Fume and/or steam exhausting device for kitchen hoods

Abstract

 A fume and/or steam exhausting device (11) for kitchen hoods; the device comprises a sucking duct (12) for exhausting the fumes towards an upper kitchen hood; the duct is axially extensible, telescopically and/or bellows-fashion, between an upwardly retracted condition inside the hood and a downwardly extended condition close and over a cooking area. The exhausting device (11) also comprises means for securing the sucking duct (12) to the upper hood, disengageable hooking means for retaining the sucking duct (12) in the retracted condition, and manual gripping means (19) for seizing the duct (12) to allow its extension and/or angular orientation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention concerns a fume and/or steam device designed to improve the efficiency of kitchen hoods, and in particular to increase the suction capability of usual or specially constructed hoods; the invention also refers to kitchen hoods provided with such a fumes and/or steam sucking and exhausting device.

[0002] In this specification the term "fume" is to be understood to include gases, vapours and small liquid or solid particles all being capable of being entrained in a flow of gas.

STATE OF THE ART

[0003] A kitchen hood usually comprises upper and/or side walls, as well as a lower grating for the passage and the filtering of air and fumes from a cooking area. The term "cooking area" is to be understood to include a cooker comprising a plurality of differently arranged stoves, on which saucepans can be disposed in order to get the food cooked. The hoods are usually positioned above the stoves, at a certain vertical height, so as to provide easy access to the same stoves.

[0004] The aforementioned space between the hood and the stoves however allows to suck only part of the fumes, since there is a possibility for the same fumes to disperse or expand laterally around the cooking area, thereby escaping the hood suction.

[0005] Since the fumes are essentially composed both of gas combustion products and of steam generated by the food cooking, their insufficient removal could lead to deterioration of the air quality; in particular, the air will contain a greater quantity of carbon dioxide, and become less breathable, and at the same time odours, which may also prove to be unpleasant, especially in the event of them spreading into the rooms adjacent to the kitchen, will diffuse.

[0006] By fitting a flow directing panel in front of the hood, as for example described in US-A-4,200,087, it is possible to increase the suction area of the hood, even though such expedient solves the problem only to a minimum extent, since it still does not achieve an optimal suction of the fumes.

[0007] In order to improve the suction of fumes, in FR-A-2 221 914 an adjustable height kitchen hood supported by a telescopic tube member has been proposed, through which sucked fumes can flow towards an exhausting conduit, to improve the suction efficiency.

[0008] Such a solution however presents some drawbacks since the entire hood moves down towards the stoves, so its great overall dimensions can be of an obstacle, especially when there is the need to have access to a saucepan on a stove.

[0009] Furthermore, this hood is structurally complex, involving high constructional costs.

[0010] Such drawbacks are partially solved by the hood described in EP-A-0 575 681, in which an axially extendable suction tube is provided, having an annular inlet filtering mouth at the lower end; the suction tube consists of two coaxially arranged double walled tube sections that are telescopically extendable and are supported at a central position of a hood.

[0011] This constructional solution is more simple compared to FR-A-2 221 914, and allows to have a better access to the saucepans on the stoves; nevertheless in this way the suction efficiency is reduced because the inlet mouth is arranged in a central position of the cooking area. Therefore, the fumes released along the periphery of the cooking area can escape to the suction action of the hood, diffusing around the kitchen.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The main object of this invention is to provide a localised fume sucking and exhausting device for kitchen hoods, which is constructionally simple, inexpensive, and offers the possibility of improving the fume suction conditions by the hood, while maintaining easy access to the cooking area.

[0013] A further object of this invention is to provide a localised fume sucking and exhausting device of the aforementioned kind, which comprises filtering means for the suctioned fumes.

[0014] A still further object of this invention is to provide a fume exhausting device of the aforementioned kind, which can be easily installed in existing kitchen hoods.

[0015] A further object of this invention is to provide a kitchen hood whereby it is possible to achieve more efficient suction of the fumes thanks to at least one localised fume sucking and exhausting device of the aforementioned kind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the above can be achieved by means of a fume sucking and exhausting device from a cooking area, comprising a fume sucking duct downwardly protruding from an upper hood, said sucking duct being axially extendable between an upwardly retracted and a downwardly extended condition, characterised in that:

• the axially extendable duct is constructed and supported to be angularly orientable towards different points of the cooking area;

   and in that:

• means are provided for securing said exhausting duct to the upper hood; and
• disengageable hooking means for retaining the exhausting duct in the upwardly retracted condition.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam arranged over a cooking area has been provided, of the type comprising upper and/or side walls, a lower fume suction wall, and fume sucking and exhausting duct means downwardly protruding from the upper hood, said sucking duct means being axially extensible between an upwardly retracted and a downwardly extended condition,
   characterised in that the sucking duct means comprise at least one exhausting device, each comprising a sucking duct constructed and supported to be angularly orientable towards different points of the cooking area;
   and in that:

• means are provided for securing said sucking duct to the upper hood; and
• disengageable hooking means for retaining the sucking duct in the upwardly retracted condition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and further features according to this invention will be more clearly evident from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a front view of a kitchen hood comprising at least one fume and/or steam exhausting device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a fume exhausting device for specially constructed hoods, according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the device of Fig. 2, in a contracted condition;

Fig. 4 shows a fume exhausting device for specially constructed hoods, according to a further embodiment;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a kitchen fume exhausting device which can be fitted onto existing normal hoods;

Fig. 6 shows a kitchen fume exhausting device according to a further embodiment;

Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10 each show a bottom view of different embodiments of the fume exhausting device according to the invention;

Fig. 11 shows a fume exhausting device according to a further embodiment, with the exhausting duct comprising a bellows-shaped upper portion and a telescopically extensible lower portion;

Fig. 12 shows the fume exhausting device of Fig. 11 in an angularly orientated condition;

Fig. 13 shows a fume exhausting device according to another embodiment, with the exhausting duct comprising a telescopically extensible upper portion and a bellows-shaped lower portion.

Fig. 14 shows a fume exhausting device according to yet another embodiment, having an exhausting duct comprising suction side slits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The general features of this invention will be illustrated hereunder by means of several exemplificative embodiments.

[0020] According to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figures 1 to 3, a fume and/or steam localised sucking and exhausting device is fitted onto a specially constructed kitchen hood which is arranged over a cooking area.

[0021] In this case, the kitchen hood can comprise upper and/or side walls, and a lower wall 10 without grating, but having at least one opening for passage of the fumes and/or steam emitted while the food is being cooked.

[0022] In correspondence with each opening of the lower wall 10, the hood is provided with a fume exhausting device 11 according to the invention, each comprising a kitchen fume sucking and exhausting duct 12, downwardly protruding from the upper hood.

[0023] The lower wall 10 of the hood should be constructed without grating, but only having such openings in correspondence to the exhausting devices 11, in order to guarantee a good fume suction by the exhausting device 11; in fact, in this way, a greater suction pressure formation should occur in the exhausting device 11 by having a closed lower wall 10 around the same exhausting device 11.

[0024] The sucking duct 12 is axially extensible between an upwardly retracted condition, as shown in figure 3, and a downwardly extended condition, as shown in figure 2, and is provided with a lower suction inlet mouth 13; such conditions make the exhausting device 11 highly versatile in use.

[0025] In fact, the exhausting duct 12 can be shifted to the downwardly extended condition whenever it is necessary to maximise the suction of the hood, in that in such condition, the suction inlet mouth 13 of the exhausting duct 12 is close to the food cooking in a saucepan below, thereby efficiently removing the odours and steam emitted, as well as the gas combustion products.

[0026] Conversely, the exhausting duct 12 can be placed in the upwardly retracted condition whenever it is no longer necessary to use the exhausting device, or whenever it is necessary to gain access to the saucepan, for example to stir the food or to remove the saucepan from the stove.

[0027] The exhausting duct 12 can also comprises blocking means, not shown, in order to allow the duct 12 to assume an axially adjustable intermediate position between the retracted condition and the extended condition, according to the user requirements.

[0028] The localised sucking and exhausting device 11 also comprises securing means for fastening the exhausting duct 12 to the upper hood, for example snap-on means, or joints, or screws.

[0029] The securing means are preferably of the removable type, so that the device itself can be removed for accurate cleaning.

[0030] In this embodiment, the exhausting duct 12 is telescopically extensible, and in particular comprises a plurality of concentric annular elements 14 of a slightly different diameter from one another; such annular elements 14 are preferably conical, so that each conical element 14 interferes with the conical element 14 having slightly greater and/or smaller diameter.

[0031] In figure 2, the conical annular elements 14 converge towards the upper hood but, as shown in figure 4, the conical elements 14 can be divergent towards the hood.

[0032] An exhausting duct 12 of the above described type can also be angularly oriented towards different points of the cooking area; in fact the various annular elements 14 can slant reciprocally, thereby enabling the suction inlet mouth 13 of the duct 12 to be disposed in the most appropriate position of the cooking area above a saucepan. In particular, the sucking duct 12 can be oriented in any lateral direction, along an angle of 360°.

[0033] The upper and lower edges of each annular element 14 can be suitably shaped, for example folded respectively inward and outward, in order to vary the possibility of side orientation of the exhausting duct 12.

[0034] The localised sucking and exhausting device 11 can comprise a filter element 15 inserted in the exhausting duct 12, in a suitable position along its axial development, for example fitted in correspondence with the lower inlet mouth 13, or at the top of the duct 12.

[0035] The filter element 15 can be of the metal wire mesh type or of the actived carbon type, or of any other type suitable for the user requirements, and is removably secured to the duct 12, to enable it to be cleaned or replaced.

[0036] The exhausting duct 12 is preferably secured to the hood by means of a supporting element 16, which is also designed to house the duct 12 in the upwardly retracted condition; in this embodiment, the smallest annular element 14 of the duct 12 is secured to the supporting element 16, for example by means of a coupling conical annular member 17 or by means of tangs of the same annular element 14, its tabs, peripherally around a central hole 18 in the same support element 16 which allows latter which permits the passage of the fumes and/or steam towards the hood.

[0037] The supporting element 16 in turn is for example secured above the lower wall 10 of the hood, therefore inside the hood, in correspondence with an opening of the lower wall 10, designed to allow the extension of the exhausting duct 12 towards the stoves.

[0038] The localised sucking and exhausting device 11 also comprises disengageable hooking means for retaining the sucking duct 12 in the retracted condition, for example consisting of a peripheral rib on the annular element 14 of greater diameter, or on the filter element 15, which fits into an appropriate corresponding groove in the supporting element 16.

[0039] The exhausting device 11 also comprises manual gripping means for seizing the duct 12, for example one or more handles 19, to allow its longitudinal extension and/or its angular orientation.

[0040] A second embodiment of the invention, shown in figure 5, concerns a fume exhausting device applicable to existing common kitchen hoods.

[0041] In the aforesaid figure, the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0042] In this case, the exhausting duct 12 is secured to a supporting element 20, for example in the form of an annular plate, which in turn is removably secured to a lower suction grating of the conventional hood, for example by means of permanent magnets 21, housed in appropriate seats in the supporting element 20, or by means of suction cups or other means.

[0043] In order to guarantee a good fume suction by the exhausting device 11, a covering shield (not shown) should be arranged against the lower grating of the hood; in this way, the covering shield, having a suction opening for each exhausting device 11, should allow a greater suction pressure formation in the exhausting device 11 by closing the lower grating around the same exhausting device 11.

[0044] The disengageable hooking means for retaining the exhausting duct 12 in the retracted position, in this case, comprise for example parts designed to form a disengageable coupling between the smallest or the greater annular element 14 and the filter element 15.

[0045] For the above-mentioned embodiments, the sucking duct 12 can be composed of any metal material free from oxidation phenomena, or of a plastic material, or of any other suitable material.

[0046] A further embodiment of the fume exhausting device for kitchen hoods is shown in figure 6, in which the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0047] In particular, this exhausting device differs from those previously illustrated in the fact that the sucking duct 12 is axially extensible thanks to bellows folding side walls, made of flexible material, for example a polymeric material.

[0048] Figures 7 to 10 show several examples of conformation for the filter element 15 and/or for the cross section of the fume exhausting duct 12: in particular, figure 7 shows a filter element 15 and/or a cross section of the sucking duct 12 having a circular shape, whereby it is possible to orientate the duct 12 in a side direction along an angle of 360°.

[0049] Conversely, in figures 8 and 9, the filter element 15 and/or the cross section of the fume exhausting duct 12, respectively, have a square and pentagonal polygonal shape.

[0050] In figure 10, the filter element 15 and/or the cross section of the fume exhausting duct 12 have an elliptic shape.

[0051] Further embodiments of the kitchen fume sucking and exhausting device according to the invention are shown in figures 11, 12 and 13, in which the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0052] In particular, figure 11 shows a kitchen fume exhausting device 11 having a fume sucking duct 12, axially extensible according to its longitudinal axis, which comprises a bellows-shaped portion 30, which in this case is disposed at the upper end of the duct 12, whereby it is secured to the lower wall 10 of the hood, and a telescopically extensible portion 31, which in this case is disposed at the lower end of the sucking duct 12.

[0053] The telescopically extensible portion 31 ends with a lower suction inlet mouth 13 and comprises a plurality of concentric annular elements 14, preferably conical. A sucking duct 12 of this kind, with a bellows-shaped portion and a telescopically extensible portion, has improved features as regards the possibilities of angular side orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the duct; in particular the exhausting duct 12 can be angularly oriented to a greater extent as compared to the previously described structural solutions.

[0054] The exhausting duct 12 can be provided with a filter element 15, for example disposed in correspondence with the lower inlet 13, or in any other suitable position.

[0055] The exhausting duct 12 can for example be secured above the lower wall 10 of a suitably fitted hood by means of a supporting element 16, shown in the figures 11 and 12, designed to receive the duct 12 in the upwardly retracted condition, or in any other appropriate way.

[0056] The sucking device 11 also comprises disengageable hooking means 32 for retaining the sucking duct 12 in the retracted condition, for example flexible tangs engageable with one another, provided on the upper and lower end of the duct 12, as well as manual gripping means 19 for seizing the duct 12.

[0057] Figure 12 shows the fume exhausting device 12 of Fig. 11 in an angularly orientated condition in which only the bellows-shaped portion 30 is orientated.

[0058] Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a kitchen fume exhausting device 11 having a fume sucking and exhausting duct 12 which comprises a bellows-shaped portion 30, which in this case is disposed at the lower end of the sucking duct 12, and a telescopically extensible portion 31, which in this case is disposed at the upper end of the duct 12.

[0059] In this representation, the sucking device 11 is provided with a filter element 15 disposed on the upper end of the duct 12, as well as disengageable hooking means 32 for retaining the sucking duct 12 in the retracted condition, and manual gripping means 19.

[0060] The fume exhausting device 11 of Fig. 13 can be secured to a pre-existing hood, for example by means of the filter element 15 itself which will replace a conventional filter of the hood, or for example by means of permanent magnets, not shown, which will attach themselves to the metal lower grating of the hood.

[0061] Also in this case, a covering shield should be arranged against the lower grating of the hood, in order to guarantee a greater suction pressure in the exhausting device 11.

[0062] In general, however, it is not excluded that the fume sucking duct 12 can comprise one or more bellows-shaped portions and one or more telescopically extensible portions disposed in any way and in any position along the duct 12.

[0063] The sucking duct 12 can be connected to the fume suction hood by angular orientation means with respect to the aforesaid longitudinal axis of the duct 12, such as for example a bellows-shaped portion of duct, as in the case shown in Fig. 11, or a ball joint, not shown.

[0064] Yet another embodiment of the fume sucking device according to the invention is shown in Figure 14, in which the same reference numbers have been used to indicate similar or equivalent parts.

[0065] In particular, figure 14 shows a kitchen fume exhausting device 11 comprising a fume sucking and exhausting duct 12 which is telescopically extendable according to its longitudinal axis.

[0066] The exhausting duct 12 comprises a plurality of concentric annular elements 14 having slightly different diameter from one another, which are constructed and shaped so that each annular element 14 interferes with the adjacent annular elements 14 having greater and/or smaller diameter. Preferably this is achieved for example providing the annular elements 14 with a conical shape, or alternatively providing the same elements 14 with suitable peripheral annular flanges at their rims.

[0067] In figure 14 the exhausting duct 12 has a conical shape diverging towards the upper hood, and the annular elements 14 are provided with a plurality of lateral suction slits 40.

[0068] In this way, it is possible to improve the suction capability of the device 11, allowing eventually to reduce the hood overall dimensions or to mount in the hood a lower power motor for the fume suction.

[0069] Furthermore, in this case it is not necessary to have a lower inlet mouth in the exhausting duct 12, because the sucking and exhausting action can be performed only by means of the same lateral slits 40; so the duct's end opposite to the hood can be closed by a cover 41 and can have limited dimensions, allowing a better access to the saucepans on the stoves.

[0070] It is intended that any embodiment of the exhausting device 11 according to the invention can comprise a exhausting duct 12 having a plurality of lateral suction slits, in order to improve the suction capability of the device 11.

[0071] In figure 14, disengageable means for retaining the exhausting duct 12 in the contracted condition are fastened to the cover 41; for example the disengageble means can comprise side tongues 42 which are foldable by hinges 43 connected to the same cover 41. Each tongue 42 comprises permanent magnet means 44 in order to retain the exhausting duct 12 to the hood when contracted.

[0072] As described for the previous embodiments, the exhausting duct 12 is preferably secured to the hood by means of a supporting element 16, designed to house the duct 12 in the contracted condition; in turn, the supporting element 16 is for example fastened above the lower wall 10 of the hood.

[0073] Alternatively, the exhausting device 11 can be removably secured under a lower grating of an existing hood, by arranging said covering shield against the same lower grating, in order to increase the suction pressure in the exhausting device 11.

[0074] At the top of the exhausting duct 12, the sucking device 11 can further comprise a filter element 15, for example of the metal wire mesh type or of the actived carbon type.

[0075] The device 11 also comprises manual gripping means for seizing the duct 12, for example an handle 19 fastened to the cover 41, to allow its longitudinal extension and/or its angular orientation.

[0076] What has been described and shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, has been given purely by way of example in order to illustrate the general features of the invention, as well as several of its preferred embodiments; therefore other modifications and variations to the fume exhausting device for kitchen hoods, and to the kitchen hood with fume exhausting device are possible, without thereby departing from what is claimed herein.

Claims

1. A fume sucking and exhausting device from a cooking area, comprising a fume sucking duct downwardly protruding from an upper hood, said sucking duct being axially extendable between an upwardly retracted and a downwardly extended condition, characterised in that:

- the axially extendable duct is constructed and supported to be angularly orientable towards different points of the cooking area;

   and in that:

- means are provided for securing said exhausting duct to the upper hood; and

- disengageable hooking means for retaining the exhausting duct in the upwardly retracted condition.

2. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised by comprising a filter element (15) inserted in said sucking duct (12).

3. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is orientable in any side direction, along an angle of 360°.

4. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised by comprising manual gripping means (19) for seizing the duct (12) to allow its longitudinal extension and/or its angular orientation.

5. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is removably secured to the hood.

6. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is telescopically extensible.

7. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 6, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) comprises a plurality of concentrically arranged annular elements (14) of a slightly different diameter from one another.

8. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 7, characterised in that said concentric annular elements (14) of the sucking duct (12) are conical shaped.

9. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 8, characterised in that said conical elements (14) are convergent towards the upper hood.

10. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 8, characterised in that said conical elements (14) are divergent towards the upper hood.

11. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 7, characterised in that said annular elements (14) of the duct (12) comprise a plurality of lateral suction slits (40).

12. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is of a bellows-shaped type.

13. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 2, characterised in that the filter element (15) is of the metal mesh type.

14. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 2, characterised in that the filter element (15) is of the actived carbon type.

15. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) comprises at least one bellow-shaped portion (30) and at least one telescopically extensible portion (31).

16. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 15, characterised in that said bellows-shaped portion (30) of the duct (12) is disposed at the upper end of the duct (12), and
   in that said telescopically extensible portion (31) is disposed at the lower end of the sucking duct (12).

17. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 16, characterised in that said telescopically extensible portion (31) of the duct (12) is disposed at the upper end of the duct (12), and
   in that said bellows-shaped portion (30) is disposed at the lower end of the sucking duct (12).

18. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 1, in which the sucking duct (12) is axially extensible according to its longitudinal axis, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is connected to the kitchen hood by angular orientation means of the duct (12) with respect to said longitudinal axis.

19. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 18, characterised in that said angular orientation means consist of a bellows-shaped portion of duct.

20. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 18, characterised in that said angular orientation means consist of a ball joint.

21. Fume exhausting device (11) according to claim 5, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is secured to the hood by means of permanent magnets.

22. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam arranged over a cooking area, of the type comprising upper and/or side walls, a lower fume suction wall, and fume sucking and exhausting duct means downwardly protruding from the upper hood, said sucking duct means being axially extensible between an upwardly retracted and a downwardly extended condition,
   characterised in that the sucking duct means comprise at least one exhausting device, each comprising a sucking duct constructed and supported to be angularly orientable towards different points of the cooking area;
   and in that:

- means are provided for securing said sucking duct to the upper hood; and

- disengageable hooking means for retaining the sucking duct in the upwardly retracted condition.

23. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam according to claim 22, characterised in that the exhausting device (11) comprises a filter element (15) inserted in said sucking duct (12).

24. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam according to claim 22, characterised by comprising manual gripping means (19) for seizing the duct (12) to allow its longitudinal extension and/or its angular orientation.

25. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam according to claim 22, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is removably secured.

26. Kitchen hood per fumes and/or steam according to claim 22, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is telescopically extensible.

27. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) is of a bellows-shaped type.

28. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that the sucking duct (12) of the exhausting device (11) comprises at least one bellow-shaped portion (30) and at least one telescopically extensible portion (31).

29. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam as claimed in claim 22, characterised in that said annular elements (14) of the exhausting duct (12) comprise a plurality of lateral suction slits (40).

30. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam as claimed in claim 22, in the form of a specially constructed kitchen hood, characterised in that said lower suction wall (10) is of the closed type, having a suction opening for each exhausting device (11).

31. Kitchen hood for fumes and/or steam as claimed in claim 22, in the form of a conventional existing kitchen hood having a lower suction grating, characterised by comprising a covering shield for the grating, arranged around the exhausting device (11).

Drawing