Juice separating arrangement for a cooking chamber
The juice separating arrangement efficiently separates juices from steam in cooking devices by using a guiding tube and juice trap with a detachable tray and reservoir, addressing the complexity and cleanliness issues of existing solutions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HOUNOE AS
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing cooking devices face challenges in preventing the mixing of juices from food with condensed steam, with existing solutions being complex, costly, and difficult to clean.
A juice separating arrangement comprising a guiding tube, juice trap, and juice sump that guides juices away from the cooking chamber while forming a steam-resistant seal, using a detachable tray and reservoir to separate and collect juices efficiently.
The arrangement effectively separates juices from steam, simplifies cleaning, and provides a cost-effective steam-resistant barrier, ensuring minimal steam escape and easy maintenance.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024081154_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] JUICE SEPARATING ARRANGEMENT FOR A COOKING CHAMBER
[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a juice separating arrangement for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber while providing a steam resistant seal or barrier between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.
[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In modern cooking devices it is desirable that for example water in the form of condensed steam is prevented from being mixed with juices or other liquids that separates from entities, such as animals or vegetables, at elevated temperatures.
[0006] Various solutions for preventing this undesired mixing have been suggested over the years. However, a majority of these solutions are unnecessary complicated, costly and difficult, if not impossible, to clean.
[0007] It may be seen as an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a juice separating arrangement for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber in a simple manner.
[0008] It may be seen as a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a steam resistant seal or barrier between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.
[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The above-mentioned objects are complied with by providing, in a first aspect, a juice separating arrangement for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber, wherein the juice separating arrangement comprises a guiding tube for guiding juices away from the interior of the cooking chamber, and a juice trap comprising a juice sump having a certain capacity, wherein the juice sump is configured to o receive juices from the guiding tube, and o provide juices to a juice reservoir when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded wherein the juice trap, when the juice sump comprises a certain amount of juice, is configured to provide a steam resistant seal between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.
[0011] The juice separating arrangement is advantageous due to its simple and cost-efficient implementation.
[0012] In the present context the term "juice" is to be understood as any liquid that may drip or fall (under gravity) from an animal, such as a chicken, at elevated temperatures. As an example, animal juices may involve fatty liquids, i.e. liquids containing fat. The term "juice" is also to be understood as any liquid that may drip or fall (under gravity) from any other entity, such as a vegetable, at elevated temperatures. Thus, the term "juices" it is to be understood as any liquid that separates from entities, such as animals or vegetables, at elevated temperatures.
[0013] The term "cooking chamber" is to be understood as any cooking chamber or cooking cavity that may be heated to elevated temperatures for preparing food ingredients, such as animal and / or vegetarian food ingredients. Thus, the term "cooking chamber" may form part of a cooking device and may thus involve an oven.
[0014] The term "juice trap" is to be understood as an arrangement where juice in the juice sump forms a steam resistant seal or steam resistant barrier between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber. Thus, the function of the "juice trap" is essentially similar to that of water traps where a barrier of water prevents sewer gases and other unpleasant odors from rising up through a drain and into a house.
[0015] In the present context the term "steam resistant seal" means that the juice in the juice sump forms a steam resistant barrier essentially preventing steam from escaping the cooking chamber. Thus, the steam resistant barrier significantly limits the amount of steam that escapes the cooking chamber.
[0016] The juice reservoir, which is configured to receive juice from the juice sump when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded, does, as a general rule, not form part of the juice separating arrangement.
[0017] The length of the guiding tube may be in the range 1-100 cm, such as in the range 1-75 cm, such as in the range 1-50 cm, such as in the range 1-40 cm, such as in the range 1-30 cm, such as in the range 1-25 cm, such as in the range 1-20 cm. The positioning and the relatively short length of the guiding tube is advantageous in that the entire guiding tube may then be heated to elevated temperatures by the cooking chamber whereby juices, or parts thereof, are prevented from solidifying within the guiding tube. Moreover, the relatively short length of the guiding tube makes cleaning of the guiding tube easier.
[0018] The inner diameter of the guiding tube may be in the range 5-100 mm, such as in the range 5-75 mm, such as in the range 5-50 mm, such as in the range 5-40 mm, such as in the range 5-30 mm, such as in the range 5-20 mm.
[0019] The inner dimensions, i.e. the inner diameter, of the guiding tube is advantageous in that it makes cleaning of the guiding tube easier.
[0020] The guiding tube may form an essentially straight structure in order to ease cleaning of the guiding tube. An essentially straight nature of the guiding tube, i.e. the fact that the guiding tube neither bends nor curves, is advantageous in that the straight nature of the guiding tube also makes cleaning of the guiding tube easier.
[0021] In general, the guiding tube is configured to drain juices from the interior of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids, such as water in the form of condensed steam. Water may for example occur on the inner walls of the cooking chamber. As already addressed the term "juice" is to be understood as any liquid that may drip or fall (under gravity) from any food ingredient at elevated temperatures, such as animal and / or vegetarian food ingredients, when preparing food.
[0022] In one embodiment the guiding tube may be configured to drain juices from the lowest point of the interior of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids, such as water in the form of condensed steam. This lowest point may be at or near the centre of a cooking chamber or it may be distant from the centre of the cooking chamber.
[0023] In another embodiment the guiding tube may pass through a drain system of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids, such as water in the form of condensed steam. The drain system may be arranged at or near the centre of the cooking chamber, and the guiding tube may pass through the centre of the drain system. The centre of the drain system may be the lowest point of the drain system.
[0024] The juice separating arrangement may further comprise a tray configured for receiving juices, and guiding or leading juices to the guiding tube. The tray may comprise an opening aligned with the guiding tube so that received juices enter the guiding tube via the opening in the tray. Tracks or recesses in the tray may guide or lead juices to the opening in the tray. By providing a passage or opening between the tray and the inner walls of the cooking chamber, the tray is not configured to receive or pick-up for example water on the inner walls of the cooking chamber.
[0025] The tray may be detachably or moveably arranged in the cooking chamber. Alternatively, the tray may be detachably or moveably arranged on a moveable trolley configured to be positioned at least partly in the cooking chamber. The juice reservoir, which is configured to receive juice from the juice sump when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded, may be detachably or moveably arranged on the moveable trolley configured to be positioned at least partly in the cooking chamber.
[0026] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a cooking chamber comprising a juice separating arrangement according to the first aspect.
[0027] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a cooking device and trolley assembly comprising a juice separating arrangement wherein the tray is detachably or moveably arranged on a moveable trolley configured to be positioned at least partly in a cooking chamber of the cooking device.
[0028] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber, the method comprising the steps of guiding juices away from the interior of the cooking chamber using a guiding tube, and providing a juice trap comprising a juice sump having a certain capacity, wherein the juice sump is configured to o receive juices from the guiding tube, and o provide juices to a juice reservoir when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded wherein the juice trap, when the juice sump comprises a certain amount of juice, provides a steam resistant seal between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.
[0029] In the present context the terms "juice", "cooking chamber", "juice trap" and "steam resistant seal" are to be understood as addressed in relation to the first aspect. In general, the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and / or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
[0030] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The present invention will now be described in further details with reference to the accompanying figures where
[0032] Fig. 1 shows a first perspective of the juice separating arrangement according to the present invention,
[0033] Fig. 2 shows a second perspective of the juice separating arrangement according to the present invention,
[0034] Fig. 3 shows a distant perspective of the juice separating arrangement (without the tray) arranged in the bottom region of an oven,
[0035] Fig. 4 shows a distant perspective of the juice separating arrangement (including the tray) arranged in the bottom region of an oven,
[0036] Fig. 5 shows a moveable trolley configured to be at least partly arranged in an oven,
[0037] Fig. 6 shows a moveable trolley and an oven into which oven the moveable trolley is configured to be at least partly arranged, and
[0038] Fig. 7 shows a moveable trolley arranged in an oven.
[0039] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] In the following description of the invention the cooking chamber will be referred to as an oven, and the juice will be referred to as animal juice being separated from for example a chicken at elevated temperatures.
[0041] In general, the present invention relates to a juice separating arrangement for guiding animal juices from the interior of an oven to the exterior of the oven without blending the animal juice with other liquids, such as water in the form of condensed steam in the oven. As already mentioned, the terms "juice" or "animal juice" are to be understood as any liquid that may drip or fall from animals, such as chickens, at elevated temperatures. As an example, animal juices may involve fatty liquids, i.e. liquids containing fat. As it will be clear from the following disclosure the juice separating arrangement is arranged at or near the bottom of the oven.
[0042] Referring now to Fig. 1 the juice separating arrangement according to the present invention is depicted. Starting from the top, a tray 101 is configured for receiving animal juices in that animal juices drip or fall onto the tray 101 due to gravity. The animals being prepared in the oven are thus positioned above the tray 101. Moreover, the tray 101 is configured for guiding animal juices to the guiding tube 105 via indentation 102 and openings 103 in the tray 101.
[0043] As seen in Fig. 1 the indentation 102 and the openings 103 in the tray 101 are aligned with the guiding tube 105 so that received animal juices enter the guiding tube 105 via the indentation 102 and the openings 103 in the tray 101. As also seen in Fig. 1 a funnel 104 is arranged between the tray 101 and the guiding tube 105. The tray 101 may be detachably or moveably arranged in the oven. Alternatively, the tray 101 may be detachably or moveably arranged on a moveable trolley (not shown) configured to be at least partly positioned in the oven.
[0044] As already discussed, the length of the guiding tube 105 is in the range 1-100 cm, such as in the range 1-75 cm, such as in the range 1-50 cm, such as in the range 1-40 cm, such as in the range 1-30 cm, such as in the range 1-25 cm, such as in the range 1-20 cm. The inner diameter of the guiding tube 105 is in the range 5-100 mm, such as in the range 5-75 mm, such as in the range 5-50 mm, such as in the range 5-40 mm, such as in the range 5-30 mm, such as in the range 5-20 mm.
[0045] The positioning of the guiding tube 105 at or near the bottom of the oven, and the relatively short length of the guiding tube 105 is, as already mentioned, advantageous in that the entire length of the guiding tube 105 may then be heated to elevated temperatures by the oven. At such elevated temperatures of the guiding tube 105, animal juices, or parts thereof, are prevented from solidifying within the guiding tube 105. Moreover, the relatively short length of the guiding tube 105 makes cleaning of the guiding tube 105 easier. The inner dimensions, i.e. the inner diameter, of the guiding tube 105 is advantageous in that this also facilitates cleaning of the guiding tube 105.
[0046] As depicted in Fig. 1 the guiding tube 105 moreover forms an essentially straight structure. The essentially straight nature of the guiding tube 105, i.e. the fact that the guiding tube 105 neither bends nor curves, is advantageous in that the straight nature of the guiding tube 105 also makes cleaning of the guiding tube 105 easier. As already discussed, the overall aim of the juice separating arrangement relates to guiding of juices, such as animal juices, from the interior of the oven to the exterior of the oven essentially without blending the juice with other liquids, such as condensed steam in the oven. With reference to Fig. 1 condensed steam in the form of for example water on the inner walls of the oven is led away from the interior of the oven via the drain 107 and the drain pipeline 108.
[0047] As depicted in Fig. 1 the animal juices pass the boundary 109 of the oven (between the interior of the oven and the exterior of the oven) via the guiding tube 105 before reaching the juice trap 110 comprising a juice sump. The boundary 109 of the oven is preferably a bottom plate of the oven.
[0048] As already discussed, the animal juice in the juice sump forms a steam resistant seal or steam resistant barrier between the interior and the exterior of the oven so that steam is essentially prevented from escaping from the interior of the oven. A steam resistant seal or steam resistant barrier is provided when the lower opening or end of the guiding tube 105 is immersed into the juice 114 of the juice sump as depicted in Fig. 2. The capacity of the juice sump is typically smaller than a few hundred millilitres.
[0049] When the juice sump of the juice tray 110 is filled with animal juice, and more animal juice is provided via the guiding tube 105, excess juice will escape the juice trap 110 via passages 111 and 111'. Excess animal juice from the juice trap 110 is received by a funnel 112 before being collected by a juice reservoir 113. The juice reservoir 113 may be detachably or moveably arranged in the oven. Alternatively, the juice reservoir 113 may be detachably or moveably arranged on a moveable trolley (not shown) configured to be at least partly positioned in the oven.
[0050] The tray 101, the funnel 104, the guiding tube 105 and the juice trap 110 is preferably made of a stainless material, such as for example stainless steel.
[0051] In Figs. 3 and 4 distant views of the juice separating arrangement according to the present invention is depicted. The juice separating arrangement is arranged in the bottom region of an oven. As depicted in Fig. 3, the guiding tube penetrates a bottom plate of the oven, i.e. animal juices are led from the interior of the oven to the exterior of the oven through a bottom plate of the oven. In Fig. 3 the tray configured for receiving animal juices, and guiding animal juices to the guiding tube, is omitted, whereas the tray is included in Fig. 4.
[0052] While the funnel, the guiding tube and the juice trap (with the juice sump) are arranged in a stationary manner relative to the oven, the tray and / or the juice reservoir (denoted fat tray in Figs. 3 and 4) may be detachably or moveably arranged relative to the oven. A detachably arrangement of the tray and / or the juice reservoir may involve a moveable trolley on which the tray and / or the juice reservoir is detachable arranged. As previously mentioned, the moveable trolley is configured to be positioned at least partly in the oven. Such a moveable trolley is depicted in Fig. 5 where the tray and the juice reservoir (hardly visible) are arranged at the bottom of the moveable trolley. When the moveable trolley is inserted into an oven the funnel 104, the guiding tube 105 and the juice trap 110, cf. Figs. 1 and 2, are arranged between the tray and the juice reservoir.
[0053] Referring now to Fig. 6 the moveable trolley is depicted in front of an oven into which oven the moveable trolley is configured to be inserted. Again, the tray and the juice reservoir (hardly visible) are arranged at the bottom of the moveable trolley. In Fig. 7 the moveable trolley is inserted in an oven.
[0054] Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiments shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary, the embodiments are merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims, without intent to limit the claims to these exemplary embodiments. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.
Claims
9CLAIMS1. A juice separating arrangement for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber, wherein the juice separating arrangement comprises a guiding tube for guiding juices away from the interior of the cooking chamber, and a juice trap comprising a juice sump having a certain capacity, wherein the juice sump is configured to o receive juices from the guiding tube, and o provide juices to a juice reservoir when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded wherein the juice trap, when the juice sump comprises a certain amount of juice, is configured to provide a steam resistant seal between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.
2. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the length of the guiding tube is in the range 1-100 cm, such as in the range 1-75 cm, such as in the range 1-50 cm, such as in the range 1-40 cm, such as in the range 1-30 cm, such as in the range 1-25 cm, such as in the range 1-20 cm.
3. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner diameter of the guiding tube is in the range 5-100 mm, such as in the range 5-75 mm, such as in the range 5-50 mm, such as in the range 5-40 mm, such as in the range 5-30 mm, such as in the range 5-20 mm.
4. A juice separating arrangement according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the guiding tube forms an essentially straight structure in order to ease cleaning of the guiding tube.
5. A juice separating arrangement according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the guiding tube is configured to drain juices from the interior of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids.
6. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the guiding tube is configured to drain juices from the lowest point of the interior of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids.
7. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the guiding tube passes through a drain system of the cooking chamber in a manner so that juices remain separated from other liquids.
8. A juice separating arrangement according to any of claims 1-7, further comprising a tray configured for receiving juices, and guiding received juices to the guiding tube.
9. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the tray comprises an opening aligned with the guiding tube so that received juices enter the guiding tube via the opening in the tray.
10. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the tray is detachably arranged in the cooking chamber.
11. A juice separating arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the tray is detachably arranged on a moveable trolley configured to be positioned at least partly in the cooking chamber.
12. A cooking device comprising a cooking chamber comprising a juice separating arrangement according to any of claims 1-10.
13. A cooking device and trolley assembly comprising a juice separating arrangement according to claim 11.
14. A method for guiding juices from the interior of a cooking chamber to the exterior of the cooking chamber, the method comprising the steps of guiding juices away from the interior of the cooking chamber using a guiding tube, and providing a juice trap comprising a juice sump having a certain capacity, wherein the juice sump is configured to o receive juices from the guiding tube, and o provide juices to a juice reservoir when the capacity of the juice sump is exceeded wherein the juice trap, when the juice sump comprises a certain amount of juice, provides a steam resistant seal between the interior and the exterior of the cooking chamber.