OVEN DOOR FOR A COOKING OVEN

Abstract

 A, preferably dismountable, oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass panel, wherein the glass panel comprises a first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges, the glass panel is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively, the glass panel is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surface and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges, the door frame or at least one door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel, so that the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass panel.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a, preferably dismountable, oven door for a cooking oven comprising at least one glass panel or glass package and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass panel. Further, the present invention relates to a cooking oven.

[0002] Some oven doors are dismountable by the user. The one or more glass panels or glass package are exposed for cleaning purposes. When the user assembles the oven door again after cleaning the glass panel and/or glass package, it is important that the glass panels and/or glass packages are inserted into the door frame or fixed at the door columns with the correct orientation.

[0003] Often the glass panel or glass package comprises one or more thin transparent coatings on its surface or surfaces. For example, said coating is provided for reflecting heat radiation or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface, so that the thermal energy remains in the oven cavity. The temperature in front of the cooking oven and the energy consumption of said cooking oven are reduced.

[0004] During a pyrolytic cleaning process a very high temperature occurs in the cooking oven. There are special oven doors with two, three or four glass panels for pyrolytic appliances. For example, said glass panels are made of float glass or borosilicate glass coated by special layers.

[0005] The glass panels may be coated at one or both large-area surfaces. The coating of single-sided coated glass panels is arranged toward either the heat source or the outside of the cooking oven. If the coating is faced toward the heat source, then the reflection of heat is the dominating effect. If the coating is arranged opposite to the heat source, then the reduced emission is the main effect. The double-sided coated glass panels combine these effects mentioned above.

[0006] However, the effects of the coatings are restricted or lost, if said coatings are arranged at the wrong sides. The user cannot recognise per se an outer surface and an inner surface of the glass panel, when the oven door is assembled again after a cleaning process. Sometimes, the glass panel comprises an overprint indicating the outer surface and/or the inner surface of said glass panel by symbols or by clear text. However, the overprints are often not clearly visible. Further, the user may misunderstand the meanings of the symbols.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a dismountable oven door for a cooking oven, which guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panels, when the oven door is assembled by the producer or assembled again by the user.

[0008] The object is achieved by the dismountable oven door according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the present invention a, preferably dismountable, oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass panel is provided, wherein:

• the glass panel comprises a first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges,
• the glass panel is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively,
• the glass panel is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surfaces and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges,
• the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel, so that
• the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass panel.

[0010] According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, said door frame or said at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel. In particular, said pair of door columns can be adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel, wherein said pair of door columns respectively each engages specifically with a corresponding one of the geometric shapes of said at least two lateral edges of the glass panel that contribute to the chiral property thereof.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment, said physical or chemical property of the first large-area surface and of the second large-area surface of the glass panel can be invisible to a person. For example, said physical or chemical property can involve that the first large-area surface comprises a first coating and the second large-area surface of the glass panel comprises no coating or comprises a second coating differing from said first coating. Said first coating and/or said second coating can be invisible to a person. One or both of the large-surface sides can comprise a visible indication of the front and/or rear side of the glass panel which might be misunderstood by a person.

[0012] The invention effectively ensures that during manufacture of the oven or during its handling by a user, the glass panel of the oven door that has different properties of its rear and front side can be reliably arranged on the door frame or on the door columns in its correct front-rear orientation, even if the assembly person or the user cannot readily determine which of its large area surfaces is the front side and which is the back side, for example because any coating(s) is invisible, or even because though there is a visible front-rear indication on the glass panel that indication might be misunderstood.

[0013] Suitable examples of door frames or door columns that are adapted to take up the glass panel of the invention in a single orientation only comprise two opposing door columns that are complementary respectively to corresponding non-parallel edges of the glass panel. Said opposing door columns can be complementary respectively to sections of corresponding edges of the glass panel, wherein said sections have different lengths. Further suitable examples of door frames or door columns comprise at least two neighbouring door columns or at least two neighbouring door frame elements that are complementary respectively to corresponding neighbouring edges of the glass panel, wherein said neighbouring edges of the glass panel enclose an angle that is sufficiently smaller or larger than the right angle in order to effectively avoid an arrangement of the glass panel on the door frame or on said door columns in different orientations by turning the glass panel. Said neighbouring door columns or door frame elements can be complementary respectively to sections of corresponding neighbouring edges of the glass panel, wherein said sections of the neighbouring edges of the glass panel have different lengths.

[0014] The core of the present invention is a poka yoke construction for the oven door, wherein the glass panel has a chiral geometric shape. The glass panel and preferably also the door frame and/or at least one door column is/are formed unsymmetrically, so that essentially only one spatial orientation of the glass panel in the door frame or at the door columns is possible. The chiral geometric shape of the glass panel in the sense of the present invention means that the glass panel cannot be superposed onto it. The chiral glass panel cannot be mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. There is only one orientation of the chiral glass panel, in which said glass panel can be inserted into the door frame or door columns, respectively. The unsymmetrical forms of the glass panel and the door frame or door columns, respectively, guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panels, when the oven door is assembled during production or assembled again by the user.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,

• the glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a first axis extending within the plane of said glass panel,
• the glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a second axis extending within the plane of said glass panel and perpendicular to the first axis,
• an intersection of the first axis and the second axis is arranged in the centre of the glass panel, and
• at least one of the first axis and the second axis extends parallel to at least one edge of the glass panel.

[0016] According to a further example of the present invention,

• the glass panel includes at least one mechanical element effecting the unsymmetrical and/or chiral form of said glass panel,
• the door frame or at least one door column includes at least one counterpart of the mechanical element, and
• the counterpart of the door frame or door column is formed at least partially complementary to the mechanical element of the glass panel, so that
• the counterpart of the at least one door frame or door column is engageable or compatible with the mechanical element of said glass panel.

Preferably, the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel.

[0017] In particular, the counterpart of the mechanical element and the door frame or door column form a single-piece part.

[0018] Alternatively, the counterpart of the mechanical element is detachably fixable or fixed at the door frame or door column.

[0019] For example, the mechanical element is a cut-out in the glass panel, while the counterpart of the cut-out is a plug, an appendix, a prolongation, a screw and/or a snap-in hook, wherein preferably said cut-out is arranged in an outer portion of the glass panel.

[0020] The cut-out may be rectangular, squared, triangular, a round hole, a long hole or any shaped piece, wherein preferably the counterpart includes a cross-section complementary to said cut-out.

[0021] Further, the mechanical element may be a recess at an edge of the glass panel, while preferably the counterpart of the recess is an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for receiving the edge of the glass panel, when the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

[0022] Moreover, the mechanical element may be a chamfer arranged between two adjacent edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the chamfer is an interruption of the groove of the door frame, wherein said grove encloses at least partially the glass panel, when said glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

[0023] According to another embodiment the mechanical element is a curvature arranged between two adjacent edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the curvature is a bent portion or an interruption in the groove of the door frame, wherein preferably the bent portion encloses at least partially the curvature or the interruption supports the curvature, when the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

[0024] Furthermore, the mechanical element may be at least one clip element arranged in the outer portion of the glass panel, wherein the counterpart of said clip element is a recess formed in the door frame or door column, and wherein preferably the clip element is glued onto the glass panel.

[0025] In particular, the glass panel is rectangular, wherein the first axis is parallel and equidistant to an upper edge and a lower edge of said glass panel, while the second axis is parallel and equidistant to a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge of said glass panel.

[0026] According to another embodiment, the glass panel may be trapezoid, wherein an upper edge extends parallel to the lower edge, and wherein at least one of a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge is slanted and forms the mechanical element effecting the unsymmetrical form of said glass panel, and wherein the counterpart of said slanted lateral edge is a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column, wherein preferably the door columns are attached at an outer door panel. Alternatively, the upper edge or the lower edge may be slanted, while the left lateral edge and the right lateral edge are parallel to each other, wherein the door frame or door column are appropriately adapted. Moreover, at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge and also at least one of the left lateral edge and the right lateral edge may be slanted.

[0027] Further, the glass panel may be single-sided or double-sided coated by a layer, wherein at least one layer is provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface of the glass panel.

[0028] Additionally, at least two different markings are applied on both large-area surfaces of the glass panel and on the door frame or door columns, wherein the marking on the glass panel matches the corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns, if the orientation of the glass panel in the door frame or at the door columns is correct, and wherein preferably said markings are symbols, texture, patterns, arrows and/or numbers.

[0029] Further, the present invention relates to a cooking oven, wherein the cooking oven comprises an oven door mentioned above.

[0030] In particular, the cooking oven is provided for a pyrolytic cleaning process.

[0031] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0032] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawing, in which

FIG 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain a chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention.

[0033] FIG 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel 10 of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The glass panel 10 includes an upper edge 12, a lower edge 14, a left lateral edge 16 and a right lateral edge 18. In this example, the upper edge 12 extends parallel to the lower edge 14, while the left lateral edge 16 extends parallel to the right lateral edge 18. Thus, the glass panel 10 is rectangular.

[0035] The terms "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" relate to the situation, in which the oven door is assembled and in a closed state, wherein the viewer is in front of the cooking oven.

[0036] A first axis 20 extends within the plane of the glass panel 10 and parallel to the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14, wherein said first axis 20 is equidistant to the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14. A second axis 22 extends within the plane of the glass panel 10 and perpendicular to the first axis 20, wherein said second axis 22 is arranged in the centre between the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. In this example, the second axis 22 is equidistant to the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18.

[0037] The glass panel 10 includes a cut-out 24. Said cut-out 24 is formed close to a corner of said glass panel 10. In this example, the cut-out 24 is formed close to a lower left corner of the glass panel 10. In general, the cut-out 24 is formed in border area of the glass panel 10. Usually, said border area is covered by a door frame, a door column and/or a cover element of the oven door. In this example, the cut-out 24 is rectangular. In general, the cut-out 24 may have an arbitrary shape.

[0038] The glass panel 10 is insertable into the door frame or mountable at a pair of the door columns. The door frame or the door column includes a counterpart of the cut-out 24 of the glass panel 10. Said counterpart is insertable into the cut-out 24. The counterpart of the cut-out 24 is at least partially formed complementary to said cut-out. The counterpart may be a fixing element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame or door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, an appendix, a prolongation, a screw or a snap-in hook.

[0039] The cut-out 24 and its position cause that the glass panel 10 is unsymmetrical in view of the first axis 20 and additionally in view of the second axis 26.

[0040] The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the counterpart of said cut-out 24, wherein said counterpart belongs to the door frame or door column, allow that the glass panel 10 can be inserted into the door frame or mounted at the door column in the correct and predetermined orientation only. It is not possible that the glass panel 10 could be inverted, when the glass panel 10 is inserted into the door frame or mounted at the door column.

[0041] In particular, one or both large-area surfaces of the glass panel 10 are coated. The coatings are provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface, so that the thermal energy remains in the oven cavity and the temperature in front of the cooking oven and the energy consumption of said cooking oven are reduced. The coating for reflecting heat radiation has to be arranged towards the oven cavity, i.e. at the rear side of the glass panel 10 in FIG 1. In contrast, the coating for reducing emissions of heat from the surface has to be arranged opposite to the oven cavity, i.e. at the front side of the glass panel 10 in FIG 1. The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the counterpart of said cut-out 24 guarantee that the coatings of the glass panel 10 are always arranged at the correct sides.

[0042] Further, the glass panel 10 may include a clip element instead of the cut-out 24, wherein the counterpart of said clip element is a recess formed in the door frame or door column. The clip element may be glued onto the glass panel 10.

[0043] FIG 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The glass panel 10 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the second embodiment includes a long hole 26 instead of the cut-out 24. Further, the door frame or the door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the long hole 26.

[0045] The counterpart of the long hole 26 is at least partially formed complementary to said long hole 26. The counterpart may be a fixing element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame or door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, one or more screws, an appendix, a prolongation or a snap-in hook.

[0046] The long hole 26 in the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the counterpart of the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, allow exclusively the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0047] FIG 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment is similar to those of the embodiments mentioned above. However, the glass panel 10 of the third embodiment includes a recess 28 instead of the cut-out 24 or long hole 26, respectively. Moreover, the door frame or the door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the recess 28.

[0049] The counterpart of the recess 28 is at least partially formed complementary to said recess 28. For example, the counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for receiving the lower edge 14 of the glass panel 10.

[0050] Also the recess 28 in the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Moreover, the counterpart of the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0051] FIG 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment includes a chamfer 30 between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 of the glass panel 10. Thus, the chamfer 30 is arranged at the right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The corresponding door frame or door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the chamfer 30.

[0053] The counterpart of the chamfer 30 is at least partially formed complementary to said chamfer 30. For example, the counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for enclosing the glass panel 10, when the glass panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.

[0054] The chamfer 30 at the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the chamfer 30 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns, respectively, guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0055] FIG 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] The glass panel 10 of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the fifth embodiment includes a curvature 32 instead of the chamfer 30. The curvature 32 is arranged between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 of the glass panel 10. Thus, the curvature 32 is arranged at the right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The corresponding door frame or door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the curvature 32.

[0057] The counterpart of the curvature 32 is at least partially formed complementary to said curvature 32. For example, the counterpart may be a bent portion in the groove of the door frame, wherein said bent portion encloses the curvature 32, when the glass panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.

[0058] Also the curvature 32 at the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the curvature 32 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns, respectively, guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0059] FIG 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] The glass panel 10 of the sixth embodiment is trapezoid. The glass panel 10 includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14 are arranged parallel to each other. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the upper edge 12 and to the lower edge 14. However, an acute angle is formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18, while an obtuse angle is formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18.

[0061] The counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column of a pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0062] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18, i.e. the slanting frame part of the door frame or the slanting door column of the pair of door columns, destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting right lateral edge 18 and the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0063] FIG 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The glass panel 10 of the seventh embodiment includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the lower edge 14, while the upper edge 12 and the left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18. In contrast, acute angles are formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and the upper edge 12 on the other hand.

[0065] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the slanting upper edge 12 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts of the slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Further, the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0066] Also the counterparts of the slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 as well as the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0067] FIG 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] The glass panel 10 of the eighth embodiment includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the upper edge 12, while the lower edge 14 and the left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18. Further, acute angles are formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and the lower edge 14 on the other hand.

[0069] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the slanting lower edge 14 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts of the slanting lower edge 14 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Alternatively, the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0070] The counterparts of the slanting lower edge 14 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy also the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting lower edge 14, the slanting right lateral edge 18 and the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0071] According to the present invention the glass panel 10 is unsymmetrical in view of the first axis and second axis. Also the corresponding door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, is unsymmetrical, so that an incorrect orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns is impossible. Thus, the system of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns is a so-called poka yoke construction. A marginal element destroying the symmetry of the glass panel 10 and the corresponding counterpart at the door frame or the door columns are sufficient in order to obtain said poka yoke construction, so that the incorrect orientation of the glass panel 10 is avoided.

[0072] Additionally, two different markings may be applied on both large-area surfaces of the glass panel 10. Said markings may be symbols, texture, a pattern, arrows and/or numbers. The markings may be printed or applied by a laser onto the surfaces of the glass panel 10. The same markings may be also applied on the door frame or door columns. If the orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns is correct, then the marking on the glass panel 10 matches the corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns. This is an additional option in order to ensure the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0073] FIG 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain the chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention. FIG 9 shows a pair of human hands 34 and 36. The human hands 34 and 36 have chiral geometric shapes. The left hand 34 cannot be mapped to the right hand 36 by rotations and translations alone and vice versa. In other words, each human hand 34 and 36 cannot be mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. The human hands 34 and 36 are the most famous example for chiral objects.

[0074] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

[0075] 

10

glass panel

12

upper edge

14

lower edge

16

left lateral edge

18

right lateral edge

20

first axis

22

second axis

24

cut-out

26

long hole

28

recess

30

chamfer

32

curvature

34

left hand

36

right hand

Claims

1. A, preferably dismountable, oven door comprising at least one glass panel (10) and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass panel (10), wherein:

- the glass panel (10) comprises a first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges (10, 12, 14, 16),

- the glass panel (10) is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively,

- the glass panel (10) is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surface and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges (10, 12, 14, 16),

- the door frame or at least one door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel (10), so that

- the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass panel (10).

2. The oven door according to claim 1,
characterized in that
said physical or chemical property of the first and/or of the second large-area surface of the glass panel (10) is invisible and/or the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel (10) in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel (10).

3. The oven door, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that

- the glass panel (10) is formed unsymmetrically in view of a first axis (20) extending within the plane of said glass panel (10),

- the glass panel (10) is formed unsymmetrically in view of a second axis (22) extending within the plane of said glass panel (10) and perpendicular to the first axis (20),

- an intersection of the first axis (20) and the second axis (22) is arranged in the centre of the glass panel (10), and

- at least one of the first axis (20) and the second axis (22) extends parallel to at least one edge (12, 14, 16, 18) of the glass panel.

4. The oven door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that

- the glass panel (10) includes at least one mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) effecting the unsymmetrical and/or chiral form of said glass panel (10),

- the door frame or at least one door column, respectively, includes at least one counterpart of the mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32), and

- the counterpart of the door frame or door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) of the glass panel (10), so that

- the counterpart of the at least one door frame or door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with the mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) of said glass panel (10), preferably wherein the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel (10) in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel (10).

5. The oven door according to claim 4,
characterised in that
the counterpart of the mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) and the door frame or door column, respectively, form a single-piece part, or the counterpart of the mechanical element (18, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) is detachably fixable or fixed at the door frame or door column, respectively.

6. The oven door according to any one of the claims 4 or 5,
characterised in that
the mechanical element is a cut-out (24, 26) in the glass panel (10), while the counterpart of the cut-out (24) is a plug, an appendix, a prolongation, a screw and/or a snap-in hook, wherein preferably said cut-out (24) is arranged in an outer portion of the glass panel (10).

7. The oven door according to claim 6,
characterised in that
the cut-out is rectangular (24), squared, triangular, a round hole, a long hole (26) or any shaped piece, wherein preferably the counterpart includes a cross-section complementary to said cut-out (24, 26).

8. The oven door according to any one of the claims 4 to 7,
characterised in that
the mechanical element is a recess (28) at an edge (14) of the glass panel (10), while preferably the counterpart of the recess (28) is an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for receiving the edge (14) of the glass panel (10), when the glass panel (10) is inserted in the door frame.

9. The oven door according to any one of the claims 4 to 8,
characterised in that
the mechanical element is a chamfer (30) arranged between two adjacent edges (14, 18) of the glass panel (10), while the counterpart of the chamfer (30) is an interruption of the groove of the door frame, wherein said groove encloses at least partially the glass panel (10), when the glass panel (10) is inserted in the door frame.

10. The oven door according to any one of the claims 4 to 9,

characterised in that
the mechanical element is a curvature (32) arranged between two adjacent edges (14, 18) of the glass panel (10), while the counterpart of the curvature (32) is a bent portion or an interruption in the groove of the door frame, wherein preferably the bent portion encloses at least partially the curvature (32) or the interruption supports the curvature (32), when the glass panel (10) is inserted in the door frame.

11. The oven door according to any one of the claims 4 to 10,
characterised in that
the mechanical element is at least one clip element arranged in the outer portion of the glass panel (10), wherein the counterpart of said clip element is a recess formed in the door frame or door column, and wherein preferably the clip element is glued onto the glass panel (10).

12. The oven door according to any one of the claims 3 to 11,
characterised in that
the glass panel (10) is rectangular, wherein the first axis (20) is parallel and equidistant to an upper edge (12) and a lower edge (14) of said glass panel (10), while the second axis (22) is parallel and equidistant to a left lateral edge (16) and a right lateral edge (18) of said glass panel (10).

13. The oven door according to any one of the claims 1 to 11,
characterised in that
the glass panel (10) is trapezoid, wherein an upper edge (12) extends parallel to the lower edge (14), and wherein at least one of a left lateral edge (16) and a right lateral edge (18) is slanted and forms the mechanical element (18) effecting the unsymmetrical form of said glass panel (10), and wherein the counterpart of said slanted lateral edge (16, 18) is a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column, wherein preferably the door columns are attached at an outer door panel.

14. The oven door according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the glass panel (10) is single-sided or double-sided coated by a layer, wherein at least one layer is provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface of the glass panel (10).

15. The oven door according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
the first large-area surface of the glass panel (10) comprises a first coating and the second large-area surface of the glass panel (10) comprises no coating or comprises a second coating differing from said first coating, preferably wherein said first coating and/or said second coating is invisible to a user of the oven.

16. The oven door according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterised in that
at least two different markings are applied on both large-area surfaces of the glass panel (10) and on the door frame or door columns, wherein the marking on the glass panel (10) matches the corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns, if the orientation of the glass panel (10) in the door frame or at the door columns is correct, and wherein preferably said markings are symbols, texture, patterns, arrows and/or numbers.

17. A cooking oven comprising a, preferably dismountable, oven door,
characterised in that
the cooking oven comprises an oven door according to any one of the claims 1 to 16, wherein preferably the cooking oven is provided for a pyrolytic cleaning process.

Drawing