PH26321A - Apparatus for preparing scrambled eggs - Google Patents

Description

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING SCRAMBLED EGGS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application is a divisional of Philippine

Application Serial No. 28601, filed on 4 March 1983, now Philippine Patent No. 18078.

This invention relates to an avd go a for producing light, fluffy, delectgble sc fe 9 E " Bo : Ca Es

Scrambled eggs are conventionally ba ch-madev is in relatively small quantities. In accordhnce wil 3: the present invention, the preparation of multiple, : service-size portions of scrambled eggs on a grill surface, hence, with the conventional taste, texture and consistency of freshly prepared scrambled eggs, is provided for, and with the speed necessary for high volume restaurant operations. This may be done without jeopardizing quality, and the process and apparatus produced scrambled eggs which are consist- ent from batch to batch, all in a very compact space. \ ano ORIGINAL Yl

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The apparatus of this invention permit and pro- vide for the rapid and consistent preparation of indi- vidual, serving-sized portions of scrambled eggs which are moist, fluffy and delectable, and which are substantially indistinguishable from convention- ally grill-prepared scrambled eggs. This is done in an area in plan view which is very compact and in multiple, individual portions automatically and consistently, thereby permitting the rapid service . of customers with freshly scrambled eggs, all with : a minimum of human intervention in the egg cooking : process.

To that end, the invention of this application comprises an apparatus for preparing scrambled eggs in accordance with a method of preparing scrambled eggs, including the steps of placing liquid eggs to be scrambled within an egg ring having a lower edge portion in intimate contact with a heated grill surface, rapidly moving the egg ring to and fro while maintaining the lower edge portion in intimate contact with the grill surface, thereby to rapidly move said eggs within the confines of the egg ring, and continuing that rapid movement until said eggs have congealed into a mass of cooked scrambled egg.

Desirably, the eggs are premixed and disposed in the egg ring as a liquid mix to be scrambled. Pre- ferably, the to and fro movement is reciprocating movement, and there is a plurality of egg rings, each provided with egg mix for the preparation of an individual, serving sized portion of scrambled eggs. It is preferred that each egg ring mount an interceptor comb-like member, the lower edge of which is adjacent and above the grill surface, whereby the interceptor member, and preferably the downwardly extending teeth of the comb, engages, moves and mixes the egg mix as the egg ring moves to and fro. The to and fro movement is such that it produces a wave-like motion of the liquid egg mix during a first portion of the cycle of rapid movement.

In the preferred embodiment, the egg ring used in the process and apparatus is generally rectangular and the to and fro movement is at a first rate for a first portion of the cycle of rapid movement, during which the egg mix is pri- marily liquid, and at a faster rate for a second portion of the cycle of rapid movement, during which the egg mix is at least partially congealed.

The apparatus of the present invention is adapted for use in carrying out the method des- cribed. As such, the apparatus comprises a grill having a grill surface and means for heating the grill surface. The grill is mounted on a frame.

The frame mounts a carriage which supports a plu- rality of egg rings. Each egg ring has a lower edge portion adapted to be disposed in intimate contact with the grill surface and for movement therealong, thereby to define with the grill surface an enclosed region within the egg ring. Motor means

, ro : oo } , . on the frame is operatively connected to the carriage for rapidly moving the carriage and the egg ring to and fro along the grill surface, all so that egg mix placed in the egg rings on the grill is adapted to be confined in the egg rings and to be moved to and fro and cooked on the grill surface.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from : the following description and drawings, of which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention for producing scrambled eggs;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substan- tially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional -f-

view taken substantially along line 3-3 of

FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, schematic circuit diagram;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the drive mechanism of the apparatus of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIGURE 7; and

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the apparatus of FIGURE 5 showing a portion of the drive mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGURES 1 and 2, an apparatus of the present invention comprises a grill assembly comprising a grill 8 having a grill surfade 10. Desirably, the grill surface 10 is a nickel-coated and surface-hardened. The nickel coating may be applied by an Electroless process.

The grill surface may be provided with a peripheral trough 12 for collecting grease and debris and a splash guard 14 which may be used to facilitate the removal of grill scrapings and the like. The grill surface 10 may be electrically or gas heated in a conventional manner.

Grill 8 is suitably mounted and supported on a frame assembly 16 which also suitably serves to house controls, motors and other such elements to be described.

Frame assembly 16 also mounts a carriage 20 mounted for to and fro movement. Carriage 20 comprises a sheet metal form having a central web 22 and lateral flanges 24 and 26. At its rearward edge flange 24 is provided with a suitable bushing for pivotally securing it to a pivot rod 28. As such, carriage 20 may be disposed in the full line position shown in FIGURE 1, and may also be tilted upwardly rearwardly to the dotted line position shown in FIGURE 1.

Carriage 20 is adapted to be reciprocated by a suitable reciprocating mechanism which, as shown in FIGURE 1, may comprise an eccentric motor driven cam 30, a vertical rod extension 32 which : is secured to the flange 24 against which cam 30 acts, a compression spring 34, a guide rod 36 and a guide tube 38. Thus, as cam 30 rotates about cam shaft 31, rod extension 32 is moved to and fro against spring 34. Guide rod 36 moves in guide tube 32 to guide the carriage 20 and to stabilize it in its to and fro reciprocating movement. Desirably, the flange 26 is also provided with a guide assembly, such as a guide rod and guide tube, to stabilize movement.

It is not necessary, depending upon the strength of the components, to provide a motor driven cam or other complementary drive means at the other side of the carriage 20. However, it is clear that a suitable bushing for pivotally mounting the flange 26 to the guide assembly at the other side of the carriage will also be provided.

The central web 22 of carriage 20 defines a plurality of openings to receive egg rings 40.

Each egg ring 40 is generally rectangular and, in the preferred embodiment, each ring 40 is about four inches square in plan view with about a one-half inch radius at each corner. Each ring is about 2-1/2 inches high. Each egg ring floats slightly in an opening 42 in the web 22. Each opening is slightly larger than the egg ring to permit slight relative movement. Each egg ring, at its sides, is provided with a pin 44 which is received in a mounting block 46 secured to the carriage 20.

The opening in the block receiving the pin is pro- portioned so that the ring may oscillate about the pins and may move vertically slightly, thereby to accommodate to manufacturing tolerances and slight inconsistencies in dimension, all so that the lower edge portion 48 of each egg ring may be maintained ce in intimate contact with the grill surface 10 in use.

Desirably, the egg ring is of a non-stick, temperature resistant, dimensionally stable plastic material, such as Teflon or Delrin. Alternatively, the ring may be of metal, such as stainless steel coated with a non-stick surfacing. When a heat conductive central core material, such as metal, is used for the egg ring, some sticking will tend to occur even if a non-stick surfacing is used.

Each egg ring 40 also mounts an interceptor member or means which desirably is comb-like in configuration. Comb member 50 comprises a base 52 from which downwardly extending teeth 54 extend.

The teeth 54 extend downwardly to an elevation above the grill surface 10. In one embodiment, each . comb member 50 has three teeth. In side elevation, the base of the comb member is about one-half inch high, the teeth are about three-eights inch long and one-eighth inch wide. The teeth are spaced on about one inch centers and the lower edge of the teeth terminate adjacent the grill surface, about one-half inch thereabove.

The carriage 20 and egg rings 40 are adapted to move in a rapid to and fro reciprocating motion so ” that egg mix disposed within the egg rings 40 may be rapidly moved on the heated grill surface 10. To that end, electrical controls and a motor and motor controls are provided, and these include an off-off switch 60, a cooking cycle switch 62 which includes a circuit including an automatic timing switch , responsive to the cooking cycle switch, a motor M and a conventional thermostatic control means for grill surface temperature control.

The carriage 20 is adapted to be moved, as with a suitable handle 21, from the full line operational position of FIGURES 1 and 2 to the dotted-line position of FIGURES 1 and 2 in which removal of the scrambled eggs and cleaning of the grill surface is facilitated.

In accordance with the present invention, liquid scrambled egg mix is adapted to be rapidly scrambled on the grill surface. To this end two eggs may be thoroughly pre-mixed with or without whatever condiments and additives may be desired for each egg cup. Alternatively, the eggs may be disposed in the egg cup directly and may be mixed during operation of the scrambler. The grill is suitably buttered or greased (as may be the insides of the egg rings), and the carriage 20 is moved to the operational position. Two mixed eggs are then disposed in each of one or more of the egg rings, depending upon how many orders of scrambled eggs are desired at the time. The cooking cycle switch 62 is then actuated, and the carriage begins to move in its reciprocating to and fro motion.

At a grill temperature of about 265°F, the preferred reciprocation (to and fro movement) is at an initial rate of about 50 strokes per minute. oT

Each stroke is about five inches. The first portion of the 25 second cooking cycle, during which the egg mix is primarily liquid, lasts for about ten seconds at the 50 stroke per minute rate.

During the initial period, the liquid egg mix begins to congeal and by the conclusion of the ten seconds initial portion of the cycle, the egg mix has lost most of its liquid characteristics. Also, during the initial portion of the cycle especially, the rapid reciprocating movement produces a wave motion in the mix so that the appearance of the egg mix ve is one of waves moving to and fro in the direction of reciprocation.

After about ten seconds, the motor is auto- matically caused to increase the rate at which it reciprocates the carriage from about 50 strokes per minute to about 100 strokes per minute. That is continued for about 15 seconds, at which time, under the conditions indicated, the cooking of the egg mix is completed and the egg mix in each ring has congealed into a mass of scrambled eggs of a fluffy, suitably moist and delectable character.

The carriage may then be moved to its dotted line position and the eggs removed from the grill and the grill cleaned.

During the second more rapid portion of the cooking cycle, the eggs continue to congeal. So that they are moved and mixed appropriately, the interceptor or comb member, and particularly the teeth, act to engage, move and mix the egg mass, to tip over the mass and to mix the mass as the egg rings move to and fro.

The egg rings are configured so that the lower edge portion 48 of each egg ring 40 is maintained in intimate contact with the grill surface 10 during the cocking cycle thereby to provide an enclosed region within the egg ring ” and to rapidly move the egg mix within the confines of the egg ring during the cooking cycle. This is accomplished both by appropriate machining of the lower surfaces 48 and by appropriate biasing of the carriage 20 against the egg rings 40,

hence, against grill surface 10. However, a balance must be maintained so that undue wear of the grill surface and egg rings is avoided.

Therefore, it is possible for some egg mix to escape the confines of the egg rings during the cooking cycle, although this should be maintained at a practical minimum consistent with the indicated parameters.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIGURE 5, a grill assembly 108 is provided with a grill surface 110 having a suitable trough 112 and splash guard 114. Grill assembly 108 is mounted on a frame assembly 116.

A pair of carriages 120, each having a web 122 and a side flange 123, are pivotally mounted on the frame assembly via a bushing and pivot pin assembly 127 (See Fig. 6). Bushing and pivot pin assembly 127 is secured with a reciprocator plate 128 disposed outboard of the grill surface which in turn is secured to a suitable reciprocating mechanism 160.

Reciprocating mechanism 160 comprises a motor 162, a speed reducer 162 and an output shaft 164. Output shaft 164 mounts a crank 166 which in turn mounts a drive shaft 168. Drive shaft 168 is disposed in a transverse slot 170 in reciprocator plate 128. Reciprocator plate 128 also comprises a longitudinal portion 172 which is mounted for reciprocating movement in laterally disposed bearings 174.

As drive shaft 168 is driven by output shaft 164 and crank 166, it travels in a circular path bearing against the edge of slot 170 causing plate 128 to reciprocate. Of course, as it does so, it : causes the connected carriages 120 to reciprocate as well.

Each carriage 120 mounts three egg rings 140 which may be mounted and secured to the carriages generally in the same manner as are carriage 20 and egg rings 40. Egg rings 140 and associated interceptor or comb members may be the same as their - respective counterparts 40, 50. Alternatively, a comb member 158 may be notched into the egg ring and may have two rather than three teeth as shown by

Figures 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the egg rings may comprise an inner non-metallic confining ring portion 151, as of polytetrafluoroethylene and an outer metallic mounting member 153 which are suitably supported on the web 122, as by pins 141 and keeper pins 143. The teeth 157 are about 1/2 inch long and may be adjacent and above the elevation of the ring portion lower surface 155.

Similarly, the operating circuitry for the grill assembly 108, in terms of the power switch and cooking cycle circuitry, may be the same as that of the embodiment of Figure 1. The cooking cycle and relative movements and duration of the cooking cycle portions may be the same as well.

Of course, as seen, the carriages 120 move laterally to the dotted line egg removal and cleaning position rather than rearwardly as they did in the embodiment of Figure 1. This has a number of advantages in ease of use and cleaning.

Ring dimensions may be changed. Partial oscillatory to and fro motion may be used. The . durations of the two portions of the cooking cycle may be changed and the length of the stroke may also be changed to suit particular egg mixes and to suit the taste of the user. All of these and other variations and modifications which would occur to those skilled in the art are within the spirit of the invention and are intended to be embraced herein. Accordingly, we intend to be limited only insofar as may be required by the appended claims.

Claims (12)

© 96321 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: f 3

1. Apparatus for producing ernie goo - comprising a grill having a grill surface ag means 3c " = 2. for heating said grill surface; A z 3 ex: : Co 1 Gh Zz a frame adjacent said grilly x 0 m3 J > a carriage mounted on said frame; : Pe 2 1 3s at least two egg rings mounted on’ oo : said carriage, a said egg rings each having a lower edge portion adapted to be disposed in intimate contact with said grill surface and for movement therealong, thereby to define with said grill surface an enclosed region within each ring; and motor means on said frame operatively connected to said carriage for rapidly moving said carriage and said egg rings to and fro along said grill surface; ne whereby liquid eggs disposed in said egg . } re -21- } = iy — wr q —-" ) BAD ¢ [

rings on said grill are adapted to be confined in said egg rings and are adapted to be moved to and fro and /cooked/ scrambled on said grill surface.

2. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 1 wherein said apparatus . mounts two carriages, each having at least two egg rings mounted thereon and wherein each said carriage is pivotally mounted at an outer side thereof to said means for rapidly reciprocating said carriage. }

3. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said carriage is pivotally moveable from a first operational posi- tion whereat said egg rings are in contact with said grill surface to a second non-operational pivoted position in which said grill surface is exposed for cleaning.

4. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs comprising a grill having a grill surface and means for heating said grill surface, Bh a frame adjacent said grill, a carriage mounted on said frame, at least two egg rings mounted on said carriage, said egg rings each having a lower edge portion adapted to be disposed in intimate contact with said grill surface and for movement there- along, thereby to define with said grill surface an enclosed region within each egg ring, and means on said frame operatively connected to said carriage for rapidly moving said carriage and said egg rings to and fro along said grill surface, whereby liquid eggs disposed in said egg rings on said grill are adapted to be i confined in said egg rings and are adapted to be moved to and fro and cooked on said grill surface and wherein each egg ring mounts inter- . ceptor means extending across said egg ring, the lower edge of said interceptor means being positioned above said grill surface, and at an elevation to intercept and engage said eggs as said egg rings move to and fro.

5. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 4 wherein said interceptor means is a comb member having downwardly extending teeth, the base of said teeth defining said inter- ceptor means lower edge.

6. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 4 wherein each said egg ring comprises an inner non-metallic confining ring and an outer mounting member.

7. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 6 wherein said confining ring is removably secured to said outer mounting ring.

8. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 4 wherein each said egg ring is readily removably mounted on said carriage.

9. Apparatus for concurrently producing a plurality of individual masses of scrambled eggs comprising a grill having a grill surface and means for heating said grill surface, . a frame adjacent said grill, a pair of carriages separately and pivotally mounted on said frame, at least two egg rings removably mounted on each said carriage, each said ring having a lower edge portion adapted to be disposed in intimate contact with said grill surface and for movement therealong, thereby to define with said grill surface an enclosed region within each egg ring for producing an individual mass of scrambled eggs; means on said frame operatively connected to each said carriage for rapidly reci- procating each said carriage and the . associated said egg rings to and fro along said grill surface;

whereby liquid eggs disposed in each of said egg rings on said grill are adapted to be confined in said egg rings and are adapted to be reciprocated and cooked on said grill surface.

10. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 9 wherein each said egg ring mounts tooth-like interceptor means extend- ing across each said egg ring, the lower edge of said interceptor means being positioned above said grill surface, and at an elevation to intercept and engage said eggs as said egg rings are reci- procated.

11. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 9 wherein said recipro- cating means comprises means for automatically reciprocating said carriage and said egg rings at a first rate for a first portion of said rapid movement and at a faster rate during a second portion of said rapid movement.

12. Apparatus for producing scrambled eggs in accordance with claim 9 wherein said carriages are each pivotally mounted at an outer side thereof

\ ' . to said reciprocating means and are moveable from a first operating position in which said egg rings are in contact with said grill surface to a second non-operational position in which said grill surface is exposed for cleaning.

RALPH E.

WEIMER THADDEUS J.

KALOWSKI ROBERT A.

NOVY Inventors