WO2020094293A1

WO2020094293A1 - A cooking device comprising a steam generator

Info

Publication number: WO2020094293A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/076343
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erkan GOKMEN; Oktay BAZAN
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2018-11-09
Filing date: 2019-09-30
Publication date: 2020-05-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a cooking cavity (2) wherein the materials to be cooked are placed; a casing (3) in the form of a box with the front side open which surrounds the cooking cavity (2); a steam generator (4) which is disposed onto the casing (3) and which has a body (5), a ceiling (6) covering the upper surface of the body (5), at least one inlet port (7) providing the intake of water into the body (5) and at least one outlet port (8) providing the exit of steam out of the body (5); and a heater (9) which is disposed on the base of the steam generator (4) and which provides the vaporization of the water in the body (5), the cooking device further comprising an outer blocking group (10) disposed on the body (5) and having a first blocking element (11) and a second blocking element (12) which are positioned in an angular manner and which extend towards the outlet port (8) so as to prevent the water droplets in the steam from entering the cooking cavity (2) while the steam is being delivered into the cooking cavity (2) via the outlet port (8).

Description

A COOKING DEVICE COMPRISING A STEAM GENERATOR

The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a steam generator.

In cooking devices, the steam generated by heating the water in the steam generator is delivered to the cooking cavity to perform the steam cooking process. While the water in the steam generator changes phase from liquid to gas, pressure increases due to increase in volume. Steam in the gas phase with high pressure delivers water droplets at the same temperature in the steam generator into the cooking cavity, thus causing the cooking efficiency to decrease. Moreover, delivering the water which is required in the generation of steam into the cooking cavity causes increase in water consumption, hence in energy consumption in the steam generator, thus in the cooking device. Various designs are known in the state of the art to solve said problem.

In the state of the art European Patent Application No. EP1909038, a cooking device is disclosed, comprising a steam generator having a blocking unit for preventing air bubbles and water droplets from being delivered into the cooking cavity together with the steam.

In the state of the art United States Patent No. US2010054717, a household appliance for steam cooking is disclosed, comprising barriers which prevent the steam delivered into the cooking cavity from splattering on the delivery line.

The state of the art documents fail to prevent the water droplets from being delivered into the cooking cavity while the steam generated in the steam generator is being delivered to the cooking cavity.

The aim of the present invention is to realize a cooking device with improved steam cooking efficiency.

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 materials to be cooked are placed; a casing in the form of a box with the front side open which surrounds the cooking cavity; a steam generator which is disposed onto the casing and which has a body, a ceiling covering the upper surface of the body, at least one inlet port providing the intake of water into the body and at least one outlet port providing the exit of steam out of the body; and a heater which is disposed on the base of the steam generator and which provides the vaporization of the water in the body. The heater is preferably disposed on the base of the steam generator. The water taken into the body by means of the inlet port is heated by the heater so as to be vaporized. The steam obtained with the heating of the water is delivered from the body of the steam generator into the cooking cavity via the outlet port. Thus, the steam cooking process is performed in the cooking device.

The cooking device of the present invention comprises an outer blocking group disposed on the body and having a first blocking element and a second blocking element which are positioned in an angular manner and which extend towards the outlet port so as to prevent the water droplets in the steam from entering the cooking cavity while the steam is being delivered into the cooking cavity via the outlet port. The steam obtained moves towards the outlet port arranged on the body. The water droplets in the steam are enabled to contact the outer blocking group before reaching the outlet port. The water droplets contacting the outer blocking group lose energy. Some of the water droplets which lose energy return into the body and some of them continue moving towards the outlet port after loss of energy. The first blocking element and the second blocking element in the outer blocking group are positioned in an angular manner. Thus, the water droplets are prevented from being accumulated on the first blocking element and the second blocking element. Preferably, the first blocking element and the second blocking element are oppositely positioned. Thus, the water droplets in the steam are prevented from entering the cooking cavity while the steam is being delivered into the cooking cavity.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device comprises an inner blocking group having a third blocking element and a fourth blocking element which are positioned on the body between the outlet port and the outer blocking group. Thus, the water droplets which lose energy after contacting the outer blocking group are prevented from reaching the outlet port and entering the cooking cavity.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group comprises the first blocking element and the second blocking element which have different lengths. In case the water droplets contact the outer blocking group elements with the same length, the opening between the blocking elements cause the water droplets to splatter. The first blocking element and the second blocking element have different lengths in order to close the opening therebetween. Thus, the water droplets contacting the outer blocking group are prevented from splattering and reaching the outlet port or the inner blocking group.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner blocking group comprises the third blocking element and the fourth blocking element which have different lengths. In case the water droplets contact the inner blocking group elements with the same length, the opening between the blocking elements cause the water droplets to splatter. The third blocking element and the fourth blocking element have different lengths in order to close the opening therebetween. Thus, the amount of water droplets which reach the outlet port after contacting the inner blocking group is decreased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group comprises a first hole group which is arranged on the first blocking element and the second blocking element and which enables the steam to pass through the outer blocking group. The first hole group has a plurality of holes. Preferably, the holes are positioned on the first blocking element and the second blocking element so as not to align with each other. Thus, while the steam passes through the first hole group, it is made difficult for the water droplets in the steam to pass through the outer blocking group and reach the outlet port.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner blocking group comprises a second hole group which is arranged on the third blocking element and the fourth blocking element and which enables the steam to pass through the inner blocking group. The second hole group has a plurality of holes. Preferably, the holes are positioned on the third blocking element and the fourth blocking element so as not to align with each other. Thus, while the steam passes through the inner blocking group, the water droplets which pass through the outer blocking group and lose energy are prevented from reaching the outlet port.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group comprises a duct which is provided on the first blocking element or the second blocking element and which enables the water droplets collected on the outer blocking group and the inner blocking group to be directed into the body. The duct is preferably formed by bending the end portion of the first blocking element or the second blocking element which extends towards the body. Thus, the water droplets which contact the outer blocking group and the inner blocking group are directed into the body. Holes may be arranged on the bent end of the duct, hence the amount of water droplets directed into the body can be increased.

By means of the present invention, a cooking device is realized, wherein the amount of water droplets delivered into the cooking cavity during the steam cooking process is minimized, thus increasing the cooking efficiency.

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

Figure 1 - is the front perspective view of the cooking device.

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

Figure 3 - is the front perspective view of the steam generator in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 - is the front perspective view of the steam generator in an embodiment of the present invention.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

Cooking device
Cooking cavity
Casing
Steam generator
Body
Ceiling
Inlet port
Outlet port
Heater
Outer blocking group
First blocking element
Second blocking element
Inner blocking group
Third blocking element
Fourth blocking element
First hole group
Second hole group
Duct

The cooking device (1) comprises a cooking cavity (2) wherein the materials to be cooked are placed; a casing (3) in the form of a box with the front side open which surrounds the cooking cavity (2); a steam generator (4) which is disposed onto the casing (3) and which has a body (5), a ceiling (6) covering the upper surface of the body (5), at least one inlet port (7) providing the intake of water into the body (5) and at least one outlet port (8) providing the exit of steam out of the body (5); and a heater (9) which is disposed on the base of the steam generator (4) and which provides the vaporization of the water in the body (5). Thus, the steam cooking process is performed in the cooking device (1).

The water taken into the body (5) by means of the inlet port (8) is heated by the heater (9) so as to be vaporized. The steam is delivered from the steam generator (4) into the cooking cavity (2) via the outlet port (8).

The cooking device (1) of the present invention comprises an outer blocking group (10) disposed on the body (5) and having a first blocking element (11) and a second blocking element (12) which are positioned in an angular manner and which extend towards the outlet port (8) so as to prevent the water droplets in the steam from entering the cooking cavity (2) while the steam is being delivered into the cooking cavity (2) via the outlet port (8). The volume and pressure in the body (5) increase as a result of phase change from liquid to gas. As the pressure increases, the steam in the body (5) moves towards the outlet port (8). Therefore, the water droplets in the steam also move towards the outlet port (8). Thus, the water droplets contact the outer blocking group (10) positioned before the outlet port (8) in the movement direction of the steam, and the water droplets are prevented from reaching the outlet port (8). Some of the water droplets which lose energy after contacting the outer blocking group (10) return into the body (5) and some of them continue moving towards the outlet port (8) after loss of energy. By means of the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) which are positioned in an angular manner, the water droplets contacting the outer blocking group (10) are prevented from being accumulated on the outer blocking group (10). Preferably, the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) are oppositely positioned. Thus, the amount of water droplets in the steam delivered to the outlet port (8) is decreased, improving the cooking efficiency of the cooking device (1).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking device (1) comprises an inner blocking group (13) having a third blocking element (14) and a fourth blocking element (15) which are positioned on the body (5) between the outlet port (8) and the outer blocking group (10). The water droplets which contact the outer blocking group (10) and which do not return into the body (5) after losing energy tend to move towards the outlet port (8). The water droplets which reach the inner blocking group (13) contact the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) and are prevented from reaching the outlet port (8).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group (10) comprises the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) which have different lengths. In order to cover the opening between the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) which are positioned in an opposite and angular manner, the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) with different lengths are used. Thus, the water droplets contacting the outer blocking group (10) are prevented from splattering and reaching the outlet port (8) or the inner blocking group (13).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner blocking group (13) comprises the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) which have different lengths. The opening between the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) causes the water droplets to splatter. By means of the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) with different lengths, the opening therebetween is covered and the amount of water droplets which contact the inner blocking group (13) and reach the outer port (8) is decreased.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group (10) comprises a first hole group (16) which is arranged on the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) and which enables the steam to pass through the outer blocking group (10). Preferably, the holes are positioned on the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) so as not to align with each other. Thus, while the steam passes through the first hole group (16), it is made difficult for the water droplets in the steam to pass through the outer blocking group (10). Moreover, the water droplets passes through the first hole group (16) with great difficulty and lose energy. While some of the water droplets lose their energy completely and cannot reach the outlet port (8), some of them continue to move towards the outlet port (8) with less energy.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner blocking group (13) comprises a second hole group (17) which is arranged on the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) and which enables the steam to pass through the inner blocking group (13). Preferably, the holes are positioned on the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) so as not to align with each other. Thus, the water droplets which pass through the outer blocking group (10) and lose energy are prevented from passing through the inner blocking group (13) and reaching the outlet port (8).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the outer blocking group (10) comprises a duct (18) which is provided on the first blocking element (11) or the second blocking element (12) and which enables the water droplets collected on the outer blocking group (10) and the inner blocking group (13) to be directed into the body (5). The duct (18) is formed by bending the end portion of the first blocking element (11) or the second blocking element (12) which extends towards the body (5). The water droplets which contact the outer blocking group (10) and the inner blocking group (13) so as to be prevented from reaching the outlet port (8) are directed into the body (5). By means of the holes arranged on the bent end of the duct (18), the amount of water directed into the body (5) can be increased. Thus, since the amount of steam to be generated increases depending on the increased amount of water, an efficient steam cooking process is realized.

By means of the present invention, a cooking device (1) wherein the steam cooking process is performed is realized, wherein the amount of water droplets delivered into the cooking cavity (2) is minimized, thus increasing the cooking efficiency.

Claims

A cooking device (1) comprising a cooking cavity (2) wherein the materials to be cooked are placed; a casing (3) in the form of a box with the front side open which surrounds the cooking cavity (2); a steam generator (4) - which is disposed onto the casing (3),

- which has a body (5), a ceiling (6) covering the upper surface of the body (5),

- at least one inlet port (7) providing the intake of water into the body (5) and at least one outlet port (8) providing the exit of steam out of the body (5);

a heater (9) which is disposed on the base of the steam generator (4) and which provides the vaporization of the water in the body (5), characterized by an outer blocking group (10) disposed on the body (5) and having a first blocking element (11) and a second blocking element (12) which are positioned in an angular manner and which extend towards the outlet port (8) so as to prevent the water droplets in the steam from entering the cooking cavity (2) while the steam is being delivered into the cooking cavity (2) via the outlet port (8).
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an inner blocking group (13) having a third blocking element (14) and a fourth blocking element (15) which are positioned on the body (5) between the outlet port (8) and the outer blocking group (10).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) which have different lengths.
A cooking device (1) as in Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized by the third blocking element (14) and the fourth blocking element (15) which have different lengths.
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a first hole group (16) which is arranged on the first blocking element (11) and the second blocking element (12) and which enables the steam to pass through the outer blocking group (10).
A cooking device (1) as in any one of the Claims 2 to 6, characterized by a second hole group (17) which is arranged on the third blocking element (14) and the second blocking element (15) and which enables the steam to pass through the inner blocking group (13).
A cooking device as in any one of the Claims 2 to 6, characterized by a duct (18) which is provided on the first blocking element (11) or the second blocking element (12) and which enables the water droplets collected on the outer blocking group (10) and the inner blocking group (13) to be directed into the body (5).