WO2006111640A1

WO2006111640A1 - Electromagnetic induction oven, in particular of an automatic dispenser of pizzas contained in trays

Info

Publication number: WO2006111640A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/000818
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gérard RAFFAELE
Original assignee: Raffaele Gerard
Priority date: 2005-04-20
Filing date: 2006-04-14
Publication date: 2006-10-26
Also published as: FR2884687A1; FR2884687B1

Abstract

The invention concerns an electromagnetic induction oven comprising an inductive module (11) provided with two horizontal field windings (11a, 11b) separated from each other by a distance (d1) while forming a tunnel for the placement of a tray, and a housing having an inlet in the front panel. The invention is characterized in that positioning means (27, 28) are arranged inside the tunnel (18) by being offset by a spacing (d3) less than the distance (d1) between the field windings (11a, 11b). The positioning means (27, 28) advantageously include a pair of guide rails extending at the opposite ends of each field winding (11a, 11b) in the direction of the depth of the tunnel (18), the assembly of rails being oriented parallel and opposite each other.

Description

Electromagnetic induction furnace, in particular an apparatus for

automatic distribution of pizzas contained in trays.

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an electromagnetic induction furnace comprising:

- an inductor module with two horizontal inductors separated one from

the other by a predetermined distance with formation of a tunnel for the

setting up a tray,

- a housing having an inlet port in the front desk.

State of the art

It is known to use an electromagnetic induction furnace for the

heating or reheating cooked meals. Document FR 2818499 describes

a double induction furnace for rapid heating of trays

meal trays. Resonance inverter generator supplies windings two inductors to generate the electromagnetic induction in the

heating tunnel.

When introducing a tray into the oven, it is important to respect

the relative position of the tray with respect to the two inductors to obtain

a well distributed heating. The use of a non-conforming tray may disturb

the heat distribution between the top and the bottom of the tunnel, and to call into question the

taste quality of the badly reheated dish.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide an electromagnetic induction furnace,

to obtain optimum and rapid heating of the meal to be heated.

The device according to the invention is characterized in that means for

positioning are arranged inside the tunnel by being offset by a

spacing less than the distance between the inductors. The means of

positioning advantageously comprise a pair of guide rails

extending at opposite ends of each inductor in the direction of the

depth of the tunnel, the two rails on the same side being oriented parallel

and facing each other. According to one characteristic of the invention, each rail means of

bottom and top positioning is provided with a beveled end

located at the level of the large opposite edges delimiting the inlet of the

front desk. The tunnel is aligned with the inlet port, and the two inductors

are supported laterally by two retaining profiles.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the positioning means form

coding elements inhibiting any introduction of trays

non-conforming thicknesses.

According to another characteristic of the invention, a sensor is integrated in one

profiles to indicate the presence or absence of a container in the

tunnel. The tray may be equipped with an access control label and

parameterization, which will be recognized by the sensor.

Brief description of the drawings

Other benefits and features will become more apparent from the

following description of an embodiment of the invention given as a

non-limiting example, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an induction furnace according to

the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the oven of FIG. 1 in the state

assembled;

FIGS. 3 and 4 represent cross-sectional views of the module

inductor, respectively in the absence and in the presence of a tray in the

oven tunnel;

Figure 5 is a side view of a tray in the open position;

Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the open tray.

Description of a Preferred Embodiment

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an electromagnetic induction furnace for

an automatic dispensing apparatus for trays, in particular pizzas,

comprises an inductor module 11 housed inside a housing 12.

The parallelepipedal casing 12 has an inlet port 13 in the desk 14

before control, and is composed of a base 15 in the form of a bowl, a

rear frame 16 parallel to the front plate of the console 14 before, and a

U-shaped casing 17 forming the horizontal roof and the side faces vertical. The assembly of the various elements of the casing 12 takes place at

means of screws or rivets, or any other fastener.

The inductor module 11 is provided with two inductors 11a, 11b horizontal

separated from each other by a distance d1 delimiting a tunnel 18 extending

in the direction of the depth for the insertion of at least one tray 21. The

tunnel 18 is aligned with the inlet port 13, and the two inductors 11a, 11b

are supported laterally by two profiles 19, 20 of maintenance.

The two inductors 11 a, 11 b each comprise a flat winding carried by

a support plate made of insulating material. They are electrically connected to a

power generator (not shown), for example of the type described in the

document FR 2818499, for generating, during excitation, an induction

electromagnetic in the tunnel 18.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, a tray 21 comprises a cardboard box in

which one introduces the pizza or any other meal to warm up. The box includes

a bottom 22 articulated by a fold line 23 to a cover 24 foldable. A

sheet (not shown) of electrically conductive material, for example a

aluminum foil, is inserted into four fasteners 25 provided in the face

24. The pizza is contained in an aluminum dish,

the assembly being placed on the bottom 22 inside the box. To insert the tray 21 in the tunnel 18 of the oven 10, the lid 24 is

in the closed position, and the thickness d2 of the tray 21 is smaller than the

distance d1 between the two inductors 11a, 11b (see FIGS. 3 and 4). excitation

of the two inductors 11a, 11b causes electromagnetic induction in

the tunnel 18, and a circulation of currents induced in the sheet and the dish in

the aluminum of the tray 21. This results in rapid heating and

thermal radiation to the inside of the box. 26 exhaust holes

are provided in the box to avoid any internal overpressure.

Access and insertion of the tray 21 into the furnace 10 are controlled by

positioning means 27, 28 secured to the two inductors 11a, 11b to

inside the tunnel 18. The lower positioning means 27 are

constituted by way of example, by a first pair of guide rails

extending along tunnel 18 at opposite ends of inductor 11b

inferior. The upper positioning means 28 consist of a

second pair of guide rails extending along tunnel 18 to

opposite ends of the inductor 11 a higher, and oriented parallel and

next to the first pair of rails. The spacing d3 between the rails of the positioning means 27, 28 of a

same side must be less than the distance d1 between inductors 11a, 11b, and

greater than the thickness d2 of a tray 21.

Each rail of the lower 27 and upper 28 positioning means is

provided with a tapered end 29 located at the major edges

opposing lines defining the inlet opening 13 of the front desk 14. The introduction of the

Tray 21 in the tunnel 18 of the furnace is thus facilitated.

In addition to their centering functions in the tunnel 18, the rails constitute

also foolproofing elements inhibiting any introduction of

trays having thicknesses greater than the spacing d3.

A sensor 30 is integrated in the section 20 to signal the presence or

the absence of a tray 21 in the tunnel 18. The tray 21 can be

advantageously provided with an access control and parameterization label,

which will be recognized by the sensor 30. The measurement signal delivered by this

last to the inductor power generator 11a, 11b will thus allow

to adapt the value and the duration of the electromagnetic induction according to the

nature of the dishes to warm.

Claims

claims

An electromagnetic induction furnace comprising:

an inductor module (11) equipped with two horizontal inductors (11a, 11b)

separated from each other by a distance (d1) with formation of a tunnel (18)

for setting up a tray (21),

a housing (12) having an inlet (13) in the front desk (14),

characterized in that positioning means (27, 28) are arranged at

the interior of the tunnel (18) being offset by a spacing (d3) smaller than the

distance (d1) between the inductors (11a, 11b).

2. Electromagnetic induction furnace according to claim 1, characterized in

the positioning means (27, 28) are secured to the

inductors (11a, 11b).

Electromagnetic induction furnace according to Claim 2, characterized in that

the positioning means (27, 28) comprise a pair of rails guide extending at opposite ends of each inductor (11 a,

11 b) in the direction of the depth of the tunnel (18).

4. Electromagnetic induction furnace according to claim 3, characterized in

that the guide rails on the same side are oriented parallel and in

look at each other.

Electromagnetic induction furnace according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized

in that each rail of the lower positioning means (27) and

(28) is provided with a beveled end (29) located at the

large opposite edges delimiting the entry port (13) of the desk

before (14).

6. Electromagnetic induction furnace according to one of claims 1 to 5,

characterized in that the positioning means (27, 28) form

foolproofing elements inhibiting any introduction of trays having

thicknesses greater than the gauge (d3).

Electromagnetic induction furnace according to one of claims 1 to 6,

characterized in that the tunnel (18) is aligned with the inlet port (13), and

that the two inductors (11a, 11b) are supported laterally by two

holding profiles (19, 20).

Electromagnetic induction furnace according to claim 7, characterized in that

a sensor (30) is integrated in one of the profiles (20) to signal Ia

presence or absence of a tray (21) in the tunnel (18).

Electromagnetic induction furnace according to claim 8, characterized in that

the tray (21) is provided with an access control label and

parameterization, which will be recognized by the sensor (30).

"10. Automatic pizza dispensing apparatus contained in

trays, characterized in that it comprises at least one induction furnace

according to one of claims 1 to 9.