Cooking system with cooking appliance

Abstract

Cooking system (10), comprising at least one cooking appliance (1), in particular an oven (100), with at least one cooking chamber (2) and at least one high-frequency generator (3) for heating food in the cooking chamber (2) by means of high-frequency radiation and comprising at least one insulating device (4) to prevent an electrically conductive connection between at least one cooking container (5) and the cooking appliance (1), which has at least one insulating element (6) which can be detachably attached to a rack (7) that can be positioned in the cooking chamber (2). characterized by that the insulating element (6) is suitable and designed to electrically insulate a cooking container (5) placed on it from the grate (7) at the voltages and / or currents expected during high-frequency operation and that electrical insulation is provided by the insulating element (6) between the grate (7) and a cooking container (5) placed on it.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking system comprising at least one cooking appliance, in particular an oven, with at least one cooking chamber and at least one high-frequency generator for heating food in the cooking chamber by means of high-frequency radiation and comprising at least one insulating device for preventing an electrically conductive connection between at least one food container and the cooking appliance, which has at least one insulating element which can be detachably attached to a rack that can be positioned in the cooking chamber.

[0002] Cooking appliances with high-frequency generators or microwave heating elements generally require special measures to prevent sparking and voltage arcing between the food container and the appliance during high-frequency operation. Such arcing can, for example, visually impair or even damage the food container and also lead to burning of the food. Therefore, conventional microwave ovens typically use special food containers, e.g., made of plastic.

[0003] For cooking appliances with high-frequency and oven operation, it is often desirable that conventional food containers can also be used in both operating modes or in combination mode. For example, the use of metal roasting racks, baking trays and baking pans, as well as other oven-like containers, should be possible. For such combination appliances, complex design measures to prevent electrical arcing are usually necessary.

[0004] From EP 1 392 082 A1, it is known in a microwave oven to arrange insulating clips between a food rack and the corresponding supports on the oven walls to prevent sparking. JP S 55-126 745 A also describes a microwave oven in which a food rack can be used. The rack is placed on a turntable. For this purpose, it is equipped with feet, the lower end of which transitions into a metal disc. WO 2015 / 107 031 A1 describes a wire mesh for a microwave oven, which is coated with a microwave-absorbing material.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a simple and economical way to use conventional or metallic cooking containers in high-frequency operation.

[0006] This problem is solved by a cooking system with the features of claim 1. Preferred features are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features will become apparent from the general description of the invention and the description of the exemplary embodiments.

[0007] The cooking system according to the invention comprises at least one cooking appliance. The cooking appliance is, in particular, designed as an oven. The cooking appliance comprises at least one cooking chamber and at least one high-frequency generator for heating food in the cooking chamber by means of high-frequency radiation. The cooking system comprises at least one insulating device for preventing an electrically conductive connection between at least one food container and the cooking appliance. The insulating device comprises at least one insulator element. The insulator element is detachably attached to a rack that can be positioned in the cooking chamber.

[0008] The cooking system according to the invention offers many advantages. A significant advantage is the at least one insulating element, as it can be attached to and detached from a rack. The cooking system according to the invention thus offers a particularly simple and cost-effective way to use conventional or metallic food containers and, for example, baking pans in high-frequency operation without sparking, damage to components, or burning of the food. This allows the user to continue using their usual oven accessories, even when operating the cooking appliance in combination or high-frequency mode. It is also particularly advantageous that the insulating element can be easily detached from the rack when the food is placed directly on it or when the rack needs cleaning. Furthermore, this allows additional racks to be equipped with the insulating element.

[0009] The insulating element is designed and configured to electrically insulate a food container placed on it from the grill grate at the voltages and currents expected during high-frequency operation. The insulating element provides electrical insulation between the grill grate and the food container placed on it. This electrical insulation includes, in particular, a gap between the food container and the grill grate. This gap is specifically designed and configured to prevent sparking and flashovers.

[0010] The insulator element can be attached to and detached from the grate, preferably manually and without tools. It is particularly preferred that the insulator element can be detached without damage, so that it can be reused or attached and detached as often as desired.

[0011] Preferably, the insulator element is designed and configured to be snapped onto the grate. For this purpose, the insulator element comprises, for example, at least one constriction and / or at least one undercut into which the grate and, for example, a grating bar can be received. In particular, at least one locking lug is formed below the constriction, preventing the grating bar from unintentionally leaving the constriction. The insulator element is especially designed and configured to be detachably fastened to the grate by at least one snap connection. A snap connection allows for quick and easy fastening and unfastening.

[0012] Preferably, the insulator element is slidably attached to the grate. This allows it to be moved to the position where the food container is to be placed on the grate. This is particularly advantageous when using multiple insulator elements. This allows them to be moved so that even a larger food container rests securely. In particular, the insulator element is slidable along the longitudinal direction of at least one grate bar. Preferably, the insulator element is slidable along the grate bar to which it is also locked. In particular, the insulator element is fixed transversely to a longitudinal direction of the at least one grate bar and / or downwards and / or upwards, or is not slidable. "Up" and "down" here refer in particular to a support surface of the grate provided for placing food containers.

[0013] The insulator element preferably has at least one constriction. In particular, the constriction provides at least one receiving space for at least one grating bar. The grating bar can be received, in particular, at least partially within the receiving space. Preferably, the receiving space is shaped such that the grating bar rests against the insulator element, at least partially. This allows the insulator element to be attached to the grating in a particularly stable manner. The constriction can, for example, be designed as a recess or depression and / or groove.

[0014] Preferably, at least two opposing receiving spaces are provided. In each of these opposing receiving spaces, at least one grating bar can be received. This allows the insulator element to be clamped or locked securely and stably between the grating bars and also provides a particularly high load-bearing capacity. In particular, two opposing or adjacent grating bars can be received. It is also possible for grating bars to be received that are separated from each other by at least one other grating bar. In particular, the insulator element comprises two opposing constrictions, each with a receiving space for one grating bar. It is also possible for a constriction to provide one or more receiving spaces for two or more grating bars each. Such a constriction is, for example, designed as a circumferential or continuous groove.

[0015] Preferably, the insulator element above the receiving spaces is wider than the distance between the opposing receiving spaces, so that the insulator element can be supported by the grid bars that can be accommodated in the receiving space. This also ensures that the food container is securely supported by the grid bars. In particular, the insulator element below the receiving spaces is also wider than the distance between the opposing receiving spaces. Specifically, the insulator element above and / or below the receiving spaces is wider than the distance between those grid bars of the rack that can be accommodated in the receiving spaces. "Above" and "below" here refer specifically to the operational positioning of the insulator element in the cooking appliance or on the rack.

[0016] It is possible that the distance between the opposing receiving spaces is greater than the distance between the receiving bars of the grating, allowing the insulator element to be inserted under spring tension between the bars. This prevents the insulator element from slipping when handling the grating. In particular, the distance is only slightly larger, allowing the insulator element to slide smoothly along the bars. The spring tension is achieved primarily by bending the bars within their elastic range. However, it is also possible that the distance between the opposing receiving spaces is less than or equal to the distance between the receiving bars, so that the bars rest in the receiving space without spring tension.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous for the insulator element to be wider above the receiving chamber than below it. This allows the narrower underside of the insulator element to be inserted between the grid bars with exceptional ease. The wider top reliably prevents slippage, even with heavy food containers. However, it is also possible for the insulator element to be narrower above the receiving chamber than below it, or to be the same width as below it.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the insulator element is wedge-shaped at least in sections below the receiving space. This allows the grid bars to be pushed apart particularly easily from the underside of the insulator element, simplifying insertion. The wedge shape comprises, in particular, at least two chamfered and / or rounded wedge sections. The insulator element can also be straight at least in sections below the receiving space.

[0019] Preferably, the constriction is rounded and / or chamfered at least in sections, allowing the grid bars to slide particularly smoothly into and out of the receiving space. This design includes, in particular, at least one chamfered and / or rounded sliding section for each constriction. This enables the insulator element to be easily released or unlatched from the grid.

[0020] It is preferred that the upper surface of the insulator element extends so far over a support plane provided by the grate that no electrically conductive connection is provided between the grate and a cooking container placed on the grate, even in areas without an insulator element, at the expected voltages or currents.

[0021] In particular, the insulator element above the receiving space has a thickness of at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, and particularly preferably at least 5 mm or more. Specifically, the upper surface of the insulator element extends at least 3 mm, preferably at least 4 mm, and particularly preferably at least 5 mm or more above a support surface provided by the grate. This ensures that the air gap between the grate and the food container is large enough to effectively prevent flashovers. A thickness of at least 6 mm, at least 7 mm, or at least 8 mm is also possible. A thickness of at least 10 mm or at least 12 mm is also possible. The thickness can also be at least 15 mm, at least 20 mm, or at least 30 mm or more.A correspondingly greater thickness is preferably used when cooking containers with downward-protruding areas and, for example, with angled bottoms are to be used. A thinner thickness of 2 mm or even 1 mm or less is also possible.

[0022] In all embodiments, it is preferred that the insulator element is made of a ceramic material and / or a heat-resistant plastic material. Other materials are also possible, provided they are heat-resistant at the temperatures occurring in the cooking chamber during operation of the cooking appliance. In particular, heat resistance up to at least 240°C and preferably 300°C higher is required. The insulator element is also preferably suitable for pyrolysis or pyrolytic cleaning. For this purpose, the insulator element has a heat resistance of at least 400°C and preferably at least 500°C or higher.

[0023] The insulating element can be made of glass, ceramic, and / or glass-ceramic, for example. An insulating element made of plastic material is, for instance, at least partially made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or another high-temperature-resistant plastic. In particular, the insulating element is made of a food-grade material.

[0024] The insulating element is preferably made of an electrically non-conductive material or of a material with very low electrical conductivity. In particular, the insulating element has an electrical conductivity of less than 0.01 µS / m. It is also possible that the insulating element is at least partially made of an electrically conductive material in combination with at least one electrically insulating coating. The coating is particularly thick at least 500 µm or more.

[0025] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the insulating device comprises at least two and preferably a plurality of insulator elements. This enables particularly safe placement and insulation of even larger cooking containers, such as a roasting pan or a baking dish. For example, at least three, four, five, or more insulator elements are provided. Ten, fifteen, twenty, or more insulator elements can also be provided. The insulating device can also comprise only one insulator element.

[0026] In one embodiment, the cooking system comprises at least one rack. The rack is specifically designed and configured to accommodate the insulator element. In particular, the rack comprises a plurality of bars. The rack can comprise round, oval, and / or rectangular bars. The bars are, in particular, attached to a surrounding frame. The bars are, in particular, aligned in a common longitudinal direction. The bars are, in particular, arranged parallel to each other. It is also possible for the rack to comprise intersecting bars.

[0027] In particular, the grating and the insulator element are suitable and designed to be force-fitted together in the longitudinal direction of the grating bars. The force transmission is achieved in particular by the spring tension of the grating bars and a suitable oversize of the insulator element compared to the spacing of the grating bars it supports. In particular, the grating and the insulator element are suitable and designed to be positively locked together transversely to the longitudinal direction of the grating bars and / or downwards and / or upwards.

[0028] The rack is designed specifically as a roasting and / or baking rack. Preferably, the rack is made of metal. In particular, the bars are made of a metal material. The rack is, in particular, made of an electrically conductive material, for example.

[0029] It is preferred that the insulator element be rigid or inflexible. The flexibility required for locking is provided in particular by the grate and preferably by its elastically deformable grid bars. However, it is also possible that the insulator element be at least partially flexible or elastic.

[0030] The insulator element is particularly suitable and designed to at least partially support at least one cooking container. In particular, the insulator element is suitable and designed to be positioned between at least one cooking container and the rack during high-frequency operation and oven operation.

[0031] The cooking appliance is designed, in particular, as an oven with at least one heatable cooking chamber. The cooking appliance preferably includes at least one thermal heating source and, for example, an electric resistance heating source. The cooking appliance particularly includes at least one food support for positioning the rack in the cooking chamber.

[0032] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0033] The figures show: Fig. 1 a highly schematic representation of a cooking system according to the invention with a cooking device and an insulating device in a front view; Fig. 2 a purely schematic representation of a grate with an insulating device in a perspective view; Fig. 3 a purely schematic representation of an insulating device in a front view; and Fig. 4 A purely schematic representation of an isolation device in a side view.

[0034] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a cooking system 10 according to the invention with a cooking appliance 1, which here is designed as an oven 100 with high-frequency or microwave function. The cooking appliance 1 is provided here as a built-in appliance. However, it is also possible for the cooking appliance 1 to be designed as a range or freestanding appliance.

[0035] The cooking appliance 1 has a heated cooking chamber 2, which can be closed by a door 102. Heating sources, not shown in detail here, are available for heating the cooking chamber 2. These heating sources are primarily designed as electric resistance heating elements. For example, the cooking chamber 2 can be heated with a top and / or bottom heat source, a hot air heat source, and / or a grill heat source. A convection function may also be provided. The cooking appliance may also have a steam cooking function with a steam heat source.

[0036] To heat food in cooking chamber 2 using high-frequency radiation, a high-frequency generator 3 is provided. The high-frequency generator 3 is preferably based on semiconductor technology. However, it is also possible for the high-frequency generator 3 to be designed as a magnetron or to include one. For example, high-frequency radiation in the microwave frequency range is generated and introduced into cooking chamber 2. The high-frequency operation can occur in parallel or separately from the thermal heating of cooking chamber 2.

[0037] The cooking appliance 1 can be equipped with a pyrolytic cleaning function, in which the cooking chamber 2 is heated to temperatures above 400 °C and, for example, 430° or more.

[0038] The cooking appliance 1 includes a control unit 101, which can be used to select and set, for example, an operating mode and / or an automatic function. The control unit 101 also includes a user interface and, for example, a display.

[0039] In cooking chamber 2, there is a food container 5, which is placed on a rack 7. The rack 7 is arranged on a food support (not shown in detail here) and can be used, for example, as a roasting and baking rack. The food container 5 is shown as an example of a baking dish. The food container 5 could also be a roasting pan, a baking tray, or any other container 5 designed to be placed on a rack 7.

[0040] To electrically isolate the cooking container 5 from the cooking appliance 1, the cooking system 10 includes an insulating device 4. The insulating device 4 comprises, in particular, several insulator elements 6, for example, three or five insulator elements 6. The insulator elements 6 are arranged between the rack 7 and the cooking container 5 to prevent an electrically conductive connection between the rack 7 and the cooking container 5. This allows the use of conventional or metallic cooking containers 5 and racks 7 in an oven without sparking or voltage flashovers occurring during operation of the high-frequency generator 3.

[0041] The insulator elements 6 are snapped onto the grate 7, allowing them to be detached and attached as often as needed. To do this, the insulator elements 6 are simply clamped between two bars 17 of the grate 7.

[0042] With reference to the Fig. Sections 2-4 below describe an exemplary embodiment of the cooking system 10. Fig. Figure 2 shows the insulating device 4 with five insulator elements 6, which are detachably snapped onto a grid 7. The grid 7 comprises a plurality of round grid bars 17, which are attached to a frame. Fig. 3 and the Fig. Figure 4 shows a single insulator element 6 in a front view and a side view, respectively. To illustrate the position of the grid bars 17, the grid bars 17 are shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 indicated by dashed lines.

[0043] To attach the insulator element 6 to the grate 7, it is pressed onto the grate 7 from above. This causes two adjacent grate bars 17 to be pushed apart and then to lock into a receiving recess 18. The receiving recesses 18 are provided by a constriction 8 on the insulator element 6.

[0044] To release, the insulator element 6 is pushed out of the grate 7 from below, so that the two grid bars 17 move apart and leave their respective receiving space 18.

[0045] The constriction 8 is rounded at a lower sliding section. This allows the grid bars 17 to be pushed apart particularly easily when the insulating device 6 is released.

[0046] Since the insulator element 6 is wider above and below the receiving spaces than in the area of ​​the constriction 8, it is positively locked to the grid 7 in this area. This widening provides a locking lug below the constriction 8, which prevents the grid bar 17 from popping out of its receiving space 18. Along the length of the grid bars 17, the insulator element 6 is held in place by the spring force of the grid bars 17, allowing it to be moved manually.

[0047] Above the receiving chambers 18, the insulator element 6 is wider than the distance between the two opposing grid bars 17. This ensures that an upper part of the insulator element 6 rests stably on the grid bars 17.

[0048] The insulator element 6 is wider above the receiving spaces 18 than below them. This provides a secure support and at the same time allows for easy locking.

[0049] To facilitate easy insertion, the insulator element 6 is wedge-shaped below the receiving spaces 18. This ensures that the grid bars 17 are pressed apart particularly effectively during insertion. For this purpose, the insulator element 6 has two beveled wedge sections on its underside, located below the constriction 8.

[0050] The distance between the two opposing receiving spaces 18 is slightly greater than the distance between the receiving bars 17. This extra space causes the bars 17 to deform elastically and remain in contact with a spring tension when the insulator element 6 is locked into place. The distance between the two receiving spaces is chosen such that the insulator element 6 cannot slip unintentionally while still allowing for easy movement.

[0051] Above the receiving spaces 18 or the constriction 8, the insulator element 6 has a thickness 16 of 4 mm. In other advantageous embodiments, the thickness 16 can also be 5 mm or 6 mm or more. This ensures that a food container 5 placed on the insulator elements 6 has a sufficient distance from the rack 7 or its bars 17, preventing sparks.

[0052] A particular advantage of the insulator elements 6 is that they can be moved on the grid 7 and thus arranged in any way relative to each other.

[0053] The insulating elements 6 have the advantage that they can be snapped into place at any point on the rack 7. Thus, a few or, for example, five insulating elements 6 can be distributed on a rack 7 in such a way that a secure and stable base is achieved for any shape of cooking container 5. Furthermore, the arrangement of the insulating elements 6 can be easily adjusted to the base geometry or position of a cooking container 5 by simply sliding them. It is also particularly advantageous that the insulating elements 6 can be easily detached from the rack 7, for example, to be attached to a different rack 7 or to use the rack 7 without insulating elements 6.

[0054] Depending on the size or shape of a cooking container 5, more or fewer insulator elements 6 can simply be used. For this purpose, the cooking system 10 is preferably equipped with a plurality of insulator elements 6, so that a desired number can be selected and attached to the rack 7.

[0055] The invention presented here allows commercially available metal baking pans, baking trays, and baking racks to be used in high-frequency or microwave ovens without sparking or burning the food. This means users can now use accessories they are accustomed to using in a conventional oven as microwave accessories as well. Reference symbol list 1 cooking appliance 2 Cooking chamber 3 high-frequency generators 4 Insulation device 5 cooking containers 6 insulator element 7 Rust 8 Constriction 10 Cooking system 16 strength 17 bars 18 Recording room 100 oven 101 Operating device 102 Door

Claims

[1] Cooking system (10), comprising at least one cooking appliance (1), in particular an oven (100), with at least one cooking chamber (2) and at least one high-frequency generator (3) for heating food in the cooking chamber (2) by means of high-frequency radiation and comprising at least one insulating device (4) to prevent an electrically conductive connection between at least one cooking container (5) and the cooking appliance (1), which has at least one insulating element (6) which can be detachably attached to a rack (7) that can be positioned in the cooking chamber (2). characterized by , that the insulating element (6) is suitable and designed to electrically insulate a cooking container (5) placed on it from the grate (7) at the voltages and / or currents expected during high-frequency operation and that electrical insulation is provided by the insulating element (6) between the grate (7) and a cooking container (5) placed on it. [2] Cooking system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) is suitable and designed to be locked onto the grate (7). [3] Cooking system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) can be slidably attached to the grate (7). [4] Cooking system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) has at least one constriction (8) and that the constriction (8) provides at least one receiving space (18) for at least one grid bar (17) of the grate (7). [5] Cooking system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that at least two opposing receiving spaces (18) are provided in each of which at least one grid bar (17) of the grid (7) can be received. [6] Cooking system (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) above the receiving spaces (18) is wider than the distance between the opposing receiving spaces (18), so that the insulator element (6) can be supported by the grid bars (17) that can be received in the receiving space (18). [7] Cooking system (10) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by , that the distance between the opposing receiving spaces (18) is greater than the distance between the receiving bars (17) of the grate (7), so that the insulator element (6) can be inserted under a spring tension between the bars (17). [8] Cooking system (10) according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized by, that the insulator element (6) is wider above the receiving space (18) than below the receiving space (18). [9] Cooking system (10) according to one of the five preceding claims, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) below the receiving space (18) is at least partially wedge-shaped. [10] Cooking system (10) according to any one of the six preceding claims, characterized by , that the constriction (8) is at least partially rounded and / or chamfered. [11] Cooking system (10) according to any one of the seven preceding claims, characterized by , that the insulator element (6) above the receiving space (18) has at least in sections a thickness (16) of at least 3 mm and preferably of at least 4 mm or more. [12] Cooking system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the insulator element (6) is made of a ceramic material and / or a heat-resistant plastic material. [13] Cooking system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the insulating device (4) comprises at least two and preferably a plurality of insulator elements (6). [14] Cooking system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one grate (7) which is suitable and designed to receive the insulator element (6).

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