GASTRONORM COOKING TRAY

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a Gastronorm food carrier according to patent claim 1. The invention further relates to a Gastronorm set according to patent claim 9.

[0002] In the catering industry, containers and food carriers in general are regularly used according to the Gastronorm measurement system. This system enables easy exchange of food containers through the use of standardized sizes and is particularly popular in food processing plants and commercial kitchens. Such Gastronorm containers comply with the internationally valid Gastronorm and are specified in the European Union according to EN631. The fact that practically all manufacturers of commercial kitchen equipment today work according to the Gastronorm standard guarantees the greatest possible compatibility of all equipment. This makes it possible to produce, transport, prepare, keep warm, and serve food efficiently. The containers are usually made of deep-drawn chrome-nickel steel. However, Gastronorm containers made of cast aluminum are also known, for example from DE 10 2010 045 972 A1.Another cast aluminum food support is known from DE 10 2014 101 440 C2. Such Gastronorm containers and food supports are particularly characterized by their good heat conduction and heat storage properties. Further Gastronorm food supports are known from the publication DE202010012814 U1 and the "contacto Catalog 2018" (XP093016167).

[0003] During preparation, food is usually pre-cooked or briefly seared and then placed in a Gastronorm container. This container is then placed in a Gastronorm-compliant convection oven for further cooking. The cooked food is then placed in a display unit, which also complies with the Gastronorm standard—if necessary, after temporary storage in a warming unit.

[0004] A convection oven, also known as a hot air steamer or combi steamer, is a professional cooking appliance that combines moist heat (steam) with dry heat (circulating air). Convection ovens are used primarily in the catering industry and in large-scale catering operations such as hospitals and nursing homes. Gastronorm containers or food carriers with dimensions according to the Gastronorm standard are used in convection ovens. Convection ovens are available with inserts for 2 / 1 GN containers or food carriers measuring 650 mm x 530 mm, 1 / 1 GN containers or food carriers measuring 530 mm x 325 mm, and inserts for 2 / 3 GN containers or food carriers measuring 352 mm x 325 mm.

[0005] In the catering industry, a large number of different dishes must be prepared in varying quantities. While different container sizes are available according to Gastro-Norm, each of which represents a division of the maximum Gastro-Norm surface area, even such divisions can only inadequately accommodate the different dishes in their different sizes. A further disadvantage arises from the fact that after individual heated Gastro-Norm containers are removed as needed, new, cold containers are placed in the convection ovens, which then have to be heated again using a stream of hot air.

[0006] The invention aims to remedy this situation. The invention is based on the object of providing a Gastronorm food carrier that allows greater flexibility in food preparation in the catering industry while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of patent claim 1.

[0007] The invention provides a Gastronorm food carrier that allows greater flexibility in food preparation in the catering industry while simultaneously requiring less energy. Because the Gastronorm food carrier is made of cast metal, in particular cast aluminum, and comprises a flat frame part in which at least two spaced-apart recesses are made, each delimited by a circumferential, funnel-like curvature tapering towards the recess, individual dishes in a cooking vessel can be placed in the Gastronorm food carrier and removed from it again without the Gastronorm food carrier itself having to be removed from the convection oven. The heat stored in the Gastronorm food carrier is retained.A cooking vessel placed in a concave section is then heated in the convection oven, in addition to the hot air, by contact and convection of the already heated concave section. This accelerates the heating process. The frame section is preferably rectangular, thus achieving the maximum Gastronorm surface area. The frame also forms the insertion edges required for insertion into the rails of a convection oven. The concave sections preferably each define an essentially rectangular or elliptical inner contour. To be suitable for insertion into a convection oven, the Gastronorm food carrier has either the Gastronorm surface dimensions 2 / 1 GN (650 mm x 530 mm) or 1 / 1 GN (530 mm x 325 mm) or 2 / 3 GN (352 mm x 325 mm).

[0008] In a further development of the invention, at least one recess is closed by a flat plate. This creates an additional permanently heated contact surface, on which a cooking vessel placed thereon is heated simultaneously from below and from the sides by the Gastronorm food carrier. Furthermore, if necessary, food can also be heated directly in such a closed recess.

[0009] According to the invention, a flat, preferably rectangular plate is arranged parallel to the frame part without any gaps. This plate closes all recesses and forms the base of the Gastronorm food carrier. This simultaneously creates a flat support surface for the Gastronorm food carrier, which can also be heated on a hotplate as needed, further increasing flexibility.

[0010] In a further embodiment of the invention, a channel is formed between at least two recesses, preferably between all recesses, in the frame part. This creates a collecting channel for liquid escaping from a cooking container, and also reduces the weight of the Gastronorm food carrier.

[0011] Steam passage openings are preferably provided in the frame part at a distance from the recesses. These can also be arranged in the area of ​​the channel, although in this case the channel is no longer suitable for collecting liquid escaping from a cooking container. The steam passage openings support steam circulation within a convection oven into which the Gastronorm food carrier is inserted. Furthermore, the steam flowing through the steam passage openings supports the heating of the Gastronorm food carrier.

[0012] In a further development of the invention, at least one stacking bar is arranged on the frame part on its underside facing the concavities, between the concavities and its outer edge or along its outer edge. This increases the stackability of the Gastronorm food carrier, while preventing the Gastronorm food carrier from sticking due to possible food residue.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention, two handles are provided on the frame on its upper side opposite the underside, spaced from the concavities. This improves the handling of the Gastronorm food carrier.

[0014] The present invention is further based on the object of providing a Gastronorm set that allows greater flexibility in food preparation in the catering industry while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. According to the invention, this object is achieved by a Gastronorm set having the features of patent claim 9.

[0015] The invention provides a Gastronorm set that enables greater flexibility in food preparation in the catering industry while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. By comprising a Gastronorm food carrier of the type described above and at least one cooking vessel that can be inserted into one of the concavities of the Gastronorm food carrier, wherein the outer surface of the cooking vessel in the region located in the concavity essentially corresponds to the outer surface of the concavity facing this concavity, optimal heat transfer between the Gastronorm food carrier and the cooking vessel is achieved by maximizing the contact surfaces.

[0016] In a further development of the invention, at least one recess of the Gastronorm food carrier is closed by a flat plate, wherein the outer surface of the base of the at least one cooking vessel is flat, so that the base rests flatly on the flat plate when the cooking vessel is set in a concave position. This maximizes the heat transfer from the base to the cooking vessel.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one cooking vessel has sloping, outwardly widening side walls. This optimizes the capacity of the cooking vessel. Preferably, all cooking vessels have sloping, outwardly widening side walls, preferably such that the outer edges of the side walls of the cooking vessels inserted into the concave recesses of the Gastronorm food carrier are only slightly spaced from one another. This maximizes the use of the surface area of ​​the Gastronorm food carrier.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one cooking vessel has a substantially rectangular base, with one of its longitudinal side walls being lower in height than the opposite longitudinal side wall, thereby forming the shape of a chute. This provides good visibility of the food contained in the cooking vessel. Furthermore, removing the food is simplified.

[0019] In a further development of the invention, at least one of the cooking vessels has a stacking bar on two opposite side walls. This improves the stackability of the cooking vessel.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one cooking vessel is provided with a non-stick coating, preferably a PTFE coating, on the inside. This allows for quick removal of food and subsequent rapid cleaning of the cooking vessel, thereby largely preserving its heat before refilling it and placing it in the Gastronorm food carrier.

[0021] In a further development of the invention, at least one of the cooking vessels is made of cast metal, in particular cast aluminum. This ensures good heat storage and heat transfer between the Gastronorm food carrier and the cooking vessel.

[0022] Further developments and refinements of the invention are specified in the remaining subclaims. An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and described in detail below. They show: Figure 1: the schematic spatial representation of a Gastronorm food carrier in a view from above; Figure 2: the spatial representation of the Gastronorm food carrier from Fig. 1 in a view from below; Figure 3 the spatial representation of a gastroset in a view from above; Figure 4 the spatial representation of the gastroset from Figure 3 in a side view; Figure 5 the spatial representation of the cooking vessel of the gastro set also Figure 3 in a view from below; Figure 6 the spatial representation of a Gastronorm set according to Figure 3 with fully loaded Gastronorm food carrier and gripping tongs in place and Figure 7 a detailed view of the gripping area of ​​the gripping tongs from Figure 6.

[0023] The Gastronorm food carrier 1 chosen as an exemplary embodiment is manufactured in one piece as a cast aluminum part and essentially consists of a flat frame part 2 in which four recesses 3 are introduced, which are delimited by funnel-shaped indentations 4 that taper towards the recess. The funnel-like taper is formed by the radii of the indentations 4. Alternatively, the indentations can also be largely flat, thereby forming bevels. They can of course also have any other shape that achieves a taper in the direction of the recess. In the exemplary embodiment, the recesses 3 are identical and delimit a largely rectangular inner contour. The recesses 3 are arranged at equal distances from one another.

[0024] The recesses 3 are closed by a flat plate 5, which extends across all recesses 3 and forms the base of the Gastronorm food support 1. The plate 5 is arranged parallel to the frame part 2 without any gaps, i.e., the Gastronorm food support 1 is a solid, continuous cast aluminum body with different material thicknesses, which has a section in the shape of the plate 5.

[0025] Between all the recesses, there is a groove 6, which runs in the shape of a cross. In this example, the depth of the groove 6 corresponds to the depth of the concavities 4, thereby achieving a significant weight saving. The groove 6 can, of course, also be designed with different dimensions.

[0026] As from Figure 2As can be seen, the flat plate 5 extends only far enough over the recesses 3 to close them. The outer surfaces of the concavities 4 that extend beyond these are not covered. This clearly results in a further weight-optimized design of the Gastronorm food carrier 1.

[0027] On the underside of the frame part 2 facing the concavities 4, a stacking bar 7 is arranged along each of its outer edges. In the exemplary embodiment, the stacking bars 7 extend into the corner area, creating a large support surface and ensuring stable stacking. The stacking bars 7 also serve as support bars for insertion into two oppositely arranged rails of a convection oven. For this purpose, each end is provided with a bevel. On its upper side opposite the stacking bars 7, the frame part 2 has a handle 8 on each of its transverse sides.

[0028] In Figure 3 the Gastronorm food carrier 1 described above is shown as a component of a gastro set which, in the exemplary embodiment, comprises several identically designed cooking vessels 9, one of which is shown inserted into a concavity 4 of the Gastronorm food carrier 1.

[0029] In the exemplary embodiment, the cooking vessel 9 is manufactured as a cast aluminum part with a substantially rectangular base, the inner sides of which are provided with a PTFE coating. The transition from the base formed by the base 91 to the obliquely outwardly angled side walls 92 is designed as a radius such that the outer surface of the cooking vessel 9 in the region located in the concavity 4 essentially corresponds to the surface of the concavity 4 facing this. The base of the base 91 of the cooking vessel 9 rests flat on the plate 5 closing the recess 3. A front longitudinal side wall 92 of the cooking vessel 9 is lower than its other, rear longitudinal side wall 92, thereby achieving the shape of a chute.The side walls 92 of the cooking vessels 9 of the gastro set are dimensioned such that when the concavities 3 of the Gastronorm food carrier 1 are fully filled with cooking vessels 9, they are only slightly spaced apart from one another, so that the entire surface of the Gastronorm food carrier 1 is largely covered by the cooking vessels.

[0030] As in Figure 5 As shown, the cooking vessel 9 has a circumferential, outwardly projecting edge 93 on its side walls 92. On its underside facing the base 91, stacking webs 94 are arranged at a distance from one another on the edge 93. The stacking webs 94 ensure a distance between two cooking vessels 9 stacked one inside the other.

[0031] The gripping tongs 95, which function as a removable handle for the cooking vessel, essentially consist of two tong legs 96, 97 pivotally connected to one another via an axis 98. The first tong leg 96 has two oppositely arranged wings 960 on the head side, which are angled and form a support surface 961 and a stop surface 962 positioned at an angle to the support surface. The angle between the support surface 961 and the stop surface 962 essentially corresponds to the angle between the rear longitudinal side wall 92 of the cooking vessel 9 and the outwardly projecting edge 93 arranged thereon.

[0032] The second pliers leg 97 is guided between the wings 960 and transitions into a clamping plate 971 at the head end. The angle of engagement of the clamping plate 971 to the second pliers leg 97 essentially corresponds to the angle of engagement of the rear longitudinal side wall 92 to the base 91. The second pliers leg 97 is mounted on the axis 98 in the first pliers leg 96 such that the gripping pliers 95 is open in the normal position. This simplifies the gripping process because the gripping pliers 95 automatically open when the second pliers wing 97 is released.

[0033] To handle the cooking vessel 9, the rear longitudinal side wall 92 is gripped with the gripping tongs 95 in such a way that the stop surfaces 962 of the wings 960 of the first tong leg 96 rest on the outside of the rear longitudinal side wall 92, with the clamping plate 971 overlapping the edge 93 of the cooking vessel 9 and resting on the inside of the rear longitudinal side wall 92. The angled wings 960 run below the edge 93, whereby the edge 93 rests on the contact surfaces 961 of the two wings 960 when the clamping force of the gripping tongs 95 decreases. The cooking vessel 9 is thus securely held in the gripping tongs 9. In the embodiment according to Figure 5On the rear longitudinal side wall 92 of the cooking vessel 9, two stacking webs 94 are arranged at a distance from one another such that their distance from one another is somewhat wider than the stop surfaces 962 of the tong leg 96 of the gripping tongs 9, which are arranged at a distance from one another. These stacking webs 94 thus offer lateral contact points, which supports a central positioning of the gripping tongs 95 for receiving the cooking vessel 9.

Claims

1. Gastronorm cookware carrier (1) made of cast metal, in particular of cast aluminium, for insertion into a convection oven, with a flat frame part (2), in which at least two recesses (3) are provided at a distance from one another, which are each delimited by a circumferential indentation (4) which tapers in a funnel-like manner in the direction of the recess, wherein a flat plate (5) is arranged parallel to the frame part (2) without any intermediate space, which closes all recesses (3) and which forms the base of the gastronorm cookware carrier (1).

2. Gastronorm cookware carrier according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame part (2) is substantially rectangular.

3. Gastronorm cookware carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the indentations (4) each substantially delimit a rectangular or an elliptical inner contour.

4. Gastronorm cookware carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a channel (6) is moulded into the frame part (2) between at least two recesses (3), preferably between all recesses (3) and / or in that steam passage openings are provided in the frame part (2) at a distance from the recesses (3).

5. Gastronorm cookware carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one stacking web (7) is arranged on the frame part (2) on its underside facing the indentations (4) between these and its outer edge or along its outer edge.

6. Gastronorm cookware carrier according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that two oppositely arranged handles (8) are provided on the frame (2) on its upper side opposite the underside at a distance from the indentations (4).

7. Gastronorm set comprising a gastronorm cookware carrier (1) according to one of the preceding claims as well as at least one cooking vessel (9), which can be placed in one of the indentations (4) of the gastronorm cookware carrier (1), wherein the outer surface of the cooking vessel (9), in the area located in the indentation (4), substantially corresponds to the outer surface of the indentation (4) facing it.

8. Gastronorm set according to claim 7, characterised in that the gastronorm cookware carrier (1) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer surface of the base (91) of the at least one cooking vessel (9) is of flat design so that this rests flat on the flat plate (5) in a position of the cooking vessel (9) placed in an indentation (4).

9. Gastronorm set according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that at least one cooking vessel (9) has sloping, outwardly widening side walls (92).

10. Gastronorm set according to claim 9, characterised in that at least one cooking vessel (9) has a substantially rectangular base (91), wherein one of its longitudinal side walls (92) has a lower height in relation to the opposite longitudinal side wall (92), whereby the shape of a chute is formed.

11. Gastronorm set according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that at least one of the cooking vessels (9) has a stacking web (94) on two opposite side walls (92).

12. Gastronorm set according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterised in that at least one cooking vessel (9) is provided with a non-stick coating on the inside.

13. Gastronorm set according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterised in that at least one of the cooking vessels (9) is made of cast metal, in particular of cast aluminium.

14. Gastronorm set according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterised in that it comprises at least one pair of gripping tongs (95), the first tong limb (96) of which has two angled wings (960) on the head side, each forming a bearing surface (961) and a stop surface (962) set at an angle thereto, and the second tong limb (97) of which is guided between the wings (960) of the first tong limb (96) and merges into a clamping plate (971) on the head side, whose angle relative to the second tong limb (97) substantially corresponds to the angle of the rear longitudinal side wall (92) of a cooking vessel (9) relative to the base (91), wherein the two tong limbs (96, 97) can be brought into a gripping position in which the stop surfaces (962) of the wings (960) and the clamping plate (971) are located on planes lying parallel to one another.