EP1232364B1 - Cooking plate - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a cooking plate intended to equip a cooking appliance such as a hob having at least one burner gas. According to the invention, the cooking plate is made of glass-ceramic or in another material resistant to high temperature and having a low coefficient of expansion.

In order to simplify the presentation, the invention will be described in reference to vitroceramic plates. Such a presentation of the invention should in no way lead to an interpretation of the invention limited to that material.

It is known from the state of the art of the hobs or gas stoves that include gas burners, the top plate being made of glass ceramic.

Such gas burners are usually arranged in a usually metal structure called "caisson" and covered by a vitroceramic plate equipped with a frame that closes the structure.

The design of these cooking appliances was intended to replace more traditional cooking appliances, usually made of sheet metal enameled on which are positioned the gas burners and a grate metallic covering them.

This substitution has brought a new aesthetic of this type of cooking apparatus. In addition, the use of a ceramic hob allows to facilitate cleaning.

It is thus known, for example, from EP-A 879 797 a device for mounting of gas burners in holes provided in a ceramic hob forming the upper part of a cooking appliance. US-A-3830216 and US-A-5549100 also disclose other gas in combination with a ceramic hob.

DE-U 298 05 620 discloses such a cooking appliance and more particularly mounting means for fixing the gas burners to the ceramic hob with joints to make the connection between the ceramic hob and gas burner.

WO97 / 00407 still describes such a cooking appliance in which gas burners are surrounded by elements to support utensils of cooking used for cooking food.

FR-B-2,735,562 discloses cooking appliances having a ceramic hob providing support for gas burners and allowing also to ensure the support function of the cooking utensils.

It is still known to make such cooking appliances according to which the cooking utensils are supported by the upper part of the gas burner.

These different types of embodiment of cooking apparatus comprising gas burners associated with a ceramic hob that forms the part main principle of the cooking apparatus have in common an ease of cleaning the upper surface, the latter being formed of a plate ceramic. The only areas of the cooking appliance that remain difficult maintenance for the user are areas with gas burners; in Indeed, these must be at least partially dismantled and reassembled for be cleaned satisfactorily.

The inventors have set themselves the task of offering the possibility of provide a cooking appliance having at least one gas burner and whose upper part is formed of a hob, such as a plate vitroceramic, for which the cleaning is made even simpler than this that do not allow currently known products.

This object has been achieved, according to the invention, by a cooking plate, such as a ceramic hob, intended to equip a cooking appliance comprising at least one gas burner, said glass-ceramic plate comprising a zone intended to cover the gas burner and said zone comprising lateral part of the orifices, provided in particular for forming an air intake towards the gas burner and to allow the exit of the flames.

According to the invention, the gas burner is completely masked by the plate of cooking and therefore invisible to the user; such a simplified design doubling the cleaning of the cooking appliance. Indeed, first of all, the gas burner that is masked is protected from soiling and therefore less subject to fouling. In addition, when the user cleans the apparent part of the cooking appliance, it must simply perform the cleaning of the plate of cooking, which significantly simplifies the operation compared to the cleaning of cooking appliances currently available.

In addition, such a design of the cooking appliance confers an appearance a new aesthetic that is in line with developments in recent years, know a smooth appearance and the least possible apparent functional elements. In Indeed, the cooking appliance comprising a gas burner only allows the appearance of ports which are, as said before, provided on the one hand to allow an air supply to the burner and secondly, to allow the formation and the flames exit at the top surface of the hob so as to come to heat the cooking utensils.

Advantageously according to the invention, the orifices are holes and / or slots. Such openings may be made according to known techniques of those skilled in the art, such as in particular laser cutting techniques or water jet cutting. According to different types of design, the orifices can act simultaneously as an air supply and as an outlet for flames, or be divided into two categories, the first forming the entrance of air and the second the exit of the flames.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hob is suitable to bear directly, that is to say without intermediate elements, cooking utensils or containers above the gas burner.

A first variant of the invention provides that the area covering the gas burner is able to contribute to the support of cooking utensils. According to this variant, this zone covering the gas burner may comprise at least an elevated part on which at least a part of cooking.

A second variant provides for the hob to have bosses distributed around the periphery of the area covering the gas burner. Of this way, cooking utensils can rest on these bosses which for a good stability of the cooking utensils are preferably at least in number three.

According to a third variant embodiment, the invention provides a combination of the first two variants, namely that the area covering the gas burner is intended to support cooking utensils in combination with bosses distributed at its periphery.

A first conception of the invention consists in producing the plate of cooking in at least two distinct elements, a first element essentially plane and having at least one opening, in which will be housed the gas burner, and a second member for closing said opening and forming at least a portion of the area covering the gas burner. The second element can have the shape of a hat whose geometry remains arbitrary and chosen in particular from an aesthetic point of view; the general form of this element can for example be circular, parallelepipedic, star-shaped, etc ... This hat can be formed from a substantially higher part flat and elevated in relation to the plane of the first element, at least contribute to the support of cooking utensils, and side walls vertical or slightly inclined. The top of the hat that can contribute to the support of cooking utensils can either be smooth or present a relief allowing for example to avoid slippage.

Preferably, the orifices are formed in the second element which can have the shape of a hat and more particularly in the side walls of it.

This assembly formed by the two elements constituting the cooking plate must have a good seal at the junction of the two elements so that the water, for example used to clean the apparent surface of the cooking plate, does not penetrate not inside. On the other hand, from a hygienic point of view, such a plate used for the preparation of food, it is necessary to avoid any risk of fouling not to see appearing germ developments. It is thus advantageously provided to perform the assembly of the two elements by means of a seal, for example to produce silicone, deposited on the first substantially planar element, the second element coming into contact with this seal which is crushed by the weight of said second element, sealing being thus achieved. In addition, the fixing of one element relative to the other can be advantageously simply obtained by the weight of the second element and an indexing thereof with respect to the first element. It is thus possible to form a barrier especially to water and the fixing being simple, it is possible at any time to separate the two elements for a more intense cleaning and in particular to prevent the formation of germ at the seal
According to a second preferred design of the invention, the cooking plate is essentially flat and has at least one deformed zone which has orifices and which covers the gas burner. More preferably, the deformed zone represents, with respect to the main plane of the plate, at least one hump and / or hollow. This deformation of the plate advantageously comprises a substantially flat portion and raised relative to the main plane of the plate. Advantageously, it comprises substantially vertical or inclined lateral walls on which the orifices are formed.

• Figure 1, une vue schématique en perspective d'une plaque vitrocéramique réalisée selon l'invention,
• Figure 2, une vue agrandie d'une partie de la figure 1.

Like the second element in the case of the embodiment in two elements, the deformed zone can have a general form independent of its function and which can be chosen arbitrarily. The upper part which can be advantageously flat and contribute at least in part to the support of cooking utensils can be smooth or have a relief.
This embodiment of the invention in a single element having at least one deformed zone can be carried out according to the teaching of document FR-B-2,735,562.
Whatever the realization of the cooking plate according to the invention, it appears that said cooking plate, associated with a gas burner, leaves only appearing orifices. Indeed, according to the invention there is no burner emerging through the plate and possibly supported by it, the burner being fully set up under the cooking plate. A gas burner more particularly adapted to this design is a burner with high primary aeration rate.
The inventors have also planned to simplify the gas burner by using the zone that covers it to form a part of the combustion chamber thereof. Indeed, for example the deformed zone of the cooking plate can constitute the upper part of the combustion chamber. It is also possible according to another advantageous embodiment that this deformed zone also replaces the part of the burner which has orifices where the flames are formed, said deformed zone being able, according to certain embodiments of the invention, itself to comprise orifices provided for the passage of the flames.
According to other embodiments, the inventors still plan to associate with this design electric heating elements such as radiant elements placed in place interposed between the gas burner and the cooking plate. According to such embodiments the electric heating element can be fixed for example on the upper part of the combustion chamber of the gas burner. This type of embodiment may make it possible to substitute electric heating for gas heating for example in order to simmer a dish.
The invention also provides for cooking plates intended to equip mixed cooking appliances, that is to say possibly comprising gas cooking locations, associated with radiant, halogen and / or electric cooking cooking locations. induction. For this type of hob, the inventors advantageously provide to realize all the areas intended to cover a cooking site in the same way, that is to say in accordance with what has just been described, to offer a device cooking with a homogeneous appearance.
Other details and advantageous features of the invention will emerge below from the description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 which represent:

• FIG. 1, a schematic perspective view of a glass-ceramic plate produced according to the invention,
• Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 1.

The figures are not shown in scale to facilitate comprehension.

FIG. 1 represents a glass ceramic plate 1 made in one piece unique and planned to constitute four gas fireplaces at the level of the four locations 2 which are in relief on the plate. The plaque ceramic glass 1 also has four holes 3 which are provided for the passage of the axes of the controls of the gas burners. The presence of holes 3 and their location should not lead to a limiting interpretation of the invention; indeed they may not be present, for example when controls are installed regardless of the plate or when it comes to sensory commands, and when present their distribution can be different.

The four locations 2 are made according to the technique taught by FR-B-2,735,562 which describes a method for producing bosses by deformation forming an integral part of the vitroceramic plate.

It therefore appears that according to the invention, the glass-ceramic plate is completely cover the gas burners, which are set up in a box or support frame not shown in the figures, to form an apparatus for cooking. According to variants of the invention and as explained above, It is possible to associate with this type of ceramic hob gas burners whose manufacture is simplified or at least reduced; indeed, it is possible to provide a deformed part 2 of the glass-ceramic plate constitutes at least the upper part of the combustion chamber of the burner gas.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the deformations 2 carried out also serve to support cooking utensils such as pans. Diameters that can contribute to the support are provided with varying diameters from one location 2 to another as it exists on more traditional cooking appliances; indeed, the diameters of the elements of support or more precisely the diameters of the gas burners are usually provided with variable dimensions on the same device cooking to be suitable for cooking utensils or pans of different dimensions. Thus the upper surfaces 4 of the deformations 2 intended to cover gas burners, were made flat to offer a stable support for utensils such as pans. According to others achievements, the surface of a deformation can itself present a relief more or less pronounced to be a roughness and prevent all slip, or to constitute point supports between which the air or the flue gas can circulate under the bottom of the cookware.

Better represented in FIG. 2, which is an enlarged view of zone A of FIG. 1, the deformations 2 according to this embodiment of the invention are consisting of an upper part 4 and a lateral part 5 which forms a plane inclined. This inclined plane further comprises slots 6 distributed over the periphery of the deformation 2. These slots 6 are made after the deformation of the plate by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as water jet cutting or laser cutting. The invention also provides according to other embodiments of making the orifices or slots 6 before the deformation of the plate. These slots 6 are provided on the one hand to form the outlets from the flames and secondly to allow an air intake to level of the gas burner. These slots 6, with regard to the exit of the flames, superimpose or substitute, especially when the ceramic hob constitutes the upper part of the combustion chamber at the outlets of the burner flames; indeed, at least in appearance the flames, for a outside observer and in particular the user, are born from these slots. This new design of a cooking appliance with gas burners offers therefore really a new aspect and this also when using the burners since the flames seem to take shape on the plate ceramic.

According to other embodiments, it is possible to separate the functions air supply to the burner and exit flames, for example by forming two levels of orifices on the periphery of the deformation 2. For example, it is possible to provide a lower level consisting of slots for the air supply and a higher level letting out the flames consisting of holes distributed also on the whole periphery.

It is still possible according to the invention to provide that all of these orifices 6 formed on the lateral parts 5 of the deformations 2 have a internal form, not shown in the figures, for example provided on the area lower 7 which forms a barrier against the penetration of liquid to the gas burner. Such an internal shape may be a simple inclined plane or a more complex shape defined in particular by the shape of the orifices 6 of their positions and the inclination of the side wall 5. This internal form of orifices 6 can be obtained directly during the cutting of the orifices 6 or by subsequent shaping.

Such an embodiment of the glass-ceramic plate 1 according to the invention therefore a surface made of a single material and according to this embodiment of a unique element, which in addition to its innovative appearance for cooking appliances with gas burners, will simplify very advantageously the maintenance of such a device, compared to the products that exist today.

Regarding the maintenance or repair of gas burners, and more usually all the elements under the ceramic hob when the cooking appliance is produced, the inventors have advantageously provided an assembly with the box which allows easy access to the burners; a Such an assembly provides, for example, a device of the hinge type which allows the complete lifting of the ceramic hob 1 without dissociating it totally of the box and therefore without any problem of putting back in place or repositioning. Such a device is naturally accompanied by seals adapted over the entire periphery to ensure watertightness when the ceramic hob 1 is in operating position.

The vitroceramic plate 1 shown in the figures must not lead a limiting interpretation of the invention; indeed, the invention is aimed at types of ceramic hob for covering at least one gas burner. Such a plate may therefore comprise a single location 2 or more in function of the cooking appliance to be achieved, the realization with four locations being just one example. In addition, the ceramic hob can also be intended to cover, in addition to one or more gas burners, other types of cooking elements such as radiant electric elements, halogen and / or induction.

The inventors have also considered keeping such a plate vitroceramic 1, that is to say having four deformed locations 2 when for example two gas burners are associated with two heating elements electric radiant, halogen and / or induction, possibly without forming the holes above the electrical elements. Such an embodiment makes it possible maintain a homogeneous general appearance of the ceramic hob. It is It is also possible to make such deformations 2 only over gas burners and to keep a flat plate as long as it covers electrical elements to ensure the recognition of different areas.

Claims (14)

1. Hotplate (1), such as a plate of vitreous ceramic, intended to equip a cooker comprising at least one gas burner, the hotplate (1) comprising a zone (2) intended to cover the gas burner, characterized in that the said zone has on side part (5) orifices (6) designed at least partly for the flames outlet.
2. Hotplate according to Claim 1, characterized in that the orifices (6) are slots and/or holes.
3. Hotplate according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the plate (1) is capable of directly supporting cooking vessels or utensils over the gas burner.
4. Hotplate according to Claim 3, characterized in that the zone (2) covering the gas burner is capable of contributing to the supporting of the cooking vessels or utensils.
5. Hotplate according to either one of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the plate (1) has bosses distributed at the periphery of the zone (2) covering the gas burner to at least contribute to the supporting of the cooking vessels or utensils.
6. Hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (1) consists of a first, substantially flat, element comprising an opening and of a second element intended to close off the said opening and forming at least part of the zone covering the gas burner.
7. Hotplate according to Claim 6, characterized in that the second element has the orifices (6).
8. Hotplate according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the plate (1) is essentially flat and has at least one deformed zone (2) which has the orifices and which covers the gas burner.
9. Hotplate according to Claim 8, characterized in that the deformed zone (2) represents, with respect to the plane of the plate (1), at least one boss and/or one recess.
10. Hotplate according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the deformed zone (2) has an essentially flat part (4) which is raised with respect to the plane of the plate (1).
11. Hotplate according to one of Claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the deformed zone (2) has roughly vertical or inclined side walls (5) in which the orifices are made.
12. Hotplate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zone (2) covering the gas burner constitutes part of the said gas burner.
13. Cooker comprising at least one gas burner, characterized in that it comprises a hotplate according to one of claims 1 to 11.
14. Cooker according to Claim 13, characterized in that it comprises, besides at least a gas burner, at least one radiant electrical, halogen and/or induction cooking element.

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