[0001] The present invention relates to a household cooking top according to the preamble
of claim 1.
[0002] The present invention typically applies to household cooking tops of the type comprising
a plurality of burners, in particular gas burners, for cooking foods placed in cooking
containers.
[0003] Cooking tops of this type are known and widespread, in different forms, in every
household kitchen.
[0004] In some cases, such cooking tops are separate units; in other cases, such cooking
tops are add-on components adapted to be flush-mounted in standard-size apertures
or recesses obtained in the worktop of a sectional kitchen; or, in other cases, such
cooking tops are the upper portion of a household appliance comprising an oven suitable
for cooking foods.
[0005] Household cooking tops are generally equipped with a first surface that houses a
plurality of cooking points.
[0006] In particular, with each cooking point at least one heating element is associated,
e.g. a gas burner.
[0007] Generally, the heating element is associated with an adjuster element adapted to
be operated by a user for turning on and/or off the burner, as well as for adjusting
the heat generated by said burner, said adjuster element allowing the user to adjust
the gas flow and hence the heat generated by combustion.
[0008] The cooking containers, e.g. pots and pans, containing the foods to be cooked, are
placed over said cooking points.
[0009] Said first surface of the cooking top can become dirty. For instance, splashes of
oil or other dressings may foul the first surface as foods are being cooked.
[0010] This implies that the cooking top, in particular said first surface thereof, needs
to be cleaned; it is also appropriate to do such cleaning quite often, so as to prevent
said first surface from getting encrusted with food and/or dressing residues, thus
becoming more difficult to clean.
[0011] It is clear that this requires much user's work and time, and that such cleaning
involves additional costs for purchasing suitable cleaning products.
[0012] Furthermore, the first surface of the cooking top may be subject to accidental and
unpleasant scratches, e.g. due to rubbing with inadequate cleaning products (such
as insufficiently soft sponges).
[0013] Document
WO02/05596A1 discloses a household cooking top comprising a first surface which houses a cooking
point, at least one heating element, a liner adapted to protect a first surface, wherein
the liner is made of a silicone-based material and comprises an aperture and a ring.
[0014] Document
EP2258990 to the present Applicant relates to a cooking top comprising a first surface which
houses a plurality of cooking points and a liner which is adapted to protect at least
one portion of said first surface. In particular, said liner comprises a plurality
of sheets stacked one on top of the other and reciprocally separable; hence, the user
can remove the uppermost sheet when it has become dirty, so as to uncover a clean
sheet which previously was at least partly covered by the uppermost sheet just removed.
While it appropriately solves the problem of keeping the first surface of the cooking
top clean, the cooking top of
EP2258990 still has a few drawbacks.
[0015] In particular, a first drawback of the above-described solution is that the plurality
of sheets stacked one on top of the other creates an excessively thick layer on the
first surface of the cooking top and interferes with the proper operation thereof.
[0016] A further drawback of such a solution is that, in order to hold the sheets of said
plurality of sheets stacked one on top of the other, adhesive materials are used which
lose their effectiveness when placed near the heat irradiated from each cooking point
of the cooking top.
[0017] In this frame, it is the main object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned
drawbacks by providing a cooking top designed in a manner such that it can be easily
kept clean and the user is not required to lose much time and energy.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a cooking top which is designed
in a manner such that any additional costs for purchasing cleaning products are avoided.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooking top which is
so designed as to avoid any accidental and unpleasant scratches.
[0019] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cooking top which
is so designed as to ensure proper operation without being affected by the heat irradiated
from each cooking point of the cooking top.
[0020] Said objects are achieved by the present invention through a household cooking top
incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended to be
an integral part of the present description.
[0021] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied
by way of non-limiting example, wherein:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a household cooking top according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the cooking top of Fig. 1.
[0022] Said description and said drawings are to be considered as non-limiting examples.
Referring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 reference numeral 1 designates as a whole
a household cooking top according to the present invention:
Said cooking top 1 comprises a first surface 10, which houses at least one cooking
point 20 (said at least one cooking point 20 being visible in particular in Fig. 2).
[0023] It is apparent that said first surface 10 is that surface which is substantially
facing upwards once the cooking top 1 has been installed.
[0024] The cooking top 1 comprises at least one heating element 30 associated with said
at least one cooking point 20. Preferably, said at least one heating element 30 consists
of a gas burner; it is however clear that, in accordance with the present invention,
a different type of heating element 30 may also be used, such as, for example, a radiating
plate or an inductor. The first surface 10 may be made of metal or glass-ceramic,
or a material derived from glass and/or ceramic.
[0025] In addition, the cooking top 1 comprises a liner 40 adapted to protect at least one
portion of said first surface 10.
[0026] In accordance with the present invention, said liner 40 is made of a silicone-based
material.
[0027] Preferably, said silicone-based material is the material known under the brand name
SILOPREN LSR2660.
[0028] In a further preferred embodiment, the silicone-based material of the liner 40 is
reinforced with glass fibre.
[0029] In particular, the thickness of the liner 40 according to the present invention is
between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.
[0030] The particular realization of the liner 40 allows to provide adequate protection
of the first surface 10 of the cooking top 1 without having to use an excessively
thick liner 40 interfering with the proper operation of the cooking top 1.
[0031] Also, the particular realization of the liner 40 according to the present invention
allows to avoid the use of adhesive materials, which may lose effectiveness when placed
near the heat generated by the heating element 30.
[0032] The particular realization of the liner 40 also allows to obtain an element that
can be easily washed (either manually or in a dishwasher) and reused, so that the
first surface 10 and the whole cooking top 1 can be kept in optimal hygienic conditions.
[0033] Preferably, the liner 40 comprises at least one first aperture 41 adapted to allow
a heating element 30 to pass through; the shape of said first aperture 41 may possibly
be such as to also allow the passage of any accessories of the heating elements 30,
such as, for example, a thermocouple and/or a spark plug (not shown in the annexed
drawings). In addition, in a preferred embodiment the liner 40 comprises at least
one ring 50 associated with said at least one first aperture 41; said ring 50 allows
protecting the surface of the liner 40 which is closest to the heating element 30,
i.e. the one which is exposed most to the heat coming from the heating element 30.
[0034] Preferably, said at least one ring 50 is made of a metallic material, in particular
steel or aluminium, or in a polymeric material characterized by high heat resistance;
moreover, said at least one ring 50 may be associated with the liner 40 in different
ways, e.g. by overmoulding or glueing or through mechanical fasteners. As an alternative,
said ring 50 may also be simply laid onto the liner 40, which in such a case will
be fitted with suitable reference means (not shown) for properly positioning the ring
50.
[0035] Said at least one ring 50 may also be so designed as to have a flat section, or else
a dished or bent section, e.g. a U section; in particular, said dished or bent section
makes it easier to insert therein a sticky material in order to associate the ring
50 with the liner 40.
[0036] As can be seen in the annexed drawings, the cooking top 1 may further comprise at
least one adjuster element 31 adapted to be operated by a user for turning on and/or
off and/or for adjusting said at least one heating element 30.
[0037] The annexed drawings show a plurality of cooking points 20 associated with a plurality
of heating elements 30, which in turn are associated with a plurality of adjuster
elements 31.
[0038] If said at least one adjuster element 31 is positioned on the first surface 10 of
the cooking top 1, the liner 40 can be so designed as to:
- include a recess 40R that leaves uncovered that portion of the cooking top 1 where
said at least one adjuster element 31 is located (as shown in Fig. 2), or
- include at least one second aperture (not shown in the drawings) adapted to allow
said at least one adjuster element 31 to pass through. Alternatively, said second
aperture may allow the passage of a control interface (not shown in the drawings)
or of an additional component of the cooking top 1.
[0039] The cooking top 1 further comprises at least one grate 60 adapted to support a cooking
vessel (not shown in the drawings) above said at least one cooking point 20 and said
at least one heating element 30.
[0040] The grate 60 may be unnecessary if the rings 50 have adequate height and shape to
be able to support the cooking vessels.
[0041] It is apparent from the above that the liner 40 is installed on the cooking point
1 in the following steps:
- a) clearing at least one portion of a first surface 10 of the cooking point 1, said
first surface 10 being adapted to house at least one cooking point 20;
- b) positioning the liner 40 on said at least one portion of the first surface 10,
in particular by inserting at least one heating element 30 into at least one first
aperture 41 of the liner 40.
[0042] It is clear that said step b) of positioning the liner 40 on said at least one portion
of the first surface 10 may also be carried out by inserting at least one adjuster
element 31 into at least one second aperture 42 of the liner 40.
[0043] Furthermore, said step b) of positioning the liner 40 on said at least one portion
of the first surface 10 may be followed by a step c) of associating at least one grate
60 with the cooking top 1, in particular by positioning said grate 60 at least partially
on said liner 40, said at least one grate 60 being adapted to support a cooking vessel
(not shown in the drawings) above said at least one cooking point 20 and said at least
one heating element 30.
[0044] In addition, step a) of clearing at least one portion of a first surface 10 of the
cooking top 1 may be carried out by removing said at least one grate 60 and possibly
also at least one heating element 30 from said at least one cooking point 20, in particular
if said heating element 30 cannot pass through said first apertures 41.
[0045] The features and advantages of the cooking top 1 and of the liner 40 thereof according
to the present invention are apparent from the above description.
[0046] In particular, this design of the cooking top 1 and of the liner 40 allows to ensure
adequate protection of the first surface 10 of said cooking top 1 without having to
use an excessively thick liner 40 that interferes with the proper operation of the
cooking top 1.
[0047] Also, the particular realization of the cooking top 1 and of the liner 40 according
to the present invention allows to avoid the use of adhesive materials, which may
lose effectiveness when placed near the heat generated by the heating element 30.
[0048] The particular realization of the cooking top 1 and of the liner 40 also allows to
obtain an element that can be easily washed (either manually or in a dishwasher) and
reused, so that the first surface 10 and the whole cooking top 1 can be kept in optimal
hygienic conditions.
[0049] The presence of a ring 50 associated with said at least one first aperture 41 of
the liner 40 allows to protect the surface of said liner 40 which is exposed most
to the heat coming from the heating element 30.
[0050] The cooking top and the liner described herein by way of example may be subject to
many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive
idea; it is also clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the illustrated
details may have different shapes or be replaced with other technically equivalent
elements.
[0051] It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to
the above-described cooking top and liner, but may be subject to many modifications,
improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from
the inventive idea, as clearly specified in the following claims.
1. A household cooking top (1), of the type comprising:
- a first surface (10) which houses at least one cooking point (20);
- at least one heating element (30) associated with said at least one cooking point
(20);
- at least one adjuster element (31) adapted to be operated by a user for turning
on and/or off and/or for adjusting said at least one heating element (30);
- a liner (40) made of a silicone-based material and adapted to protect at least one
portion of said first surface (10),
characterized in that
said at least one adjuster element (31) is located on the first surface (10) of the
cooking top (1), and said liner (40) is so realized as to include a recess (40R) that
leaves uncovered that portion of the cooking top (1) where said at least one adjuster
element (31) is located.
2. A cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one adjuster element (31) is located on the first surface (10) of the
cooking top (1), and said liner (40) is so realized as to include at least one second
aperture adapted to allow said at least one adjuster element (31) and/or a control
interface and/or an additional component of the cooking top (1) to pass through.
3. A cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the silicone-based material of the liner (40) is reinforced with glass fibre.
4. A cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of said liner (40) is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5
mm and 1 mm.
5. A cooking top (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said liner (40) comprises at least one first aperture (41) adapted to allow one heating
element (30) to pass through.
6. A cooking top (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the shape of said first aperture (41) is such as to allow accessories of the heating
element (30) to pass through.
7. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said liner (40) comprises at least one ring (50) associated with said at least one
first aperture (41).
8. A cooking top (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said at least one ring (50) is made of a metallic material, in particular steel or
aluminium, or of a polymeric material characterized by high heat resistance.
9. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that said at least one ring (50) is so realized as to have a flat section.
10. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that said at least one ring (50) is so designed as to have a dished or bent section.
11. A household cooking top (1), of the type comprising:
- a first surface (10) which houses at least one cooking point (20);
- at least one heating element (30) associated with said at least one cooking point
(20);
- a liner (40) made of a silicone-based material and adapted to protect at least one
portion of said first surface (10), said liner (40) comprising at least one first
aperture (41) adapted to allow one heating element (30) to pass through, wherein said
liner (40) comprises at least one ring (50) associated with said at least one first
aperture (41), said ring (50) allowing to protect the surface of the liner (40) which
is closest to the heating element (30)
characterized in that
said at least one ring (50) has a height and a shape which are adapted to support
a cooking vessel.
12. A cooking top (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that said at least one ring (50) is made of a metallic material, in particular steel or
aluminium, or of a polymeric material characterized by high heat resistance.
13. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the silicone-based material of the liner (40) is reinforced with glass fibre.
14. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims from 11 to 13, characterized in that the thickness of said liner (40) is between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5
mm and 1 mm.
15. A cooking top (1) according to one or more of claims from 11 to 13, characterized in that the shape of said first aperture (41) is such as to allow accessories of the heating
element (30) to pass through.