System for preparing a meal

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for a vehicle for preparing a meal, comprising a food processor (2) and a container (30), wherein the food processor (2) comprises a base part (4) with a lower heating element (6), a head part (8) with an upper heating element (10) designed as a heat radiator, and at least one adjustment module (12), wherein the container (30) has an interior space formed by a box (32) and closable with a lid for receiving the meal, wherein the lid is transparent to heat radiation, wherein the at least one adjustment module (12) is designed to set a distance for a preparation space (24) between the base part (4) and the head part (8), wherein the container (30) is to be arranged in the preparation space (24), wherein the lower heating element (6) in the base part (4) is designed to heat the interior of the container (30),wherein the upper heating element (10) in the head part (8) is designed to generate heat radiation and to emit it through the lid into the interior of the container (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for preparing a meal and a method for preparing a meal.

[0002] The document EP 1 129 654 A1 shows a device for baking, grilling and / or toasting food.

[0003] An oven and warming cabinet device with a variable volume is known from the document DE 27 21 040 A1.

[0004] A portable plate assembly for preparing food on a heat source with an adjustment mechanism is described in the document US 2014 / 0 366 865 A1.

[0005] A plate heating device for preparing and, if necessary, keeping food warm is known from DE 80 02 864 U1. It consists of two plate heating elements, a lower part and an upper part. The upper part can be pivoted into a grilling and baking position with the heating surfaces facing each other, and into a 180° extended grilling, cooking, and / or keeping-warm position supported on a table.

[0006] The document DE 10 2017 220 645 A1 describes a grill device with a top heat source designed as a high-temperature heat source, a bottom heat source, a cooking chamber between the heat sources and a height-adjustable holder, wherein the heat sources are arranged at a distance from one another that can be adjusted by means of the height-adjustable holder.

[0007] Against this background, the task was to prepare a meal in a vehicle.

[0008] This problem is solved by a system and a method having the features of the independent patent claims. Embodiments of the system and method are evident from the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0009] The system according to the invention is designed or provided for a vehicle for preparing a food, i.e., a meal and / or a meal. The system comprises a food processor and a container, wherein the food processor has a base part with a lower heating element, a head part with an upper heating element designed as a heat radiator, typically an infrared radiator, and at least one mechanical adjustment module or adjustment kinematics. The container has an interior space formed by a box and closable by a lid for receiving the food, wherein the lid is transparent or permeable to heat radiation from the upper heating element. The lid is designed to at least temporarily close the box or container with the food arranged therein.The at least one adjustment module is designed to set and / or provide a vertical distance between the base part and the head part for a preparation space located therebetween. Furthermore, the sealed container with the food accommodated or arranged therein or in the interior is to be arranged in the preparation space. The lower heating element in the base part is designed to warm or heat the interior of the container and the food arranged or located therein from below, wherein the upper heating element in the head part is designed to generate heat radiation and emit it through the lid into the interior of the container and also to warm or heat the food from above.

[0010] In one embodiment, the lid comprises a frame and an inner part enclosed thereby, wherein at least or only the inner part is transparent or permeable to thermal radiation. The lid is at least partially and / or the inner part is entirely made of an insulator and / or non-metal. If the lid also comprises the frame, this can also be made of an insulator and / or non-metal or of metal. It is also possible for the entire lid to be transparent to thermal radiation.

[0011] The at least one adjustment module has at least two arms that can be rotated relative to one another, or at least one pair of such arms, and is designed or referred to as a Nuremberg shear. Alternatively, the at least one adjustment module can have telescopic arms.

[0012] As a rule, the upper heating element is designed as an infrared heat radiator or infrared source and the lid is at least partially designed, i.e. at least the inner part, from a non-metallic solid or a solid designed as an insulator, e.g. glass, such as quartz glass or polysilicate glass, or a transparent ceramic that is transparent to infrared heat radiation, wherein heat radiation, e.g. infrared heat radiation, of the upper heating element is transmitted through the lid, i.e. at least through the inner part and reaches the interior of the container and the food that can be arranged therein. The box and the frame of the lid of the container provided in the embodiment is or are made of metal or a metallic solid, e.g. aluminum or stainless steel, and is designed for direct heat transfer through contact with a heating element, in the embodiment the lower one.It is possible that the box and / or the lid, i.e. at least the frame and / or the inner part, will be manufactured by 3D printing.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower heating element is designed as a heating plate or warming plate, which generates heat through resistance heating. The lower heating element can also be designed as an induction hob, and the box can be made of ferromagnetic metal, whereby the box is heated by inductive eddy currents from the lower heating element.

[0014] The system has at least one mechanical connection module via which the food preparer can be or is to be connected to at least one device of the vehicle in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the food preparer comprises at least one primary mechanical connection module. In addition, the device, e.g. a center console between front seats, in an interior of the vehicle in this embodiment has at least one secondary mechanical connection module, wherein the connection modules can also be designed as components of the system. In this embodiment, the food preparer can be temporarily and detachably connected to the device of the vehicle in the interior of the vehicle via the at least one primary and secondary connection module and can also be fixed and / or secured in the interior.In addition, the heating elements have at least one electrical contact point, i.e. a common contact point for both heating elements or one contact point for each heating element, via which the heating elements can be or are to be connected at least temporarily to an electrical energy source or energy supply of the vehicle both inside the vehicle and outside the vehicle. Furthermore, the heating elements can also be connected to an external, vehicle-independent electrical energy source. The head section and / or base section can have thermal insulation on a respective outer wall, wherein the head section and / or base section can also be touched and / or manually transported when a respective heating element is switched on or turned on and / or is at least still warm or hot.

[0015] The method according to the invention is intended for preparing, for example, warming or heating, a meal or a meal using a system, for example an embodiment of the presented system, for a vehicle. The system comprises a food preparation device with a base part with a lower heating element, a head part with an upper heating element designed as a heat radiator, and at least one mechanical adjustment module. The system also comprises a container with an interior space formed by a box and closable with a lid for receiving the meal. The lid is at least partially, if necessary completely, permeable to thermal radiation, wherein the lid in one embodiment has a frame and an inner part enclosed thereby, wherein the inner part is permeable to thermal radiation. The box or container and a meal arranged in the interior of the container are at least temporarily closed by the lid.In addition, a vertical distance for a preparation space is set and / or provided between the base part and the head part by the at least one adjustment module, usually two adjustment modules, which are arranged on both sides of the head part and the base part. In addition, the container with the food arranged therein or in the interior is arranged in the preparation space, wherein the interior of the box and the food or meal held or located therein are heated by the lower heating element in the base part, wherein heat radiation is generated by the upper heating element in the head part and transmitted through the lid, at least through the inner part, and emitted into the interior of the container, wherein the food is also heated from above.

[0016] In one embodiment of the method, the food is placed in the interior or box of the initially opened container. The box is then closed with the lid and placed in the preparation space, wherein the food is warmed or heated by the lower heating element through a wall of the box, and / or wherein the food is warmed or heated by or with the heat radiation of the upper heating element, which is emitted through the lid, e.g. at least through the inner part, and is thus prepared or at least kept warm. The system can have at least one thermometer that is assigned to the food preparer and / or the container, which is arranged, for example, on the head and / or base part and / or in the container, e.g. on and / or in the wall of the box. In addition, the system can have a control module for the temperature of the food to be prepared, which, for example,is integrated into an operating module, wherein the control module and / or operating module is arranged in the head part or base part. Alternatively or additionally, the control module and / or operating module can be provided via a software-supported application or app on a mobile device, e.g. smartphone. In order to set a temperature to which the food is to be heated, the control and / or operating module can communicate with the at least one thermometer on the one hand and with the two heating elements on the other hand via interfaces for exchanging signals via electromagnetic waves, e.g. via Bluetooth. It is possible to heat the container, for example, up to and / or a maximum of 180 °C.

[0017] It is provided that the closed container has a height, wherein the vertical distance between the head part and the base part is set by or with the at least one adjustment module to be at least as high as the height of the closed container. By varying or changing the vertical distance or preparation space between the base part and the head part, this can be adapted to the height and thus the size of the container. The food preparation device is designed for containers of different heights, which can be optionally arranged with food arranged therein in the preparation space adapted for each case in terms of its height. In one embodiment, the head part, the base part of the box and / or the lid have a rectangular base area. The base area of the box and / or the lid is at most as large as the base area of the head part and / or the base part.If the base area of the box and / or the lid is smaller than the base area of the head section or the base section, it is possible to arrange several containers in the preparation space at the same time and to prepare food in them.

[0018] The system can be used in the vehicle but also outside the vehicle, independently of the vehicle, e.g. when camping. In an embodiment of the method, the food preparer is at least temporarily arranged in the vehicle and at least temporarily mechanically connected to the vehicle by at least one mechanical connection module or via at least one mechanical connection module and / or at least temporarily fastened in the interior of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the food preparer is at least temporarily arranged outside the vehicle. Regardless of a respective position of the food preparer relative to the vehicle, at least one heating element of the food preparer is connected to at least one electrical energy source inside and / or outside the vehicle.

[0019] The system comprises a foldable and / or collapsible food preparation device for a vehicle, which can be permanently installed in the vehicle or designed to be removable from the vehicle. Using the food preparation device and the container arranged therein, which can also be designed or referred to as a food box, it is possible to prepare fresh food or a fresh meal as a meal in the vehicle or outside the vehicle. Different, for example differently sized, containers for food can be arranged in the food preparation device, with the food preparation device being adapted to a respective container by adjusting and / or varying the distance between the base and head sections. In one embodiment, the food preparation device can have a fan or a suction element for vapors from the food that arise when the same is heated, with vapors being sucked away by the suction element.The suction element can be connected to a ventilation system of the vehicle, whereby vapors extracted by the suction element are released into the surroundings of the vehicle via the ventilation system.

[0020] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0021] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using embodiments and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawing.

[0022] Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c, Fig. 1d show a schematic representation of an embodiment of the system according to the invention for carrying out an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0023] The figures are described coherently and comprehensively. The same reference symbols are assigned to the same components.

[0024] The system according to the invention comprises a food preparation device 2 or food preparation device, which is Fig. 1a in a first operating position and in Fig. 1b in a second operating position. The system also includes a Fig. 1c schematically illustrated container 30 for a food. Fig. 1d shows a schematic representation of the container 30 arranged in the food preparation device 2.

[0025] The food preparation device 2 comprises a head section 8 with a first upper heating element 10, which is designed here as an infrared radiator or infrared source, and a base section 4 with a second lower heating element 6, which is designed here as a heating plate. Furthermore, the food preparation device 2 comprises two adjustment modules 12, which are arranged on both sides, here on the left and right, of the head section 8 and the base section 4 and are designed to adjust a vertical distance between the head section 8 and the base section 4 to a specified height.

[0026] Each adjustment module 12 or adjustment kinematics comprises an upper rail 20 on an outer side of the head part 8, a lower rail 18 on an outer side of the base part 4 and two arms 14, 16. In each case, an upper end of an arm 14, 16 is arranged in and / or on the upper rail 20 and can be displaced or slid horizontally along the upper rail 20. In addition, a lower end of an arm 14, 16 is arranged in and / or on the lower rail 18 and can be displaced or slid horizontally along the lower rail 18. Each arm 14, 16 has a center point, wherein the center points of both arms 14, 16 are rotatably connected relative to one another via a locking element and / or connecting element 22, wherein the two arms 14, 16 cross. Here, each center point of each arm 14, 16 has a hole, with a pin of the locking and / or connecting element 22 being guided through the two holes.

[0027] In this case, each adjustment module 12 is designed and / or referred to here as a Nuremberg shear and has a pair of crossed arms 14, 16 between two rails 18, 20. In one embodiment, each of the two adjustment modules 12 has the lower and upper rails 18, 20 and at least one pair, for example several pairs, of arms 14, 16 that are rotatably connected to one another at their midpoints via a locking and / or connecting element 22. In this case, the lower ends of arms 14, 16 of an upper pair and the upper ends of arms 14, 16 of an immediately adjacent lower pair of arms 14, 16 are each rotatably connected relative to one another and / or to one another via a further connecting element that has a pin that is guided through holes in the ends of the respective arms 14, 16 of the immediately adjacent pairs.

[0028] In the embodiment of the method according to the invention, positions of the upper ends of the arms 14, 16 of both adjustment modules 12 are displaced horizontally along a respective upper rail 20 and positions of the lower ends of the arms 14, 16 of both adjustment modules 12 are displaced horizontally along a respective lower rail 18, usually synchronously, wherein angles at which the arms 14, 16 cross at their centers are changed, usually synchronously, wherein the vertical distance between the base part 4 and the head part 8 is changed or varied by both adjustment modules 12.

[0029] How Fig. 1a shows, both the upper ends of both arms 14, 16 along the upper rail 20 and the lower ends of both arms 14, 16 along the lower rail 18 have a maximum distance, wherein in this embodiment, one end or one position is arranged at and / or displaced to an outer stop point of a respective rail 18, 20. In this case, an angle between sections of both arms 14, 16, here the angle between an upper section of a first of the two arms 14, 16, wherein the upper section extends between the upper end and the center point of the respective arm 14, 16, and a lower section of a second of the two arms 14, 16, wherein the lower section extends between the lower end and the center point of the respective arm 14, 16, has a minimum angle.The base part 4 and the head part 8 have a minimum vertical distance, which is zero in this embodiment, with the head part 8 touching the base part 4.

[0030] How Fig. As shown in Figure 1b, in both adjustment modules 12, the ends of the arms 14, 16 or the positions of the ends along the lower and upper rails 18, 20 are displaced from a respective stop point toward a center point of a respective rail 18, 20, wherein the angle between the upper section of the first arm 14, 16 and the lower section of the second arm 14, 16 is also increased. A larger vertical distance is set between the base part 4 and the head part 8, wherein a preparation space 24 is provided between the base part 4 and the head part 8.

[0031] The food preparation device 2 is in the Fig. 1a shown first operating position retracted and / or folded and in the position determined by Fig. 1b. Furthermore, it is provided that the two arms 14, 16 of a respective adjustment module 12 are at least temporarily and also releasably locked and / or secured via or with the locking and / or connecting element 22 that connects them. Alternatively or additionally, the ends of the arms 14, 16 or their positions along the rails 18, 20 can also be at least temporarily and also releasably locked and / or secured. At least in the second operating position, the distance between the base part 4 and the head part 8, and thus also the height of the preparation chamber 24, can be varied. Furthermore, the food preparation device 2 can be fixed and / or secured in a respective operating position by fixing the arms 14, 16.

[0032] The Fig.The container 30 schematically illustrated in Figure 1c has a box 32 whose edge encloses an opening, with a lid 34 pivotably arranged on the edge of the box 32, here via a hinge and / or joint not shown in detail. An interior of the container 30, usually in the box 32, is enclosed and / or surrounded when the lid 34 is closed and is accessible from the outside when the lid 34 is opened. The box 32 is formed from a thermally conductive material, usually a metal. The lid 34 has a frame 36, which can also be formed from a thermally conductive material or from an insulator and / or non-metal, for example, a glass or a ceramic. An inner part 38 of the lid 34 is enclosed by the frame 36, with the inner part 38 here being formed from an insulator and / or non-metal, for example, a glass or a ceramic.The inner part 38 is transparent to thermal radiation, in this case infrared radiation, and thus permeable. It is possible for both the inner part 38 and the frame 36, and thus the entire lid 34, to be formed from an insulator and / or non-metal transparent to infrared radiation. Furthermore, the container 30 has a closure 40 with which the lid 34 can be sealed to the box 32, for example, in a gas-tight and / or liquid-tight manner. This closure 40 is made of a plastic material.

[0033] The system is designed for a vehicle, e.g., a motor vehicle. The food preparation device 2 is temporarily and releasably secured to, in, and / or on a device in the interior of the vehicle via at least one mechanical connection module (not shown in detail). It is also possible for the food preparation device 2 to be detached from the device and arranged outside the vehicle. If the food preparation device 2 is arranged inside the vehicle, its heating elements 6, 10 are connected to an electrical energy source of the vehicle and can be supplied with electrical energy from the vehicle. If it is arranged outside the vehicle, the heating elements 6, 10 are connected to the electrical energy source of the vehicle or to an external electrical energy source.

[0034] In the embodiment of the method, the food to be prepared is placed in the box 32 with the lid 34 open. The lid 34 is then folded shut and sealed with the closure 40. Furthermore, the vertical distance between the base part 4 and the head part 8, and thus the height of the preparation chamber 24, is adjusted to a height of the closed container 30. The distance between the base part 4 and the head part 8 is set via the adjustment modules 12 to be at least as large as the height of the container 30 and is further fixed at least temporarily. It is possible to arrange containers 30 of different heights in the preparation chamber 24 of the food processor 2, since its height can be flexibly adjusted.

[0035] The container 30 with the food contained therein is then placed in the preparation chamber 24. Furthermore, the heating elements 6, 10 are activated or switched on. The box 32 and the food contained therein are heated or warmed from below by the lower heating element 6. Furthermore, the upper heating element 10 generates thermal radiation, in this case infrared radiation, and emits it through the lid 34, here at least through its inner part 38, into the interior of the container 30. The thermal radiation is transmitted through the lid 34, here at least through its inner part 38, and the food is also heated or warmed from above. REFERENCE SYMBOL: 2 food preparers 4 Base part 6 Heating element 8 Headboard 10 Heating element 12 adjustment module 14, 16 arms 18, 20 rail 22 Connecting element and / or locking element 24 Preparation room 30 containers 32 boxes 34 lids 36 frames 38 inside part 40 closure

Claims

[1] System for a vehicle for preparing a meal, comprising a food processor (2) and a container (30), wherein the food processor (2) comprises a base part (4) with a lower heating element (6), a head part (8) with an upper heating element (10) designed as a heat radiator, and at least one adjustment module (12), wherein the container (30) comprises an interior space formed by a box (32) and closable by a lid (34) for receiving the meal, wherein the lid (34) is transparent to heat radiation, wherein the at least one adjustment module (12) is designed to set a distance for a preparation space (24) between the base part (4) and the head part (8), wherein the container (30) is to be arranged in the preparation space (24), wherein the lower heating element (6) in the base part (4) is designed to heat the interior of the container (30), wherein the upper heating element (10) in the Head part (8) is designed toto generate heat radiation and to emit it through the lid (34) into the interior of the container (30). [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the cover (34) comprises a frame (36) and an inner part (38) enclosed thereby, which is transparent to thermal radiation. [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one adjustment module (12) is designed as a Nuremberg scissors with at least two arms (14, 16) rotatable relative to one another. [4] System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the upper heating element (10) is designed as an infrared heat radiator and the cover (34) is at least partially made of a non-metallic solid body which is transparent to infrared heat radiation. [5] System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lower heating element (6) is designed as a heating plate, and / or in which the box (32) of the container (30) is made of metal. [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the food preparation device (2) has at least one mechanical connection module, wherein the food preparation device (2) can be temporarily and detachably connected to a device of the vehicle via the at least one connection module, and / or in which the heating elements (6, 10) have at least one electrical contact point via which the heating elements (6, 10) can be connected to an electrical energy source. [7] A method for preparing a meal using a system for a vehicle, the system comprising a food processor (2) and a container (30), the food processor (2) comprising a base part (4) with a lower heating element (6), a head part (8) with an upper heating element (10) configured as a heat radiator, and at least one adjustment module (12), the container (30) comprising an interior space formed by a box (32) and closable by a lid (34) for receiving the meal, the lid (34) being permeable to heat radiation, a distance for a preparation space (24) being set by the at least one adjustment module (12) between the base part (4) and the head part (8), the container (30) being arranged in the preparation space (24), the interior space being heated by the lower heating element (6) in the base part (4),wherein heat radiation is generated by the upper heating element (10) in the head part (8) and emitted through the inner part (38) in the lid (34) into the interior of the container (30). [8] Method according to claim 7, wherein the food is arranged in the box (32) of the initially opened container (30), wherein the box (32) is closed with the lid (34) and arranged in the preparation space (24), wherein the food is heated by the lower heating element (6), and / or wherein the food is heated by the heat radiation of the upper heating element (10) emitted by the lid (34). [9] Method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the container (30) has a height, wherein the vertical distance between the head part (8) and the base part (4) is set with the at least one adjustment module (12) to at least as high as the height of the container (30). [10] Method according to one of claims 7 to 9, in which the food preparation device (2) is arranged in the vehicle and is at least temporarily mechanically connected to the vehicle by means of at least one mechanical connection module and / or is at least temporarily fastened in the interior of the vehicle, or in which the food preparation device (2) is arranged outside the vehicle, wherein at least one heating element of the food preparation device (2) is connected to at least one electrical energy source inside and / or outside the vehicle.

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