Oven grease collection device

Abstract

A device for use in collecting grease in an oven comprises a tray 1 consisting of two opposed end members 2 and two opposed side members 3 upstanding from the edges of a rectangular base 4. Each end m

Description

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device for collecting fat and grease produced during cooking in commercial ovens. Background to the Invention In commercial ovens used for the cooking of meat products, it is usual for grease or fat to be released from the meat during the cooking process, and this is usually collected in a tray placed in the bottom of the oven so that the grease can be disposed of (typically by being poured into a collection vessel which is subsequently collected for treatment and disposal of the grease). The current trays are usually simply shallow open trays, and removal from the oven and carrying of the trays to the collection vessel when filled with grease requires great care, especially since this is usually done while the grease is still hot and therefore in liquid form. There are frequent accidents involving spillage of the hot grease in commercial kitchens, and these can result in burn injuries to personnel in the kitchen. An additional problem is that solid matter can also fall off the meat during cooking, and with an open tray it is difficult to separate these out when pouring the grease into the collection vessel. There is therefore a need for a safer and more easily handled design of collection tray. Summary of the Invention According to the invention, there is provided a device for use in collecting grease in an oven, comprising a tray consisting of two end members and two side members upstanding from the edges of a rectangular base, each end member extending between and joined to the opposed side members, and at least one top member extending between opposed sides, said top member sloping downwardly from the upper edge of a first end member towards a collection zone through which, in use, grease can flow into the tray, the top member being provided with a drainage opening adjacent to said first end member. Preferably, the device comprises a second top member extending between the opposed sides and sloping downwardly from the second end member towards the collection zone. Other features of the invention are set out in the claims. The device of the invention enables grease to be collected and safely removed from an oven and poured into a collection vessel. The risk of spillage is greatly reduced in comparison with an open tray. Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is an isometric view from above and to one side of the device; Figure 2 is a top plan view; and Figure 3 is an exploded view corresponding to Figure 1. Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment The device of the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a rectangular metal tray 1, suitably of stainless steel, and having two ends 2 and two sides 3, suitably formed by bending up from a base 4 and welding to join at the corners. An inverted L-shaped rail 5 is welded to each of the sides 3 along the external upper edge thereof. The rails 5 are configured to engage with corresponding runners within the oven in which the device is to be used to allow safe and easy sliding of the device in and out of the oven, and also serve to assist with carrying of the device for emptying. Two top members 6 and 7 are located within the tray 1. Each tray extends between and is welded to the opposed sides 3. A first top member 6 is welded to the upper edge of one end wall 2 and is positioned within the tray 1 so as to provide a downward slope from that edge, with a final portion 6a of the member 6 being angled downwardly at a steeper angle towards the base 4 than the remainder, terminating a short distance above the base 4. A drainage hole 6b is provided adjacent to the junction between the end wall 2 and the side wall 3 to allow controlled discharge of the contents of the device into a suitable receiver. The second top member 7 is similarly configured to the first top member 6, but is not provided with a drainage hole, and has a flap 7c which engages the external surface of the other end wall 2 and is welded to it. It will be appreciated that first top member 6 may be configured with an external flap, rather than being welded to the upper edge of the end wall 2. A handle 8 is attached to the flap 7c for engagement by a suitable hooked tool (not shown) to permit the de-5 vice to be pulled out of the oven sufficiently to enable it to be engaged manually by suitably glove-protected hands at the sides. The final portions 6a and 7a of the top members 6 and 7 are spaced apart from each other to form a collection zone through which the grease enters the tray in use. A V-section filter mesh 9 rests upon the final portions 6a and 7a of the 10 top members so that grease falling on to the top members 6 and 7 when in use in an oven will run through the mesh into the tray and any solid materials will be retained by the mesh for separate removal. The filter mesh 9 is provided with a handle 10, which can also be engaged by the hooked tool to lift the mesh from the device for disposal of any solids separately of the grease. 15 The device of the invention can be configured to fit within a specific commercial oven so as to extend over the full width and breadth of the oven bottom to ensure that all grease falling from meat cooking on racks in the oven will be received by the device, avoiding contamination of the oven floor.

Claims

1. A device for use in collecting grease in an oven, comprising a tray consisting of two end members and two side members upstanding from the edges of a rectangular base, each end member extending between and joined to the opposed side members, and at least one top member extending between opposed sides, said top member sloping downwardly from the upper edge of a first end member towards a collection zone through which, in use, grease can flow into the tray, the top member being provided with a drainage opening adjacent to said first end member.

2. A device according to Claim 1, comprising a second top member extending between the opposed sides and sloping downwardly from the second end member towards the collection zone.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or 2, comprising a removable filter mesh located in the collection zone.

4. A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the or each top member has an end portion remote from the end wall which is bent downwardly relative to the remainder of the top member.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, comprising a rail along each side member.

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