Oven with improved stream chamber
View Patent ↗A cooking apparatus includes a rapid activation module in communication with a continuous oven. The rapid activation module includes a steam chamber having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of steam knives disposed at select position within the steam chamber. The steam knives may be selectably adjusted to achieve and maintain a desired level of steam condensation within the steam chamber by isolating a main body of the steam chamber from air and/or vapor infiltration from an associated oven and/or the outside environment.
1. A cooking apparatus, comprising:
a rapid activation module in communication with a continuous oven, the rapid activation module including a steam chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a main body between the inlet and outlet, a conveyor, and a plurality of steam knives disposed within the steam chamber;
wherein the plurality of steam knives are formed as a plurality of slits disposed and adjusted in select positions within the steam chamber to achieve a select level of steam condensation and to isolate the main body from air infiltration from the inlet and outlet;
and at least one gate positioned adjacent at least one steam knife.
2. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more steam knives is adjustable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.
3. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein one or more steam knives is adjustable between a first angular position and a second angular position.
4. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a process control system for selectably controlling operating conditions within the steam chamber depending upon a substrate of a food item.
5. The cooking apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the process control system selectably adjusts at least one of a vertical position, an angular position or a steam delivery pressure of at least one steam knife.
6. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust stack disposed adjacent the outlet of the steam chamber.
7. The cooking apparatus of claim 6 , wherein a first steam knife is positioned between the inlet and the exhaust stack and a second steam knife is positioned between the exhaust stack and the outlet.
8. The cooking apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first and second steam knives are positioned parallel to one another.
9. The cooking apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gate is adjustable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.
10. A cooking apparatus, comprising:
a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a main body between the inlet and outlet, a conveyor, and including a first inclined portion having a first end adjacent the inlet and a second horizontal portion which extends within the chamber from a second end of the inclined portion to the outlet, the chamber in communication with a continuous oven;
a first exhaust stack positioned adjacent to the inlet;
a second exhaust stack positioned adjacent to the outlet;
a first steam knife disposed within the chamber between the first and second exhaust stack; and
a second steam knife disposed within the chamber between the second exhaust stack and the outlet;
wherein the first and second steam knives are formed as slits positioned and adjusted to maintain a select level of steam condensation within the chamber and to isolate the main body from air infiltration from the outlet;
and at least one gate positioned adjacent at least one steam knife.
11. The cooking apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second steam knives are adjustable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.
12. The cooking apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first and second steam knives are adjustable between a first angular position and a second angular position.
13. The cooking apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising a transport mechanism extending from the inlet through the steam chamber to the outlet, the transport mechanism for moving a batch of food items through the steam chamber to an associated continuous oven.
14. The cooking apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the transport mechanism comprises a conveyor belt.
15. A rapid activation module in communication with a continuous oven, comprising:
a steam chamber having an inlet and an outlet, and a main body between the inlet and outlet;
a first exhaust stack positioned adjacent to the inlet;
a second exhaust stack positioned adjacent to the outlet;
a first steam knife positioned adjacent to the first exhaust stack between the first and second exhaust stack;
a second steam knife positioned adjacent to the second exhaust stack between the first steam knife and the second exhaust stack;
a third steam knife positioned adjacent to the second exhaust stack between the second exhaust stack and the outlet; and
a conveyor belt extending from the inlet through the steam chamber to the outlet;
wherein the steam knives are formed as slits and the second and third steam knives are positioned and adjusted to maintain a select level of steam condensation within the steam chamber and to isolate the main body from air infiltration from the outlet;
and at least one gate positioned adjacent at least one steam knife.
16. The rapid activation module of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the steam knives is adjustable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position.
17. The rapid activation module of claim 15 , wherein at least one of the steam knives is adjustable between a first angular position and a second angular position.
18. The rapid activation module of claim 15 further comprising a process control system for adjusting at least one of a vertical position, an angular position or a steam delivery pressure of at least one of the steam knives to selectably control operating conditions within the steam chamber depending upon the substrate of a food item.
19. The rapid activation module of claim 18 , wherein the process control system further adjusts a speed of the conveyor belt.