LU506509B1 - Device for tempering food intended for consumption - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1-1d) for tempering foodstuffs intended for consumption, comprising a trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) for receiving foodstuffs or tableware intended for consumption and a receiving device (10-10c) for a tempering agent (11-11c) arranged below the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d). The trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) and the receiving device (10-10d) are expediently produced from a single sheet metal blank (2-2c) by forming the sheet metal blank (2-2c). The trough-shaped presentation area is a storage area for foodstuffs intended for consumption, which can be cooled, kept cool, heated, or kept warm by the tempering agent.

Description

SEN s CONE que age LU506509

Description: “Device for tempering food intended for consumption”

The invention relates to a device for tempering food intended for consumption, which device comprises a tub-shaped presentation area for receiving food or tableware intended for consumption and a receiving device for a tempering agent arranged below the tub-shaped presentation area.

Each of the publications JP S59 128093 U, JP S58 188587 U and JP S60 60674 U describes that an outer container and an inner container are placed inside each other to form a temperature control device, forming a space for accommodating a coolant, and are connected to each other by folding and pressing a circumferential common edge. Formation of the temperature control device from a single formed

Sheet metal cutting does not show any of the aforementioned publications.

Serving devices or serving plates are also known from the prior art, which have a presentation area in which food to be served, such as cheese or

Sausages are placed there. Below the presentation area is a compartment for a cold pack, which can be used to cool the food being served.

If food intended for consumption is to be kept warm, the use of a

Warm batteries instead of cold batteries.

In addition, devices for warming dishes such as plates are known from the prior art.

The invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned at the outset which is particularly simple to manufacture.

Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned, which enables an attractive presentation of foodstuffs, especially those that require temperature control. It is irrelevant whether these are stored directly in the

presentation area or whether they are placed on dishes, such as a plate, that are intended to be placed in the presentation area.

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The invention is also based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned at the outset which enables a temperature control medium to be introduced into the device more easily.

The invention is further based on the object of creating a device in which a

Changing the tempering medium is possible without moving the presentation area.

Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned at the outset, by means of which the temperature control medium can be pressed against the underside of the presentation area, so that a more efficient temperature transfer is possible.

The invention is also based on the object of creating a device of the type mentioned at the outset which is particularly flat. Such a device can advantageously

The device can also be stored in standard household refrigerators or freezers.

The invention is also based on the object of creating a device which is particularly easy to operate, in particular with one hand.

Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of designing a device which is particularly handy in comparison to cooling or heating plates known from the prior art.

The invention is also based on the object of designing a device of the type mentioned at the outset which can be cleaned particularly economically and in a space-saving manner in commercially available dishwashers.

According to the invention, the first two objects are achieved in that the tub-shaped presentation area and the receiving device are produced from a single sheet metal blank by forming the sheet metal blank, wherein the tub-shaped

The presentation area is produced by deep drawing a single sheet metal blank and the receiving device is produced by bending or deep drawing a single sheet metal blank.

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Deep drawing creates a tub-shaped presentation area whose walls delimit the presentation area.

It is conceivable that a pattern is introduced into the tub-shaped presentation area using a deep-drawing tool. A pattern could, for example, be a ribbing, whereby the

Presentation area has an enlarged surface compared to a smooth surface, so that a better temperature control of presented and intended for consumption

At the same time, food sticking is prevented and its

Removal is simplified as the removal tools can be used to grasp the contents.

It is conceivable that an enlarged surface is formed by grooves arranged next to one another.

Bending with a rotating tool is a particularly simple and cost-effective manufacturing method for forming a sheet metal blank.

If the receiving device is manufactured by deep drawing, a receiving device with a surrounding side wall can be created.

Because the receiving device and the tray-shaped presentation area are made from a single sheet metal blank, a one-piece device is created.

The sheet metal blank can be punched out of a metal sheet. Preferably, the

Sheet metal blank made of a corrosion-resistant steel, in particular a stainless steel.

A tempering agent is suitable for cooling, keeping cool, heating or keeping warm the food intended for consumption and can be a block-like cooling or heating agent such as a

It can be a reusable cold or heat pack or an ice block. It is conceivable that the temperature control agent comprises a gel pad or is designed as a gel pad. The gel pad contains a substance that can store and release cold or heat. The tub-shaped presentation area is a storage area for food intended for consumption.

Food that can be cooled, kept cool, heated or kept warm by the tempering agent. The tempering of the food by the tempering agent takes place from the underside of the tub-shaped presentation area, i.e. from a

Side of the tub-shaped presentation area facing the tempering agent.

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In addition, the tub-shaped presentation area can be used to hold dishes such as LUS06509

Plates or bowls should be provided, whereby the dishes are to be tempered and can themselves hold food that is to be tempered.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the trough-shaped presentation area produced by deep drawing has a receiving area protruding from the trough-shaped presentation area, which is designed to engage with the underside of tableware that can be placed in the presentation area. Tableware such as a plate can advantageously be placed wobble-free in the presentation area and preferably rests against the entire surface of the presentation area. This advantageously allows for stable holding of tableware while simultaneously maintaining its optimal temperature.

It is conceivable that the deep-drawn area is designed in such a way that tableware such as a plate or a bowl with a top side can be inserted into it flush.

In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving device for the temperature control medium is produced by bending opposite side sections of the single sheet metal blank, or the receiving device for the temperature control medium is produced by deep drawing a side section surrounding a central region of the single sheet metal blank and by bending.

Advantageously, a symmetrical device is created.

In particular, the opposite side sections can be of equal size.

By deep drawing the central area of a single sheet metal blank surrounding

By means of a side section and a bending process, a receiving device with a circumferential side wall can be produced, on the circumferential side wall of which receiving rails are integrally formed.

In one embodiment of the invention, the opposite side sections of the single sheet metal blank are each bent twice to form side walls and support rails for the tempering medium, or the circumferential side section is deep-drawn and bent once.

A first bend of, for example, 90 degrees creates side walls of the holding device for the tempering medium, while a second bend of a

Side section area of the curved side section by, for example, 90 degrees, mounting rails for the tempering agent can be created.

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The receiving device is designed, in particular, in the form of a drawer, which can be open on two sides, for example. To close openings, a device according to the invention can, for example, comprise decorative elements covering the openings.

The tempering agent can be placed on the upper side of the support rails, while a

The underside of the support rails is provided for contact with a surface such as a table on which a device according to the invention can stand.

It goes without saying that, depending on the optical design, angles other than 90 degrees are conceivable. The bending angle is preferably between 60 and 90 degrees relative to the starting position, i.e., the sheet metal blank.

By deep drawing the circumferential side section and a single bending process, a circumferential side wall is created, onto which the mounting rails are integrally formed.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the opposite side sections of the single sheet metal blank each have a projection which is bent by forming into a stop for the tempering medium.

Advantageously, the tempering agent can be easily positioned in the holder, which is designed as a drawer open on one side. This allows for uniform tempering of the food to be presented.

Conveniently, each of the opposite side sections or the circumferential side section has a plurality of passages which extend in a thickness direction of the sheet metal blank and which are designed to receive connecting sections of feet of the device on which the device can stand when used as intended.

The passages can be made into the sheet metal blank by punching.

The feet, which are preferably made of rubber, allow a

The device can also be placed on a sensitive surface such as a real wood table.

In one embodiment of the invention, the receiving device has a return means to which a tempering means can be applied in such a way that the tempering means rests at least partially against an underside of the tub-shaped presentation area.

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The underside of the presentation area is the side that faces the holder for the LUS06509 tempering agent.

When using a return medium, the tempering medium can be in contact with the underside partially or completely.

The return means ensures that there is direct contact between the

Tempering agent and the tub-shaped presentation area. This could be

The tempering agent is pressed against the underside of the tub-shaped presentation area by the return means, so that optimal tempering is possible.

By using the restoring means, different thicknesses of tempering means can also be used with a single device according to the invention.

The formation of gaps between the tempering medium and the underside of the tub-shaped presentation area, which leads to a reduction in tempering performance, is advantageously prevented.

The return means is expediently positioned from the support rails in the direction of the

Underside of the tub-shaped presentation area and is preferably integrally formed thereon.

The return mechanism is located only on the upper side of the support rail. Advantageously, the underside of the support rail can also be used as a support surface.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the return means comprises in particular elongated sheet metal sections which protrude from the receiving rails and which are in particular integrally formed thereon.

The sheet metal sections can be formed by cutting out three of four sheet metal section edges from opposite side sections of a single sheet metal blank and bending them towards an underside of the trough-shaped presentation area in the manner of a bending spring.

If the sheet metal sections are elongated, cutting them out is particularly easy.

It goes without saying that the ends of the sheet metal sections can be bent so that they run parallel to the underside of the trough-shaped presentation area. This advantageously increases the contact surface against which the temperature control medium can rest.

In one embodiment of the invention, the particularly elongated sheet metal sections protrude from the receiving rails in an insertion direction in which the temperature control means can be inserted into the receiving device.

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The tempering agent is particularly easy to insert into the receiving direction. LU506509

In a further embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a cover hood which can be pivotally connected to the tub-shaped presentation area and which can be moved from a closed position to an open position.

It is advantageous to create a temperature control room for food intended for consumption.

In particular, the hood can be made of a transparent plastic or have areas that are transparent.

The cover hood expediently comprises a connecting section which has two guide rails between which a partially convex guide element extends.

The guide rails prevent lateral movement of the cover when pivoting from the closed to the open position, while the convex guide element

Swivel movement as such.

In one embodiment of the invention, a side wall section of a side wall in the open position simultaneously engages behind a cover edge and a bulge of a convex guide element.

Advantageously, a stationary, stable arrangement of the cover in the open position is achieved. In particular, the side wall section can be connected to a

abut against a stop formed in a transition area from the edge of the cover to the bulge of the convex guide element.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for tempering food intended for consumption, which comprises a tub-shaped presentation area for dishes and a receiving device for a tempering agent arranged below the tub-shaped presentation area. The device is characterized in that a

A tub-shaped presentation area produced by deep drawing has a receiving area protruding from the tub-shaped presentation area, which is designed to engage with an underside of dishes that can be placed in the presentation area.

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Advantageously, a device is created in whose tub-shaped presentation area LU506509

This allows a device according to the invention to be used for

Can be used to temper dishes, with or without food.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to the exemplary embodiments. They show:

Fig. 1 An embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 4 shows a particular embodiment of a device according to the invention,

Fig. 5 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention with a cover hood.

A device 1 for cooling food intended for consumption, shown schematically in a side view in an insertion direction in Fig. 1a, is produced by forming a sheet metal blank 2, shown schematically in plan view in Fig. 1b.

The sheet metal blank 2 has a central region 3 and two opposite side sections 4, each comprising a first, inner side section region 5 and a second, outer side section region 6. The second side section region 6 also has

In addition, it has a projection 7 which projects in a longitudinal direction 8 of the sheet metal blank 2.

The side section regions 5 are bent around a forming edge 12 by 90 degrees relative to the central region 3 to form side walls 9 of a device 10 for receiving a cold pack 11 shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1a, while the side section regions 6 are bent around a forming edge 14 by 90 degrees relative to the side section region 5 to form receiving rails 13 of the receiving device 10.

The projections 7 are each bent by 90 degrees relative to the side section areas 6 around a forming edge 15 to form a stop 16 for the cold accumulator 11.

The cold pack 11 is in a cooling position shown in Fig. 1a against an upper side 17 of the

Mounting rails 13 and the two stops 16.

The longitudinal direction 8 is also the insertion direction in which the cold pack 11 can be inserted into the receiving device 10.

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In addition, two passages 18 extending in a thickness direction are punched into the side section regions 6 of the sheet metal blank 2, which passages are provided for receiving connecting elements of feet 19, not shown in Fig. 1.

A tub-shaped presentation area 20 for the presentation of foodstuffs to be tempered and intended for consumption is formed by deep-drawing the central area 3 of the sheet metal blank 2 along a circumferential forming edge 21, wherein the foodstuffs can be placed on a tub base 22.

Reference is now made to Fig. 2, where identical or equivalent parts with the same

Reference number as in Fig. 1 and the letter a is added to the relevant reference number.

A device 1a shown in Fig. 2a in a side view is made by forming a

Fig. 2b in plan view shown sheet metal blank 2a and differs from the device shown in Fig. 1 in that a receiving device 10a

Restoring means 23 comprising four elongated sheet metal sections 24, two of which each extend with a directional component in an insertion direction 8a and a directional component perpendicular thereto from one of a total of two receiving rails 13a.

Each of the elongated sheet metal sections 24 forms a bending spring in the manner of a cantilevered bending spring.

To produce each of the bending springs, a side section area 6a of a

A total of three cuts are made along cutting edges 25 of the sheet metal blank 2a to form the elongated sheet metal sections 24, and each of the elongated sheet metal sections 24 is bent around a forming edge 26 to form the bending spring. A region 27 of each elongated sheet metal section 24 facing away from a clamping device is parallel to the underside of a trough-shaped presentation region 20a.

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Reference is now made to Fig. 3, where identical or equivalent parts with the same LU506509

Reference number as in Fig. 1 and 2 and the respective reference number is assigned the

Letter b is attached.

A device 1b shown in Fig. 3a in a side view is made by forming a

Fig. 3b in plan view and differs from the devices shown in Fig. 1 and 2 in that each side section region 5b has a deep-drawing region 28. The deep-drawing region 28 is formed by deep-drawing in such a way that mutually facing guide rails 29 are formed from opposite side walls 9b of the device, which guide rails are designed to rest on a

Cold pack 11b is set up.

A device 1b according to this embodiment allows for additional guidance of the cold pack. Furthermore, the guide rails 29 reduce the space required to accommodate the cold pack, so that such a device 1b can be used with a smaller cold pack 11b compared to the device 1 shown in Fig. 1, while maintaining the same size of the tray area 20b.

Reference is now made to Fig. 4, where identical or equivalent parts with the same

Reference number as shown in Fig. 1 to 3 and the respective reference number is assigned the

Letter c is attached.

A device 1c shown in Fig. 4a in a side view is made by forming a

Fig. 4b in plan view and differs from the device shown in Fig. 1 in that the sheet metal blank 2c has a central region 3c and a circumferential side section 30 with two opposite

Longitudinal sides 31 comprise outer side section regions 6c, wherein the side section regions 6c are provided for forming receiving rails 13c for a cold pack 11c. On the two opposite longitudinal sides 31, inner side section regions 5c are formed, which are provided for forming side wall parts 32 of a circumferential side wall 33.

In two opposite side section areas 34 of the circumferential side section 30 on a transverse side 35, cutouts 36, 37 are introduced, wherein the cutout 36 is an insertion opening for the cold accumulator 11c and the cutout 37 is an opening through

Page 10/12 through which a user of the device 1c can reach in order to push the cold pack 11c out through the insertion opening for its removal. LU506509

By means of the circumferential side section 30, a device 1c with a circumferential side wall 33 can be produced by deep drawing around a circumferential forming edge 38, wherein the circumferential side wall 33 is only partially interrupted by the punched-out portions 36, 37.

Reference is now made to Fig. 5, where identical or equivalent parts with the same

Reference number as shown in Fig. 1 to 4 and the respective reference number is assigned the

Letter d is added.

A device 1d shown in detail in Fig. 5a to 5c in a partially sectioned perspective view differs from those shown in Fig. 1 to 4 in that the device 1d has a cover 39 which is pivotally connected to a

Edge area 40 of a tub-shaped presentation area 20d.

For the pivotable connection, two identical connecting sections 41 of the cover 39, which are formed integrally with the cover 39, each penetrate through a connecting opening 42, wherein the respective connecting opening 42 is located in the area of a

Forming edge 12b, 38d. The connecting opening 42 is created by punching and forming a sheet metal blank not shown in Fig. 5.

The connecting section 41 has two guide strips 43, by means of which a movement from a closed position shown in Fig. 5a via an intermediate position shown in Fig. 5b into an open position of the cover 39 shown in Fig. 5c is guided, and by means of which a lateral tilting of the cover 39 is prevented.

The connecting section 41 has a cross-sectional area between the two guide rails 43.

Section of a partially convex guide element 44 with a double-sided contact area 45.

In the closed position of the cover 39, a first side 46 of the double-sided

contact area 45 to an inner side 47 of a side wall section 48 of a side wall 9d, 33d, while a second side 49 of the double-sided contact area 45 in an of-

Page 11/12 fenstellung rests against an underside 50 of the edge area 40 of the tub-shaped presentation area 20d LU506509.

In the open position, the side wall section 48 engages behind a cover edge 51 and at the same time a bulge 52 of the partially convex guide element 44 and rests against an end stop 49.

Due to the simultaneous engagement of the cover edge 51 and the bulge 52, the cover 39 is fixed in the open position and cannot slip out of the connecting openings 42.

It is understood that all combinations of the elements shown in Figures 1 to 5

Features are conceivable. For example, a device 1a shown in Fig. 3 or 4 can have a cover 39 according to Fig. 5.

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Claims (14)

Patent claims: LU506509 1. Device (1-1d) for tempering food intended for consumption, which device comprises a trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) for receiving food or dishes intended for consumption and a receiving device (10-10c) for a tempering agent (11-11c) arranged below the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d), characterized in that the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) and the receiving device (10-10d) are produced from a single sheet metal blank (2-2c) by forming the sheet metal blank (2-2c), wherein the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) is produced by deep drawing the single sheet metal blank (2-2c) and the receiving device (10-10c) is produced by bending or deep drawing the single sheet metal blank (2-2c). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tub-shaped presentation area (20-20d) produced by deep drawing has a receiving area projecting from the tub-shaped presentation area (20-20b) which is designed to engage with an underside of dishes that can be placed in the presentation area. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving device (10-10b) for the tempering means (11-11b) is produced by bending opposite side sections (4-4b) of the single sheet metal blank (2-2b), or that the receiving device (10c) for the tempering means (11c) is produced by deep drawing a side section (30) surrounding a central region (3c) of the single sheet metal blank (2c) and by bending. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the opposite side sections (4-4b) of the one single sheet metal blank (2-2b) are each bent twice to form side walls (9-9b) and receiving rails (13-13b) side 1/4 for the tempering means (11-1b), or that the circumferential side section (30) is deep-drawn and bent once. 5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the opposite side sections (4-4b) of the single sheet metal blank (2-2b) each have a projection (7-7b) which is bent by forming into a stop for the tempering means (11-11b). 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each of the opposite side sections (4-4b) or the circumferential side section (30) has a plurality of passages (18-18c) which extend in a thickness direction of the sheet metal blank (2-2c) and which are designed to receive connecting sections of feet (19-19c) of the device, on which the device can stand when used as intended. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the receiving device (10a) has a return means (23) to which a tempering means (11a) can be applied in such a way that the tempering means (11a) rests at least partially against an underside of the trough-shaped presentation area (20a). 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the return means (23) projects from the receiving rails (13a) in the direction of the underside of the trough-shaped presentation area (20a) and is preferably formed integrally with the receiving rails (13a). 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the return means (23) comprises in particular elongated sheet metal sections (24) which protrude from the receiving rails (13a) and which are in particular formed integrally thereon. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the particularly elongated sheet metal sections (24) protrude from the receiving rails (13a) in an insertion direction (8-8c) in which the tempering means (11-11c) can be inserted into the receiving device. 11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the device (1-1d) comprises a cover (39) which is pivotally connectable to the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) and which is movable from a closed position into an open position. 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover (39) comprises a connecting section (41) which has two guide strips (43) between which a partially convex guide element (44) extends. 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a side wall section (48) of a side wall (9-9d; 33; 33d) in the open position simultaneously engages behind a cover edge (51) and a bulge (52) of a convex guide element (44). 14. Device (1-1d) for tempering food intended for consumption, which comprises a trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) for receiving dishes and a receiving device (10-10c) for a tempering agent (11-11c) arranged below the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d), characterized in that a trough-shaped presentation area (20-20d) produced by deep drawing has a receiving area protruding from the trough-shaped presentation area (20-20b) and is designed to engage with an underside of dishes that can be placed in the presentation area. Page 4/4