WO2016201644A1

WO2016201644A1 - A toaster

Info

Publication number: WO2016201644A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/081660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Weizhong Li; Yewu Zhong
Original assignee: Top Electric Appliances Industrial Ltd.
Priority date: 2015-06-17
Filing date: 2015-06-17
Publication date: 2016-12-22

Abstract

A toaster appliance comprises a chamber (24) for receiving a food item to be toasted, and an air flow generating means (40) adapted to generate an air flow. The air flow is directed to at least partially seal or close at least one opening (22) of the chamber to reduce heat dissipation from the opening. Said toaster has a higher energy efficiency and more effective toasting of the food item.

Description

A TOASTER

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electrical appliance for heating a food item, and particularly, but not exclusively, to an electrical appliance for toasting a food item.

Background Art

[0002] Electric toasters are popular home appliances, and particularly, in western countries such as the United States and in Europe, toasters are so commonly used that most family have at least one in their kitchen. Toasters of various designs and functions have been developed, with conventional toasters generally comprising heating elements for generating heat to toast the bread surfaces. Nevertheless, a problem is that a large amount of the generated heat is dissipated to the environment and thus wasted. Technical Problem

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a toaster in which the aforesaid

shortcoming is mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative.

[0004] Another object is to mitigate or obviate problems with existing toaster appliances.

[0005] The above object is met by the combination of features of the main claims; the subclaims disclose further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] One skilled in the art will derive from the following description other objects of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing statement of object is not exhaustive but serves merely to illustrate some of the many objects of the present invention.

Solution to Problem

Technical Solution

[0007] In one main aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toaster comprising a chamber for receiving a food item to be toasted, and an air flow generating means adapted to generate an air flow, wherein the air flow is directed to at least partially seal at least one opening of the chamber.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

Advantageous Effects

[0008] The present invention is advantageous in that it provides an air flow at or over the openings of the toaster which serves as a barrier to reduce the heat dissipation from the openings, thus assisting in reducing heat loss to the environment thereby allowing a higher energy efficiency of the toaster and more effective toasting of the food item. The present invention also assists in providing air flow at certain regions of the toaster which are generally more accessible to the user during use, for example, the openings where the food item are inserted for toasting and removed after toasting, and/or the areas adjacent the handle operable by the user to load or unload the food item. The air flow assists in reducing the surface temperature of the housing which may become very hot during use, and thus avoiding any potential injuries of the user caused by the otherwise high temperature of the toaster body.

[0009] The summary of the invention does not necessarily disclose all the features essential for defining the invention; the invention may reside in a sub-combination of the disclosed features.

Brief Description of Drawings

Description of Drawings

[0010] The foregoing and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments which are provided by way of example only in connection with the accompanying figures, of which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the toaster according to the

present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the toaster of Figure 1 with its housing removed;

[0013] Figure 3 is a front sectional view showing the internal structure of the toaster of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 4 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the toaster of

Figure 1;

[0015] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a side panel, a fan cover, and a fan of the toaster of Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the toaster according to the present invention with its housing removed;

[0017] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a side panel, a fan cover, and a fan of the toaster of Figure 6;

[0018] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the toaster according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 9 is a front sectional view showing the internal structure of the toaster of Figure 8;

[0020] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a side panel, a fan cover, and a fan of the toaster of Figure 8;

[0021] Figure 11 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the toaster of Figure 8;

[0022] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the toaster of Figure 8 showing the front side of the toaster with its housing removed; and

[0023] Figure 13 is a perspective view of the toaster of Figure 8 showing the rear side of the toaster with its housing removed. Mode for the Invention

Mode for Invention

[0024] The following description is of preferred embodiments by way of example only and without limitation to the combination of features necessary for carrying the invention into effect.

[0025] Reference in this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

[0026] The present invention provides a toaster for toasting a food item. The toaster

comprises a chamber for receiving a food item to be toasted. The toaster includes an air flow generating means adapted to generate an air flow, wherein the air flow is directed to at least partially seal, close or reduce heat escaping from at least one opening of the chamber. The generated air flow of the present invention is advantageous in that, in one aspect, it provides an air flow at the opening which serves as an air blow barrier to reduce the transfer of heat via the opening, thus assisting in reducing heat loss to the environment thereby allowing a higher energy efficiency of the toaster and a more effective toasting of the food item. The present invention also assists in providing air flow at certain regions of the toaster which are generally more accessible to the user during use, for example, the openings where the food items are inserted for toasting and removed after toasting, and/or the areas adjacent the handle operable by the user to load or unload the food items. The air flow assists in reducing the surface temperature of the housing which may become very hot during use, and thus avoiding any potential injuries to the user caused by the otherwise high temperature of the toaster body or components.

[0027] The food item herein described generally refers to bread in the form of bread slices.

Nevertheless, a person skilled in this technology field would appreciate that the present invention should not be limited to a toaster for heating bread slices only, but any other food items such as, but not limited to, muffins, bagels, cake slices, pastries, biscuits or waffles, may also be applicable, as long as the skilled person would consider it as suitable and appropriate.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, shown is a toaster 10 according to the present invention. The toaster 10 comprises a housing 12 cooperatively connected with a base 14 adapted to encase a toasting unit 20, where a food item such as a bread slice is heated and toasted therein. The toasting unit 20 generally comprises two opposing front and rear panels 21, 23 and two opposing longitudinal side panels 25, 25', which defines at least one chamber 24 for receiving and accommodating at least one slice of bread. The toasting unit 20 further comprises at least one opening 22 for receiving the bread slice into the chamber 24, and a loading means 26 operable by a user via a handle 28 to load the bread slice in, or to optionally manually unload the bread slice from, the chamber 24.

[0029] The housing 12 may further comprise a control panel having a plurality of switches, buttons 32 or knob 34 operable to actuate operation and/or control functionalities of the toaster 10. The control panel is electrically connected with a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) 36 for processing operating instructions from the user. Although it is not shown in the figure, the PCBA 36 may also comprise a wireless module adapted to receive operating instructions from the user wirelessly, and to provide feedback to the user in a similar manner. The PCBA 36 may further comprise a communication module adapted to exchange information with the internet.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the toaster 10 comprises an air flow generating means 40 adapted to generate an air flow which can be directed to at least partially seal, close or reduce heat escaping from at least one opening of the chamber 24, for example, the opening 22 for receiving the food item to be toasted. In this embodiment, the toaster 10 comprises two chambers 24 at the toasting unit 20 for receiving, for example, two slices of bread each at the corresponding opening 22. The generated air flow is directed by and emitted from an elongated air outlet 42 which extends substantially along the longitudinal length of each of the openings 22 thereby creating a substantially planar air flow barrier to at least partially seal the opening 22. Preferably, the air outlet 42 can be arranged adjacent the outer longitudinal edge of the opening 22, which enables the air flow to be blown inwardly from the outer longitudinal sides of the toaster 10 towards the center region of the toaster 10, as indicated by the arrows shown in the figures.

[0031] Structures of the air flow generating means 40, the air inlet 42, as well as other

internal structures of the toaster 10 are more clearly illustrated in Figures 3 to 4, which show a front and a side sectional view, respectively, of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figure 3, shown the air flow generating means 40 as comprising two fans 44 arranged at the opposing longitudinal sides 25, 25' of the toasting unit 20. Each of the fans 44 is covered by a fan cover 46, and air is drawn into the fan cover 46 via a fan inlet 48 by the action of the fan 44 in operation. In this specific embodiment, the fan cover 46 serves not only as a protective cover to protect the fan 44 and to avoid exposure of the fan 44 to the user, but also as a baffle which conveys the air flow generated by the fan 44 to and/or over the opening 22. Preferably, the fan cover 46 can be arranged between and in parallel to the housing 12 and the side panel 25, and spaced apart from the side panel 25 to define an air channel 50 between the fan cover 46 and the side panel 25. The air channel 50 is in air communication with the air outlet 42, which allows passage of the air flow generated from the fan 44 to the air outlet 42 and then to the opening 22.

[0032] As defined by the elongated configuration of the air outlet 42, the air flow exits the air outlet 42 in the form of a substantially planar air stream to at least partially seals, close or cover the opening 22. The planar air stream serves as a barrier to reduce the transfer of heat from the chamber 24 to the external via the opening 22, which assists in reducing heat dissipation thereby allowing a higher energy efficiency of the toaster 10 and a more effective toasting of the food item therein. The air flow also assists in reducing the temperature of the top surface of the housing 12, which may become very hot during use. This is also beneficial in that any potential injuries to the user caused by the otherwise high temperature of the toaster body can be avoided.

[0033] The cooperating structures of the fan 44, the fan cover 46, the side panel 25 are

further illustrated in Figure 5. Preferably, the fan cover 46 may further comprise one or more wing member 58 arranged at an angle to at least one side of the fan cover 46. The wing member 58 can be in the form of an extension extending from the topmost side of the fan cover 46 adjacent the opening 22, which provides an angled passageway along the channel 50 thereby directing the air flow from the fan 44 to exit from the air outlet 42 at an angle towards the opening 22. In this embodiment, the wing member 58 is configured to extend substantially perpendicular from the fan cover 46, which enables the substantially planar air stream as defined by the air outlet 42 to cover the opening 22 at a substantially horizontal manner.

[0034] Other features of the toaster 10 are also illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4 including one or more heating element 60, 60', 60" arranged within the toasting unit 20 for generating heat to toast the bread slice; one or more bread bracket 62 for supporting the bread slice, and one or more retaining means 64 for engaging the bread slice to secure the position of the bread within the chamber 24. Optionally, the base 14 may comprises at least one air vent 15 for venting air from the housing 12.

[0035] To assist in avoiding further heat loss from the toasting unit 20, air-tight junctions can also be arranged at other possible openings at the toasting unit 20, for example, the openings at the rails 39 at the front panel 21 of the toasting unit 20, along which the loading means 26 is adapted to slide up and down when the handle 28 is operated to unload and load the food item into the chamber 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, a sealing member in the form of sealing strips 27 can be arranged to substantially seal the rail opening 39, and at the same time, provided a groove 29 for the up and down sliding movement of the loading means 26 along the rail. Similarly, as shown in Figure 4, the tray 66 which is normally arranged at the bottom of the toasting unit 20 to collect any food residues from falling into the base 14 may also be provided with an air-tight end wall 67 adapted to substantially sealingly engage the toasting unit 20, so that air loss from the toasting unit 20 to the external can be further reduced.

[0036] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, shown a second embodiment of the toaster of the

present invention. In this embodiment, the fan cover 46 comprises two wing members 58, 78 arranged at two adjacent sides of the fan cover 46. The two wing members 58, 78 are configured to extend at an angle from the fan cover 46, for example, at a right angle from the topmost side of the side panel 25 for the wing member 58, or generally tilted at an obtuse angle from the front-facing side of the side panel 25 for the wing member 78, as shown in the figures. The wing members 58, 78 provide two angled passageways along the channel 50 for the air flow to exit from the respective air outlets 42, 72. Specifically, the wing member 58 is adapted to direct a substantially planar air flow to at least partially seal, close or cover the opening 22, and that the wing member 78 is adapted to direct another substantially planar air flow to at least partially seal, close or cover the rail openings 39 at the front panel 21. In this embodiment, both the outlets 42 and 72 are arranged adjacent the outer edges of the toasting unit 20, which enable the air flow to be blown inwardly from the outer edges of the toasting unit 20 to at least partially seal the corresponding openings 22, 39, as indicated by the arrows shown in the figures.

[0037] The planar air streams serve as air flow barriers to reduce the transfer of heat from the chamber 24 to the external via the openings 22 and/or the rail openings 39. This is advantageous in reducing heat dissipation thereby allowing a higher energy efficiency of the toaster 10 and a more effective toasting of the food item therein. The air flow also assists in reducing the temperature of the top surface of the housing 12 and/or the areas adjacent the loading means 26 and the handle 28, which are generally more frequently accessible by the user when the toaster 10 is in use. This is therefore beneficial in avoiding any potential injuries to the user caused by the otherwise high temperature of the toaster body.

[0038] Referring to Figures 8 and 13, shown a third embodiment of the toaster of the present invention. In this embodiment, the toaster 10 comprises similar structures as those discussed in the first embodiment, except that it further comprises additional elongated air outlets 43 arranged adjacent the inner longitudinal edges of the food item receiving openings 22. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a pair of elongated air outlets 42, 43 are provided one at a side of the longitudinal edges of each of the openings 22. The air outlets 42, 43 are aligned opposite and parallel to each other. When the air flow generating means 40 is actuated to generate an air flow, the elongated air outlets 42, 43 are adapted to delivery two inwardly facing air streams against each other to at least partially seal the opening 22 (as shown by the arrows in the figures).

[0039] The arrangement of the fan 44, the fan cover 46, the side panel 25 and the wing

member 58 of this embodiment are further illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. Similar to the first embodiment, the fan cover 46 comprises a wing member 58 arranged at an angle to the topmost side of the fan cover 46. Particularly, the wing member 58 and thus the air outlet 42 are now arranged to define a slightly upwardly tilted flow path. After an air flow is generated by the fan 44, the air flow is directed along the channel 50 and subsequently leaving the air outlet 42 at an upwardly tilted angle towards the opening 22. When operate cooperatively with the fan 44 and the opposing air outlet 43, the air outlets pair 42, 43 provides two inwardly facing air streams which at least partially seal, close or cover the opening 22 to reduce heat escaping from the opening 22.

[0040] Structures of the air outlet 43 can be more clearly illustrated in Figures 11-13. In this embodiment, the air generating means 40 further comprises a pump 80 adapted to generate the required air flow. Specifically, the pump 80 can be connected via a conduit 82 to a nozzle 84 where one or more outlet 43 is located. The pump 80 may also comprise an air inlet 88 via which atmospheric air is drawn into the pump to generate an air flow under pressure. The generated air flow from the pump 80 will be conveyed via the conduit 82 to the nozzle 84, and subsequently emitted from the one or more outlet 43 to the opening 22.

[0041] As shown in the figures, the nozzle 84 is preferred to be arranged in an elongated configuration having two elongated air outlets 43 one at each longitudinal side of the nozzle 84. Specifically, the nozzle 84 is centrally positioned on the toasting unit 20, with the air outlets 43 arranged to align with the corresponding, opposing air outlets 42, which are located adjacent the longitudinal, outer edges of the openings 22 of the toasting unit 20. In this embodiment, the nozzle 84 and the outlets 43 are also configured to define two slightly upwardly tilted flow paths. When operate cooperatively with the opposing air outlets 42, the air outlet pairs 42, 43 each provides two inwardly facing and upwardly tilted air streams which seal, close or cover the corresponding opening 22 in a substantially dome-shaped manner thereby reducing heat dissipation from the chambers 24 to the external via the openings 22.

[0042] To assist in avoiding further heat loss from the toasting unit 20, air-tight junctions can also be provided at the rail openings 39 of the front panel 21 and/or the end wall 67 of the tray 66 at the bottom portion of the toasting unit 20 in similar manners as discussed in the previous embodiments.

[0043] It should be appreciated that the air flow generating means of the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments i.e. to comprise a fan and/or a pump as described herein. Rather, a person skilled in the art would understand that any air flow generating devices which is capable of generating an air flow, i.e. initiating a motion of air, should also be encompassed. The devices can be actuated by mechanical arrangement or electrically powered, and the air flow being generated can be pressurized or in atmospheric pressure.

[0044] Although toasters having a toasting unit with two chambers each having at least one air outlet at the corresponding food receiving openings have been exemplified in the figures, it is understandable that a toasting unit having only one chamber and thus one opening provided with one or more air outlets should be encompassed by the present invention. Alternatively, a toasting unit having multiple chambers and thus multiple openings but provided with only one air outlet which is capable of providing a sufficient air flow to at least partially seal the multiple openings should also be encompassed. In addition, the air outlet of the present invention should not be restricted to the specific configurations or arrangements as described in the exemplified embodiments. It should also be understood that the emitted air stream from the outlet may not necessarily be restricted in any specific forms, for example, being substantially planar, horizontal, upwardly tilted or dome-shaped etc. Instead, air stream of any forms such as a fan-shaped air stream or being composed of a plurality of smaller air streams should also be encompassed by the present invention, as long as the generated air stream is capable of at least partially sealing the opening of the chamber of the toaster to assist in reducing heat dissipation.

[0045] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and do not limit the scope of the invention in any manner. It can be appreciated that any of the features described herein may be used with any embodiment. The illustrative embodiments are not exclusive of each other or of other embodiments not recited herein. Accordingly, the invention also provides embodiments that comprise combinations of one or more of the illustrative embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the invention as herein set forth can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, and, therefore, only such limitations should be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

[0046] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0047] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art.

Claims

[Claim 1] A toaster, comprising:

a chamber for receiving a food item to be toasted, and

an air flow generating means adapted to generate an air flow, wherein the air flow is directed to at least partially seal at least one opening of the chamber.

2. The toaster according to claim 1, further comprising at least one air outlet adapted to direct the generated air flow to at least partially seal the at least one opening of the chamber.

3. The toaster according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a first opening, the first opening is adapted to receive the food item into the chamber.

4. The toaster according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opening comprises a second opening, the second opening is adapted to receive a loading means operable to move the received food item between a standby position and a toasting position.

5. The toaster according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating means comprises a fan.

6. The toaster according to claim 5, wherein the air flow generating means further comprises a baffle adapted to convey the air flow generated by the fan to the at least one opening.

7. The toaster according to claim 6, wherein the baffle comprises at least one wing member arranged at an angle to at least one side of the baffle.

8. The toaster according to claim 7, wherein the at least one wing member is substantially perpendicular to the baffle.

9. The toaster according to claim 1, wherein the air flow generating means comprises a pump.

10. The toaster according to claim 9, wherein the air flow generating means further comprises a conduit adapted to convey the air flow generated by the pump to the at least one opening.

11. The toaster according to claim 9, wherein the air flow generated by the pump is collected at a nozzle means before it is directed to the at least one opening.

12. The toaster according to claim 2, wherein the at least one air outlet is arranged adjacent the at least one opening.

13. The toaster according to claim 2, wherein the at least one air outlet is elongated which extends substantially along a length of the at least one opening.

14. The toaster according to claim 2, wherein the at least one air outlet comprises a pair of opposing air outlets adapted to direct the air flow against each other.