WO2020074178A1

WO2020074178A1 - A cooking device comprising a flavoring device

Info

Publication number: WO2020074178A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/073050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bengul ASAR; Mustafa ONAL; Okan AYDINER
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-10-10
Filing date: 2019-08-29
Publication date: 2020-04-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a cooking cavity (2) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a body (3) in the form of a box with the front open which encloses the cooking cavity (2) and which has a plurality of walls; at least two support members (4) which are disposed on the walls of the body (3) and which are positioned facing each other so as to support one or more trays; a steam generator (5) which is disposed on the body (3) so as to be outside the cooking cavity (2); at least one transfer duct (6) which enables the steam generated in the steam generator (5) to be transferred from the steam generator (5) into the cooking cavity (2); and at least one nozzle (7) which is disposed on the body (3) and which enables the steam delivered through the transfer duct (6) to be distributed into the cooking cavity (2) by means of a plurality of holes provided on the nozzle (7).

Description

A COOKING DEVICE COMPRISING A FLAVORING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a flavoring device.

Nowadays, in order to carry out a savory cooking process while maintaining the nutritional values of foodstuffs such as meat, poultry, pastry, etc., flavoring processes with various flavors as per the palate of the user are applied. In household cooking devices, such flavoring methods (barbecue, smoking, etc.) are preferred by the user. For example, in cooking devices with smoking function, the smoke generated by burning the sawdust placed into a receptacle by means of a heater is delivered into the cooking cavity and thus the foodstuffs in the cooking cavity are smoked. However, undesired odor and smoke which may occur in the kitchen as a result of said methods adversely affect the user satisfaction. Applying liquid flavors, which are used to overcome said disadvantage, onto the foodstuff in a homogeneous manner and at the right time is critical for achieving the flavor desired by the user. Since the flavor is not homogeneously distributed on the foodstuff, dense flavor taste on some of the regions of the foodstuff disturbs the user and on some regions the user cannot taste the desired flavor. Moreover, the user wants to carry out the cooking of different foodstuffs with different flavors in different amounts.

In the state of the art United States of America Patent Document No. US6855357, a cooking device which delivers flavor onto the food during the cooking process is disclosed.

The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooking device wherein the flavor is homogeneously distributed on the foodstuff during the cooking process.

The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a cooking cavity wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a body in the form of a box with the front open which encloses the cooking cavity and which has a plurality of walls; at least two support members which are disposed on the walls of the body and which are positioned facing each other so as to support one or more trays; a steam generator which is disposed on the body so as to be outside the cooking cavity; at least one transfer duct which enables the steam generated in the steam generator to be transferred from the steam generator into the cooking cavity; and at least one nozzle which is disposed on the body and which enables the steam delivered through the transfer duct to be distributed into the cooking cavity by means of a plurality of holes provided on the nozzle. In cooking devices with steam cooking function, the steam generated from the water heated in the steam generator and the steam delivered through the transfer duct is distributed into the cooking cavity by means of the holes on the nozzle.

The cooking device of the present invention comprises a flavoring device which is disposed on the support member so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle, through which the steam leaving the nozzle is passed and which has a flavor chamber wherein flavors are placed. The flavor which is placed into the flavor chamber is preferably liquid. By placing the flavoring device on the support member so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle, the particles of the steam leaving the holes of the nozzle, and of the flavor in the flavoring device mix with each other. Thus, the flavor particles are delivered into the cooking cavity together with the steam.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device comprises an opening which is provided at the base of the flavor chamber and which allows the passage of the flavor from inside the flavor chamber to outside the flavor chamber, and a lower chamber which is disposed at the lower side of the flavor chamber and wherein the flavor passing through the opening is collected. The flavor in the flavor chamber flows towards the lower chamber through the opening with the effect of gravity. By collecting the flavor in the lower chamber, the contact between the steam and flavor particles is facilitated, and the flavor particles are enabled to mix with the steam leaving the holes on the nozzle.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device comprises an adjustment plate which is provided on the flavoring device and which changes the area of the opening, thus changing the amount of flavor passing through the opening. The position of the adjustment plate on the opening changes the area of the opening. Depending on the change in the area of the opening, the amount of flavor flowing into the lower chamber also changes. In case the adjustment plate partially covers the opening, the flavor flows from the flavor chamber into the lower chamber. In case the adjustment plate completely covers the opening, the flavor flow is prevented. Therefore, as the flavor is not collected in the lower chamber, no flavor is delivered into the cooking cavity during the cooking process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises a fan which is disposed on the body and which increases the amount of flavor getting in contact with the foodstuff surface by means of the steam. The steam leaves the holes on the nozzle at a high speed. Thus, the steam sweeps the flavor in the flavoring device, which is placed onto the support member positioned in front of the holes, and delivers the same into the cooking cavity. The steam and flavor mixture delivered into the cooking cavity is carried onto the foodstuff surface placed into the cooking cavity. By carrying the steam onto the foodstuff surface, the flavor particles hold onto the foodstuff surface. As the right amount of flavor must contact the foodstuff surface in order to provide the desired flavor taste to the user, the circulation in the cooking cavity is increased by means of the fan. By increasing the circulation, the amount of flavor particles getting in contact with the foodstuff surface is increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device comprises the flavor chamber which is disposed on the flavoring device and which can be attached to/detached from the flavoring device. Different types of flavors for different cooking process can be placed into the flavor chamber as per user preference. The user can detach the flavor chamber from the flavoring device and add flavor. Moreover, the chamber can be detached from the flavoring device by the user after the cooking process to be cleaned, thus providing ease of use for the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device comprises a moving cover which is provided on the flavoring device and which opens/closes the flavor chamber. The cover has two different positions: open and closed. When the cover is in the open position, the user can place flavor into the flavor chamber. When the cover is in the closed position, it is not possible for the user to place flavor into the flavor chamber.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device comprises at least one connection member which is provided on the flavoring device and which enables the flavoring device to be fixed onto the support member. In order for the steam delivered into the cooking cavity to mix with the flavor while passing through the flavoring device, the flavoring device must be placed onto the support member so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle. The connection member is preferably flexible. By means of the flexible structure of the connection member, the flavoring device can be easily attached to/detached from the support member. Consequently, ease of use is provided for the user while adding flavor into the flavor chamber or cleaning the flavor chamber.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises a control panel which enables the user to select cooking parameters, and a flavor level button which is provided on the control panel and which enables the user to define the flavor density via the control panel. The user can adjust the flavor density to be delivered onto the foodstuff by means of the flavor level button. While less flavor can provide the desired flavor in small foodstuffs, a higher amount of flavor can be required in large foodstuffs. The user can select the flavor level according to his/her palate and starts the cooking process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises a control unit which provides that the amount of flavor predetermined by the producer is delivered into the cooking cavity in accordance with the flavor density selected by the user via the control panel. The user can determine the flavor density by means of the flavor level button on the control panel. The amount of flavor required to be delivered into the cooking cavity in order to achieve the flavor density determined by the user is predefined on the control unit by the producer with an algorithm. Thus, the flavor is delivered in the desired density, increasing user satisfaction.

By means of the present invention, a cooking device is realized, which enables the user to carry out the cooking process with different types of flavors in different amounts for different foodstuffs.

A cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the flavoring device and the cooking device.

Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the steam generator and the cooking device.

Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the flavoring device when the cover is in the closed position.

Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the flavoring device when the cover is in the open position.

Figure 5 - is the bottom perspective view of the flavoring device in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooking device
Cooking cavity
Body
Support member
Steam generator
Transfer duct
Nozzle
Flavoring device
Flavor chamber
Opening
Lower chamber
Adjustment plate
Fan
Cover
Connection member
Control panel
Flavor level button
Control unit

The cooking device (1) comprises a cooking cavity (2) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a body (3) in the form of a box with the front open which encloses the cooking cavity (2) and which has a plurality of walls; at least two support members (4) which are disposed on the body (3) and which are positioned facing each other so as to support one or more trays; a steam generator (5) which is disposed on the body (3) so as to be outside the cooking cavity (2); a transfer duct (6) which enables the steam generated in the steam generator (5) to be transferred from the steam generator (5) into the cooking cavity (2); and at least one nozzle (7) which is disposed on the body (3) and which enables the steam delivered through the transfer duct (6) to be distributed into the cooking cavity (2) by means of a plurality of holes provided on the nozzle (7). The support member (4) is preferably a wire shelf. In the cooking devices (1) with steam cooking function, steam is obtained from the water heated in the steam generator (5). The steam is delivered from the steam generator (5) into the cooking cavity (2) by means of the transfer duct (6). The steam delivered through the transfer duct (6) is distributed into the cooking cavity (2) by means of the nozzle (7) with holes thereon.

The cooking device (1) of the present invention comprises a flavoring device (8) which is disposed on the support member (4) so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle (7), through which the steam leaving the nozzle (7) is passed and which has a flavor chamber (9) wherein flavors (A) are placed. By placing the flavoring device (8) on the support member (4) so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle (7), the particles of the steam leaving the holes of the nozzle (7), and of the flavor (A) in the flavoring device (8) mix with each other. While the steam leaving the holes is delivered, the flavor (A) particles are distributed into the cooking cavity (2) as well. Thus, in the cooking device (1) which performs the cooking process with steam, the flavor (A) is delivered onto the foodstuff surface during the cooking process, achieving a savory cooking process.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device (8) comprises an opening (10) which is provided at the base of the flavor chamber (9) and which allows the passage of the flavor (A) from inside the flavor chamber (9) to outside the flavor chamber (9), and a lower chamber (11) which is disposed at the lower side of the flavor chamber (9) and wherein the flavor (A) passing through the opening (10) is collected. The flavor (A) in the flavor chamber (9) passes through the opening (10) and flows towards the lower chamber (11). The flavor (A) moves with the effect of gravity. By collecting the flowing flavor (A) in the lower chamber (11), the steam leaving the holes on the nozzle (7) and passing through the flavoring device (8) is enabled to mix with the particles of the flavor (A). The mixed steam and flavor (A) particles are distributed into the cooking cavity (2) together.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device (8) comprises an adjustment plate (12) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which changes the area of the opening (10), thus changing the amount of flavor (A) passing through the opening (10). The position of the adjustment plate (12) on the opening (10) changes the area of the opening (10). Depending on the change in the area of the opening (10), the amount of flavor (A) flowing into the lower chamber (11) also changes. The adjustment plate (12) partially or completely covers the opening (10). In case the adjustment plate (12) partially covers the opening (10), the flavor (A) flows from the flavor chamber (9) into the lower chamber (11). In case the adjustment plate (12) completely covers the opening (10), the flavor (A) does not flow into the lower chamber (11) and no flavor (A) is collected in the lower chamber (11). Therefore, no flavor (A) is delivered into the cooking cavity (2) during the cooking process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises a fan (13) which is disposed on the body (3) and which increases the amount of flavor (A) getting in contact with the foodstuff surface by means of the steam. By passing the high-speed steam leaving the holes on the nozzle (7) through the flavoring device (8) placed on the support member (4) positioned in front of the holes, the flavor (A) in the flavoring device (8) is enabled to be swept and delivered into the cooking cavity (2). Thus, the flavor (A) particles carried towards the foodstuff surface hold onto the foodstuff surface. As the right amount of flavor (A) must contact the foodstuff surface in order to provide the desired flavor (A) taste to the user, the circulation in the cooking cavity (2) is increased by means of the fan (13). Consequently, the amount of flavor (A) particles getting in contact with the foodstuff surface is increased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device (8) comprises the flavor chamber (9) which is disposed on the flavoring device (8) and which can be attached to/detached from the flavoring device (8). The user can add the desired aroma into the aroma chamber (9) for different cooking processes. Moreover, the flavor chamber (9) can be detached from the flavoring device (8) by the user to be cleaned, thus providing ease of use for the user.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device (8) comprises a moving cover (14) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which opens/closes the flavor chamber (9). The cover (14) has two different positions: open and closed. When the cover (14) is in the open position, the user can place flavor (A) into the flavor (9) chamber. When the cover (14) is in the closed position, the flavor chamber (9) is completely covered, which prevents the user from placing flavor (A) into the flavor chamber (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the flavoring device (8) comprises at least one connection member (15) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which enables the flavoring device (8) to be fixed onto the support member (4). In order for the steam delivered into the cooking cavity (2) to mix with the flavor while passing through the flavoring device (8), the flavoring device (8) must be placed onto the support member (4) so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle (7). By means of the connection member (15) which is preferably flexible, the flavoring device (8) can be easily attached to/detached from the support member (4). Consequently, ease of use is provided for the user while adding flavor (A) into the flavor chamber (9) or cleaning the flavor chamber (9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises a control panel (16) which enables the user to select cooking parameters, and a flavor level button (17) which is provided on the control panel (16) and which enables the user to define the flavor (A) density via the control panel (16). The user can adjust the flavor (A) density to be delivered onto the foodstuff by means of the flavor level button (17). The user can select the flavor (A) level according to his/her palate and starts the cooking process.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises a control unit (18) which provides that the amount of flavor (A) predetermined by the producer is delivered into the cooking cavity (2) in accordance with the flavor (A) density selected by the user via the control panel (16). The amount of flavor (A) required to be delivered into the cooking cavity (2) in order to achieve the flavor (A) density determined by the user by means of the flavor level button (17) on the control panel (16) is predefined on the control unit (18) by the producer with an algorithm. Thus, the flavor (A) is delivered in the amount in accordance with the desired density, increasing user satisfaction.

By means of the present invention, a cooking device (1) is realized, comprising a flavoring device (8) which enables different types of flavors (A) in different amounts to be delivered onto the foodstuff for different cooking processes.

Claims

A cooking device (1) comprising a cooking cavity (2) wherein the foodstuffs to be cooked are placed; a body (3) in the form of a box with the front open which encloses the cooking cavity (2) and which has a plurality of walls; at least two support members (4) which are disposed on the walls of the body (3) and which are positioned facing each other so as to support one or more trays; a steam generator (5) which is disposed on the body (3) so as to be outside the cooking cavity (2); at least one transfer duct (6) which enables the steam generated in the steam generator (5) to be transferred from the steam generator (5) into the cooking cavity (2); and at least one nozzle (7) which is disposed on the body (3) and which enables the steam delivered through the transfer duct (6) to be distributed into the cooking cavity (2) by means of a plurality of holes provided on the nozzle (7), characterized by a flavoring device (8) which is disposed on the support member (4) so as to be positioned in front of the nozzle (7), through which the steam leaving the nozzle (7) is passed and which has a flavor chamber (9) wherein flavors (A) are placed.
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an opening (10) which is provided at the base of the flavor chamber (9) and which allows the passage of the flavor (A) from inside the flavor chamber (9) to outside the flavor chamber (9), and a lower chamber (11) which is disposed at the lower side of the flavor chamber (9) and wherein the flavor (A) passing through the opening (10) is collected.
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 2, characterized by an adjustment plate (12) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which changes the area of the opening (10), thus changing the amount of flavor (A) passing through the opening (10).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a fan (13) which is disposed on the body (3) and which increases the amount of flavor (A) getting in contact with the foodstuff surface by means of the steam.
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the flavor chamber (9) which is disposed on the flavoring device (8) and which can be attached to/detached from the flavoring device (8).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a moving cover (14) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which opens/closes the flavor chamber (9).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one connection member (15) which is provided on the flavoring device (8) and which enables the flavoring device (8) to be fixed onto the support member (4).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a control panel (16) which enables the user to select cooking parameters, and a flavor level button (17) which is provided on the control panel (16) and which enables the user to define the flavor (A) density via the control panel (16).
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a control unit (18) which provides that the amount of flavor (A) predetermined by the producer is delivered into the cooking cavity (2) in accordance with the flavor (A) density selected by the user via the control panel (16).