Sandwich maker for use in an air fryer

Abstract

Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer, comprising at least a metallic upper shell (2) and a metallic lower shell (3), which are pivotally connected to one another via a joint (4), wherein the sandwich to be prepared is received between the upper shell (2) and the lower shell (3), characterized in that at least one centering element (6) is provided in order to align the upper shell (3) and the lower shell (3) concentrically to one another when the upper shell (3) and the lower shell (3) are pivoted together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sandwich maker for use in a hot air fryer for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer, comprising at least an upper shell and a lower shell, which are pivotally connected to one another via a joint, wherein the sandwich to be prepared is received between the upper shell and the lower shell. State of the art

[0002] DE 8534102 U1 discloses a container assembly for sandwich preparation and storage. This device is concerned with the creation of a hermetically sealable container that not only facilitates the formation and storage of a food product, such as a sandwich, but also facilitates its removal for later consumption. These and other objects and advantages of the invention are achieved by providing a container assembly for preparing and storing sandwiches with a central tray defining an open-topped interior and an inwardly projecting partial bottom wall with a substantially centrally located opening.

[0003] This plastic container set is mainly suitable for preparing and storing cold foods, such as ice cream sandwiches.

[0004] However, especially in the area of ​​bread-like sandwiches, there is a desire to heat them as an alternative to heat treatment in a toaster or grill. Description of the invention

[0005] The inventor recognized that the container assembly of DE 8534102 U1 is made of plastic and is therefore unsuitable for heat-treating roll-like sandwiches in an air fryer. Firstly, plastic is a poor heat conductor, which would result in the sandwich interior heating up insufficiently. Secondly, the hermetic design of the container assembly is prone to bursting due to thermal expansion of the air contained within it, if used in an air fryer.

[0006] The inventor therefore set himself the task of providing a sandwich maker that offers a technically simple way to prepare sandwiches in a hot air fryer.

[0007] This object is achieved by a sandwich maker for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer according to claim 1.

[0008] The inventor therefore proposes to improve a sandwich maker for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer, comprising at least a metallic upper shell and a metallic lower shell, which are pivotally connected to one another via a joint, wherein the sandwich to be prepared is received between the upper shell and the lower shell, in such a way that at least one centering element is provided in order to align the upper shell and the lower shell concentrically with one another when the upper shell and the lower shell are pivoted together.

[0009] By pivoting the upper and lower shells together, the two elements can be more accurately centered and positioned relative to each other without slipping. While this doesn't create a hermetic seal for the sandwich maker, it still provides a sufficient seal for use in an air fryer. The metal construction of the upper and lower shells promotes effective heat transfer from the air fryer to the interior of the sandwich maker. Furthermore, a metal upper and lower shell ensures a stable and deform-resistant sandwich maker.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one positive-locking closing element is arranged on a side of the sandwich maker opposite the hinge. This allows the sealing surface between the upper and lower shells to be maintained constant, allowing a sandwich contained therein to be stored stably during processing in an air fryer.

[0011] It is advantageous for the upper shell and the lower shell to each form a tab, preferably on the side of the sandwich maker opposite the hinge. When the upper shell and the lower shell are folded together, a sliding element with a C-shaped cross-section is slid onto the two tabs in a form-fitting manner to form a positively locking, detachable connection.

[0012] In a further optimized embodiment of the invention, the upper and lower shells are made of a rust-proof metal, preferably stainless steel, and have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. The stainless steel construction allows the sandwich maker to be easily cleaned with water without rusting. The comparatively thin wall thickness of stainless steel (thermal conductivity of approximately 15 to 25 W / m*K) compensates for the lower thermal conductivity compared to other types of steel. This optimizes the function of the sandwich maker.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper shell and the lower shell can form a container volume when pivoted together and each have at least one indentation directed toward the container volume. This indentation allows the sandwich to be supported linearly inside without adhering flatly to the inner wall of the upper shell or the lower shell.

[0014] The present invention will be described below with reference to the Fig. 1 to 4 described.

[0015] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a partially opened sandwich maker 1. The sandwich maker 1 is suitable for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer, comprising at least a metallic upper shell 2 and a metallic lower shell 3, which are pivotally connected to one another via a joint, wherein the sandwich to be prepared (not shown in Fig. 1) is received between the upper shell and the lower shell. In this version, there are three recesses 7 on the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3, which taper conically into the interior of the sandwich maker 1. A centering element 6 is provided on the left and right of the lower shell 3 to align the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 concentrically with each other when pivoting together. Fig. 1 shows the closing element 5. The upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 each have a tab, preferably on the side of the sandwich maker opposite the hinge. When the upper shell and the lower shell are folded together, a sliding element with a C-shaped cross-section is slid onto the two tabs in a form-fitting manner to form a form-fitting, detachable connection.

[0016] Fig. 2 shows the sandwich maker 1 from Fig. 1 in the completely folded state of the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3. The sliding element, which is C-shaped in cross section, is pushed positively onto the two tabs of the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 in order to form a positive, detachable connection.

[0017] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view parallel to the pivot axis of the sandwich maker 1. The upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 are folded together. A centering element 6 is provided on the left and right sides of the lower shell 3 to align the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3 concentrically with each other when pivoting together. This sectional view also shows the three indentations 7 of the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 3.

[0018] The Fig. 4 shows a sectional view perpendicular to the pivot axis of the sandwich maker 1. On the right side, the joint 4 can be seen, which allows the upper shell 2 to pivot relative to the lower shell 3 and vice versa. In the left side of Fig. Figure 4 shows the positive-locking closure element 5, which releasably connects the upper shell 2 and the lower shell 4. In this embodiment, the upper shell 2 forms an upward-facing tab, and the lower shell 3, correspondingly, forms a downward-facing tab. The tabs are held together by a clamp with a C-shaped cross-section, which can be slid on and off perpendicular to the plane of the figure. List of reference symbols 1 sandwich maker 2 upper shell 3 lower shell 4 joint 5 locking element 6 Centering element 7 indentation QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 8534102 U1 [0002, 0005]

Claims

[1] Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer, comprising at least a metallic upper shell (2) and a metallic lower shell (3) which are pivotally connected to one another via a joint (4), the sandwich to be prepared being received between the upper shell (2) and the lower shell (3), characterized by that at least one centering element (6) is provided in order to align the upper shell (3) and the lower shell (3) concentrically to one another when they are pivoted together. [2] Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer according to claim 1, characterized by that at least one form-fitting closing element (5) is arranged on a side of the sandwich maker (1) opposite the joint (4). [3] Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer according to claim 2, characterized bythat the upper shell (2) and the lower shell (3) each form a tab to which a sliding element with a C-shaped cross section can be positively fastened. [4] Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the upper shell (2) and the lower shell (3) are made of a rust-proof metal, preferably stainless steel, and have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. [5] Sandwich maker (1) for preparing warm sandwiches in a hot air fryer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the upper shell (2) and the lower shell (3) form a container volume when pivoted together and each have at least one indentation directed in the direction of the container volume.

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