Hot dog preparation machine

Abstract

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

Description

Title of the invention: Hot dog preparation machine

[0001] The present invention relates to machines for the preparation of hot dogs or the like, that is to say small buns filled with a sausage of any kind, possibly with accompaniments, for example condiments such as mustard, tomato sauce, pickles and / or capers preserved in vinegar (Pikles) or any similar product, for example also raw vegetables.

[0002] It is already known from machines for the preparation of hot dogs or the like, in particular such as that described in FR3092740.

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

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a machine for preparing hot dogs or the like, namely small buns filled with at least one sausage, said machine comprising an enclosure suitable for 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 suitable for containing a first liquid, said container being located above said heat source so that the latter is suitable for heating said first liquid, said container having a rim; a container suitable for containing a second liquid in which at least one sausage is suitable for being immersed;means for positioning said container so that it is able to be immersed in said first liquid contained in said tank, said container being sized so as to occupy only a part of the volume of said tank and to leave the other remaining part of said tank free; a basket suitable for holding at least one small loaf of bread; and means for fixing said basket in said enclosure, firstly within the cylindrical volume defined along a vertical generatrix describing the remaining part of said tank left free by said container, and secondly so that this basket is above said first liquid. Description of the drawings

[0005] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration but in no way limiting, in which:

[0006] The single [Fig.1] 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 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 described embodiment may comprise several of these elements. Conversely, if the embodiment of the object according to the invention as illustrated comprises several elements with identical functions 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 by itself, without any particular specific mention concerning it, a set of structural characteristics, these characteristics may be taken, for the definition of the object of the protection sought, when this is technically possible, either separately, or in total and / or partial combination.

[0010] It is also further specified that, in the present description, if the adverb "sensiblely" 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 object of the invention.

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

[0013] The machine includes an enclosure 10 suitable for being positioned substantially vertically on a support surface 11 such as a floor or similar, 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 suitable for containing a first liquid 31, this tank being located above the heat source 20 so that the latter is suitable for heating the first liquid 31. Preferably, this tank has a rim.

[0015] In this enclosure 10, there is also provided a container 40 suitable for containing a second liquid 41 in which at least one sausage Sa is suitable for immersing, means for positioning this container 40 so that it is suitable for immersing 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 enclosure 10, there are also provided a basket 50 capable of holding at least one small roll Pp, and means for fixing this basket 50 in 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 feature of the invention, the basket 50 has at least part of its wall, if not all of its wall, made in the form of a grid or similar by means of, for example, 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 feature of the invention, the means for positioning the container 40 so that it is able to plunge into the first liquid 31 contained in the tank 30 comprise rim means adapted to rest on the rim of the tank 30, these means allow this container 40 to be positioned in the tank 30 and to be removed from it very easily and quickly.

[0020] Preferably, the remaining part 44 of the tray 30 left free by the container 40 is covered with a grid 46 suitable for allowing steam produced in this tray to pass through, thus allowing the steam suitable for being produced in this remaining part 44 to be distributed in space and directed towards the basket 50.

[0021] The means for securing the basket 50 in the enclosure 10 include, for example, tabs fixed to the basket and to the inner wall of the enclosure 10, as shown in the single figure. Furthermore, the heat source is preferably an electric or similar heating plate located in the enclosure, below the tray 30, for example in contact with its base.

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

[0023] A stock of Sa sausages is planned, for example stored safely in a storage area located in enclosure 10, schematically illustrated in the figure. The person wishing to use the machine, for example referred to hereafter as "Server", commands the activation of the heating plate 20 to heat the liquid 31 contained in the container 30, and immerses sausages Sa in the liquid 41 contained in the container 40. These sausages will be heated by the well-known technique of "bain-marie" in the liquid 31 contained in this container 30.

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

[0025] Once the sausages and buns have been prepared and heated, the server can take a sausage Sa from container 40 and a warmed bun Pp from basket 50, then stuff the bun with the sausage Sa, possibly adding standard condiments such as those mentioned in the preamble to this description. The server can then present the customer with a hot dog as ordered. order.

[0026] From the structural and functional descriptions given above, it is clear that the objectives of the present invention are indeed achieved, with all its advantages.

Claims

Demands

1. A 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 container (30) capable of containing a first liquid (31), said container being located above said heat source (20) so that the latter is capable of heating said first liquid (31), said container having a rim, • a receptacle (40) capable of containing a second liquid (41) in which at least one sausage (Sa) is capable of being immersed, • means for positioning said receptacle (40) so that it is capable of being immersed in said first liquid (31) contained in said container (30),said container (40) being dimensioned so as to occupy only a part of the volume (43) of said tray and to leave the other remaining part (44) of said tray free, • a basket (50) capable of holding at least one small loaf (Pp), and • means for fixing said basket (50) in said enclosure (10) on the one hand in the cylindrical volume (51) defined along a vertical generatrix describing the remaining part (44) of said tray (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 a part of its wall made in the form of a grid.

3. Machine according to any 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 both liquids are water.

5. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for positioning said container (40) so that it is capable of immersing itself in said first liquid (31) contained in said tank (30) comprise rim means adapted to bear against the rim of said tray (30).

6. Machine according to any 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) suitable for allowing steam produced in said tank to pass through.

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

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

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