WO2009024737A1

WO2009024737A1 - A toaster

Info

Publication number: WO2009024737A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/000956
Authority: WO
Inventors: Iain Mccormick; Duncan Bardsley
Original assignee: Tinbone Ltd
Priority date: 2007-08-23
Filing date: 2008-03-18
Publication date: 2009-02-26

Abstract

A toaster with an internal device (1) for branding letters or images onto a piece of bread (20) as it toasts. The branding device (1) moves inwards to clamp the bread as it is toasting. This movement is activated by the travel of the bread carriage (18) down and then up again, at the beginning and end of the toasting cycle respectively.

Description

A Toaster

This invention relates to a toaster for toasting bread, and, in particular to a toaster which forms an image on the toasted bread.

There are commercially available toasters that toast particular images onto bread, for example smiley faces or heart shapes. Those toasters have a template which is inserted between the heating element of the toaster and the bread such that the heat from the heating element only passes through the opening of the template. The image is the only part of the bread that is toasted. This results in a piece of bread that is toasted in some areas, and not toasted in others, where the untoasted area of the bread is typically of a size greater than the toasted area of the bread. There is also a second type of known toaster which includes a masking element mounted on the surface of a grill located between the heating element of the toaster and the bread. A spring loaded lever pushes the bread towards the grill where the masking element prevents some of the heat from the heating element from reaching the bread and inhibits the toasting of certain areas of the bread. The image created tends to be rather indistinct.

The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus and method for creating a visible image on a piece of bread that has been toasted.

The invention provides a toaster for creating an image on a piece of bread including heating elements, and at least one masking element movable between an open position and a mask position, the open position being such that the bread may be placed adjacent to the or each masking element, the mask position being such that the or each masking element presses into the bread and masks that area from the heating elements such that, in use, an image corresponding to the shape of the or each masking element is formed on the bread.

In contrast with the first mentioned toaster described above, it can be seen that the present invention creates a negative image on the bread, where the image is untoasted, or significantly less toasted, in comparison with the remainder of the bread. In contrast with the second mentioned toaster described above, in the present invention the at least one masking element presses into an area of the bread thereby compressing the bread and creating an impression in the surface of the bread thereby increasing the visibility of the image.

Preferably, the toaster comprises at least one pair of masking elements. The two masking elements that make up the or each pair preferably oppose each other. As a result, the bread becomes compressed in the areas in which the masking elements are pressing. Once the masking elements are in this position, the bread is toasted. The heat radiated from the heating elements of the toaster is masked from the area of the bread in contact with the masking elements, which may both absorb and reflect the radiation. The area of the bread that is being pressed into by the masking elements is therefore less toasted than the rest of the bread, or not toasted at all. Furthermore, the compression of the bread by the masking elements combined with the hardening of the areas of the bread that have been toasted means that as well as the areas pressed against by the masking elements being less toasted, or not toasted, in comparison with the other areas of the bread, an impression of the masking elements remains in the toasted bread after they have been removed. That has the additional advantage of making the image created on the piece of bread more noticeable than if an impression was not made.

Preferably, the or each masking element is mounted to a support frame. Preferably, the or each masking element is mounted on a support frame such that it projects by at least 1 mm, more preferably at least 3 mm, from the surface of the support frame in the direction of the slice of bread. In that way, the marking of the bread by the support frame is reduced or avoided.

The or each masking element may have the shape of the image or images it is desired to create on the piece of bread. The or each masking element may be constructed in a suitable way. The or each masking element may be made out of wire.

Preferably the area of the or each masking element that engages the piece of bread is flat with sharp edges to provide a well defined image. The or each masking element may be cut or stamped from a sheet of metal. The or each masking element may be made of steel. Advantageously, the rear surface of the or each masking element is reflective. The or each masking element may be made of a ceramic material. The or each masking element may have a non-stick coating, for example a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating. Advantageously, the or each masking element, in at least one region that presses against the bread, is at least lmm, preferably at least 1.5 mm in width.

The image created on the piece of bread corresponds to the shape of the masking element where it comes into contact with the bread. The masking element creates an image which is not a simple geometrical grid pattern such as is sometimes created in a conventional toaster if the wire grids mark the bread. The masking element may be such that the image created on the bread includes text. For example, the masking element may be in the shape of letters of the alphabet, names, numbers, etc. The masking plates may be such that the image they create on the bread is a logo, picture or trade mark. The pair of masking plates may be such that they are the same as each other or different from each other. Advantageously, one masking element may be in the shape of text and another masking element may be in the shape of a logo.

Preferably, the toaster further includes at least one pair of stationary guide rails. The guide rails ensure that the bread sits in the toaster in the appropriate position and prevents contact with the heating elements. Conventional toasters typically include moving wire grills to position the bread between the heating elements. Preferably the toaster of the present invention does not include moving wire grills. The guide rails may further act to push the bread off a masking element after the toasting process, should the masking element become stuck to the piece of bread. Preferably, the movement of the bread cradle up and down is utilised for driving the or each masking element to and fro between the open position and the mask position. Preferably, the movement of the or each masking element from the open position to the mask position is such that the face of the masking element remains parallel to the piece of bread. Preferably, the movement of the or each masking element from the open position to the mask position is diagonally down and towards the piece of bread.

Preferably, the movement of the bread cradle up and down is driven by an electric motor. Advantageously, the toaster includes a microprocessor acting as a control and regulation device for the electric motor. Alternatively, the movement of the bread cradle up and down may be driven manually in another embodiment of this invention.

Advantageously, the toaster includes a cancel button which, when pressed, instructs the toaster to cut the power to the heating elements and reverse the motor thus moving the masking elements to the open position and the bread cradle upwards so that the bread may be removed.

Advantageously, the toaster includes multiple bread positions and at least one masking element for each bread position. More than one piece of bread may then be toasted at one time, the number corresponding to the number of bread positions. The multiple bread positions may be arranged in series, so that the multiple pieces of bread are in alignment with each other along the length of the toaster.

The multiple bread positions may be arranged in parallel, so that the multiple pieces of bread are in alignment with each other across the width of the toaster. The multiple bread positions may be arranged both in series and in parallel. The invention further provides a method of creating an image on a piece of bread, including the steps of: placing the piece of bread in a toaster moving at least one masking element from an open position, in which a piece of bread may be placed adjacent to the masking element, to a mask position, toasting the piece of bread, wherein in the mask position the at least one masking element presses into the bread and inhibits the toasting of the area of the bread masked by the masking element, thereby creating an image on the piece of bread.

Advantageously the method involves images being created on a plurality of pieces of bread simultaneously.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

Figure IA shows a cross-sectional end view of a toaster according to the invention with the bread cradle raised and a pair of masking elements in the open position;

Figure IB shows a cross-sectional end view of the toaster of Figure IA where the bread cradle is lowered and the masking elements are in the mask position; Figure 2 shows the masking element and support frame;

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the toaster illustrating the masking elements, support frame, end plates and drive plates;

Figure 4 shows a horizontal section through the toaster with the masking elements in the open position;

Figure 5 shows one of the end plates;

Figure 6 shows one of the drive plates;

Figure 7A shows an end plate with the bread cradle raised and the masking elements in the open position; Figure 7B shows the end plate of Figure 7A where the bread cradle is lowered and the masking elements are in the mask position;

Figure 8A shows a drive plate mounted outside the end plate of Figure 7A with the bread cradle raised and the masking elements in the open position;

Figure 8B shows the drive plate of Figure 8A where the bread cradle is lowered and the masking elements are in the mask position;

Figure 9 shows an example of a piece of bread toasted by the invention. Figure IA shows a cross-sectional end view of a toaster 14 that includes a housing 15 with an upper opening 16. Within the housing 15, the toaster includes a pair of masking elements 1 each connected to a support frame 2 with upper and lower support frame rods 3 and 4, a pair of heating elements 17, a bread cradle 18, vertical guide rails 13 and a control and regulation device 19. The toaster is shown with a piece of bread 20 inserted into it, and the bread cradle 18 in the raised position. The masking elements 1 are in the open position, with neither of the elements in contact with the bread 20.

Figure IB shows the toaster as described in Figure IA but with the bread cradle 18 in the lowered position and the masking elements 1 in the mask position. They are in contact with the bread, pressing in to it in opposing directions in such a way as to create an impression of the masking elements in the bread.

Figure 2 shows the masking element 1 in the shape of the letters ABG connected to the support frame 2 with the upper and lower support frame rods 3 and 4.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the toaster with the housing 15 removed and showing the masking element 1 with the support frame 2 and the upper and lower support frame rods 3 and 4. It also shows the vertical guide rails 13, the end plates 5 and 6 and the drive plates 9 and 10.

Figure 4 shows a horizontal section through the toaster with a piece of bread 20 in the bread cradle 18 and the masking elements 1 in the open position. The support frames 2 for the masking elements 1 are mounted in slots through the end plates 5 and 6 and the drive plates 9 and 10. The bread cradle 18 is driven vertically up and down by the motor 21, acting via the rack and pinion 22 and controlled by the control and regulation device 19. The drive plates 9 and 10 are mechanically connected to each other via the mechanical linkages 23. Figure 5 shows one of the end plates 5 and 6 with upper and lower end plate diagonal slots 7 and 8 and the end plate vertical slot 24.

Figure 6 shows one of the drive plates 9 and 10 with the upper and lower drive plate diagonal slots 11 and 12 and the drive plate vertical slot 27.

Figure 7A shows, with the housing 15 removed, the end plate 5 of the toaster with the bread cradle 18 raised and the masking elements 1 in the open position. The dotted lines show the location of the masking elements 1 and support frames 2 inside the toaster. The vertical slot 24 in the end plate 5 allows the bread cradle 18 to move up and down. The upper and lower support frame rods 3 and 4 protrude through the corresponding upper and lower end plate diagonal slots 7 and 8 in such a way that the support frame rods are able to slide up and down the diagonal slots. When the bread cradle 18 is raised and the masking elements 1 are in the open position the support frame rods 3 and 4 are located towards the top of the end plate diagonal slots 7 and 8. Figure 7B shows the toaster as described in Figure 7A with the bread cradle 18 lowered and the masking elements 1 in the mask position. The support frame rods 3 and 4 are now located towards the bottom of the end plate diagonal slots 7 and 8. Figure 8A shows, with the housing 15 removed, the drive plate 9 mounted outside the end plate 5. The upper and lower drive plate diagonal slots 11 and 12 correspond with the upper and lower end plate diagonal slots 7 and 8, but at an opposing angle. The support frame rods 3 and 4 that protrude through the diagonal slots 7 and 8 in the end plate also protrude through the diagonal slots 11 and 12 in the drive plate. The orientation of the diagonal slots 7 and 8 in the end plate and the diagonal slots 11 and 12 in the drive plate is such that as the drive plate moves downwards the support frame rods 3 and 4 move along their corresponding slots. As the support frame rods move they carry the support frames 2 and the masking elements 1 in the direction of the arrows indicated by the letters A and B. Figure 8A shows the toaster with the drive plate 9 in the Λup' position and the masking element in the open position, whereas Figure 8B shows the toaster with the drive plate 9 in the 'down' position and the masking elements in the mask position.

The drive plate 9 is pushed downwards by the rack and pinion 22, shown in Figure 4. The rack and pinion is used to lower the bread carriage and as it nears the end of its travel the rack impinges on a bracket protruding from the drive plate 9 and thereby pushes the drive plate downwards. The drive plates 9 and 10 are connected by the mechanical linkages 23 via pivot points P, and hence both drive plates move downwards simultaneously. When the bread cradle is raised by the motor and the rack and pinion at the end of the toasting cycle the downwards pressure on the protruding bracket on the drive plate 9 is removed, and hence the drive plates 9 and 10 are drawn upwards by the springs 26. The upward movement of the drive plates drives the support frame rods 3 and 4 along the diagonal slots in both the end plates and the drive plates, and this movement opens the masking elements 1. In use, the method of creating an image on the piece of bread 20 goes as follows. The bread is placed in the toaster between the vertical guide rails 13 and onto the bread cradle 18. The motor 21 is then activated to lower the bread cradle. When the bread cradle approaches the end of its travel the masking elements 1 move downwards and towards the bread as described above. The pressure that the masking elements apply to the bread is such that an impression of the masking elements will remain once the bread has been toasted and the masking elements open at the end of the toasting cycle. The control and regulation device 19 activates the heating elements 17 for a predetermined length of time to toast the bread. As is conventional, the control and regulation device may be adjusted to vary the length of time that the bread is toasted in accordance with a user's preference.

During the toasting of the bread by the heating elements 17, the masking elements 1 absorb and/or reflect at least some of the energy radiated by the heating elements. In particular, the masking elements absorb and/or reflect energy that would otherwise be incident on the bread where it is in contact with and being pressed into by the masking elements. This results in the area which is in contact with the masking elements not being toasted to the same degree as the rest of the bread, if at all.

Once the heating elements have been activated for the predetermined time, the control and regulation device switches them off. The motor 21 is then activated to turn in the opposite direction and raise the bread cradle. As the bread cradle rises the masking elements move upwards and outwards as they retract through the vertical guide rails 13, thereby releasing the bread should it have become stuck to the masking elements during the toasting cycle.

Figure 9 shows the results obtained when the masking elements 1 are in the shape of the letters ABG, as shown in Figure 2. The piece of bread 20 comprises a toasted section 28 and an untoasted impression 29 in the shape of the letters ABG. The letters are distinguished both by being a different colour to the toasted area of the bread and also because an impression of the letters has been made. The masking element may be in the shape of the letters ABCD and so on. The masking element may instead be in the shape of a logo or the flag of a country. Alternatively, the masking element could be in the shape of a heart or a happy face, or any other image that it is desirable to create on a piece of bread.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. The apparatus may, for example, be a double or quadruple toaster, capable of toasting two or four pieces of bread respectively, at the same time. For that reason, reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention.

Claims

1) A toaster for creating an image on a piece of bread including heating elements, and at least one masking element movable between an open position and a mask position, the open position being such that the bread may be placed adjacent to the or each masking element, the mask position being such that the or each masking element presses into the bread and masks that area from the heating elements such that, in use, an image corresponding to the shape of the or each masking element is formed on the bread.

2) A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each masking element moves diagonally down and towards the piece of bread when moving from the rest position to the mask position.

3) A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each masking element moves through a guard from, the open position to the mask position, and back again at the end of the toasting cycle, thereby releasing the bread should it have become stuck to the or each masking element during the toasting cycle.

4) A toaster as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the masking elements move in simultaneously from each side of the bread, thereby clamping it evenly and producing an embossed effect. 5) A method of creating an image on a piece of bread, including the steps of: placing the piece of bread in a toaster, moving at least one masking element from a rest position, in which a piece of bread may be placed adjacent to the masking element, to a mask position, toasting the piece of bread, wherein in the mask position at least one masking element presses into the bread and inhibits the toasting of the area of the piece of bread masked by the masking element, thereby creating an image on the piece of bread.

6) A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the movement of the at least one masking element and the masking of the bread is initiated by the movement of the bread cradle up and down. The movement of the bread cradle impinges on a drive plate, and the movement thereof causes the masking elements to be driven inwards and downwards by virtue of the juxtaposition of slots in the drive plates and the end plates of the toaster and their interaction with the rods supporting the frame that holds the masking elements.

7) A toaster for toasting an image onto a piece of bread, as substantially herein described, with reference to Figures 1 to 9.