FR2509976A1 - Cooking pan with removable support disc - has disc positioned in bottom of pan, and resting on retaining rim - Google Patents

Abstract

The cooking pan is fitted with a replaceable disc for different cooking purposes, and has a base frame (1) at the bottom of which is placed the disc (3). A retaining side (5) to the pan is fixed by its top (5') to the rim of the main side (12) of the pan. The diameter of the movable disc (3) is greater than that of the top raised part (13) of the pan base, and less than the diameter separating the opposite surfaces of the inner side of the pan.

Description

 the subject of the invention is a pole provided with a removable disk, and the means for positioning and fixing this disk.

 The aim sought after according to the invention is to develop a pan which can, from a same basic structure, be equipped with various removable and interchangeable means, with a view to its use for various culinary uses, said means being disposable in case of deterioration.

 Another object of the invention, for a particular application, is to solve the problem of the use of frying pans having a non-stick coating of the poly-tetrafluoroethylene or PD? E type, and in particular those sold commercially under the Brand "TEFL". It is recalled for this purpose, for the aforementioned type of product, that the coating is closely combined by chemical or mechanical effect, with the aluminum frame of the hen, over its entire interior surface, as illustrated in FIG. 1. It is well known that this type of coating is extremely fragile and that special drawings must be taken when using these stoves. When the coating is damaged by scratches or the like, it loses its characteristic self-lubricating and mechanical properties, and the pan must be scrapped. The large quantity of aluminum constituting the general framework of the pan is then wasted and lost. For this reason, the thickness of the stoves is limited to the maximum in order to avoid wasting aluminum and to limit manufacturing costs.

To remedy these drawbacks and keep the advantages of a pan with a PIFE bottom, we proposed in the
French Patent 1,441,591, the creation of a pan with a removable PTFE coating, covering the entire interior of the pan. In this patent, the film of? PFE has been previously reported on a support having on its periphery, lateral tabs intended to engage by pivoting, in housings provided on the body of the pan. According to this embodiment, the PTFR coating and its support closely match the interior shapes of the pan.

The embodiment thus described, well known to the applicant, has certain drawbacks and to his knowledge, could not be iridescent in practice on an industrial level, for the following reasons: - the adjusts; nent mechanical support
PTFE on the interior wall of the hen, entraznbit certain difficulties of realization and rer result, an increase in the cost of production. It also turned out that a 0124SA) was necessary to remove the rementement from its sunnort. In addition, when using the pan under the heating-thermal conditions, it was found an expansion in all directions of the aluminum film on which the ITFE coating has been deposited; this being positioned fixedly in connection with its support, there is a bending of the bottom part of the pan, which makes it unusable.

 According to a first characteristic of the invention, the pan according to the invention comprises a basic frame, the shapes of which correspond to the general shapes of a pan, on the bottom of said frame being in plan support, an interchangeable removable disk, maintained in position by at least one retaining part which is fixed by its upper part to the upper peripheral edge of the base frame, and which bears at its other end on the visible face of the disc, with a certain elasticity in order to maintain it in position and ensure sealing; this retaining wall defining with respect to the wall of the body of the pan, an annular chamber.

 According to another characteristic, the retaining wall is made of a material with low thermal conductivity, different from that constituting the body of the pan.

 These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the object of the invention, without however limiting it, to the figures of the drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional view illustrating an internal coating of a PTFE coating, such as that currently sold in coninlerce under the brand "TEFAT;
Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the pan according to the invention, before mounting of its elements;
Figure 3 is a partial sectional view, illustrating according to a first embodiment, the maintenance in position of the attached disc, by the retaining edge
your Figure 4 is a partial sectional view, illustrating in a second embodiment, the maintenance in position of the disc;
Figure 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating according to a third embodiment, the maintenance in position of the disc;
Figure 6 is a partial view similar to FigureS but illustrating the deformation of the disc covered with a PTFE fi, by thermal expansion, in use
Figure 7 is a partial sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of the fixing and locking of the handle of the pan;
Your figures 8 and 9 are variants relating to the fixing and locking of the handle of the pan
Figure 10 is a partial view, before assembly of its elements, of an alternative embodiment of the pan according to the invention
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the pan mounted according to Figure 10
Your Figures 12 and 13 schematically illustrate various embodiments of the disc for different uses.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner, with reference to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

 The pan comprises a frame (1) with a flat bottom (11) and a peripheral wall (12) of aluminum. A handle (2) is attached and fixed in a known manner, on the outer face of said wall.

 According to the invention, the upper face (13) of the bottom of the pan is slightly raised relative to the lower part of the peripheral wall (t2), thus defining an annular groove (14). On the upper face (13) is reported a support disc (3) placed in simple plane support on the upper face of the bottom of the pan. This disc receives in any suitable manner, a coating (4) having non-stick properties of the PIFE type, this coating being in the form of a film a few microns thick, approximately 20 to 30 microns. The disc may preferably be made of aluminum, silicone or other materials such as titanium, steel and the like.

 According to another characteristic, a profiled edge (5) is attached and fixed by its upper part (51) to the upper peripheral edge (15) of the pan, while its lower end (52) comes to bear on the disc, to keep it in position and ensure a good seal. This border is advantageous; is made of stainless steel, that is to say of a material whose thermal conductivity characteristics are low and in any case less than that offered by aluminum, material constituting the body of the pan. .

 Other materials with low thermal conductivity could be chosen.

 According to another characteristic, the upper part (51) of the stainless steel wall is provided with one or more tabs (53) engaging and fixing by clipping, snap-fastening or the like, on the upper peripheral edge (15) of the pan. , while, as indicated above, the lower part (5) of the peroi is supported on the disc (3).

 As illustrated in Figure 3, the tongues (53) may have at their end, a projection (54) coming to cooperate with a complementary boss (16) formed on the peripheral edge of the pan.

In addition, the stainless steel wall is positioned with a certain elasticity between its fixing points, adjustable and variable depending on the deformation by thermal expansion of the attached disc, when using the hair
There are illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, alternative positioning of the lower end of the retaining edge.

Figure 3, the latter has a curved end which comes to bear substantially in a plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane of the disc. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the disc (3) has on its so-called external face, a circular groove (31) situated close to its periphery (32) to allow engagement and maintenance in position of the lower end (5) of the retaining edge (5) secured, by its upper part (51), to the upper peripheral edge (15) of the pan. This groove (31) can be made in any suitable manner, stamping or other, and has the particular advantage of stiffening the disc. Provision has been made, where appropriate, for positioning a silicone seal (6), FIG. 3, at the point where the retaining edge (5) rests on the disc.

 As illustrated in Figure 4, the disc may alternatively have on its face (33) intended to come into abutment against the upper face (13), a circular projection (34), intended to engage with a certain clearance, in a circular recess (17) established on the bottom of the pan, this to allow rapid positioning and centering with play, of the PUFE disc, on the bottom of the pan. the thickness of this disc is preferably of the order of 5 to 8 tenths of a millimeter.

 According to another characteristic, the diameter (D) of this disc is slightly greater than the diameter (dol) of the circular upper face (73) of the bottom of the pan, but less than the distance (D2) separating the zones opposite the peripheral wall; an interval (e) is therefore defined, the interest of which will appear later.

 According to another important characteristic of the invention, the retaining wall is not in abutment against the peripheral wall (12) of the pan, so as to constitute an annular chamber (7) between the two walls. Depending on the curvature given to the attached wall, the annular chamber can be of increasing or constant section, from the upper fixing part of the stainless steel wall to its lower part. By this arrangement, the direct thermal conductivity of heat is avoided from one wall to another. It follows that the temperature of the stainless steel wall is much lower than that of the peripheral wall (12) of aluminum, thanks both to the choice of the material of the retaining wall and to the interval (7) separating the two walls.

 This avoids any agglomeration of oil, grease or other products on the stainless steel wall, removing or reducing in large proportions, any cleaning or pickling problems.

This retaining edge is advantageously made of stainless steel, that is to say of a material whose thermal conductivity characteristics are low, and in any case less than that offered by aluminum, the material constituting the body of the pan,
It is also emphasized that when using tallas stoves, the temperatures at the bottom of the pan and at the walls, are different.

 Illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the possible deformation of the coating in the form of a disc, when using the pan. The interval (e) is determined so that in the event of maximum expansion of the disc, as a function of the temperature, the end of the latter does not come into contact with the peripheral wall (72) and allows to remain a reduced interval (ai), the disc always remaining in plan support on the bottom of the pan, ensuring the best possible heat exchange, eliminating all phenomena of blisters, bulges or the like.

 Another characteristic of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, according to which the adaptation and fixing of the handle of the pan allows the locking of the retaining edge in position. It follows that to change the disc (3), it is necessary to unlock and disassemble the handle of the pan to release the upper part (51) of the retaining wall (5) relative to the peripheral edge (12) from the pan.

 According to Figure 7, the upper part (51) of the retaining edge extends at the point of fixing the handle, matching the outside contour of the wall (12) of the pan.

An opening (55) is made in this extension (56) to allow the passage of the fixing screw (8) of the handle of the pan, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

 According to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings and as a variant, the upper part (51) of the retaining edge extends at the point of fixing the handle, with a cutout (57) and two lateral tabs (58) allowing engaging and holding the pan handle. In addition, this extension (59) has an internal boss (510) which cooperates with a projection (18) established on the peripheral edge of the pan. To allow the pan to be mounted according to the invention, after positioning the disc (3 ), the retaining edge is added by positioning its upper part on the peripheral edge of the wall, then, after a slight circular pivoting allowing the boss (51) to be placed behind the projection (18), the handle of the pan is engaged in the cutout (57) and fixed as appropriate, draw the body of the pan. A complete locking of the assembly is thus obtained.

 Illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, an elaborate variant of the pan according to the invention. The latter comprises a frame (9) whose shapes correspond to the conventional exterior shapes of a pan, with a grip handle (10) secured to said frame by a connecting screw (11). On its upper face, the grip handle (10) has a recess (101) in which is fitted after pivoting, a locking lever (12) integral with a retaining edge (13). Said frame (9) has on its outer peripheral edge (91), a plurality of profiled projections (14) forming hooks, defining over part of their length, a slot (141) authorizing the engagement of the complementary legs (151) established on the periphery of an intermediate ring (15), which further has, in its lower part, an inner flange (152) provided with holes (153), on which is centered and rests, a shouldered seat (132) of the retaining edge, screws (16) ensuring the connection between the crown and said edge.

As can be seen in FIG. 10 of the drawings, the projections (14) are established over only part of the width of the outer peripheral edge (91) of the framework, so as to allow the positioning of the upper flange (131) in
U, of the retaining edge, which thus conceals the assembly and locking elements coming in the extension of the peripheral external profile (93) of the frame.

According to this embodiment, the mounting and locking of the constituent elements of the pan is carried out in the following manner, the disc (17) is positioned in plane support on the upper bottom of the frame (9); after having been secured by the screws (16), the intermediate crown (15) and the border (13), the assembly is engaged on the one hand, bearing by the end (133), on the disc (17), and secondly, by the tabs (151), between the projections (14); then, by an angular pivoting action exerted by means of the locking lever (12), according to arrow F, said lever is received in the recess (101) of the gripping lever (10), while the tabs ( 151) are engaged in the slots (141). After assembly of the elements, an annular chamber (18) is defined between the retaining wall and the internal wall (94) of the frame.

 The assembly thus formed is perfectly locked.

To change the disc (17), it suffices to perform the reverse operation which is therefore simple in itself. As indicated previously for the other embodiments, the retaining edge is preferably made of a material of the stainless steel type, the characteristics of which are different from those of the disc.

 It is obvious that other modes of connection can be provided, between the intermediate crown (15) and the edge (13) on the one hand, and this assembly thus obtained with the peripheral profile (91) of the framework, d 'somewhere else.

 Illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, possible forms of the removable disk. The latter can be, as indicated above, coated with a layer or film of PIFE. It can also be made of any other material and have a flat, com partimenthe (171), grooved (172) or other apparent face, depending on the possibilities.

 The advantages emerge clearly from the description, and in particular, it is emphasized - the easy adaptation of the disc on the bottom of the pan and its interchangeability; - the double function of the retaining edge, allowing on the one hand, a flexible and waterproof positioning of the disc whatever the thermal expansions and offering on the other hand, a low thermal conductivity - the new aesthetic aspect of the stoves obtained according to the invention - tion - the use of a basic framework on which is positive a removable disc with variable characteristics - the possibility of using stoves whose bottom is of considerable thickness, possibly consisting of several layers of various materials .

 The invention is in no way limited to that of these applications, nor to those of the embodiments of the various parts which have been more particularly indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all variants.

Claims (7)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S  -1- Frying pan provided with a removable coating, characterized in that it comprises a basic framework, the shapes of which correspond to the general shapes of a frying pan, on the bottom of said framework being placed in plan support an interchangeable removable disc, held in position by at least one retaining piece which is fixed by its upper part to the upper peripheral edge of the base frame and bears, by its other end, on the visible face of the disc with a certain elasticity, in order to maintain in position and ensure sealing; this retaining wall defining with respect to the wall of the body of the pan, an annular chamber.  -2- Pan according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises, a disc (3) resting on the raised inner bottom of the pan, a retaining wall (5) being attached and fixed by its upper part (51), at the peripheral edge of the wall (12) of the body of the pan, bearing, by its other end, on the visible face of the disc with a certain elasticity; said retaining wall defining with respect to the wall of the body of the pan, an annular chamber.  -3- Pan according to claims i and 2 together, characterized in that the diameter (D) of the removable disc (3) is substantially greater than the diameter (D1) of the upper part (13) raised from the bottom of the pan and less than the diameter (D2) separate the opposite faces opposite the interior wall (from the body of the pan, a gap (e) being provided between the end of the peripheral edge of the disc and its extension on the face of the wall ( 12), to allow thermal expansion. of the disc.  -4- Stove according to claims i and 2 together, characterized in that the disc (3) has on its visible face and near its peripheral edge, a circular projection (31) in which engages the lower end of the retaining border.  -5- Stove according to any of claims 2 and 4, erased in that the disc (3) has on its inner faCe, a circular projection (34) engaging with play, in a recess co-.plerlenteire ( 17) stable on the upper side of the bottom of the pan.  -6- Stove according to claims 1 and 2 together, characterized in that the upper part (51) of the retaining wall (5), fits by clipping, snap-fastening or the like, on the peripheral edge of the wall (12 ) from the hen's body.  -8- Stove according to claims 1, 2, 6 and 7 together, characterized in that the upper part (51) of the retaining wall (5) has an extension (56), at the location of attachment of the handle, and following the outside contour of the wall (1) of the pan; an opening (55) being provided in this extension to allow the passage of the fixing screw (8) of the handle of the pan, said extension being inserted against the fixing area of the handle, being held and locked during the adaptation of the latter.  -7- Stove according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper part (51) of the retaining wall has a plurality of tongues (53) with projections (54) cooperating with complementary bosses (16) established on the edge pan device,  -9- Pan according to claims 1, 2, 6 and 7 together, characterized in that the upper part (51) of the retaining edge extends at the point of fixing the handle, with a cutout (57) and two lateral legs (58) between which is engaged and held in position the handle of the pan; said extension thus obtained (59) having an inner boss (5) cooperating, after circular pivoting of the edge, with a projection (18) formed on the peripheral edge of the pan.  -10- Poale according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a base frame (9) provided with a grip handle (10) having on its upper face, a recess (101) allowing the housing of a locking lever (12) secured to the support edge (13); said frame having on its outer peripheral edge (91) and over a part of the width of the latter, a plurality of profiled projections (14) forming hooks, defining over a part of their length, a slot (14) authorizing engagement complementary tabs (151), established on the periphery of an intermediate ring (15) which is arranged at its lower part, with a collar (152) provided with holes (153) and on which is centered and rests, a bearing shoulder (132) of the retaining edge, the assembly being suitably secured; an annular chamber (18) being determined between the retaining edge and the interior wall (94) of the frame.  -11- Stove according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 9, characterized in that the disc is covered with a PTFE film.  -12- Pan according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 9, characterized in that the disc has an apparent surface striated, or compartmentalized, or smooth.  -13- Pan according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 9, characterized in that the retaining wall (5 - 13) and the wall (12 - 94) of the pan body, are made of different materials , with different thermal conductivity characteristics.  -14- Stove according to claim l, characterized in that the holding wall (5 - 13) is made of stainless steel.