Steam cooker

Abstract

Steam cooking appliance (100), in particular steam cooking drawer (102), with - a device body (110) that surrounds an interior (112) of the steam cooker (100), - a steam cooking area (120) which is designed to be closable in the interior (112), and - a water tank (130) with a tank volume (132) for receiving water (134), which is arranged and designed to be connectable to the steam cooking area (120) via a water supply system of the steam cooking appliance (100) and to be removable within a tank receptacle (114) of the appliance body (110), wherein the water tank (130) further comprises a lid (140) for access to the tank volume (132), wherein the lid (140) has at least one opening (142) for emptying and / or filling the water tank (130), and wherein an outer top surface (148) of the lid (140) has a concave lid profile (150) which can guide a liquid located on the top surface (148) to the at least one opening (142) of the lid (140).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a steam cooking appliance, in particular a steam cooking drawer.

[0002] Steam cookers are known in various designs. In particular, it is known that steam is introduced into a steam cooking chamber via a water tank within the steam cooker. The water tank is connected to a water supply system within the steam cooker, which, via a heating element, enables steam cooking in the supplied steam.

[0003] Document DE 10 2007 048 200 A1 describes, by way of example, a steam cooking appliance in which access to the water tank is possible via a control panel.

[0004] It is also generally known to provide a steam cooking appliance as a steam cooking drawer, which can be inserted into a furniture body in the manner of a drawer.

[0005] For example, EP 4293285 A1 describes a cooking device whose water supply system enables a particularly compact design of the cooking device, so that the cooking device can be provided, for example, as a steam cooking drawer.

[0006] Against this background, the invention aims to provide an improved steam cooking appliance, in particular a particularly user-friendly steam cooking appliance.

[0007] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a steam cooking appliance with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0008] In particular, a steam cooking appliance, especially a steam cooking drawer, is proposed to solve this problem, with - a device body that surrounds an interior space of the steam cooker, - a steam cooking area that can be closed off in the interior, and - a water tank with a tank volume for receiving water, which is arranged and designed to be connectable to the steam cooking area via a water supply system of the steam cooking appliance and to be removable within a tank recess of the appliance body, wherein the water tank furthermore has a lid for access to the tank volume, wherein the lid has at least one opening for emptying and / or filling the water tank, and wherein an outer top surface of the lid has a concave lid profile which can guide any liquid located on the top surface to the at least one opening of the lid.

[0009] Within the scope of the invention, it was recognized that the water tank of such a steam cooker must be emptied and / or refilled by the user before and after each use, and that this quickly leads to splashes, stains, or the like on the lid of the water tank. Particularly when filling the water tank and / or inserting a descaling tablet, splashes on the top of the lid are almost unavoidable. The concave lid profile according to the invention advantageously utilizes the structure of the lid to channel such residual liquid into the water tank, thereby preventing stains and / or limescale deposits.

[0010] The advantages achievable with the invention include, in addition to this reduction of liquid residue on the top of the lid, a particularly easy filling of the water tank, since even small splashes on this top are reliably directed into the water tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the lid according to the invention, with its concave profile, can be integrated particularly easily into a commercially available water tank by appropriately adapting the tank's manufacturing process. This integration into the existing lid can be achieved, for example, by redesigning the corresponding lid profile and subsequently manufacturing it, for instance, using injection molding. Preferably, the lid and / or the water tank are made of a plastic.

[0012] The concave lid profile utilizes the force of gravity to overcome the adhesion between the liquid and the lid, provided a suitable liquid droplet is present. A lid coating can further facilitate the flow of the liquid across the lid. Suitable surfaces and / or surface coatings are well-known from a materials science perspective and will therefore not be discussed further here.

[0013] The concave lid profile preferably extends over an area of ​​the lid's upper surface that directly surrounds the at least one opening. This ensures particularly reliable backflow of any splashed liquid. In particular, splashed liquid does not collect on the lid but within the water tank. To guide the liquid towards the at least one opening, the lid profile is preferably essentially funnel-shaped.

[0014] The steam cooking area is preferably sealable in the sense that an area for cooking is essentially sealed watertight, for example by means of a suitable wall, to ensure that moisture does not escape from the steam cooking appliance during the cooking process and thereby damage, for example, a furniture body or the like.

[0015] The water tank is a water tank in the sense that it provides the tank volume into which water can be added for the cooking process. Alternatively or additionally, other liquids or water additives can obviously also be added to the water tank according to the invention. In particular, a descaling agent can be added to the water tank.

[0016] The tank mount preferably forms a direct connection between the tank volume of the water tank to be used and the water supply system of the steam cooker. For example, a plug connection on the underside of the water tank can enable particularly reliable insertion of the water tank into the tank mount.

[0017] The water tank described below preferably has a cuboid structure. It follows from the above that the concave lid profile according to the invention can also be provided in other shapes and configurations of the water tank in order to achieve the steam cooking device according to the invention.

[0018] The steam cooking appliance according to the invention is particularly preferably provided as a steam cooking drawer. Such a steam cooking drawer can be cleaned particularly easily thanks to the water tank according to the invention. It follows from the above that the steam cooking appliance according to the invention can also be a different type of kitchen appliance than a steam cooking drawer. In particular, the steam cooking appliance can also be a classic steam cooker and / or a Dialog oven.

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the steam cooking appliance according to the invention are described below.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the concave lid profile extends over at least 70% of the lid's top surface, and more specifically, over at least 80%. In this embodiment, any liquid splashed onto the lid's top surface can be reliably directed to the at least one opening, preventing it from remaining on the lid and forming residues such as limescale deposits. Preferably, any non-concave area of ​​the lid's top surface is located exclusively at the lid's edge. It is unlikely that a user would accidentally splash liquid into such an edge area while filling the water tank. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the entire top surface of the lid is concave up to the edge, ensuring particularly reliable liquid flow to the at least one opening.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the lid has a central opening for filling and a side opening for emptying and / or filling the water tank, wherein the concave lid profile can guide any liquid on the top surface to at least one of the openings, and in particular to both openings. The two openings in this embodiment allow the user to empty and fill the water tank with particular ease. Furthermore, multiple openings allow any spilled liquid to be channeled from the top of the lid into the water tank with particular efficiency.

[0022] In a further advantageous embodiment, a highest region of the lid profile is formed at an edge of the lid. In this embodiment, a sloping concave profile can advantageously be provided from the edge of the lid towards the at least one opening of the lid. The highest region of the lid profile can occupy only a point on the edge of the lid or substantially the entire edge of the lid. Examples of such an edge of the lid are explained in the description of the figures.

[0023] In a variant of the preceding embodiment, the highest area of ​​the lid profile has a profile height of at least 3 mm, and in particular at least 5 mm, compared to the lowest area at the at least one opening of the lid. In this variant, the profile height allows for a sufficient inclination of the lid profile to reliably overcome the adhesive force between the liquid and the lid surface through the weight of a drop of liquid. In addition to the reliable drainage of the liquid, the profile height according to this variant also allows for a low overall height of the lid and thus also of the corresponding water tank, so that the steam cooker can be provided with a particularly low profile, such as a steam cooker drawer.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment, the lid has at least two openings for filling and / or emptying the water tank, with at least one saddle point existing between these at least two openings, from which liquid can be guided through the lid profile into two openings. In this embodiment, splashed liquid is advantageously directed to both openings of the lid. This reduces the distance the liquid has to travel to reach the opening compared to a single opening in the lid. The at least one saddle point can also be designed as a saddle line between two depressions in the lid profile. In this case, the lid profile can, for example, funnel-shaped to guide the liquid to the corresponding opening of the lid.

[0025] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one handle, and in particular two handles, are arranged on the lid. Such a handle makes carrying and inserting the water tank particularly easy and convenient. In particular, it ensures that the water tank remains in a substantially horizontal position, even during transport. Furthermore, the water tank can be easily pulled out of its housing using the at least one handle. Finally, the handle's profile can provide a particularly comfortable grip for carrying the water tank.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one handle, and in particular the two handles, are formed around the at least one opening of the lid. In this embodiment, the position of the at least one handle can additionally prevent liquid from splashing out of the at least one opening. For example, the position and design of the at least one handle can enlarge an edge around at least part of the opening.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment of the preceding design, the at least one handle, and in particular the two handles, are integrated into the lid profile for draining liquid into the at least one opening. In this embodiment, the design of the at least one handle advantageously facilitates the channeling of splashed liquid to the at least one opening. In particular, the handle can be advantageously mounted to the rest of the water tank without edges that could impede the return of this liquid.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the at least one handle is a folding handle, which, in the folded-down position, is integrated into the lid profile. In this embodiment, the handle can advantageously be moved from a folded-down rest position to a folded-up gripping position, so that the water tank can be provided with a particularly low profile compared to fixed handles on the top of the lid. Integration into the lid profile can be achieved, for example, by a corresponding receiving structure for the at least one folding handle within the top of the lid. In the folded-down position, the at least one handle can be arranged within this receiving structure, thereby enabling a concave lid profile extending over the handle. An example of this embodiment is explained in the description of the figures.

[0029] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lid is a removable lid. In this embodiment, the water tank can be cleaned particularly easily, since the internal volume of the water tank is directly accessible after removing the lid. Furthermore, the lid can be cleaned separately from the rest of the water tank, resulting in a particularly clean lid surface during operation. The removable lid can, for example, be a hinged lid or one that can be completely removed from the rest of the water tank. The lid can be connected to the rest of the water tank, for instance, via a locking or clamping mechanism.

[0030] In another advantageous embodiment, the lid is made of plastic. This allows the lid to be manufactured particularly easily and robustly. For example, the lid can be produced using an injection molding or printing process. Such processes particularly advantageously provide a surface structure with beneficial properties for liquid drainage. Preferably, the rest of the water tank is also made of plastic.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment, the radius of curvature of the lid profile in the edge region of the lid towards the at least one opening is at least 0.8 cm, and in particular at least 1.2 cm. Such radii of curvature enable the concave lid profile according to the invention to reliably guide liquid from this edge region of the lid profile to the at least one opening.

[0032] In a further advantageous embodiment, the water tank has a lateral opening on each of two opposite sides of the lid for filling and / or emptying the water tank. Preferably, the arrangement of the two opposite openings is symmetrical about a central axis of the lid. Such a symmetrical arrangement allows the concave lid profile to extend advantageously symmetrically across the entire top surface of the lid. This enables a particularly simple shape for the lid profile. In particular, a lid profile structure that is mirrored about the central axis of the lid can facilitate the particularly reliable channeling of splashed liquid into the interior volume of the water tank.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the installation height of the appliance area is less than 45 cm, and in particular less than 30 cm. Such dimensions allow for particularly easy integration of the steam cooker into commercially available designs of external kitchen cabinetry. Furthermore, such dimensions illustrate that the water tank according to the invention can be provided in a particularly compact manner within the steam cooker, thus enabling even low installation heights for such steam cookers.

[0034] An embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. The drawings show... Fig. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a steam cooking appliance according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective view of a water tank in a tank view of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance according to the invention; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the water tank of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance according to the invention; Fig. 4 a side sectional view of the water tank of the exemplary embodiment of the steam cooking appliance according to the invention with the handles folded down; and Fig. 5 a lateral sectional view of the water tank of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance according to the invention with the handles folded up.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a steam cooking appliance 100 according to the invention.

[0036] The steam cooker 100 is in this case a steam cooker drawer 102, with a unit body 110, a steam cooker area 120 and a water tank 130.

[0037] The appliance body 110 surrounds an interior 112 of the steam cooker 100. The steam cooker drawer 102 can be moved like a drawer via a rail system 104 in a retracted position or in the position shown in the original text. Fig. The extended state shown in section 1 is present.

[0038] The steam cooking compartment 120 is designed to be closable within the interior 112. The steam cooking compartment 120 is surrounded by walls 122 of the steam cooking appliance 100, which are intended to prevent steam from escaping. The walls 122 are made, for example, of glass or plastic.

[0039] The water tank 130 is located to the side of the steam cooking area 120 and is housed in a tank receptacle 114 of the appliance body 110. The tank receptacle 114 at least partially surrounds the water tank 130, ensuring its stability when in use.

[0040] The water tank 130 forms a tank volume 132, which is filled with water 134. The water tank 130 is connected to the steam cooking area 120 of the steam cooker 100 via a water supply system (not shown). The water tank 130 includes a removable lid 140 for access to the tank volume 132.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a water tank 130 in a tank mount 114 of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance 100 according to the invention.

[0042] Out of Fig. 2. The detailed structure of the water tank 130 results from Fig. 1. Thus, in Fig. 2. It can be seen that the water tank 130 has a removable lid 140 with at least one opening 142, in this case with two openings 142, 144, for emptying and / or filling the water tank 130. A central opening 142 is essentially rectangular for filling the water tank 130, while a second lateral opening 144 is provided for emptying the water tank 130 when the lid 140 is closed.

[0043] Furthermore, in Fig. Figure 2 shows that the removable lid 140 comprises two opposing handles 146, 146' for removing the water tank 130 from the device body 110.

[0044] Finally, the water tank 130 also has a level indicator 136, which is made of a transparent material, such as a transparent plastic, and through which it is possible to see how full the water tank 130 is while the water tank 130 is arranged in the tank holder 114.

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the water tank 130 of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance 100 according to the invention.

[0046] Unlike in the Fig. In the state of water tank 130 shown in section 2, water tank 130 is in Fig. 3 already removed from the tank intake and stands independently of the rest of the steam cooker 100.

[0047] This is particularly evident in Fig. Figure 3 shows that an outer upper surface 148 of the removable lid has a concave lid profile 150, which can guide a liquid located on the upper surface 148 to one of the openings 142, 144 of the lid 140. The concave lid profile 150 is shaped such that the liquid, which, for example, has splashed out of the central opening 142 onto the upper surface 148, is guided back to the central opening 142. For this purpose, the concave lid profile 150 is symmetrical about a central axis of the water tank 130. Furthermore, a rim 160 of the lid 140 is higher than a central area of ​​the lid profile 150. Overall, the concave lid profile extends over at least 70% of the top surface 148 of the removable lid 140, in particular over at least 80% of the top surface 148 of the removable lid 140.

[0048] In one embodiment of the water tank (not shown), the concave lid profile is designed to guide liquid to at least two designated openings in the lid. For this purpose, at least one saddle point of the concave lid profile exists, from which liquid can be guided through the lid profile into the two openings.

[0049] The two opposing handles 146, 146' are, in the illustrated folded-in state, flush with the remaining concave lid profile 150. The shape of the two handles 146, 146' ensures reliable drainage of any liquid that splashes onto one of them. Furthermore, liquid from the remaining area of ​​the upper surface 148 of the removable lid 140 is partially channeled back into the central opening 142 via one of the handles 146, 146'. Because the handles 146, 146' surround the central opening, splashing of liquid beyond the water tank 130 is advantageously prevented. In this respect, the concave lid profile 150 can reliably channel any liquid splashed from the central opening 142 back to the central opening 142.The shape of the concave cover profile 150 is selected such that the adhesive force between the liquid and the cover surface is reliably overcome by the weight of a liquid droplet. Details of the shape of the concave cover profile 150 in this embodiment can be found in the following figures. Fig. 4 and Fig. Take 5.

[0050] In an embodiment not shown, in addition to the one lateral opening 144, Fig. 3. A second lateral opening is also provided on the opposite side of the water tank. The lid profile is designed to direct liquid from the top of the lid into at least one of the openings. Different openings can be optimized for different usage scenarios. For example, one opening may be particularly suitable for emptying the water tank and another opening may be particularly suitable for filling the water tank.

[0051] Fig. Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of the water tank 130 of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance 100 according to the invention with the handles 146, 146 folded down.

[0052] It can be seen that a curvature leads from the edge 160 of the concave cover profile 150 to a central area of ​​the central opening 142. Fig. Figure 4 shows this on the profile of the two handles 146, 146', but the cover profile 150 is designed analogously next to these handles 146, 146'. The highest area of ​​the cover profile 150 at the edge 160 has a profile height PH that projects at least 3 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, and in this case approximately 6 mm, above a lowest area at the central opening 142 of the cover 140.

[0053] A curve extends from the edge 160 to the central opening 142, so that the concave lid profile 150 essentially has a funnel-like structure. The radius of curvature KR of the concave lid profile 150 at the edge 160 of the lid 140 is at least 0.8 cm, and in particular at least 1.2 cm, in the direction of the central opening 142. This curvature can be precisely defined during the manufacturing process. In addition, a suitable coating can be provided on the top surface of the lid 140 to reduce the adhesion of liquid residues based on the adhesion between the liquid and the surface 148.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 shows a lateral sectional view of the water tank 130 of the embodiment of the steam cooking appliance 100 according to the invention with the handles 146, 146' folded up.

[0055] With the handles 146, 146' folded up, residual liquid can also drain along the handles 146, 146' into the central opening of the lid 140. Additionally, the handles 146, 146' have a rounded shape, ensuring a high level of carrying comfort for the user during transport of the water tank 130.

[0056] The folding handles 146, 146' allow the water tank 130 to be lower than would be possible with fixed handles. In particular, this enables a low-profile steam cooking drawer without sacrificing a comparatively large water tank 130.

[0057] It follows directly from what has been written above that the following is in the Fig. The embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 merely show an exemplary design of the steam cooker 100 according to the invention. Alternatively or additionally, further features of the steam cooker 100 can be added or modified. In particular, the structure of the concave lid profile, its arrangement on the removable lid 140, and / or other features of the water tank 130 can be provided differently for a steam cooker according to the invention, as long as the concave lid profile, according to the invention, supports the return of splashed water on the top of the lid to the at least one opening of the lid. Thus, the concave lid profile can have various edges, saddle points, and / or inclined surfaces, which result in a fundamentally different structure than that shown in the figures. Fig.The curved lid profile shown in Figures 1 to 5 is shown. Furthermore, instead of the steam cooking drawer shown, other steam cooking appliances can also be designed according to the invention, such as a classic steam cooker and / or a Dialog cooker. Reference symbol list 100 steam cooker 102 Steam cooking drawer 104 rail system 110 device bodies 112 Interior 114 Tank mounting 120 steam cooking area 122 wall 130 water tank 132 tank volume 133 subvolumes 134 Water 136 Level indicator 140 removable lids 142 central opening 144 side opening 146, 146' handle 148 Top of the lid 150 concave lid profile 160 Edge of the lid PH profile height KR radius of curvature QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2007 048 200 A1

[0003] EP 4293285 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Steam cooking appliance (100), in particular steam cooking drawer (102), with - a device body (110) that surrounds an interior (112) of the steam cooker (100), - a steam cooking area (120) which is designed to be closable in the interior (112), and - a water tank (130) with a tank volume (132) for receiving water (134), which is arranged and designed to be connectable to the steam cooking area (120) via a water supply system of the steam cooking appliance (100) and to be removable within a tank receptacle (114) of the appliance body (110), wherein the water tank (130) further comprises a lid (140) for access to the tank volume (132), wherein the lid (140) has at least one opening (142) for emptying and / or filling the water tank (130), and wherein an outer top surface (148) of the lid (140) has a concave lid profile (150) which can guide a liquid located on the top surface (148) to the at least one opening (142) of the lid (140). [2] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 1, wherein the concave lid profile (150) extends over at least 70% of the top surface (148) of the lid (140), in particular over at least 80% of the top surface (148) of the lid (140). [3] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid (140) has a central opening (142) for filling and a side opening (144) for emptying and / or filling the water tank (130), and wherein the concave lid profile (150) can guide a liquid located on the top (148) to at least one of the openings (142, 144), in particular to both openings (142, 144). [4] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a highest area of ​​the lid profile (150) is formed at an edge (160) of the lid (140). [5] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 4, wherein the highest area of ​​the lid profile (150) has a profile height (PH) of at least 3 mm, in particular at least 5 mm, compared with a lowest area at the at least one opening (142) of the lid (140). [6] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (140) has at least two openings (142, 144) for filling and / or emptying the water tank (130) and between these at least two openings (142, 144) there exists at least one saddle point from which liquid can be guided through the lid profile (150) into two openings (142, 144). [7] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one handle (146, 146'), in particular two handles (146, 146'), is arranged on the lid (140). [8] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one handle (146, 146'), in particular the two handles (146, 146'), is formed around the at least one opening (142) of the lid (140). [9] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the at least one handle (146, 146'), in particular the two handles (146, 146'), is integrated into the lid profile (150) for draining liquid into the at least one opening (142). [10] Steam cooker (100) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one handle (146, 146') is a foldable handle (146, 146'), and wherein the foldable handle (146, 146') is integrated into the lid profile (150) when folded down. [11] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (140) is a removable lid (140). [12] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (140) is made of plastic. [13] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a radius of curvature (KR) of the lid profile (150) in the edge area of ​​the lid (140) in the direction of the at least one opening (142) is at least 0.8 cm, in particular at least 1.2 cm. [14] Steam cooker (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the water tank (130) has a lateral opening (144) on two opposite sides of the lid (140) for filling and / or emptying the water tank (130).

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