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(11) | EP 1 719 953 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Cooking ranges and method for producing the same |
| (57) A method of producing a number of cooking ranges (1, 34, 37, 42) includes: - producing a number of modules (6, 7, 8, 40) of the same plan size; each of the modules (6, 7, 8, 40) being equipped with at least one specific cooker component (9; 10; 11; 12; 13; 41), in particular a cooking component; - producing a number of frames (2, 35, 38, 43), wherein each of the frames (2, 35, 38, 43) has at least one cavity (5) for housing any one of the modules (6, 7, 8, 40); - selecting, for each of the frames (2; 35; 38; 43), a number of modules (6, 7, 8, 40) equal to the number of cavities (5) in the frame (2; 35; 38; 43); and - placing the selected module/s (6; 7; 8; 40) inside a corresponding cavity/corresponding cavities (5) in the frame (2; 35; 38; 43). |
[0002] The present invention relates to fully or partly recessed cooking ranges, to which the following description refers purely by way of example.
[0003] Cooking ranges are integrated parts of modular kitchen units, and often support a number of cooker components, such as burners of various types and power, hot-plates, glass-ceramic plates, and grill components. A cooking range normally comprises a frame defined by a bottom member, and by a top member on which said components and the control knobs are arranged. The top member and bottom member fit together to form a cavity housing the lighting circuits, flame-detecting circuits, gas feed pipes, electric power leads to the hot-plates, and other devices for activating and controlling the burners and/or hot-plates.
[0004] Current market demand forces manufacturers of electric household appliances to provide a vast range of cooking ranges to cater to different customer requirements.
[0005] However, since the top and bottom cooking range members are made of pressed sheet metal, providing a wide range of cooking ranges involves extensive die production and design work. In other words, versatility has a cost in direct proportion to the cooking range manufacturing range.
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing a number of cooking ranges differing in size and component characteristics, and which provides for relatively low manufacturing and design cost.
[0007] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of producing a number of cooking ranges, which comprises:
- producing a number of modules of the same plan size, each of the modules comprising at least one specific cooker component, in particular a cooking component;
- producing a number of frames, each having at least one cavity for housing any one of said modules;
- selecting, for each frame, a number of modules equal to the number of cavities in said frame; and
- placing the selected module/s inside a corresponding cavity/corresponding cavities in said frame.
[0009] According to the present invention, there is provided a number of cooking ranges, characterized in that each cooking range comprises a frame having at least one cavity; and at least one module equipped with a characteristic component of the cooking ranges and housed in the respective cavity, and selected from a number of modules of the same plan size and each equipped with a specific component; the module being located in a corresponding cavity in said frame.
[0010] A non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a small-scale, exploded view, with parts removed for clarity, of a first model of a cooking range in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a larger-scale view in perspective of the Figure 1 cooking range model;
Figure 3 shows a larger-scale section, with parts removed for clarity, of the Figure 1 cooking range model;
Figure 4 shows a small-scale view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a second model of a cooking range in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 5 shows a small-scale view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a third cooking range model;
Figure 6 shows a small-scale view in perspective, with parts removed for clarity, of a fourth cooking range model.
[0011] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a cooking range for recessing in a modular kitchen unit not shown in the accompanying drawings. In the example shown, cooking range 1 is a partly recessed cooking range, i.e. projects with respect to the top of the modular kitchen unit in which it is partly recessed.
[0012] Cooking range 1 comprises a frame 2 defined by a bottom member 3, and by a top member 4 in which are formed three cavities 5 for housing respective modules 6, 7, 8. In the Figure 1 example, each module 6, 7, 8 comprises at least one of burners 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, but a module may simply be defined by a tray or any other cooker component.
[0013] Members 3 and 4 fit together to house a number of control and activating devices (not shown) for controlling and activating cooking range 1. Bottom member 3 of frame 2 is substantially defined by a sheet metal panel 14 for at least partly supporting burners 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and said control and activating devices not shown. For which purpose, panel 14 has a number of holes 15 by which to fix burners 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the other said devices (not shown) by means of known fastening systems (not shown). Holes 15 are arranged so that the same panel 14 can be equipped with modules with hot-plates as opposed to burners 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.
[0014] Top member 4 of frame 2 comprises a top wall 16, in which cavities 5 are formed; a front wall 17, from which control knobs 18 project; two lateral walls 19; and a rear wall 17a.
[0015] With reference to Figure 3, each cavity 5 is substantially defined by an opening 20; by an edge 21 lower than wall 16; and by a wall 22 substantially perpendicular to wall 16 and connecting edge 21 to wall 16. In other words, each cavity 5 comprises an opening 20 bounded by a drawn portion defined by edge 21 and wall 22.
[0016] With reference to Figure 1, the three cavities 5 are equally spaced with a spacing P, so they can be formed easily on a step-feed press, and each is rectangular with a short side 23 and a long side 24. In cooking range 1 in Figures 1 to 3, short side 23 is parallel to front wall 17, and long side 24 is parallel to lateral wall 19 and substantially defines the depth of cooking range 1 as a whole. In fact, the area of wall 16 is small with respect to modules 6, 7, 8, and the top face of cooking range 1 is mainly defined by modules 6, 7, 8.
[0017] With reference to Figure 3, module 7 comprises a rectangular tray 25 having an edge 26 resting on edge 21, and a central projection 27 having a hole 28. Module 7 also comprises a high-speed burner 11 housed inside hole 28 and comprising a first group 29 of members fixed to panel 14, and a second group 30 of members resting on first group 29 and on projection 27. In a variation not shown, second group 30 rests solely on first group 29. Burners 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 differ in size and power, and projections 27 and holes 28 are therefore each sized for a specific burner 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Each module 6, 7, 8 comprises a respective supporting grid 31, 32, 33, which rests on edge 26 and, in use, is substantially flush with or projects slightly from top wall 16.
[0019] In addition to modules 6, 7, 8 described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, modules are also provided featuring elongated burners, hot-plates, glass-ceramic plates of various power, electric barbecues, or other components not described in detail or illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the sake of simplicity. Characteristics common to modules 6, 7, 8 described, and also those not described, are that they are all the same plan size, and all have an edge 26 designed to rest on edge 21. Consequently, a given number of modules can be selected from a number of available modules for insertion inside cavities 5 of frame 2, depending on the cooking range 1 to be formed.
[0020] Number 34 in Figure 4 indicates a cooking range comprising a frame 35, of which is shown only the top member 36, which comprises a cavity 5 housing one module 6 supporting a high-speed burner 11 in the example shown. Cavity 5 has the same characteristics as described with reference to cooking range 1. And similarly, as many cooking ranges as there are available modules may theoretically be formed from frame 35.
[0021] Number 37 in Figure 5 indicates a further cooking range comprising a frame 38, of which is shown only top member 39, which comprises four cavities 5 housing four modules 6, 7, 8, 40. Module 40 is equipped with an electric barbecue 41, is the same plan size as modules 6, 7, 8, and has an edge 26 resting on edge 21.
[0022] Number 42 in Figure 6 indicates a further cooking range comprising a full-recess frame 43. Frame 43 comprises a tray-like bottom member 44 fitted to a top member 45 defined by a sheet metal panel 46, which has two cavities 5 for housing modules 6 and 8. Cooking range 42 is characterized by cavities 5 being oriented so that short side 23 of each cavity 5 defines the depth of cooking range 42. In other words, modules 6 and 8 are aligned longitudinally.
[0023] The cooking ranges and modules described and illustrated in detail herein are purely non-limiting. In fact, the cooking ranges may reasonably comprise 1 to 6 cavities 5 arranged with long sides 24 parallel and facing, or 1 to 3 cavities 5 when long sides 24 of cavities 5 are aligned.
[0024] The modules are fitted to the frame using known assembly techniques, such as welding or other fastening techniques.
[0025] The present invention provides for producing a number of cooking ranges using, for example, one die for producing cavities 5. Moreover, the variety of modules available (totalling roughly 20) enables a wide range of combinations, and, being rectangular, the modules can be arranged on the cooking ranges in different patterns.
1. A method of producing a number of cooking ranges (1, 34, 37, 42) comprises:
- producing a number of modules (6, 7, 8, 40) of the same plan size, each of the modules (6, 7, 8, 40) comprising at least one specific cooker component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 41), in particular a cooking component;
- producing a number of frames (2, 35, 38, 43), each having at least one cavity (5) for housing any one of said modules (6, 7, 8, 40);
- selecting, for each frame (2; 35; 38; 43), a number of modules (6, 7, 8, 40) equal to the number of cavities (5) in said frame (2; 35; 38; 43); and
- placing the selected module/s (6, 7, 8, 40) inside a corresponding cavity/corresponding cavities (5) in said frame (2; 35; 38; 43).
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by producing said cavities (5) by pressing sheet metal; said cavities (5) each comprising
an opening (20), and a drawn peripheral portion (21, 22) about said opening (20).
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by producing identical cavities (5) for said number of cooking ranges (1, 34, 37, 42).
4. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said cavities (5) are substantially rectangular, and each have two short sides (23)
and two long sides (24).
5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by forming said cavities (5) with the long sides (24) parallel and facing, and with
the short sides (23) aligned.
6. A method as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by forming said cavities (5) with the short sides (23) parallel and facing, and with
the long sides (24) aligned.
7. A number of cooking ranges, characterized in that each cooking range (1; 34; 37; 42) comprises a frame (2; 35; 38; 43) having at least
one cavity (5); and at least one module (6, 7, 8, 40) equipped with a characteristic
component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 41) of the cooking ranges (1; 34; 37; 42) and housed
in the respective cavity (5), and selected from a number of modules (6, 7, 8, 40)
of the same plan size and each equipped with a specific component (9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 41); the module (6; 7; 8; 40) being located in a corresponding cavity (5) in said
frame (2; 35; 38; 43).
8. Cooking ranges as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that each cavity (5) comprises an opening (20); and a drawn portion (21, 22) extending
about said opening (20) and comprising a first edge (21) for supporting said modules
(6, 7, 8, 40).
9. Cooking ranges as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that each module (6, 7, 8, 40) comprises a tray (25) having a second edge (26) which rests
on the first edge (21).
10. Cooking ranges as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said cavities (5) are the same shape and size for all the cooking ranges (1; 34;
37; 42).
11. Cooking ranges as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10, characterized in that each cavity (5) is substantially rectangular, and has two short sides (23) and two
long sides (24).
12. Cooking ranges as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that the cavities (5) of said frames (2, 35, 38) are arranged with the long sides (24)
parallel, and with the short sides (23) aligned.
13. Cooking ranges as claimed in Claim 11, characterized in that the cavities (5) of said frames (43) are arranged with the short sides (23) parallel,
and with the long sides (24) aligned.
14. Cooking ranges as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 13, characterized in that each frame (2; 35; 38; 43) comprises a bottom member (3; 44) and a top member (4;
45) fitted to each other; and in that the bottom member (3; 44) comprises a number of holes (15) by which to fasten any
component (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 41) of any module (6, 7, 8, 40).
15. A cooking range, characterized by being produced as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.