KITCHEN OVEN

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an improved kitchen oven.

Background Art

[0002] The prior art comprises the use of ovens in kitchens for cooking foods, normally fixedly enclosed in assemblable kitchen modules or alternatively realised in single modules and possibly located together with other apparatus such as a cooking top or the like.

[0003] With reference, by way of example, to single-module ovens, they usually comprise a bearing frame which is fixable to the kitchen units and a body provided with an internal compartment for cooking the foods.

[0004] The front portion of the ovens is further commonly provided with a door hinged inferiorly to the bearing frame, which closes the internal compartment when food is being cooked therein.

[0005] Still at their front portion, the ovens have controls, constituted for example by a series of knobs and possibly a display, for setting and controlling cooking parameters such as the temperature internally of the compartment, the cooking time or more besides.

[0006] Known ovens, however, are susceptible to improvement, especially as regards a simpler and more immediate use, while at the same time offering a more appreciable visual impact to the user.

[0007] With reference to ovens and kitchen apparatus in general, the need to realise functional and aesthetic characteristics that enable realisation of a product which is easy to understand and use and which is distinguished easily from other products on the market.

[0008] WO 03/014624 discloses a cooking device containing a housing with a cooking chamber and a door to close off the cooking chamber and at least one control and display panel with an optical luminous display. The control and display panel can display the different operation modes of the cooking chamber and the on and/or off modes of the cooking chamber.

[0009] EP 0075026 discloses a cooking apparatus with a display unit, which display shows a cooking recipe so as to improve the operational facility of the cooking apparatus.

[0010] DE 102004062752 discloses a dishwasher having a door, a control unit for controlling the household appliance, and an operation display device for displaying at least one operation state of the household appliance. Moreover, the dishwasher is provided with a light emitting strip integrated in the door and suitable to inform as to whether the machine is still running or whether it has finished the program.

Object of the Invention

[0011] The main aim of the present invention is to provide an improved kitchen oven which exhibits functional as well as aesthetic characteristics which guarantee a simpler and more immediate use.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved kitchen oven which obviates the above-mentioned drawbacks in the prior art, with a simple and rational solution which is easy and efficient to use and which is relatively inexpensive.

[0013] The above objects are attained by the improved kitchen oven according to the invention, that has the features set forth in claim 1.

Brief Descrption of the Drawings

[0014] Further characteristics and advantage of the present invention will better emerge from the description of a non-exclusive preferred embodiment of an improved kitchen oven, illustrated purely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an axonometric view of the oven of the invention;

figure 2 is a partial and frontal view of the oven of the invention;

figure 3 is a partial view, lateral and in section, of the oven of the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

[0015] With particular reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a kitchen oven, of a type which can be installed in an assemblable unit of a kitchen. However, other types of realisation are not excluded, with the oven 1 integrated in a single unit, possible provided with other apparatus such as cooking tops or the like.

[0016] The oven 1 comprises a bearing structure 2 which can be fixed to the traditional kitchen furniture and which is substantially constituted by a rectangular support frame 3 and a body 4 provided with an internal compartment for cooking food The oven 1 has a front portion which is provided with a door 5 hinged inferiorly to the frame 3 of the bearing structure 2 and destined to close the compartment. It is specified that in the present description temps such as "frontal", "inferiorly" or the like all refer to the normal arrangement of the oven 1 during use thereof.

[0017] Further, the oven 1 is provided with management and control means, defined at an area above the front portion of the oven 1, which control and manage the cooking of the food inside the compartment.

[0018] In particular, the management and control means comprise interfacing tools with a user, constituted in the specific case by a display 6 for viewing and setting the cooking parametres and by a plurality of knobs 7 for regulating cooking parameters.

[0019] Different types of interfacing instruments can be used, however, such as buttons and the like, as well as different arrangements of these interfacing instruments on the front portion of the oven 1.

[0020] The management and control means further comprise a processing unit such as a microprocessor or the like, not shown in the figures, operatively associated to the display 6 and to the knobs 7 and destined to regulate the cooking of the foods inside the compartment on the basis of the settings imposed by the user. The oven 1 advantageously comprises emission means for emitting a light flow which are arranged at the front portion, and automatic regulation means, not illustrated in the figures, which automatically regulate the intensity and colour of the light flow emitted.

[0021] The regulation means are operatively associated to the above processing unit of the management and control means and comprise variation means for varying the intensity and/or the colour of the light flow such as to provide a user with indications relating to the state of readiness of the cooking foods, or, simply, such as to give a predefined visual effect when the oven 1 is not in use.

[0022] In particular, the intensity and/or the colour of the light flow can be varied:

• according to the temperature inside the compartment during the cooking of foods;
• according to the amount of time that has passed since cooking of the food in the compartment began;
• according to predefined sequences of levels of intensity and colour.

[0023] With non-exclusive reference to the particular embodiment of the oven 1 illustrated in the above-mentioned figures, the emission means comprise a light source 8 which extends longitudinally and substantially horizontally along a section of the front portion.

[0024] The light source 8 can be constituted, for example, by a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) arranged side-by-side and aligned.

[0025] In particular, the light source 8 is arranged internally of a recess 9 afforded in the front portion, and is orientated such as to emit the light flow internally of the recess, but not directly towards the outside.

[0026] The surface of the recess 9 can advantageously be made of a reflective material, an opaque material or another material according to the type of visual effect that it is desired to obtain.

[0027] Specifically, the recess 9 extends longitudinally and substantially horizontally at the upper part of the front portion and constitutes a housing for a handle 10 of the door 5 when the door 5 is arranged for closing the compartment.

[0028] The light source 8 is housed internally of a seating 11, defined on an upper wall of the recess 9 and provided with a lower opening 12 for passage of the light flow. The conformation of the seating 11 and the arrangement of the opening 12 enable the light flow to be directly downwards.

[0029] The emission means advantageously comprise a diffuser element 13, constituted by a substantially transparent cover, made of a polymer material of a polymethylmetacrylate type or the like, superposed on the light source 8 and intended to diffuse the light flow crossing it uniformly.

[0030] In particular, with reference to the embodiment of the oven 1 illustrated in the figures, the diffuser element 13 is constituted by an elongate strip of polymer material which is fixed internally of the housing seating 11 of the light source 8, at the opening 12 for passage of the light flow.

[0031] The described invention has been found to achieve the preset objects, and particular attention is drawn to the fact that the presence of light emission means on the front portion of the oven and, in particular, of regulation means for regulating the intensity and colour of the emitted light enable a simpler and more immediate use of the oven, achieving at the same time a visual impact which can be more greatly appreciated by the user.

[0032] The variations in the intensity and colour of the light flow can be easily interpreted by the user, who can thus intuitively and immediately receive information on the stage of cooking of the foods or on the general state of the oven.

[0033] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the ambit of the inventive concept.

[0034] Further, all the details can be substituted by other technically-equivalent elements.

[0035] The materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions can be of any kind according to needs and without thus forsaking the ambit of protection set out in the following claims.

Claims

1. Improved kitchen oven, comprising a bearing structure (2), at least an internal compartment for cooking the food, a front portion provided with at least a door (5) movably associated to said bearing structure (2) and suitable for closing said at least one compartment, and management and control means (6, 7) suitable for managing and controlling the cooking of the food internally of said at least one compartment, emission means (8, 13) comprising at least a light source (8) for emitting at least a light flow arranged internally of a recess (9) afforded in said front portion and automatic regulation means for automatically regulating the intensity and/or the colour of said light flow operatively associated to said management and control means (6, 7), characterised in that said at least one light source (8) is orientated for the emission of said light flow internally of said recess (9), but not directly towards the outside, the at least one light source being housed internally of a seating (11) provided with an opening (12) for passage of the light flow.

2. Oven according to claim 1, characterised in that said seating (11) is defined on an upper wall of said recess (9).

3. Oven, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the conformation of said seating (11) and the arrangement of said opening (12) enable the light flow to be directed downwards.

4. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said recess (9) is composed of the housing for a handle (10) of said at least one door (5), when said at least one door (5) is arranged for closing said at least one compartment.

5. Oven according to claim 1, characterised in that said automatic regulation means comprise variation means for varying the intensity and/or the colour of said light flow according to the temperature inside said at least one compartment during the cooking of the food.

6. Oven according to claim 1, characterised in that said automatic regulation means comprise variation means for varying the intensity and/or the colour of said light flow according to the time lapsed during the cooking of the food inside said at least one compartment.

7. Oven according to claim 1, characterised in that said regulation means comprise variation means for varying the intensity and/or the colour of said light flow according to predefined sequences of levels of intensity and colour.

8. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one light source (8) extends longitudinally along at least a section of said front portion.

9. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one light source (8) comprises at least a LED (Light Emitting Diode).

10. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said at least one light source (8) comprises a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) arranged in a side-by-side arrangement.

11. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said emission means (8, 13) comprise at least a substantially transparent diffuser element (13) which is at least partially superposed on said at least one light source (8) and intended to diffuse said light flow uniformly.

12. Oven according to claim 11, characterised in that said at least one diffuser element (13) is at least partially made of a polymer material.

13. Oven according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that said at least one diffuser element (13) is associated to said seating (11) for housing the at least one light source (8), at said opening (12) for passage of the light flow.

14. Oven according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said management and control means (6, 7) comprise instruments (6, 7) for interfacing with a user.

15. Oven according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that said management and control means (6, 7) comprise at least a processing unit which is operatively associated to said instruments (6, 7) for interfacing and to said emission means (8, 13) for emitting said light flow.

Ansprüche

1. Verbesserter Küchenofen, mit einem Tragrahmen (2), wenigstens einem Innenraum zum Zubereiten der Nahrung, einem Frontbereich, der mit wenigstens einer Tür (5) versehen ist, die mit dem Tragrahmen (2) bewegbar verbunden ist und zum Schließen des wenigstens einen Raums geeignet ist, und einer Betriebs- und Steuereinrichtung (6, 7), die zum Betreiben und Steuern der Zubereitung der Nahrung innerhalb des wenigstens einen Raums geeignet ist, einer Emissionseinrichtung (8, 13), mit wenigstens einer Lichtquelle (8) zum Emittieren wenigstens eines Lichtflusses, die innerhalb einer Aussparung (9) angeordnet ist, die im Frontbereich ausgebildet ist, und einer automatischen Regulierungseinrichtung zum automatischen Regulieren der Intensität und/oder der Farbe des Lichtflusses, und zwar operativ verbunden mit der Betriebs- und Steuereinrichtung (6, 7), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (8) zwar für die Emission des Lichtflusses innerhalb der Aussparung (9) ausgerichtet ist, aber nicht direkt in Richtung nach außen, wobei die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle innerhalb eines Sitzes (11) aufgenommen ist, der in einer Öffnung (12) für den Durchgang des Lichtflusses vorgesehen ist.

2. Ofen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Sitz (11) auf einer oberen Wand der Aussparung (9) ausgebildet ist.

3. Ofen nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Ausbildung des Sitzes (11) und die Anordnung der Öffnung (12) ermöglichen, dass der Lichtfluss nach unten gerichtet ist.

4. Ofen nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Aussparung (9) aus dem Gehäuse für einen Handgriff (10) der wenigstens einen Tür (5) zusammengesetzt ist, wenn die wenigstens eine Tür (5) zum Schließen des wenigstens einen Raums angeordnet ist.

5. Ofen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die automatische Regulierungseinrichtung Variationsmittel zum Variieren der Intensität und/oder der Farbe des Lichtflusses entsprechend der Temperatur innerhalb des wenigstens einen Raums während der Zubereitung der Nahrung umfasst.

6. Ofen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die automatische Regulierungseinrichtung Variationsmittel zum Variieren der Intensität und/oder der Farbe des Lichtflusses entsprechend der abgelaufenen Zeit während des Zubereitens der Nahrung innerhalb des wenigstens einen Raumes umfasst.

7. Ofen nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Regulierungseinrichtung Variationsmittel zum Variieren der Intensität und/oder der Farbe des Lichtflusses entsprechend vordefinierter Sequenzen von Intensitäts- und Farbstufen umfasst.

8. Ofen nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (8) längs entlang wenigstens eines Abschnitts des Frontbereichs erstreckt.

9. Ofen nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (8) wenigstens eine LED (Licht emittierende Diode) umfasst.

10. Ofen nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die wenigstens eine Lichtquelle (8) eine Mehrzahl von LEDs (Licht emittierende Diode) umfasst, die in einer seitenweisen Anordnung angeordnet sind.

11. Ofen nach ein oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Emissionseinrichtung (8, 13) wenigstens ein im Wesentlichen transparentes Diffusorelement (13) umfasst, welches wenigstens teilweise über der wenigstens einen Lichtquelle (8) angeordnet ist und dazu gedacht ist, den Lichtfluss gleichförmig zu verteilen.

12. Ofen nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das wenigstens eine Diffusorelement (13) wenigstens teilweise aus einem Polymermaterial hergestellt ist.

13. Ofen nach Anspruch 11 oder 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das wenigstens eine Diffusorelement (13) mit dem Sitz (11) zum Aufnehmen der wenigstens einen Lichtquelle (8) an der Öffnung (12) für den Durchgang des Lichtflusses verbunden ist.

14. Ofen nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betriebs- und Steuereinrichtung (6, 7) Instrumente (6, 7) als Benutzerschnittstelle umfasst.

15. Ofen nach Anspruch 15 oder 16, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Betriebs- und Steuereinrichtung (6, 7) wenigstens eine Verarbeitungseinheit umfasst, welche mit den Instrumenten (6, 7) zur Schnittstellenbildung und mit der Emissionseinrichtung (8, 13) zum Emittieren des Lichtflusses operativ verbunden ist.

Revendications

1. Four de cuisine amélioré, comprenant une structure de support (2), au moins un compartiment interne pour cuire les aliments, une partie avant pourvue d'au moins une porte (5) associée de manière mobile à ladite structure de support (2) et apte à fermer ledit au moins un compartiment, ainsi que des moyens de gestion et de commande (6, 7) aptes à gérer et à commander la cuisson des aliments à l'intérieur dudit au moins un compartiment, des moyens d'émission (8, 13) comprenant au moins une source de lumière (8) destinée à émettre au moins un flux de lumière et disposée à l'intérieur d'un évidement (9) prévu dans ladite partie avant, et des moyens de régulation automatique destinés à réguler de manière automatique l'intensité et/ou la couleur dudit flux de lumière et associés de manière fonctionnelle auxdits moyens de gestion et de contrôle (6, 7), caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une source de lumière (8) est orientée en vue de l'émission dudit flux de lumière à l'intérieur dudit évidement (9), mais pas directement vers l'extérieur, la au moins une source de lumière étant logée à l'intérieur d'un élément de mise en place (11) doté d'une ouverture (12) pour le passage du flux de lumière.

2. Four selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément de mise en place (11) est défini sur une paroi supérieure dudit évidement (9).

3. Four selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que la conformation dudit élément de mise en place (11) et la disposition de ladite ouverture (12) permettent que le flux de lumière soit dirigé vers le bas.

4. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit évidement (9) est composé du boîtier destiné à une poignée (10) de ladite au moins une porte (5), lorsque ladite au moins une porte (5) est prévue pour fermer ledit au moins un compartiment.

5. Four selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de régulation automatique comprennent des moyens de variation pour faire varier l'intensité et/ou la couleur dudit flux de lumière en fonction de la température à l'intérieur dudit au moins un compartiment pendant la cuisson des aliments.

6. Four selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de régulation automatique comprennent des moyens de variation pour faire varier l'intensité et/ou la couleur dudit flux de lumière en fonction du temps écoulé pendant la cuisson des aliments à l'intérieur dudit au moins un compartiment.

7. Four selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de régulation comprennent des moyens de variation pour faire varier l'intensité et/ou la couleur dudit flux de lumière en fonction de séquences prédéfinies de niveaux d'intensité et de couleur.

8. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une source de lumière (8) s'étend de manière longitudinale le long d'au moins une section de ladite partie avant.

9. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une source de lumière (8) comprend au moins une DEL (Diode ElectroLuminescente).

10. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ladite au moins une source de lumière (8) comprend une pluralité de DEL (Diodes ElectroLuminescentes) disposées en étant placées côte à côte.

11. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'émission (8, 13) comprennent au moins un élément diffuseur (13) pratiquement transparent qui est au moins partiellement superposé à ladite au moins une source de lumière (8) et qui est destiné à diffuser ledit flux de lumière de manière uniforme.

12. Four selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un élément diffuseur (13) est au moins partiellement réalisé en un matériau polymère.

13. Four selon la revendication 11 ou 12, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un élément diffuseur (13) est associé audit élément de mise en place (11) destiné à loger la au moins une source de lumière (8), à l'endroit de ladite ouverture (12) pour le passage du flux de lumière.

14. Four selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de gestion et de commande (6, 7) comprennent des instruments (6, 7) destinés à servir d'interfaces avec un utilisateur.

15. Four selon la revendication 15 ou 16, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de gestion et de commande (6, 7) comprennent au moins une unité de traitement qui est associée de manière fonctionnelle auxdits instruments (6, 7) destinés à servir d'interfaces ainsi qu'auxdits moyens d'émission (8, 13) destinés à émettre ledit flux de lumière.

Drawing