WO2012108810A1

WO2012108810A1 - Device for grilling food

Info

Publication number: WO2012108810A1
Application number: PCT/SE2012/000013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulf Wilhelmsson; Ylva WILHELMSSON
Original assignee: Ulf Wilhelmsson; Wilhelmsson Ylva
Priority date: 2011-02-08
Filing date: 2012-02-07
Publication date: 2012-08-16
Also published as: SE535647C2; SE1130002A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a grill grid having generally parallel elongated supporting members (4b) in a frame for supporting the food to be grilled. The members are movably journaled in said frame. The members are movable in different directions, either in a longitudinal and reciprocating movement or in a rotating movement around their respective longitudinal axles, or both the preceding movements simultaneously. The grid also comprises means for holding the food stationary relative to the grid. The grid further comprises an actuating means (lb) for moving said members. The object is to prevent food e.g. fish from getting burnt and thus from adhering to the grill grid. The members may be in the form of rods (4b) journaled in the frame and rotated by the actuating means ( 1 b) by means of sprockets (24, 24a,24b) and a chain (25).

Description

Device for grilling food

Field of the invention

This invention concerns a device and a method for grilling food, especially food that is or becomes fragile when grilling on a normal grill such as a charcoal grill.

Background of the Invention

Grilling food that easily may fall apart when grilled, especially delicate food as e.g. fish and fish fillets, can be performed in many different ways. One of the most common ways is to use a normal grill and to put the food on a grid or in a grill basket comprising two grids hingedly attached to each other for enclosing and holding said food. A grid may comprise a frame and a number of generally parallel rods connected to the frame as well as a handle attached to the frame. The design may vary but normally they are made of some kind of metal. In recent years the state of the art includes a teflon type coating or similar preventing the food from getting stuck to the grid or grill basket. The problem with these grids or grill baskets is that the parts in contact with the food has a tendency to burn the food which thus tends to adhere to the grid(s), despite the different surface coatings. This means that when the food is ready it is not possible to remove it from the grill basket without causing the food to fall apart in pieces. This is neither tasty nor attractive.

A typical grill basket of the above kind consists of two metal grids are joined to each other by means of a hinge that at one end. A handle is mounted at the other end of each metal grid. The handles have two different lengths. The food that is to be grilled is placed between these two grids. A locking ring is positioned on the longer of the two handles and, when the handles are forced together, the locking ring is moved over both the longer and the shorter handle, thus locking the two grids together to each other and holding the food.

The object of the invention thus is to provide a grid or grill basket of the above kind alleviating the above problems. Below is a summary of other prior art.

1 . WO2006/051245 A 1 discloses a grilling assembly having a series of heated rotary support bars for sausages, the sausages being placed along and between the support bars. This device is constructed in such way that the sausages will be kept in place between the bars because of the similar size of the bars and the sausages and the proximity of the bars. The bars are rotated in the same direction. The object of this design is to heat the sausages uniformly by rotating the sausages by means of the heated rotary bars. This device would not be suitable to the purpose of placing food on top of the bars, since the food then would be moved to the end of the device due to the rotation of the bars.

US005669290 describes a Brochette broiler for cooking grilled chicken, meat and sausages for use in a kitchen at home. The broiler has several rotatable skewers for skewering the food and in one embodiment may grill corn ears placed on the skewers in a similar way as the sausages are grilled according to the above document.

JP20101 19544 A metal-mesh used for grilling has two wire groups having wires touching outer edge of a lattice net. The mesh has a tractable/contractable function, which facilitates peeling off burned food. The device does however not prevent the food from adhering to the mesh during the grilling.

US2009173332 Convertible cooking grate assembly for use with barbecue grill e.g. indoor grill which has mechanical linkage and multiple substantially elongate cross whose two portions face upwardly to form grate-like cooking surfaces respectively

None of the above documents thus are pertinent to the problem of how to grill delicate food such as fish fillets and similar on normal grills whilst preventing the food from adhering to the grill.

Summary of the invention.

The above problems arising when grilling food are solved by a device as defined in the appended claim 1. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.

The common factor in all the approaches below is that the material itself, which is in contact with the food to be grilled, slowly is rotating and/or moving in a longitudinal direction, and thus may be in constant motion during cooking. This means that food will not adhere to the grill basket and that the problem of separating adhering food from the grill basket or grid is avoided. At the same time it is important that the food to be grilled remains stationary on the grid.

The invention thus relates to a grill grid having generally parallel elongated supporting members in a frame for supporting the food to be grilled. The members are movably journaled in said frame. The members are movable in different directions, either in a longitudinal and

reciprocating movement or in a rotating movement around their respective longitudinal axles, or both the preceding movements simultaneously. The grill grid also comprising means for holding said food stationary relative to said grid.

In one embodiment the means for holding said food stationary comprises a second grid attached to the (first) grid by means of a hinge. The second grid is foldable on to the first grid, the two grids in conjunction thus being able to clamp and hold said food stationary relative to both grids. The second grid may also comprise generally parallel elongated supporting members movably journaled in a frame, said members being movable in different directions, either in a longitudinal and reciprocating movement or in a rotating movement around their respective longitudinal axles, or both the preceding movements simultaneously. The members may be rotated/moved into any direction.

In one embodiment of means for holding the food stationary comprises one set of members that is movable/rotatable in one direction whilst the remaining members can move/rotate in the opposite direction. The grid further comprises an actuating means for moving said members.

In one embodiment the supporting members may in the form of rods being rotatable in said frame and may be rotatable by means of an angle gear located at the end of each rod. Each angle gear may be mounted so as to give a direction of rotation that is opposite to that of an adjacent gear.

In another embodiment rods are rotatable by means of at least one longitudinal helical groove in the surface of each rod cooperating with at least one fix lug attached to the frame. The rotation thus achieved by moving the rod in a longitudinal direction.

In yet another embodiment rods are rotatable by means of a chain and sprockets mounted on said rods. The chain may alternate under respectively above adjacent sprockets

In another embodiment rods are rotatable by means of a first helical coil attached to the end of a first rod for transferring a rotating movement this first rod. The opposite end of the first rod is connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by a second helical coil. The opposite end of that rod is likewise connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by a helical coil and so on. In this way all rods are interconnected by means of helical coils. A rotation imparted to the first coil will be transferred from the first rod to the last rod via the helical springs. In another embodiment the supporting members are in the form of tubes held on rods fixedly mounted on the frame. The tubes are rotatable by means of sprockets on each tube and by a chain that is movable in a reciprocating manner. The chain may alternate under respectively above respective adjacent sprockets.

In another embodiment rods are movable longitudinally by means of a rotatable cam shaft. The shaft comprises a rotatable axle provided with fixedly attached asymmetric cams located at the end of each rod and engaging said end. Adjacent cams may be offset 180 degrees relative to each other. In this way adjacent rods will move in different directions.

In another embodiment the supporting members are in the form of a wire strung back and forth in a zigzag formation between pulleys on the frame. Each part of the wire between a respective pulley forms a supporting member. The ends of the wire are attached to a sliding plate capable of a reciprocating movement. The sliding plate thus may impart a reciprocating movement to said wire. In a variant the frame comprises two halves attached to each other by a hinge, thus capable of forming a grill basket. The wire is led by pulleys from one half to the other. In both halves the wire has the same movable zigzag form.

These and other characteristics of the invention will be clear from the following description of preferred embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example, with reference to the attached drawings. Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows an ordinary grill basket as they are designed today.

Figure 2 and 3 shows a grill basket with rotatable rods actuated by gears

Figure 4, 5 and 6 shows a grill basket with one solution for achieving a reciprocating motion wherein the supporting members are formed by a continuous wire

Figure 7 and 8 shows a grid with another solution for achieving a reciprocating motion.

Figure 9 shows a grid with rotatable rods actuated by sprockets and a chain

Figure 10 shows a grid with rotatable rods in which the rods are interconnected by elongated helical springs

Figure 1 1 shows a grid in which the rods are enclosed by small tubes, the tubes being rotatable by means of a chain.

Figure 12 shows a grid which the rods are rotatable in one direction only.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 shows a typical prior art grill basket that consists of two metal grids (14) that are articulatedly joined to each other by means of the metal rings (15). On the other side of the metal grid (14) two grips are mounted having two different lengths, a shorter grip (16) and a longer grip (17), by which means the grids can be pushed together. The food that is to be grilled is placed between these two grids. A locking ring ( 18) is positioned over the longer of the two grips (17) and when the grips (16) and (17) are pushed together, the locking ring is moved over both the longer ( 17) and the short grip ( 16), thus locking the two grids together to each other and holding the food. Unless otherwise stated, the device described in the following preferred embodiments is of this general design.

Figures 2 and 3 shows a device based on rotating rods. Figure 2 shows a coil spring motor (1) located in a handle which via a link arm (2) and angle gear (3) transmits a rotation to a number of generally parallel rods (4) each journaled in a frame. As can be seen in the drawing, the gear design comprises an axle along the side of the frame, a conical cogwheel (3a) being located on the axle adjacent the end of a respective rod and cooperating with a conical cogwheel (3b) on the respective rod. Every second conical cogwheel on the axle faces in an opposite direction relative to the next one. When actuated by the coil spring motor, these rods will rotate at a slow pace in pairs in opposite directions so that the food in the grill will not move. The design is such that a fully wound coil spring is sufficient for the time food takes to cook. As shown in Fig 3, two such grids may be interconnected by means of rings (5) at the end to form a grill basket. To keep the two parts together a standard locking ring (18) is used.

Figure 4, 5 and 6 shows a device in which the carrying members are formed by a wire (1 1 ) running through of a number pulleys (12) located at equal distances on the insides of two opposing sides of a frame. The wire further runs through pulleys (12 a,b,c d) guiding the wire onto a handle on which a coil spring motor (7) is mounted. The means for accomplishing the movement of the wire (1 1) comprises a gear system (8) consisting of a small cog wheel (8a) connected to the coil spring motor (7) and a larger cog wheel (8b) having a fixed pin (9), the pin (9) engaging a slot in a sliding plate (10). When the larger cog wheel (8b) is caused to rotate by means of the motor (7) and the smaller cog wheel (8a), the sliding plate (10) will be given a reciprocating movement. The ends of the wire (1 1) are attached to the ends of the sliding plate (10) and the wire (1 1) thus will slowly perform a movement back and forth when actuated by motor (7) during cooking. This design may also be designed as a grill basket in which case the wire (1 1) is guided via a linked structure comprising a linkage (41 ) and pulleys (13) to transfer operations to the other gridiron half. The linkage (41) also serves as a hinge. This design ensures that all surfaces in contact with food are in a constant reciprocating motion and the food will not be burnt and adhere to the grill.

Figure 7 and 8 shows a grid comprising a frame holding a number of movably mounted, generally parallel supporting members in the form of rods (4a). A rotatable camshaft with asymmetric cams (20) on an axle (21) is located along the side of the frame. The rods (4a) extend outwardly from the frame into contact with a respective cam (20). The rods are biased towards the cams by a helical compression spring (19) located around the protruding part of the rods (4a) between the frame and the cams (20). Each rod (4a) consequently will be pushed to and fro in a reciprocating manner when the cam shaft is rotated. Since each cam is offset 180 degrees relative to each adjacent cam, each rod will move in a direction which is opposite to that of the adjacent rods.. Each rod is journaled in two openings in the frame. In a preferred embodiment, each rod are given an additional rotating movement by providing one of the holes with at least one radial lug (22) cooperating with a respective helical groove (23) in the surface of the respective rod. When a rod moves back and forth in the frame, the rod will also be given a rotational movement by the interaction of lug and groove. The camshaft is rotated by means of a coil spring motor ( 1 a) located on a handle attached to the frame, the motor being connected to the camshaft via two orthogonal axles (2a) and three angle gears (3) of the same type as described in connection with Figs 2 and 3. Figure 9 also shows a device based on rotating rods (4b) in a frame having a handle. A coil spring motor (l b) that via two axles (2b) interconnected by a helical spring (26) transmits a rotation to a driving sprocket (24a). Each rod (4b) is provided with a sprocket (24) which is connected to each other and to sprocket (24a) by an endless chain (25). By mounting the chain (25) to alternate over and under adjacent sprockets (24), adjacent rods (4b) will rotate in different directions when actuated by the coil spring motor.

Figure 10 also shows a device based on rotating rods (4c) in a frame having a handle. The handle of the device comprises a coil spring motor (l c) that via that via two axles (2c,2d) interconnected by a helical spring (26) transmits a rotation to the side of the frame. This rotation is transferred to a first rod (4c) by means of a helical coil (28) attached between the end of axle (2d) and the end of the first rod. The opposite end of the first rod is connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by another helical spring (28). The opposite end of that rod is likewise connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by a helical spring (28). In this way all rods are interconnected by means of helical coils. When the system is set into rotational movement by the motor ( lc) the rotation is transferred all the way through connecting coil springs to the last rod in the row. Each rod will rotate in a direction that is opposite to the direction of rotation of an adjacent rod.

Figure 1 1 shows a design comprising small tubes (37). Again the grid comprises a frame provided with parallel rods and a handle. The rods may however be fixedly attached to the frame, the supporting members consisting of a tube (37) surrounding each tube. A sprocket (35) is mounted at the end of each tube (37). A chain (34) is attached to the frame via a tensioning helical spring (36).The chain is mounted to alternately be under and over adjacent sprockets (35). The other end of the chain is attached to the end of an actuating rod (38) whose other end is articulatedly attached to the periphery of a rotatable wheel (33). The wheel (33) is rotated by means of a coil spring motor (31 ) located on the handle via pulleys (32) and a drive belt (39). When the wheel (33) is rotated, the chain will (34) be pulled back and forth, thus rotating the tubes. Each tube will rotate in a direction opposite to that of an adjacent tube. In a variant of this design, the rods may be rotatably journaled in the frame, the sprockets being mounted directly on the rods, the remaining features however remaining the same.

Figure 12 shows a design with a frame and a handle provided with parallel, rotatable rods in which all rods are rotatable in the same direction and which consequently is to be used in conjunction with a another grid attached by means of a hinge. A sprocket (42) is mounted at the end of each rod (4e). A gear rack (43) is mounted into holes in the frame . One end of the gear rack (43) is attached to the end of an actuating rod (44) whose other end is articulatedly attached to the periphery of a rotatable wheel (33). The wheel (33) is rotated by means of a coil spring motor (31 ) located on the handle via pulleys (32) and a drive belt (39). When the wheel (33) is rotated, the gear rack will (43) be pulled back and forth, thus rotating the rods.

The invention of course can be varied in many ways within the scope of the appended claims. In the description of preferred embodiments above, the actuating means have been described as being a coil spring motor. This motor may be replaced with e.g. an electrical motor or any other electromechanical actuator or, for that matter a manually operated crank. The important thing is to have any kind of device that may achieve a rotating or a reciprocating movement. It should also be noted that in all the cases described above, the motion could be intermittent and e.g. be caused manually.

It should also be noted that, as an alternative to the grill grid described in connection with Figs 4 - 6, and 3, any two grids according to the invention can be attached to each other by means of a hinge, thus forming a grill basket, as for instance indicated in the embodiments shown in Figs 2 and 3.

Claims

1. A grill grid having generally parallel elongated supporting members (4,4a,4b,4c,4e, 1 1 ,37,40) for supporting the food to be grilled, characterized in that the members are movably journaled in said frame, said members being movable in different directions, either in a longitudinal and reciprocating movement or in a rotating movement around their respective longitudinal axles, or both the preceding movements simultaneously, said grill grid also comprising means for holding said food stationary relative to said grid, said grid further comprising an actuating means (l a,lb,lc,7,31) for moving said members.

2. A grid according to claim 1 , characterized in that said means for holding said food

stationary comprises a second grid attached to said grid by means of a hinge, said second grid being foldable on to said grill, the two grids in conjunction thus being able to clamp and hold said food stationary relative to both grids.

3. A grid according to claim 2, characterized in that said second grid also comprises generally parallel elongated supporting members movably journaled in a frame, said members being movable in different directions, either in a longitudinal and reciprocating movement or in a rotating movement around their respective longitudinal axles, or both the preceding movements simultaneously.

4. A grid according to any of claims 2 - 3, characterized in that said supporting members are rotatable/movable in any direction.

5. A grid according to claim 1 , characterized in that said means for holding said food

comprise one set of said members being movable/rotatable in one direction, the remainder of said members being movable/rotatable in the opposite direction

6. A grid according to any of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that said supporting members are in the form of rods (4,4a,4c,4e,40) being rotatable in said frame.

7. A grid according to claim 6, characterized in that said rods (4) are rotatable by means of an angle gear (3a,3b) located at the end of each rod .

8. A grid according to claim 7, characterized in that each angle gear (3a,3b) is mounted so as to give a direction of rotation that is opposite to that of an adjacent gear.

9. A grid according to claim 6, characterized in that said rods (4a) are rotatable by means of at least one longitudinal helical groove (23) in the surface of each rod cooperating with at least one fix lug (22) attached to the frame, said rotation thus being achieved by a movement of said rod in a longitudinal direction.

10. A grid according to claim 6, characterized in that said rods (4b,40) are rotatable by means of a chain (25,34) and sprockets (24,35) mounted on said rods.

1 1. A grid according to claim 10, characterized in that said chain (25,34) alternates under respectively above adjacent sprockets (24,35)

12. A grid according to claim 6, characterized in that said rods (4c) are rotatable by means of a helical coil (28) attached to the end of a first rod for transferring a rotating movement thereto, the opposite end of the first rod being connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by a second helical coil (28), the opposite end of that rod likewise being connected to the end of the next adjacent rod by a helical coil (28) and so on, all rods (4c) in this way being interconnected by means of helical coils (28).

13. A grid according to claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the supporting members are in the form of tubes (37) held on rods (40) fixedly mounted on said frame, said tubes (37) being rotatable by means of sprockets (35) and by a chain (34) movable in a reciprocating manner.

14. A grid according to claim 13, characterized in that said chain (34) alternates under

respectively above respective adjacent sprockets (35).

15. A grid according to claim 1 -5, characterized in that the supporting members are in the form of rods (4e), said rods (4e) being rotatable by means of sprockets (42) and a rack (43) movable in a reciprocating manner.

16. A grid according to claim 6, characterized in that said rods (4a) are movable longitudinally by means of a rotatable cam shaft comprising a rotatable axle (21) provided with fixedly attached asymmetric cams (20) located at the end of each rod (4a) and engaging said end.

17. A grid according to claim 16, characterized in that adjacent cams (20) are offset 180

degrees relative to each other.

18. A grid according to claims 1 - 5, characterized in that said supporting members are in the form of a wire (1 1 ) strung back and forth in a zigzag formation between pulleys (12) on said frame, each part of said wire (1 1 ) between a respective pulley (12) forming a supporting member, the ends of said wire (1 1) being attached to a sliding plate (10) capable of a reciprocating movement and which thus may impart a reciprocating movement to said wire.

19. A grid according to claim 18, characterized in that said frame comprises two halves

attached to each other by a hinge (41), thus forming a grill basket, said wire (1 1) being led by pulleys (13) from one half to the other, the wire in both halves having the same movable zigzag form.