Bottle for insertion into a kitchen and / or gastronomic device, kitchen and / or gastronomic device and an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a bottle (1) for insertion into a kitchen and / or catering appliance, wherein the bottle is filled with a water-soluble additive, in particular a cleaner, descaler or rinse aid, wherein the additive is solid, wherein the bottle comprises a base (2), an opening (3) opposite the base (2) and a lateral surface (4), wherein the lateral surface (4) extends from the base (2) to the opening (3) and wherein a bottle length (5) is defined from the base (2) to the opening (3), wherein the bottle (1) has a support region (6) along the bottle length (5), wherein the lateral surface (4) has a flattened support surface (7) in the entire support region (6), wherein the support region (6) extends over at least one third of the bottle length (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bottle for insertion into a kitchen and / or catering appliance, the kitchen and / or catering appliance and an arrangement comprising two of the bottles and the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0002] US10767871B2 discloses prior art. This document describes a cleaning device for commercial cooking appliances. The cleaning device comprises a connection unit, in particular a receiving nozzle, for receiving a container with a solid cleaning agent, a liquefaction device for liquefying the solid cleaning agent, optionally using a solvent, and optionally at least one first storage tank.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a bottle for insertion into a kitchen and / or catering appliance which is as stable as possible while being simple to manufacture and / or is easy to handle and / or enables safe operation of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subclaims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0005] The invention shows a bottle for a kitchen and / or catering appliance. This appliance is designed particularly for commercial use in the catering industry or for domestic use in a kitchen. The appliance is preferably a cooking appliance. For example, the appliance is designed as a combi-steamer. Alternatively, the appliance can be configured, for example, as a warming oven or baking oven.

[0006] In order to better understand the function and structure of the bottle according to the invention, the structure of the likewise claimed and inventive kitchen and / or catering appliance in which the bottle is used will first be explained. This kitchen and / or catering appliance comprises a food compartment for treating and / or storing food. Particularly preferably, the appliance comprises a housing, with the food compartment being arranged within the housing. If the appliance is designed as a cooking appliance, the food compartment can also be referred to as a cooking chamber. In or on the food compartment there is preferably a heating / circulating air unit which makes it possible to heat the food compartment and / or to supply it with circulating air. In particular, steam can also be generated by means of the heating / circulating air unit in order to use the steam to treat the food in the food compartment.

[0007] Furthermore, the kitchen and / or catering appliance preferably comprises a collection container for storing a liquid washing solution. The collection container is preferably located below the food compartment. A return line is particularly preferably provided, which allows the washing solution to be returned from the food compartment to the collection container. The return line can be designed as a drainage channel leading from the food compartment to the collection container.

[0008] The collection container is preferably connected to the food compartment via a wash liquor line. This wash liquor line is designed and arranged to conduct the wash liquor from the collection container into the food compartment. Particularly preferably, a wash liquor pump is provided, which conveys the wash liquor through the wash liquor line into the food compartment. In particular, the kitchen and / or catering appliance is designed to distribute the wash liquor in the food compartment to the walls of the food compartment, thus cleaning the food compartment. The wash liquor flows together at the bottom of the food compartment and can be returned to the collection container via the described return line.

[0009] To produce the wash liquor, fresh water is enriched with an additive. This additive can be, for example, a cleaner, a descaler, or a rinse aid. According to the present invention, the additive is solid rather than liquid at room temperature and is contained in a bottle. The bottle contains enough additive for several cleaning processes so that only a portion of the additive needs to be removed from the bottle at a time. For this reason, the kitchen and / or catering appliance comprises at least one solid unit. The individual solid unit comprises: a receptacle for inserting the bottle, a supply line leading to the receptacle for supplying a fluid that removes the additive, and a discharge line leading from the receptacle for removing the fluid together with the removed additive.

[0010] Thus, the problem is solved by a bottle for insertion into kitchen and / or catering equipment, wherein the bottle is filled with a water-soluble additive, in particular a cleaner, descaler, or rinse aid, wherein the additive is solid. "Solid" means, in particular, that the additive is neither free-flowing nor flowable before being dissolved with water. "Solid" additives are preferably also understood to mean "gel-like" additives.

[0011] The bottle is preferably a one-piece and / or made of plastic. Diameters, lengths, and widths are external dimensions unless otherwise stated.

[0012] The bottle comprises a base, an opening opposite the base, and a lateral surface, wherein the lateral surface extends from the base to the opening, and wherein a bottle length is defined from the base to the opening. Preferably, the bottle is sealed at the base by the material of the bottle, meaning there is no opening or closure at the base. A closure may be located at the opening, which is removed before use or broken when inserting the bottle.

[0013] The bottle has a support area along its length, with the outer surface having a flattened support surface across the entire support area, with the support area extending over at least one-third of the bottle's length. The support area makes the bottle easy to handle, as the bottle can be gripped at the support area without twisting and thus with a defined orientation. Furthermore, the support area, in conjunction with an appropriate geometry in the holder of the kitchen and / or catering appliance, ensures that the bottle can only be inserted into a specific holder and not into the wrong one, thereby increasing safety during operation of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0014] Preferably, a bottle diameter is defined at every point along the bottle's length, with the largest measurement always being taken perpendicular to the plane of the support surface. This imaginary plane of the support surface lies on the outside of the support surface. If the support surface is slightly curved, the plane of the support surface is defined centrally on the support surface and tangential to the support surface. Preferably, the bottle diameter outside the support area is at no point larger than the largest bottle diameter in the support area. This allows the support surface to be guided along a corresponding inner surface of the holder when the bottle is inserted into the holder of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0015] Preferably, the bottle has only one support surface. This makes it easy to identify the bottle's orientation when inserting it into the holder of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0016] Preferably, the lateral surface in the support area is cylindrical, with the exception of the support surface; however, it may also be curved or conical, at least in places.

[0017] Preferably, the support surface is flat or curved outward with a radius of at least 50 cm, preferably at least 100 cm. The relatively large radius results in an approximately flat design of the support surface.

[0018] The support surface has a support surface length along the length of the bottle and a support surface width perpendicular thereto. The support surface length is preferably at least three times the support surface width. The support surface width is preferably at least 4 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the support surface preferably comprises at least 30, preferably at least 50, square centimeters. The long and / or large design of the support surface ensures easy handling of the bottle. Furthermore, a guide surface that is as long and / or large as possible is advantageous, which is advantageous when inserting the bottle into the holder of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0019] Preferably, the bottle comprises a central region and an opening region, with the support region located in the central region. Preferably, the bottle tapers from the central region to the opening region. As a result, the opening region has a relatively small diameter, which simplifies sealing the opening region within the receptacle of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0020] Preferably, the central area transitions into the opening area via a sensor surface, with the sensor surface being perpendicular to the outer surface in the opening area at an angle of up to + / - 30°, preferably up to + / - 5°. As described below, this sensor surface can press against a bottle sensor in the holder of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0021] The opening area is preferably cylindrical. The opening area preferably has an opening area length of at least 3 cm. The opening area is preferably threadless for insertion into a seal. These measures simplify the sealing of the opening area within the receptacle of the kitchen and / or catering appliance.

[0022] The opening area has an opening area diameter, and the central area has a central area diameter. The central area can have different diameters, with the largest diameter in the central area being relevant here. The opening area preferably has a uniform diameter.

[0023] Preferably, the largest central region diameter is at least 1.2 times, preferably at least 1.3 times, the opening region diameter. Additionally or alternatively, the largest central region diameter is at most 2.5 times, preferably at most 2 times, the opening region diameter.

[0024] An opening area central axis is defined at the opening area, and a middle area central axis is defined at the middle area. Both central axes are preferably parallel to each other and parallel to the bottle length. Preferably, the opening area central axis is offset from the middle area central axis toward the bottom of the bottle. This offset of the two central axes preferably defines the position of the bottom.

[0025] Preferably, the surface inside the bottle runs smoothly along the bottom, from the center area across the opening to the opening, without any gradient—preferably without any edge. This allows the bottle to be completely emptied.

[0026] A vertical line is defined perpendicular to the bottom. The support surface preferably forms an angle α of 10° to 60°, preferably 10° to 45°, and particularly preferably 15° to 25°, to the vertical. Additionally or alternatively, the plane of the support surface in the upper half of the bottle—i.e., opposite the bottom—preferably forms an acute angle with the vertical.

[0027] Preferably, the outer surface between the support area and the base has a constriction to form a gripping area. This allows the bottle to be gripped with one hand on the gripping area and with the other hand on the support surface.

[0028] Preferably, the constriction is horseshoe-shaped. This horseshoe shape specifically describes that the constriction is not fully formed. Preferably, the bottle is not constricted at the bottom, which preferably allows the dissolved solid to completely drain away from the handle area. The open area of ​​the horseshoe shape is thus located on the bottom of the bottle.

[0029] Preferably, the largest diameter of the grip area is smaller than the largest diameter of the middle area. This ensures that the grip area is not too large and can be easily gripped by one hand.

[0030] The invention further encompasses the previously described kitchen and / or catering appliance, in particular a cooking appliance. Preferably, the solid unit of the kitchen and / or catering appliance comprises the bottle sensor, wherein the bottle sensor comprises a pin that is linearly movable in the insertion direction of the bottle and can be actuated by the bottle, in particular the sensor surface of the bottle.

[0031] Preferably, the kitchen and / or catering appliance comprises at least two of the solid units, wherein the two solid units differ from each other in the receiving area for the respective bottle by different asymmetric cross sections.

[0032] The configurations described in the description and in the claims for the bottle find correspondingly advantageous application in the context of the kitchen and / or catering appliance according to the invention.

[0033] The invention further comprises an arrangement of two of the described bottles and the kitchen and / or catering appliance, wherein the two bottles have the support surface on different sides and the two solid units are designed such that the first bottle only fits into the first solid unit and the second bottle only fits into the second solid unit.

[0034] The embodiments described in the description and in the claims for the bottle and / or the kitchen and / or catering appliance find correspondingly advantageous application within the scope of the arrangement according to the invention.

[0035] Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 shows a first view of the bottle according to the invention according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a further view of the bottle according to the invention according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of the bottle according to the invention according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the bottle according to the invention according to the embodiment, Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the bottle according to the invention with gripping hands according to the embodiment, Fig. 6 shows a schematic side view and front view of a kitchen and / or catering appliance according to the invention according to the embodiment, Fig. 7 shows a detailed view of the kitchen and / or catering appliance according to the invention with two of the bottles according to the invention according to the embodiment, Fig. 8 shows a further detailed view of the kitchen and / or catering appliance according to the invention with two of the bottles according to the invention according to the embodiment, and Fig.9A further detailed view of the kitchen and / or catering appliance according to the invention including the bottle according to the invention according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0036] Figures 1 to 5 show a bottle 1, for insertion into a kitchen and / or catering appliance 100 according to Figures 6 to 9 . Two of the bottles 1 and the kitchen and / or catering appliance 1 form an arrangement.

[0037] In the following, unless otherwise stated in detail, reference is always made to all figures.

[0038] The bottle 1 shown is filled with a water-soluble additive. The bottle 1 is a one-piece plastic. The bottle 1 comprises a base 2, an opening 3 opposite the base 2, and a lateral surface 4, wherein the lateral surface 4 extends from the base 2 to the opening 3, and wherein a bottle length 5 is defined from the base 2 to the opening 3. The bottle 1 is closed at the base 2 by the material of the bottle 1, whereby there is no opening or closure at the base 2. A closure (not shown) may be located at the opening 3, which is removed before use of the bottle 1 or is broken when the bottle 1 is inserted.

[0039] The bottle 1 has a support region 6 along the bottle length 5, wherein the outer surface 4 has a flattened support surface 7 in the entire support region 6, wherein the support region 6 extends over at least one third of the bottle length 5.

[0040] A bottle diameter 8 is defined at every point along the bottle length 5, with the largest measurement always being taken perpendicular to the plane of the support surface 7. This imaginary plane of the support surface 7 lies on the outside of the support surface 7. The bottle diameter 8 is at no point outside the support area 6 larger than the largest bottle diameter 8 in the support area 6.

[0041] The bottle 1 has only one support surface 7. The outer surface 4 is cylindrical in the support area 6, with the exception of the support surface 7. The support surface 7 is flat.

[0042] The support surface 7 has a support surface length 9 along the bottle length 5 and a support surface width 10 perpendicular thereto. The preferred ratio of support surface length 9 and support surface width 10 is defined in the general part of the description and also applies to the exemplary embodiment.

[0043] The bottle 1 comprises a central region 11 and an opening region 12, with the support region 6 located in the central region 11. The bottle 1 tapers from the central region 11 into the opening region 12.

[0044] The central region 11 merges into the opening region 12 with a sensor surface 14, wherein the sensor surface 14 is perpendicular to the outer surface 4 in the opening region 12.

[0045] The opening area 12 is cylindrical. The opening area 12 has an opening area length 15 of at least 3 cm. The opening area 12 is threadless for insertion into a seal 108 (see Fig. 9 ) trained.

[0046] The opening area 12 has an opening area diameter 17, and the central area 11 has a central area diameter 16. The central area 11 can have different diameters, whereby the largest diameter in the central area 11 is relevant here. The opening area 12 has only one uniform diameter. The dimensions of the central area diameter 16 and the opening area diameter 17 are defined in the general part of the description and also apply to the exemplary embodiment.

[0047] An opening area central axis 19 is defined at the opening area 12, and a central area central axis 18 is defined at the central area 11. Both central axes 18, 19 are parallel to each other and parallel to the bottle length 5. The opening area central axis 19 is offset from the central area central axis 18 toward the underside 20 of the bottle 1.

[0048] As especially the sectional view in Figure 3shows, the lateral surface 4 runs inside the bottle 1 on the underside 20 without any increase in gradient from the central region 11 over the opening region 12 to the opening 3.

[0049] A vertical 21 is defined perpendicular to the bottom 20. The support surface 7 is positioned at an angle α of 15° to 25° to the vertical 21. The plane of the support surface 7 in the upper half of the bottle—i.e., opposite the bottom—forms an acute angle with the vertical 21.

[0050] The outer surface 4 has a constriction 22 between the support area 6 and the base 2 to form a grip area 13. This allows the bottle 1 to be gripped with one hand on the grip area 13 and with the other hand on the support surface 7; this is particularly useful in Figure 5 is clarified.

[0051] The constriction 22 is horseshoe-shaped. This horseshoe shape describes the fact that the constriction 22 is not fully developed. The bottle 1 is not constricted at the bottom 20.

[0052] A largest grip area diameter 23 of the grip area 13 is smaller than the largest middle area diameter 16. This means that the grip area 13 is not too large and can be easily grasped by one hand.

[0053] Figure 6 shows in a purely schematic representation a side view and a front view of the kitchen and / or catering appliance 100 in which the bottle 1 is used.

[0054] The kitchen and / or catering appliance 100 is constructed as explained in the general part of the description. Accordingly, the kitchen and / or catering appliance 100 has a food compartment 101 and a collection container 109 located thereunder. A wash liquor line 110 leads from the collection container 109 to the food compartment 101. A pump for pumping the wash liquor into the food compartment 101 can be located in this wash liquor line 110. From the food compartment 101, the wash liquor can flow back into the collection container 109 via a return line 111. A fresh water supply line is provided to supply fresh water to the collection container 102. At least one corresponding supply line 104 with a supply pump leads from the collection container 109 to the solids units 102. At least one discharge line 105 leads from the solids units 102 to the collection container 109.

[0055] Figures 7 to 9show in detail the solid units 102. The individual solid unit 102 comprises a holder 103 for inserting the bottle 1.

[0056] Each solid unit 102 has a bottle sensor 106, wherein the bottle sensor 106 has a pin 107 which is linearly movable in the insertion direction of the bottle 1 and which can be actuated by the bottle 1, in particular the sensor surface 14 of the bottle 1.

[0057] The kitchen and / or catering appliance 1 comprises two of the solid units 102, wherein the two solid units 102 differ from each other in the receiving area for the respective bottle 1 by different asymmetric cross sections. This is shown in Figure 8 clarified. List of reference symbols

[0058] 1Bottle 2Bottom 3Opening 4Shell surface 5Bottle length 6Support area 7Support area 8Bottle diameter 9Support area length 10Support area width 11Center area 12Opening area 13Handle area 14Sensor area 15Opening area length 16Center area diameter 17Opening area diameter 18Center area center axis 19Opening area center axis 20Bottom 21Vertical 22Constriction 23Handle area diameter 100Kitchen and / or catering appliance 101Food compartment 102Solids unit 103Intake 104Supply line 105Discharge line 106Bottle sensor 107Pin 108Seal 109Collection container 110Wash liquor line 111Return

Claims

1. Bottle (1) for insertion into a kitchen and / or catering appliance, • wherein the bottle is filled with a water-soluble additive, in particular a cleaner, descaler or rinse aid, wherein the additive is solid, • wherein the bottle comprises a base (2), an opening (3) opposite the base (2) and a lateral surface (4), wherein the lateral surface (4) extends from the base (2) to the opening (3) and wherein a bottle length (5) is defined from the base (2) to the opening (3), • wherein the bottle (1) has a support region (6) along the bottle length (5), wherein the lateral surface (4) has a flattened support surface (7) in the entire support region (6), wherein the support region (6) extends over at least one third of the bottle length (5).

2. Bottle according to claim 1, • wherein a bottle diameter (8) is defined at each point along the bottle length (5), the largest measurement always being taken perpendicular to the plane of the support surface (7), • wherein the bottle diameter (8) outside the support area (6) is at no point larger than the largest bottle diameter (8) in the support area (6).

3. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, • wherein the bottle has only one support surface (7), • and / or wherein the outer surface (4) in the support region (6) is cylindrical with the exception of the support surface (7), • and / or wherein the support surface (7) is flat or is curved outwards with a radius of at least 50 cm, preferably at least 100 cm.

4. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, • wherein the support surface (7) has a support surface length (9) along the bottle length (5) and a support surface width (10) perpendicular thereto, wherein the support surface length (9) is at least 3 times the support surface width (10), • and / or wherein the support surface (7) comprises at least 30, preferably at least 50, square centimeters.

5. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, • wherein the bottle comprises a central region (11) and an opening region (12), wherein the support region (6) is located in the central region (11), • and wherein the bottle tapers from the central region (11) into the opening region (12).

6. Bottle according to claim 5, wherein the central region (11) merges into the opening region (12) via a sensor surface (14), the sensor surface (14) being perpendicular to the outer surface in the opening region (12) by up to + / - 30°, preferably up to + / - 5°.

7. Bottle according to one of claims 5 or 6, • wherein the opening region (12) is cylindrical; • and / or wherein the opening region (12) has an opening region length (15) of at least 3 cm, • and / or wherein the opening region (12) is designed without a thread for insertion into a seal.

8. Bottle according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the opening region (12) has an opening region diameter (17) and the central region (11) has a central region diameter (16), • wherein the largest central region diameter (16) is at least 1.2 times, preferably at least 1.3 times, the opening region diameter (17); • and / or wherein the largest central region diameter (16) is at most 2.5 times, preferably at most 2 times, the opening region diameter (17).

9. Bottle according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein an opening region central axis (19) is defined on the opening region (12) and a central region central axis (18) is defined on the central region (11), wherein the opening region central axis (19) is offset from the central region central axis (18) towards the underside (20) of the bottle (1).

10. Bottle according to claim 9, wherein the outer surface (4) in the interior of the bottle (1) on the underside (20) runs without an increase in the gradient from the central region (11) over the opening region (12) to the opening (3), and / or wherein a vertical (21) is defined perpendicular to the underside (20) • wherein the support surface (7) is at an angle α of 10° to 60°, preferably 10° to 45°, particularly preferably 15° to 25°, to the vertical (21), • and / or wherein the plane of the support surface (7) in the upper half of the bottle forms an acute angle with the vertical (21).

11. Bottle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer surface (4) between the support region (6) and the base (2) has a constriction (22) to form a grip region (13), wherein the constriction (22) is horseshoe-shaped, wherein this horseshoe shape describes that the constriction (22) is not formed completely circumferentially and the bottle (1) is not constricted on the underside (20).

12. Kitchen and / or catering appliance (100), in particular a cooking appliance, comprising • a food compartment (101) for treating and / or storing food, in particular designed as a cooking compartment, • at least one solid unit (102) with: ▪ a receptacle (103) for inserting a bottle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, ▪ a supply line (104) leading to the receptacle (103) for supplying a fluid which dissolves the additive, ▪ and a discharge line (105) leading away from the receptacle (103) for discharging the fluid together with the dissolved additive.

13. Kitchen and / or catering appliance (1) according to claim 12, wherein the solid unit (102) has a bottle sensor (106), wherein the bottle sensor (106) has a pin (107) which is linearly movable in the insertion direction of the bottle (1) and which can be actuated by the bottle (1).

14. Kitchen and / or catering appliance (1) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising at least two of the solid units (102), wherein the two solid units (102) differ from one another in the receiving area for the respective bottle (1) by different asymmetric cross sections.

15. An arrangement comprising two bottles, each according to one of claims 1 to 11, and a kitchen and / or catering appliance according to claim 14, wherein the two bottles (1) have the support surface (7) on different sides and the two solid units (102) are designed such that the first bottle (1) only fits into the first solid unit (102) and the second bottle (1) only fits into the second solid unit (102).

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