The present invention relates to a device for preparing toasted sandwiches.

The preparation of toasted sandwiches takes place both in a domestic setting and in the catering sector. Although toasted sandwiches are prepared at various times during the day, this takes place particularly in the morning, at breakfast, and in the afternoon, during lunch. If a number of people wish to eat a toasted sandwich simultaneously at these times a large capacity for preparing toasted sandwiches is desired. This problem occurs in a domestic setting as well as in the catering sector, wherein it does occur that a large group of people orders toasted sandwiches and these have to be prepared within a short period of time. An option for increasing the capacity for preparing toasted sandwiches is the placing of a plurality of known devices for preparing toasted sandwiches. If a plurality of toasted sandwiches must however be prepared simultaneously in a small kitchen using such known sandwich toasters, this usually results in a shortage of space.

This can be prevented by making use of a device for preparing toasted sandwiches as described in US-I 814 942. The device known herefrom comprises at least two co- acting pairs of hot plates for preparing toasted sandwiches between and in contact with the hot plates of the same hot plate pair, wherein the hot plates of a pair of hot plates are movable between an open position, in which the space between the hot plates is accessible, and a closed position, and wherein the main planes of the hot plate pairs extend in mutually offset planes in the closed position, and heating elements thermally coupled to the hot plates for heating the hot plates. This known device has the drawback that only limited measures are provided for a user- friendly supply of toasted sandwiches for preparing and removal of prepared toasted sandwiches.

The invention therefore has for its object to provide a device for preparing toasted sandwiches, wherein toasted sandwiches for preparing can be supplied in more user- friendly manner and prepared toasted sandwiches can be removed more easily, this while retaining the space-saving effect of the sandwich toaster of the above stated type. The invention provides for this purpose a device for preparing toasted sandwiches of the above stated type, wherein the hot plates of each hot plate pair are mutually connected for pivoting relative to each other about at least one axis between the closed position and the open position.

Owing to these measures the supply of toasted sandwiches for preparing and the removal of prepared toasted sandwiches are more user-friendly. Because the hot plates of a hot plate pair are mutually connected for pivoting about at least one axis, a simple relative rotation of the hot plates of a hot plate pair can after all provide a sufficiently large access to the space between the hot plates. In an opened position the prepared toasted sandwiches can be removed by hand or, in order to further reduce the risk of possible burning, using a spatula. A device is hereby provided wherein a plurality of toasted sandwiches can be prepared simultaneously while the space required on for instance a kitchen worktop or a table is not increased, or hardly so.

In a practical embodiment the mutually offset main planes extend substantially parallel to each other in the closed position, the hot plates are pivotable about mutually differing axes and the axes also extend parallel to each other. These measures provide a compact device with which toasted sandwiches can be prepared efficiently. Because the main planes of the hot plate pairs extend substantially parallel, the hot plates can lie over a large area against the toasted sandwiches, whereby the heat is conducted efficiently into the toasted sandwiches, which will be prepared in a short period of time. The main planes particularly extend substantially horizontally. This has the advantage that the toasted sandwiches can be positioned between the hot plates in simple manner and that possible fouling, such as bread crumbs, is simple to remove.

In another embodiment the hot plates are also connected translatably to each other. Owing to this measure toasted sandwiches of differing thickness can be prepared efficiently because, although the hot plates are situated here at a distance which depends on the thickness of the toasted sandwiches for preparing, they can extend substantially parallel to each other, whereby the heat is conducted into the toasted sandwiches for preparing in efficient manner and the toasted sandwiches are prepared in a shorter period of time. In yet another embodiment the hot plates of each pair of hot plates enclose at least one cavity in the closed position. Not only does this make the device more user-friendly because the toasted sandwiches for preparing can be positioned in only one way, but the toasted sandwiches can also be prepared more efficiently. This is because the distance between the hot plates is reduced in the closed position because the toasted sandwiches are situated at least partially in the cavity, and so less relatively cold air can reach the toasted sandwiches for preparing. Toasted sandwiches can hereby be prepared in a shorter amount of time, thereby increasing the capacity of the device.

In yet another embodiment the hot plates are connected releasably to frame elements. Owing to this measure the hot plates can be removed from the device and cleaned in simple manner, this making the device more durable. The use of frame elements also provides the advantage that the heated hot plates can already be opened shortly after the toasted sandwiches have been prepared, since the frame elements will generally have a lower temperature than the hot plates. The hot plates can for instance be connected to the frame by means of a form-fitting coupling or by means of one or several screws. The frame elements particularly comprise at least one thermally insulated handle to enable opening of the hot plates immediately after preparation of the toasted sandwiches.

Another advantage of connecting hot plates releasably to frame elements is that hot plates of a different form can be used, and wherein the hot plates of different hot plate pairs can enclose mutually differing cavities. The hot plates of a hot plate pair are particularly formed here for baking waffles, so that the device can also be used for baking waffles and the advantages of the invention are also manifest in the baking of large numbers of waffles.

In an advantageous embodiment the main planes of the hot plate pairs extend in two mutually offset planes. This measure provides a large capacity for preparing toasted sandwiches as well as a good user-friendliness. The two planes particularly extend substantially horizontally at a distance from each other in the closed position. Toasted sandwiches can hereby be prepared at two different levels, whereby less space is required on for instance a table or a kitchen worktop, while the device remains easy to use. By holding for instance the hot plates of the upper hot plate pairs in the closed position and displacing the hot piates of the lower hot plate pairs to an opened position the toasted sandwiches prepared by the lower hot plate pairs can be removed. The hot plates of the lower hot plate pairs can then be displaced to the closed position and the hot plates of the upper hot plate pairs can be displaced to an opened position, after which the toasted sandwiches prepared by the upper hot plate pairs can be removed.

In an advantageous embodiment the frame elements here comprise a lower frame element, an intermediate frame element and an upper frame element, and the bottom surface of the lower frame element and the top surface of the upper frame element lie in the same plane in an opened situation. Using these measures prepared toasted sandwiches can be very simply taken out of the hot plates connected to the lower and upper frame elements in the opened position.

In another embodiment the device comprises means for mutually coupling the hot plates of hot plate pairs under bias in the closed position. Owing to these measures not only are the cavities enclosed by the hot plates better closed off from ambient air, whereby less relatively cold air can enter the cavity, but during preparation of the toasted sandwiches the hot plates also press against the toasted sandwiches, whereby the heat can be better conducted into the toasted sandwiches. Toasted sandwiches can hereby be prepared in a shorter period of time and using less energy. Because the hot plates of a hot plate pair press against toasted sandwiches during preparation, the cohesion of the prepared toasted sandwiches can also be improved. If cheese is for instance placed between two slices of bread and the cheese melts under the pressure of the hot plates, the cheese can penetrate better into the slices of bread, whereby the slices of bread of the toasted sandwich are held together more effectively.

The means particularly comprise a form-fitting coupling, which form-fitting coupling for instance comprises a projection manufactured substantially from resilient material and connected to a first hot plate of a hot plate pair, and a cavity arranged in a second hot plate. The hot plates of a hot plate pair can then be held under bias in the closed position by means of the form-fitting coupling. The form-fitting coupling is preferably formed by a cover manufactured substantially from resilient material and connected pivotally to a first hot plate, and a projection arranged in the second hot plate. The cover and the projection here form a form-fitting coupling, wherein the hot plates of a hot plate pair can be held under bias in the closed position.

In yet another embodiment at least one heating element is thermally coupled to hot plates forming part of mutually differing hot plate pairs. Owing to this measure efficient use can be made of the heat of the heating elements. When hot plates, which then form part of different hot plate pairs, are for instance situated on either side of a heating element, these hot plates can be heated by the single heating element. The possible loss which may occur, for instance in the form of heat which is conducted to a frame element or housing, if a single heating element were to heat a single hot plate, is conducted at least partially to a different hot plate as a result of this measure, whereby more efficient use is made of the heat generated by the heating element.

In yet another practical embodiment the heating elements are electrical heating elements and the device comprises at least two switches for independently switching on and off at least two heating elements. It is hereby possible to heat only the required hot plates, whereby less energy is used when only a single pair of hot plates is used.

The invention also provides a method for preparing toasted sandwiches. For the advantages of the method reference is made to the advantages of the device.

The present invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Identical components are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals. Herein: figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a device according to the invention, figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1, figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the hot plate pairs are placed in an opened position, figure 4a shows a top view of a hot plate with a rectangular recess for a toasted sandwich, figure 4b shows a top view of a hot plate with a circular recess for a toasted sandwich, figure 4c shows a top view of a hot plate with a rectangular recess for a waffle, and figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1, wherein the frame elements are coupled for displacement relative to each other. Figure 1 shows a device, designated in its entirety with 1 , for preparing toasted sandwiches. The device comprises a lower frame element 2. An intermediate frame element 3 is connected with a first side to lower frame element 2 for pivoting about a hinge 4 on a first side. An upper frame element 5 is connected to a first side of intermediate frame element 3 for pivoting about a hinge 6 on a first side. Co-acting lower hot plates (not shown) are connected to lower frame element 2 and intermediate frame element 3. Co-acting upper hot plates (not shown) are connected to intermediate frame element 3 and upper frame element 5.

Device 1 is further provided with heating elements (not shown) which are connected in electrically conductive manner to upper and lower switches 7. Switches 7 are connected in electrically conductive manner to the mains electricity by means of a cord 8. Switches 7 further comprise a time switch, which time switches are switched on and off in co-action with switches 7. The time switches are connected to lamps 9. Upper frame element 5 is connected for coupling on two sides to intermediate frame element 3 by means of a form-fitting coupling 10. Intermediate frame element 3 is likewise connected to lower frame element 2 for coupling on two sides by means of a form-fitting coupling 1 1. Lower frame element 2, intermediate frame element 3 and upper frame element 5 comprise a continuous cavity 12 close to their second side.

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of device 1 of figure 1. Hot plates 13 are connected via spacers 14 to lower frame element 2 and intermediate frame element 3. Hot plates 13, which extend substantially parallel to each other, form a lower hot plate pair. Hot plates 15 are connected via spacers 16 to upper frame element 5 and intermediate frame element 3. Hot plates 15, which extend substantially parallel to each other, form an upper hot plate pair. Hot plates 13 of the lower hot plate pair and hot plates 15 of the upper hot plate pair enclose cavities 17.

On the sides remote from hot plates 13 of the lower hot plate pair heating elements 18 are connected via spacers 19 to lower frame element 2 and intermediate frame element 3. On the sides remote from hot plates 15 of the upper hot plate pair heating elements 20 are connected via spacers 21 to intermediate frame element 3 and upper frame element 5. Heating elements 18 are connected in electrically conductive manner to lower switch 7 and heating elements 20 are connected in electrically conductive manner to upper switch 7. The lower and upper time switches 7 are connected to two timers 22.

After switching on heating elements 18 with lower switch 7, the timer will activate lower lamp 9 after a desired period of time. After switching on heating elements 20 with upper switch 7, timer 22 will activate upper lamp 9 after a desired period of time.

The form-fitting coupling 10 for the upper hot plate pair further comprises a cover 10a which is pivotally connected on the second side to upper frame element 5 and is provided with a recess 1 Oc, and intermediate frame element 3 comprises on the second side a projection 10b for receiving projection 10c of cover 10a. Form-fitting coupling 11 for the lower hot plate pair also comprises a cover 1 Ia which is pivotally connected on the second side to intermediate frame element 3 and is provided with a recess 1 Ic, and lower frame element 2 comprises on the second side a projection 1 Ib for receiving projection 11 c of cover 11a.

The preparing of toasted sandwiches using the lower and the upper hot plate pair takes place as follows. Upper frame element 5 is rotated about hinge 6 from the closed position (as shown in figure 2) to an opened position. The cavity 17 enclosed by hot plates 15 is herein opened, whereby a toasted sandwich for preparing can be supplied between the plates of the upper hot plate pair. Upper frame element 5 is then rotated about hinge 6 in the direction of intermediate frame element 3, whereby cavity 17, in which a toasted sandwich for preparing is now placed, is closed. A toasted sandwich for preparing can then be supplied between hot plates 13 of the lower hot plate pair. Intermediate frame element 3 is rotated for this purpose about hinge 6 from the closed position (as shown in figure 2) to an opened position. The cavity 17 enclosed by hot plates 13 is herein opened, whereby a toasted sandwich for preparing can be supplied between the lower hot plate pair. Intermediate frame element 5 is then rotated toward lower frame element 2 around hinge 6, whereby cavity 17, in which a toasted sandwich for preparing is now placed, is closed. It is of course also possible to first place a toasted sandwich for preparing between hot plates 13 of the lower hot plate pair and subsequently place a toasted sandwich for preparing between hot plates 15 of the upper hot plate pair. Lower switch 7 is then operated and heating elements 18 will heat hot plates 13 of the lower hot plate pair and, after operation of upper switch 7, heating elements 20 will heat hot plates 15 of the upper hot plate pair. When hot plates 13,15 are switched on, the associated timer 22 will be activated. After a desired period of time the lamps 9 associated with the lower and upper hot plate pairs will light up, and the toasted sandwiches have then been prepared. The lamps can also be replaced here by an element which emits a sound signal after the desired period of time. After displacing of the frame elements to opened positions the toasted sandwiches can be removed.

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of figure 1 , wherein the hot plate pairs are placed in an opened position. Device 1 is shown partially here. Frame elements 2,3,5 are situated in an opened position. The lower surface 2a of lower frame element 2 and upper surface 5a of upper frame element 5 here lie against a top surface 59 of a partially shown table 60. In this opened position toasted sandwiches for preparing can be placed on hot plates 13 of lower frame element 2 and on hot plates 15 of upper frame element 5, or prepared toasted sandwiches can be removed, without frame elements 2,3,5 having to be held actively in an opened position.

Figure 4 shows top views of hot plates 60, which are provided with an edge 61 and a recess 62, for preparing toasted sandwiches (figures 4a and 4b) and waffles (figure 4c). Edges 61 are provided with openings 64 for connecting hot plates 60 to a frame element (not shown here). Hot plates 60 of figures 4a and 4b comprise an upright edge 63 which extends diagonally over the respective rectangular and circular recess 62. When a toasted sandwich is placed in recesses 62 of two co-acting hot plates 60 and the frame elements to which the co-acting hot plates 60 are connected are displaced to a closed position, upright edge 63 will divide the toasted sandwich into two halves. Recess 62 of hot plates 60 of figure 4c comprise square protrusions 65. A waffle is generally prepared from a still deformable dough, whereby the waffle for preparing will take on the form of recess 62, wherein protrusions 65 will form cavities in a waffle during preparation of the waffle.

Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of a device 1 for preparing toasted sandwiches. Intermediate frame element 3 is connected to a coupling piece 4a for pivoting about hinge 4. Coupling piece 4a extends in a cavity 4b, which cavity 4b is opened in the direction of intermediate frame element 3 and is arranged in lower frame element 2. Cavity 4b is provided on the top side with arresting means 4c in the form of projections, and coupling piece 4a comprises on the end arresting means 4d in the form of projections. Upper frame element 5 is connected to a coupling piece 6a for pivoting about hinge 6. Coupling piece 6a extends in a cavity 6b, which cavity 6b is opened in the direction of upper frame element 5 and is arranged in intermediate frame element 3. Cavity 6b is provided on the underside with arresting means 6c in the form of projections and coupling piece 6a comprises on the end arresting means 6d in the form of projections. Coupling pieces 4a,6a make it possible for frame elements 2,3,5 to be mutually connected for both translation and pivoting. Hot plates 13,15 of the lower and upper hot plate pair respectively can hereby be placed at different mutual distances while they extend substantially parallel relative to each other. It is of course also possible to connect coupling piece 4a pivotally to lower frame element 2 and to connect coupling piece 6a pivotally to intermediate frame element 3. Cavities 4b,6b are here then arranged in respectively intermediate frame element 3 and upper frame element 5.