WO2009101641A1

WO2009101641A1 - Cooking device

Info

Publication number: WO2009101641A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pino Spagnolo
Original assignee: Bialetti Industrie SpA
Current assignee: Bialetti Industrie SpA
Priority date: 2008-02-11
Filing date: 2008-02-11
Publication date: 2009-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-11

Abstract

The present invention refers to a cooking device (1) comprising a pot (2) and a container (24) comprising a base (26) completely lodged in the pot (2) and having a plurality of apertures to be traversed by steam. The base (26) of the container (24) rests on the ring-shaped side (6) at a pre-defined height from the bottom (4) to create a lower compartment (40) and an upper compartment (42).

Description

"Cooking device"

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising a pot or frying-pan, able to be placed on a cooking hob, such as gas, electric or induction, to cook and heat foods .

[0002] It has been observed how some non-traditional methods of cooking are becoming increasingly popular, often as a result of new dietary habits. For example, steam cooking is increasingly widespread, according to which the food to be cooked, often vegetables, is enveloped by the steam produced by boiling water. [0003] To use such cooking method one needs to have a suitable pot, to put the foods to be cooked into. [0004] The purpose of the present invention is to create a cooking device especially for steam cooking, which is particularly efficient.

[0005] Such purpose is achieved by a cooking device made in accordance with claim 1 below. The dependent claims describe embodiment variations.

[0006] The characteristics and advantages of the cooking device according to the present invention will be evident from the description below, made by way of an indicative and non-limiting example according to the following figures, wherein: [0007] - figure 1 shows a partially sectioned, perspective view of a cooking device according to a form of embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] - figure 2 shows a perspective view of a support plate of the device in figure 1; and

[0009] - figure 3 shows a perspective view of a pot of the device in figure 1, associated with a basket for frying.

[0010] With reference to the . attached figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a cooking device, suitable for placing on a hob, such as gas, electric or induction, for cooking or heating foods.

[0011] The device 1 comprises a pot 2 comprising a bottom 4, suitable to rest on the hob, and a ring-shaped side 6, joined to the bottom 4 and extending around an axis of the pot X.

[0012] On the opposite side to the bottom 4, the ring- shaped side 6 has a free rim, which defines an opening for access to the inside. [0013] Preferably, the cooking device 1 also comprises a lid 10, able to fit onto the pot 2, to close the opening of the same, specifically the lid 10 is destined to rest on the free rim 8 of the ring-shaped side 6.

[0014] According to a preferred form of embodiment, the lid 10 comprises a body 12, for example dome-shaped, able to rest on the free rim 8 of the ring-shaped side 6 to close the opening of the pot.

[0015] According to an embodiment variation, the body 12 is made in transparent or semitransparent material, in any case such as to enable the inside of the pot to be seen.

[0016] Preferably, furthermore, the lid 10 comprises a knob 14, attached to the body 12, for gripping the lid. [0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the pot 2 also comprises at least one handle 16, attached externally to the ring-shaped side to hold the pot. For example two handles attached in diametrically opposite positions in relation to the circular opening of the pot are foreseen. [0018] From the bottom 4 towards the opening of the pot, inside this, the ring-shaped side 6 has a first ring-shaped portion 18, joined to the bottom 4, having a concave configuration.

[0019] In other words, at the foot of the pot, where it joins the bottom 4, the ring-shaped side 6 narrows in relation to the bottom.

[0020] The ring-shaped side 6 also comprises a second ring-shaped portion 20, joined to the first portion 18, having a convex configuration in relation to the inside of the pot . [0021] In other words, above the first narrower portion, there is a convex, ring-shaped bulge. [0022] Furthermore, the ring-shaped side comprises a third ring-shaped portion 22, joined to the second ring- shaped portion 20, having a concave shape in relation to the inside of the pot, arriving as far as the free rim 8 of the ring-shaped side 6.

[0023] In other words, observing the profile of the ring-shaped side in a cross-section obtained from a plane containing the axis of the pot X (such as, for example, in figure ^'I) , such profile shows an outline formed of curved sections, that is an undulated outline, from the bottom towards the opening, first concave, then convex and then concave again. [0024] The ring-shaped side 6, in addition, presents an outline which widens from the bottom towards the opening .

[0025] Furthermore, the cooking device 1 comprises a container 24, at least partially located inside the pot, able to hold the foods for steam cooking.

[0026] The container 24 comprises a base 26 and, preferably, a handle 28.

[0027] The base 26 comprises a disc-shaped plate 30, for example thin, supplied with a plurality of holes 31 for the passage of the steam, and a rim 32 positioned on the outside of the plate 30 and joined to it. [0028] Preferably, the rim 32 is raised in relation to the plate 30, so that the base 26 has a hollow shape suitable for containing the foods. [0029] Preferably, in addition, the rim 32 comprises an intermediate portion 32a, ring-shaped in the shape of a truncated cone, joined to the plate 30, and a strip 30b in the shape of a circular crown, lying essentially on a plane parallel to the plate 30. [0030] Preferably, the handle 28, which extends along the axis of the pot X, for example in the shape of an overturned U, is connected centrally to the plate 30, for example soldered or screwed to it. [0031] With the container positioned inside the pot, the handle 28 protrudes at least in part above the free rim 8 of the pot, so as to facilitate gripping of the container.

[0032] When the lid 10 has been placed on the pot 2, the container 24 is lodged entirely inside the device and does not interfere with the handle, thanks to the dome- shape of the lid.

[0033] In addition, once the base 30 has been lodged inside the pot, said base rests on the lateral side 6 of the pot 2 at a predetermined height from the bottom 4 of it, so as to make two separate compartments inside the pot: a lower compartment 40, between the bottom 4 and the base 30 of the support, and an upper compartment 42, between the base 30 and the opening of the pot (or the lid 10, when placed on the pot) . [0034] Specifically, the base 26 of the container 24 rests on a portion of the lateral side 6 which has a divergent outline from the bottom up to the opening, that is that it opens towards the top; for example the base 26 rests on the second ring-shaped portion 20 of the side, that is, on the convex ring-shaped portion.

[0035] Specifically, the strip 32b of the rim 32 of the base 26 rests on the ring-shaped side 6, for example on the convex, ring-shaped portion 20. [0036] A cooking apparatus according to the present invention comprises, in addition, the pot 2 and a basket 50 suitable for frying.

[0037] The basket 50 comprises a pan 52 with the sides permeable to oil, for example meshed, suitable for performing frying, a handle 54 permanently joined to the pan 52 and support arms 56, joined in such a way that they can be rotated in relation to the pan 52. [0038] To perform frying, the pan 52 is lodged inside the pot 2 and the support arms 56 are, in a first configuration, rotated upwards, so as to allow the pan to be immersed. [0039] When frying is completed, the pan 52 can be raised by the handle 54 and the support arms 56 are positioned in a second configuration, rotated in relation to the previous, so as to rest on the free rim of the side, so as to allow the oil to drain from the foods contained in the pan (figure 3) .

[0040] Innovatively, the cooking device described above permits steam cooking in a particularly efficient manner, given that the foods, during cooking, are fully contained in the pot, surrounded by the hot sides of it. [0041] This means that the steam can be kept in contact with the foods and above the foods too, for example in the upper compartment bordering on the lid, at a high temperature, considerably improving the cooking process.

[0042] Advantageously furthermore, the shape of the side of the pot creates a lower compartment holding enough water to complete the cooking process. [0043] It is to be noted that by filling the lower compartment with water, the boiling water is particularly close to the foods, so that the steam enveloping the foods has not dispersed its heat.

[0044] In known state-of-the-art devices rather, where the food is at the top of the pot, with little water one risks creating a distance between the boiling water and the foods which allows the steam to cool before enveloping the said foods; while if a lot of water is used so as to have the boiling water close to the food, energy is wasted by bringing a large quantity of water to the boil in vain.

[0045] Advantageously, furthermore the container does not have any parts in contact with the bottom, which has a particularly high temperature. [0046] In some known state-of-the-art devices rather, the container rests on the bottom of the pot, with the risk of tarnishing the material .

[0047] According to a further advantageous aspect, the container can be grasped easily and removed from the pot without the risk of scalding. [0048] Advantageously, in addition, the device, without the container, can be used as a pot for traditional cooking.

[0049] It is clear that a technician skilled in this area may make numerous modifications and adjustments to the cooking device described above so as to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all contained within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. Cooking device (1) comprising:

- a pot (2) suitable for placing on a hob for cooking or heating foods, comprising a bottom (4) destined to rest on the hob and a ring-shaped side (6) joined to the bottom and projecting from this along an axis of the pot (X) perpendicular to the bottom, wherein said side presents a free rim (8) which defines the opening of the pot; - a container (24) comprising a base (26) lodged entirely in the pot (2) and having a plurality of apertures so as to be traversed by steam; wherein the base (26) of the container (24) rests on the ring-shaped side (6) at a predefined height from the bottom (4) so as to form a lower compartment (40) and an upper compartment (42) .

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the side (6) comprises at least one ring-shaped portion diverging from the bottom towards the opening and said base rests on said divergent ring-shaped portion.

3. Device according to claim 2 , wherein the entire side presents a divergent outline from the bottom towards the opening .

4. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the side (6) comprises a first, concave, ring- shaped portion (18) joined to the bottom.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the side (6) comprises a second, convex, ring-shaped portion (20) joined to the first ring-shaped portion (18) .

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the side (6) comprises a third, concave, ring-shaped portion (22) joined to the second ring-shaped portion (20) , terminating in the free rim (8) .

7. Device according to any of the previous claims , wherein the base (26) of the container (24) comprises a plate (30) and a rim (32) positioned in a ring-shape externally to the plate, raised in relation to said plate.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein the rim (32) rests on the side (6) of the pot.

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the rim (32) comprises an intermediate, ring-shaped portion (32a) in the shape of a truncated cone, joined to the plate (30) , and a strip (30b) in the shape of a circular crown, lying on a parallel plane to the plate (30) .

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the strip (30b) rests on the side (6) of the pot.

11. Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the container (24) comprises a handle (28) .

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein said handle extends along the pot axis (X) , protruding above the free rim (8) of the pot.

13. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a lid (10) which can be joined to the free rim (8) of the pot (2) to close the opening.

14. Device according to claim 13, wherein the lid (10) comprises a dome-shaped body (12) able to rest on the free rim of the pot .

15. Device according to any of the previous claims wherein said apertures for the steam are constituted of holes (31) arranged around imaginary concentric circumferences .

16. Device according to any of the previous claims from 1 to 14 , wherein said apertures for the steam are made between the wires of a grid.

17. Pot (2) suitable for resting on a cooking hob for heating and/or cooking foods, comprising:

- a bottom (4) suitable for resting on a hob;

- a ring-shaped side (6) , joined to the bottom (4) , protruding from the bottom along an axis of the pot (X) perpendicular to said bottom, having a free rim (8) which defines the opening of the pot; wherein the side (6) presents at least one ring-shaped portion diverging from the bottom towards the opening.