Cooking appliance

Abstract

 A cooking appliance comprising:
- a first cooking zone (2);
- a cover (3) for the first cooking zone (2);
The cover (3) is movable between a first closed position where it protects the first cooking zone (2) below, and an open position where it allows access by a user to the first cooking zone (2).
The cover (3) comprises a suction zone (30) for extracting cooking vapours and/or fumes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking appliance.

[0002] Cooking appliances comprising a stove top positioned beneath a fixed fume hood surmounting it are well known.

[0003] One inconvenience of these cooking appliances is linked with the fact that the stove top must necessarily operate in a specific position (beneath the hood) and may not be moved each time where desired. A further inconvenience is linked with the need to have sufficient space above the stove top for positioning the hood. A further inconvenience is linked with the difficulty of use for short people, who could have difficulties in reaching the control commands on the hood itself.

[0004] In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose a cooking appliance which allows the above inconveniences to be resolved.

[0005] In particular, a scope of the present invention is to increase flexibility of use of the cooking appliance.

[0006] The technical task and the scopes specified are substantially achieved by a cooking appliance, comprising the technical characteristics described in one or more of the appended claims.

[0007] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following approximate, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a cooking appliance, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

• figure 1 shows a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to the present invention;
• figure 2 shows a detail of the cooking appliance of figure 1;
• figures 3 and 4 show views of the cooking appliance of figure 1 with several parts removed to better show the others;
• figures 5, 6 and 7 show views of the cooking appliance of figure 1 in a different configuration;
• figure 8 shows a view of a further cooking appliance according to the present invention;
• figures 9 and 10 shows two views of a further embodiment according to the present invention.

[0008] In the appended figures, reference number 1 denotes a cooking appliance. Cooking appliance 1 comprises:

• a first cooking zone 2;
• a cover 3 of the first cooking zone 2.

[0009] The first cooking zone 2 comprises one or more cooking points 20. Conveniently, the cooking points 20 could be gas, electric, induction, etc. The first cooking zone 2 is substantially a stove top. The cooking appliance 1 may be a cooker of the "free installation" type (see figure 1 as an example) or it could be integrated into an equipped wall of a kitchen. The cover 3 is movable between a closed position, in which it protects the underlying first cooking zone 2, and an open position (see figures 1-3), in which it allows access to a user of the first cooking zone 2.

[0010] The cover 3 comprises a suction zone 30 for the suction of cooking vapours and/or fumes. In this manner, the odours produced by cooking of foods are removed. A hood is therefore integrated within the appliance 1. Said hood therefore removes the vapours and/or fumes through said suction zone 30. The hood may be the suction or filtering type (the latter solution being preferable since it allows greater flexibility in positioning -at least in the case in which the cooking appliance is intended for free installation-). In the first case, the vapours and/or fumes extracted by means of the suction zone 30 are carried outside the environment where appliance 1 is located by means of an opportune channel. In the case of a filtering hood, the vapours and/or fumes extracted by the suction zone 30 are returned into the same environment in which the appliance 1 is located, after transiting through opportune filters. Advantageously, the suction zone 30 faces the first cooking zone 2 at least in the closed position. At least in the closed position, the cover 3 vertically surmounts the first cooking zone 2. Advantageously, in the closed position, the cover 3 surmounts each cooking point 20 of the first cooking zone 2 (unlike in the open position).

[0011] In the open position, the cover 3 is rotated with respect to the closed position by an angle between 60° and 105°, advantageously comprised between 75° and 95°, preferably equal to 90°. Conveniently, the appliance 1 could comprise locking means of the cover 3 in at least one position interposed between the closed position and a fully open position, the fully open position corresponding with the position assumed by the cover 3 at the end of the cooking zone 2. For example, the locking means could lock the cover 3 in a position in which it is rotated by an angle between 70° and 80° with respect to the closed position. In this position, the cover 3 extending towards the first cooking zone 2 improves suction of the vapours and/or fumes, particularly in the case of use of the cooking points 20 positioned in the front part of the cooking zone 2. Preferably, the locking means could lock the cover 3 in a plurality of positions between the closed position and the fully open position. For example, the locking means could lock the cover 3 in a position in which it is rotated by an angle between 60° and 70° with respect to the closed position and in a position in which it is rotated by an angle between 75° and 85° with respect to the closed position. Conveniently, the locking means act on a movement hinge of the cover 3 and comprise a disc on which there is at least one locking hole and a pin elastically retro-operated by means of a contrast spring. The disc is integral with the cooking zone 2 and therefore remains in a fixed position on angular movement of the cover 3, whilst the pin is integral with the cover 3 and therefore follows its angular movement. The pin, at least in a locking position, is intended to be inserted in said locking hole, locking rotation of the hinge. Conveniently, an unlocking command of the locking means is present, said unlocking command preferably being manual. In particular, the unlocking command may act on the pin: in this case, said command, for ergonomic reasons, could include a gripping end, fixed to the pin or in a single piece with it, to allow retraction of the pin from said locking hole, overcoming through traction the resisting force of the aforementioned contrast spring. The locking means are useful for safety purposes, particularly in the case of opening angles of the cover 3 less than 90°, since they prevent accidental closure of the cover 3 (this is particularly advantageous taking into consideration the fact that the cover 3 in this type of appliance 1 is quite heavy). The Applicant intends to emphasise how different locking and/or unlocking means from those just described, but which are functionally equivalent to them, may be used for the present invention: for example, a cam in place of the perforated disc or a button in place of the gripping end.

[0012] In the open position, at least the suction zone 30 lies above a horizontal plane passing through any point of said first cooking zone 2 (including a point of the first cooking zone 2 which lies at a greater height than all the remaining points of the first zone 2). In the open position, a large part of the cover 3 (at least 75% of its volume) lies above said horizontal plane. In the open position, the suction zone 30 is further away from the first cooking zone 2 with respect to the closed position. Advantageously, in the fully open position of the cover 3, the suction zone 30 is at least 25 centimetres higher up, preferably 30 centimetres with respect to the closed position, so as to be above the height of the commonly used saucepans on the cooking zone 2.

[0013] In the open position (in particular in the fully open position), the cover 3 comprises a first lower portion 36 closer to the remaining parts of the appliance 1 with respect to a second higher portion 37. The higher portion 37 affects one quarter or less of the total volume of the cover 3. Conveniently, the suction zone 30 lies in said second portion 37. Advantageously, in the open position at least one part 370 of the second portion 37 extends towards a vertical projection of the first cooking zone 2, in particular towards a vertical projection of cooking points 20. In the open position of the cover 3, this assists interception of the vapours and/or fumes.

[0014] Conveniently, the cover 3 comprises a panel 90 movable between a first position (see figure 10) and a second position (see figure 9).

[0015] In the first position, said panel 90 faces at least in part the first cooking zone 2 and projects from the remaining parts of the cover 3 more than in the second position.

[0016] Conveniently, the cover 3 extends substantially parallel to a first plane. In the first position, the panel 90 is more transverse to said first plane than in the second position.

[0017] In particular, the movable panel 90 is integrated into the second portion 37. Advantageously, the movable panel 90 is hinged to the remaining parts of the cover 3 to which it is bound. Alternatively, the panel 90 may be telescopically coupled to the cover 3. In the open position of the cover 3 and in the first position of the movable panel 90, the latter acts as a deflector and intercepts the vapours and/or fumes more, causing their stagnation and guiding them towards the suction zone 30. For this purpose, the panel 90, in the open position of the cover 3, may advantageously extend transversally to the cover 3 between 250 mm and 400 mm, said extension being regulated by the user on the basis of requirements. Preferably, the panel 90 is made of transparent material, such as glass or plastic.

[0018] The structure 5 usually comprises a front portion 57 facing the user, two sides 59, 590 and a back portion 58 opposite said front portion 57.

[0019] In the open position of the cover 3, said part 370 of the second half 37 projects towards the front portion 57 of the appliance 1. Conveniently, the cover 3 comprises lighting means 8 of the first cooking zone 2. Usually, the lighting means 8 are positioned in the second half 37 of the cover 3. Advantageously, the lighting means 8 could be a led or neon.

[0020] The cover 3 in the open position is substantially vertical.

[0021] Conveniently, in the closed position the cover 3 is substantially horizontal.

[0022] The appliance 1 comprises a fluid extraction unit 4, said fluid entering the cover 3 through the suction zone 30. Typically, said extraction unit 4 comprises at least one impeller. Advantageously, the extraction unit 4 is a centrifugal fan. Conveniently, the centrifugal fan may comprise an impeller inserted inside a helix. In a particular embodiment, the helix could be made of a material resistant to high temperatures, for example nylon. A plurality of extraction units 4 could possibly be present, for example operating parallel to each other.

[0023] The appliance 1 comprises a support structure 5 of said first cooking zone 2. The support structure 5 in the possible embodiment of the appended figures is a cabinet presenting the first cooking zone 2 in an upper portion. The structure 5 is at least in part beneath the first cooking zone 2. The extraction unit 4 is integrated into said structure 5.

[0024] The cover 3 comprises an outlet 31 from the cover 3 for the fluid extracted through the suction zone 30. Conveniently, at least in the open position of the cover 3, said outlet 31 faces said structure 5. In particular, the outlet 31 interfaces with an inlet section of the structure.

[0025] The cover 3 comprises a through conduit 38 which places the suction zone 30 in fluid communication with the outlet 31.

[0026] Advantageously, the appliance 1 comprises filtering means 7. Conveniently, the filtering means 7 comprise a fat filter 71. Advantageously, the filtering means 7 also comprise an odour filter 72 (which may be absent if the hood is an extractor hood).

[0027] Typically, the fat filter 71 comprises a metal mesh. The odour filter 72 may be an activated charcoal filter. The cover 3 comprises a first and a second wall 33, 34 side by side. A hollow space 35 is interposed between the first and the second wall 33, 34. The through conduit 38 is integrated into said hollow space 35. Advantageously, in the closed position of the cover 3, the first wall 33 is turned upwards and the second wall 34 is turned towards the first cooking zone 2. In a particular embodiment, along said through conduit 38 there are at least a part of the filtering means 7; in the possible embodiment of figure 8, both the fat filter 71 and the odour filter 72 are positioned along said through conduit 38; in the embodiment of figures 1-7, the fat filter 71 is positioned upstream of the extraction unit 4 and the odour filter 72 is positioned downstream of the extraction unit 4; in particular in figures 1-7, the fat filter 71 is positioned in the through conduit 38, the odour filter 72 is positioned in a flue applied to the delivery of the extraction unit 4. In this case, the odour filter 72 is downstream of the extraction unit 4. Generally, the delivery of the extraction unit 4 may be free or may have a flue applied to it. Advantageously, the fat filter 71 has a substantially planar extension. The fat filter 71 extends conveniently from the first to the second wall 33, 34. In this way, the fluid extracted from the cover 3 is forced to cross the fat filter 71 before coming into contact with the extraction unit 4 (or other portions of the cooking appliance 1 downstream of the fat filter 71). Conveniently, the fat filter 71 is removable. The fat filter 71 is usually cleanable and remountable. The odour filter 72 is removable. Once removed, it must be replaced.

[0028] Conveniently, the second wall 34 is removable to allow removal of the fat filter 71 and/or odour filter 72. Conveniently, there are removable connecting means of the second wall 34 to a frame of the cover 3.

[0029] In a particular and non-limiting embodiment, the removable connecting means comprise inserts to be positioned inside the corresponding holes on a frame of the cover 3. The removable connecting means may advantageously comprise threaded connecting means which connect the second wall 34 and the frame of the cover 3. Advantageously, the inserts and the threaded connecting means are on two opposing sides of the perimeter of the second wall 34. To allow disconnection of the second wall 34, the threaded connecting means are removed first and then the inserts are extracted from the corresponding holes. The fat filter 71 forms an angle with the first wall 33 between 10° and 45°. What is indicated above with reference to the fat filter 71 may be repeated with reference to the odour filter 72. In an alternative embodiment, the fat filter 71 could be in the suction zone 30 (for example, it could be a grid partially obstructing the suction zone 30).

[0030] In the open position of the cover 3, the appliance 1 defines a path 54 totally inside said structure 5. The path 54, by means of the outlet 31, puts the cover 3 in fluid communication with the extraction unit 4. More in particular, the path 54 puts the suction zone 30 in fluid communication with the extraction unit 4.

[0031] The appliance 1 comprises a second cooking zone. The second cooking zone preferably comprises an oven 50 comprising a cooking compartment 51 (in technical jargon usually called "muffle"). The oven may be electric or gas. The appliance 1 also comprises an evacuation conduit 50 for the cooking vapours and/or fumes from the oven. The conduit 55 places the inside of the cooking compartment 51 and the extraction unit 4 in fluid communication. In particular, the cooking compartment 51 and/or the evacuation conduit 55 are integrated into said structure 5. The extraction unit 4 may advantageously extract the vapours and/or fumes from the oven 50 and/or cool the electronics of the oven 50 and/or extract air by means of a hollow space present between the glass of a door of the oven 50 for purposes of cooling it. Conveniently, the cooking appliance 1, in particular the structure 5, comprises an on-off valve movable between a first and a second configuration. In the first configuration, said on-off valve allows fluid communication inside the appliance 1 between the extraction unit 4 and the suction zone 30. In the second configuration, the on-off valve totally or partly obstructs a conduit placing the extraction unit 4 and the suction zone 30 in fluid communication inside the appliance 1. In this manner, in the second configuration of the on-off valve, the air flow extracted through the suction zone 30 remains optimal (and equal to the one selected by the user for the suction zone 30), even when the extraction unit 4 (typically an adjustable speed centrifugal fan) is working at a higher capacity, said higher capacity being required for the oven 50 (in particular, for extraction of cooking vapours and/or fumes from the oven 50 and/or for cooling the door of the oven 50 and/or for cooling the electronics of the oven 50).

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the structure 5 may comprise a housing compartment 52, for example positioned below said cooking compartment 51. Typically, the housing compartment 52 is integrated into a base. The extraction unit 4 could advantageously be positioned in the housing compartment 52 and positioned downstream of an extraction conduit (between 700 mm and 800 mm in length), extending in the back part of the structure and communicating with the outlet 31 of the cover 3. Possibly also at least one part of the filtering means 7 (typically the odour filter 72) could be positioned in the housing compartment 52 (usually downstream of the extraction unit 4). This enables optimising distribution of the components, positioning the extraction unit 4 and/or at least one part of the filtering means 7 in a substantially unused volume. This would also enable limiting the overall dimensions in depth of the cooking appliance with respect, for example, to the solution described in the appended figures. In particular, the extraction unit 4 and/or at least a part of the filtering means 7 could be accessible, the housing compartment 52 being inspectable by means of a door integral with the structure 5.

[0033] In a further embodiment, the extraction unit 4 could be positioned in the cover 3. In this case, the oven 50 is usually absent.

[0034] The structure 5 comprises an inlet zone 53 for the fluid flowing out of the cover 3. The cover 3 comprises a portion 32 which at least in the closed position surmounts said inlet zone 53, thus hiding it and protecting it from access by foreign bodies. The inlet zone 53 is close to the back portion 58 of the structure 5. Advantageously, the inlet zone 53 has an anti-intrusion grid.

[0035] Conveniently, the structure 5 comprises a manifold 56 in fluid communication with the inlet zone 53 and with the evacuation conduit 55 of the vapours and/or fumes from the oven 50. Conveniently, said extraction unit 4 extracts from said manifold 56, in particular it is placed inside the manifold 56. Conveniently, the evacuation conduit 55 extends starting from the top of the cooking compartment 51 of the oven 50. The oven 50 comprises an additional fat filter close to the top of the cooking compartment 51. In particular, the additional fat filter is close to the mouth of the conduit inlet 55, so as to be crossed by the flow extracted by the extraction unit 4. In this way, extraction of said additional fat filter (which is usually extractable and washable) is facilitated.

[0036] At least one part of the filtering means 7 (for example the odour filter 72) could be positioned in said manifold 56 or downstream of the extraction unit 4 (said solution is particularly useful when both the oven 50 and the first cooking zone 2 are present; see, for example, figures 1-7).

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the extraction unit 4 is positioned in the cover 3. The appliance 1 comprises a sensor which enables functioning of the extraction unit 4 only if the cover 3 is in the open position. Said sensor could be a position sensor. For example, an electrical contact could be present comprising a first wire solid with the cover 3 and a second wire solid with the structure 5. In the open position of the cover 3, the first and second wires are in mutual contact, enabling passage of electrical current which enables functioning of the extraction unit 4.

[0038] The cooking appliance 1 could comprise a switch controllable by a user who enables or disables functioning from the extraction unit 4. Conveniently, the cooking appliance 1 could comprise an adjustable valve movable between an open configuration and an at least partly obstructed configuration (almost compete obstruction). This adjustable valve is also known in the technical sector as a "damper". In the open configuration, the adjustable valve (usually positioned along the conduit 55) places the cooking compartment 51 and the extraction unit 4 in fluid communication. In the at least partly obstructed configuration, the valve decreases its through section, for example in the preheating steps of the cooking compartment 51. Possibly, in a completely obstructed configuration, the valve prevents fluid communication across it between the cooking compartment 51 and the extraction unit 4. Advantageously, the aforementioned adjustable valve is able to maintain a constant extraction capacity (and optimal on the basis of the cooking cycle chosen by the user) of the vapours and/or fumes from the cooking compartment 51, even in the case of a change in rotation speed of the centrifugal fan due to different extraction requirements by means of the suction zone 30.

[0039] The cover 3 is hinged to at least a part of the cooking appliance 1. Advantageously, the cooking appliance 1 comprises at least one command switch of the lighting means 8 and/or at least one command switch of the extraction unit 4. Advantageously, one or more of said switches (for example a button) are positioned in said cover 3 (said position allows the user to find them immediately, without the possibility of confusing them with the control switches of the first cooking zone 2 or the oven 50). One or more of the above switches could, however, also be positioned on the structure 5; in particular, they could be positioned on the user control interface of the first cooking zone 2 (and/or the oven 50).

[0040] The invention as conceived enables numerous advantages to be obtained. In particular, the invention enables maximum flexibility of use of the cooking appliance 1. The appliance 1 therefore integrates a system functionally identical to a hood and which may be moved together with the first cooking zone 2. The overall dimensions of said system are extremely limited and integrated inside with elements which normally accompany a traditional cooking appliance, i.e. the cover 3 and the structure 5.

[0041] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept which characterizes it. Moreover, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent ones. In practice, all of the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever according to need.

Claims

1. A cooking appliance comprising:

- a first cooking zone (2);

- a cover (3) for the first cooking zone (2);
characterized in that said cover (3) is movable between a first closed position where it protects the first cooking zone (2) below, and an open position where it allows access by a user to the first cooking zone (2); said cover (3) comprising a suction zone (30) for extracting cooking vapours and/or fumes.

2. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover (3) is substantially vertical in the open position, is substantially horizontal in the closed position.

3. An appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a fluid extraction unit (4), said fluid entering the cover (3) through the suction zone (30).

4. An appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a supporting structure (5) for said first cooking zone (2), said structure (5) being at least partly below the first cooking zone (2); the extraction unit (4) being integrated within said structure (5); said cover (3) comprising an outlet (31) from the cover (3) for the fluid extracted through the suction zone (30);
the appliance (1) defining, in the open position of the cover (3), a path (54) inside said structure (5), said path (54) putting the outlet from the cover (3) in fluid communication with the extraction unit (4).

5. An appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the structure (5) comprises an inlet zone (53) for the fluid flowing out of the cover (3); said cover (3) comprises a protective portion (32) which in the closed position, surmounts said inlet zone (53) thus hiding it and protecting it from access by foreign bodies.

6. An appliance according to claim 3 or 4 or 5, characterized in that it comprises:

- an oven (50) comprising a cooking compartment (51);

- an evacuation conduit (55) for the cooking vapours and/or fumes from the oven (50), said conduit (55) putting the inside of the cooking compartment (51) and the extraction unit (4) in fluid communication.

7. An appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an adjustable valve which is movable between an open configuration and an at least partly obstructed configuration; in the open configuration, the adjustable valve putting the cooking compartment (51) and the extraction unit (4) in fluid communication by means of a through section thereof, in the at least partly obstructed configuration, the adjustable valve decreasing said through section.

8. An appliance according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said structure (5) comprises a housing compartment (52) at least partly positioned below said cooking compartment (51), the extraction unit (4) being positioned in said housing compartment (52).

9. An appliance according to claim 3, characterized in that the extraction unit (4) is located in the cover (3).

10. An appliance according to any one of the claims from 3 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a sensor which enables the operation of the extraction unit (4) only if the cover (3) is in the open position.

11. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises filtering means (7) located inside the cover (3).

12. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) is hinged to at least a part of the cooking appliance (1).

13. An appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (3) comprises:

- an outlet (31) from the cover (3) for the fluid extracted through the suction zone (30);

- a through conduit (38) which places the suction zone (30) in fluid communication with the outlet (31);

- a first and a second wall (33, 34) side by side, a hollow space (35) being interposed between the first and the second wall (33, 34), the through conduit (38) being integrated within said hollow space (35); the appliance (1) comprising filtering means (7) which are arranged along said through conduit (38).

14. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises locking means for the cover (3) in at least one position interposed between the closed position and a fully open position.

15. An appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (3) comprises a panel (90) which is movable between a first position and a second position; in the first position, said panel (90) at least partly facing the first cooking zone (2) and protruding from the remaining parts of the cover (3) more than in the second position.

Drawing