WO2006053404A1

WO2006053404A1 - Multiple food recipient

Info

Publication number: WO2006053404A1
Application number: PCT/BE2005/000165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marc Hiel
Original assignee: Clean Baking Products, Naamloze Vennootschap
Priority date: 2004-11-19
Filing date: 2005-11-17
Publication date: 2006-05-26
Also published as: EP1819231A1; BE1016327A3

Abstract

Improved multiple food recipient which is composed of two or several individual containers (11) for food which are provided in a common frame and which are provided with protruding lips (14) on their side walls (13), characterised in that the above-mentioned frame mainly consists of a rectangular framework (2) and clamping means for every container (11) which can be connected to the framework (2) in a detachable manner so as to clamp the above-mentioned containers (11) next to each other on the framework (2).

Description

MULTIPLE FOOD RECIPIENT

The present invention concerns an improved multiple food recipient, more specifically a food recipient of the type which is composed of two or several individual food containers, in particular baking tins which are fixed to a common frame.

Multiple food recipients can be used in bakeries for baking bread and cake, in industrial kitchens for preparing and freezing food portions, etc.

From BE 1,015,119 are already known such multiple food recipients whereby the above-mentioned frame is formed of two frameworks which are connected to each other and whereby the above-mentioned containers are provided with protruding lips on their side walls, which are provided with some play between the above-mentioned frameworks.

Although such multiple food recipients represent a considerable improvement compared to the conventional multiple food recipients, they are disadvantageous in that they require relatively much welding during the assembly, as a result of which the manufacturing thereof is relatively expensive and time-consuming.

The present invention aims to remedy one or several of the above-mentioned and other disadvantages. To this end, the present invention concerns an improved multiple food recipient which is composed of two or several individual food containers provided in a common frame and which are provided with protruding lips on their side walls, whereby the above-mentioned frame mainly consists of a rectangular framework and clamping means for each container which can be connected to the framework in a detachable manner so as to clamp the above-mentioned containers next to each other on the framework.

An advantage of such a multiple food recipient according to the invention is that, thanks to its construction, not much welding is required during the assembly, as a result of which the assembly time decreases.

Another advantage is that such an improved multiple food recipient is even more resistant to temperature stress than the existing multiple food recipients.

An additional advantage of such an improved multiple food recipient is that it consists of a simple and light construction which makes it possible to replace the above-mentioned containers in a simple and fast manner.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the present invention, the following preferred embodiments of an improved multiple food recipient are given as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 schematically represents a view in perspective, with a partial cut-out, of an improved multiple food recipient according to the invention;

figures 2 and 3 represent sections according to lines II-II and III-III in figure 1 respectiveIy; figure 4 represents a variant of a multiple food recipient according to figure 1; figures 5 and 6 represent a section according to lines V-V and VI-VI in figure 4 respectively; figure 7 represents a variant of an improved multiple food recipient according to figure 1.

An improved multiple food recipient 1 according to the invention, as represented in figures 1 to 3, is provided with a common frame in the shape of a rectangular framework 2 which at least consists of four connecting sections 3 and 4, more particularly of two longitudinal struts 3 and two cross struts 4 standing at right angles to the latter.

The above-mentioned struts 3 and 4 are preferably made of metal, plastic or a composite material, such as for example a synthetic which has been reinforced with carbon fibres, glass fibres or the like.

In this case , the above-mentioned struts 3 and 4 are provided with inwardly directed ribs 5 and 6 on their respective longitudinal edges , in particular an upper rib 5 and a lower rib 6 , and these struts 3 and 4 are connected such they that are directed towards each other in pairs with their ribs 5 and 6.

In the lower standing ribs 6 of the longitudinal struts 3 are provided recesses 7 according to the invention in which are mounted clamping means in the shape of two rectangular brackets 8 which are each formed of four rods 9 and 10 which are connected to each other.

The above-mentioned recesses 7 in the rib 6 are preferably provided at regular distances from each other.

The multiple food recipient according to the invention further comprises a number of containers 11 placed next to each other which are each formed of a bottom 12 and four standing, connected side walls 13 which are provided with at least one lip 14 on the outside on at least two side walls 13 standing opposite each other, at a certain distance from the free edge of the container 11.

In this case, the distance between the adjacent recesses 7 is smaller than the width of the containers 11, and the distance between the above-mentioned ribs 5 and 6 is smaller than the length of the above-mentioned brackets 8.

The use of an improved multiple food recipient 1 according to the present invention is very simple and as follows.

The containers 11 are clamped on the framework 2 one after the other, as they are each provided between a pair of brackets 8, such that two opposite rods 9 mesh under the bottom 12 of a container 11 and behind a protruding lip 14 on the side wall 13 of the container 11 concerned respectively, whereby this bracket 8 is mounted in the above-mentioned recesses 7 in the ribs 6 of the longitudinal struts 3 with its two opposite rods 10.

Thanks to the construction and the mutual connections of the framework 2, the brackets 8 and the containers 11, the containers 11 are thus held in the framework 2, but possibly with a certain play.

In order to obtain this play, the dimensions of the above- mentioned struts 3 and 4 are preferably such that there is sufficient play between the above-mentioned containers 11 and the struts 3 and 4 to allow for a thermal expansion and shrinkage of the containers 11, the framework 2 and the brackets 8, such that no unwanted stress may arise which promotes the formation of cracks and/or fissures.

Figures 4 to 6 represent a variant of the embodiment of an improved multiple recipient 1 according to the invention which is formed of a framework 2, as that in figure 1, but whereby the above-mentioned clamping means are in this case formed of two rods 15 situated at a distance from each other and connecting the two above-mentioned longitudinal struts 3 on the one hand, and a predominantly U-shaped clamping bracket 16 on the other hand, in this case in the shape of a folded, perforated plate made of a resilient, heat-conductive material, whose free edges are folded outward and which can work in conjunction with the lower ribs 6 of the above- mentioned longitudinal struts 3.

The height of the containers 11 is calculated such that every container 11 can be mounted between two rods 15 and a respective clamping bracket 16, preferably such that a certain play is provided between the containers 11 on the one hand, and the clamping brackets 16 and the rods 15 on- the other hand.

The distance between the above-mentioned rods 15 for every container 11 is preferably equal to or somewhat larger than the width of the containers 11 at the free edge of the container 11, but it is smaller than the width of the container 11 at the above-mentioned lips 14.

Figure 7 represents yet another embodiment of an improved multiple food recipient 1 according to the invention, whereby the above-mentioned rods 15 are part of a U-shaped bracket 17 which is attached to the above-mentioned opposite struts 3 with its free far ends, for example by means of welding.

These brackets 17 are preferably provided slantingly in relation to the plane of the framework 2. The further assembly of such a variant is analogous to that of the above-described embodiment, such that the above-mentioned lips 14 of the containers 11 are snapped under the rods 15 of the U-shaped brackets 17.

It is clear that the struts 3 and 4 must not necessarily be provided with two standing ribs 5 and 6, but that, if necessary, only one standing rib 6 is provided on the longitudinal struts 3.

It is also clear that the above-mentioned clamping bracket 16 can be made in many ways and is not restricted to a folded plate with perforations .

Naturally, the above-mentioned framework can be made such that several multiple food recipients according to the invention can be stacked in a simple manner, for example as at the respective angular points of this framework 2 are provided upward and/or downward protruding angular elements which fit on each other.

According to the present invention, it is not excluded that additional recesses are provided between the above- mentioned recesses 7. This is advantageous in that the above-mentioned brackets 8 can be placed further away from one another or closer to one another if required, which makes them suitable for holding containers 11 of different dimensions. The multiple food recipient according to the invention may- consist of a combination of materials, for example a metal framework and metal brackets, combined with plastic containers, but it can for example also be made of one and the same material, such as for example metal, plastic or a composite material, such as for example a plastic which is reinforced with carbon fibres, glass fibres or the like.

The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments given as an example and represented in the figures; on the contrary, an improved multiple recipient according to the invention can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims .

1.- Improved multiple food recipient which is composed of two or several individual containers (11) for food which are provided in a common frame and which are provided with protruding lips (14) on their side walls (13), characterised in that the above-mentioned frame mainly consists of a rectangular framework (2) and clamping means for every container (11) which can be connected to the framework (2) in a detachable manner so as to clamp the above-mentioned containers (11) next to each other on the framework (2) .

2.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 1, characterised in that the framework (2) is formed of four mutually connected struts (3 and 4), of which at least two opposite struts (3) are provided with an inwardly directed rib (6) .

3.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 2, characterised in that the clamping means for every container (11) are formed of at least two rectangular brackets (8) which are each formed of four rods (9 and 10) which are connected to each other, two opposite rods (9) of which respectively mesh under the bottom (12) and behind a protruding lip (14) on the side wall (13) of the container

(11) concerned, whereby this bracket (8) is mounted with its two other opposite rods (10) in recesses (7) provided opposite each other in the above-mentioned ribs (6) of the struts (3) .

4. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 3 , characterised in that the distance between two recesses (7) in which the brackets (8) of one and the same container (11) are mounted is smaller than the width of the container (11) concerned.

5. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 3 , characterised in that the above-mentioned struts (3) with a rib (6) are at least provided with a second, inwardly- directed rib (5) at a distance from the first rib (6) .

6.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 5, characterised in that the distance between the first and the second rib (6, 5 respectively) , is smaller than the length of the above-mentioned brackets (8) .

7.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 1, characterised in that the above-mentioned clamping means for each container (11) are mainly formed of two rods (15) situated at a distance from one another which connect the two above-mentioned struts (3) to each other by means of a rib (6) on the one hand, and a predominantly U-shaped clamping bracket

(16) on the other hand, whose free edges are folded outward and which can work in conjunction with the ribs (6) of the above-mentioned struts (3) .

8.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 7, characterised in that the height of the containers (11) is such that the container (11) is mounted between the rods (15) and the clamping bracket (16) .

9.- Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 7, characterised in that the containers (11) are mounted with a certain play between the rods (15) and the clamping bracket (16) .

10. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim

1₁ characterised in that the distance between the above- mentioned rods (15) , for each container (11) , is equal to or somewhat larger than the width of the containers (11) at the free edge of the container (11) , but in that it is smaller than the width of the container (11) at the above-mentioned lips (14) .

11. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 7 , characterised in that the above-mentioned rods (15) are part of a U-shaped bracket (17) which is fixed to the above-mentioned opposite struts (3) at its free ends.

12. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 11, characterised in that these brackets (17) are provided slantingly in relation to the plane of the framework (2) .

13. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 7, characterised in that the clamping bracket (16) is made of a resilient material.

14. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 7, characterised in that the clamping bracket (16) is formed of a folded plate.

15. - Improved multiple food recipient according to claim 14, characterised in that the above-mentioned folded plate is provided with perforations.