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Title:
A BAKING MACHINE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2016/186580
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A baking machine for cooking food in the shape of sphere is disclosed. The baking machine comprises a food heating plate configured for accommodating and heating food materials; a vibration means configured for generating vibrations in a plurality of directions and transmitting the vibrations to the food heating plate; a housing configured for supporting the food heating plate and the vibration means and transmitting the vibration generated by the vibration means to the food heating plate; and a safe switch configured for turning on or off the food heating plate and the vibration means depending upon posture of the baking machine. The safe switch can secure safety, and the size of the baking machine can be reduced by employing a bended pendulum for generating vibrations.

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Inventors:
SHIONO TADATO (JP)
Application Number:
PCT/SG2016/050233
Publication Date:
November 24, 2016
Filing Date:
May 18, 2016
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ADVANCED NUTRACEUTICAL PTE LTD (SG)
International Classes:
A47J37/06; A47J37/04
Foreign References:
JP2009125094A2009-06-11
EP2090206A12009-08-19
US6268591B12001-07-31
US5590583A1997-01-07
CN102920354A2013-02-13
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
AXIS INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL PTE LTD et al. (#12-07 One Pemimpin, Singapore 1, SG)
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Claims:
Claims

1 . A baking machine comprising:

a food heating plate configured for accommodating and heating food materials; a vibration means configured for generating vibrations in a plurality of directions and transmitting the vibrations to the food heating plate;

a housing configured for supporting the food heating plate and the vibration means and transmitting the vibration generated by the vibration means to the food heating plate; and

a safe switch configured for turning on or off the food heating plate and the vibration means depending upon posture of the baking machine.

2. The baking machine of claim 1 , wherein the safe switch is turned on when the baking machine stands up and turned off when the baking machine is tilted over a predetermined angle.

3. The baking machine of claim 1 , the food heating plate comprises,

a metal plate having a plurality of recesses to accommodate food materials; and

a heating means configured for heating the metal plate.

4. The baking machine of claim 3, wherein the heating means further comprises a temperature restriction fuse configured for restricting a temperature of the heating means lower than a predetermined value by cutting off power supply to the heating means.

5. The baking machine of claim 3, wherein the heating means further comprises a thermostat which maintains a temperature of the heating means within a predetermined range.

6. The baking machine of claim 3, wherein the metal plate comprises a disc part, and the plurality of recesses are formed to project out from back surface of the metal plate.

7. The baking machine of claim 3, wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged in on a plurality of concentric circles about center axis of the metal plate.

The baking machine of claim 3, wherein the heating means comprises a fitting protrusion on the back side of the metal plate, a fitting groove formed in the fitting protrusion, and a heating tube which is fitted in the fitting groove and generates heat.

The baking machine of claim 8, wherein the heating tube comprises a heating resistance wire and an outer heat transfer pipe enclosing the heating resistance wire.

10. The baking machine of claim 1 , wherein the vibration means comprises,

a base configured for supporting the food heating plate and the vibration means;

a plurality of springs configured for supporting the base against a housing; a motor mounted on the base with an rotational axis inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane; and

a pendulum mounted on an output shaft of the motor and rotates around the rotational axis of the motor.

The baking machine of claim 10, wherein the pendulum comprises a proximal end and a distal end relative to the rotational axis of the motor, and the proximal end is bended relative to the distal end at an angle such that the distal end of the pendulum lies in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane.

12. The baking machine of claim 10, further comprising a fan which is mounted on the inclined axis of the vibration means and generates air wind to cool down the heating means.

13. The baking machine of claim 1 , further comprising a power cable for supplying power to the heating means and the vibration means which is detachable from the baking machine. 14. The baking machine of claim 1 , further comprising at least one handle configured for being installed on a housing and for carrying the baking machine.

Description:
A BAKING MACHINE

Technical Field The present disclosure relates to an enhanced baking machine for cooking a food approximately in the shape of sphere such as a takoyaki, and more particularly to a baking machine which can uniformly heat the food materials by generating vibrations in multiple directions and rotating the food materials automatically. The present disclosure also provides various solutions to secure safety of the baking machine and reducing the size of the baking machine by way of a bent or bended pendulum for generating vibrations.

Background Japanese patent publication 2005-253868 discloses a motor provided with an elastic body on the bottom. The motor is vibrated in the vertical and horizontal directions by rotating a pendulum. The vibration generated by the motor and the pendulum is transmitted to the housing by a spring mounted on a support frame of the housing, which vibrates a heating plate while vibrating in the lateral direction. A heating means for the heating plate is heated by an electric heater, so that it is possible to heat and cook takoyaki.

Also, the Japanese patent publication as above discloses that a voltage follower fixed on the output shaft of the motor is inserted into a cam hole. The vibration caused by rotating the output shaft of the motor is transmitted to the frame body. The frame body vibrates a heating plate in the lateral direction and a vertical direction, and the heating plate is heated by an electric heater, so that it is possible to heat and cook takoyaki. However, in the above prior art, the vibration generating source, i.e., the motor, is provided on the bottom cover via an elastic body and the vibration is absorbed by the elastic body. The vibration cannot be sufficiently transmitted to the frame body. As a result, it is not possible to vibrate the heating plate sufficiently, and uniformly heat and grill the food material poured into the heating plate in a desired or short time interval.

In the prior art as above, the heating plate vibrates only in two orthogonal directions, namely, the vertical direction and the horizontal direction and the heating plate does not vibrate in the longitudinal direction. So, it cannot provide enough vibrations to cook food material uniformly.

Furthermore, in the prior art as above, the rotation of the motor is converted into a synthesized vibrations of the lateral direction and the vertical direction vibration component transmitted to the heating plate, which requires a complicated configuration. Therefore, the number of parts increases and the weight of the device becomes large. Also, manufacturing cost increases. Japanese patent publication 2009-125094 discloses a takoyaki machine that can cook takoyaki using a motor which rotates around an inclined axis with respect to a plane. The takoyaki machine generates vibrations by actuating the motor and a pendulum connected to the motor. The vibration is transmitted to a heating plate which has a plurality of recesses which accommodates the food materials. The food materials inside the recesses automatically rotate and gradually transform into or assume the shape of a sphere while being heated.

However, Japanese patent publication 2009-125094 does not provide any solutions for securing safety. Since takoyaki machines are usually placed upon a table when used, there is always a risk that the machine can fall down from the table inadvertently. Especially when the machine is heated to a high temperature, this can cause a fire or a burn to a user.

In view of the foregoing problems, a need remains for a baking machine that can overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure satisfy such a need by providing an improved baking machine, as further detailed below.

Summary According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a baking machine is provided. The baking machine comprises, a food heating plate configured for accommodating and heating food materials; a vibration means configured for generating vibrations in a plurality of directions and transmitting the vibrations to the food heating plate; a housing configured for supporting the food heating plate and the vibration means and transmitting the vibration generated by the vibration means to the food heating plate; and a safe switch configured for turning on or off the food heating plate and the vibration means depending upon posture of the baking machine.

The baking machine according to the present disclosure is capable of heating a food by heating a heating plate having a plurality of recesses for accommodating the food materials. The food materials are provided in the plurality of recesses on the heating plate, and the heating plate and heating means for heating the food materials food are supported to be substantially horizontal. A pendulum is rotated around the axis inclined to a vertical axis, which causes vibrations in a plurality of directions. Then, the vibrations are transmitted to the food heating plate.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the safe switch is turned on when the baking machine stands up and turned off when the baking machine is tilted over a predetermined angle.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the food heating plate comprises a metal plate having a plurality of recesses to accommodate food materials; and a heating means configured for heating the metal plate.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating means further comprises a temperature restriction fuse configured for restricting a temperature of the heating means to be lower than a predetermined value by interrupting or cutting off power supply to the heating means. In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating means further comprises a thermostat which maintains a temperature of the heating means within a predetermined range. In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal plate comprises a disc part, and the plurality of recesses are formed to project out from back surface of the metal plate.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged in on a plurality of concentric circles about a central or center axis of the metal plate.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating means comprises a fitting protrusion on the back side of the metal plate, a fitting groove formed in the fitting protrusion, and a heating tube which is fitted in the fitting groove and generates heat.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the heating tube comprises a heating resistance wire and an outer heat transfer pipe enclosing the heating resistance wire.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration means comprises a base configured for supporting the food heating plate and the vibration means; a plurality of springs configured for supporting the base against a housing; a motor mounted on the base with an rotational axis inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane; and a pendulum mounted on an output shaft of the motor and rotates around the rotational axis of the motor.

In the baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pendulum comprises a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the rotational axis of the motor, where the proximal end is bent or bended relative to the distal end at an angle such that the distal end of the pendulum lies in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane. The baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further comprise a fan which is mounted on the inclined axis of the vibration means and generates air wind to cool down the heating means.

The baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further comprise a power cable for supplying power to the heating means and the vibration means which is detachable from the baking machine. The baking machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further comprise at least one handle configured for being installed on a housing and for carrying the baking machine.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the present disclosure in order for the detailed description thereof that follows to be better understood, and in order for the present contribution to the art to be better appreciated. There are other and additional features of the present disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the disclosure are described hereinafter with reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals represent like components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a baking machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view of the baking machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the baking machine shown in Fig. 1 . Fig. 4 is a top view of the food heating plate in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 shows a side view and top view of the bended pendulum in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figs. 6A and 6B shows a safe switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure which is installed on the bottom of the baking machine. Fig. 7 shows an electric circuit diagram of the baking machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a developed plan view showing the configuration of the base in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the housing is mounted on the base in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from a cutting line VII-VII in fig. 9 of the cut surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged sectional view seen from a cutting line XI-XI in Fig. 9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 is a side view of the housing in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description Particular non-limiting representative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure are described in detail hereafter with reference to the accompanying figures. Those having ordinary skill in the relevant art will appreciate that the figures provided herein are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale, nor are such figures intended to illustrate every embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the representative embodiments described herein or depicted in the figures, or the absolute or relative shapes, sizes, or proportions described or implied herein or shown in the figures. In view of the present description, one having ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure exist, and the representative embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the representative embodiments described herein, which includes embodiments designated as preferred, are provided for purpose of clarity and to aid understanding. One or more of such embodiments can be modified in one or more manners, in accordance with the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a baking machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1 , the baking machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a food heating plate 2 for accommodating and heating food materials such as ingredients of takoyaki and a housing 4 for supporting the food heating plate 2. The baking machine 1 further comprises a motor 12 having an output shaft 15 with an rotational axis inclined at an angle to a horizontal plane 53; a pendulum 13 which is mounted on an output shaft 15 of the motor 12 and which rotates around the inclined rotational axis of the motor 12 when the motor 12 is actuated; a base 10 for supporting the food heating plate 2; and a plurality of springs 1 1 for supporting the base 10 against the housing 4. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the motor 12, the pendulum 13, the base 10 and the plurality of springs 1 1 may constitute a vibration mechanism or means. The vibration means generates vibrations in a plurality of directions by rotating the pendulum 13 around the rotational axis which is inclined at an angle with a horizontal plane 53, and transmitting the generated vibrations to the food heating plate 2 through the housing 4.

The motor 12 may be installed as inclined by angle Θ1 from the horizontal plane 53 as shown in fig. 1 . In other words, the rotational axis or the output shaft 15 of the motor 12 is set to be inclined by an angle of Θ1 from the horizontal plane 53. The inclination angle Θ1 may be set between 15°~30° and more preferably approximately 23° (e.g., 23° +/- 2°). The range of the inclination angle Θ1 was obtained from the numerous experiments by the inventor of the present disclosure. The inventor of the present disclosure found that when the angle Θ1 is below 15°, it lacks sufficient vertical component of vibration and cannot stop the food materials poured into recesses 41 from attaching to the recesses 41 . Also, when the angle Θ1 is above 30°, the food material can deviate from each of the recesses 41 of the food heating plate 2 due to excessive vertical vibration.

As a result, the motor 12 rotates the pendulum 13 around an axis which is inclined from the vertical axis or the horizontal plane 53. On a virtual plane parallel to the paper in Fig. 1 , the vertical vibration component and lateral vibration component (or vibrations in the left and right directions) are generated. Also, on a virtual plane parallel to the horizontal plane 53, a longitudinal vibration component (or vibration in back and forth) and lateral vibration component (or vibrations in the left and right directions) are generated. A combined vibration of vertical vibration, lateral vibration and longitudinal vibration are generated and transmitted to the food heating plate 2, which makes the heating plate vibrate in a plurality of directions.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the baking machine 1 may further comprise a safe switch 48 which turns on or off the food heating plate 2 and the vibration means depending upon a positional orientation or posture of the baking machine 1 , as will be described in detail referring to Figs. 6A and 6B.

The baking machine 1 may further comprise a fan 17 which is mounted on the output shaft 15 of the motor 12, and which generates air wind to cool down the heating means 21 . Since the fan 17 is mounted on the output shaft 15 of the motor 12, the fan 17 rotates and generates air wind as long as the motor 12 is turned on, or the vibration switch SW2 is turned on.

Fig. 2 is a simplified partial cross-sectional view of the baking machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 . FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the baking machine 1 shown in Fig. 1 ; and Fig. 4 is a top view of the food heating plate 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 -4, the food heating plate 2 comprises a metal plate 20 and a heating means 21 which heats the metal plate 20. The metal plate 20 comprises a disc part 40, and a plurality of substantially hemispherical recesses 41 which are formed on surface of the disc part 40. The plurality of hemispherical recesses 41 project from the back surface of the food heating plate 2 and are arranged in a plurality of concentric circles about the center axis of each virtual circle. The heating means 21 may be provided on the back surface of the metal plate 20. The heating means 21 comprises a heating tube 45 which is fitted in a fitting groove 43 of a fitting protrusion 42, a thermostat 46 which limits and maintains temperature of the heating tube 45, for example, between 130 °C and 150 °C, more preferably around 135°C, and a cover body 47 which encloses the electric heating tube 45 and electric thermostat 46 and is detachably installed on the other surface.

The fitting protrusion 42 is formed on the back side of the metal plate 20 between outermost circumference of the plurality of hemispherical recesses 41 and a virtual inner circle. The cross sectional view of the fitting protrusion 42 is approximately 'IT shaped along a longitudinal direction thereof and the fitting protrusion 42 has a fitting groove 43 into which a heating tube 45 may be fitted. A peripheral wall portion 44 may be integrally formed upwardly from the surface of the metal plate 20 at the outer peripheral edge of the metal plate 20. The heating tube 45 comprises a heating resistance wire 60 and an outer heat transfer pipe 61 enclosing the heating resistance wire 60. The cover body 47 has a short cylindrical shape and, for example, may be composed of an aluminium alloy and detachably mounted on the plate body 20 by bolts in the center. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature restriction fuse may be installed in the heating means 21 . The temperature restriction fuse may cut off the power supply to the heating resistance wire 60 when the temperature of the heating means goes beyond a predetermined value, for example, 157 °C. The temperature fuse may be installed between the thermostat 46 and the heating resistance wire 60, as will be described later in Fig. 7.

Also, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the power cable 54 may be configured to be detachably connected to the power inlet 52 of the baking machine 1 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As a result, even when the power cable 54 is being pushed or pulled by any forces, for example, when the power cable 6 is pulled off or kicked off inadvertently by a user, the power cable 54 may be detached from the baking machine 1 and baking machine 1 may be prevented from falling off a table where the baking machine is placed.

Further, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one handle for carrying the baking machine 1 may be provided on the housing 4, preferably on the sides of the housing 4. By providing the handle(s), a user can move or carry the baking machine 1 by hand even when the baking machine 1 is hot.

Fig. 5 shows a side view and top view of the bent or bended pendulum 13 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figs. 1 and 5, the bended pendulum 13 may be composed of two parts, a proximal end 13a and a distal end 13b relative to the rotational axis of the motor 12. The bended pendulum 13 may further comprise a hole 13c to which the output shaft 15 may be inserted. The proximal end 13a and the distal end 13b may be bended relative to each other at an angle preferably between 150° and 160°, and more preferably 157°. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle between the proximal end 13a and the distal end 13b may be set such that the distal end 13b of the bend pendulum 13 lies in a plane parallel, effectively parallel, or approximately parallel to the horizontal plane. The length of the proximal end 13a may be set to be equal to the radius of the motor 12 and the length of the distal end 13b may be set to a half of the proximal end 13a.

That is, referring back to Fig. 1 , when the inclination angle Θ1 of the motor 12 is set to Θ1 , the bending angle between the proximal end 13a and the distal end 13b may be set to 180°- Θ1 , which makes the distal end 13b of the bend pendulum 13 lie in a plane parallel to the horizontal plane as shown in Fig. 1 .

If the pendulum 13 is flat, that is, there is no bending in pendulum 13, more space in between the motor 12 and the food heating plate 2 is required. This may cause the height of the baking machine 1 to be higher. According to the present disclosure, the size of the baking machine 1 can thus be reduced since it requires less space between the pendulum 13 and the food heating plate 2 compared to the prior art. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a safe switch 48 may be installed on the bottom of the baking machine 1 as shown in Fig. 6A and 6B. The safe switch 48 turns on or off the food heating plate 2 and the motor 12 or the vibration means depending upon posture of the baking machine 1 . The baking machine 1 is usually placed on a table when it is being used. In a practical use, the baking machine 1 can inadvertently fall off the table where the baking machine 1 resides, for example, as a result of kicking the legs of the table, shaking the table, etc., which can lead to a fire, accident, or a burn, especially when the metal plate 20 is heated to a high degree. The safe switch 48 can prevent or greatly reduce the risk of such accidents by automatically cutting off the power to the heating means.

When the baking machine 1 is placed on a table or floor, the safe switch 48 is pushed down as shown in Fig. 6A due to the weight of the baking machine 1 . When the safe switch 48 is pushed down, power is supplied to both of the motor 12 and the heating tube 45. When the baking machine 1 falls off the table or overturned, the bottom of the baking machine 1 is lifted off the table or the floor, and the safe switch 48 springs back and is turned off as shown Fig. 6B. When the safe switch 48 is off, power supply to both of the motor 12 and the heating tube 45 is cut off.

Fig. 7 shows an electric circuit diagram of the baking machine 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 7, AC power is supplied to the baking machine 1 through power inlet 52. A safe switch 48 is connected to the power inlet 52 and is installed at the bottom of the baking machine 1 for a safety reason as described above. A heating switch SW1 and a vibration switch SW2 are connected to the safe switch 48.

The heating switch SW1 supplies or cuts off power to the heating means 21 to switch on and off the heating state and the vibration switch SW2 turns on and off the motor 12 or the vibration means. The heating switch SW1 and the vibration switch SW2 may be provided on the side surface of housing 4 on the housing 4, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

Each of the heating switch SW1 and the motor switch SW2 may be connected to lamps 55, 56 which indicate whether the heating switch SW1 and the vibration switch SW2 are turned on or off. The lamps 55, 56 may be neon or other types of lamps.

A thermostat 46 may be connected to the heater switch SW1 , which limits and maintains temperature of the heating means 21 , for example, between 130 °C and 150 °C, more preferably around 135°C. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a temperature restriction fuse 49 may be connected between the thermostat 46 and the heating means 21 to protect the heating means 21 from being overheated beyond a specific temperature, for example, 157°C. When it is detected that the heating means 21 is heated over 157°C, the temperature restriction fuse 49 is automatically cut off and power supply or electric current to the heating means 21 or the heat tube 45 in the heating means 21 may be cut off. Fig. 8 is a developed plan view showing the configuration of the base 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 8, the base 10 comprises a partial base 30 and support pieces 31 , 32, 33 which radially extend from the peripheral edge of the partial base 30 with a uniform interval from each other.

The partial base 30 comprises a horizontal part 35 of semi-circular disk shape which is parallel to the horizontal plane 53 and to which one end of the second support piece 32 and the third support piece 33 are connected, and an inclined part 36 which extends from the horizontal part 35 at an angle of Θ1 . The inclined part 36 forms a polygonal shape having a trapezoidal shape which is connected to one end of the first support piece 31 and a rectangular shape which is connected to the trapezoidal shape. A motor mounting hole 34 is formed on the partial base 30 extending from the horizontal part 35 to the inclined part 36. The motor 12 is installed in the motor mounting hole 34 on the inclined part 36, which makes the motor 12 is inclined at an angle of Θ1 from the horizontal plane 53.

As described above, the angle Θ1 between the horizontal part 35 and the inclined part 36 of the partial base 30 may be preferably 15 °~ 30 °, more preferably 23°. As described earlier, when the angle Θ1 is below 15°, it lacks sufficient vertical component of vibration and cannot stop the food materials poured into recesses 41 from attaching to the recesses 41 . When the angle Θ1 is above 30°, the food material can deviate from each of the recesses 41 of the food heating plate 2 due to the excessive vertical vibration.

The first support piece 31 comprises a first bending portion 31 a connected to the first support piece 31 through a first inward bending. A second bending portion 31 b is connected to the first bending portion 31 a via a first outward bending. A third bending portion 31 c is connected to the second bending portion 31 b via a second inward bending. A fourth bending portion 31 d is connected to the first bending portion 31 c via a second outward bending. The second support piece 32 is formed on an axial line m2 having an angle Θ2 with respect to a virtual plane s1 containing an axial line ml and perpendicular to the paper plane. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the angle Θ2 may be set to but not limited to 60°. The angle Θ2 may be configurable subject to the arrangement of parts inside the housing 4.

The second support piece 32 comprises a first bending portion 32a having a first inward bending as shown in a broken line. A second bending portion 32b is connected to the first bending portion 32a via a first outward bending. A third bending portion 32c is connected to the second bending portion 32b via a second inward bending. A fourth bending portion 32d is connected to the third bending portion 32c via a second outward bending.

The third support piece 33 is formed symmetrically to the second support piece 32 with respect to a virtual plane S1 . The same description as the second support piece 32 may be applied except that the references are used for the third support piece 33 with a, b or c. The base 10 may be produced by punching, bending a steel plate and then forming holes in the steel plate as shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a plan view showing a state in which the housing 4 is mounted on the base 10. Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view as seen from a cutting line VI I- VI I in fig. 6 of the cut surface. Furthermore, Fig. 1 1 is an enlarged sectional view seen from a cutting line XI-XI in Fig. 6. The base 10 is supported on the top of the housing 4 via a plurality of springs (three in this embodiment). On the inner wall of the housing 4, "L" shaped brackets 14 are provided to support each of the springs 1 1 with equidistant intervals in corresponding positions to the support piece 31 -33.

The lower ends of the springs 1 1 are fixed to the each of brackets 14 by washers and screws (not shown). Similarly, the upper ends of the springs 1 1 are fixed to the second bending portion 31 b-33b of the support pieces 31 -33. The base 10 is supported by the upper part of the housing 4 via springs 1 1 , which permits displacement of the based due to vibrations. Furthermore, when the food heating plate 2 is heated, the base 10 may be overheated by the radiant heat of the food heating plate 2. However, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, since the base 10 is supported by housing 4 via springs 1 1 and springs 1 1 themselves radiate the heat, the heat transmitted to the housing 4 may be considerably reduced, which protects the housing 4 from overheating. The springs 1 1 may be made of stainless steel or similar material, and can be in the form of compression springs.

Referring back to Fig. 1 , a motor is mounted in the motor mounting hole 34 formed in the base 10 and is fixed to the based 10 by a plurality of screws. The electric motor 12, for example, may be an AC motor. A pendulum 13 may be mounted on the output axis of the electric motor 12 such that the pendulum 13 is shifted from the output axis along the longitudinal direction of the pendulum 13. The pendulum 13 may be a flat metal plate of substantially rectangle shape. In this way, it is possible to reduce the space occupied by the pendulum 13 when the pendulum 13 is rotated, and vibration of a large amplitude can be generated.

The power is supplied from the commercial AC power to the motor 12 when the vibration switch SW2 is turned on provided in the housing 4. The output shaft 15 of the motor 12 rotates in one direction at a constant rotational speed, for example 1000-1500rpm. By the rotation of the output shaft 15, the pendulum 13 is rotated around the inclined axis, which causes the motor 12 to vibrate. The vibration of the motor 12 is transmitted to the food heating plate 2 through the base 10.

In this way, since the pendulum 13 rotates at a high speed of 1000-1500rpm, it vibrates the food heating plate 2 at a high cycle, while preventing burning of takoyaki. By rotating takoyaki, takoyaki can be uniformly heated, and further keep at a warm or intended temperature without burning.

Fig. 12 is a bottom view of the housing 4. At the bottom of the housing 4, a generally disc-shaped rear cover 5 is mounted. In a peripheral are of the rear cover 5, a plurality of attachment pieces 50 are integrally formed with an equal interval in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, at the lower end of the housing 4, substantially L-shaped supporting brackets 16 for supporting the rear cover 5 are fixed with uniform intervals such the supporting brackets 16 protrude in a radial direction in a position corresponding to each of the mounting piece 50. The rear cover 5 is fixed to cover the bottom of the housing 4 by fixing mounting piece 50 to the supporting bracket 16 using screws. A plurality of rubber cushion legs 7 may be mounted in the vicinity of the mounting pieces 50 to absorb the vibration of the baking machine 1 .

Fig. 13 is a side view of the housing 4. Regarding to Fig. 13 together with Fig. 2, a plurality of through holes 51 are formed on the side wall of the housing 4 in the circumferential direction of the axial line, such as in a zigzag arrangement. In this manner, by way of a plurality of through holes 51 on the housing 4 and an aperture ratio of about 70%-50%, the baking machine 1 can have certain level of air permeability and a food heating plate 2 can be protected from overheating by radiating heat through the plurality of through holes 51 . Also, even when a user is in contact with the housing, the user can be protected from burning, which improves safety. Despite long time use of the motor 12, seizure of the motor 12 is prevented by suppressing an excessive temperature rise. In this embodiment, the housing 4 has a cylindrical shape, but is not limited to this, and may have any shape, for example, a square or a rectangular tube 12. Next, the operation of the above-mentioned takoyaki device 1 is explained as follows. First of all, the power cable 6 is inserted into a socket of a commercial AC power source. And when the heating switch SW1 is turned on, power is supplied to the heating means 21 . The heating tube 45 in the heating resistance wire 60 is heated, and in result food heating plate 2 is heated. A proper amount of oil may be placed in each recess 41 in food heating plate 2. When heating means 21 reaches the appropriate temperature, after confirming, various types of materials may be added to each recess 41 , such as dough, fritter scum, green onion, and/or other ingredients.

Next, when the outer surface of the material in each of recess 41 get solidified, vibration switch SW2 is turned on to drive the vibration exciting means 3. Therefore, the motor 12 is driven and the pendulum 13 mounted on the output shaft 15 rotates and, vibration is generated. As described above, as the vibrating means of the motor 12 provides a combined vibration in the vertical direction, lateral direction and back and forth direction, the food material in each of the recesses can vibrate and rotate automatically. As a result, the shape of takoyaki can be made as a nearly spherical shape without deviation.

While the present disclosure has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In particular, with respect to the above detailed description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the non-limiting exemplary embodiments may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation.