WO2009065197A1

WO2009065197A1 - A gas oven for vapor cooking and a kitchen range

Info

Publication number: WO2009065197A1
Application number: PCT/BR2008/000271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cristina Westphal Hartke
Original assignee: Whirlpool SA
Current assignee: Whirlpool SA
Priority date: 2007-11-23
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2009-05-28
Anticipated expiration: 2010-05-23
Also published as: BRPI0705924A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gas oven capable of providing vapor cooking through a simple and easy-to-implement constructive arrangement. Such a constructive arrangement is provided by a gas oven (100) for vapor cooking comprising at least: one inner cavity (105) provided with a useful portion by a user and capable of accommodating utensils and foods; storing means (101 ) capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid; and heating means (103) associable to the storing means (101 ) and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means (101 ) to provide the evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, the storing means (101 ) being arranged integrally and fixedly in the useful portion of the inner cavity (105) or arranged integrally and fixedly below the base (107) of the inner cavity (105). Optionally, the storing means (101 ) is removably associable to the oven (100). The present invention further relates to a kitchen-range (200) comprising at least one cooktop and one oven (100) according to the above description.

Description

Title: "A GAS OVEN FOR VAPOR COOKING AND A KITCHEN RANGE "

The present invention relates to an oven capable of providing vapor cooking. More specifically, the invention relates to a gas oven capable of providing the benefits of vapor cooking, such as: reduction of the losses of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, providing a more healthful food for the user; improvement of the sensory quality of the food through the decrease in the loss of moisture by evaporation and the consequent increase in the succulence of the product, especially meats; and decrease in the time it takes to prepare some categories of foods, like fish filets. The present invention also relates to a kitchen-range comprising a range top, either gas-operated or electric, and the above-mentioned oven. Description of the Prior Art

At present, gas ovens are predominantly used in many countries, mainly in Brazil and in Latin America. In the other regions there is also a gas- oven consuming market, although less predominant.

As far as the costs are concerned, at present gas ovens have a lower market price than electric ovens. Besides, the price of gas in most regions is lower than the price of electricity.

Functionally, most household gas ovens enable only traditional cooking methods like frying the foods directly in oil or fat, boiling them directly in water or roasting them in dry air. In such traditional cooking methods like boiling, for instance, a considerable part of the nutrients is lost in the cooking water. Dry-air cooking reduces the natural moisture of the food, decreasing the sensory quality. In the face of the foregoing, the vapor cooking method is preferred, because it helps to preserve the natural moisture of the foods, increasing the sensory quality, as well as helping to retain a larger part of the nutrients, especially vegetables, thus making the food to be consumed more healthful. Another advantage of vapor cooking is that, for some types of foods, the cooking time is shorter than with the traditional cooking methods, since the heat-transfer process is more efficient, also resulting in more homogeneous cooking. In professional kitchens (for example, in restaurants), vapor cooking is usually employed for the reasons mentioned above.

However, at home the ovens or ranges capable of providing vapor cooking are of the high-end type, that is to say, they are indented for users having a high purchase power and have a high cost with respect to the conventional ones. So, this type of oven has not yet become popular for many domestic users, mainly in Brazil and in Latin America.

As an alternative, the consumer uses tops suitable for vapor cooking, the capacity of which is limited to small portions of foods. An oven or kitchen-range capable of cooking with vapor provides the possibility of accommodating a larger amount/volume and diversity of foods with respect to tops.

Thus, the options of ovens and kitchen-ranges with vapor available at present have high-cost solutions, and the user who wishes to cook a food by using vapor should resort to special tops or buy an oven or kitchen-range of the high-end type.

Document EP0517681 describes a gas oven or an electric oven provided with a vapor-cooking system. Such a system comprises a water reservoir with varying capacity, which can be adapted to the different needs and characteristics of the product, and a heating element for evaporating the water contained in said reservoir. The proposed system provides a vapor- generation rate capable of cooking a wide range of foods, providing the above-described benefits. Although this solution seems to be effective, it involves a certain complexity of implementation, since it is necessary to alter/adapt the whole internal structure of an ordinary oven to enable storing, transporting and distributing water, mainly in the side wall and in the lower base. Such alterations/ adaptations significantly make the production cost of the oven high and, as a result, its final price for the consumer. Besides, this constructive arrangement apparently renders the manufacture and cleaning difficult, since various parts and pieces responsible for vapor cooking are not easily accessible to the user, without the need to use special tools. So, only an technician would be capable of carrying out the maintenance and/or cleaning in an adequate manner. Objectives of the invention

The first objective of the present invention is to provide a gas oven capable of providing vapor cooking through a simple and easy-to- implement constructive arrangement, involving a reduced production cost and that, in addition, is easy and simple to operate, maintain and cleaning.

A second objective of the present invention is to propose a kitchen-range comprising the above-mentioned oven. Brief description of the invention

A first way of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a gas oven for vapor cooking, comprising at least: an inner cavity provided with a useful portion accessible by a user and capable of accommodating utensils and foods; storing means capable of accommodating at leas one kind of liquid; and a heating device associable to the storing means and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means to provide evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, the storing means being arranged integrally and fixedly in the useful portion of the inner cavity.

A second may of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a gas oven for vapor cooking having at least an inner cavity capable of accommodating utensils and foods; storing means capable of accommodating at leas one kind of liquid; and a heating device associable to the storing means and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means to provide evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, the storing means being removably associable to the oven.

A third way of achieving the first objective of the present invention is by providing a gas oven for vapor cooking, comprising at least one inner cavity having a base; storing means capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid; and a heating device associable to the storing means and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means, to provide evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, the storing means being arranged integrally and fixedly below the base of the useful portion of the inner cavity.

A second objective of the present invention is achieved by providing an oven having a cooktop and comprising at lest one oven according to one of the above-mentioned ways of achieving it. Brief description of the drawings

The present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of an oven according to the present invention; Figure 2 represents a perspective view of the storing means

(container) and of the heating means of the oven illustrated in figure 1 ;

Figure 3 represents a front view of the oven illustrated in figure 1 ;

Figure 4 represents a side view of the oven illustrated in figurei ;

Figure 5 represents a perspective view of the internal part of the oven, illustrating a possible constructive variation of the storing means (container) and of the heating means; and

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the internal part of the oven, illustrating a possible constructive variation of the storing means

(container) and of the heating means shown in figure 5, at the moment of removing the removable container, after angular movement of the fixed heating means;

Figure 7 represents a perspective view of an oven, also according to the present invention, illustrating another possible constructive variation of the oven, highlighting the chute and water collector; Figure 8 represents a perspective back view of the oven illustrated in figure 7, showing the storing means arranged below the base;

Figure 9 represents a perspective view of the base-container- water collector assembly comprised by the kitchen-range illustrated in figure 7; Figure 10 represents an exploded view of the base-container- water collector assembly comprised by the kitchen-range illustrated in figure 7, showing a possible variation of the constructive arrangement of the base. Detailed description of the figures

The gas oven for vapor cooking 100 according to the present invention is illustrated in figure 1. The oven 100 comprises at least one inner cavity 105, storing means 101 , illustrated in figure 2, capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid and heating means 103 associable to the storing means 101.

The inner cavity 105 is provided with portion capable of accommodating utensils (tops, baking mold, grills, etc.) and foods in general. This portion, called "useful portion", is accessible by a user without the need to use special tools. In this way, the useful portion represents the effectively usable part 100 of the oven, being delimited by the walls of the inner cavity 105. The inner cavity 105 preferably comprises a supporting grill 106 for holding or accommodating the utensils and/or foods.

The storing means 101 is preferably a container like, for example, a tray 104 capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid, preferably water. However, other types of storing means 101 may be used, such as tubes, closed reservoirs or any other means suitable for this application. The container material is preferably metallic, in order to bear high temperatures. Alternatively, one may use other materials, provided that they are resistant to the temperatures to which the inner cavity 105 is subjected.

The storing means 101 may have removable cover 102 arranged over the tray 104. The removable cover 102 comprises at least one hole 108 capable of dispersing the vapor from the liquid contained in the tray 104 to the useful portion of the inner cavity 105. Preferably, there is a plurality of holes 108 arranged in the removable cover 102.

In a first preferred embodiment, the storing means 101 is arranged integrally and fixed to the useful portion of the inner cavity 105. In this case, the storing means 101 is preferably arranged on a base 107 comprised by the inner cavity 105. For this first preferable embodiment, the storing means 101 may be represented by a recess in the base 107, instead of the tray 104. Optionally, the storing means 101 may be arranged in an upper region of the useful portion of the inner cavity 105 or in an position suitable for the application.

In a second preferred embodiment, the storing means 101 is removably associable to the oven 100. Preferably, the container is removably arranged on a base 107 comprised by the inner cavity 105. However, the removable container may be arranged below the base 107 of the inner cavity 105, inside the walls of the oven 100, in a region above the oven 100 or in an position suitable for the utilization. Figure 6 illustrates an example of removable storing means 101.

In a third preferred embodiment, the storing means 101 is arranged integrally and fixedly below the base 107. This embodiment differs from the object described in document EP0517681 , since the storing means 101 of the present invention is integrally arranged in a single region, without extending to the portion beyond the region comprised below the base 107. The storing means of the oven described in document EP0517681 extends to a tank arranged in an internal portion of the side region of the oven, and so this is a more complex constructive arrangement, which involves a higher cost, apparently it is more difficult to carry out the maintenance and cleaning. In all the preferred embodiments, the container may be positioned in the front, back or central portion of the inner cavity 105. In addition, in all the preferred embodiments, the water feed can be carried out by hand, the water of the container being directly or indirectly replaced. Optionally, one may implement an assembly composed of chute 109 and collector 110, shown in figures 7 to 10, within the inner cavity 105 to further facilitate the supply of water of the container. The water is preferably placed directly into the chute 109 by the user, being directed to the collector 110, which in turn leads the water to the container. Another option is the implementation of a water collecting drawer, connected to a duct that leads the water fed through the drawer to the container.

The heating means 103 is capable of raising the temperature of the liquid (water) contained in the storing means 101 to provide evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid. Preferably, such heating means 103 is an electric resistance adequately built to prevent corrosion and degradation. The heating is provided by an electric current generated by any electronic device capable of acting as a source of voltage or current. This electric resistance may be built from any suitable materials. Another option consists in that the heating means 103 is the burner or gas heater itself of the product in question (oven or kitchen-range). Any other heating device may be used, provided that it is suitable for the application.

The heating means 103 may be removably or fixedly associated to the oven 100. The term "removable" is used here in the meaning that the user is capable of removing it without using tools. Thus, preferably the electric resistance is removable to facilitate a possible exchange, maintenance and/or cleaning. However, a fixed resistance may be adopted without impairing the main aspects of this invention.

The heating means 103 (for example, an electric resistance), is preferably capable of moving angularly with respect to the inner cavity 105. Such a movement enables the heating means 103 to detach from the storing means 101 , to facilitate the maintenance and/or cleaning of these parts.

Preferably, at least a portion of the heating means 103 (in this case, the electric resistance) is arranged on the tray 104, being in contact with the liquid and providing direct heating of said liquid. Optionally, the heating means 103 may be arranged below the tray 104, providing direct heating of the liquid contained in the tray 104.

The oven 100 further comprises at least one control system capable of controlling the evaporation of the liquid contained in the storing means 101 , according to the command of the user or from any pre- established configuration already programmed by the factory. Such a control system may be in open mesh, closed mesh or still a combination thereof.

In the open-mesh control system, there is no need for sensors, the control of the evaporation of the liquid being carried out, for instance, by means of a timer in conjunction with an actuator, which in turn is capable of activating or desactivating the heating means 103 according to the operation of the timer.

On the other hand, the closed-mesh control system comprises at least one sensor, an actuator and a microcontroller or microprocessor that interacts with each other.

Various types of sensors may be implemented, depending on the desired control method. For example, one can implement a moisture sensor capable of measuring the moisture of the useful portion of the inner cavity 105 and thus carry out the closed-mesh control so as to maintain the moisture at a value pre-adjusted by the user or at standard values preprogrammed by the factory. Evidently, instead of numerical values of moisture, one may implement indicative references like drawings and/or names of foods and dishes, each indicative reference being associated to a position of an adjustment button, for instance.

Optionally, one may implement a temperature sensor capable of measuring the temperature of the inner cavity.

In addition, the oven preferably comprises a sensor capable of measuring the level of liquid in the storing means 101 , to determine whether there is the need to replace the liquid.

The electric signals of the sensors are sent to the microcontroller or microprocessor, which analyzes and processes such signals so as to generate at least one output signal capable of controlling the action of an actuating device.

The microcontroller or microprocessor is provided with a control program capable of receiving the data from the sensor to control the actuator.

The control program algorithm may be based on any of the various known control techniques, as for instance ON-OFF, PID, optimum control, intelligent techniques like Fuzzy or neural Networks, among others.

The actuator is capable of activating and disactivating the heating means according to the commands sent by the microcontroller or microprocessor or further, in the event that the actuator enables a more sophisticated control, it is capable of controlling the intensity of the electric current that circulates through the electric resistance, thus providing more accurate control.

The oven 100 further comprises, preferably, an alarm device associated to the control system, capable of indicating an abnormal condition of functioning to the user through visual and/or sound signals.

The oven 100 is preferably of the multifunctional type, that is to say, it aggregates functions of the gas ovens of providing vapor cooking. In this regard, the oven 100 can function only as a conventional gas oven, without the actuation of the vapor-cooking function, if the user so desires. One can also use gas cooking simultaneously with vapor cooking. A third operation is the use of the vapor function without actuating the gas.

The oven 100 also comprises an exhaustion system, not shown in the figures, to disperse the vapor and the gas (carbon monoxide). The entry of the exhaustion system may be positioned in any position of the inner cavity 105 of the oven, extending as far as the outer environment. Preferably, the entry is positioned at the upper part of the inner cavity 105 in order to improve the homogeneity of the vapor dispersion. The exhaustion system may contain a ventilator to aid in dispersing the vapor.

It is important to observe that the oven 100 disclosed in the present invention involves a smaller number of components, parts and pieces, as for example, tubing and filters, with respect to the vapor oven known from the prior art. In addition, the constructive arrangement of the oven 100 is more simple and easy to be implemented and, as a result, the production process is also simplified, involving a lower cost, since few modifications and adaptations of the ordinary oven are necessary. Additionally, the solution presented does not require a specific top, which would limit the usability of the oven. A kitchen-range 200, which comprises at least a cooktop and an oven according to the above description is also the object of this invention and is illustrated in figures 7 and 8. Thus, such a kitchen-range 200 is capable of performing the functions of an ordinary cooktop (a gas stove or electric stove), also aggregating the capability of vapor cooking of the oven 100, through a constructive arrangement that is simple and easy to implement, use, maintain, clean and of low production cost (low sale price to the consumer). Although this invention is focused on a domestic user, this new constructive arrangement, as described above, can also be applied to ovens and kitchen-ranges of professional use, such as those used at restaurants and commercial establishments.

Preferred embodiments having been described, one should understand that the scope of the present invention embraces other possible variations, being limited only by the contents of the accompanying claims, which include the possible equivalents.

Claims

1. A gas oven for vapor cooking (100) comprising at least:

- an inner cavity (105) having a useful portion accessed by a user and capable of accommodating utensils and foods.; - storing means (101 ) capable of accommodating at least one type of liquid; and

- heating means (103) associable to the storing means (101) and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means (101) to provide the evaporation of at lest a portion of the liquid, characterized in that the storing means (101 ) is arranged integrally and fixedly in the useful portion of the internal cavity (105).

2. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating means (103) is removably associable to the inner cavity (105).

3. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating means (103) is fixedly associated to the inner cavity (105).

4. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating means (103) is an electric resistance, an electric current circulating through the electric resistance.

5. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating means (103) is capable of moving angularly.

6. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heating means (103) is a gas hater.

7. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storing means (101 ) is a container.

8. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storing means (101 ) is a recess in the base (107).

9. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized by further comprising at least one control system capable of controlling the evaporation of the liquid contained in the storing means (101).

10. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the storing means (101) comprises at least one tray (104) and a removable cover

(102) arranged on the tray (104), the removable cover (102) comprising at least one hole (108) capable of dispersing the vapor from the liquid arranged on the tray (104) to the useful portion of the inner cavity (105).

11. An oven (100) according to claim 1 , characterized by comprising an exhaustion system capable of dispersing at least a portion of the vapor generated in the inner cavity (105).

12. An oven (100) according to claim 9, characterized by comprising at least one alarm device associated to the control system, capable of indicating an abnormal functioning condition to the user through visual and/or sound signals.

13. A kitchen-range (200) provided with at least one cooktop and characterized by comprising at least one oven (100) as defined in claims 1 to 12.

14. A gas oven (100) for vapor cooking comprising at least:

- an inner cavity (105) capable of accommodating utensils and foods;

- storing means (101) capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid; and

- heating means (103) associable to the storing means (101 ) and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means (101 ) to provide the evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, characterized in that the storing means (101 ) is removably associable to the oven (100).

15. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating means (103) is removably associated to the oven (100).

16. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating means (103) is fixedly associated to the oven (100).

17. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating means (103) is an electric resistance, an electric current circulating through the electric resistance.

18. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating device (103) is capable of moving angularly.

19. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the heating means (103) is a gas burner.

20. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the storing means (101) is a container.

21. An oven (100) according to claim 20, characterized in that the useful portion of the inner cavity (105) comprises at least a base (107), the container being removably arranged on the base (107).

22. An oven (100) according claim 20, characterized in that the useful portion of the inner cavity (105) comprises at least a base (107), the container being removably arranged below the base (107).

23. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized by further comprising at least one control system capable of controlling the evaporation of the liquid contained in the storing means (101).

24. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized by comprising at least one alarm device associated to the control system, capable of indicating an abnormal functioning condition to the user through visual and/or sound signals.

25. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the storing means (101 ) comprises at least one tray (104) and one removable cover (102) arranged on the tray (104), the removable cover (102) comprising at least one hole (108) capable of dispersing the vapor of the liquid arranged on the tray (104) to the useful portion of the inner cavity (105).

26. An oven (100) according to claim 14, characterized by comprising an exhaustion system capable of dispersing at least a portion of the vapor generated in the inner cavity (105).

27. An kitchen-range (200) provided with at least one cooktop and characterized by comprising at least one oven (100) as defined in claims 14 a 26.

28. A gas oven (100) for vapor cooking comprising at least: - an inner cavity (105) comprising a base (107);

- storing means (101) capable of accommodating at least one kind of liquid; and - heating means (103) associable to the storing means (101 ) and capable of raising the temperature of the liquid contained in the storing means (101 ) to provide the evaporation of at least a portion of the liquid, characterized in that the storing means (101) is arranged integrally and fixedly below the base (107) of the useful portion of the inner cavity (105).

29. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the heating means (103) is removably.

30. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the heating means (103) is fixed to the oven (100).

31. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the heating means (103) is an electric resistance, an electric current circulating through the electric resistance.

32. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the heating means (103) is capable of moving angularly.

33. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the heating means (103) is a gas burner.

34. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the storing means (101 ) is a container.

35. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized in that the storing means (101) comprises at least one tray (104) and one removable cover (102) arranged on the tray (104), the removable tray (102) comprising at least one hole (108) capable of dispersing the vapor of the liquid arranged on the tray (104) to the useful portion of the inner cavity (105).

36. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized by further comprising at least one control system capable of controlling the evaporation of the liquid contained in the storing means (101).

37. An oven (100) according to claim 36, characterized by comprising at least one alarm device associated to the control system, capable of indicating an abnormal functioning condition to the user through visual and/or sound signals.

38. An oven (100) according to claim 28, characterized by comprising an exhaustion system capable of dispersing at least a portion of the vapor generated in the inner cavity (105).

39. An kitchen-range (200) provided with at least one cooktop and characterized by comprising at least one oven (100) as defined in claims 28 to 38.