Regulatable Grilling Device

The invention relates to a regulatable grilling device according to the preamble of Patent Claim 1 .

Grilling devices are suitable for cooking food items at high temperature for consumption.

Prior Art:

A multiplicity of grilling devices is known according to prior art. Conventional grills are constructionally implemented such that on their surface a grilling grate (heating surface, heating area volume) is located for receiving food products. Such grills are for example disclosed in US 2015/312964 A1 , US 2012/299709 A1 , US 2013/277353 A1 or US 2015/0282600 A1 . A modified energy supply can serve to generate heat. For operation with grill charcoal for example a simple height adjustment is feasible. Gas or electric heating means are also employed. The disadvantage of all of these devices is their fixed, fixedly predetermined mechanical aggregation. Thus, of the many physical parameters which are under consideration when grilling, only a few are utilizable due to the mechanical implementation of the grill.

A regulatable gas grill is disclosed for example in US 2010/0132692 A1 issued US 8,863,734, that comprises a cooking surface as well as a control system. The control system comprises a user interface unit configured to receive grill operating settings, at least one temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the cooking surface and configured to acquire at least one temperature. The grill operating temperature is received by the at least one temperature sensor. Therein at least one fuel flow valve can be automatically controlled in order to modulate the quantity of gas. The modulated quantity of gas is subsequently supplied to the at least one grill burner such that the grill operating temperature, based on the operating settings and the grill operating temperature, can be maintained at a predetermined temperature. US 5,535,664 discloses a controllable cooking apparatus with stackable cookers disposed on a base. The base comprises an outer wall as well as an inner wall and is supported by three support legs. A heating element is applied between the outer wall and the inner wall. An electrical conductor prong is in communication with the heating element.

Furthermore, US 2013/0061765 A1 discloses an automated temperature control system for a grill grate or another structure that comprises an automated damper assembly coupled to a vent of the grate. The system comprises further an operating area temperature probe to communicate the temperature of the operating area of the grate to the automated damper assembly such that the automated damper assembly can maintain a user-specified target operating temperature in order to affect the combustion rates within the grate.

US 2015/0057773 A1 issued US 9,069,340, lastly, discloses a dynamic conditioning system for conditioning nutritional substances, comprising a first conditioner and a second conditioner. The system further comprises a reader for reading a dynamic data identification that comprises a multiplicity of conditioning protocols, wherein, in the case of overlapping conditioning cycles, the multiplicity of conditioning protocols includes instructions for controlling the conditioning of a first portion of a nutritional substance in a first conditioner and a second portion of the nutritional substance in a second conditioner. The system comprises a control configured such that it can respond to one of a multiplicity of conditioning protocols.

These grilling devices can be utilized to heat food items. A modification of physical conditions or states generated in a size-regulatable interior volume is not disclosed.

Problems Addressed by the Invention:

It is therefore the objective of the present invention to disclose a regulatable grilling device that can be employed to grill food items and that is, moreover, connected to or includes systems or instruments suitable to monitor, control or regulate physical parameters such as temperature or distance. This problem is resolved according to the characteristics of Patent Claim 1 .

With regard to Claim 1

Claim 1 describes a regulatable grilling device with exchangeable parts.

The grilling device comprises exchangeable parts that yield physically measurable conditions for the purpose of grilling, storing and providing edible items.

Such an exchangeable part is provided in form of an air system (8) provided for the supply of fresh air, the position of which air system can be adjusted when using an exchangeable, automatically or manually controllable mechanical system (5) such that the air supply into the regulatable interior volume (2) is a function of the height position of the controllable mechanical system. A mixture of gas or air ensues therewith, such that, as a function of said mixture, a modified temperature region is obtained in the regulatable interior volume (2) due to the combustion of the gases.

The grilling device consequently is comprised of a combination of exchangeable mechanical or electromechanical parts such as are described according to Figure 1 .

According to Claim 1 the parts of the grill can be assembled in different configurations such that the spatial combination or assembly generates new physical conditions with new grilling properties.

As a physical condition, the exchangeable part of the air system, for example, provides a regulatable position through the height setting of the controllable mechanical system 5 in the heating area volume 7. This is in particular determined by the size of the regulatable interior volume 2 according to the description of Figure 1 .

The grilling device consequently comprises an exchangeable air system for the supply of fresh air, that can be manually or automatically controlled. The exchangeably disposed air system enables a different configuration and aggregation of the air supply which can be formed differently depending on the grilling process or the utilized type of energy (charcoal, gas, electricity). The air system as an exchangeable blower system is preferably placed in the wall of the grill housing. In this way physical conditions can be provided not only through differing air quantities per unit time but it is also feasible to provide differing supply paths.

Infrared heating of the food can be combined with a heating air supply, use of which permits attaining special grilling effects. Fresh primary air can be conveyed in simple manner into the regulatable interior volume in order to ensure an intended energy conversion, for example through burning charcoal. It is also feasible to generate a regulated cooling effect through the mixing of hot combustion gases with fresh primary air. For the purpose of temperature regulation, it is also feasible to generate a mixture of gas and air or a controllable discharge of gases and air with the air system. It is also feasible for the air system to be manually operable from the outside.

The vertical as well as the horizontal position of the energy supply is preferably modifiable. This is ensured through the use of an exchangeable, automatically or manually controllable mechanical system. This can be resolved, for example, by using a stand facility. It is also feasible for slide rails to be provided in the housing wall.

Supplementarily, or alternatively, a rotary facility can also be provided in order to enable horizontal movements or combined horizontal/vertical movements. Varying the position of the energy supply can be regulated manually or through data from a sensor system for the purpose of driving modifiable device parts. The temperature on the heating surface, lastly, can be regulated or modified. Heating or temperature curves for the control process of the automatic system can be preset.

Based on the physical variables provided by the sensor system, the exchangeable control unit can, for example, control the regulatable energy supply, its position or the air system such that the temperature in terms of technical regulation is maintained in a range compliant with preset data. Feasible is also the control in a combination of the regulatable energy supply and of the air system through the control unit. This achieves the goal of exposing heatable food products to constant conditions in the heating area volume. Feasible are also alternating conditions, for example of the temperature, in the heating area volume. This is attained through the controllable mechanical system for modifying the interior volume, the connecting and disconnecting of the air system or the energy input, for example when using gas or electricity. In terms of energy, the grilling effect is achieved by providing the heating surface with heat (energy). The heating area volume serves for receiving heatable food products. This is generally known of heating surfaces such as are given in kitchen appliances or grills.

The grilling device can also be technically developed such that a defined heating of apparatus or materials is given as is required for the purpose of disinfection, deformation or surface design. To attain these technical effects, the grilling device includes an interior volume that is regulatable for example in terms of spatial size. The regulatable energy supply contained in this interior volume to generate a temperature therewith exerts a different effect onto the provided heating area volume. This volume, utilizing the physical variables provided by the physical sensor system, the temperature in the heating area volume, is maintained under technical regulation within a limited temperature range through the regulation unit.

The invention consequently relates to a regulatable grilling device with exchangeable parts

the exchangeable parts provide physically measurable conditions for the purpose of grilling, storing and providing edible items,

wherein an air system (8) for the supply of fresh air is provided,

and an exchangeable, manually or automatically controllable mechanical system (5) is available,

that the air supply into the regulatable interior volume (2) as a function of the height position of the controllable mechanical system,

yields a mixture of gas and air such

that, depending thereon, a modified temperature range in the regulatable interior volume (2) results due to the combustion gases.

In the description of Figure 1 can be found further exchangeable parts providing physically measurable conditions for the purpose of grilling. The sensor system 4 movable on a rail system can be cited as an example. With regard to Claim 2

The functions of the various parts of the grilling device can be controlled automatically and be added or removed manually. The regulatable energy supply of input or the air system, that is realized depending on the energy input utilized, is disposed

exchangeably. Due to the various configurations of the parts, different grilling conditions result that can be acquired through the physically measurable parameters (data). In this way the items to be grilled can be treated in a manner that, without the combination of the parts, would not be attainable in the case of spatially or temporally separate dispositions.

If a device part is missing or fails, the purpose of the grilling can continue to be fulfilled even if the measurable conditions, and therewith regulation or intervention feasibilities, are reduced.

The grilling device comprises, moreover, at least one placement surface, fitting the outer housing, which can optionally be used automatically or manually by means of a pivot mechanism in order to enlarge or reduce the surface of the housing. The at least one placement surface includes a heat exchanger with which the placement surface can either be cooled and/or also heated. For example, if two, three or even four placement surfaces are provided, three placement surfaces can, for example, be cooled and one placement surface can be heated in order to keep the grilled items warm. The heat exchanger can also be, for example, a flap system. In the case of a grilling device with three placement surfaces, for example two placement surfaces can be disposed opposite one another and a third placement surface on the front side of the grill. The placement surfaces are preferably height adjustable, for example by using a telescoping unit. This is of advantage since the grilling device can be operated with different combustible materials due to the exchange of the regulatable energy supply [of input]. It can optionally be operated with gas, charcoal, pellets, electricity, infrared radiation or microwaves.

Different edible items can further be grilled for consumption. The energy input operated with charcoal can be exchanged for example for gas or electricity. For example, cooking food products over a long period of time at low temperatures is thereby enabled. Grilling at very high temperatures, for example through the combination of gas and charcoal, whereby different degrees of doneness can be attained simultaneously in the food product, would also be feasible. But keeping the items warm, surface treatment, for example lightly browning using infrared heat or specific defrosting and cooking processes using microwaves would also be feasible.

Parts such as placement surfaces, beverage holders, cooling boxes, which are of advantage depending on the requirements, are also optionally usable. These parts can be implemented in a realization of the exchangeable placement surface which is also combinable. For example, it is thus feasible to secure in or on a placement surface a multiplicity of feasible holders in order to utilize, for example, skewers, beverage holders or cooling containers. It is furthermore also conceivable to use a container for storing food products for gentle cooking. Through the combination of various structural parts the grilling device can be utilized in manifold ways beyond the narrower use as a grilling device in order, for example, to carry out defrosting processes or, in combination with a cooled beverage supply, use it as a bar.

With the placement surface in the resting position, physically measurable conditions for the purpose of grilling edible items or beverages are created since the placement surface is located at a certain distance or in a certain position with respect to the heating surface. The placement surface can be rotatably connected with the housing across a pivot mechanism such that, for example with a vertical or horizontal rotation about 180 degrees, the placement surface is increased whereby a placement surface next to the heating surface results with reduced heat supply due to the increased distance from the heating surface. The placement surface can also be implemented, for example using a suspension rail or a suspension system, such that its counterpart, a securement on the outer wall of the housing, is available with which the placement surface can be suspended at this outer wall while in this manner an enlargement results of the surface of the housing, for example for depositing food items or auxiliary utensils. The rotary mechanism can be controlled via an electromechanical system or manually. When the grilling device is not in use, the placement surface can remain in its basic position whereby the space required for the storage of the grilling device becomes less. The use of the placement surface illustrates by example the manner in which the regulatable grilling device is comprised of a combination of mechanical parts that can be utilized in different ways in order to achieve the purpose of the grilling in a manner that would otherwise not be attainable with spatially or temporally separate configurations.

With regard to Claim 3

In a preferred embodiment the sensor system is accessible from outside the housing of the grilling device, whereby the sensor system is, moreover, exchangeable. The position of the sensor system within the housing can be changed manually or automatically, which means that the physical variables affecting the heating area volume can be measured at different positions. The sensor system can, for example, be disposed within the grilling device such that it is automatically displaceable.

In the simplest case the exchangeable sensor system can be comprised of an electronic temperature sensor. Conceivable are also optical systems which acquire

electromagnetic radiation and are suitable for temperature analyses. The sensor system can be disposed in different positions and it can, under automatic control or manual operation, change its position whereby the utilized physical variables can be acquired at different positions. It can be implemented such that the variables to be measured can also be acquired remotely. In this way measuring the effect of a laser beam through particle dust would, for example, be feasible whereby substances injurious to health could also be acquired. Using the sensor system it would also be possible to register whether or not a covering is placed on the grilling device in order to be able in the event of overheating, for example above 300°C, to lower the temperature rapidly again.

With regard to Claim 4

In a further preferred embodiment the regulatable energy supply of input is installed exchangeably such that different energy sources can be utilized individually or in combination wherein, using the data from the sensor system, the energy supply can be regulated such that a constant energy output is enabled. An energy output can optionally be controlled according to default data.

The regulatable energy supply of input can be realized through a system such as, for example, gas, charcoal, pellets, electricity, infrared or microwaves. The particular energy input can be utilized singly or in combination. Thus, a gas input can be active until the charcoal glows and outputs an appropriate temperature. The data from the sensor system can be utilized to control the energy input. For example, the gas input can be switched off when the charcoal itself radiates sufficient heat. In the simplest case a controlled energy input serves exclusively for keeping a temperature constant or an energy output is controlled such that it follows a predetermined temperature profile in the heating area volume.

With regard to Claim 5

In another preferred embodiment, according to Claim 1 the exchangeable placement surface is divided into subregions with some subregions being implemented to be heat- insulating.

Individual subregions are for example implemented as a grate, grill plates, ceramic surfaces or insulating materials. These parts are combinable and can be disposed differently in the subregions of the placement surface such that they are, for example, within different temperature regions. These can also be parts able to modify their own form, surface or structure or those of food products or materials. For example, if enveloping materials contract during heating, food products can thereby be enwrapped.

With regard to Claim 6

According to Claim 1 , in another preferred embodiment an exchangeable ignition system is connected to the grilling device such that the automatic start of the energy input occurs with the ignition of the energy supply of input wherein the ignition system corresponds to the selected type of energy source. The ignition system may be comprised, for example, of one or several electronic components which ignite the fuel (for example charcoal) in the energy supply. Feasible are also thermal methods of ignitions, for example using ignition accelerations such as optical methods of the supply of radiative energy, spraying-in of catalysts or using igniting aids. The positioning of the ignition system can herein be located in parts inside the device as well as also outside of it.

With regard to Claim 7

An exchangeable covering is preferably provided with which the grilling device can be covered wherein the covering can optionally be automatically or manually operated with a pivot mechanism such that differing closings or openings of the heating area volume take place. The exchangeable covering can, for example, be equipped with a viewing window. Through the covering a limitation of the heating area volume takes place. Purpose of the coverage (lid) is to obtain through the limitation within the heating area volume a constant physical parameter, such as for example, a constant temperature. Simultaneously food products or objects located therein are intended to be protected against environmental effects. Feasible are also further usages such as an additional repository in the opened-up state. In terms of technical safety, the covering is to be provided with a closure for example.

With regard to Claim 8

An exchangeable unit for receiving and sending data is preferably disposed on the device, with the received data being usable for control purposes of the exchangeable unit, wherein the data sent can be used for the remote monitor of the regulatable grilling device.

The exchangeable unit can be utilized for receiving data sent, for example, from a mobile phone application. This may also involve a Bluetooth interface. The received data can be utilized for control purposes. The control unit can be manually operated through data input such that the entered data can be used for the regulation or control of the physical parameters of the device parts. However, the data input or the data exchange can also take place across electronic interfaces. A Bluetooth interface could be utilized that is operated using an application on a mobile phone.

With regard to Claim 9

The temperature in the heating area volume is preferably controlled by the

exchangeable control unit. The temperature in the heating area volume can be set through the exchangeable control unit for example to a constant temperature over a certain period of time.

With regard to Claim 10

In another preferred embodiment an exchangeable unit for cleaning is provided with which the interior volume can be cleaned during and after operation. The exchangeable unit for cleaning can, in the simplest case, be a mechanical structural part, for example a motor, which by vibrating frees the energy supply during operation with charcoal of combustion residues, such as, for example, ash. It can also involve a spraying unit, a laser beam or an electromagnetic field with which floating particles in the regulatable interior volume can be captured and eliminated.

With regard to Claim 1 1

An exchangeable energy source is preferably available in the housing, which provides the energy-consuming components with energy. The exchangeable energy source can be divided into different spatial subregions which can also be separately height- adjustable. It is therewith possible for heatable food products on the heating surface to be exposed to different temperature regions. Feasible are also a variation of the energy input in the various subregions as well as a combination of different fuels, such as for example charcoal, gas, electricity or pellets. With regard to Claim 12

According to Claim 1 an exchangeable energy input for starting a burning process is advantageously provided, wherein an automatic ignition mechanism connected thereto is provided such that the energy input feeds the grill firing with fuel, for example pellets or charcoal, with heat until the fuel can independently maintain the heating process (permanent heat output).

With regard to Claim 13

According to Claim 1 the grilling device is preferably movable, for which purpose an exchangeable mechanical or electric motor-operated driving aid is provided for moving the grilling device. The movability can be implemented, for example, through

mechanically operable rollers on the underside of the grilling device, which optionally, with appropriate subsequent exchange / retrofit can also be driven with an electric motor. The device can also be moved manually or by an electric motor. Feasible are also drives, such as, for example, an electric motor, chains, rails, etc.

With regard to Claim 14

In a special embodiment, means for an exchangeable turning system are provided with which the food products in the heating area volume can be turned. The exchangeable turning system can hold grillable food products, wherein the turning system is disposed in the heating area volume. Generally known is the use of rotary skewers. A further option is the use of a mechanically movable grate which by rotation of the rods rotates sausages on a placement surface. However, other variations by tilting or turning are also feasible. The exchangeability ensures that, for example for fish, other means are to be considered than for meat, fruit or vegetables. With regard to Claim 15

In another preferred embodiment one or several exchangeable illumination means are provided which can illuminate the housing from the inside and/or also from the outside.

In or on the grilling device an exchangeable illumination means can be provided which can be utilized for illuminating the heating surface, the regulatable interior volume, the regulatable position and the energy supply to be controlled. Feasible is also the illumination of design elements or logos. The luminous sources can emit light in different colors.

With regard to Claim 16

It is further preferred for the exchangeable luminous sources to indicate a certain operational state of the grilling device and/or a certain state of the grilled food. One luminous source can indicate certain states of the grilling device. Another luminous source can indicate, for example, the state and condition of the grilled food derived from the sensor data.

With regard to Claim 17

In a further preferred embodiment an exchangeable extinguisher system is connected with the grilling device such that, in the event of danger, an extinguishing agent is conducted directly to the fire source, wherein the extinguisher system can be activated automatically through sensor data or manually. The extinguisher system, disposed in or on the grilling device can, by means of the sensor system, detect a permissible temperature exceedance (fire) whereby the extinguisher system extinguishes the fire with its extinguishing agents, for example water or fire extinguishing foam. The extinguisher system can be activated and operated manually or automatically.

With regard to Claim 18 It is further of advantage if an electronically readable identification code is applied on a medium on the grilling device. Therewith the grilling device can be identified which can also take place electronically through photography or laser reading of a bar code.

With regard to Claim 19

In a further preferred embodiment an exchangeable unit for receiving, cooling and optional pouring and serving of beverages is provided on the grilling device. For this purpose, for example an energy source can be provided with which the exchangeable unit, and therewith the beverage, can be cooled.

In the following an embodiment example will be described in further detail with reference to Figures. Therein depict:

Figure 1 a schematic layout of a regulatable grilling device and

Figure 2 a further view of the grilling device shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 1 outlines a schematic layout of a regulatable grilling device comprising the parts external housing 1 , regulatable interior volume 2, heating surface 3, sensor system 4, controllable mechanical system 5 for varying the position 5, controllable energy supply 6, heating area volume 7, air system 8, placement surface 9, ignition system 10, covering 1 1 , unit for receiving and sending data 12, control unit 13, illumination means 14, energy source system 15, medium identification code 16, pivot mechanism 17, cleaning unit 18, driving aid 19, turning system 20, extinguisher system 21 , beverage cooling unit 22 and fresh air supply 23. In the housing 1 or on the housing 1 all parts of the regulatable grilling device are contained and preferably connected such that they are exchangeable. For example, the placement surface 9 can thus be separated from the grilling device or, if required, be suspended into the pivot mechanism 17. The regulatable interior volume 2 comprising the sensor system 4, the controllable mechanical system 5 the regulatable position 5 with the energy supply 6 to be controlled, can be modified with its exchangeable individual parts such that for the purpose of grilling, new physical conditions are settable. The sensor system 4 serves, for example, for acquiring the physical parameters required for the regulatable position of the energy supply 6.

The sensor system 4 can be automatically displaceable within the grilling device. For this purpose, a rail system can be provided on which the sensor system 4 is secured. By means of a drive that sensor system 4 can subsequently be moved into the desired position within the grilling device in order to measure the temperature on site. The rail system as well as the drive are not shown in Figure 1 .

Figure 2 shows a further view of the regulatable grilling device according to Figure 1 , which is comprised of a combination of exchangeable parts. Using a lifting system 5 the height of the exchangeable ember box 6 can be adjusted within the regulatable interior volume 2. The temperature sensor 4 acquires herein the temperature that, due to the regulatable height adjustment 5 results on the heating surface 3 during the burning-off of the charcoal. The height is set with exchangeable control unit 13. Via the control unit 13 a temperature range can be set manually on the grilling device or using, for example, a smartphone. Depending on whether charcoal, gas, electricity or pellets are used, with the blower system 8 air can be supplied to the ember box 6. Supplementally, primary air can be blown into the regulatable interior volume 2 above the ember box 6, which exerts an effect onto the taste characteristics of the grill items. Above the heating surface 3 is located a covering on housing 1 , in which are disposed various placement surfaces 9 in the heating area volume 7. These placement surfaces 9 serve as a repository for kitchen appliances, boards or chafing dishes for storing food items.