WO2009066332A1

WO2009066332A1 - Electric grill for a cooking device

Info

Publication number: WO2009066332A1
Application number: PCT/IT2007/000819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfonso Giannone
Original assignee: Girmi S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-11-23
Filing date: 2007-11-23
Publication date: 2009-05-28

Abstract

An electric grill (4) for a cooking device (1) comprising a reticule (20), an electric resistance (30) integral with the reticule and extensible adjustment means, suitable for extending the reticule, adapting the grill to the dimensions of the container so that it can be used with a variety of containers.

Description

"Electric grill for a cooking device" DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric grill for a cooking device. [0002] It is known in the sector of cooking devices to use an electric grill combined with a container intended to collect the cooking residues that separate from the food on the grill . [0003] Some embodiments are described, for example, in the documents DE 4306845, FR 2491317, US 3,683,792.

[0004] However, state-of-the-art electric grills can only be used with a predefined container, in relation to which they have the right dimensions and shape for coupling. [0005] This involves some drawbacks, as the decay of the grill or of the container forces the user to buy a new set, with considerable economic stress, being unable to using further the still functioning or undamaged component. Sometimes, due to the economic stress required for the purchase of such devices, these are not replaced. [0006] Purpose of the present invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electric grill for a cooking device that is adaptable to a plurality of containers . [0008] Such scope is achieved by an electric grill according to following claim 1. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations .

[0009] The features and advantages of the electric grill according to the present invention will be evident from the description given below, given as an indicative and non-limiting example, according to the attached figures, wherein:

[0010] - figure 1 shows a perspective view with separated parts of a cooking device comprising an electric grill according to the present invention and a container; [0011] - figure 2 shows the device of figure 1 with assembled parts;

[0012] - figure 3 shows the electric grill of figure 1, from the side of the resistance; and [0013] - figure 4 shows an electric grill according to the present invention, according to a preferred embodiment. [0014] With reference to the attached figures , number 1 globally indicates a cooking device comprising a container 2 and an electric grill 4. [0015] The container 2 comprises a bottom 6, destined to rest on a cooking surface, e.g. gas or electric, or suitable for generating heat when struck by a magnetic field, e.g. coming from an induction plate. [0016] The container 2 also comprises a lateral annular wall 8, connected to the bottom 6 and extending along a wall axis, perpendicular to the bottom 6. [0017] The lateral wall 8, on the distal side of the bottom 6, has a free annular rim 10, delimiting a container opening .

[0018] Preferably, the container 2 comprises at least a haft 14 or handle, connected to the lateral wall 8 to grasp and move said device 1 or only the container 2. [0019] The electric grill 4 comprises a cooking reticule 20, comprising a plurality of wires, substantially complanar to each other, for example made of stainless steel, and reciprocally arranged so that they constitute a support for the food to be grilled.

[0020] For example, according to a preferred embodiment, the reticule comprises a plurality of concentric wires 22, for example with extension circular, connected by transversal cross-members 24, for example radial.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the reticule has a wire which extends into a coil, within an imaginary rectangular or square perimeter. [0022] The reticule 20 also comprises a perimetral border 28, preferably made of stainless steel, inside of which the wires are arranged. The perimetral border 28 is suitable for resting the grill 4 on the free rim 10 of the container 2, or to the lateral wall 8, against its inner surface. [0023] The grill 4 also comprises an electric resistance 30, integral with the reticule, for example entirely arranged on one side of the same reticule, that is completely on one side in relation to the plane of the wires making up the reticule. [0024] For example, the resistance 30 comprises a resistance wire positioned facing the reticule, contacting it or spaced from it to heat it, extending to be distributed over the surface of the reticule. [0025] According to a preferred embodiment, wherein the reticule is circular, the resistance wire has two straight sections 34, parallel to each other and to the diameter of the reticule, projecting from the perimetral border 28 towards the centre of the reticule. [0026] The resistance 30 also comprises an undulated section 36 having a succession of wave-shaped sections, that joins the two straight sections 34. The undulated section 36 extends over an area defined by an imaginary circular crown, peripheral to the reticule. [0027] Preferably, the loops formed by the undulated section 36 are of a constant pitch.

[0028] Preferably, the grill 4 comprises an encased body 40, for example in the shape of a box, associated to the reticule, for example peripherally to it and for a predefined angular extension, from which the straight sections 34 of the resistance 30 preferably project. [0029] For example, the encased body can be separated in two halves, positioned on either side of the reticule when associated to each other.

[0030] Preferably, the grill 4 comprises control means, for example push-buttons, for example positioned on the encased body 40, for turning on/off the resistance 30. [0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the grill 4 comprises support means able to connect the resistance 30 to the reticule 20 and distributed along the undulated section 36 of the resistance 30.

[0032] For example, the support means comprise at least one retainer 42 enclosing the arms of a loop of the undulated section 36 of the resistance 30 and connected to a predefined transversal cross-member 24 of the reticule 20.

[0033] Preferably, there are three retainer 42 positioned so that they support, together with the encased body 40, the reticule 20 at points spaced at equal angles. [0034] The grill 4 also comprises extensible adjusting means of the reticule 20, to adapt the dimensions of the reticule to those of the perimetral border 10 of the container 1 and enable the functional coupling of the grill and the container. [0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means comprise at least one translating fin 50, slidably coupled to a respective cross-member 24 of the reticule 20, such that the grill rests on the peripheral rim 10 of the container 1.

[0036] For example, the fins 50 are coupled to the cross- members 24 not engaged with the retainers 42 supporting the resistance.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the adjustment means include at least one support 54, doubly perforated, and crossed by the cross-member 24 of the reticule, which slidably accommodates the fin 50 through the other hole. [0038] Preferably, two supports on a single cross-member 24 support a single fin 50.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, one fin 50 crosses the encased body 40, protruding externally from it.

[0040] Preferably, there are three fins, spaced at equal angles .

[0041] When the electric grill according to the present invention is used, the fins are extended or retracted depending on the dimensions of the container, thus adapting the grill to the latter. It is clear, that through the grill according to the invention, containers of various dimensions may be used, according to the contingent availability. [0042] Innovatively, the electric grill according to the present invention can be adjusted to various containers thus freeing the user from using a predefined container. [0043] Advantageously, furthermore, the grill is firmly attachable to the container, to prevent the grill from moving, with the result that the cooking residues spill outside the container or causing an unbalancing of the grill due to the weight of the food, not sufficiently counterbalanced by the container underneath. [0044] According to a further advantageous aspect , the container, subjected to the action of the cooking residues, dirtying it considerably and deteriorating it rapidly, can be replaced as desired.

[0045] According to a further advantageous aspect , the resistance does not oscillate in relation to the reticule but remains firmly fixed to the reticule.

[0046] Advantageously, furthermore, a fin is positioned near the encased body where there are the push buttons used to operate the grill, so to provide a stable support for the grill. [0047] It is clear that a technician skilled in the art may make modifications to the grill described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all moreover contained within the sphere of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Electric grill (4) for a cooking device, comprising: - a reticule (20) comprising a plurality of wires (22) creating a support for the foods to be grilled; - an electric resistance (30) integral with the reticule, able to generate heat when supplied with electric energy; extensible adjustment means, able to extend the reticule, adapting the grill to the dimensions of the container so that it is supported by the container.

2. Grill according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment means comprise translating fins (50) slidably coupled to the reticule so as to move externally to the same.

3. Grill according to claim 2, wherein the adjustment means comprise at least one support (54) connected to the reticule and perforated, the fin (50) slidably crossing the support through the hole.

4. Grill according to claims 2 or 3 , wherein there are three fins, spaced at equal angles.

5. Grill according to any of the previous claims, wherein the resistance is completely positioned on one side of the reticule.

6. Grill according to any of the previous claims, wherein the resistance contacts the reticule.

7. Grill according to any claim from 1 to 5, wherein the resistance is spaced from the reticule, at a distance suitable for heating the reticule.

8. Grill according to claim 7, comprising support means suitable for connecting the resistance to the reticule, said support means comprising at least one retainer (42) connected to the reticule and to the resistance.

9. Grill according to any of the previous claims, wherein the wires are made of stainless steel .

10. Grill according to any of the previous claims, wherein the reticule comprises a perimetral border (28) inside of which the wires extend.

11. Grill according to claim 10, wherein the perimetral border is made of stainless steel.

12. Grill according to any of the previous claims, wherein the reticule (20) comprises a plurality of concentric circular wires (22) .

13. Grill according to claim 12, wherein the reticule comprises transversal cross-members (24) having radial extension in relation to the circular wires, positioned underneath them, on the side of the resistance.

14. Grill according to claims 13 and 2 , wherein the translating fin is coupled to the transversal cross- member .

15. Grill according to any of the previous claims wherein the resistance (30) comprises a resistance wire, which extends so- that it is distributed over the surface of the reticule .

16. Grill according to claim 15, wherein the resistance wire has two straight sections (34), parallel to each other, projecting from the rim of the reticule towards the centre of the same.

17. Grill according to claim 16, wherein the resistance (30) also comprises an undulated section (36) having a sequence of wave-shaped sections, joining the two straight sections (34) , wherein the undulated section (36) extends over an area delimited by an imaginary- circular crown, peripheral to the reticule.

18. Grill according to claim 17, wherein the loops of the undulated section have a constant pitch.

19. Grill according to claims 17 or 18 and according to claim 8 and according to claim 13, wherein the retainer encloses a loop of the undulated section and is connected to a cross-member of the reticule.

20. Grill according to any of the previous claims comprising an body (40) , in the shape of a box, associated to the reticule, from which the resistance (30) projects below said reticule.

21. Grill according to claim 20, wherein the encased body is dismountable in two pieces, positioned on either side of the reticule when associated to each other.

22. Grill according to claims 21 and 2, wherein at least one of said fins slidably crosses the encased body.

23. Grill according to any of the previous claims comprising control means for turning on/off the resistance .

24. Grill according to claim 23 and according to claim 20 or 21 or 22, wherein said control means comprise at least one push-button positioned on said encased body.

25. Cooking device comprising:

- a grill according to any of the previous claims; and - a container to which the grill is associated.