Protecting an alcohol-based food cooking appliance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food cooking or heating apparatus (1) comprising a support (2) for receiving said food (1) and a reservoir (3) for receiving a combustion liquid and disposed under said support (2). This apparatus includes at least one transparent barrier (4) disposed next to said support (2). The present invention also relates to a method for cooking or heating food (1) comprising the following steps: placing said food (1) in or on a support (2), pouring a combustion liquid into a reservoir (3), igniting the combustion liquid, and cooking the food (1). An additional step is provided for placing at least one transparent barrier (4) before cooking the food (1). Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Protection of a food cooking appliance using alcohol

[0001] The invention relates to the field of food cooking. It relates more particularly to an apparatus and a method of cooking with alcohol, preferably adapted to make the cooking a spectacle before tasting.

[0002] Several devices and methods for cooking with alcohol have been proposed. In cooking with alcohol, several issues must be taken into account.

[0003] A first problem concerns the alcohol used. To allow for controlled cooking, a precise quantity of alcohol must be defined that must burn to release the heat necessary for cooking. In some prior art methods, alcohol is ignited, but after a certain time the flame goes out because the residual alcohol is too diluted in the water. In other methods, the heat released is not properly directed towards the food being cooked. In still other methods, safety is not adequately ensured, and if the apparatus is knocked over, burning alcohol can spill and cause damage.

[0004] Document FR 2 897 521 describes a food cooking or heating appliance of the type comprising a holding device on which rests a reservoir suitable for receiving a combustion liquid, said holding device being suitable for maintaining a container at a predetermined height relative to the reservoir. However, this appliance does not provide reliable protection for users, and the alcohol dosage is not reliable.

[0005] Document FR2 855 942 describes an apparatus and a method for cooking food by burning ethanol. In this method, food, for example meat or fish, is placed in a container, and then 95% ethanol is poured over the food. The alcohol remains at the bottom of the container, and cooking is achieved through direct contact of the food with the combustion liquid (page 2, line 15). However, such cooking requires significant quantities of alcohol; the example given is 10µg of ethanol to cook 400g of meat, sausage, or shellfish. Furthermore, the water contained in the food gradually mixes with the alcohol, which dilutes it, causing the flame to go out before all the alcohol is consumed. Therefore, an alcoholic taste remains in the cooked food, which is not very desirable.

[0006] Patent application FR2 402 046 filed by the same applicant as the present application aims to improve the conditions of combustion and the reliability of the quantities of combustion liquid, but this reliability is not yet satisfactory and the risk to users is not eliminated.

[0007] The present invention aims to remedy at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks and proposes a solution which makes it possible to obtain homogeneous cooking of a food placed on a support, by the combustion of an alcohol placed in a reservoir under said support.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method for clearly seeing the cooking process.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method allowing for improved safety.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a cooking process allowing good control of the quantity of alcohol used, while improving the safety of use.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to propose a cooking method and apparatus having as its sole energy source a bio-combustion liquid based on ethanol.

[0012] The present invention aims to address at least partially the aforementioned objectives.

[0013] The present invention relates to a food cooking or heating device comprising a support for receiving said food and a reservoir for receiving a combustion liquid and located beneath said support. This device is unique in that it includes at least one transparent barrier located next to said support.

[0014] Thanks to these provisions, the safety of use of the device is improved, and cooking is better controlled, avoiding external disturbances such as wind.

[0015] According to other characteristics: - said at least one barrier may be vertical, and have a height greater than the height of the device, thus allowing optimal protection. - said at least one barrier may have a circular cylindrical shape surrounding said device, allowing optimal protection and combustion for devices whose length is similar to their width, - said at least one barrier may have a flat rectangular shape, and said device may include a second barrier of flat rectangular shape, and the two barriers may be arranged on either side of said device, allowing optimal protection and combustion for devices whose length is greater than their width, - said support may be permeable, so that, in the event of said combustion liquid being deposited on said food, it may collect the portion of combustion liquid that does not remain on said food in said reservoir, said reservoir being placed at a sufficient distance below said support so that any food placed on the support is not in contact with the collected portion of combustion liquid in the reservoir, allowing for particularly interesting cooking with combustion directly in contact with the food; such a permeable support could be, for example, a grill or a spit. - said support may take the form of a container intended to receive said food and said device may include a device for holding said support and reservoir, allowing in particular the cooking of liquid or viscous foods, such as an egg.

[0016] The present invention also relates to a method for cooking or heating food by means of an apparatus, and comprising the following steps: - placing food in or on a support, - pouring a combustion liquid into a reservoir, - ignition of the combustion liquid, - cooking the food,

[0017] said process is characterized by the addition of a step of putting in place at least one transparent barrier before cooking the food.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, safety is improved, and cooking is better controlled, avoiding external disturbances such as wind.

[0019] According to other characteristics: - the support can take the form of a transparent container, and the support can be placed on a holding device before the combustion liquid is ignited, allowing in particular the cooking of liquid or viscous foods, such as an egg, - The pouring of a combustion liquid into the reservoir can be done in such a way that at least part of the combustion liquid is poured onto the food, with the excess flowing back into the reservoir, thus allowing combustion directly in contact with the food, and particularly interesting cooking qualities, - which said combustion liquid may be a mixture of ethanol in a proportion of between 85 and 99%, preferably between 90 and 99%, of a hydroxyalkylcellulose (HAC) in an amount suitable to give said mixture a dynamic viscosity of between 0.01 and 100 PA-s, and of water, preferably the dosage of HAC is at least 1g per liter of ethanol, preferably the HAC is a HydroxyPropylMethylCellulose (HPMC); such a combustion liquid allows combustion without dilution, a viscosity avoiding splashing, and it is possible to find it in bio form.

[0020] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0021] [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a perspective view of the reservoir and the device for holding the apparatus of the [Fig.1].

[0023] The apparatus according to the invention, represented in [Fig. 1] and 2, allows cooking or heating a food 1. The apparatus includes a support 2, intended to receive the food 1 during its cooking or heating, and a reservoir 3 intended to contain a combustion liquid.

[0024] The combustion liquid used in the context of the present invention can be ethanol with a purity between 85° and 99°. This range ensures, on the one hand, that the ethanol ignites and burns completely, and on the other hand, avoids overly expensive ethanol manufacturing processes aimed at removing the last percent of water. This ethanol preferably contains Hydroxy-Alkyl-Cellulose (HAC), the HAC dosage being limited to obtain a dynamic viscosity of less than 100 Pa*s, and so that the ethanol remains liquid. A minimum of 1 g of HAC per liter of ethanol is recommended. The HAC can preferably be HydroxyPropylMethylCellulose (HPMC), which gives the best results and is available in bio-based form. The combustion liquid can then be easily and uniformly deposited in the tank 3, without risk of splashing.

[0025] According to the invention, the device comprises at least one transparent barrier 4. Such a barrier 4 protects the combustion from surrounding air movements. Such air movements may originate from the rapid passage of a server near the device, from wind on a terrace, or from the movement of the device itself, in the case where the combustion liquid is ignited before the device is placed in front of the guest or customer.

[0026] The barrier 4 also has a heat-containing function in the vicinity of the food 1. It is thus observed that the cooking of a defined portion of a given food 1, with a given quantity of fuel, is very consistent under all circumstances, whether inside a restaurant or on a terrace, for example. The quantity of fuel required for cooking a defined portion of a given food 1 can therefore be precisely defined.

[0027] The barrier 4 is preferably vertical and has a height greater than that of the device, to effectively protect the combustion from surrounding air movements.

[0028] As barrier 4 is transparent, the guest or customer retains the entire spectacle of the cooking, and where applicable, of the combustion.

[0029] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the support 2 can be of a length similar to its width in top view, for example it can be circular. We can then plan for a circular cylindrical vertical barrier 4, which completely surrounds the support 2.

[0030] According to an embodiment shown in [Fig.1], the support 2 can take the form of a circular container 2, in which, for example, an egg can be placed to be cooked.

[0031] By the word circular we must understand here a shape whose horizontal sections are circular, with the exception of a possible handle or other addition.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reservoir 3 can also be circular, and can be arranged under the support 2 and intended to receive the combustion liquid to be consumed in the reservoir 3. The device then includes a retaining device 5 for maintaining the respective positions of the support 2 and the reservoir 3. In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 1], the reservoir 3 is an integral part of the retaining device 5; this is a particular case of a solution where the retaining device 5 allows the respective positions of the support 2 and the reservoir 3 to be maintained. Other solutions are possible.

[0033] The container 2 is preferably transparent, which allows observation of the cooking of a food 1. The container 2 can for example be made of a glass with a low coefficient of expansion, for example of the borosilicate type such as glass known under the brand name Pyrex (registered trademark), so as to withstand well the temperature changes caused by cooking.

[0034] The apparatus according to the invention can be used to cook or heat food according to a process comprising the following steps: - placing food item 1 into container 2, - placement of container 2, and where applicable reservoir 3, on the device maintenance level 5, - pouring of combustion liquid into tank 3, if necessary via a spout,

[0035] these first three steps being carried out in any order, - ignition of the combustion liquid, - Installation of the circular cylindrical barrier 4 - cooking or heating of food 1.

[0036] The barrier 4 can be in place from the beginning of the process, and if the server has a sufficiently thin and long igniter, it will be able to ignite the combustion liquid without difficulty.

[0037] If the server has, for example, a small lighter, he can temporarily remove barrier 4 by lifting it, then ignite the combustion liquid with the lighter, and replace barrier 4; the important thing is that barrier 4 is in place during cooking, and therefore that it is put in place at the latest before cooking, or at the very beginning of cooking. The fact that the server ignites the combustion liquid, then putting back in place barrier 4 must be considered in the present invention as putting in place barrier 4 from the start of cooking, even if there are a few seconds between the ignition of the combustion liquid and the putting in place of barrier 4. In any case during these first seconds the food 1 is barely starting its temperature rise, and it takes a little more time for the cooking itself to start.

[0038] For example, cooking an egg in the container can take between 3 and 5 minutes, and the guest or customer can observe the cooking progress thanks to the transparency of the container 2 and the barrier 4.

[0039] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated schematically in [Fig. 2], the support 2 may be longer than it is wide. For example, two flat barriers 4 may be provided on either side of the support 2 along its length. One or two barriers may also be provided at the ends along its width; however, this is not necessary. Furthermore, the absence of barriers at the ends allows for controlled airflow, which can improve cooking.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support 2 may be a grid, a spit, or any other permeable support, for holding the food 1. The apparatus then has a length substantially equal to the length of the spit, and a narrower width. It also includes a reservoir 3 of combustion liquid according to the mixture described above. The combustion liquid may be poured, for example, from a bottle containing the exact quantity required for a given cooking; it may also be a bottle from which the required quantity can be dispensed by measuring it by another means.

[0041] The reservoir 3 is arranged under said support 2, so that, in the event of a deposit of combustion liquid on said food 1, it collects the portion of combustion liquid which does not remain on said food 1. The combustion liquid is not retained by the support which is permeable in this case.

[0042] Said reservoir 3 is disposed at a sufficient distance below said support 2 so that a food 1 disposed on the support 2 is not in contact with the portion of combustion liquid collected in the reservoir 3.

[0043] According to the invention, two flat transparent barriers 4 can be arranged on either side of the device. These barriers 4 can be of a length similar to that of the device, or slightly longer, and preferably of a height similar to that of the device, or slightly longer.

[0044] The method according to the invention for cooking a food 1 comprises the following steps: - placing a food 1 on a support 2 above a reservoir 3, pouring of the combustion liquid onto the food 1, the excess flowing into the reservoir 3 placed at a sufficient distance so that the food 1 placed on the support 2 is not in contact with the combustion liquid 1 collected in the reservoir 3, ignition of the combustion liquid, Installation of the two barriers 4 on either side of support 2 cooking food 1

[0045] The barrier 4 can be in place from the beginning of the process, and if the server has a sufficiently thin and long igniter, it will be able to ignite the combustion liquid without difficulty.

[0046] If the server has, for example, a small lighter, they can temporarily remove the barrier 4 by lifting it, then ignite the combustion liquid with the lighter, and replace the barrier 4. The important thing is that the barrier 4 is in place during cooking, and therefore that its placement occurs at the latest before cooking, or at the very beginning of cooking. The fact that the server ignites the combustion liquid and then replaces the barrier 4 should be considered in the present invention as placing the barrier 4 at the very beginning of cooking, even if a few seconds elapse between the ignition of the combustion liquid and the (re)placement of the barrier 4. In any case, during these first few seconds, the food 1 is only just beginning to heat up, and it takes a little longer for the cooking itself to begin.

[0047] Regardless of the embodiment, this creates a spectacular effect that can contribute to the atmosphere created around a meal shared with others. Thanks to barrier 4, safety is significantly improved; for example, it prevents the risk of a paper napkin coming into contact with the flame and catching fire; or of a child putting their finger in the flame; or of a wine glass too close to the flame heating up, producing lukewarm wine, and / or a hot glass that could cause a burn to a hand.

[0048] Although the above description is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by different combination of all or part of the features developed above.

Claims

Demands

1. Food cooking or heating appliance (1) comprising a support (2) intended to receive said food (1) and a reservoir (3) suitable for receiving a combustion liquid and disposed under said support (2), characterized in that it comprises at least one transparent barrier (4) disposed next to said support (2).

2. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one barrier (4) is vertical, and has a height greater than the height of the apparatus.

3. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one barrier (4) has a circular cylindrical shape surrounding said apparatus.

4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one barrier (4) has a flat rectangular shape, and said apparatus comprises a second barrier (4) of flat rectangular shape, and the two barriers (4) are arranged on either side of said apparatus.

5. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said support (2) is permeable, so that, in the event of deposition of said combustion liquid on said food (1), the portion of combustion liquid which does not remain on said food (1) is collected in said reservoir (3), said reservoir (3) being disposed at a sufficient distance below said support (2) so that a food (1) disposed on the support (2) is not in contact with the portion of combustion liquid collected in the reservoir (3).

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said support (2) takes the form of a container for receiving said food (1) and said apparatus comprises a retaining device (5) for said support (2) and reservoir (3)

7. A method for cooking or heating food (1) in a cooking or heating appliance, comprising the following steps: - placing food (1) in or on a support (2), - pouring a combustion liquid into a reservoir (3), - ignition of the combustion liquid, - cooking the food (1), said process is characterized by the addition of a step of putting in place at least one transparent barrier (4) before cooking the food (1).

8. A cooking or heating method according to the preceding claim, wherein the support (2) takes the form of a transparent container, and the support (2) is placed on a holding device (5) before the combustion liquid is ignited.

9. A cooking or heating method according to claim 7, wherein the pouring of a combustion liquid into the reservoir (3) is done in such a way that at least a part of the combustion liquid is poured onto the food (1), the surplus flowing into the reservoir (3).

10. A process according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said combustion liquid is a mixture of ethanol in a proportion of between 85 and 99%, preferably between 90 and 99%, of a hydroxyalkylcellulose (HAC) in an amount suitable to give said mixture a dynamic viscosity of between 0.01 and 100 PA-s, and water, preferably the dosage of HAC is at least 1g per liter of ethanol, preferably the HAC is a Hydroxy Propy Imethyl Icellulose (HPMC).

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