EP1535538A1

EP1535538A1 - Device positioned on the bench top of a modular kitchen unit

Info

Publication number: EP1535538A1
Application number: EP04023315A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Silvio Fortuna
Original assignee: ARC LINEA ARREDAMENTI SpA
Current assignee: ARC LINEA ARREDAMENTI SpA
Priority date: 2003-11-25
Filing date: 2004-09-30
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: ITVI20030234A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a device that can be positioned on the bench top of modular kitchen units composed of a kitchen sink (2) for washing food and dishes, or a cooking hob (3) for food preparation. Said devices protrude frontally from the work bench, and therefore the portion of the bench top remaining at the rear of the said devices can also be used to advantage. Moreover, said devices can also be used to greater advantage because they protrude forwards in relation to the overhead cupboards normally present in all modular kitchens (Figure 2).

Description

The present finding relates to a device that can be positioned on the bench top of a modular kitchen unit according to the general definition in claim 1.
It is known that modern kitchen units always comprise at least one bench top wherein the technical types of devices are installed, adapted to provide the services offered by kitchens, such as gas or electrical cooking hobs, sinks, etc.
In the past these devices were positioned in the bench top using the "adjacent unit" method; basically the bench top was formed by positioning a range of bench top surfaces adjacent to each other, composed of wood, metal or some other material, with the technical elements such as the sink and cooking hob having the same depth as the kitchen units positioned in an intermediate position between said units.
This constructive solution resulted as being rather negative, both for the appearance as well as from a practical/ergonomic point of view.
To resolve these problems, so-called "built-in" bench tops were created: these are basically composed of a single bench top wherein completely defined holes are cut inside the bench top of a size that practically occupies the entire depth of the bench top itself. The technical elements such as kitchen sink and cooking hob are inserted into said holes. Said composition provides a single continuous bench top, but with two disadvantages in that the technical elements occupy the whole surface of the work bench in the zone where they are inserted, and secondly in that under certain conditions they are not completely accessible because of the fact that they are installed within the bench top, being even more disadvantageous where, as almost always occurs, other elements are installed above the devices, such as ventilation hoods over the cooking hob and overhead cupboards over the sink.
The aim of the present finding is to create technical type devices such as sinks for washing food and dishes, and hobs for cooking food, that can be positioned on a modular kitchen unit bench top, wherein it is possible to compose bench tops containing said devices, being adapted to protrude from the bench top, thus eliminating the problems described above.
According to this finding, a front band is installed that surrounds the portions of the technical devices and that is basically perpendicular to the upper surface of the device in question. Said band is also installed lower than said surface, to follow the profile of said portion perfectly.
In this manner it is possible to obtain a work bench wherein the space at the rear of the inserted devices can also be used to advantage; Moreover, the user has greater access to the inserted devices, compared to those in state of the art models, because of their frontal external position on the work bench and the fact that they protrude further than the line of overhead cupboards installed above said devices.
This and other characteristics will be described in further detail below, including reference to certain special embodiments provided as an example but by no means limitative, and with reference to the appended drawings wherein:

Figures 1 and 2 (Drawing 1) show modular kitchen units using the inserted devices according to the finding, with the bench top raised, and with the bench top in working position, respectively;
Figures 3 to 6 (drawings II and III) show four views of a portion of a modular kitchen unit, including a cooking hob for food preparation according to the present finding;
Figures 7 to 10 (drawings IV and V) show a portion of the modular kitchen unit including a dual compartment kitchen sink for washing food and dishes according to the present finding.

Figures 1 and 2 show that the devices of the present finding are adapted for installation in a bench top 1 on a modular kitchen unit. Said devices are composed of a kitchen sink 2 and a cooking hob 3 in the present case.
Bench top 1 is configured to be supported in a manner already known in the art, by a plurality of modular elements 4, composed of base units with cupboard doors, drawers, etc.
As shown in Figure 1, at each zone where the devices 2 and 3 are inserted, the bench top 1 has a recess 5 that can be clearly seen in figures 4 and 8, with a depth p that is lesser than the depth P of the inserted element.
Vice-versa, the width of each recess is basically equal to the relative inserted element.
In this manner, it can be seen that at the rear of each inserted device, a certain part of the bench top remains free for use. Moreover, since the said elements protrude towards the exterior, they are naturally more easily accessible for the user, because of the fact that they are only partially covered by the overhead units that are installed in the majority of modern kitchens.
From an operational point of view, the inserted devices 2 and 3 can be configured (as shown in the appended figures) in a manner so that the upper surface edge of said devices are in contact with the corresponding edge of the recess 5; alternatively, the aforesaid devices can be arranged so that their upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the kitchen bench top.
A front band 6 is also foreseen in the present finding, to surround the devices 2 and 3 that protrude from the front of the bench top.
Said band is also installed in a perpendicular position to the upper surface of the aforesaid devices 2 and 3.
As can be seen in the figures, said band is also installed in a lower position in relation to said surface, following the profile of said portion perfectly.
Moreover, figures 5, 6, 9, and 10 show advantageously how said band 6 is specially shaped to adapt itself perfectly in contact with the front edge 1' of said bench top in a side position in relation to the aforesaid inserted devices.
Lastly, it is possible to close the band 6 on the underside using an appropriate strip not illustrated in the figures, to prevent dirt from accumulating in the space defined by said band, or to prevent users from accidentally inserting their hands inside said defined space.
It should be noted that as well as being formed by a sink or a cooking hob, the device of the present finding illustrated previously, can also assume the configuration of a single unit that comprises said two elements.
Naturally the finding can assume forms and aspects that are different from those described above, however, the essential characteristics remain the same and are included within the context of the present invention.
In particular, the inserted elements can also be different from those previously described and illustrated.

Claims

DEVICE TO BE POSITIONED ON THE BENCH TOP OF MODULAR KITCHEN UNITS such as a kitchen sink (2) for washing food and dishes or a cooking hob (3) for food preparation, comprising a bench top positioned on top and surrounded by a profile having a polygonal or circular shape, adapted to be positioned basically at the level of the aforesaid bench top (1), said device being characterised in that it envisages a front band (6) that completely surrounds the portion of the device that protrudes frontally from the work bench, and being basically perpendicular to the upper surface of the said device, said band being positioned lower than said surface and adapting itself perfectly to the developed shape of said portion.
DEVICE according to claim 1 characterised in that it is positioned perfectly at the same level as bench top (1) in which it is inserted.
DEVICE according to claim 1, characterised in that its edges are positioned on the corresponding edges of the openings (5) cut into the bench top (1) in which the device is inserted.
DEVICE according to claim 1 characterised in that, at the zone where it is in contact with the edge of the bench top (1), the band (6) is shaped in a manner to adapt itself perfectly to the front edge (1') of said bench top in relation to the aforesaid device.
DEVICE according to claims 1 or 4 characterised in that the band (6) is closed on the underside by an appropriate strip.
DEVICE according to claim 1 characterised in that it is composed of a single unit comprising a sink and a cooking hob.