GB2387768A

GB2387768A - Homogenized blender capable of steam cooking food

Info

Publication number: GB2387768A
Application number: GB0212178A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pietro Catelli
Original assignee: Artsana SpA
Current assignee: Artsana SpA
Priority date: 2002-04-23
Filing date: 2002-05-27
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-27
Also published as: DE20209048U1; GB2387768B; ES1052161Y; FR2838624B3; ITMI20020209V0; CH696134A5; ES1052161U; GB0212178D0; BE1015063A7; FR2838624A1; ITMI20020209U1; PT9823T

Abstract

A homogenized blender 1 comprising a base 2 carrying a steam boiler 3 in which steam is generated to be fed, via a channel 7 opening (at 7a) laterally to the boiler 3, into a container 10 flanking the boiler 3 and removably positioned on the base 2. The container 10 being open at an upper end 30 where a closure element 33 is present and containing a removable basket 16 for containing food to be thawed or steam-cooked, the channel 7 opening in front of an aperture 41 in the closure element 33 trough which the steam penetrates into the container 10. The container 10 comprises an internal step 14 on which a flanged edge 15 of the basket 16 rests, this resting separating the volume of the container below and to the side of the basket 16 from a steam discharge aperture 43 provided in the closure element 33.

Description

\ IMPROVED HOMOGENIZER DEVICE

The present invention relates to a homogenizer blender device in accordance with the introduction to the main claim.

Homogenizer blenders of the type comprising a water boiler generating steam fed into a container containing a food for its steam cooking have been known for some time.

EP971616 describes a homogenizer blender of the type described in the introduction to claim 1 of the present text. The drawback of such a

homogenizer blender is that the steam intake between the basket and wall of the basket container, caused by the aperture provided in that wall to enable the steam to escape (in accordance with current safety requirements) results in a rapid movement of said steam over the food which, if too compact, is not completely cooked (with obvious drawbacks, especially if the food is to be eaten by a child).

Moreover, as the said device can also be used as a blender, the blended product can escape through the aperture in the container wall during its preparation, with obvious drawbacks.

An object of the present invention is to provide a homogenizer blender device of the stated type which enables improved cooking of the food exposed to the steam by causing the steam to remain in contact with the food for a considerable time, exceeding that achieved in known homogenizer blenders.

Another object is to provide a homogenizer blender device of the said type which does not enable liquids to escape from the closed container when used as a blender.

J A further object is to provide a homogenizer blender device of the stated type which is safe in use.

These and further objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a homogenizer blender in accordance with the accompanying claims.

The present invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a homogenizer blender device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a part of the device of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of a portion of the part shown in Figure 2 taken from below; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the part shown in Figure 2 taken from a different angle; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a different portion of the part shown in Figure 2 taken from below; Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

With reference to said figures, a homogenizer blender device (or simply a homogenizer blender) is indicated overall by 1 and comprises a base 2 on which a known boiler or steam generator 3 is positioned provided with its own removable closure element 4 for its filling with water. The boiler presents usual internal heating elements (not shown), an external control element 5 and an internal conduit 7 opening at 7A into its surface 8 in front of a container 10 for a food to be subjected to steam cooking, thawing or blending. The container 10 is removably positionable on the base 2.

More particularly, the container 10 presents an upperly open hollow body 1 1 provided with a gripping handle 12; the inner wall 13 of the body 1 1 presents a step 14 on which there rests a terminal flanged edge 15 of a basket 16 for containing the food to be steam-prepared. The basket 16, preferably transparent, is removable and comprises at least one base 17 provided with holes and slots 20 enabling the liquid released from said food during its preparation to fall into a lower part 21 of the body 11 of the container 10. These holes or slots could also be partly provided in the lateral wall 25 of the basket.

In the lower part 21 of the container 10 there is located a double rotating blade 26 driven, when the container is on the base 2, by a shaft 27 operated by an electric motor 28 contained in the base 2. This blade enables the food to be blended within the body 12 without the presence of the basket 16. To facilitate the exit of this blended food (or of the liquid which collects in the part 21 during the steam-preparation of the food in the basket 16), a spout 31 is provided at a free edge 30 of the body 1 1.

The upper opening of the body 11 is closed by a removable closure element 33 presenting a part 34 having a gripping portion 35, a lateral step 36 and an end skirt or rim 37 which lies inward of the upper outer surface 34A of the body (to create the step 36 with this surface). When the closure element 33 is placed on the body 11, the free edge 30 of this body rests on the step 36, whereas the end edge 37 of the element 33 rests on the flanged edge 15 of the basket 16.

From the side of the closure element 33 there projects a lug 38 arranged to cooperate with a seat 39 provided in the surface 8 of the boiler 3 in order to secure the container to this latter. This cooperation takes place in

known manner by inserting the lug 38 into the end 39A of the seat 39 after mounting the container 10 on the drive shaft 27, then rotating the container on the base until it reaches the end of the seat 39. The lug 38 also cooperates with a seat 40 provided in the body 11 in proximity to its edge 30 and open at that edge.

The closure element 33 comprises a first through hole 41 which, after the container 10 has been "coupled" to the boiler 3 in the aforedescribed manner, is positioned exactly in front of the opening 7A of the conduit 7 in the surface 8 of said boiler. A deflector 42 is provided inside the closure element 33 at the through hole in order to direct the steam which enters the container 10 through the hole 41 towards the basket 16 preferably with circular motion within said container. By virtue of its weight, the steam hence falls into the basket 16 and enters into contact with the food positioned in it, so cooking or thawing it.

A second hole 43 is provided in the closure element 33 to enable steam to escape from the container 10 (as required by precise safety regulations).

This hole is provided in the end edge 37 and is arranged to lie in front of the spout 31 when the container 10 is coupled to the boiler 3.

Advantageously, a deflector 46 is positioned inside the closure element 33 at the second hole 43 to prevent escape of food when the device is used as a blender.

The deflector 46 and deflector 42 prevent the steam entering the container 10 from being "sucked" directly to its outside through the second hole 43, with obvious consequences.

During use, the closure element 33 rests with its end edge on the flanged edge 15 of the basket 16 and urges this latter against the step 14 formed

on the inside of the body 11 of the container 10. In this manner, any steam passing through the apertures 20 in the base 17 of the body 11 and entering the lower part 21 of this latter to rise within this latter between its wall 13 and the basket 16 finds its passage blocked. This steam is unable to reach the second hole 43 and stops between said wall 13 and the basket 16, to contribute to the heating of this latter and hence of the food contained in it. Moreover, as no passage exists between the wall 13 and the basket 16 (intercepted by the edge 15 resting on the step 14) to enable the steam to escape from the base 17 of the basket and rise towards the hole 43 by passing along the side of the basket, the steam remains for a longer time within the basket than in known embodiments, to enable optimum food preparation (cooking or thawing).

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. Others are however possible in the light of the aforegoing description (such as one in

which the basket 16 does not present holes or apertures 20) and are to be considered as falling within the scope of the present document.

Claims

1. A homogenizer blender device (1) of the type comprising a base (2) carrying a steam boiler (3) in which steam is generated to be fed, via a channel (7) opening (at 7A) laterally to the boiler (3), into a container (10) flanking the boiler (3) and removably positioned on the base (2), said container (10) being open at an upper end (30) where a closure element (33) is present and containing a removable basket (16) for containing a food to be subjected to preparation such as thawing or steamcooking, the channel (7) of the boiler (3) opening (at 7a) in front of an aperture (41) in the closure element (33) through which the steam from the boiler penetrates into the container (10), within the lower part (21) of this latter there being positioned a rotary blade (26) arranged to cooperate with a -I drive shaft (27) emerging from the base (2), characterized in that the container (10) comprises an internal step (14) on which a flanged edge (15) of the removable basket (16) rests, this resting separating the volume of the container below and to the side of the basket (16) from a steam discharge aperture (43) provided in the closure element (33).

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (33) presents an end edge (37) which presses on the flanged edge (15) of the removable basket (16) when placed on the upper end (30) of the container (10), this pressing contributing to the separation of the container volume below and to the side of the basket (16) from the discharge aperture (43).

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (33) comprises a part (34) having a gripping portion (35) and an upper surface (34A) lying above the end edge (37), between said surface

(34A) and said edge (37) there being provided a step (36) against which the upper end (30) of the container (10) acts.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a deflector (42) is provided inside the closure element (33) at the aperture (41) facing the opening (7A) of the channel (7) for the steam from the boiler (3).

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a deflector (46) is provided inside the closure element (33) at the steam discharge aperture (43).

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basket (16) is transparent.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the basket (16) presents at least one through aperture (20) at least within its base (17).

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the container (10) presents a spout (31) at its open upper end (30).

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (33) presents a projecting lug (38) arranged to cooperate with a seat (39) in the boiler (3) to secure the container (10) to this latter, said lug (38) resting within a seat (40) of the container (10) provided in proximity to its upper open end (30) and open at this latter.

10. A homogenizer blender device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.