GB2486888A

GB2486888A - Kebab cooking apparatus comprising removable parts to assist with cleaning the apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2486888A
Application number: GB201021884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Petros Efstathiou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-12-23
Filing date: 2010-12-23
Publication date: 2012-07-04
Also published as: GB201021884D0

Abstract

Cooking apparatus 10 for cooking kebab food material comprises a heat source assembly 12 and a mounting 14 for a food material carrying spindle 16. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a panel assembly 18 comprising a substantially planar panel 20. The panel assembly 18 is located between the heat source assembly 12 and the spindle mounting 14 and is removable. In other embodiments, the heat source assembly may comprise one or more ceramic elements 26 and the heat source assembly may be removable from the cooking apparatus. In another embodiment, there is provided a floor assembly comprising a floor member 34 which collects waste material and is removable for cleaning.

Description

I

Cooking Apparatus The present invention relates to cooking apparatus, particularly but not S exclusively cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material.

Conventionally, cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material (sometimes referred to as a kebab machine, kebab cooking apparatus or a doner grill) comprises a rotatable spindle on which food material such as meat is mountable, and a heat source such as a gas fired burner which applies heat to the food material. The apparatus may be provided with a movable tray for catching fluids such as fat released during cooking. Typically, the spindle is removable for cleaning purposes, which could be on a daily basis, and less frequently the machine must be stripped down for a more complete clean, which is time consuming. The gas fired burner includes ceramic elements which over time can become clogged which can lead to an uneven distribution of heat to the food material. The gas fired burner produces both radiant and convection heat which can also result in an uneven distribution of heat to the food material.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material, the apparatus comprising a heat source assembly, and a mounting for a food material carrying spindle.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a panel assembly, which may comprise a panel. Possibly, the panel assembly is located between the heat source assembly and the mounting.

Possibly, the panel is formed of a material which permits the transmission of heat, and may permit the transmission of light, and may permit the transmission of infra red light. Possibly, the panel material comprises a glass, and may comprise a ceramic glass, and may be 4mm thick.

Possibly, the heat source assembly comprises one or more burner sets, which may be gas fired, and each burner set may comprise one or more ceramic elements. The or each ceramic element may include a substantially S planar element face.

Possibly, the heat source assembly comprises a plurality of burner sets and each burner set may comprise one or more ceramic elements, each of which may include a substantially planar element face. Possibly, the element faces are substantially coplanar.

Possibly, the or each element face is arranged substantially vertically.

Possibly, the panel is substantially planar, and may be located substantially parallel with the element face(s), and may be located a predetermined distance from the element face(s). The predetermined distance may be between 25 and 40mm, and may be between 30 and 34mm, and may be approximately 32mm.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a base frame, which may comprise a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel sides.

Possibly, the apparatus includes a floor assembly, which may comprise a floor member. The floor member may, in an assembled condition, extend between the sides of the base frame, and may extend beneath the heat source assembly, and/or the panel assembly and/or the spindle mounting.

The apparatus may include a floor assembly mounting for mounting the floor assembly. The floor assembly mounting may permit movement of the floor assembly from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition. In the disassembled condition, the floor assembly may be removed from the frame. The floor assembly mounting may be arranged to permit slidable movement of the floor assembly relative to the frame.

The floor member may comprise a pair of oppositely laterally extending support projections, which may comprise the floor assembly mounting. Each support projection may, in the assembled condition, locate on a support surface of one of the frame sides. The support surfaces may comprise the floor assembly mounting.

The base frame may include a pair of covers, one of which may extend over each of the support surfaces. Each cover and support surface may together define a support projection receiving opening.

The spindle mounting may comprise a lower part, which may be mounted to the floor member. A drive may also be mounted to the floor member, to drive the spindle. The drive may comprise an electric motor. The apparatus may include a power supply to the motor. The power supply may include a connector, which may be in the form of a plug and socket. The socket may be mounted to the floor assembly.

The spindle mounting lower part may define a spindle hole, which may be non circular in plan, in which a correspondingly shaped spindle end is receivable.

The spindle mounting may comprise an upper part, which may comprise an arm, which may be fixed to the base frame. The upper part may define a substantially circular hole in which a correspondingly shaped spindle end is receivable.

The floor member may define one or more waste holes. The waste holes may be located towards one end of the floor member. The floor member may slope downwardly towards the waste hole(s).

The floor assembly may include a collector for collecting waste material. The collector may define a collecting space, and may be locatable beneath the floor member, so that, in use, in the assembled condition, waste material passes through the waste hole(s) defined in the floor member and into the collecting space.

S The floor assembly may include a collector mounting, which may permit movement of the collector from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition. In the disassembled condition, the collector may be removed from the floor assembly. The collector mounting may be arranged to permit slidable movement of the collector relative to the floor assembly.

The apparatus may include a heat source assembly mounting which may permit movement of the heat source assembly from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, in which the heat source assembly may be removed from the apparatus. The heat source assembly mounting may include a plurality of laterally projecting items, which may include wheels or rollers.

Each of the base frame sides may define a channel, which may comprise the panel assembly mounting, and in the assembled condition may receive the laterally projecting items.

The apparatus may include a panel assembly mounting which may permit movement of the panel assembly from the assembled condition in which the panel assembly is mounted to the heat source assembly to a disassembled condition in which the panel assembly is removed from the apparatus. The panel assembly mounting may include a plurality of laterally projecting mounting hooks, which, in the assembled condition may be received within holes defined by the heat source assembly.

The panel assembly may include a panel frame. The apparatus may include a panel mounting which may permit movement of the panel from the assembled condition in which the panel is mounted to the panel frame to a disassembled condition in which the panel is removed from the panel frame.

The panel mounting may be arranged to permit slidable movement of the panel relative to the frame. The panel frame may define a pair of channels, which may comprise the panel mounting, and which, in the assembled condition, may receive edges of the panel.

S

Possibly, the apparatus is kebab food material cooking apparatus.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material, the method include providing apparatus comprising a heat source assembly, and a mounting for a food material carrying spindle.

Possibly, the apparatus is as described in any of the preceding

statements.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. I is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material in an assembled condition; Figs. 2A to 20 are plan, front and side views respectively of the apparatus of Fig 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view from the front, one side and above of the apparatus in a partially disassembled condition; Fig. 4 is a perspective view from the rear, the one side and below of the apparatus of Fig 3; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view from the front of a part of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view from the side of another part of the apparatus.

Figs. I to 5 show a cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material 10, the apparatus comprising a heat source assembly 12 and a mounting 14 for a food material carrying spindle 16. The apparatus 10 includes a panel assembly 18 comprising a substantially planar panel 20. The panel assembly 18 is located between the heat source assembly 12 and the spindle mounting 14.

S

The panel 20 is formed of a ceramic glass material which is approximately 4mm thick and which permits the transmission of heat and infra red light.

In the example shown, the heat source assembly 12 comprises three gas fired burners sets 22, which are located vertically, one above the other.

Each burner set 22 includes a ceramic element 24, which includes a substantially planar element face 26. Each element face 26 is arranged substantially vertically, and the three element faces 26 are substantially coplanar.

In an assembled condition, as shown in Figs 1 and 2, the panel 20 is located substantially parallel with the element faces 26, at a predetermined distance from the combustion faces 26. The applicant has found that the predetermined distance is important in determining the efficiency of the cooking apparatus. If the distance is too small, the burning efficiency is reduced, resulting in increased emissions, but the distance must be minimised to maximise the radiant heat transmission. In one example, the predetermined distance is approximately 32mm. In other examples, the predetermined distance could be between 25 and 40mm, and in still other examples, the predetermined distance could be between 30 and 34mm.

The apparatus 10 includes a base frame 28, which comprises a base member 100, a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel sides 30, and a front end waIl 102.

The apparatus 10 includes a floor assembly 32, which comprises a floor member 34. In an assembled condition, the floor member 34 extends between the sides 30 of the base frame 28 beneath the heat source assembly 12, the panel assembly 18 and the spindle mounting 14.

The apparatus 10 includes a floor assembly mounting 36 for mounting the floor assembly 32. The floor assembly mounting 36 permits sliding movement of the floor assembly 32 from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, in which the floor assembly 32 is removed from the frame 28.

The floor member 34 is rectangular in plan and comprises a base part 60, two longer side walls 62, two shorter side walls comprising a front side wall 64 and a rear side wall 65 and a pair of support projections 38 somewhat in the form of flanges, one of which extends laterally outwardly from each of the two longer side walls 62, and which comprise the floor assembly mounting 36. In the assembled condition, each support projection 38 locates on a support surface 40 of one of the frame sides 30. The support surfaces 40 comprise the floor assembly mounting 36.

The base frame 28 includes a pair of covers 42, one of which extends over each of the support surfaces 40. Each cover 42 and support surface 40 together define a support projection receiving opening 44.

The spindle mounting 14 comprises a lower part 46, which is mounted to the floor member 34. A drive 48 comprising an electric motor 50 is also mounted to the floor member 34, to drive the spindle 16. The motor 50 is directly coupled to the lower part 46 via a relatively short drive shaft 51. The apparatus 10 includes a power supply 52 to the motor 50. The power supply 52 includes a connector 54, which is in the form of a plug 56 and socket 58.

One of the plug 56 and the socket 58 (in this case the socket 58) is mounted to a bracket 66 extending downwardly from the floor member 34.

The spindle mounting lower part 46 defines a spindle hole 68, which is non circular in plan, in which a correspondingly shaped lower spindle end 70 is receivable. In the example shown, the spindle hole 68 is square in plan.

The lower part 46 defines a hole 72 to permit drainage from the spindle hole.

The spindle mounting 14 comprises an upper part 74, which comprises S an arm 76, which is fixed to the base frame 28. The upper part 74 defines a substantially circular hole 78 in which a correspondingly shaped upper spindle end 80 is receivable.

The floor member 34 defines a plurality of waste holes 82 which are located towards the front end of the floor member 34. The base part 60 of the floor member 34 slopes downwardly towards the waste holes 82.

The floor assembly 32 includes a drawer like collector 84 for collecting waste material. The collector 84 defines a collecting space 86, and is locatable beneath the floor member 34, so that, in use, in the assembled condition, waste material passes through the waste holes 82 defined in the floor member and into the collecting space 86.

The floor assembly 32 includes a collector mounting 88, which permits sliding movement of the collector 84 from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition in which the collector 84 is removed from the floor assembly 32. The front side wall 64 defines an opening 90 in which the collector 84 is receivable, and which comprises the collector mounting 88.

The apparatus 10 includes a heat source assembly mounting 92 which permits movement of the heat source assembly 12 from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, in which the heat source assembly 12 is removed from the apparatus 10. The heat source assembly mounting 92 includes a plurality of laterally projecting wheels 94. In the example shown, the heat source assembly mounting 92 includes four wheels 94, two wheels on each side.

Each of the base frame sides 30 includes a C-shaped member 95 which defines an inwardly facing channel 96, which comprises the heat source assembly mounting 92, and in the assembled condition receives the wheels 94.

The apparatus 10 includes a panel assembly mounting 98 which permits movement of the panel assembly 18 from the assembled condition in which the panel assembly 18 is mounted to the heat source assembly 12 to a disassembled condition in which the panel assembly 18 is removed from the apparatus 10. The panel assembly mounting 98 includes a plurality of laterally projecting mounting hooks 106, which, in the assembled condition are received within holes 108 defined by the heat source assembly 12.

The panel assembly 18 includes a panel frame 110. The apparatus 10 includes a panel mounting 112 which permits sliding movement of the panel from the assembled condition in which the panel 20 is mounted to the panel frame 110 to a disassembled condition in which the panel 20 is removed from the panel frame 110. The panel frame 110 defines a pair of channels 114, which comprise the panel mounting 112, and which, in the assembled condition, receive edges of the panel 20. The panel frame 110 includes tabs 118 which define the channels 114.

The floor assembly 32, the base frame 28, the panel frame 110 and parts of the heat source assembly 12 could be formed of an hygienic food grade material, such as stainless steel.

In use, the apparatus 10 is assembled to the assembled condition as shown in Figs I and 2. Referring to Fig 2C, the spindle 16 carrying food material 116 is located so that the upper end 80 locates in the arm hole 78 and the lower end 70 locates in the spindle hole 68 as indicated by arrows A and B respectively. Power is supplied to the motor 50, so that the spindle 16 rotates. The burner sets 22 are ignited so that the ceramic elements 24 heat up and radiate heat through the glass panel 20 to cook the food material 116.

Advantageously, the glass panel 20 substantially prevents convection heat from the burner sets 22 from reaching the food material 116, preventing uneven cooking. The ceramic elements 24 and the panel 20 provide an even S distribution of the radiant heat.

During the cooking process, the food material 116 produces waste material, which may include fluids such as fat, grease or water, and may include particulate food solids. The waste material falls down onto the floor member 34 and flows down the slope of the base part 60, through the waste holes 82 and into the collector 84. From time to time, the collector 84 can be removed and emptied.

The panel prevents waste material from clogging the ceramic elements 1 5 during cooking, and prevents combustion waste products (such as carbon dioxide) from contaminating the food material.

Advantageously, the floor member 34 provides a substantially continuous waste material collecting surface beneath the spindle 16. The covers 42 ensure that any waste material is directed onto the floor member 34.

After the cooking process has finished, the spindle 16 is removed. The floor assembly 32 can then be removed for cleaning. To permit complete removal the plug 56 is detached from the socket 58. The heat source assembly 12 with the panel assembly 18 still mounted thereto is slidably moved along the base frame 28 until clear of the arm 76, when the panel assembly 18 can be unhooked and removed from the heat source assembly 12. The panel 20 can then be slid upwardly and removed from the panel frame 110.

There is thus provided a cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material in which the various parts can be easily disassembled for cleaning and maintenance, and which provides improved evenness of heat to the food material.

Various other modifications could be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various parts could be arranged differently, and could be of any suitable size and shape, and could be formed of any suitable material. The type of the heat source could be different. For example, the heat source could be electrical. The number and arrangement of the burner sets could be different. The burner sets and spindle could be arranged horizontally. The apparatus could used to cook any suitable type of food material, and could be in the form of a rotisserie.

Claims

Claims 1. Cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material, the apparatus comprising a heat source assembly, and a mounting for a food material carrying spindle.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the apparatus includes a panel assembly, which comprises a panel.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which the panel assembly is located between the heat source assembly and the mounting.
4. Apparatus according to claims 2 or 3, in which the panel is formed of a material which permits the transmission of heat, and may permit the i-1 5 transmission of light, and may permit the transmission of infra red light. c\J
5. Apparatus according to any of claims 2 to 4, in which the panel material Ct) comprises a glass, and may comprise a ceramic glass, and may be 4mm thick.
6. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the heat source assembly comprises one or more burner sets, which may be gas fired.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which each burner set comprises one or more ceramic elements.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which the or each ceramic element includes a substantially planar element face.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the heat source assembly comprises a plurality of burner sets, and each burner set comprises one or more ceramic elements, each of which includes a substantially planar element face, and the element faces are substantially coplanar.
1O.Apparatus according to claims 8 or 9, in which the or each element face is arranged substantially vertically.
11.Apparatus according to any of claims 8 to 10 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the panel is substantially planar, and is located substantially parallel with the element face(s).
12.Apparatus according to claim 11, in which the panel is located a predetermined distance from the element face(s).
13.Apparatus according to claim 12, in which the predetermined distance is i-15 between 25 and 40mm, and may be between 30 and 34mm, and may be (\,J approximately 32mm.

Ct)
14.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a base frame.
15.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a floor assembly, which comprises a floor member.
16.Apparatus according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 14, in which the base frame comprises a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel sides, and in an assembled condition, the floor member extends between the sides of the base frame, and may extend beneath the heat source assembly, and/or the panel assembly and/or the spindle mounting.
17.Apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, in which the apparatus includes a floor assembly mounting for mounting the floor assembly.
18.Apparatus according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the floor assembly mounting permits movement of the floor assembly from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, wherein, in the disassembled condition, the floor assembly is removable from the frame.
19.Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the floor assembly mounting is arranged to permit slidable movement of the floor assembly relative to the frame.
20.Apparatus according to claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the spindle mounting comprises a lower part, which is mounted to the floor member. ri-15
21.Apparatus according to claim 20, in which a drive is also mounted to the (\J floor member, to drive the spindle.C)
22.Apparatus according to claim 21, in which the drive comprises an electric motor, the apparatus includes a power supply to the motor, the power supply includes a connector, which is in the form of a plug and socket, and the socket is mounted to the floor assembly.
23.Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 22, in which the spindle mounting lower part defines a spindle hole, which is non circular in plan, in which a correspondingly shaped spindle end is receivable.
24.Apparatus according to claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the spindle mounting comprises an upper part, which comprises an arm, which is fixed to the base frame, the upper part defining a substantially circular hole in which a correspondingly shaped spindle end is receivable.
25.Apparatus according to claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the floor member defines one or more waste holes, the waste holes are located towards one end of the floor member and the floor member slopes downwardly towards the waste hole(s).
26.Apparatus according to claim 15 or any claim dependent thereon, in which S the floor assembly includes a collector for collecting waste material, the collector defines a collecting space, and is locatable beneath the floor member, so that, in use, in the assembled condition, waste material passes through the waste hole(s) defined in the floor member and into the collecting space.
27.Apparatus according to claim 26, in which the floor assembly includes a collector mounting, which permits movement of the collector from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, wherein in the disassembled condition, the collector is removable from the floor i-15 assembly. c\J28.Apparatus according to claim 27, in which the collector mounting is Ct) arranged to permit slidable movement of the collector relative to the floor assembly.29.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes a heat source assembly mounting which permits movement of the heat source assembly from the assembled condition to a disassembled condition, in which the heat source assembly is removable from the apparatus.30.Apparatus according to claim 29, in which the heat source assembly mounting includes a plurality of laterally projecting items, which include wheels or rollers.31.Apparatus according to claim 30 when dependent on claim 14 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the base frame comprises a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel sides, each of which defines a channel, which comprises the panel assembly mounting, and in the assembled condition receives the laterally projecting items.32.Apparatus according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the apparatus includes a panel assembly mounting which permits movement of the panel assembly from the assembled condition in which the panel assembly is mounted to the heat source assembly to a disassembled condition in which the panel assembly is removed from the apparatus.33.Apparatus according to claim 32, in which the panel assembly mounting include a plurality of laterally projecting mounting hooks, which, in the assembled condition are received within holes defined by the heat source 1* assembly. i-15(\J 34.Apparatus according to claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, in which the panel assembly includes a panel frame, the apparatus including a Ct) panel mounting which permits movement of the panel from the assembled condition in which the panel is mounted to the panel frame to a disassembled condition in which the panel is removed from the panel frame.35.Apparatus according to claim 34, in which the panel mounting is arranged to permit slidable movement of the panel relative to the frame.36.Apparatus according to claim 35, in which the panel frame defines a pair of channels, which comprise the panel mounting, and which, in the assembled condition, receive edges of the panel.37.Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus is kebab food material cooking apparatus.38.A method of forming cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material, the method including providing apparatus comprising a heat source assembly, and a mounting for a food material carrying spindle.39.A method according to claim 38, in which the apparatus is as defined in anyof the claims I to 37.40.Cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings 41.A method of forming cooking apparatus for cooking kebab food material substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to any of the accompanying drawings. i-15 c\J C") (4