Thermoformed food-grade silicone sleeve

Abstract

A thermoformed food-grade silicone cover for placement on the cooking plates of electric or induction appliances, such as sandwich makers, grills, waffle makers, or toasters, configured to transmit heat to the food and with a fixed internal geometry adapted to the product.

Description

Thermoformed food-grade silicone sleeve Thermoformed food-grade silicone cover for use with electric or induction-operated contact cooking devices, configured to rest on a cooking plate and define a cavity adapted to the contour of a food item, including internal reliefs capable of transferring a surface engraving to the product during heating Technology sector The invention falls within the field of kitchen utensils, particularly those used with electric or induction devices that operate by contact, such as grills, griddles, sandwich makers, or waffle irons. It specifically relates to silicone elements intended to protect food and the cooking surface, to shape the product, and to allow for surface customization during heating. Background of the invention Contact cooking equipment applies heat through pressure between one or more cooking plates. This method tends to flatten or deform products with delicate volume, such as pastries or specialty breads, altering their original shape. In practice, intermediate elements are not used that, while being hygienic and suitable for food use, simultaneously adapt to the geometry of the plate and that of the food to maintain its shape during heating. Nor are there any known easily removable and replaceable silicone solutions that, in addition to protecting the cooktop and facilitating cleaning, allow for the integration of internal reliefs to obtain a surface engraving of the food without using additional inks or coatings. Explanation of the invention The invention proposes a thermoformed food-grade silicone sleeve, created by compression molding, configured as a body that is placed directly on the cooking plate of an electrical contact or induction device. The cover defines: • an outer surface adapted to the shape of the cooktop on which it rests, and • an interior surface that delimits a cavity intended to hold the food during heating. The inner cavity has a defined geometry that corresponds to the outline of the food to be treated, so that the food is contained by the walls of the sleeve during the cooking cycle. In at least one area of ​​the inner surface, negative reliefs are formed (for example, a logo, graphic motif, or texture), so that these reliefs come into contact with the surface of the food when it is compressed against the sleeve. Due to the temperature and pressure exerted by the cooking equipment, these reliefs create a surface imprint on the food, without the addition of any extra materials. The cover is made of food-grade and / or medical-grade platinum-cured silicone, free of metallic fillers, and can be colored with food-safe pigments. The thickness and elasticity of the silicone body allow the cover to be manually placed on and removed from the cooktop, withstanding repeated heating and washing cycles. The cover is reusable, washable, and easily replaceable. The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment in which the device's cooking plate has a central housing of substantially circular geometry, and the sleeve adopts a complementary shape to fit within this housing. However, the inner cavity of the sleeve and its outer perimeter can be adapted to the specific geometry of the cooking plate and the food item. Brief description of the drawings To complement the description and facilitate a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is included which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, represent the following: • Figure 1: Top plan view of a cooking plate (1) provided with a central circular housing, on which a silicone sleeve (2) with internal reliefs (3) is placed. • Figure 2: Side section view of the cooking plate (1) and the silicone sleeve (2), showing the cavity configured to hold the food and the arrangement of the internal reliefs (3). • Figure 3: Perspective view of the cooking plate (1) with the silicone cover (2) mounted in the central circular housing. • Figure 4: Perspective view of the opposite face of the cooking plate (1) and the silicone cover (2). The cooking plate (1) represents an example of conventional contact cooking equipment and is not part of the subject matter of this utility model, which refers exclusively to the silicone cover (2). Preferred embodiment of the invention In a preferred embodiment, the silicone sleeve (2) is designed for heating pastry products, such as brioche, on a contact plate provided with a cooking plate (1) with a central circular recess. The part is manufactured by compression molding, such that its outer surface adapts to the shape of said recess and its inner surface defines the cavity complementary to the geometry of the brioche. In the central area of ​​the cavity, an internal relief (3) is incorporated, reproducing a logo or graphic design. When the cooking appliance is closed and the opposite plate presses the food against the sleeve, the food rests on this internal relief (3) and acquires the corresponding engraving during the cooking cycle. After each use, the cover can be manually removed from the cooktop for washing and reuse. This configuration protects the surface of the cooktop, reduces the accumulation of residue, simplifies cleaning operations, and allows different covers with different embossed designs to be interchanged on the same cooktop. The invention is applicable in both domestic and professional environments (HORECA sector) and is designed especially for use in electric or induction cooking equipment, such as grills, griddles, sandwich makers or waffle irons, where it is desired to maintain the shape of the product, obtain a standardized visual finish and facilitate the maintenance of the equipment.

Claims

1. A thermoformed food-grade silicone cover for placement on the cooking plates of electric or induction appliances, such as sandwich makers, grills, waffle makers, or toasters, configured to transmit heat to the food and with a fixed internal geometry adapted to the product.

2. A cover according to claim 1, made of platinum-cured silicone suitable for food contact.

3. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, comprising internal reliefs configured to transfer engravings to the food through the combined action of heat and pressure.

4. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, the internal cavity of which is adapted to foods with a defined geometry, such as pastries or specialty breads.

5. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, manufactured by compression molding.

6. A cover according to any of the preceding claims, which is manually removable, washable, and replaceable. 7.Cover according to any of the above claims, which can be colored by means of additives or pigments authorized for food use.