WO2006004270A1

WO2006004270A1 - Bamboo grill and roasting device using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2006004270A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/000893
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jea Youl Lee
Original assignee: Lee, Jea Choon
Priority date: 2004-03-26
Filing date: 2005-03-25
Publication date: 2006-01-12
Also published as: JP4128214B2; JP2008500842A

Abstract

Provided are a bamboo grill for cooking meat or fish and a grilling apparatus employing the same. The bamboo grill includes a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill and at least one blocking member disposed in an area defined by the frame member to correspond to the underlying heat source, a plurality of bamboo strips, disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, being separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a spacing unit maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, wherein the at least one blocking member has a predetermined width to partially cover the area defined by the frame member, and elongated holes allowing a passage of heat from the underlying heat source are formed between each of unblocked portions of the at least one blocking member, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo. Since a food to be grilled such as meat or fish is directly or indirectly grilled at an appropriate temperature, they can be fundamentally prevented from burning or drying out. Furthermore, during grilling, meat fat can be efficiently released, and healthful components contained in bamboo strips can permeate into food, thereby enhancing the flavor and taste of the cooked food.

Description

BAMBOO GRILL AND ROASTING DEVICE USING THE SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a grilling apparatus for cooking meat or fish,and more particularly, to a cooking grill using bamboo strips and a grilling apparatus including the same. Background Art

[2] Generally, grilling equipments for cooking a food to be grilled such as meat and fish are categorized into two types: a direct grilling type and an indirect grilling type. For the former type, flames of a heat source are directly applied to a food to be grilled. For the latter type, flames of a heat source are indirectly applied to a food to be grilled. In more detail, in the direct grilling type, the food to be grilled is placed on a reticulated metal grill over a heat source. In the indirect grilling type, the food to be grilled is placed on a non-reticulated, impermeable metal plate over a heat source. With respect to the direct grilling method, the taste of meat is enhanced due to direct application of the flames of a heat source to the meat but the meat is likely to be burnt. With respect to the indirect grilling method, the cooking duration for meat may be prolonged, which may make the meat tough and unpalatable. Furthermore, the meat may be stained with fat.

[3] Nowadays, as environment and health matters are emerging as important issues, the moderns tend to choose more healthful food when eating out. Thus, functional food for health and apparatuses related thereto has been developed in the food service industry or the food industry.

[4] However, it is difficult to provide a food to be grilled such as meat or fish with healthful functionality. Furthermore, it is difficult to fundamentally solve carcinogen formation during grilling and prevent cooked meat from drying out.

[5] In view of the foregoing, Korean Patent No. 10-0416052 discloses a bamboo meat roaster. The bamboo meat roaster includes a grilling plate on which a plurality of coupling grooves and a plurality of projections are alternately formed. When meat to be grilled are placed on bamboo strips stuck into the plurality of the coupling grooves, grilling is done by the heat of a heat source applied to the grilling plate.

[6] However, since the bamboo meat roaster adopts an indirect grilling method using the grilling plate having thereon bamboo arrays, the taste of meat may be lowered and the cooking duration for the meat may be increased. Furthermore, elimination of meat fat generated during grilling is difficult, thereby producing too much smoke Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] The present invention provides a bamboo grill which can enhance the taste and flavor of meat by allowing a healthful bamboo sap to be effectively permeated into the meat, and can provide optimal cooking by allowing flames of a heat source to be directly/indirectly transferred to meat supported by bamboo strips, and a grilling apparatus employing the same.

[8] The present invention also provides a bamboo grill that can prevent easy burning of bamboo strips by the heat from a heat source.

[9] The present invention also provides a bamboo grill that is easy in use and re¬ placement of bamboo strips.

[10] The present invention also provides a bamboo grill that permits a bamboo sap from bamboo strips to efficiently permeate into food during grilling.

Technical Solution

[11] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bamboo grill including a frame including a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill and at least one blocking member disposed in an area defined by the frame member to correspond to the underlying heat source; a plurality of bamboo strips, disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, being separated from each other by a pre¬ determined distance, and a spacing unit maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame.

[12] The blocking member has a predetermined width to partially cover the area defined by the frame member, and elongated holes allowing a passage of heat from the underlying heat source are formed between each of unblocked portions of the at least one blocking member, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo strips.

[13] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a grilling apparatus including a firebox in which a grill support is installed at an upper part of the firebox and at least one heat source is installed in an inner space of the firebox, and a bamboo grill supported by the grill support installed at the upper part of the firebox,the bamboo grill including a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill and at least one blocking member disposed in an area defined by the frame member to correspond to the underlying heat source, a plurality of bamboo strips, disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, being separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a spacing unit maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, wherein the at least one blocking member has a predetermined width to partially cover the area defined by the frame member, and elongated holes allowing a passage of heat from the underlying heat source are formed between each of unblocked portions of the at least one blocking member, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo strips, and wherein the frame member of the frame has a "V"- or "inverted- V"-shaped form, two blocking members are disposed at opposite sides of the area defined by the frame member, a support member is installed across the middle of the frame, and the bamboo strips are bent to correspond to the shape of the frame member and elastically supported by the two blocking members and the support member.

[14] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bamboo grill including a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill, and a blocking member, disposed in an area defined by the frame member, being formed with elongated holes parallel with and separated from each other by a pre¬ determined distance to allow a passage of heat from the underlying heat source, and at least one bamboo strip assembly comprising a plurality of bamboo strips parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a fixing member, commonly installed at corresponding ends of the bamboo strips, maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips and supporting the bamboo strips, wherein the bamboo strip assembly is disposed on the blocking member of the frame in such a manner that the plurality of the bamboo strips are disposed between the elongated holes of the blocking member of the frame. Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] FlG. 1 is a FlG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a grilling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[16] FlG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo grill according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[17] FlG. 3 is an enlarged view of a spacing unit of the bamboo grill of FlG. 2;

[18] FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate modified examples of the spacing unit of the bamboo grill of FlG. 2;

[19] FlG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo grill according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[20] FlG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo grill according to still another embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FlG. 9 is an enlarged view of an essential part of the bamboo grill of FlG. 8;

[22] FlG. 10 is an enlarged view of an essential part of bamboo strips used in a bamboo grill according to the present invention;

[23] FlG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo grill assembled by coupling a bamboo strip assembly to a grill frame when used, according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FlG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the arrangements of the bamboo strip assembly and the grill frame constituting the bamboo grill of FlG. 11 ;

[25] FlG. 13 illustrates bamboo strips assembled for the bamboo grill of FlG. 11 ;

[26] FIGS. 14 through 18 illustrate modified examples of a fixing member of the bamboo grill of FlG. 11 ;

[27] FlG. 19 illustrates a coupling unit for coupling between the bamboo strip assembly and the grill frame constituting the bamboo grill of FlG. 11 ;

[28] FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate V- and inverted- V-shaped bamboo grills in which a bamboo strip assembly is disposed on a "V"-shaped grill frame and an inverted- V"-shaped grill frame, respectively;

[29] FIGS. 22 and 23 are enlarged perspective views of essential parts of modified examples of the bamboo grill of FlG. 20;

[30] FIGS. 24 and 25 are enlarged sectional views of essential parts of other modified examples of the bamboo grill of FlG. 20;

[31] FIGS. 26 and 27 are enlarged perspective views of essential parts for the installation of an auxiliary blocking plate in the bamboo grill of FlG. 20;

[32] FlG. 28 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo strip assembly with easily bendable structure;

[33] FlG. 29 is a sectional view of the bamboo strip assembly of FlG. 28;

[34] FIGS. 30 and 31 are sectional views illustrating V-shaped bending and inverted-

V-shaped bending of the bamboo strip assembly of FlG. 28; and

[35] FIGS. 32 and 33 are exploded perspective views illustrating the coupling of a grill frame with the bamboo strip assemblies of FIGS. 30 and 31, respectively. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[36] A bamboo grill and a grilling apparatus employing the same according to the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.

[37] The grilling apparatus employing the bamboo grill according to the present invention has the structure where burning of the bamboo grill by the heat from the underlying heat source can be prevented and a bamboo sap of the bamboo grill can ef¬ ficiently permeate into food to be grilled such as meat or fish. A grilling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FlG. 1.

[38] Referring to FlG. 1, a grilling apparatus 10 includes a firebox 21 defining a space A with an opened upper part; heat sources 22 installed oppositely in the firebox 21 to be separated from each other by a predetermined distance; a grill support 23 installed at the upper part of the firebox 21 ; and a bamboo grill 30 supported by the grill support 23 to grill food F such as meat or fish.

[39] The firebox 21 is installed at the center of a table, and may further include at a lower part thereof a fat tray (not shown) for receiving meat or fish fat generated during grilling. A side part of the firebox 21 may be provided with an air supply element for air supply to the heat sources 22 and/or a smoke release element for releasing smoke during grilling the food F. The air supply element and the smoke release element may be respectively a duct and a blowing fan commonly used in the art.

[40] Each of the heat sources 22 may include a charcoal support vessel 22a installed at a side part 21a of the firebox 21 and a charcoal 22b contained in the charcoal support vessel 22a. The charcoal 22b may be a hard charcoal or a palm charcoal. The heat sources 22 are not limited to the above and may be any means capable of supplying heat to the food F such as meat or fish. For example, the heat sources 22 may be gas ranges. The firebox 21 is also not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the firebox 21 is not particularly limited provided that it contains the heat sources 22 oppositely installed underneath blocking members (as will be described later) of the bamboo grill 30 and can support the bamboo grill 30.

[41] The bamboo grill 30 uses bamboo strips and allows a bamboo sap of the bamboo strips to permeate into the food F such as meat or fish to enhance the flavor of the food F and prevent the food F from drying out.

[42] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a bamboo grill 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a grill frame 33. The grill frame 33 includes a rectangular frame member 31 for defining the outline of the bamboo grill 30 and blocking members 32 disposed at opposite sides of an area defined by the frame member 31. A plurality of bamboo strips 100 are disposed on the blocking members 32 of the grill frame 33. The bamboo grill 30 also includes a spacing unit 40 to maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 100 disposed on the blocking members 32.

[43] The frame member 31 may also be polygonal or circular. Preferably, the frame member 31 and the blocking members 32 are each made of a metal material to be used repeatedly. The frame member 31 may be formed using a round bar, a pipe, a square bar, etc. The blocking members 32 are installed at opposite sides of the area defined by the frame member 31 to face with the underlying heat sources. The blocking members 32 partially block direct transfer of the heat from the underlying heat sources to a food to be grilled such as meat and prevent the bamboo strips 100 from burning. The blocking members 32 may be steel plates coated with bronze, brass, or fluorine. Elongated holes 32a are formed between each of unblocked portions of the blocking members 32, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo strips 100, so that the heat from the heat sources can be directly transferred to food to be grilled.

[44] The spacing unit 40 is used to uniformly maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 100 supported by the blocking members 32, and may be composed of projections 41 formed at corresponding one ends of the elongated holes 32a of the blocking members 32, as shown in FlG. 3. The projections 41 may be formed by partially lancing the blocking members 32. Although not shown, tips of the projections 41 may be projected toward the bamboo strips 100 to stably hold the bamboo strips 100.

[45] Meanwhile, a modified example of the spacing unit 40 is illustrated in FlG. 4.

Referring to FlG. 4, a spacing unit 40a is composed of sustain projections 42 projecting upward from longitudinal edges of elongated holes 32a of blocking members 32. Ends of the sustain projections 42 are formed to maintain the spacing between bamboo strips 100 and hold the bamboo strips 100.

[46] FlG. 5 illustrates another modified example of the spacing unit 40 of FlG. 2.

Referring to FlG. 5, a spacing unit 40b is composed of projection beads 43 projecting upward along edges of elongated holes 32a of blocking members 32 to maintain the spacing between bamboo strips 100.

[47] Referring to FlG. 6, grooves 45 may be formed between exposed portions of blocking members 32 by bamboo strips (100), i.e., between projection beads 43, to guide food fat during grilling. It is preferable that the grooves 45 are formed to be tilted toward a center portion of a bamboo grill along the lengthwise direction of the bamboo strips.

[48] FlG. 7 illustrates a bamboo grill 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same constitutional elements as shown in FlG. 2 are represented by the same reference numerals.

[49] In the bamboo grill 50 shown in FlG. 7, a frame member 51 of a grill frame 53 is bent downward in the center of the bamboo grill 50. Therefore, the grill frame 53 wholly has a V"-shaped form. Thus, blocking members 52 of the grill frame 53 are tilted at a predetermined angle. A support member 55 parallel to the blocking members 52 is installed across the middle of the grill frame 53. The support member 55 may be a round bar or a flat bar, and both ends of the support member 55 are welded to the frame member 51. In the bamboo grill 50 with the above-described constructional features, both ends of bamboo strips 100 are contacted to upper surfaces of the blocking members 52 disposed at opposite sides of an area defined by the frame member 51, and center portions of the bamboo strips 100 are contacted to a lower surface of the support member 55. Thus, the bamboo strips 100 are supported by the grill frame 53 in such a way to be bent in a V-shaped form corresponding to the shape of the frame member 51. Due to their elasticity, the bamboo strips 100 can be stably disposed at the grill frame 53 to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. Although not shown, the support member 55 may be formed with support grooves and projections to maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 100.

[50] A spacing unit 40 is installed at one ends of exposed portions of the blocking members 52 by the bamboo strips 100 to uniformly maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 100. The spacing unit 40 is the same as that shown in FlG. 2, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[51] Referring to FlG. 10, a lower center portion of a bamboo strip 100 is formed with a bending groove 102 to facilitate the bending of the bamboo strip 100. The size and shape of the bending groove 102 may be diversely changed by those of ordinary skilled in the art according to design or use conditions.

[52] While the embodiment shown in FlG. 10 has described fabrication of the V-shaped bamboo grill, the invention is not limited thereto and can also be applied to an "inverted-V"-shaped bamboo grill.

[53] FlG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a bamboo grill 60 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FlG. 8, a grill frame 63 of the bamboo grill 60 includes a V-shaped frame member 61 tilted in a center direction; first and second blocking members 62a and 62b installed at opposite sides of an area defined by the frame member 61 to be tilted; and a third blocking member 64 installed across the middle of the grill frame 63, i.e., at the lowest portion of the grill frame 63. The third blocking member 64 has a V-shaped form in the lengthwise direction of bamboo strips 100, as shown in FlG. 9. Both ends of the bamboo strips 100 are supported by the first and second blocking members 62a and 62b, and center portions of the bamboo strips 100 are supported by a spacing unit 70 disposed at the third blocking member 64. The spacing unit 70 is composed of a plurality of hooks with hooking projections 71 for hooking the bamboo strips 100. The hooks 72 may be integrally formed with the third blocking member 64 by lancing the third blocking member 64. The first, second, and third blocking members 62a, 62b, and 64 are re¬ spectively formed with a plurality of elongated holes 62b, 62c, and 64a to directly transfer the heat from the underlying heat source to meat or fish. Meanwhile, the first, second, and third blocking members 62a, 62b, and 64 may be interconnected to form a single blocking member.

[54] In the respective embodiments, as shown in FlG. 10, upper surfaces of the bamboo strips 100 may be formed with a plurality of notches 101 to facilitate the release of a bamboo sap from the bamboo strips 100 during grilling. Each of the bamboo strips 100 may have a lengthy notch or a plurality of dot-shaped notches along the lengthwise direction of the bamboo strips 100. Preferably, the bamboo strips 100 are made using wet bamboo, and vacuum-packaged in the presence of an oxygen absorber before use to prevent discoloration.

[55] Actions of the bamboo grills according to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 10 and grilling apparatuses employing the bamboo grills will now be described with reference again to FIGS. 1 through 10.

[56] Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 6, prior to place meat or fish on a bamboo grill, an ignited charcoal (see 22b of FlG. 1) such as a hard charcoal or a palm charcoal is placed in the charcoal support vessel 22a of the heat sources 22 disposed in the space A of the firebox 21, and the bamboo grill 23 is then placed on the grill support 23. The blocking members 32 of the frame 33 of the bamboo grill 30 are correspondingly positioned over the heat sources 22. In this state, a food to be grilled such as meat or fish is placed on the bamboo strips 100 of the bamboo grill 30. While heat from the heat sources 22 is partially directly transferred to the food to be grilled via the elongated holes 32a of the blocking members 32 and gaps defined between the bamboo strips 100, it is partially indirectly transferred to the food via the bamboo strips 100 placed on the blocking members 32. During grilling, a bamboo sap is released from the bamboo strips 100 via notches (see 101 of FlG. 10) formed on upper surfaces of the bamboo strips 100 and then permeates into the food. Therefore, the cooked food can have healthful substances contained in the bamboo sap together with the flavor or taste of the bamboo strips 100. In particular, the bamboo strips 100 can efficiently prevent meat or fish from drying out and further hardening.

[57] Meanwhile, referring to FlG. 7 or 8, since the bamboo grill 50 or 60 is bent in a

" V"-shaped form, meat fat generated during grilling is collected at a center portion of the bamboo grill 50 or 60 along the lengthwise direction of the bamboo strips 100 and then dripped into a fat tray of a firebox (not shown). Therefore, smoke formation by fat dripping onto the underlying heat sources can be fundamentally prevented.

[58] Hereinafter, bamboo grills according to further embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 through 27. The bamboo grills according to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 through 27 are used in such a manner that a bamboo strip assembly composed of a plurality of bamboo strips is coupled onto a grill frame.

[59] Referring to FlG. 11, a bamboo grill includes a grill frame 120 including a blocking member 122 formed with a plurality of elongated holes 121 allowing a passage of the heat from the underlying heat source; and a bamboo strip assembly 200 installed at the grill frame 120.

[60] The bamboo strip assembly 200 includes a plurality of bamboo strips 201 parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance (about 5 to 10 mm) and a fixing member 220 commonly installed at corresponding ends of the bamboo strips 201 to maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 201 and support the bamboo strips 201.

[61] The grill frame 120 is formed with a handle 123 and includes a frame member 124 defining the outline of the bamboo grill. The frame member 124 and the blocking member 122 may also be integrally formed. Referring to FlG. 12, an auxiliary blocking plate 125 may be further installed at a lower part of the blocking member 122. The auxiliary blocking plate 125 has the structure where it can be inserted into or removed from a guide portion 126 formed at a lower part of the frame member 124 or the blocking member 122.

[62] Referring to FlG. 13, the fixing member 220 of the bamboo strip assembly 200 may be a clip 221 with a ??-shaped section to surround and pressingly support cor¬ responding ends of the bamboo strips 201.

[63] A modified example of the fixing member 220 is illustrated in FlG. 14. Referring to

FlG. 14, a clip 223 has an alternately formed structure of holding portions 223a contacting with upper and lower end surfaces of bamboo strips 201 and depression portions 223b between the bamboo strips 201 to maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips 201.

[64] Another modified example of the fixing member 220 is illustrated in FlG. 15.

Referring to FlG. 15, an upper surface and/or a lower surface of a clip 224 cor¬ responding to bamboo strips 201 is/are calked to form projections 224a to be stuck to the bamboo strips 201.

[65] Referring to FlG. 16 illustrating still another modified example of the fixing member 220, grooves 225a and projections 225b are alternately formed at a clip 225 so that the spacing between bamboo strips 201 is maintained and ends of the bamboo strips 201 are fixedly inserted into the grooves 225a.

[66] Referring to FlG. 17 illustrating a further modified example of the fixing member

220, pins 228a are bored through a clip 228 to be stuck to bamboo strips 201.

[67] In the above embodiments, the lower surface of the clip 221, 223, 224, 225, or 228 used as a fixing member may be formed with projections (not shown) to separate the bamboo strips 201 of the bamboo strip assembly 200 from the blocking member 122 of the grill frame 120 by a predetermined distance. According to this construction, burning of the bamboo strips 201 by the heat from the underlying heat source can be surely prevented.

[68] The fixing member 220 of FlG. 11 may also be a wire 226 having projections 226a to be inserted into holes 201b formed at corresponding ends of the bamboo strips 201, as shown in FlG. 18.

[69] Meanwhile, the bamboo grill of the embodiment shown in FlG. 11 may further include a coupling unit 160 for coupling the bamboo strip assembly 200 to the grill frame 120, as shown in FlG. 19. The coupling unit 160 may be composed of at least one rotary member 161 hingedly connected to a side of the frame member 124. The coupling unit 160 is not limited to the above embodiment provided that it can connect the bamboo strip assembly 200 to the grill frame 120.

[70] With respect to a bamboo grill according to the embodiment of FlG. 20, a frame member 146 of a grill frame 140 has a V-shaped form. A first blocking member 142 and a second blocking member 144 are formed at opposite sides with respect to a bent portion of the frame member 146. The first blocking member 142 is formed with a plurality of first elongated holes 141 parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and the second blocking member 144 is formed with a plurality of second elongated holes 143 parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance.

[71] A bamboo strip assembly 200 is installed on an upper surface of each of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144. The first and second blocking members 142 and 144 may also form a single blocking member.

[72] On the other hand, a frame member 156 of a grill frame 150 of a bamboo grill according to the embodiment of FlG. 21 has an "inverted-V"-shaped form.

[73] A first blocking member 152 and a second blocking member 154 are formed at opposite sides with respect to a bent portion of the frame member 156.

[74] FlG. 22 illustrates a modified example of the bamboo grill of FlG. 20. Referring to

FlG. 22, first and second blocking members 142 and 144 are disposed in a "V"-shaped form. First and second fat-overflow blocking projections 147 and 148 are respectively formed to project upward along edges of first and second elongated holes 141 and 143. One or more fat passage holes 149 are formed between the first and second blocking members 142 and 144, i.e., at a bent portion of a frame member 146. Edges of the fat passage holes 149 may be formed with one or more guiding projections 149a to guide the flow of food fat, as shown in FIG. 23.

[75] Furthermore, referring to FlG. 24, grooves 142a (144a) may be formed in the lengthwise direction of portions of the first (second) blocking member 142 (144) between the first (second) fat-overflow blocking projections 147 (148) to minimize contact areas between the bamboo strips 201 and the first (second) blocking member 142 (144). The bamboo strips 201 may have curved lower surfaces to minimize contact areas between them and the first and second blocking members 142 and 144 with the grooves 142a and 144a, respectively, as shown in FlG. 25.

[76] Turning to FlG. 23, to prevent a direct contact between the bamboo strips 201 and the first and second blocking members 142 and 144, lower surfaces of clips 221 are formed with projections 221a. That is, the bamboo strips 201 are separated from the first and second blocking members 142 and 144 by the projections 221a formed on the lower surfaces of the clips 221 to thereby prevent a direct contact between the bamboo strips 201 and the first and second blocking members 142 and 144.

[77] Meanwhile, the bamboo grill according to the embodiment of FlG. 20 may further include an auxiliary blocking plate 190 at lower surfaces of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144 of the grill frame 140 to primarily shield the heat from the underlying heat source, as shown in FlG. 26. A guide member 193 is formed at a lower surface of the frame member 146 or at lower surfaces of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144, and the auxiliary blocking plate 190 is slidingly inserted along the guide member 193. The auxiliary blocking plate 190 is formed with a plurality of elongated holes 192 having the same shapes and arrangement as the first and second elongated holes 141 and 143 of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144. The auxiliary blocking plate 190 may be a metal plate. The auxiliary blocking plate 190 may be formed in a single body to simultaneously shield the lower surfaces of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144 or may have a divided structure to separately shield the lower surfaces of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144. When the auxiliary blocking plate 190 has a divided structure, as shown in FlG. 27, it may be slidingly inserted into a center portion of the grill frame 140 from opposite sides of the grill frame 140 along a guide member 194. The gaps between the bamboo strips 201 of the bamboo strip assembly 200, the first and second elongated holes 141 and 143 of the first and second blocking members 142 and 144, and the elongated holes 192 of the auxiliary blocking plate 190 are arranged on the same vertical axis.

[78] The auxiliary blocking plate 190 disposed at the grill frame 140 can prevent the bamboo strips 201 from burning when the heat of the underlying heat source is ex¬ cessively transferred to the bamboo strip assembly 200. Furthermore, since the auxiliary blocking plate 190 can be moved forwardly or rearwardly along the guide member 193 or 194, the amount of heat to be applied to the bamboo strips 201 can be adjusted.

[79] The bamboo grills according to the embodiments of FIGS. 11 through 27 can surely prevent burning, discoloration, or discoloration of bamboo strips by excess heat. Furthermore, a bamboo strip assembly can be easily detachably connected to a grill frame or replaced, thereby ensuring easy use.

[80] Hereinafter, a bending operation for manufacturing a V- or inverted- V-shaped bamboo strip assembly will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 28 through 33.

[81] Referring to FlG. 28, a bamboo strip assembly 300 has the structure where a fixing member 312 is commonly disposed at corresponding ends of a plurality of bamboo strips 301 parallel to each other. The fixing member 312 is the same as the fixing member 220 shown in FlG. 13 and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[82] Center portions of the bamboo strips 301 constituting the bamboo strip assembly

300 are formed with bending grooves 301b. Thus, when the bamboo strip assembly 300 is bent upward or downward at a predetermined angle with respect to the bending grooves 301b, it can have a "V"- or "inverted-V"-shaped form.

[83] The sizes and shapes of the bending grooves 301b may be diversely changed according to design or use conditions by those of ordinary skilled in the art. According to several experiments performed by the present applicant, it is preferable that the bending grooves 301b are formed to a depth (see h of FlG. 29) corresponding to 1/2 of the thickness (see t of FlG. 29) of the bamboo strips 301 in view of efficient bending.

[84] Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, the bamboo strips 301 are composed of mainly a woody portion 301c and an epidermal portion 301d placed on the woody portion 301c. The epidermal portion 301d is more flexible than the woody portion 301c. In this regard, even when the bamboo strips 301 are excessively bent, the woody portion 301c may be cut but the epidermal portion 30 Id is not cut. Thus, the bamboo strips 301 can be maintained at a predetermined bending angle.

[85] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the bending grooves 301b have a rectangular section but may have another sectional shape such as semicircle or triangle.

[86] FlG. 30 illustrates a "V"-shaped bamboo strip assembly 300'. The bamboo strip assembly 300' is placed on a V-shaped grill frame as will be described later. FlG. 31 il¬ lustrates an "inverted- V"-shaped bamboo strip assembly 300". The bamboo strip assembly 300 is placed on an "inverted-V"-shaped grill frame as will be described later.

[87] FlG. 32 illustrates the same "V"-shaped bamboo strip assembly 300' as in HG. 30 and a grill frame 160 coupled with the bamboo strip assembly 300'. Referring to FlG. 32, the grill frame 160 includes a frame member 161 having a V-shaped form and defining the outline of a bamboo grill; and first and second blocking members 162 and 163, disposed at opposite sides with respect to a bent portion of the frame member 161, in which first and second elongated holes 162a and 163a allowing a passage of the heat from the underlying heat source are separated from and parallel with each other.

[88] The first and second elongated holes 162a and 163a of the first and second blocking members 162 and 163 are formed to correspond to the spacing between bamboo strips 301 of the bamboo strip assembly 300'. In this embodiment, it is preferable that heat sources are disposed underneath opposite sides of the grill frame 160 whereas no heat sources are disposed underneath a center portion of the grill frame 160. That is, the heat from the heat sources can pass through the first and second elongated holes 162a and 163a of the first and second blocking members 162 and 163 and the gaps defined between the bamboo strips 301 of the bamboo strip assembly 300' and then be directly applied to meat or fish placed on the bamboo strips 301. Since lower surfaces of the bamboo strips 301 are shielded by closed portions 162b and 163b of the first and second blocking members 162 and 163, burning of the bamboo strips 301 by direct transfer of the heat from the underlying heat sources to the bamboo strips 301 can be prevented.

[89] When needed, a support member 164 may be separately disposed across the middle of the frame 160 to support a bent portion of the bamboo strip assembly 300'.

[90] This embodiment discloses the structure where the first and second blocking members 162 and 163 are welded to the frame member 161. However, the first and second blocking members 162 and 163 may also be integrally formed with the frame member 161. This embodiment also discloses the structure where the frame member 161 has a "V"-shaped form. However, the first and second blocking members 162 and 163 may also be attached to the frame member 161 in such a manner that they are disposed in a V-shaped form without bending the frame member 161.

[91] A bamboo grill of FlG. 33 wholly has an inverted- V-shaped form and includes an inverted- V-shaped grill frame 170 and an inverted- V-shaped bamboo strip assembly

300 placed on the inverted- V-shaped grill frame 170. In this embodiment, it is preferable that a heat source is disposed underneath a center portion of the grill frame 170 whereas no heat source is disposed underneath the sides of the grill frame 170.

[92] The grill frame 170 includes a rectangular frame member 171 and at least one blocking member 172 disposed in an inverted- V-shaped form in an area defined by the frame member 171. The blocking member 172 may be divided into two wing portions 174 and 175 and a support member 173 may be installed across the middle of the grill frame 170. The blocking member 172 is formed with a plurality of elongated holes 174a and 175a corresponding to the spacing between bamboo strips 301 of the bamboo strip assembly 300".

[93] Hereinafter, the acting effects of the bamboo grills according to the embodiments of

FIGS. 28 through 32 will be described with reference again to FIGS. 28 through 32.

[94] Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, first, a bamboo material is cut into the bamboo strips

301 with a predetermined width. A plurality of notches 301a are formed on upper surfaces of the bamboo strips 301 and the bending grooves 301b are formed on lower center portions of the bamboo strips 301. Then, corresponding ends of the bamboo strips 301 are commonly fixed to the fixing member 312 in such a way that the bamboo strips 301 are separated from each other by a predetermined distance to thereby complete the bamboo strip assembly 300. Alternatively, after fixing the bamboo strips 301 to the fixing member 312, the bending grooves 301b may also be at a time formed on the lower center portions of the bamboo strips 301. At this time, the bamboo strips 301 are disposed so that the epidermal portion 30 Id faces upward.

[95] To manufacture a "V"-shaped bamboo grill, the bamboo strip assembly 300 is bent at a predetermined angle so that the center portion of the bamboo strip assembly 300 is positioned at a lower position than both ends of the bamboo strip assembly 300. This completes the bamboo strip assembly 300' with a V-shaped form with respect to the bending grooves 301b, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 32.

[96] On the other hand, to manufacture an "inverted- V"-shaped bamboo grill, the bamboo strip assembly 300 is bent at a predetermined angle so that the center portion of the bamboo strip assembly 300 is positioned at a higher position than both ends of the bamboo strip assembly 300. This completes the bamboo strip assembly 300 with an inverted- V-shaped form with respect to the bending grooves 301b, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 33.

[97] The "V"- and "inverted-V"-shaped bamboo strip assemblies 300' and 300" are re¬ spectively mounted on the "V"- and "inverted- V"-shaped grill frames 160 and 170.

[98] To cook a food to be grilled such as meat or fish using a bamboo grill manufactured as described above, the food is placed on bamboo strips of the bamboo grill and then the heat from the underlying heat source is applied to the food.

[99] During grilling, meat fat is dripped downward along the bamboo strips. That is, with respect to a "V"-shaped bamboo grill, meat fat is collected on a center portion of a grill frame (see 160 of FlG. 32) and then dripped downward. On the other hand, with respect to an "inverted-V"-shaped bamboo grill, meat fat is collected on opposite sides of a grill frame (see 170 of FlG. 33) and then dripped downward. Therefore, smoke formation by fat dripping onto a heat source can be prevented.

[100] According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 28 through 33, since a bamboo strip assembly can be easily installed at a grill frame, workability is remarkably enhanced. Also, a V- or inverted- V-shaped bamboo grill assembly can be easily manufactured using bending grooves formed on bamboo strips, and a bamboo sap can smoothly permeate into a food to be grilled such as meat or fish along the tilted surface of a bamboo grill during grilling. Furthermore, since meat fat is dripped onto a position at which no heat source is disposed, smoke formation by fat combustion can be minimized. In addition, direct transfer of the heat from a heat source to bamboo strips is prevented by blocking members of a grill frame, thereby preventing burning of the bamboo strips. Industrial Applicability

[101] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. For example, throughout the specification of the present invention, only a bamboo grill using bamboo strips has been disclosed. However, it should be understood that grills using materials except bamboo could also be easily made by those of ordinary skilled in the art. For example, in the case of using a woody material such as a juniper or Acanthopanax senticosus instead of bamboo, the specific flavor or healthful components of the woody material can permeate into food to be grilled.

Claims

[1] A bamboo grill comprising: a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill and at least one blocking member disposed in an area defined by the frame member to correspond to the underlying heat source; a plurality of bamboo strips, disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, being separated from each other by a predetermined distance; and a spacing unit maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, wherein the at least one blocking member has a predetermined width to partially cover the area defined by the frame member, and elongated holes allowing a passage of heat from the underlying heat source are formed between each of unblocked portions of the at least one blocking member, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo.

[2] The bamboo grill of claim 1, wherein the spacing unit comprises a plurality of projections formed at one ends of the elongated holes of the at least one blocking member, and the bamboo strips are disposed between the projections.

[3] The bamboo grill of claim 1, wherein the spacing unit comprises projections projecting upward along edges of the elongated holes of the at least one blocking member.

[4] The bamboo grill of claim 1, wherein portions of the at least one blocking member intended for disposition of the bamboo strips are formed with grooves guiding the flow of meat fat along the lengthwise direction of the elongated holes.

[5] The bamboo grill of claim 1, wherein the frame member of the frame has a "V"- or "inverted-V"-shaped form, two blocking members are disposed at opposite sides of the area defined by the frame member, a support member is installed across the middle of the frame, and the bamboo strips are bent to correspond to the shape of the frame member and elastically supported by the two blocking members and the support member.

[6] The bamboo grill of claim 1, wherein an upper surface of each bamboo strip is formed with at least one notch acting as a passage for a bamboo sap during grilling.

[7] The bamboo grill of claim 5, wherein a lower surface of each bamboo strip is formed with a bending groove to facilitate bending of each bamboo strip.

[8] A grilling apparatus comprising: a firebox in which a grill support is installed at an upper part of the firebox and at least one heat source is installed in an inner space of the firebox; and a bamboo grill supported by the grill support installed at the upper part of the firebox, the bamboo grill comprising: a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill and at least one blocking member disposed in an area defined by the frame member to correspond to the underlying heat source; a plurality of bamboo strips, disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, being separated from each other by a predetermined distance; and a spacing unit maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips disposed on the at least one blocking member of the frame, wherein the at least one blocking member has a predetermined width to partially cover the area defined by the frame member, and elongated holes allowing a passage of heat from the underlying heat source are formed between each of unblocked portions of the at least one blocking member, the unblocked portions not being covered by the bamboo strips, and wherein the frame member of the frame has a "V"- or "inverted-V"-shaped form, two blocking members are disposed at opposite sides of the area defined by the frame member, a support member is installed across the middle of the frame, and the bamboo strips are bent to correspond to the shape of the frame member and elastically supported by the two blocking members and the support member.

[9] A bamboo grill comprising: a frame comprising a frame member defining an outline of the bamboo grill, and a blocking member, disposed in an area defined by the frame member, being formed with elongated holes parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance to allow a passage of heat from the underlying heat source; and at least one bamboo strip assembly comprising a plurality of bamboo strips parallel with and separated from each other by a predetermined distance, and a fixing member, commonly installed at corresponding ends of the bamboo strips, maintaining a spacing between the bamboo strips and supporting the bamboo strips, wherein the bamboo strip assembly is disposed on the blocking member of the frame in such a manner that the plurality of the bamboo strips are disposed between the elongated holes of the blocking member of the frame.

[10] The bamboo grill of claim 9, wherein the fixing member is a clip with a

??-shaped section to surround and pressingly support corresponding ends of the bamboo strips.

[11] The bamboo grill of claim 10, wherein the clip has an alternately formed structure of holding portions contacting with upper and lower end surfaces of bamboo strips and depression portions between the bamboo strips to maintain the spacing between the bamboo strips.

[12] The bamboo grill of claim 10, wherein at least one projection is formed on the lower surface of the clip to separate the bamboo strips of the bamboo strip assembly from the blocking member of the grill frame.

[13] The bamboo grill of claim 9, wherein the frame member is bent in a "V"- or

"inverted-V"-shaped form, the blocking member includes a first blocking member and a second blocking member disposed at opposite sides of a bent area of the frame member, and two of the at least one bamboo strip assembly are provided and installed at the first and second blocking members, respectively.

[14] The bamboo grill of claim 13, wherein a plurality of fat passage holes are formed at the bent portion of the frame member.

[15] The bamboo grill of claim 13, further comprising first and second auxiliary blocking plates having shapes corresponding to those of the first and second blocking members.

[16] The bamboo grill of claim 9, wherein the frame member is bent in a "V"- or

"inverted-V"-shaped form, the blocking member includes a first blocking member and a second blocking member disposed at opposite sides of a bent area of the frame member, and the at least one bamboo strip assembly includes bending grooves formed on lower surfaces of the middle of the bamboo strips.

[17] The bamboo grill of claim 16, wherein the bending grooves are formed to a depth corresponding to half the overall thickness of the bamboo strips