(19)
(11) EP 3 722 674 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
14.10.2020 Bulletin 2020/42

(21) Application number: 19168020.6

(22) Date of filing: 09.04.2019
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
F24C 15/00(2006.01)
F24C 15/36(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA ME
Designated Validation States:
KH MA MD TN

(71) Applicant: ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG
105 45 Stockholm (SE)

(72) Inventors:
  • BÖCKLER, Marco
    91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (DE)
  • WÄLZLEIN, Klaus
    91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (DE)
  • Aynur, Gerede
    63463 Hanau (DE)
  • CESCOT, Paolo
    33080 Porcia (IT)
  • BRATTI, Andrea
    33080 Porcia (IT)
  • PAULI, Georg
    91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (DE)
  • LUCKHARDT, Christoph
    91541 Rothenburg ob der Tauber (DE)

(74) Representative: Electrolux Group Patents 
AB Electrolux Group Patents
105 45 Stockholm
105 45 Stockholm (SE)

   


(54) CAVITY HAVING A NON-STICK AND/OR NON-WETTING COATING, COOKING APPLIANCE COMPRISING SUCH A CAVITY AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A CAVITY


(57) The present invention relates to a cavity (4) for a cooking appliance (2), in particular an oven cavity (4) for a domestic oven, comprising at least one cavity wall (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) defining a cooking chamber (6) for cooking foodstuff and having an inner surface (10) facing towards the cooking chamber (6), a central opening for placing foodstuff into the cooking chamber (6), wherein the inner surface (10) is at least partially provided with a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) comprising at least a first layer (18), wherein the first layer (18) is obtained by a sol-gel process from a first composition comprising a silica sol and a silane and/or wherein the cavity (4) further comprises a heat reflection shield system (26) having at least one heat reflection shield (28) to reduce the heat radiation produced by heating elements (30) being arranged within the cavity (4) against the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16).
The invention further relates to a cooking appliance (2), in particular a domestic oven comprising such a cavity (4) and a method for manufacturing such a cavity (4).




Description


[0001] The present invention relates to a cavity having a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating. In particular, the present invention relates to a cavity of a cooking appliance. Further, the present invention relates to a cooking appliance having such a cavity. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a cavity, in particular a cavity of a cooking appliance, wherein the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating is applied to at least one cavity wall of the cavity.

[0002] One problem for the customer is the cleaning of an oven after usage, especially after food items, such as cheese, sauces, oils, fat or the like, are burned onto the surface of the cavity. Therefore, there are different approaches on the market to make cleaning easier. On the one hand, so-called self-cleaning appliances with pyrolysis functionality or appliances with catalytic enamel are known already. On the other hand, there are appliances with special enamel that is more easy to clean and less sensitive to impacts and scratches, e.g. granite enamel. Furthermore, appliances with plasma treatment or steam-cleaning program to improve the cleaning procedure and the cleaning result are already on the market.

[0003] Said actual systems have different disadvantages. Appliances with pyrolysis functionality require additional components for the pyrolysis system, what leads to higher costs. Furthermore, high temperatures are needed for the cleaning process, what costs energy. Appliances with catalytic enamel require high burning temperatures of over 800°C during its manufacturing process. Further, the catalytic enamel has a brittle surface what may be problematic during assembly. Furthermore, over time the pores of the enamel get blocked and the cleaning effect worsens.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cavity, a cooking appliance comprising such a cavity and a method for manufacturing such a cavity, having improved properties, in particular with regard to cleaning behaviour, temperature resistance and/or surface hardness.

[0005] These and other problems are solved by the subject matter of the attached independent claims.

[0006] The first object of the present invention is achieved by a cavity according to claim 1. A cavity, in particular a cavity for a cooking appliance, in particular an oven cavity, is provided, wherein said cavity comprises at least one cavity wall defining a cooking chamber for cooking foodstuff and having an inner surface facing towards the cooking chamber. The cavity further comprises a central opening for placing foodstuff into the cooking chamber. Tthe inner surface is at least partially provided with a ceramic non-stick and/or non-wetting coating. According to the invention, the coating comprises at least a first layer, wherein the first layer is obtained by a sol-gel process from a first composition comprising a silica sol and a silane. Alternatively or additionally, according to the invention, the cavity further comprises a heat reflection shield system having at least one heat reflection shield to reduce the heat radiation produced by heating elements being arranged within the cavity against the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating.

[0007] In other words: The first layer, hereinafter also referred to as base layer, is composed of a matrix comprising the condensation reaction product of a silica sol and a silane. Obtained by a sol-gel process from a first composition has therefore to be understood in such a way, that the first layer is obtained by means of hydrolysis and (poly-)condensation of an aqueous mixture comprising at least a silica sol and a silane. Thus, the starting materials of the first composition, namely at least silica sol, silane and water if needed, are mixed together and stirred. The mixture obtained thereof is then applied to the inner surface of the cavity wall and dried to obtain the first layer. Such a coating having one layer is known for example from EP 2 177 580 B1.

[0008] The expression "non-stick" indicates a surface that resists adherence of food items, such as cheese, sauces, oils, fat or the like, what permits easy cleaning of the cavity. The expression "non-wetting" terms a surface that repels liquids, e.g. water. The property is evidenced by a large contact angle between a drop of water and the surface on which the drop rests, wherein a contact angle of at least 95 degree is desirable.

[0009] According to the present invention, however, the "inner surface" of a cavity wall is the surface directed to the heated or heatable cooking chamber defined by said cavity walls. Accordingly, an "outer surface" of a cavity wall is the surface facing away from said cooking chamber.

[0010] The cavity comprises cavity walls, which form a cooking chamber between them, into which foodstuff may be placed to be cooked or baked. For this purpose, the cooking chamber is defined by the cavity walls, usually comprising a left and a right side wall, a bottom wall and an upper wall, a rear wall and a front wall, whereby one of the cavity walls, usually the front wall comprises a central opening for placing the foodstuff into the cooking chamber. The central opening may be closed or opened, respectively, by a door. The person skilled in the art also knows other configurations of such cavity.

[0011] The cavity may comprise further components that are provided to be attached to the cavity walls, for example backing trays or grids. Even these further components may have a comparable structure to the cavity walls, thus at least one surface of such accessory components may be coated with a ceramic non-stick and/or non-wetting coating comprising at least a first layer, wherein the first layer is obtained by a sol-gel process from a first composition comprising a silica sol and silane.

[0012] The components of the cavity, thus the cavity walls and/or further accessory components, may be integrally formed or may comprise several parts that are provided to be joined together to form a shaped structure, such as the heatable oven cavity, its frontframe or any component thereof.

[0013] The idea of the present invention is to provide a cavity with an easy to clean effect whereby the contact angle of the surface shows more than 95 degrees. Applying a non-stick and non-wetting coating by a sol-gel process has the advantage that a burning process at high temperatures for applying a non-stick coating on the cavity walls is not required what saves energy. Besides a good cleaning behaviour, said coating shows good abrasion-resistant and a great surface hardness what leads to an increased lifetime.

[0014] Heating elements, e.g. tube heating elements or grill elements, can heat up the cavity inner surface up to 500°C. For the use of a non-stick and non-wetting coating, in particular a coating obtained by a sol-gel process being described herein, that is easy to clean, the maximum temperature needs to be below about 300 to 350°C. Therefore, it is also an idea of the invention to provide a heat reflection shield system in order to shield the heating elements against the critical areas of the cavity walls in order to reduce the heat radiation. This allows the use of known heating elements that are already used when cavity surfaces are coated with enamel that is temperature resistant up to 500°C. This has the advantage that an easy clean coated oven can be created without the need to change the whole oven concept or without the need to apply a completely new heating system. The cavity walls can be made of stainless steel or another material that is non-corrosive itself, for example aluminium or an aluminium alloy. The disadvantage of such cavity walls is, however, that they are expensive. Therefore, in particular, the at least one cavity wall is made of corrosive steel and is provided with an anticorrosive layer, in particular an enamel layer and/or an aluminium layer and/or a layer comprising aluminium, and the first layer is applied to said anticorrosive layer.

[0015] In other words: A cavity, more specific the cavity walls made of corrosive steel comprises or comprise an anticorrosive layer, hereinafter also referred to as corrosion protection layer, on its inner surface, and the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating is applied to an inner surface of said corrosion protection layer. This is due to the reason, that the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating itself does not protect the base material or substrate, thus the cavity walls, from corrosion. Therefore, an additional corrosion protection layer is advantageous if the cavity walls are made of any corrosive material so that the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating can also be used with base material or substrate that is corrosive itself.

[0016] Said enamel layer might be a so-called pyro or vitreous enamel that essentially consists of melted and fused glass powder. For applying said enamel layer to the cavity walls, high burning temperatures from about 820 to 840°C are needed.

[0017] Another kind of enamel layer might be made of an enamel having a low softening point between 450°C and 560°C, respectively a low glass transition temperature, a so-called "low-temperature enamel". The softening point is defined as a temperature, respectively a temperature range, at which the material, e.g. the enamel turns from its hard and relatively brittle state into a molten or rubber-like state when temperature is increased. Therefore said low-temperature enamel can be applied to the surface of the cavity walls at lower burning temperatures. Said enamel is for example an aluminium enamel that comprises aluminium oxide.

[0018] An example for corrosive steel that is commonly used is so-called low carbon steel, typically containing a small percentage of carbon, approximately about 0.05 to 0.30% carbon.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the ceramic non-stick and/or non-wetting coating comprises at least a second layer being applied to an inner surface of the first layer, wherein the second layer is obtained by a sol-gel process from a second composition comprising a silica sol, a silane and a siloxane, in particular a polydimethylsiloxane. Such a coating having at least a second layer is also known from EP 2 177 580 B1.

[0020] In other words: The second layer, hereinafter also referred to as top layer, is composed of a matrix comprising the condensation reaction product of a silica sol, a silane and a siloxane. Obtained by a sol-gel process from a second composition has therefore to be understood in such a way, that the second layer is obtained by means of hydrolysis and (poly-)condensation of an aqueous mixture comprising at least a silica sol, a silane and a siloxane. Thus, the starting materials of the second composition, namely at least silica sol, silane, siloxane and water if needed, are mixed together and stirred. The mixture obtained thereof is then applied to the inner surface of the first layer and dried to obtain the second layer.

[0021] Preferably, the silica sol is present in an amount of 15 to 70wt%, in particular in an amount of 30 to 70wt% and/or the silane is present in an amount of 2 to 70wt%, in particular in an amount of 10 to 40wt%, both in the first and the second composition or first and second layer.

[0022] In particular the silane in the first and the second composition or first and second layer is an organoalkoxysilane, in particular a methyltrimethyoxysilane and/or a fluoralkoxysilane.

[0023] The first and/or the second composition or the first and/or second layer may comprise a catalyst, in particular an acidic catalyst, more preferably an organic compound containing one or more carboxyl groups and/or a mineral acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or nitric acid. Different monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids like formic acid, acetic acid or oxalic acid may be mentioned here as an example for suitable catalysts.

[0024] It has been shown, that it is advantageous, if the catalyst is present in an amount of 0,1 to 2 wt%, both in the first and the second composition or first and second layer. The catalyst generally acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis and condensation reaction and prevents too slow crosslinking.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment, the first and/or the second composition or the first and/or second layer comprise or comprises a solvent, in particular an organic solvent. Examples for organic solvents are alcoholic solvents, for example methanol, ethanol or propanol.

[0026] In particular, the solvent is present in an amount of 10 to 60wt%, in particular in an amount of 10 to 40wt%.

[0027] Like the second composition or second layer, the first composition or first layer may also comprise a siloxane in a preferred embodiment. Said siloxane is in particular a polydimethylsiloxane.

[0028] An advantageous amount of siloxane in the first composition or first layer as well as in the second composition or second layer is between 0,1 to 2 wt%.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the first composition or first layer and/or the second composition or second layer comprise or comprises pigments and/or dyes and/or filling materials and/or further additives. In particular, temperature resistant anorganic pigments are favourable.

[0030] In addition, water is added to the first composition and/or the second composition, if needed.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the cavity comprises a heat reflection shield system, in particular at least one heat reflection shield and said heat reflection shield system, in particular said at least one heat reflection shield has a first part for protecting a cavity top wall and at least a second part for protecting a cavity side wall from heat radiation produced by heating elements being arranged within the cavity, wherein the first and the second part have in particular different dimensions. One part is protecting the cavity top wall and the other one is protecting the cavity side wall. An asymmetric geometry and shape results specifically in a protection that works downwards the cavity side wall.

[0032] The heat reflection shield system and, respectively, the heat reflection shield can be attached to an outside rod of the heating element or alternatively to all rods of the heating element. Another possibility is to attach a heat reflection shield as a whole plate on top of the heating element. A heat reflection shield may also extend between two or more heating elements to isolate them from each other.
In another preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the heat reflection shield system, in particular the at least one heat reflection shield is shiny with a high emissivity, in particular with an emissivity between 0.1 and 0.6. This has the advantage that the radiation is reflected back into the cavity.

[0033] Also preferred is that the heat reflection shield system, in particular the at least one heat reflection shield is made of a material being temperature-resistant and/or light and/or insulating so that it shows low self-radiation behaviour. Steel, aluminum alloy, stainless steel or other metallic materials will work as simple solutions also.

[0034] It is further advantageous if the heat reflection shield system, in particular the at least one heat reflection shield comprises two or more layers of different materials. Such a "sandwich solution" combines two or more layers, wherein an inner layer is the stiff carrying geometry, an outer layer is made of a light isolating material with low radiation.

[0035] The heat reflection shield system can be pressed out of one piece of metal or be but together out of straight profiles. The heat reflection shield can be fixed to the heating element or at the inner surface of the cavity.

[0036] The second object of the present invention is achieved by a cooking appliance according to claim 13.

[0037] Such a cooking appliance comprises a heatable cavity, heating elements for heating said cavity, and a door for closing the cavity, in particular for closing a central opening of the cavity, wherein the heatable cavity is a cavity according to the present invention.

[0038] For example, a cooking appliance and/or the cavity according to the present invention is a cooking and/or baking device for cooking and/or baking of foodstuff. Such cooking appliance, preferably a cooking and/or baking device, may particularly be a cooking appliance selected from the group comprising an oven, baking oven, microwave, steam-oven, and steam-cooker.

[0039] The third object of the present invention is achieved by a method for manufacturing a cavity according to claim 14.

[0040] Such a method for manufacturing a cavity, in particular an oven cavity of a cooking appliance, having a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating on an inner surface of at least one cavity wall of a cavity comprises at least the following steps:
Firstly, an anticorrosive layer, in particular an enamel layer and/or an aluminium layer and/or a layer comprising aluminium is applied to the inner surface of the at least one cavity wall. In case of an enamel layer, high burning temperatures of above 800°C are required for burning said layer to the cavity wall. For example, the cavity walls are coated with such an anticorrosive layer by spray-painting.

[0041] Before applying the anticorrosive layer to the cavity wall, the latter can be prepared, e.g. by cleaning and/or drying the inner surface of the cavity wall and/or activating the inner surface, preferably by roughening the surface for example by mecahnical treatment, laser treatment or chemical treatment of the inner surface of the cavity wall, in order to achieve better adhesion of the anticorrosive layer.

[0042] Secondly, the first layer of the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating is applied to a surface of the anticorrosive layer.

[0043] Even here, the surface of the anticorrosive layer can be prepared, e.g. cleaning and/or drying the inner surface of the anticorrosive layer, before applying the first layer to the anticorrosive layer.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, a heat reflection shield system having at least one heat reflection shield is attached to an inner surface of the cavity or to a heating element of the cooking appliance.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the second layer of the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating is applied to a surface of the first layer in a further step, so that a cavity comprising a coating comprising base layer and top layer is obtained.

[0046] In an embodiment, wherein the cavity comprises at least two cavity walls, the method for manufacturing a cavity can comprise an additional step, namely that the cavity is provided by joining together the at least to cavity walls, in particular by means of laser welding. Even further components of the cavity, such as its frontframe or housing parts that surround the cavity walls can be joined together to each other and/or to the cavity walls by laser welding.

[0047] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0048] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which
FIG 1
illustrates a schematic view of a cooking appliance including a cavity according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG 2
illustrates a cross-sectional view of a cavity wall in detail,
FIG 3
illustrates a schematic view of a part of a cavity of a cooking appliance comprising a heat reflection shield system according to a first embodiment of the invention,
FIG 4
illustrates a schematic view of a part of a cavity of a cooking appliance comprising a heat reflection shield system according to a second embodiment of the invention
FIG 5
illustrates a schematic view of a part of a cavity of a cooking appliance comprising a heat reflection shield system according to a third embodiment of the invention
FIG 6
illustrates a schematic view of a part of a cavity of a cooking appliance comprising a heat reflection shield system according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,
FIG 7
illustrates a schematic view of a part of a cavity of a cooking appliance comprising a heat reflection shield system according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.


[0049] FIG 1 illustrates a schematic view of a cooking appliance 2. Such cooking appliance 2 comprises a heatable cavity 4 according to the present invention. The cavity 4 comprises cavity walls which define a cooking chamber 6 into which foodstuff may be placed for cooking or baking. The cooking chamber 6 is defined by the cavity walls, usually comprising a left and a right side wall, 8a and 8b, respectively, a bottom wall 8c and an upper wall 8d and a rear wall and a front wall, which are not shown in Fig. 1. One of the cavity walls, usually the front wall comprises a central opening for placing the foodstuff into the cooking chamber 6. The central opening may be closed or opened by a door that may be a part of the front wall. The cooking appliance 2 usually further comprises also heating elements (not shown in FIG 1) for heating the cooking chamber 6 and therefore heating food that has been placed therein to be cooked. Such heating elements may be disposed at one of the cavity walls.

[0050] The cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are exemplary made of corrosive steel, actually a low carbon steel. In order to prevent the cavity 4 from corrosion, the cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are provided with an anticorrosive layer 12, in the present case an enamel layer that has burned to the cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d at temperature of 820°C.

[0051] The cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d are further provided with a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating 16 comprising a first layer 18 as a base layer and a second layer 22 as a top layer. The first layer 18 is applied to a surface 14 of the anticorrosive layer 12. A cross-sectional view of a cavity wall 8a is exemplary shown in detail in FIG 2.

[0052] Both, the first layer 18 and the second layer 22 are obtained by a sol-gel process. For production of the first layer 16, a colloidal silica sol, which is pure SiO2, an organoalkoxysilane, which is an organic-inorganic hybrid material and presently methyltrimethyoxysilane, and an acid catalyst, presently acetic acid are mixed and stirred for about 2 hours at room temperature in order to effect a condensation reaction. The weight proportion of organoalkoxysilane is about 10 to 40wt%, silica sol is present in an amount of 30 to 70wt%. Adding acetic acid in an amount of 0,1 to 2 wt% is sufficient for accelerating the condensation reaction.

[0053] Then, a solvent, presently propanol, is added in an amount of 10 to 40wt%. Pigments are added and further additives can be additionally added at this step.

[0054] For production of the second layer 22, colloidal silica sol, siloxane and a solvent, even here propanol, are mixed. Organoalkoxysilane and an acid catalyst, presently acetic acid are then added. Even said mixture is mixed and stirred for about 2 hours at room temperature. The weight proportion of organoalkoxysilane is about 10 to 40wt%, silica sol is present in an amount of 30 to 70wt%, acetic acid is present in an amount of 0,1 to 2wt%. Siloxane, presently polydimethylsiloxane, is added in an amount of 0,1 to 2 wt%.

[0055] Then, a solvent, presently even here propanol, is added in an amount of 10 to 40wt%. Pigments are added and further additives can be additionally added at this step.

[0056] For manufacturing a cavity 4 having a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating 16 on an inner surface 10 of the cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, the anticorrosive layer, presently an enamel layer is applied to the inner surface 10 of the cavity walls 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d in a first step.

[0057] In a second step, the first layer 18 is applied to the surface 14 of the anticorrosive layer 12. In a third step, the second layer 22 is applied to the surface 20 of the first layer 18. The first layer 16 as well as the second layer 22 are sprayed on the surface 14 of the anticorrosive layer 12 or the surface 20 of the first layer 16 and dried. The first layer 16 is preferably at least still wet during the second layer 22 is applied.

[0058] The present invention, thus a cavity having a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating and a cooking appliance having such a cavity shows an improved cleaning behaviour. The cavity or the coating respectively is abrasion-resistant and shows a greater surface hardness what leads to an increased lifetime. Furthermore the coating has shown a good adhesion on the cavity wall, in particular on the surface of the anticorrosive layer. As the coating is produced by a sol-gel process, a (second) burning step at high temperatures is not necessary.

[0059] The cavity 4 further comprises a heat reflection shield system 26 having at least one heat reflection shield 28 to reduce the heat radiation produced by heating elements 30 being arranged within the cavity 4 against the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating 16.Each of the FIG 3 to 7 shows a part of the cavity 4 with different embodiments of such a heat reflection shield system 26.

[0060] According to FIG 3, the cavity 4 comprises a heat reflection shield system 26 with one heat reflection shield 28 that is applied to an outside rod of the heating element 30. The heat reflection shield 28 has a first part 32a for protecting a cavity top wall 8d and a second part 32b for protecting a cavity side wall 8a. The first and the second part 32a, 32b have different dimensions, the second part 32b that extends downwards the cavity side wall has larger extension than the first part 32a. The heat reflection shield (28) is made of a material being temperature-resistant, light and insulating.

[0061] FIG 4 shows a cavity 4 having a heat reflection shield system 26 with exemplary two heat reflection shields 28 each being applied to a heating rod of the heating element 30. A heat reflection shield 28 can be applied to all rods of the heating element 30. The heat reflection shield (28) is made of a material being temperature-resistant, light and insulating.

[0062] FIG 5 shows an alternative embodiment, wherein a whole plate 28 is applied on top of the heating element 30 as a whole heat reflection shield 28. The heat reflection shield 28 according to FIG 4 and FIG 5 have the same functional geometry. The heat reflection shield 28 is made of a material being temperature-resistant, light and insulating.

[0063] FIG 6 shows an embodiment wherein the heat reflection shield 28 comprises two layers 36a, 36b made of different materials. The inner layer 36b is the stiff carrying geometry, the outer layer 36a is the light isolating material with low radiation.

[0064] FIG 7 shows an embodiment wherein the heat reflection shield 28 has such a shape that two rods of the heating element 30 are isolated from each other by said heat reflection shield 28.

[0065] All of the above heat reflection shields 28 have an inner surface 34 that is shiny with an emissivity between 0.1 and 0.6.

[0066] 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



[0067] 
2
cooking appliance
4
cavity
6
cooking chamber
8a, b, c, d
cavity wall
10
surface of the cavity wall
12
anticorrosive layer
14
surface of the anticorrosive layer
16
coating
18
first layer
20
surface of the first layer
22
second layer
24
surface of the second layer
26
heat reflection shield system
28
heat reflection shield
30
heating element
32a, 32b
first, second part of the heat reflection shield
34
inner surface of the heat reflection shield system
36a, 36b
layers of the heat reflection shield



Claims

1. A cavity (4), in particular a cavity (4) for a cooking appliance (2), in particular an oven cavity (4), comprising

- at least one cavity wall (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) defining a cooking chamber (6) for cooking foodstuff and having an inner surface (10) facing towards the cooking chamber (6),

- a central opening for placing foodstuff into the cooking chamber (6),

- a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) being applied to the inner surface (10) at least partially,

characterised in that

- the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) comprises at least a first layer (18), wherein the first layer (18) is obtained by a sol-gel process from a first composition comprising a silica sol and a silane, and/or that

- the cavity (4) further comprises a heat reflection shield system (26) having at least one heat reflection shield (28) to reduce the heat radiation produced by heating elements (30) being arranged within the cavity (4) against the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16).


 
2. The cavity (4) according to claim 1,
characterised in that
the at least one cavity wall (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is made of corrosive steel and is provided with an anticorrosive layer (12), in particular an enamel layer and/or an aluminium layer and/or a layer comprising aluminium, wherein the first layer (16) is applied to said anticorrosive layer (12).
 
3. The cavity (4) according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that
the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) comprises at least a second layer (22) being applied to the first layer (18), wherein the second layer (22) is obtained by a sol-gel process from a second composition comprising a silica sol, a silane and a siloxane.
 
4. The cavity (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the silica sol is present in an amount of 15 to 70 wt%, in particular in an amount of 30 to 70 wt% and/or the silane is present in an amount of 2 to 70 wt%, in particular in an amount of 10 to 40 wt%.
 
5. The cavity (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the silane is an organoalkoxysilane, in particular a methyltrimethyoxysilane and/or a fluoralkoxysilane.
 
6. The cavity (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the first composition and/or the second composition comprise or comprises a solvent, in particular an organic solvent.
 
7. The cavity (4) according to claim 6,
characterised in that
the solvent is present in an amount of 10 to 60wt%, in particular in an amount of 10 to 40 wt%.
 
8. The cavity (4) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the first composition comprises a siloxane, in particular a polydimethylsiloxane.
 
9. The cavity (4) according to claims 3 to 8,
characterised in that
the siloxane is present in an amount of 0,1 to 2wt%.
 
10. The cavity (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the of the first composition and/or the second composition comprise or comprises pigments and/or dyes and/or filling materials and/or further additives.
 
11. The cavity (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
the heat reflection shield system (26), in particular the at least one heat reflection shield (28) has a first part (32a) for protecting a cavity top wall (8d) and at least a second part (32b) for protecting a cavity side wall (8a), wherein the first and the second part (32a, 32b) have in particular different dimensions.
 
12. The cavity (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that
an inner surface (34) of the heat reflection shield system (26), in particular the at least one heat reflection shield (28) is shiny with a high emissivity, in particular with an emissivity between 0.1 and 0.6, and/or that the heat reflection shield system (26), in particular the at least one heat reflection shield (28) is made of a material being temperature-resistant and/or light and/or insulating and/or that the heat reflection shield system (26), in particular the at least one heat reflection shield (28) comprises two or more layers (36a, 36b) of different materials.
 
13. A cooking appliance (2), in particular a domestic oven comprising

- a heatable cavity (4),

- heating elements (30) for heating said cavity (4), and

- a door for closing the cavity (4), in particular for closing a central opening of the cavity (4),

characterised in that
the heatable cavity (4) is a cavity (4) according to any one of the claims 1 to 12.
 
14. A method for manufacturing a cavity (4), in particular a cavity (4) of a cooking appliance (2), having a non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) on an inner surface (10) of at least one cavity wall (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) of the cavity (4) comprising at least the following steps:

- applying an anticorrosive layer (12), in particular an enamel layer and/or an aluminium layer and/or a layer comprising aluminium to the inner surface (10) of the at least one cavity wall (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d),

- applying a first layer (18) of the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) to a surface (14) of the anticorrosive layer (12) and/or attaching a heat reflection shield system (26) having at least one heat reflection shield (28) to an inner surface (10) of the cavity (4) or to a heating element (30) of the cooking appliance (2).


 
15. A method for manufacturing a cavity (4) according to claim 14, wherein a second layer (22) of the non-stick and/or non-wetting coating (16) is applied to a surface (20) of the first layer (18).
 




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Cited references

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description