WO1993004328A1 - Infrared conveyor oven - Google Patents
Infrared conveyor oven Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1993004328A1 WO1993004328A1 PCT/US1992/002357 US9202357W WO9304328A1 WO 1993004328 A1 WO1993004328 A1 WO 1993004328A1 US 9202357 W US9202357 W US 9202357W WO 9304328 A1 WO9304328 A1 WO 9304328A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- oven
- chamber
- conveyor belt
- conveyor
- inches
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 235000013550 pizza Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 3
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000015173 baked goods and baking mixes Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 241000251468 Actinopterygii Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000287828 Gallus gallus Species 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000012802 brown bread Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013330 chicken meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013332 fish product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910001120 nichrome Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011819 refractory material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
- A21B—BAKERS' OVENS; MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING
- A21B1/00—Bakers' ovens
- A21B1/42—Bakers' ovens characterised by the baking surfaces moving during the baking
- A21B1/48—Bakers' ovens characterised by the baking surfaces moving during the baking with surfaces in the form of an endless band
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A21—BAKING; EDIBLE DOUGHS
- A21B—BAKERS' OVENS; MACHINES OR EQUIPMENT FOR BAKING
- A21B2/00—Baking apparatus employing high-frequency or infrared heating
Definitions
- This invention relates to infra-red ovens and primarily to commercial ovens which are compact in design and intended for rapid cooking of a variety of different food items.
- Infra-red energy is particularly suited for smaller commercial establishments because the energy produced is directional and production does not involve cooking does not require heated air currents which may be released into the ambient atmosphere as with convection ovens and the like. While microwave ovens are also useful in such establishments, microwave ovens have distinct disadvantages relative to the inability to brown bread or rolls and to char the exterior while cooking meat. Microwave ovens, however, are compact and suitable for countertop use.
- the sides, bottom, and top all may have different cooking requirements.
- the emitters were separately controlled.
- the top emitter was disposed in a movable shroud which could be adjusted in height over the turntable as desired. Shielding for the oven was not necessary because convection currents were not involved in the cooking process and only the directional radiation of the emitters used.
- This type of oven was particularly suited to the use of etched foil emitters as contrasted to the use of conventional quartz tubes, nichrome wire and the like.
- the foil emitters use a relatively low wattage, have a rapid warm-up and cool-down, and can be adjusted to the desired medium range wavelength of cooking energy.
- a ceramic or other type shield is not necessary.
- a refractory cover is provided over the wire heating elements, which cover then is the source of infra-red energy to the product to be cooked.
- This type of device then utilizes energy both to heat the refractory material and to then generate sufficient energy to direct the same onto the product to be cooked.
- conveyor ovens which utilize infra-red energy.
- Such devices are described, for example, in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,245,613; 4,554,437; and 4,615,014.
- Such ovens are normally multi-zone type ovens and large type installations.
- the oven of this invention is also sufficiently versatile to cook a wide variety of foods including pizza, fish products, chicken products, and bakery products.
- the device of this invention utilizes a mesh conveyor belt which is preferably 18 inches wide and extends through a heating chamber.
- the chamber mounts, above and below the belt, upper and lower heating elements which are etched foil heaters.
- the heaters are disposed sufficiently close to the food items to effect rapid and efficient cooking.
- the heaters are separately controlled.
- the etched foil heaters of this invention provide a controlled cooking environment in a predetermined wavelength range utilizing heaters which minimize the wattage required.
- Etched foil heaters have a watt density of about 7-8 watts per square inch which is much lower than quartz tube heaters or similar types of heaters commonly used in cooking environments.
- the lower heater in the preferred embodiment is spaced only about 1.5 inches below the conveyor belt, and the upper heater is spaced about 3-4 inches above the conveyor belt.
- the oven of this invention is only 16 5/8 inches high, 23 inches deep, and provides an opening for the conveyor belt at either side thereof which measures 3 1/16 inch high by a 19 17/16 inches long. These latter dimensions are the food product clearance entering the device.
- the conveyor belt feed is continuous through the oven.
- the conveyor belt is controlled so that it operates to move the product into the heating area, hold the product therein for a predetermined period of time, and then move the product out so that the procedure is a go-stop-go procedure.
- electronic controllers are preferred which control based on time only.
- Etched foil heaters have the characteristics of rapid heating and cooling.
- a timed cycling power input is utilized in the preferred embodiment. For example, full power input may be interrupted for a period of 5-15 seconds and then reinitiated for 60-120 seconds.
- a means to determine if there is no cooking demand for a cooking cycle for a period of, for example, five minutes, a sensor could turn the power to the unit off.
- a means for determining the position of a food product may be incorporated by an electro- optical control. This device then could be used to ensure that the food product is positioned properly between both the top and lower heaters. In this way, use of the heating elements can be controlled to maximize cooking efficiency at a minimum of power required.
- a compact conveyor oven which may be utilized on, for example, a countertop and which utilizes etched foil infra-red elements as heat sources for rapid and efficient cooking. It is another object of this invention to provide alternative embodiments of a compact conveyor oven which either operate continuously or operate on an indexing go-stop-go procedure for cooking a wide variety of food products from pizza to fish and fowl products or bakery products.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the oven of this invention.
- Figure 2 is a side view thereof.
- Figure 3 is a top view of the oven of this invention.
- Figure 4 is a side view of the oven of this invention showing the two heating elements.
- Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of this invention involving stacked ovens.
- Figure 6A is a schematic of the control circuit for an embodiment of this invention using an indexing belt feed for a go-stop-go means of travel through the oven of this invention.
- Figure 6B is a view similar to Figure 6a only showing the control circuit for a continuous belt feed in an embodiment of this invention.
- Figure 7A is a schematic showing the control circuits for the heating elements in a three-phase element hookup.
- Figure 7B is a view similar to Figure 7a showing the circuit for a single-phase element hookup.
- Figure 8 is a graph showing a typical fluctuation in the surface temperature and wavelength over time for a heating circuit in a device of this invention.
- Figure 9 is a graph depicting surface temperature against time illustrating a typical heat up and cool down mode of operation of the device of this invention.
- a housing 12 preferably mounts a top heater module 14, a bottom heater module 16, and a control panel 18. Both modules and the control panel preferably are slidably mounted within the housing 12 and, therefore, can be easily removed for cleaning, testing, or repair.
- the housing has an opening 20 for a conveyor belt (not shown) to carry food through the housing 12.
- the opening 20 is 3 1/16 inches by 19 7/16 inches in diameter. This has been found to be adequate for most food products.
- the overall housing depth is preferred to be 23 inches with the height 16 5/8 inches, the dimensions shown of the embodiment in the view of Figure 2.
- This unit then will accommodate a conveyor belt with a width of 18 inches, and meets a desired specification that it be no more than 24 inches deep. It then can be comfortably mounted on a restaurant counter, or food processing area, or similar location.
- the housing 12 includes lateral extensions 22 and 24 for supporting the conveyor belt.
- a conveyor belt support frame member 26 is mounted in each lateral extension 22 and 24 for supporting the conveyor belt (not shown) .
- Lateral support members 28 are provided for this purpose.
- the upstream lateral support 22 further mounts a conveyor belt sprocket drive shaft 30 for the conveyor belt and a similar shaft 32 is provided downstream at extension 24.
- a conventional thumbscrew-type tensioning means 34 is provided on sprocket 32 to regulate the tension in the belt.
- the conveyor belt 36 is shown in phantom therein.
- Top and bottom heating elements respectively 38 and 40 are provided in housing 12 above and below the upper flight of the conveyor belt 36.
- These elements are preferably etched foil heaters obtainable, for example, from Thermal Circuits, Inc., of Salem, Massachusetts.
- the heaters typically operate in the 3- 6 micron wavelength range for optimum cooking and have a watt density of about 7-8 watts per square inch. This is a much lower watt density than quartz tube heaters that radiate in a wide wavelength range.
- the wavelength can be further defined by adding resistance as would be obvious to those skilled in the art.
- each heating element 38 and 40 will be separately controlled.
- an illumination means for interior lighting at four locations 42 at, respectively, the entrances and exits to the housing 12 upstream and downstream of the cooking area.
- an optical indicator 44 may be provided upstream of the housing 12 whereby when the cooking cycle for one food item has been completed and another food item is not entering the housing 12, the indicators 44 will so advise the controller, and the controller in turn will shut down the heating elements 38 and 40.
- Electro-optical controllers are available, for example, from Microswitch Division of Honeywell, Inc., Freeport, Illinois.
- the control panel 18, is part of a control module (not shown) which rests upon a tray behind the control panel 18.
- the controller contains, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, all major oven control elements .
- Electronically programmable controls suitable for use in this invention can be obtained from United Electric Controls, Inc. of Watertown, Maine or conventional controllers, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, may be used to control belt speed, top heat and bottom heat. In the preferred embodiment, the control is by time only rather than temperature.
- a mounting collar 46 by using a mounting collar 46, a plurality of units 10 can be stacked as desired.
- the collar 46 is merely a conventional flange-type collar adapted to rest on the upper surface of housing 12 and receive the lower surface of the next higher unit to be stacked.
- the support legs 48 will be removed from the stacked units.
- the housing 12 provided a plurality of vents 50. Internal fans may be provided as desired. In the preferred embodiment, with reference to Figure 4, ventilation fans 52 shown schematically are provided above the heating element 38.
- the device of this invention then is a compact conveyor oven which utilizes upper and lower heating elements which are etched foil heaters.
- the top heater 38 is disposed about 3-4 inches above the upper flight of the conveyor belt, and the lower heater 40 is disposed below the upper flight of the conveyor belt, a distance of about 1 1/2 inches.
- the interior of housing 12 is further constructed of aluminum coating steel to reflect the infra-red radiation generated.
- etched foil heaters inherently achieve a very rapid change in temperature, both in the heating up phase, and in cool down.
- the heat up phase of about six minutes is satisfactory to produce a temperature above 640 degrees and a wavelength of about 4.5. Cool down occurs similarly rapidly.
- it may be desirable to provide an interrupted power input whereby for a period of 5 to 15 seconds, power is cut off, and reinitiated for 60 to 120 seconds.
- the result causes a fluctuating wavelength of from about 4.5 up to about 5 microns and a temperature variation of about 580 to about 700 degrees.
- the controller above-identified can be so programmed if desired.
- a cooking wavelength 4-5 microns is optimal as compared to short wavelengths in the 1-2 micron range. It is intended, within the scope of this invention, to encompass any conventional controller for regulating the generated heat to a wavelength within the desired range.
- Figures 7A and 7B there are depicted therein a schematic in a preferred version of the heater element hookup of the device of this invention. These schematics are intended to be illustrative, however, and not limitative.
- Figure 7A is a three-phase element hookup while Figure 7B is a single-phase element hookup.
- H-l signifies the schematic for the top heater 38 and H-2 similarly identifies the lower heater 40.
- the separate controllers, CR-1 and CR-2 are reflected in the panel 18.
- Figures 6A and 6B show, respectively, schematics for the indexing belt feed and a continuous belt feed. In the indexing belt feed, the belt advances the food product into housing 12 and stops with the product located between heating elements 38 and 40.
- control is by time rather than temperature and, therefore, after a predetermined period of time, the belt drive would then index the food out of the housing 12 and onto extension 24 whereupon the belt would stop while the food product is removed and another food product placed at the entrance, on the belt portion in extension 22.
- the belt will run continuously at a speed to be determined at the control panel 18 whereby residence time within the housing 12 wherein the heating elements are dispensing infra-red radiation at a predetermined wavelength or within a predetermined wavelength range, the product will be cooked.
- Figures 6A and 6B are intended to be illustrative and not limitative of this invention. Accordingly, a different type of control circuit or control function is intended to be within the scope of this invention.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Baking, Grill, Roasting (AREA)
- Electric Stoves And Ranges (AREA)
- General Preparation And Processing Of Foods (AREA)
- Cereal-Derived Products (AREA)
- Fish Paste Products (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP92915082A EP0643818A1 (en) | 1991-08-13 | 1992-03-25 | Infrared conveyor oven |
AU22455/92A AU659860B2 (en) | 1991-08-13 | 1992-03-25 | Infrared conveyor oven |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US744,166 | 1976-11-22 | ||
US74416691A | 1991-08-13 | 1991-08-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1993004328A1 true WO1993004328A1 (en) | 1993-03-04 |
Family
ID=24991703
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1992/002357 WO1993004328A1 (en) | 1991-08-13 | 1992-03-25 | Infrared conveyor oven |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0643818A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU659860B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2115580A1 (en) |
IE (1) | IE921857A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1993004328A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5474758A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1995-12-12 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Seals for use in an aerosol delivery device |
EP1139765A1 (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2001-10-10 | Robert M. Stuck | Multi-function conveyorized food broiling and toasting apparatus |
FR2821524A1 (en) * | 2001-03-05 | 2002-09-06 | Jean Louis Hecht | Automatic vending machine for fresh-baked bread has cold chamber for part-baked baguettes, oven and storage chamber with dispenser |
US7004159B1 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2006-02-28 | Carpenter Keith R | Conveying cooking oven and method |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US244285A (en) * | 1881-07-12 | Chaeles o | ||
US1517271A (en) * | 1924-12-02 | Sectional | ||
US1656709A (en) * | 1927-01-27 | 1928-01-17 | Standard Electric Stove Co | Electric oven |
US4246834A (en) * | 1979-07-16 | 1981-01-27 | Npi Corporation | Patty broiler |
US4565917A (en) * | 1984-01-18 | 1986-01-21 | Vitronics Corporation | Multi-zone thermal process system utilizing nonfocused infrared panel emitters |
US4605161A (en) * | 1984-11-24 | 1986-08-12 | Ohkura Electric Co., Ltd. | Pattern-switching temperature control apparatus |
US4615014A (en) * | 1984-04-16 | 1986-09-30 | Lincoln Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Bake time display for cooking oven |
US4616123A (en) * | 1984-11-13 | 1986-10-07 | Zagoroff Dimiter S | Shrink oven |
US4945212A (en) * | 1989-07-14 | 1990-07-31 | Savory Equipment, Inc. | Thermal radiation device |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3249741A (en) * | 1963-05-20 | 1966-05-03 | Reflectotherm Inc | Apparatus for baking by differential wave lengths |
US4389562A (en) * | 1981-08-05 | 1983-06-21 | Hatco Corporation | Conveyor oven |
-
1992
- 1992-03-25 WO PCT/US1992/002357 patent/WO1993004328A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1992-03-25 AU AU22455/92A patent/AU659860B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1992-03-25 EP EP92915082A patent/EP0643818A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1992-03-25 CA CA 2115580 patent/CA2115580A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-07-01 IE IE921857A patent/IE921857A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US244285A (en) * | 1881-07-12 | Chaeles o | ||
US1517271A (en) * | 1924-12-02 | Sectional | ||
US1656709A (en) * | 1927-01-27 | 1928-01-17 | Standard Electric Stove Co | Electric oven |
US4246834A (en) * | 1979-07-16 | 1981-01-27 | Npi Corporation | Patty broiler |
US4565917A (en) * | 1984-01-18 | 1986-01-21 | Vitronics Corporation | Multi-zone thermal process system utilizing nonfocused infrared panel emitters |
US4565917B1 (en) * | 1984-01-18 | 1999-06-08 | Vitronics Corp | Multi-zone thermal process system utilizing nonfocused infared panel emitters |
US4615014A (en) * | 1984-04-16 | 1986-09-30 | Lincoln Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Bake time display for cooking oven |
US4616123A (en) * | 1984-11-13 | 1986-10-07 | Zagoroff Dimiter S | Shrink oven |
US4605161A (en) * | 1984-11-24 | 1986-08-12 | Ohkura Electric Co., Ltd. | Pattern-switching temperature control apparatus |
US4945212A (en) * | 1989-07-14 | 1990-07-31 | Savory Equipment, Inc. | Thermal radiation device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP0643818A4 * |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5474758A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1995-12-12 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Seals for use in an aerosol delivery device |
EP1139765A1 (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2001-10-10 | Robert M. Stuck | Multi-function conveyorized food broiling and toasting apparatus |
EP1139765A4 (en) * | 1998-12-31 | 2002-10-16 | Robert M Stuck | Multi-function conveyorized food broiling and toasting apparatus |
FR2821524A1 (en) * | 2001-03-05 | 2002-09-06 | Jean Louis Hecht | Automatic vending machine for fresh-baked bread has cold chamber for part-baked baguettes, oven and storage chamber with dispenser |
US7004159B1 (en) * | 2002-08-27 | 2006-02-28 | Carpenter Keith R | Conveying cooking oven and method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
IE921857A1 (en) | 1993-02-24 |
EP0643818A4 (en) | 1994-11-28 |
CA2115580A1 (en) | 1993-03-04 |
EP0643818A1 (en) | 1995-03-22 |
AU2245592A (en) | 1993-03-16 |
AU659860B2 (en) | 1995-06-01 |
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