GB2187376A

GB2187376A - Confectionery melting appliance

Info

Publication number: GB2187376A
Application number: GB08605292A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Allan George Cooke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-04
Filing date: 1986-03-04
Publication date: 1987-09-09
Anticipated expiration: 2006-03-04
Also published as: GB8605292D0; GB2187376B

Abstract

An appliance for melting confectionery or other substances by heating, said appliance comprising the combination of a container 16 for the substance, and a unit having a base 10, a platform 14 mounted on the base to provide a flat top surface on which the flat bottom of the container 16 can rest, and a heating element 15 below the platform 14 to heat it, and thus to heat the substance within the container 16. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Confectionary melting appliance This invention relates two an applianceformelting or softening confectionaryorotherfoodstuffsfor various purposes.

The invention is primarily, though not exclusively, applicable to the melting of chocolate. Chocolate to be used in relatively small quantities, for example in the home, is a rather difficult substance to work with because the melting point is quite low, but if excessive heating is applied, it tends to burn. When melted it is also a somewhat sticky substance. Uneven heating often results in over heating in some areas of the mass and this causes wastage and subsequent difficulty in cleaning utensils. It is therefore established practice to melt chocolate in a container held over boiling water, so that heating is as even as possible. The heating is critical if correct melting isto take place.It is also sometimes desired to bring the chocolate to a higher temperature when mixed with other substances to produce fudge, but again the temperature is critical if a good texture is to be achieved.

It is the practice to melt chocolate in relatively small quantities in order to produce mouldings of various shapes and sizes, including egg shell shapes or other hollow forms. By the conventional melting methods, as described, the production of these is wasteful as well as being difficult, since the chocolate quickly solidifies again after melting, once its temperature falls.

It is therefore the object ofthe invention to provide an appliance for melting confectionary or other substances, by heating, which enables the substance to be broughtto and maintained art a required temperature.

According to the present invention, there is provided an appliance for melting confectionary or other substances, by heating, said appliance comprising, in combination, a containerforthe substance, and a unit having a base, a platform and an electrical heating element arranged to heat the platform, the arrange ment being thatthe containerforthe substance is placed on the platform, to be heated to a required temperature.

Preferably, the container is a shallow bowl with a substantially flat or slightly concave bottom, to rest on the flat top ofthe platform.

Conveniently, the bowl is circular and the platform is also circular and of the same size as the bottom of the bowl.

The base may conveniently be made as a moulding having the platform and heating element mounted within itandthe base mayals.oinclude electrical control for the heating element.

An alternative form of container for the substance to be melted may comprise a flat or generally flat member having a surface for supporting the subst ance and aflat bottom to engage the platform of the appliance.

Although reference has been madeto melting of chocolate or other substance, it may not be desired to meltthe whole of any mass ofthe substance, but only to melt an edge or portion of it.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying draw ings in which: Figure lisa cross sectional view of a unit constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross sectional viewofone form of containerfora substance to be heated in the appliance; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternative form of container; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of one form of mould; and Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of another form of mould.

Figure 1 shows a unitformingthe main portion of an appliance primarily, though not exclusively, intended for melting chocolate. The unit comprises a base 10 formed as a plastics moulding. This is a shallow inverted tray with a circular hole which, in this example, is near one end. A cavity 12 provides a space containing electrical wiring and other controls fed from a supplythrough an input cable 13.

Beneath the hole 11 and aligned with it and secured in the base 10 is a platform 14 serving as a hot piate.

Beneath this platform is positioned an electrical heating element 15 to which the electrical controls in the space 12 are connected.

The heating element 15 may be of any convenient kind and may alternatively be incorporated within the platform 14 but is arranged to heat the platform uniformly.

In use, the unit stands on any surface with the platform 14presenting a horizontal flattop surface which is directly accessible through the hole 11 in the base 10.

Figure 2 shows one form of container for chocolate or other substance to be melted. This is preferably made of glass or other substance to which chocolate will not readily adhere. The container comprises a shallow bowl 16with a handle 17. The bottom of this container is flat or slightly concave and of a size approximately equal to that ofthe top surface of the platform 14which is exposed through the hole 11 in the base. The container can therefore stand conveniently on the platform and when the heating element 15 is energised the heatwill betransferred substantial- ly uniformly into a mass of chocolate contained within the container 16.

Figure 3 shows an alternative form of container which is a flat platform 18 with a handle 19 atone side.

The platform has a stepped base of which the central portion is of a size to fit onto the platform 1 4and, being flat, again provides surface on which a substance can conveniently be melted.

This type of container is intended for melting only part of a mass of a substance such as chocolate. Thus, if a decorative edge portion to be used on a confection is to be partly melted in order to cause itto stick to the remainderofthe confection, it can be placed on the platform fora shorttime until the underneath surface ofthe mass melts to the required degree.

Figure 4 shows one form of mould which can be usedto produce shaped decorative items from a substance such as chocolate. The mould is a shallow dish 20 which is shown with a rectangular, circular or other shape and a peripheral flange. This is shown containing a mass ofchocolate or other substance at 21. Such a mould can easily be filled from the container 16 simply by pouring.

Figure 5 shows an alternativeform of mould comprising a part-circulardish 22 again having a peripheral flange. This may, for example, may be egg-shaped. Thetechnique used in creating a hollow shell of chocolate is to pour a small amount ofthe chocolate onto the interior surface ofthe bowl 22 as indicated at 23. This is spread overthe surface and is allowed to set when itforms a substantially continuousfilm overthe inside ofthe dish. Two of these could be usedtogethertoformachocolate egg of hoilow construction.

It is to be understood that a number of other shapes of moulds can be used to produce any desired hollow or solid confection.The appliance may include a control enabling differenttemperatures to be achievedformelting or softening differentfood substances.

Claims

1. An applianceformelting confectionary or other substances by heating, said appliance comprising, in combination, a containerforthe substance to be melted, and a unit having a base, a substantially flat topped platform mounted on the base, and an electrical heating element mounted in the base adjacent to the platform to enable the platform to be heated, the arrangement being thatthe container for the substance is piaced onthe platform, to be heated to a required temperature.

2. An appliance as claimed in Claim 1 in which the container is a shallow bowl with a substantially flat or slightly concave bottom to rest on the top ofthe platform.

3. An appliance as claimed in Claim 2, in which the bowl is circular, and the platform is also circular and of the same size as the bottom ofthe bowl.

4. An appliance as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the base is made from a plastics material by moulding, the heating element being mounted within the moulding, and the platform being mountedthereon, and an electrical control for the heating element being provided thereon.

5. An appliance as claimed in Claim 1, in which the container is a flator generally flat member having a surfacefor supporting the substance to be melted, and aflat orslightly concave bottom two rest on the platform.

6. An appliance for melting confectionery or other substances substantially as hereinbefore described with referenceto and as shown in the accompanying drawings.