Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a worktop for kitchens or the like.
Background Art
[0002] It is known that during the preparation of food it is generally necessary to cut,
chop or slice vegetables, meat, fish, etc.
[0003] In particular, the use is known of boards made of wood or other material, the so-called
cutting boards, having a flat work surface, for the preparation of food. During use,
such cutting boards are normally positioned on a table or on the so-called worktop
of a piece of kitchen furniture.
[0004] The use of such cutting boards generally has a number of drawbacks.
[0005] After use, in fact, the cutting boards have to be cleaned of residues and washed
for subsequent uses.
[0006] Furthermore, during use, food residues can dirty the table or the worktop on which
the cutting board is positioned.
[0007] In particular, during the preparation of foods, liquid residues can easily slip along
the flat work surface and reach the table or kitchen worktop.
[0008] Not the least drawback is the fact that, when not used, such cutting boards are normally
housed inside compartments intended to accommodate pots and pans or the like and,
therefore, take up useful space.
[0009] To obviate such drawbacks at least in part, the use is known of special plates, generally
made of metal, positionable resting on a common kitchen sink and having a flat work
surface.
[0010] This permits collecting the solid and liquid residues produced by the preparation
of the food inside the sink.
[0011] Such plates however, though making it possible to avoid dirtying other areas of the
kitchen, such as the table or the worktop, also have their drawbacks.
[0012] In particular during the preparation of the food, the sink is engaged and, therefore,
cannot be used for other jobs.
[0013] Document
FR 2514800 A discloses a worktop for kitchens or the like, comprising at least one bearing structure,
at least one work surface supported by said bearing structure and suitable for preparing
food, at least one drain opening for removing from said work surface the wastes produced
during the preparation of the food, at least one chute substantially sloped, supported
by said bearing structure and arranged below said drain opening, and at least one
collection area for said wastes obtained inside said bearing structure.
Object of the Invention
[0014] The main aim of this invention is to provide a worktop for kitchens or the like that
allows preparing food and is, at the same time, easy to clean and use. Another object
of this invention is to provide a worktop for kitchens or the like that allows to
overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the known technique within the ambit of a simple
and rational solution, which is easy and effective to use, as well as having a low
cost.
[0015] The above objects are achieved by a worktop according to claim 1.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0016] Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will appear more evident
from the description of two preferred but not only embodiments of a worktop for kitchens
or the like, illustrated indicatively by way of non limiting example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a first embodiment of the worktop according to
the invention, installed on a piece of kitchen furniture or the like;
Figure 2 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the worktop according to
the invention;
Figure 3 is a side and section view of the worktop according to the invention illustrated
in figure 2.
Embodiments of the Invention
[0017] With particular reference to such figures, a worktop for kitchens or the like, usable
particularly for the preparation of the food, has been globally indicated by 1.
[0018] The worktop 1 comprises a bearing structure, generally indicated by the reference
2, which is associable with the furniture unit M of a kitchen or the like, schematically
illustrated in the above illustrations.
[0019] The worktop 1 comprises a substantially flat work surface 3, supported by the bearing
structure 2, and suitable for preparing food. E.g., the work surface 3 can be used
to cut, chop or slice vegetables, meat or fish.
[0020] The worktop 1 also comprises one or more drain openings 4 suitable for collecting
up, e.g., the product wastes during the preparation of the food.
[0021] A substantially sloped chute 5 is supported by the bearing structure 2 and is arranged
below the drain openings 4.
[0022] The worktop 1 has a collection area 6 for collecting the wastes produced during the
preparation of the food, obtained inside the bearing structure 2 and defined close
to a lower portion 5a of the chute 5.
[0023] The worktop 1 comprises introduction means 7 for introducing a jet of water A along
the chute 5.
[0024] Such introduction means 7 are associated with the bearing structure 2 at an upper
portion 5b of the chute 5, and the jet of water A produced by these pushes the wastes
that have fallen off the work surface 3, through the drain openings 4, along the chute
5 as far as the collection area 6.
[0025] With special reference to the particular embodiments of the worktop 1 shown in the
above illustrations, the collection area 6 for collecting the wastes is composed of
a tank obtained inside the bearing structure 2, having an outlet mouth 8.
[0026] The chute 5 is composed of a sloped surface obtained inside the bearing structure
2, which extends from the upper portion 5b to the lower portion 5a towards the tank
6.
[0027] Usefully, the tank 6 and the sloped surface 5 are made in a single piece and make
up the bearing structure 2, which has side walls and an upper opening 2a. Different
embodiments of the worktop 1 cannot however be ruled out in which the collection area
6 and the chute 5 have a different shape and arrangement.
[0028] The introduction means 7 are schematised in the above illustrations as a water dispensing
mouth obtained on a vertical wall of the bearing structure 2, at the upper portion
5b of the chute 5.
[0029] The dispensing mouth 7 has a widened shape and extends along nearly the whole width
of the sloped surface 5. This allows the dispensing of a jet of water A of widened
laminar shape that better distributes on the surface of the sloped surface 5 and which,
consequently, better removes the solid and liquid wastes produced by the preparation
of food and present on the sloped surface itself, pushing these towards the tank 6.
[0030] Usefully, the worktop 1 has a plurality of substantially plate-shaped functional
elements, generically indicated by the reference 9, which can be positioned resting
at the upper opening 2a of the bearing structure 2, above the chute 5 or the tank
6.
[0031] In particular, such functional elements 9 can have different shapes and uses and
can be composed, e.g., of a plate 10, of the type of a cutting board or the like,
having the above work surface 3.
[0032] The plate 10 itself can have a drain opening 4, or the drain opening 4 can be defined
by any space between the plate 10 and another functional element 9 adjacent to it.
[0033] The plate 10 can be made of metal, glass, polymer material such as nylon or the like,
or of other materials.
[0034] The functional elements 9 can further be composed of a drip tray 11 (figures 1, 2
and 3), positionable resting, e.g., on the tank 6, or of a substantially plate-shaped
weighing scale 12 (figure 1). The manufacture of different functional elements 9 and
accessories positionable resting on the bearing structure 2 cannot however be ruled
out.
[0035] In particular, the bearing structure 2 has two protrusions 2b extending along opposite
outer sections of the upper opening 2a. Each of the functional elements 9 has a pair
of supports 13, fastened near the edges substantially opposite and positionable resting
on the protrusions 2b.
[0036] The supports 13 are of the bracket type or the like with an L-shaped profile and
are fixed below on each of the functional elements 9, at opposite edges.
[0037] The protrusions 2b and the supports 13 extend along straight directions and are complementary
to one another, thereby allowing the straight sliding of each of the functional elements
9 inside the upper opening 2a of the bearing structure 2.
[0038] During use, the different functional elements 9 of the worktop 1 can be exchanged
the one with the other and arranged as required on the upper opening 2a of the bearing
structure 2.
[0039] Usefully, the worktop 1 comprises at least one water dispenser 14, of the so-called
telephone type, which has a grip associated with a flexible hose, not shown in the
illustrations, and which is normally housed in a suitable seat 15 obtained on a flat
portion of the bearing structure 2, close to the tank 6.
[0040] The worktop 1 also comprises a mixer device 16 for starting or interrupting the dispensing
of hot or cold water, and a deviator device 17, able to deviate the flow of water
between the dispensing mouth 7 and the dispenser 14.
[0041] It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the set objects,
and in particular the fact is underlined that the worktop is easily usable to prepare
food, for cleaning dishes and for other activities and that, furthermore, the worktop
is simple to clean after use.
[0042] In particular, the presence of the chute and of the tank allows collecting the wastes
during the preparation of food.
[0043] Furthermore, the presence of the water introduction means allows keeping clean the
chute and the worktop in general or, in any case, allows reducing the necessary cleaning
operations to a minimum.
[0044] The possibility of combining different functional elements, differently arranged
the one with the other, in a simple way, also provides a highly flexible solution
adaptable to the particular requirements of each user.
[0045] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations.
[0046] Furthermore all the details can be replaced with others that are technically equivalent.
[0047] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions,
may be any according to requirements within the protection scope of the following
claims.
1. Worktop (1) for kitchens or the like, comprising:
at least one bearing structure (2);
at least one work surface (3) supported by said bearing structure (2) and suitable
for preparing food;
at least one drain opening (4) for removing from said work surface (3) the wastes
produced during the preparation of the food;
at least one chute (5), substantially sloped, comprising at least one sloped surface
supported by said bearing structure (2) and arranged below said drain opening (4);
at least one collection area (6), for said wastes, obtained inside said bearing structure
(2) and arranged close to a lower portion (5a) of said chute (5); and
introduction means (7) of at least a jet of water (A) along said chute (5);
characterized in that said introduction means (7) are associated with said bearing structure (2) at an
upper portion (5b) of said chute (5), and have a widened shape extending along nearly
the whole width of the sloped surface (5) of said chute, so as to allow the dispensing
of a jet of water (A) of widened laminar shape that is better distributed on said
sloped surface (5) for removing the wastes present on it and pushing them towards
said collection area (6).
2. Worktop according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said introduction means comprise at least one water dispensing mouth
(7).
3. Worktop (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one functional element (9) associable with said
bearing structure (2) above said chute (5) or said collection area (6).
4. Worktop according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said functional element (9) is positionable by resting it on said bearing
structure (2).
5. Worktop according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said functional element (9) is associated in a sliding way along said
bearing structure (2).
6. Worktop according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said functional element (9) comprises at least one plate (10) provided
with said work surface (3).
7. Worktop according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said plate (10) comprises said drain opening (4).
8. Worktop according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said drain opening (4) is defined between two adjacent functional elements.
9. Worktop according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said functional element (9) comprises at least one drip tray (11) or
the like.
10. Worktop according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said functional element (9) comprises at least one weighing scale (12)
or the like.
11. Worktop according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said bearing structure (2) comprises at least one upper opening (2a)
where said functional elements (9) can rest.
12. Worktop according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said work surface (3) is substantially flat.
13. Worktop according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one sloped surface of said chute (5) is obtained inside
said bearing structure (2).
14. Worktop according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said collection area (6) comprises at least one outlet mouth (8).
15. Worktop according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said collection area (6) comprises at least one tank or the like made
inside said bearing structure (2).
16. Worktop according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that said sloped surface (5) and said tank are made in a single piece.
1. Arbeitsfläche (1) für Küchen oder dergleichen, mit:
mindestens einer Tragkonstruktion (2);
mindestens einer von der Tragkonstruktion (2) gehaltenen und für die Zubereitung von
Speisen geeigneten Arbeitsoberfläche (3);
mindestens einer Ablauföffnung (4) zum Entfernen der während der Zubereitung der Speisen
entstehenden Abfälle von der Arbeitsoberfläche (3);
mindestens einer im wesentlichen geneigten Rutsche (5), die mindestens eine von der
Tragkonstruktion (2) gehaltene und unter der Ablauföffnung (4) angeordnete, geneigte
Oberfläche aufweist;
mindestens einem Sammelbereich (6) für die Abfälle, der innerhalb der Tragkonstruktion
(2) erhalten wird und nahe einem unteren Teil (5a) der Rutsche (5) angeordnet ist;
und
einer Einleiteinrichtung (7) für mindestens einen Wasserstrahl (A) entlang der Rutsche
(5);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Einleiteinrichtung (7) an einem oberen Teil (5b) der Rutsche (5) mit der Tragkonstruktion
(2) verbunden ist und eine verbreiterte Form entlang nahezu der gesamten Breite der
geneigten Oberfläche (5) der Rutsche besitzt, um das Abgeben eines Wasserstrahls (A)
von einer verbreiterten, laminaren Form zu erlauben, der auf der geneigten Oberfläche
(5) besser verteilt wird, um die auf ihr befindlichen Abfälle zu entfernen und in
Richtung des Sammelbereichs (6) zu schieben.
2. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Einleiteinrichtung mindestens eine Wasserabgabeöffnung (7) aufweist.
3. Arbeitsfläche (1) nach einem oder mehr der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie mindestens ein Funktionselement (9), das mit der Tragkonstruktion (2) über der
Rutsche (5) oder dem Sammelbereich (6) verbindbar ist, aufweist.
4. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Funktionselement (9) durch sein Aufsetzen auf die Tragkonstruktion (2) positionierbar
ist.
5. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Funktionselement (9) entlang der Tragkonstruktion (2) gleitend verbunden ist.
6. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Funktionselement (9) mindestens eine mit der Arbeitsoberfläche (3) versehene
Platte (10) aufweist.
7. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (10) die Ablauföffnung (4) aufweist.
8. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Ablauföffnung (4) zwischen zwei angrenzenden Funktionselementen definiert wird.
9. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Funktionselement (9) mindestens eine Abtropfwanne (11) oder dergleichen aufweist.
10. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Funktionselement (9) mindestens eine Waage (12) oder dergleichen aufweist.
11. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Tragkonstruktion (2) mindesten eine obere Öffnung (2a), wo die Funktionselemente
(9) aufliegen können, aufweist.
12. Arbeitsfläche nach einem oder mehr der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Arbeitsoberfläche (3) im Wesentlichen flach ist.
13. Arbeitsfläche nach einem oder mehr der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eine geneigte Oberfläche der Rutsche (5) innerhalb der Tragkonstruktion
(2) erhalten wird.
14. Arbeitsfläche nach einem oder mehr der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sammelbereich (6) mindestens eine Ablauföffnung (8) aufweist.
15. Arbeitsfläche nach einem oder mehr der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sammelbereich (6) mindestens einen Behälter oder dergleichen, der innerhalb der
Tragkonstruktion (2) hergestellt ist, aufweist.
16. Arbeitsfläche nach Anspruch 15, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die geneigte Oberfläche (5) und der Behälter in einem Stück hergestellt sind.
1. Plan de travail (1) pour cuisines ou lieux similaires, comprenant :
au moins une structure de support (2) ;
au moins une surface de travail (3) supportée par ladite structure de support (2)
et apte à la préparation des aliments ;
au moins une ouverture d'évacuation (4) pour éliminer de ladite surface de travail
(3) les déchets produits pendant la préparation des aliments ;
au moins une glissière (5), sensiblement inclinée, comprenant au moins une surface
inclinée supportée par ladite structure de support (2) et située au-dessous de ladite
ouverture d'évacuation (4) ;
au moins une zone de collecte (6) pour lesdits déchets, ménagée à l'intérieur de ladite
structure de support (2) et située à proximité d'une portion inférieure (5a) de ladite
glissière (5); et
des moyens d'introduction (7) d'au moins un jet d'eau (A) le long de ladite glissière
(5);
caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'introduction (7) sont associés à ladite structure de support (2)
au niveau d'une partie supérieure (5b) de ladite glissière (5), et ont une forme élargie
s'étendant sur presque toute la largeur de la surface inclinée (5) de ladite glissière,
afin de permettre la distribution d'un jet d'eau (A) de forme laminaire élargie qui
est mieux réparti sur ladite surface inclinée (5) pour éliminer les déchets qui y
sont présents et les pousser vers ladite zone de collecte (6).
2. Plan de travail selon la revendication 1, caractérisé par le fait que lesdits moyens d'introduction comprennent au moins un orifice (7) de distribution
d'eau.
3. Plan de travail (1) selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait qu'il comprend au moins un élément fonctionnel (9) associable à ladite structure de
support (2) au-dessus de ladite glissière (5) ou de ladite zone de collecte (6).
4. Plan de travail selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément fonctionnel (9) est positionnable par appui sur ladite structure de
support (2).
5. Plan de travail selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément fonctionnel (9) est associé de manière coulissante le long de ladite
structure de support (2).
6. Plan de travail selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément fonctionnel (9) comprend au moins une plaque (10) pourvue de ladite
surface de travail (3).
7. Plan de travail selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que ladite plaque (10) comprend ladite ouverture d'évacuation (4).
8. Plan de travail selon la revendication 6, caractérisé par le fait que ladite ouverture d'évacuation (4) est définie entre deux éléments fonctionnels adjacents.
9. Plan de travail selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément fonctionnel (9) comprend au moins un égouttoir (11) ou similaire.
10. Plan de travail selon la revendication 3, caractérisé par le fait que ledit élément fonctionnel (9) comprend au moins une balance (12) ou similaire.
11. Plan de travail selon la revendication 4, caractérisé par le fait que ladite structure de support (2) comprend au moins une ouverture supérieure (2a) dans
laquelle lesdits éléments fonctionnels (9) peuvent se positionner.
12. Plan de travail selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérise par le fait que ladite surface de travail (3) est essentiellement plate.
13. Plan de travail selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite au moins une surface inclinée de ladite glissière (5) est réalisée à l'intérieur
de ladite structure de support (2).
14. Plan de travail selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite zone de collecte (6) comprend au moins un orifice de sortie (8).
15. Plan de travail selon l'une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par le fait que ladite zone de collecte (6) comprend au moins une cuve ou similaire ménagée à l'intérieur
de ladite structure de support (2).
16. Plan de travail selon la revendication 15, caractérisé par le fait que ladite surface inclinée (5) et ladite cuve sont réalisées d'une seule pièce.