U.S. patent application number 15/234316 was filed with the patent office on 2016-12-01 for moisture management devices and systems for ovens.
This patent application is currently assigned to TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. Invention is credited to Carl Jay Dougherty, Thomas E. Yingst.
Application Number | 20160348920 15/234316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51521746 |
Filed Date | 2016-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160348920 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yingst; Thomas E. ; et
al. |
December 1, 2016 |
MOISTURE MANAGEMENT DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR OVENS
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide devices
and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from an oven
interior to a separate compartment of the oven where the live steam
and grease can be condensed and safely disposed.
Inventors: |
Yingst; Thomas E.;
(Carrollton, TX) ; Dougherty; Carl Jay; (Plano,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES, INC. |
Carrollton |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TURBOCHEF TECHNOLOGIES,
INC.
Carrollton
TX
|
Family ID: |
51521746 |
Appl. No.: |
15/234316 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13803540 |
Mar 14, 2013 |
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15234316 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/2007 20130101;
F24C 15/327 20130101; A47J 36/38 20130101; H05B 6/6473 20130101;
A21B 3/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/20 20060101
F24C015/20; H05B 6/64 20060101 H05B006/64; F24C 15/32 20060101
F24C015/32 |
Claims
1. A device for re-routing steam from a cooking chamber of an oven,
comprising: a. a capture compartment positioned externally to the
cooking chamber; b. a ducting member to provide a connection
between the cooking chamber of the oven and the capture
compartment; and c. a cover lid for the capture compartment.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the capture compartment is
positioned below the oven.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the capture compartment is
positioned to the side of the oven
4. The device of claim 1, further comprising mounting rails for
positioning the device appropriately with respect to the oven.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover lid comprises an
underneath surface comprising one or more channels configured to
channel steam.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the one or more channels comprise
a labyrinth in which steam may travel.
7. The device of claim 5, wherein the one or more channels are
formed from baffles welded to the cover lid.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the capture compartment further
comprises a drain valve.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising an o-ring at a
junction between the ducting member and the capture
compartment.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism
that secures the ducting member to the oven.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a gasket configured
to maintain a seal between the capture compartment and the cover
lid.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
devices and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from
an oven interior to a separate compartment located externally from
the oven where the live steam and grease can be condensed and
safely disposed.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Convection microwave ovens often create steam during the
cooking process. Depending upon the food products being cooked, the
steam may also be laden with grease, which can create a mess if the
oven is not cleaned properly on a regular basis. Some ovens provide
a vent that vents the steam directly to the outside atmosphere at
the back of the oven. However, the steam can condense on the back
(or side) of the oven, and if the steam is laden with grease, once
the water evaporates, there remains a grease film that is
unsanitary and unsightly. This film may also form on surfaces
outside the oven. Accordingly, new systems are need in order to
manage and re-route escaping grease-laden steam from convection
microwave ovens, or other ovens that may experience similar
problems.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,390 describes a filter box that is
provided within the oven. In use, the air stream containing the
debris passes from the cooking chamber into a filter duct, which
causes the airborne grease to liquefy and condense thereon; the
filter duct may be removed from the oven for cleaning. The filter
box of this patent, however, is designed to be housed within the
actual oven body. The new moisture management system described
herein can work in addition to this filter duct, adding extra
grease laden removal and accumulation properties.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,326 describes a microwave waste
incinerator, which draws vapor through a pipe by a vacuum blower
and uses a two-way valve that directs vapor from the cooking
chamber to a cooler, where the vapor is condensed and drained into
a storage tank. After the condensates are drained, they are moved
to an incineration phase.
[0005] U.S. Publication No. 2009/0200295 describes a microwave oven
with a drain orifice, which allows discharge of steam condensates,
fat, and water. The discharge orifice is positioned on the oven
floor and is protected by a protective grid or strainer, which is
placed against a surface of the oven floor at the periphery of the
discharge orifice.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide
devices and systems for re-routing escaping steam and grease from
an oven interior to a separate capture compartment where the live
steam and grease can be condensed and safely disposed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a side perspective view of portions of the
steam re-routing device according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of a ducting member
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a side perspective view of the underneath
surface of a cover lid according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows a side perspective view of an assembled
device.
[0011] FIG. 5a shows an exploded view of a steam re-routing
device.
[0012] FIG. 5b shows the steam re-routing device of FIG. 5a in an
assembled configuration.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a cover lid
baffle.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a side perspective view of the steam re-routing
device suggested water level.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Embodiments of the present invention provide improved
devices and systems for delivering better moisture management for
ovens. Instead of allowing the oven to disperse steam into the
atmosphere outside the oven, the present invention captures the
steam, which is likely grease and fat laden, and delivers it to a
separate capture compartment. This allows the device to re-route
escaping steam and grease from the oven interior to the separate
and discrete capture compartment, where the live steam and grease
can be condensed and safely disposed.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a capture
compartment pan 12 that has a base 14, side walls 16, a front wall
18, and a back wall 20. The back wall 20 has an opening 22 which is
designed to cooperate with, connect with, or otherwise receive a
ducting member 24. An additional opening 23 in the back wall 20 may
be provided in order to provide pressure relief and act as a vent.
This additional opening 23 may be louvered or perforated.
[0017] An exemplary ducting member 24 is shown in FIG. 2. Ducting
member 24 is shown as a generally tubular member, which provides a
path for re-routing steam from an oven interior to the compartment
12. The ducting member 24 acts as an exhaust tube that re-routes
the escaping steam (which is often grease laden steam) to the
capture compartment 12 that is positioned either below or on the
side of the oven. The ducting transfers the live steam (and grease)
to the compartment 12, where it can be condensed and captured.
[0018] Ducting member 24 has an oven connecting end 26 and a
compartment connecting area 28, which terminates at end 36. The
oven connecting end 26 may have an optional mounting plate portion
30, which helps secure and maintain the ducting member 24 in place
relative to the oven. The compartment connecting end 36 of the
ducting member 24 has a compartment abut 32, which functions to
position the end 36 with respect to the compartment 12 and to also
prevent any outflow of steam. (As shown in FIG. 1, an optional
o-ring seal 34 may also be provided which helps secure the end 36
in place and prevent outflow of steam.) The very tip of the
compartment connecting end 36 may have divided portions 36 and
serves as a lead-in point for ease of engagement of the manifold to
the pan. Providing a point or a simulated cone helps ease
penetration of the end 36 into the base and serves as a connecting
aid. The ducting member 24 may also have one or more additional
securing mechanisms 38 associated therewith.
[0019] The compartment 12 also cooperates with a cover lid 40. One
example of an embodiment of a cover lid 40 is shown in FIG. 3. The
cover lid 40 has an upper surface 42 and an underneath surface 44.
(FIG. 3 shows a more detailed view of the underneath surface 44,
and FIG. 4 shows an example of upper surface 42 of lid 40, as it is
positioned on the capture compartment 12.) Referring to FIG. 3, the
cover lid 40 is shown having a front flange 58 and a back flange
60, which are used to secure the lid in place over the compartment
12. The front flange 58 from the lid may sit in a notch or slot 68
that may be cut or formed in the front wall 18 of pan, as shown in
FIG. 1. The back flange 60 may sit in a notch or slot 70 that may
be cut or formed in the back wall 20. The flanges 58, 60 are shown
as being different sizes, which assists with alignment and also
helps mistake-proof the assembly, as the flanges are sized to fit
into the correspondingly-sized notch. This is an optional feature,
and it should be understood that the lid may fit against the pan
without flanges, or the flanges may be similarly-sized, and may be
sized differently than as shown. FIG. 4 shows an example of the
assembled device 10, including the capture compartment 12, ducting
member 24, and cover lid 40. The cover lid has an upper surface 42
on which the oven with steam to be re-routed may rest or otherwise
be positioned.
[0020] In an alternate embodiment, there may be rails provided with
offsets that are attached to the oven underside (or to the top of
the cover lid) in which the assembled device can slide into
position, while the steam routing device 24 engages with the base.
One example of this embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b,
which show exploded and assembled views of one embodiment of a
moisture management pan. FIG. 5a shows optional mounting bracket
rails 62 which may be positioned alongside the cover lid 40 and
function to guide the pan into place on the oven and secure it
thereto. The rails 62 may each have one or more oven securing
features 64, which allow the oven to be mounted to the rails 62,
and consequently, to the steam re-routing device 10. The
compartment 12 may also have an optional gasket 66, which assists
in providing a seal between the lid and pan. Alternatively, the
device may be positioned alongside the oven, and if space is a
primary consideration, it is possible to provide a longer ducting
such that the device 10 may be located remotely from the oven.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the underneath surface 44 of the cover
lid 40 has one or more channels 46 positioned thereon. The channels
46 may be formed from individual baffles 48 that are welded to the
underneath surface, the channels may be formed integrally with the
lid 40 via extrusion, or they may be formed from any other
appropriate method. As shown in FIG. 3, one channel 46 may be
formed as a box-shaped portion 50 with an opening 52. The baffle(s)
ensures that the exhaust is forced into the lower 1/3 of the tray
to improve the condensing of the exhaust (steam) with the water
located in the tray.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of one potential baffle
configuration. The lid cover 40 is shown having a baffle air path
72. In this embodiment, the baffles 48 for an inner labyrinth for
the steam to travel. This can be beneficial to manage the steam
path and to allow it reduce its temperature and condense, as
desired.
[0023] In use, grease laden steam from the oven is directed away
from the oven and to the compartment 12 via ducting member 24.
Channels 46/baffles 48 on the lid 40 help to direct/channel the
steam and improve contact of the steam with condensing water, if
provided. The base 14 of the compartment 12 provides a surface onto
which steam may condense. To enhance performance, a small volume of
water (e.g., from about 1/4'' to about 3/8'' deep) should optimally
be left in the bottom of the compartment 12 to provide a surface on
which the live steam may condense and to provide a seal between the
baffle and pan bottom. As example of this is illustrates in FIG. 7,
which shows a low layer of water W in the pan. The water level for
this seal is automatically set by the height of the drain port 54
and drain valve 56. The theory is that live steam has a temperature
of 212.degree. F., and the water in the compartment has a lower
temperature. Hotter material will always migrate toward cooler
material, so the moisture will accumulate in the compartment base
for easy removal.
[0024] The front wall 18 of the compartment may be provided with a
drainage port 54, into which a drain valve 56 may be positioned.
The drain is positioned so that even when fully drained, the
appropriate amount of water remains in the pan for proper
operation. The drain valve 56 may be an automatic or a manual drain
valve, and it assists with the removal of the water that has
condensed from the steam. This is an optional feature, as the user
may simply wish to remove and clean the compartment. Even if a
drain valve 56 is provided, the user may still wish to periodically
clean the compartment. This can be done by disconnecting the
compartment from the ducting 24 and removing the compartment for
cleaning.
[0025] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the compartment 12
may be provided with a drawer feature, which allows only the drawer
to be removed for cleaning, without having to disconnect the entire
compartment 12 from the ducting 24 and thus, the oven.
[0026] Changes and modifications, additions and deletions may be
made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the
drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention and the following claims.
* * * * *