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(11) | EP 1 469 256 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Gas ring for a cooking range |
| (57) A gas ring (1), used in combination with pans (29) for cooking food, has a gas fitting
(3); a gas distribution chamber (2a); and a number of nozzles (11,12,25,26;12,26)
communicating with the gas distribution chamber (2a), which is located solely inside
a pipe (2) extending along a path (P); and the nozzles (11,12,25,26;12,26) are distributed
solely along the pipe (2). The path may have different shapes: a ring, circular or elliptical, C-shaped or S-shaped. The gas ring (1) may have top protrusions (27) for support of a pan or a pot, and buttom protrusions (4) for transmitting the forces of pan and ring onto the range. |
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a gas ring used in combination with pans for cooking food.
[0003] A gas ring of the above type normally forms part of a cooking range comprising a number of rings of the same type and of different power, and a grille. In the following description, the term "cooking range" is intended to mean both a cooking range recessed in a given structure, such as the cabinet of a modular cooker, and the cooking range of a free-standing cooker.
[0004] A cooking range normally comprises a number of rings, each supplying a given power normally ranging between 0.25 and 1.5 kW. Each ring comprises a gas fitting; a gas distribution chamber; and a number of nozzles communicating with the gas distribution chamber. The gas distribution chamber is normally defined by a circular plate defining a flame-separating ring, and by a disk-shaped cap placed on top of the flame-separating ring; and the nozzles are located between the flame-separating ring and the cap. The size of the flame-separating ring and cap increases according to the power supplied by the ring, so as to provide more nozzles to supply more power and distribute that power over a larger area.
[0005] Known rings have the following drawbacks : use of a large amount of material, particularly as regards high-power rings; poor power distribution; and poor adaptability to other than circular shapes.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a ring designed to eliminate the drawbacks of known types and, in particular, to simplify the structure and enhance the versatility of the ring.
[0009] Known cooking ranges comprise a grille or structural elements for supporting the pans over the ring and at a sufficient distance from the ring to allow the flame to develop. Known grilles and other supporting elements allow large pans to be placed on low-power rings and, vice versa, small pans to be placed on high-power rings, That is, the supporting elements do not encourage the user to select the ring best suited to the size of the pan, thus making poor use of the heat supplied by the ring : when the pan is smaller than the gas ring, most of the heat is dispersed by not being used to heat the pan and contents; and conversely, when the pan is bigger than the gas ring, the heat supplied is not enough to adequately cook the contents of the pan and, moreover, is concentrated on a small area of the pan.
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a cooking range as claimed in Claim 20.
[0011] A number of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a gas ring in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a section of a cooking range equipped with the Figure 1 ring;
Figure 3 shows a view in perspective of a component part of the Figure 1 ring;
Figures 4 to 7 show respective schematic views in perspective of respective variations of the Figure 1 ring;
Figure 8 shows a section, with parts removed for clarity, of a variation of the Figure 1 ring.
[0012] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a gas ring comprising a pipe 2 extending along an endless, specifically circular, path P and defining internally a gas distribution chamber 2a (Figure 2); a gas fitting 3 connected to pipe 2; and feet 4 for supporting pipe 2.
[0013] Pipe 2 extends about an axis A, and is toroidal in shape, so as to define an outer face 5, i.e. facing outwards of endless path P, and an inner face 6, i.e. facing inwards of endless path P and towards axis A. Pipe 2 is defined by a bottom portion and a top portion connected to each other to define chamber 2a, and defined respectively, in the example shown, by a flame-separating ring 7 and a cap 8; and cap 8 rests on flame-separating ring 7 to define a groove 9 along outer face 5, and a groove 10 along inner face 6. Ring 1 comprises a number of nozzles 11 arranged along groove 9 to supply an outer circular flame front; and a number of nozzles 12 arranged along groove 10 to supply an inner flame front.
[0014] With reference to Figure 3, flame-separating ring 7 comprises a bottom wall 13, from which extend upwards, parallel to axis A, an outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15 which are similarly serrated. Outer wall 14 comprises a succession of teeth 16 equally spaced about axis A, and in which each tooth 16 comprises a central slot 17. Similarly, inner wall 15 comprises a succession of teeth 18 equally spaced about axis A, and in which each tooth 18 comprises a central slot 19. Each tooth 16 is separated from each adjacent tooth 16 by a slot 20 deeper than slot 17; and each tooth 18 is separated from each adjacent tooth 18 by a deep slot 21, and is wider than each tooth 16.
[0015] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, cap 8 is defined by an outer wall 22 and an inner wall 23, which are slightly convex (outwards) and joined to each other at their top ends by a join 24.
[0016] With reference to Figure 2, outer wall 22 has an inner groove at its bottom end, and inner wall 23 has a groove at its bottom end, so as to form definite connecting portions by which to connect flame-separating ring 7 and cap 8. More specifically, cap 8 and flame-separating ring 7 are connected by teeth 16 and 18 and the bottom ends of walls 22 and 23, so that slots 20 and 21 form, together with cap 8, nozzles 11 and 12 respectively. Similarly, when connected, flame-separating ring 7 and cap 8 form a number of secondary nozzles 25 (at slots 17) and a number of secondary nozzles 26 (at slots 19); which nozzles 25 and 26 provide for supplying gas to pilot lights.
[0017] Gas distribution chamber 2a is enclosed entirely inside pipe 2, and nozzles 11, 12, 25, 26 are distributed solely along pipe 2. More specifically, nozzles 11 and 25 are distributed along face 5, and nozzles 12 and 26 along face 6.
[0018] The cross section of chamber 2a (Figure 2) varies along path P. That is, while being of constant size on the outside, cap 8 varies in thickness along path P, and comprises a locating member (not shown) cooperating with a locating member (not shown) of ring 7 to define a one-only connection position of cap 8 and ring 7, so that chamber 2a has a maximum cross section at fitting 3, and a minimum cross section diametrically opposite fitting 3 to distribute gas uniformly to nozzles 11, 12, 25 and 26.
[0019] Pipe 2 comprises a number of top projections 27, e.g. four projections arranged in diametrically opposite pairs, which project from cap 8, above join 24, and act as a support for pans 29. Projections 27 have respective coplanar supporting regions arranged substantially in a circle to define a supporting surface, and are preferably formed in one piece with cap 8.
[0020] Projections 27 project outwards from wall 22, so that the supporting point defined by each projection 27 is slightly offset laterally with respect to graphic projections, parallel to axis A and onto the supporting surface, of nozzles 11, 12, 25, 26 close to the relative projection 27.
[0021] In Figure 2, ring 1 is shown integrated in a cooking range 28 and in combination with a pan 29. Cooking range 28 comprises a wall 30 and, beneath wall 30, a gas pipe 31, a tap 32, an injection nozzle 33, a venturi tube 34, and an air-gas mixture supply pipe 35 connected to fitting 3. Tap 32 comprises a gas flow regulating knob 36 on top of wall 30.
[0022] Wall 30 is substantially flat, and has a recess 37 at ring 1; recess 37 is defined by a concave portion connected to the flat portion of wall 30, and is larger in diameter than the maximum outer dimension of ring 1; and wall 30 is preferably made of glass.
[0023] With reference to Figure 2, in actual use, gas is supplied at mains pressure along pipe 31 to injection nozzle 33, which injects the gas into venturi tube 34, which in turn draws in surrounding air and feeds a primary air-gas mixture along pipe 35 and fitting 3 to chamber 2a, where the mixture is distributed to nozzles 11, 12 and secondary nozzles 25, 26 at uniform pressure along path P by virtue of the varying section of chamber 2a. On issuing from nozzles 11, 12 and secondary nozzles 25, 26, the mixture is ignited (for example, in conventional manner, by one or more piezoelectric devices) to form an inner flame front fed with secondary air flowing between the cooking range and flame-separating ring 7, and an outer flame front fed with the surrounding secondary air.
[0024] Pan 29 rests on projections 27 projecting above cap 8; and diameter D represents a user reference indicating the maximum and minimum diameter of the pan that can be used in combination with ring 1.
[0025] Projections 27 define a top pan supporting portion, while feet 4, or other bottom projections for supporting pipe 2 on the cooking range, define a bottom supporting portion for supporting pipe 2 on cooking range 28, so that the weight of the pans is transmitted to cooking range 28 via pipe 2.
[0026] In addition to ring 1, cooking range 28 obviously also comprises other rings similar to ring 1 and of diameters differing from that of ring 1 and scaled to correctly support pans of different diameters. In particular, cooking range 28 has no supporting grille.
[0027] Numerous variations are possible in the shape of pipe 2 and, hence, ring 1 as a whole, as shown by way of non-limiting examples in Figures 4 to 7, in which any details similar to or identical with those already described are indicated using the same reference numbers.
[0028] In the Figure 4 variation, pipe 2 extends along an endless, curved, substantially elliptical path P.
[0029] In the Figure 5 variation, pipe 2 extends along an endless, curved path P having two parallel straight portions, and two curved, in particular semicircular, portions connecting the straight portions.
[0030] In the Figure 6 and 7 variations, pipe 2 extends along an open curved path P, and therefore comprises two closed opposite ends. In this case, a single gas fitting 3 may be provided (e.g. in an intermediate position between the opposite ends, or at one of the two ends), or two gas fittings 3 may be provided (as shown in Figures 6 and 7) at opposite ends of pipe 2.
1. A gas ring (1) for a cooking range (28); the ring (1) being used in combination with
pans (29) for cooking food; the ring (1) comprising a gas fitting (3), a gas distribution
chamber (2a), and a number of nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26) communicating with
said gas distribution chamber (2a); and the ring (1) being characterized by comprising a pipe (2) extending along a path (P); said gas distribution chamber (2a)
being located solely inside said pipe (2); and said nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26)
being distributed solely along said pipe (2).
2. A ring as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said pipe (2) comprises a top portion (27) for supporting said pans; and a bottom
portion (4) for supporting the pipe (2) on the cooking range (28), so that the weight
of said pans (29) is transmitted to the cooking range (28) via said pipe (2).
3. A ring as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said pipe (2) is defined by a bottom part (7) and a top part (8) connected to each
other; said nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26) being located between the bottom part
(7) and the top part (8).
4. A ring as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said pipe (2) comprises top projections (27; 41) acting as a support for said pans
(29) .
5. A ring as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that each top projection (27; 41) defines a supporting region for said pans (29); said
supporting regions lying in the same plane.
6. A ring as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the supporting region of each projection (27; 41) is slightly offset laterally with
respect to graphic projections of the nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26) close to said
projection (27; 41).
7. A ring as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said pipe (2) comprises an outer face (5) and an inner face (6); said nozzles (12,
26) being located along the inner face (6).
8. A ring as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that said nozzles (11, 25, 12, 26) are located along the outer face (5) and the inner
face (6).
9. A ring as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized by comprising bottom projections (4) for supporting said pipe (2) on the cooking range
(28).
10. A ring as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said gas fitting (3) is located directly beneath said pipe (2).
11. A ring as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that said gas distribution chamber (2a) has a cross section varying along said path (P);
said cross section being maximum at said gas fitting (3), and minimum at points furthest
from said gas fitting (3).
12. A ring as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said pipe (2) extends along a curved path (P).
13. A ring as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said path (P) is endless.
14. A ring as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that said path (P) is circular.
15. A ring as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that said path (P) is elliptical.
16. A ring as claimed in Claim 13, characterized in that said path (P) comprises two straight portions and two semicircles.
17. A ring as claimed in Claim 12, characterized in that said path (P) is open.
18. A ring as claimed in Claim 17, characterized in that said path (P) is C-shaped.
19. A ring as claimed in Claim 17, characterized in that said path (P) is S-shaped.
20. A cooking range (28) comprising a substantially horizontal wall (30) fitted on top
with gas rings used in combination with pans (29) for cooking food; each ring (1)
comprising a gas fitting (3), a gas distribution chamber (2a), a number of nozzles
(11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26) communicating with said chamber, and a flame-separating ring
(7) and a cap (8) which define said chamber (2a) and said number of nozzles (11, 12,
25, 26; 12, 26); said cooking range (28) being characterized in that said cap (8) has top projections (27; 41) for supporting said pans (29).
21. A cooking range as claimed in Claim 20, characterized in that said top projections (27; 41) define respective supporting regions lying in the same
plane over said nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26); the supporting region defined by
each top projection (27; 41) being slightly offset laterally with respect to graphic
projections, onto said plane, of the nozzles (11, 12, 25, 26; 12, 26) directly beneath
the top projection (27).
22. A cooking range as claimed in Claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the flame-separating ring (7) has bottom projections (4) to keep the flame-separating
ring (7) raised off the cooking range (28).