ES1303614U - HAM CABINET (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Ham cabinet comprising: a lower base (2) with at least one mobile ham holder (3) incorporated thereon; a transparent dome (4) that closes on said base (2) defining an interior accommodation space that accommodates at least one piece of ham (J) installed on the ham holder (3); means for regulating and controlling the temperature of said interior space, with an integrated digital temperature control device (5), which allows the temperature of the interior space to be displayed; a tray (6) on which the ham holder (3) is integrated; a storage drawer (7) for knives and other utensils such as a knife sharpener; and a thermal surface heating dishes (8), is characterized in that it also comprises: - a tube (11) that expels cold air, to direct it towards a certain part of the ham (J) incorporated in the ham support (3) as the cutting area, and prevent the knife from adhering to the fat when the ham is cut ; - a motorized mechanism (12) that drives an axis (13) associated with the mobile ham support (3), to place the ham (J) in a horizontal or vertical position and/or rotate it up to 360° to cut it in the ideal position in each moment, said mechanism being connected to one or two drive buttons (14); and - a weighing cell (15) or load cell associated with the thermal surface heating plates (8) that acts as a scale. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

HAM CABINET

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive report, refers to a ham cabinet that provides, to the function for which it is intended, advantages and characteristics, which are described in detail below, which represent an improvement on the current state of The technique.

More specifically, the object of the invention focuses on a ham cabinet that, being of the type consisting of a refrigerated cabinet capable of housing at least one piece of ham for consumption by cutting, whether leg or shoulder, and comprising elements such as as means of digital temperature control, an optionally removable tray that incorporates the ham holder, a storage drawer for knives and a thermal plate warming surface, to ensure correct conservation of the piece while it is not consumed and facilitate cutting operations, All of this being covered with a transparent closing dome with interior lighting that allows the piece to be seen from the outside, it presents a series of improvements that, among others, essentially consist of the inclusion of a tube with which cold air can be applied. directly above the cutting area, a mechanism to automatically move the ham in its ham holder and a scale cell associated with the plate heating surface to know the weight of the ham that is being cut and incorporated into the plate located on said surface .

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention falls within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of refrigerated food appliances, focusing particularly on the field of cabinets, chests, display cases and the like intended for the preservation of ham and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Multiple types and models of devices in the form of cabinet or display case to preserve food of all kinds, including hams intended for cutting. However, in most cases it is a cabinet to preserve the pieces in sales or distribution establishments for their conservation prior to opening them for consumption.

On the other hand, all types of ham holders are widely known that facilitate holding the piece, whether shoulder or leg, while it is cut and consumed. Furthermore, to keep the pieces that have already started to be cut, some types of cabinet or display case are also known in which the piece with its ham holder fits inside.

However, these cabinets or display cases simply usually consist of a receptacle sized to accommodate the ham with its support and, at most, they have some cooling system to maintain temperature control.

On the other hand, it is well known that, to correctly carry out the conservation and manual slicing of pieces of ham, several aspects must be taken into account. Among them, mainly, in addition to having a good hold of the piece of ham using a suitable ham support, you must be able to position the support and the piece itself in the appropriate position, as appropriate in each phase of the cut, to cut the slices into the correct cutting direction. In addition, you must also have on hand the various knives and utensils that are needed to carry out the different processes of preparing and cutting the ham. It is also advisable to have adequate space to preserve the layers of white fat that will be used to cover the cut areas. Finally, it is very important to be able to maintain the piece at an adequate temperature of between 20° to 25° C.

The problem is that the currently existing cabinets or display cases do not offer more than a storage receptacle that, normally, requires removing the piece with the support outside of it every time you want to consume it.

To solve this lack, by document ES1298363U, whose owner is the applicant of the present invention, a ham cabinet is disclosed that allows offering the necessary conditions to facilitate the cutting of ham pieces in any position without requiring effort. to extract it out of the cabinet and maintaining constant temperature control.

However, although this ham cabinet satisfactorily meets the objectives for which it was developed, there are still certain aspects that could be improved. Specifically, for example, it would be desirable to have a ham cabinet equipped with means to facilitate the cutting operation.

As is known, when cutting ham, you can sometimes experience the knife sticking or sticking to the meat. This is due to a phenomenon called cohesive adhesion or capillary adhesion. Ham contains a significant amount of intramuscular fat and proteins that form a network of fibers and structures in its tissue. When ham is cut with a sharp knife, the pressure exerted on the meat breaks down these structures and releases the fat and juices from the ham. However, as the fat and juices are released, they can fill the small spaces and cavities between the knife blade and the cutting surface. This creates a sort of "suction" or capillary adhesion between the knife and the meat, causing the knife to momentarily stick.

It is important to note that the degree of adhesion can vary depending on factors such as the temperature of the ham, in addition to the quality of the knife and the technique used to cut it.

So, if you apply cold air to the Serrano ham before cutting it, it could reduce the adhesion of the knife to the meat. This is because cold air can help solidify the intramuscular fat in the ham, which would decrease its ability to fill the spaces between the knife blade and the cutting surface. By solidifying the fat, the amount of liquid is reduced and, therefore, the possibility of capillary adhesion occurring.

On the other hand, it is important to remember that Serrano ham should be consumed at room temperature to enjoy its optimal flavor and texture. Therefore, if cold air is applied before slicing, it would be desirable to do so in a moderate and controlled manner, ensuring that the ham recovers its temperature before serving.

For this reason, an objective of the present invention is to provide an improved ham cabinet to allow the application of cold air over the cutting area in a controlled manner.

Another aspect that could be improved is the problem of having to hold the ham with your hand to move it and place it in the ideal position that suits each phase of the cut, as it is consumed, since it would be desirable to have automatic means to go moving the ham with the ham support on which it is fixed.

Finally, another aspect to take into account is being able to know the weight of the ham that is being cut since, preferably, the ham cabinet of the invention is intended for professional use, for example in establishments intended for retail sale. minor and/or in hospitality and restaurant establishments, where it is important to be able to keep track of the volumes of the portions served, since it is an expensive product and it is convenient to control the quantities served.

Thus, these and some others are aspects that are intended to be improved with the ham cabinet that is the object of the present invention, and it should be noted that, as a reference to the current state of the art, at least by the applicant, the existence of any another ham holder that presents technical and structural characteristics equal or similar to those presented by the one claimed here.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The ham cabinet that the invention proposes represents an optimal solution to the aforementioned objectives that, in turn, improves what is currently known, with the characterizing details that make it possible and that distinguish it conveniently included in the final claims that accompany this present description.

What the invention proposes, as previously noted, is a transparent and refrigerated piece of furniture, suitable for housing at least one piece of ham for consumption by cutting, whether leg or shoulder, which includes a series of elements that, In addition to ensuring the correct conservation of the piece while it is not consumed, they keep it in optimal temperature conditions and facilitate cutting operations every time it is desired to consume.

To this end, and more specifically, the ham cabinet object of the invention is of the type that, in a manner already known from the aforementioned document, essentially comprises the following elements:

- A steel base with at least one ham holder built into it.

- A transparent dome that closes on said base defining an interior accommodation space that accommodates at least one piece of ham, leg or shoulder, installed on the support.

- Means for regulating and controlling the temperature of said interior space integrated into the base and equipped with a digital temperature control device, which makes it easy to know, at least, the temperature inside the ham holder.

- A tray on which the ham holder is integrated, preferably a mobile tray, such that it allows the assembly to be removed from the interior of the cabinet, once the closing dome is opened, to facilitate cutting tasks.

- A storage drawer for knives and other utensils, which allows you to have at hand the different types of knives that may be needed in the different phases of preparing and cutting the ham.

- And a thermal plate warming surface, which allows you to heat a plate or platter to place the slices of ham in case you are cutting at a colder ambient temperature than desirable, or for white fat cuts that must be used for Cover the cut areas of the ham, preventing them from cooling.

And, from said already known configuration, the ham cabinet object of the present invention is essentially distinguished by the fact that it also includes the following essential elements:

- A tube, preferably a flexible tube, that expels cold air in a controlled manner and that can be directed towards a specific part of the ham incorporated in the support, to provide fresh air above the cut area in order to prevent the knife from sticking to the fat while the ham is being cut.

- A motorized mechanism that drives an axis associated with the mobile ham holder, preferably with a tilting and rotating movement, thanks to which the ham can be placed in a horizontal and vertical position and can be rotated up to 360° to cut it in the correct position. ideal at all times, which is activated through a button.

- And a weighing cell or load cell associated with the thermal plate heating surface and a digital display that acts as a scale to weigh the ham content that is incorporated into the plate.

With this, the ham cabinet allows you to keep the pieces of ham in optimal condition and, in addition, greatly facilitates cutting operations, especially when these are carried out by professionals who need high precision and quality in such a precious product as ham. ham

Preferably, the tube for applying cold air in the cutting area is a flexible tube that, in any case, is connected in an easily removable way, for example under pressure, in a frame provided for this purpose coinciding with the fan integrated in the means for regulating and controlling the temperature of the interior space of the cabinet.

With this, the tube is removable, to be incorporated if appropriate, depending on the ambient temperature that exists in the establishment and at the time of cutting the ham, since this can vary by many degrees from one place to another or from one time of year to another.

Optionally, the ham cabinet includes the incorporation of a support or holding hook to locate and hold the distal end of the tube in an elevated position, near the upper area, which will normally be where the cutting area is located.

In any case, in an exemplary embodiment, the ham cabinet also comprises, as a digital temperature control device, a digital clock that shows both the interior temperature of the ham cabinet and the temperature outside it.

In other embodiments, the base and the dome that closes said base are sized to accommodate more than one ham, for example two or three, and the temperature regulation and control means are equipped with a programmable electronic system to adapt this temperature to the number of hams incorporated inside the cabinet, since the temperature variation needs with respect to the outside will not be the same if inside the cabinet there is space for three hams but there is only one, or if there are three hams incorporated inside.

In another example of the ham cabinet, the means of regulation and control of the temperature include a thermostat equipped with a manual operation control to be able to regulate the temperature manually at will by a user and to be able to adjust the interior temperature to values other than those initially planned due to whatever circumstance, for example if the Ham has been in a cold place and you want to speed up its tempering or vice versa.

In any case, in a preferred embodiment, the plate warming thermal surface is equipped with integrated heating elements consisting of high resistance fabric filaments, which generate heat when connected to a source of electricity. With this, the heat emitted by said fabric filaments helps to maintain the ham that is placed on a plate or platter placed on said plate-heating surface at an appropriate temperature with minimal energy consumption.

Furthermore, preferably, the heating means integrated into the plate warming thermal surface are activated through a separate switch.

On the other hand, both the thermal plate heating surface and its operating switch can be installed on the right or left side of the ham cabinet, to facilitate its use for both left- and right-handed people, since As is known, the position of the ham and grip of the knife change depending on the hand used to perform the operation.

Likewise, it is important to note that, among the utensils included in the storage drawer of the ham cabinet integrated into the base, in addition to knives for peeling the bark, degreasing, cutting itself, and at least one sharpener is included. of knives.

It should be noted that, although the ham cabinet preferably has a mains connection plug for the electrical supply of the drives and electrical devices it comprises, in an example of embodiment, the inclusion of a battery is contemplated to allow its operation. autonomously in any place, for example to be able to preserve the hams in case of "catering" outside or to transport them to the ham cutters or any removal.

Finally, although the closet object of the invention is eminently intended for contain at least one ham, the use of the display case to store other foods is not ruled out, for example sausages next to said ham or even when it has already been consumed, since it will also guarantee the optimal temperature control conditions for this type of food and also serves to facilitate cutting and weighing portions.

As for the transparent dome, in addition to being made of tempered glass or polycarbonate, it is worth mentioning that, in other embodiments, it can also be made of methacrylate or other materials.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive report is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of plans in which, for illustrative and non-limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a schematic perspective view of an example of embodiment of the ham cabinet object of the invention, showing the main parts and elements it comprises.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described figure 1 and only one, and in accordance with the numbering adopted therein, an example of a non-limiting embodiment of the ham cabinet of the invention can be observed, which comprises what is indicated and described in detail below. .

Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the cabinet (1) of the invention comprises, in a known manner:

- a lower base (2) with at least one mobile ham support (3) incorporated thereon;

- a transparent dome (4) that, optionally dated with a handle (10), closes on said base (2) defining an interior accommodation space that accommodates at least one piece of ham (J) installed in the ham holder (3);

- means for regulating and controlling the temperature of said interior space, with a digital temperature control device (5) integrated, for example externally in the base (2), which allows the temperature of the interior space to be displayed; - a tray (6) on which the ham holder (3) is integrated;

- a storage drawer (7) for knives and other utensils, for example a knife sharpener; and

- a thermal surface warms dishes (8).

And it is distinguished by the fact that, in addition, it also includes:

- a tube (11), preferably a flexible tube, which expels cold air to direct it towards a certain part of the ham (J) incorporated in the ham support (3), such as the cutting area, and prevent the knife from adhering to the fat when the ham is cut; - a motorized mechanism (12) that drives an axis (13) associated with the mobile ham holder (3), to place the ham (J) in a horizontal or vertical position and/or rotate it up to 360° to cut it in the ideal position in each moment, said mechanism being connected to one or two drive buttons (14); and

- a weighing cell (15) or load cell associated with the plate heating thermal surface (8), preferably connected to a digital display (16), which acts as a scale to weigh the content of ham that is incorporated into the plate .

Preferably, the tube (11) that expels cold air is connected in a removable way, for example under pressure, in a coupling frame (17) provided in the air outlet grille of the temperature regulation and control means, in which at least one fan is provided.

Optionally, the existence of a clamping support (18) is provided to hold the tube (11) in an elevated position. In an exemplary embodiment, said support (18) comprises a deployable or extendable stem between a retracted position and a vertical position with a hook at the end to locate the tube.

In any case, preferably the digital temperature control device (5) is a digital clock configured to be able to display both the interior temperature of the ham cabinet (1) and the temperature outside it.

Optionally, the base (2) and the transparent dome (4) are sized to accommodate more than one ham (J) in its respective ham holder (3), and the means of regulation and Temperature controls are configured to adapt the temperature of the interior space to the number of hams incorporated inside the cabinet.

Optionally, the temperature regulation and control means include a manually operated thermostat (19) to be able to regulate the temperature manually at will.

In any case, in one embodiment, the plate heating thermal surface (8) is equipped with integrated heating elements consisting of fabric filaments (not shown in Figure 1) that are connected to the power supply of the ham cabinet ( 1). Preferably, said means for heating the thermal surface of the plate warmer (8) are activated through a switch (20).

It should be noted that, although in the example in Figure 1 the thermal plate heating surface (8) and the switch (20) to operate it are installed on the left side with respect to the ham holder (3), this can be installed on the right side, to facilitate the use of the cabinet (1) for both right and left-handed people.

On the other hand, although it has not been shown, the ham cabinet (1) preferably has a socket and plug connected to the network for electrical power and, optionally, includes a battery to allow its autonomous operation.

Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to make its explanation more extensive so that any expert in the field understands its scope and the advantages derived from it, stating that, Within its essentiality, it may be put into practice in other forms of embodiment that differ in detail from the one indicated as an example, and to which the protection sought will also be achieved as long as its fundamental principle is not altered, changed or modified. .

Claims (8)

1. - HAM CABINET that, comprising: a lower base (2) with, at least, a mobile ham holder (3) incorporated thereon; a transparent dome (4) that closes on said base (2) defining an interior accommodation space that accommodates at least one piece of ham (J) installed on the ham holder (3); means for regulating and controlling the temperature of said interior space, with an integrated digital temperature control device (5), which allows the temperature of the interior space to be displayed; a tray (6) on which the ham holder (3) is integrated; a storage drawer (7) for knives and other utensils such as a knife sharpener; and a thermal surface heating dishes (8), is characterized in that it also comprises: - a tube (11) that expels cold air, to direct it towards a certain part of the ham (J) incorporated in the ham support (3) as the cutting area, and prevent the knife from adhering to the fat when the ham is cut ; - a motorized mechanism (12) that drives an axis (13) associated with the mobile ham holder (3), to place the ham (J) in a horizontal or vertical position and/or rotate it up to 360° to cut it in the ideal position in each moment, said mechanism being connected to one or two drive buttons (14); and - a weighing cell (15) or load cell associated with the thermal surface heating plates (8) that acts as a scale. 2. - HAM CABINET, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (11) that expels cold air is a flexible tube. 3. - HAM CABINET, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tube (11) that expels cold air is removable connected to a coupling frame (17) provided in the air outlet grille of the regulation means. and temperature control, in which at least one fan is provided. 4. - HAM CABINET, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a holding support (18) to hold the tube (11) in an elevated position. 5. - JAMONERO CABINET, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the digital temperature control device (5) is a digital clock configured to show both the interior temperature of the ham cabinet (1) and the temperature outside it. 6.- HAM CABINET, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the base (2) and the transparent dome (4) are sized to accommodate more than one ham (J) in its respective ham holder (3); and because the temperature regulation and control means are configured to adapt the temperature of the interior space to the number of hams incorporated inside the cabinet. 7. - HAM CABINET, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the temperature regulation and control means include a manually operated thermostat (19) to regulate the temperature manually at will. 8. - HAM CABINET, according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the thermal plate heating surface (8) is equipped with integrated heating elements consisting of fabric filaments that are connected to the power supply of the ham cabinet (1).