup-shaped plate 50 adapted to fit on an edge of the wall P and for example made of steel or stainless steel. The two branches 50a, 50b of the stirrup are arranged on either side of the wall P and are, for example, spaced at a distance of between 2 cm and 5 cm. This distance allows the stirrup 50 to be installed on both a straight P wall and a curved wall. One or more clamping screws 50c are installed on one of the arms 50a or 50b so as to come and clamp against the wall P and hold the stirrup 50 in position on the latter.

The bracket 50 is provided with a mounting tab 50d projecting upwards. On this fixing paste 50 is attached a plate 51 for example made of steel or stainless steel. The connection between the fixing paste 50 and the plate 51 is produced by a pivot link with a horizontal axis, for example formed by an adjustment screw 51a, allowing an angular movement of said plate 51. In an alternative embodiment, the paste fixing 50 and the plate 51 form a single piece.

The plate 51 is provided with a tubular portion 51a arranged transversely. This tubular portion 51a is advantageously of square or rectangular section, made of steel or stainless steel, and attached by screwing or welding.

A rod 52, made of steel or stainless steel, is slidably mounted in the tubular portion 51a, a clamping screw 52a ensuring a locking in position of said rod in said portion. The rod 52 is provided at one of these ends with one or more studs 52b, 52c, 52d, of different length. In FIG. 11, these pads 52b, 52c,

- 12 52d are directed vertically. They are made of steel or stainless steel, and attached by screwing or welding. These studs are adapted to engage in the tubular portions 21 and 22 arranged on the slide 20.

By engaging the tubular portion 22 in one of the studs 52b, 52c or 52d, the device 1 is arranged horizontally, the two pins 10 being in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the hearth of a traditional barbecue with horizontal hearth. The choice of pad 52b, 52c or 52d allows the user to adjust the height separating the food from the hearth, and therefore the cooking temperature. The user also has the possibility of adjusting the centering of the food relative to the hearth by advancing or retreating the rod 52 in the tubular portion 51a.

Some barbecues have a vertical hearth, for example that described in patent document FR2904521. The device 1 must therefore be arranged vertically, the two pins 10 being in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the vertical focus. In this case, it is the tubular portion 21 which is engaged in one of the pads 52b, 52c or 52d.

Before cooking, the food A can be manually skewered on the pins 10. This operation can be dangerous because the pointed end 10a of the pins 10 can prick the user's hand. In addition, this racking-in can be difficult depending on the nature of the food A, in particular if it is hard or not very compact.

To remedy these drawbacks, the device 1 which is the subject of the invention is advantageously associated with an apparatus for the preparation of kebabs illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 10. This apparatus 4 allows easy, rapid and safe racking-in for the user.

- In Figure 6, the device 4 has a substantially parallelepiped shape. It comprises a body 40 and a cover 41 hinged together by means of a hinge 42. The body 40 and the cover 41 delimit a space in which the food is disposed A. They are each provided with a plurality of partition walls 400, 410 spaced apart and extending transversely. The walls 400 in the body 40 are spaced the same distance as the walls 410 in the cover 41. These walls 400, 410 delimit compartments for receiving food A. The food is thus separated and can be skewered without crushing one against the other, the compartments allowing to keep the initial compactness of each piece. The body 40, the cover 41 and their walls 400, 410 can for example be obtained by molding a food plastic, or by stamping or machining of steel or stainless steel.

Each partition wall 400, 410 as well as the respective end walls of the body 40 and of the cover 41 are provided with a pair of notches 43 aligned longitudinally. The spacing between the notches 43 of the same wall corresponds to the spacing of the pins 10. These notches 43 provide a means for guiding the pins 10 as explained further in the description.

The respective front end walls 401, 401 of the body 40 and of the cover 41 each have an arrangement 440, 441 adapted to receive by insertion the front plate 31 of the support 3.

Figures 7 to 10 show the operation of the device 4.

In FIG. 7, the cover 41 of the device 4 is open. The device 1 is assembled on the device 4 by inserting the front plate 31 in the arrangement 440 of the body 40. The pins 10 are in the folded position so that their front end 10a does not penetrate into the compartments delimited by the walls 400 , 410, leaving these completely free. Food A is quickly placed in all or part of these compartments.

- In FIGS. 8 and 9, the cover 41 is put in place by folding it over the body 40. The arrangement 441 of the cover 41 covers the front plate 31 so that the latter is trapped in the arrangements 440, 441. The device 1 is thus perfectly secured to the device 4, the fittings 440, 441 and the front plate 31 forming a mechanical fastening means. Food A is perfectly held in position in its compartment. The user then moves the slide 20 to the extended position. The notches 43 serve as a guide for the pins 10 during their translational movement in the device 4. In a single operation, the pins 10 skewer the food A during their translation until reaching the extended position. The free ends 10a are then placed outside the food A and housed in the notches 43 arranged in the respective rear end walls of the body 40 and of the cover 41.

In FIG. 10, after the food has been racked in, the cover 41 is open. The user then only has to disassemble the device 1 from the appliance 4 to cook the food, the pins 10 being filled and in the extended position.

The arrangement of the various elements and / or means and / or stages of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such an arrangement in all implementations. In any event, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and / or means and / or stages, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular :

- The skewer device may include more than two pins 10, for example three or four pins depending on the size and / or the nature of the food to be cooked.

- The pins 10 may not be mounted movable in translation in the slide 20.

- The partition walls 400, 410 of the device 4 can be shaped to delimit housings of circular, square, rectangular, oval shape, etc.

- The body 40 and / or the cover 41 may not have partition walls 400, 410.

- The body 40 and the cover 41 are not necessarily hinged together, but can for example be fitted.

Claims (10)

1. Skewer device for roasting or grilling food comprising: - at least two parallel pins (10) suitable for jointly skewering the food (A), each of said pins having a free end (10a), - a support (3, 31, 32, 33, 34) in which at least one spit (10) is slidably mounted along its longitudinal axis (XX), between an extended position for roasting or grilling food (A) and a position retracted - an ejector member (31) for ejecting the food (A) when the spindle (10) slides towards the retracted position, characterized by the fact that: the two pins (10) are slidably mounted in the support (3, 31, 32, 33, 34), along their respective longitudinal axis (X-X), between the extended position and the retracted position, - the two pins (10) are integral with a slide (20) adapted to ensure joint sliding of said pins, - the ejector member (31) is arranged on the support (3, 31, 32, 33, 34) so that when the pins (10) slide together towards the retracted position, the ejector member (31) is suitable for push the food (A) towards the free ends (10a) of said pins and eject them, - The pins (10) are mounted mobile in rotation in the slide (20), around their longitudinal axis (X-X). 2. Device according to claim 1, in which: the pins (10) are mounted mobile in translation in the slide (20), along their longitudinal axis (X-X), - each of the pins (10) having another end (10b) opposite the free end (10a), - each other end (10b) having a latch (10c) adapted to lock in a respective crampon (20c) arranged on the slide (20), - when a latch (10c) is locked in a crampon (20c), the degree of freedom in translation of the respective spindle (10) along its longitudinal axis (X-X) is eliminated. 3. Device according to claim 2 in which the locking of a latch (10c) in a crampon (20c) is carried out by rotating the respective pin (10) about its longitudinal axis (XX), the unlocking being effected by a reverse rotation movement. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the slide (20) is provided with a tubular engagement portion (22) disposed in the sagittal median plane of said slide, which tubular portion is adapted to s' engage in an accessory (5) for fixing said device on an edge of a wall (P) of a barbecue. 5. Device according to claim 4, in which the slide (20) is provided with another tubular engagement portion (21) arranged perpendicular to the tubular engagement portion (22), which other tubular portion is suitable for s '' engage in the accessory (5). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the slide (20) slides along guide rails (33) carried by a front plate (31) in which the pins (10) and a rear plate (32). 7. Device according to claim 6, wherein the front plate (31) forms the ejector member. 8. An assembly comprising the skewer device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, and an accessory (5) for fixing said device to an edge of a wall (P) of a barbecue, said accessory comprising: - a bracket (50) adapted to be inserted on the edge of the wall (P) of the barbecue, - an adjustable rod (52) provided at one of its ends with one or more studs (52b, 52c, 52d) of different lengths, which studs are adapted to engage in the tubular portion (s) (21,22 ) fitted on the slide (20). 9. An assembly comprising the skewer device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, and an apparatus (4) for the preparation of skewers, which apparatus comprises: - a body (40) and a cover (41) delimiting a space in which the food (A) is arranged, - A means (43) for guiding the pins (10) to insert the food (A) arranged in the space delimited by the body (40) and the cover (41). 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein a mechanical fastening means (31,440, 441) secures the device (1) to the device (4).