Machine for preparing hot dogs

Abstract

The present invention relates to machines for preparing hot dogs. The machine for preparing hot dogs comprises an enclosure 10 and, arranged in this enclosure, a heat source 20, a container 30 capable of containing a first liquid 31 located above the heat source 20 to heat the liquid 31, a container 40 capable of containing a second liquid 41 sized so as to occupy only a part of the volume 43 of the container, a basket 50 for containing buns Pp, and means for fixing this basket 50 in the enclosure 10 in the cylindrical volume 51 and so that this basket 50 is above the first liquid 31.

Description

Title of the invention: Machine for preparing hot dogs

[0001] The present invention relates to machines for preparing hot dogs or the like, i.e. rolls filled with a sausage of any kind, possibly with accompaniments, for example condiments such as mustard, tomato sauce, gherkins and / or capers preserved in vinegar (Pikles) or any similar product, for example also raw vegetables.

[0002] Machines for preparing hot dogs or the like are already known, in particular such as that described in FR3092740.

[0003] Also, the present invention aims to provide a machine for preparing hot dogs or the like, which is of a simpler design and use than those of the machine described in the document cited above. Definition of invention

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for preparing hot dogs or the like, namely buns filled with at least one sausage, said machine comprising an enclosure capable of being positioned substantially vertically on a support surface, thereby defining a low point and a high point, the machine further comprising, arranged in said enclosure: a heat source located in the lower part of said enclosure; a container capable of containing a first liquid, said container being located above said heat source so that the latter is capable of heating said first liquid, said container comprising a rim; a container capable of containing a second liquid in which at least one sausage is capable of being immersed;means for positioning said container so that it is capable of being immersed in said first liquid contained in said container, said container being sized so as to occupy only part of the volume of said container and to leave the other remaining part of said container free; a basket capable of containing at least one roll; and means for fixing said basket in said enclosure on the one hand in the cylindrical volume defined according to a vertical generatrix describing the remaining part of said container left free by said container and on the other hand so that this basket is above said first liquid.; Description of the drawings

[0005] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description given with reference to the attached drawings for illustrative but in no way limiting purposes, in which:

[0006] The single [Fig.l] is a schematic vertical sectional front view of an embodiment of the machine according to the invention for preparing hot dogs.

[0007] It is first of all specified that the single figure schematically represents a preferred embodiment of the object according to the invention, but that there may be other embodiments which meet the definition of this invention.

[0008] It is also specified that, when, according to the definition of the invention, the object of the invention comprises “at least one” element having a given function, the embodiment described may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements of identical function and if, in the description, it is not specified that the object according to this invention must necessarily comprise a particular number of these elements, the object of the invention may be defined as comprising “at least one” of these elements.

[0009] It is also specified that when, in the present description, an expression defines on its own, without any specific particular mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection requested, when this is technically possible, either separately, or in total and / or partial combination.

[0010] It is finally also specified that, in the present description, if the adverb “substantially” is associated with a given qualifier, this qualifier must be understood in the strict or approximate sense.

[0011] Description of a preferred embodiment of the subject of the invention.

[0012] With reference to the single attached figure, the present invention relates to a machine for preparing hot dogs or the like, namely small rolls Pp filled with at least one sausage Sa.

[0013] The machine comprises an enclosure 10 capable of being positioned substantially vertically on a support surface 11 such as a floor or the like, for example a table. Thus, this enclosure defines a low point Pb and a high point Ph.

[0014] The machine further comprises, arranged in the enclosure 10: a heat source 20 located in the lower part of the enclosure 10, a tank 30 capable of containing a first liquid 31, this tank being located above the heat source 20 so that the latter is capable of heating the first liquid 31. Preferably, this tank has a rim.

[0015] In this enclosure 10, there is also provided a container 40 capable of containing a second liquid 41 in which at least one sausage Sa is capable of being immersed, means for positioning this container 40 so that it is capable of being immersed in the first liquid 31 contained in the tank 30, this container 40 being further dimensioned so as to occupy only a part of the volume 43 of the tank and to leave the other remaining part 44 of this tank free.

[0016] In the enclosure 10, there is also provided a basket 50 capable of containing at least one small loaf Pp, and means for fixing this basket 50 in the enclosure 10 on the one hand in the cylindrical volume 51 defined according to a vertical generatrix describing the remaining part 44 of the tray 30 left free by the container 40 and on the other hand so that this basket 50 is above the first liquid 31.

[0017] According to a characteristic of the invention, the basket 50 has at least part of its wall, if not all of its wall, produced in the form of a grid or the like by means, for example, of a wire mesh, perforated plates and / or an assembly of bars.

[0018] Advantageously, at least one of the two liquids is water, preferably both liquids.

[0019] According to another characteristic of the invention, the means for positioning the container 40 so that it is able to immerse itself in the first liquid 31 contained in the tank 30 comprise rim means able to come to bear on the rim of the tank 30, these means make it possible to position this container 40 in the tank 30 and to remove it very easily and quickly.

[0020] Preferably, the remaining part 44 of the tank 30 left free by the container 40 is covered with a grid 46 capable of allowing steam produced in this tank to pass through, thus making it possible to distribute in the space steam capable of being produced in this remaining part 44 and to direct it towards the basket 50.

[0021] The means for fixing the basket 50 in the enclosure 10 comprise, for example, tabs fixed to the basket and to the inner wall of the enclosure 10, as shown in the single figure. In addition, the heat source preferably consists of an electric heating plate or the like located in the enclosure, below the tray 30, for example in contact with the bottom thereof.

[0022] The machine operates and is used in the following manner.

[0023] A stock of Sa sausages is provided, for example protected in a storage area located in the enclosure 10 illustrated schematically in the figure. The person wishing to use the machine, for example hereinafter referred to as “Server”, orders the start-up of the heating plate 20 to heat the liquid 31 contained in the tank 30, and immerses sausages Sa in the liquid 41 contained in the container 40. These sausages will be brought to temperature by the technique known in itself called “bain marie” in the liquid 31 contained in this tank 30.

[0024] The Server has also previously placed small buns Pp in the basket 50. The steam Vp which is produced in the part 44 of the tray 30 propagates upwards, sweeping the interior of the basket 50 and therefore the small buns Pp which are contained therein to bring them to a certain temperature required for a hot dog.

[0025] The sausages and rolls thus prepared and brought to temperature, the Server can take, from the container 40 a sausage Sa and, from the basket 50 a warmed roll Pp, then fill this roll with the sausage Sa, possibly adding usual known condiments, such as those mentioned in the preamble of this description. He can then present to the consumer a hot dog as the latter has order.

[0026] From the structural and functional descriptions given above, it clearly appears that the aims of the present invention are well achieved, with all its advantages.

Claims

Claims

1. Machine for preparing hot dogs or the like, namely buns (Pp) filled with at least one sausage (Sa), said machine comprising an enclosure (10) capable of being positioned substantially vertically on a support surface (11), thereby defining a low point (Pb) and a high point (Ph), the machine further comprising, arranged in said enclosure (10): • a heat source (20) located in the lower part of said enclosure (10), • a tray (30) capable of containing a first liquid (31), said tray being located above said heat source (20) so that the latter is capable of heating said first liquid (31), said tray having a rim, • a container (40) capable of containing a second liquid (41) in which at least one sausage (Sa) is capable of being immersed, • means for positioning said container (40) so that it is capable of being immersed in said first liquid (31) contained in said tray (30),this said container (40) being sized so as to occupy only a part of the volume (43) of said tank and to leave the other remaining part (44) of said tank free, • a basket (50) capable of containing at least one small bread roll (Pp), and • means for fixing said basket (50) in said enclosure (10) on the one hand in the cylindrical volume (51) defined according to a vertical generatrix describing the remaining part (44) of said tank (30) left free by said container and on the other hand so that this basket (50) is above said first liquid (31).,

2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said basket (50) has at least part of its wall produced in the form of a grid.

3. Machine according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that at least one of the two liquids is water.

4. Machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the two liquids are water.

5. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for positioning said container (40) so that it is capable of being immersed in said first liquid (31) contained in said tank (30) comprise rim means capable of coming to bear on the edge of said tray (30).

6. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the remaining part (44) of said tank (30) left free by said container (40) is covered with a grid (46) capable of allowing steam produced in said tank to pass.

7. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for fixing said basket (50) in said enclosure (10) comprise tabs fixed to said basket and to the inner wall of said enclosure (10).

8. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heat source consists of a heating plate located in said enclosure, below the tank (30).

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