Method for disassembling a bottom of a cooking vessel compatible with induction heating

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for disassembling all or part of a cooking vessel (1) comprising at least one induction bottom portion (2) made of ferromagnetic material and connected to at least one part of the vessel body (3) made of aluminium, consisting in partially disconnecting the at least one induction bottom portion (2) from the at least one part of the vessel body (3), in order to allow the at least one induction bottom portion (2) to be gripped, and in then tearing the at least one induction bottom portion (2) from the at least one part of the vessel body (3) by grasping the at least one induction bottom portion (2).

Description

Method for disassembling a base of a cooking vessel compatible with induction heating

[0001] The present invention relates to the recycling of cooking vessels compatible with induction heating.

[0002] The present invention relates more particularly to the disassembly of cooking containers comprising a container body made of aluminum, and an induction base made of ferromagnetic metal, fixed to said container body.

[0003] The present invention relates in particular to the disassembly of cooking containers of the aforementioned type in which the induction base is formed by a ferromagnetic metal sheet, said sheet being able to have perforations or not.

[0004] The present invention is not limited to the disassembly of cooking vessels of the aforementioned type whose vessel body is made by deformation of an aluminum plate. The present invention also relates to the disassembly of cooking vessels whose vessel body is made of cast aluminum. State of the art

[0005] It is known from document EP3593681 to produce a cooking container comprising a container body made of aluminum sheet and an induction base formed by a perforated sheet of ferromagnetic metal whose numerous perforations have grooves, that is to say that the perforations have a peripheral lip with a prominent lip end, intended to penetrate into the aluminum sheet which forms or which will form the container body. The assembly of the perforated sheet and the aluminum sheet is carried out by cold pressing. The connection between the two parts is achieved by the penetration of the grooves into the aluminum sheet. Apart from the periphery of the perforations, the two parts are simply in contact.

[0006] It is known from document EP0677263 to produce a cooking vessel comprising a diffuser base made of aluminum assembled by hot stamping with an induction base made of ferromagnetic metal. The principle is to apply a high-speed strike to the two parts to be assembled, having previously heated the aluminum. The action of the heat is to increase the creep capacity of the aluminum. Under the action of the strike, the high-speed deformation of the aluminum exposes the deep layers of the two metals, which results in a solid-state weld that is organized in the areas where the surface layers of the two materials have been broken. The mechanical component of the adhesion is however not absent and it is common to facilitate this weld by using minimal surface roughness.The adhesive strength of this induction base is greater than that of an induction base with a cold-formed perforated sheet, because it involves the entire surface of the base, instead of being limited to the periphery of the perforations of the cold-formed sheets.

[0007] Document WO2015110747 discloses an example of a method for recycling cooking vessels which comprises a step of grinding the cooking vessels prior to sorting the materials. A disadvantage of the aforementioned method lies in the fact that in the ground material obtained a significant portion of aluminum remains attached to the ferromagnetic metal despite the grinding. This portion is then sorted with the steel, in particular by the eddy current sorting operation which separates the ferromagnetic materials from the other materials. This therefore constitutes a portion of aluminum which is not recovered in the aluminum flow, which limits the recycling yield.

[0008] Furthermore, melting tests on cooking vessels comprising a vessel body made of aluminium assembled with an induction base made of ferromagnetic metal, in order to capture the maximum amount of aluminium, show a migration of the chromium generally contained in the steel constituting the induction base made of ferromagnetic metal. This chromium affects the composition of the molten aluminium bath. However, for the aluminium alloy to be used in contact with food, the chromium content must remain below 0.35% (according to the decree of 27 August 1987 relating to materials and objects made of aluminium or aluminium alloys in contact with foodstuffs, food products and beverages, which sets out the requirements that must be met by materials and objects made of aluminium or aluminium alloys placed or intended to be placed in contact with foodstuffs, food products and beverages).Furthermore, the intensity of chromium migration into the aluminum bath depends on the mass proportion of ferromagnetic metal base present in the molten aluminum bath. This means that the composition of the aluminum alloy obtained by remelting will be sensitive to the proportion of cooking vessels with an induction base made of ferromagnetic metal. This uncertainty therefore does not guarantee a recycled aluminum alloy that is suitable for contact with food. This migration problem also concerns the iron content of the molten aluminum bath, which must remain below 2% to ensure its suitability for contact with food.

[0009] Induction bases made of ferromagnetic metal are commonly around 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm thick. However, it is commonly accepted that a steel sheet becomes sharp regardless of its finish if its thickness is less than 0.8 mm. Therefore, it is impossible for cooking vessel manufacturers to leave this edge visible, otherwise there is a risk of cutting users. Induction bases made of ferromagnetic metal are therefore perfectly integrated into the body of the vessels, which makes mechanical disassembly of the cooking vessels difficult.

[0010] The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks.

[0011] The technical problem underlying the invention consists of improving the recycling of cooking containers comprising a container body made of aluminium, and an induction base made of ferromagnetic metal, fixed to said container body.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a method for disassembling all or part of a cooking vessel comprising at least one portion of induction base made of ferromagnetic material assembled with at least one portion of the vessel body made of aluminum, consisting of partially separating the at least one portion of induction base from the at least one portion of the vessel body, to allow the at least one portion of induction base to be grasped, then separating by tearing the at least one portion of induction base from the at least one part of the vessel body, by grasping the at least one portion of induction base. These arrangements make it possible to separate the induction base from the vessel body, while minimizing the presence of portions of induction base which would remain attached to a part of the vessel body. The quality of the aluminum from the vessel body, as well as its quantity, can thus be optimized.

[0013] The method may consist of notching said at least one portion of container body at the interface with the at least one portion of induction bottom, to partially separate the at least one portion of induction bottom from the at least one portion of container body. This arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the partial separation operation.

[0014] The method may relate to all or part of a cooking container in which said at least one induction base portion has a free outer face and an inner face assembled with said at least one container body part, said method consisting of partially releasing the inner face of said at least one induction base portion, from the periphery of said at least one induction base portion, to partially separate the at least one induction base portion from the at least one container body part. This arrangement also makes it possible to facilitate the partial separation operation.

[0015] The method may consist of arranging a cavity by punching or by machining in the vicinity of the interface between the at least one induction base portion and the at least one container body portion, to partially separate the at least one induction base portion from the at least one container body portion. This arrangement also makes it possible to facilitate the partial separation operation.

[0016] The method may comprise forcibly inserting a third body between the at least one induction bottom portion and the at least one container body portion, the hardness of the third body being greater than the hardness of the induction bottom and the hardness of the container body, to partially detach the at least one induction bottom portion from the at least one container body portion. This arrangement is an effective embodiment for carrying out the partial detachment operation.

[0017] The method may include in particular using a chisel as a third body and placing said chisel at the interface between the at least one induction bottom portion and the at least one container body portion, to partially separate the at least one induction bottom portion from the at least one container body portion.

[0018] The process may consist in particular of using an X155NiCrMo7 steel with quenching and tempering leading to a hardness of 54 to 56 HrC to produce the third body.

[0019] The method may comprise laterally compressing the container body, preferably near the induction bottom, to partially separate the at least one portion of induction bottom from the at least one portion of container body.

[0020] The method may comprise stamping the container bottom from the inside of the container body while the free annular portion and / or the side wall rest(s) on one or more bearing surfaces.

[0021] The method may consist of releasing a tab from the periphery of the at least one induction bottom portion. This arrangement is an effective embodiment for carrying out the partial detachment operation.

[0022] The method may include, in particular, bending said tab to separate a free end of said tab from the at least one portion of the container body. This arrangement makes it easier to grip the tab for the purpose of tearing it off.

[0023] The method may consist in particular of carrying out the tearing of the at least one portion of induction base from the at least one part of container body by pulling on the tab in order to separate it from the at least one part of container body, more particularly from the container base. This arrangement makes it possible to carry out the operation of completely separating the induction base.

[0024] The method may include, in particular, tearing off the at least one portion of induction base from the at least one portion of the container body using two counter-rotating gears to grip said tab. This arrangement is an effective embodiment for carrying out the operation of completely separating the induction base.

[0025] The method may relate to all or part of a cooking vessel, wherein the vessel body comprises a vessel bottom and a side wall rising from the vessel bottom, said method comprising removing at least a portion of the side wall before tearing off the at least one induction bottom portion from the at least one vessel body portion.

[0026] The method may include removing at least a portion of the sidewall before partially separating the at least one induction bottom portion from the at least one container body portion.

[0027] The method may consist of separating by tearing off the entire induction base from at least one part of the container body.

[0028] The process may consist of separating the entire induction base from the entire container body by tearing. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention presented by way of non-limiting example, and of variants, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0030] This is a schematic sectional view of a first example of the embodiment of a cooking vessel comprising an induction base assembled with a vessel body,

[0031] This is a partial schematic sectional view of a second example of a cooking vessel comprising an induction base assembled with a vessel body.

[0032] This is a partial schematic sectional view of a third example of a cooking vessel comprising an induction base assembled with a vessel body.

[0033] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating an operation of partial detachment of the induction base using a chisel,

[0034] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating the formation of a tab after partial detachment of the induction base,

[0035] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating the tab arranged in a straightened position to facilitate the removal of the induction base,

[0036] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating an operation of partial detachment of the induction base involving lateral deformation of the container body.

[0037] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating an operation of partial detachment of the induction base using stamping of the container base.

[0038] This is a schematic sectional view illustrating the removal of the induction base to obtain complete separation of the induction base.

[0039] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0040] Illustrates a cooking vessel 1 comprising an induction base 2 made of ferromagnetic material assembled with a vessel body 3 made of aluminum. The induction base 2 has a free outer face 20 and an inner face 21 assembled with the vessel body 3. The vessel body 3 comprises a vessel base 31 and a side wall 32 rising from the vessel base 31. The inner face 21 of the induction base 2 is assembled with the vessel base 31 of the vessel body 3.

[0041] In the embodiment illustrated in the, the container bottom 31 has a free annular portion 30 surrounding the induction bottom 2. The induction bottom 2 has a visible edge 22. In other words, at least part of the thickness of the induction bottom 2 is visible.

[0042] The embodiment illustrated in the differs from the embodiment of the in that the induction base 2 is embedded in the container base 31. Thus the induction base 2 has no visible edge. The induction base 2 is surrounded by an annular zone 34 of the container base 31. The induction base 2 shown in the is advantageously flat.

[0043] The embodiment illustrated in the differs from the embodiment of the in that the induction bottom 2 has a peripheral edge 26 curved towards the container bottom 31. The induction bottom 2 is partially embedded in the container body 3. The peripheral edge 26 surrounds a central part 27. The central part 27 is advantageously flat. Thus the induction bottom 2 shown in the is not entirely flat.

[0044] If desired, the induction base 2 may have openings into which the material of the container body 3 extends, such openings not being shown in the figures.

[0045] The cooking container 1 may comprise one or more handles mounted on the container body 3, not shown in the figures. If desired, the cooking container 1 may be at least partially coated. In particular, the inner part of the container body 3 and the outer part of the side wall 32 may be coated.

[0046] Figures 4 to 6 and 9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method for disassembling the cooking container 1 illustrated in the, comprising the induction base 2 assembled with the container body 3. Preferably the possible handle(s) of the cooking container 1 have been previously disassembled.

[0047] If desired, said disassembly method may relate to all or part of a cooking container 1 comprising at least one portion of induction base 2 made of ferromagnetic material assembled with at least one portion of container body 3 made of aluminum. According to one embodiment, the method may in particular comprise a step consisting of removing at least one portion of the side wall before separating the container base 31 from the induction base 2. According to another embodiment, the method may in particular comprise a step consisting of cutting the induction base 2 assembled with the container body 3, to separate the cooking container 1 into two halves, equal or not.

[0048] The invention concerns an initial step of said method, consisting of partially separating the induction base 2 from the container body 3, in order to facilitate gripping of the induction base.

[0049] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 to 6, said method consists of forcibly inserting a third body 4 between the induction base 2 and the container body 3, the hardness of the third body 4 being greater than the hardness of the induction base 2 and the hardness of the container body 3. The method may in particular consist of using a chisel as the third body 4 and placing said chisel at the interface between the induction base 2 and the container body 3, to partially separate the induction base 2 from the container body 3. The method may in particular consist of using an X155NiCrMo7 steel with quenching and tempering leading to a hardness of 54 to 56 HrC to produce the third body 4.

[0050] The third body 4 can in particular be placed on the free annular portion 30 if the induction base 2 is not completely embedded in the container body 3, as shown in figures 4 to 6.

[0051] The method may also consist of notching the container body 3 at the interface with the induction bottom 2. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable when the induction bottom 2 is embedded in the container body 3, and only the free outer face 20 of the induction bottom 2 is visible as shown in the. Such an arrangement is also suitable when the induction bottom 2 is at least partially embedded in the container body 3, as shown in the. The method may then particularly consist of forming a cavity by punching or by machining in the vicinity of the interface between the induction bottom 2 and the container body 3, more particularly between the outer face 20 of the induction bottom 2 and the annular zone 34 or between the peripheral edge 26 and the container bottom 31.

[0052] According to an embodiment illustrated in the, the method consists of partially releasing the inner face 21 of the induction bottom 2, from the periphery of the induction bottom 2, to partially separate the induction bottom 2 from the container body 3. The method can thus consist of releasing a tab 24 from the periphery of the induction bottom 2.

[0053] The method may then consist of folding said tab 24 to separate a free end 25 of said tab 24 from the container body 3. The represents the tab 24 folded at the junction with the induction base 2 still attached to the container body 3, the tab 24 extending perpendicular to the container base 31.

[0054] Illustrates an alternative embodiment for the operation of partially separating the induction bottom 2 from the container body 3, consisting of laterally deforming the container body 3 near the induction bottom 2 to partially release the inner face 21 of the container bottom 31. The container body 3 can be compressed laterally at the level of the side walls 32, preferably at the level of the part of the side wall 32 connected to the container bottom 3, for example by using a press comprising two opposite jaws 6, the container body 3 rests on a support plane. The bringing together of the jaws 6 deforms the container bottom 31 carrying the induction bottom 2.The greater toughness of the induction bottom 2 as well as the greater elasticity of the induction bottom 2 make it possible to envisage a preferential deformation of the side wall 32 of the container body 3 and of the container bottom 31, greater than the deformation of the induction bottom 2, leading to a rupture of the interface between the container body 3 and the induction bottom 2, and making it possible to partially release the inner face 21 of the induction bottom 2.

[0055] Illustrates another alternative embodiment for the operation of partially separating the induction base 2 from the container body 3, consisting of stamping the container base 31 on the inside of the container body 3 while the free annular portion 30 rests on a support plane. If desired, the support plane can be formed by several support surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, the side wall 32 could rest on one or more support surfaces. Preferably, the method uses a stamping tool 7 having a lower support surface 70 lying inside the surface of the induction base 2.The greater toughness of the induction bottom 2 as well as the greater elasticity of the induction bottom 2 make it possible to envisage a preferential deformation of the container bottom 31, in particular at the periphery of the induction bottom 2, greater than that of the induction bottom 2, leading to a rupture of the interface between the container body 3 and the induction bottom 2, and making it possible to partially release the inner face 21 of the induction bottom 2.

[0056] The method comprises a subsequent step of separating the induction base 2 from the container body 3 by tearing, by gripping the induction base 2, more particularly by gripping the induction base 2 at a clear portion of the inner face 21 of the induction base 2.

[0057] The method may in particular consist of tearing off the induction base 2 from the container body 3, by moving the tab 24 away from the container body 3. More particularly, the method consists of tearing off the induction base 2 from the container base 31 from the container body 3, by moving the tab 24 away from the container base 31 from the container body 3.

[0058] As shown in the, the method may consist of tearing off the induction base 2 from the container body 3 using two counter-rotating gears 41, 42 to grip said tab 24. If desired, the two gears 41, 42 can carry the cooking container 1. When the tab 24 has been gripped by the two gears 41, 42, the rotation of the two gears 41, 42 drives the tab 24 and gradually tears the tab 24 from the container base 31, which causes the container body 3 to move.

[0059] The method may also consist of holding the container body 3 and gripping the tab 24 by means of a jaw system forming a clamp, to tear the tab 24 from the container base 31.

[0060] The proposed method may consist of separating by tearing off the entire induction base 2 from the entire container body 3, when the container body 3 has not been cut.

[0061] The proposed method may also consist of separating by tearing off the entire induction base 2 from a part of the container body 3, in particular when the container body has been sectioned, for example when the side wall 32 has been at least partially removed prior to the tearing off operation. The side wall 32 may in particular be removed prior to the operation of partially separating the induction base 2 from the container body 3.

[0062] The proposed method may also consist of separating by tearing off a portion of the induction base 2 from a part of the container body 3, for example when the cooking container 1 has been previously split or sectioned into two or more pieces prior to the tearing off operation. The cooking container 1 thus split or sectioned may in particular comprise two or more pieces each comprising a portion of the induction base 2 and a part of the container body 3. This arrangement makes it easier to access the interface between the inner face 21 of the induction base 2 and the container base 31.

[0063] The proposed method is thus a method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container 1 comprising at least one portion of induction base 2 made of ferromagnetic material assembled with at least one part of container body 3 made of aluminum, consisting of partially separating the at least one portion of induction base 2 from the at least one part of container body 3, to allow the at least one portion of induction base 2 to be grasped, then separating by tearing the at least one portion of induction base 2 from the at least one part of container body 3, by grasping the at least one portion of induction base 2.

[0064] These arrangements make it possible to separate the aluminum of the container body 3 from the ferromagnetic material of the induction base 2, minimizing the quantities of ferromagnetic material remaining bound to the container body 3, which makes it possible to optimize the recycling of the aluminum of the container body 3.

[0065] Various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) comprising at least one portion of induction base (2) made of ferromagnetic material assembled with at least one part of container body (3) made of aluminum, consisting of partially separating the at least one portion of induction base (2) from the at least one part of container body (3), to allow the at least one portion of induction base (2) to be grasped, then separating by tearing the at least one portion of induction base (2) from the at least one part of container body (3), by grasping the at least one portion of induction base (2). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to claim 1, consisting of cutting said at least one container body part (3) at the interface with the at least one induction base portion (2), to partially separate the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one container body part (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said at least one induction base portion (2) has a free outer face (20) and an inner face (21) assembled with said at least one container body part (3), said method consisting of partially releasing the inner face (21) of said at least one induction base portion (2), from the periphery of said at least one induction base portion (2), to partially separate the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one container body part (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, consisting of arranging a cavity by punching or by machining in the vicinity of the interface between the at least one induction base portion (2) and the at least one part of the container body (3), to partially separate the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one part of the container body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, consisting of forcibly inserting a third body (4) between the at least one induction base portion (2) and the at least one container body part (3), the hardness of the third body (4) being greater than the hardness of the induction base (2) and the hardness of the container body (3), to partially separate the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one container body part (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to claim 5, consisting of using a chisel as a third body (4) and placing said chisel at the interface between the at least one induction base portion (2) and the at least one container body part (3), to partially separate the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one container body part (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 5 or 6, consisting of using an X155NiCrMo7 steel with quenching and tempering leading to a hardness of 54 to 56 HrC to produce the third body (4). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, consisting of releasing a tab (24) from the periphery of the at least one induction base portion (2). A method of disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to claim 8, comprising bending said tab (24) to separate a free end (25) of said tab (24) from the at least one part of the container body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 8 or 9, consisting of tearing off the at least one induction base portion (2) from the at least one part of the container body (3) by pulling on the tab (24) in order to separate it from the at least one part of the container body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, consisting of tearing off at least one portion of induction base (2) from at least one part of container body (3) using two counter-rotating gears (41, 42) to grip said tab (24). A method of disassembling all or part of a cooking vessel (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the vessel body (3) comprises a vessel bottom (31) and a side wall (32) rising from the vessel bottom (31), said method consisting of removing at least a portion of the side wall (32) before separating by tearing the at least one portion of induction bottom (2) from the at least one portion of vessel body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to claim 12, consisting of removing at least part of the side wall (32) before partially separating the at least one portion of induction base (2) from the at least one part of the container body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, consisting of separating by tearing off the entire induction base (2) from at least one part of the container body (3). Method for disassembling all or part of a cooking container (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, consisting of separating by tearing off the entire induction base (2) from the entire container body (3).

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