EP3071069A1

EP3071069A1 - Freely installable cooker

Info

Publication number: EP3071069A1
Application number: EP14809982.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sandro CICCACCI; Egle Armonaviciute; Maurizio TURSINI; Mirco Palpacelli
Original assignee: Indesit Co SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2013-11-21
Filing date: 2014-10-30
Publication date: 2016-09-28
Also published as: ITPR20130096A1; WO2015075589A1; US20160296013A1

Abstract

Freely installable cooker comprising: i) a first functional module (5) for treatment of dishes or food products; ii) a support structure (2) of said functional module comprising: - a lower base (80); - a containment structure (90) which develops between the top and the bottom in a distancing direction from the base and comprising two opposing side walls (871, 872) and a bottom wall (870) which extends between the two side walls (871, 872); said side walls (871, 872) comprising guide means (91 ) of insertion and extraction of said first functional module (5); - connection means (92) of said base (80) and said containing structure (94) comprising: engagement means (93) and housing means (94) of said engagement means (93); said engagement means (93) and said housing means (94) being afforded one in said base (80) and the other in said support structure (2); the connection between said engagement means (93) and said housing means (94) occurring at least at the junction zones (95) of the two side walls (871, 872) with the base (80) and at a junction zone (950) of the bottom wall (870) and said base (80).

Description

DESCRIPTION

FREELY INSTALLABLE COOKER

Technical field

The present invention relates to a freely installable cooker and a method for its realisation.

State of the art

Freely installable cookers are known wherein various household electrical appliances are assembled in a support structure, each in a specific housing afforded inside said structure. For example, for realisation of a predetermined freely installable cooker, a predetermined cooker hob and a predetermined oven are added to a given structure.

A disadvantage of said construction solution is linked to the limited possibility of customising a specific product. This leads to considerable costs, since numerous assembly lines must be developed to diversify production in order to satisfy the product differences demanded by the market.

Aim of the invention

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to provide a freely installable cooker which allows a high level of customisation to be obtained while reducing production costs to a minimum. A further object of the present invention is allowing a user to intervene on a cooker already purchased in order to adapt it to changed needs.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by a freely installable cooker comprising the technical characteristics as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence non- limiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a freely installable cooker as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: -Figures 1 and 4 show a portion of the cooker according to the present invention;

-Figures 2 and 3 show components to be used on the cooker according to the present invention;

-Figure 5 is an exploded view of figure 4;

-Figures 6, 7, 8 show a cooker according to the present invention partially assembled and in different configurations;

-Figures 9, 10, 1 1 show a side view of Figures 6, 7, 8;

-Figures 12, 13 show a cooker according to the present invention partially assembled and in different configurations;

-Figure 14 shows a different viewpoint to the one shown in Figure 13;

-Figure 15 shows a view from above of Figure 12;

-Figure 16 shows a base (in an assembled configuration and in a partially larger-scale view) of the cooker according to the present invention;

-Figure 17 shows a base (in an assembled configuration and in a partially larger-scale view) of the cooker according to the present invention;

-Figures 18 and 19 show a plan view and a perspective view of a cooker according to the present invention, partially assembled;

- Figure 20 shows different cookers according to the present invention; - Figure 21 shows a larger-scale view of the cooker according to the present invention

-Figure 22 shows a detail of figure 21 ;

-Figures 23 and 24 show a component of Figure 21 in two different positions, said figures being shown considering an opposite viewpoint with respect to the one of figure 22;

-Figure 25 shows a detail of figure 21 in an assembled configuration.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the accompanying drawings, the reference number 1 indicates a freely installable cooker Freely installable cooker means an independent structure which allows cooking of food products. It is to be considered an alternative to integrated recessed cookers developing continuously on equipped walls. Said cooker 1 comprises:

i) a first functional module 5 for treatment of dishes or food products;

ii) a support structure 2 of said functional module;

The structure 2 comprises a lower base 80. The support structure 2 further comprises a containment structure 90 which extends between the top and the bottom, distancing itself from the base 80. The containment structure 90 comprises two side wall 871 , 872 and a bottom wall 870 which extends between two side walls 871 , 872.

Said bottom wall 870 also extends between the top and the bottom. In particular, the containment structure 90 extends vertically in a distancing direction from the lower base 80.

The opposing side walls 871 , 872 comprise guide means 91 of insertion and extraction of said first functional module 5. Opportunely, the guide means 91 comprise a first and a second guide 210, 220. The first and second guide 210, 220 extend along said two opposing side walls 871 ,872 of the containment structure 90.

At least the first guide 210 comprises an inner channel 21 1 open at one end. The first module 5 comprises a protrusion 50 which, in a configuration of connection to the support structure 2, is inserted in said inner channel 21 1 .

The guide means 91 could be additional elements applied with attachment means to the remaining parts of the opposing side walls 871 , 872. In an alternative embodiment, the guide means 91 could be integrated into the side walls 871 ,872 (and not be separable). The side walls 871 872 may comprise a sandwich structure. In this case, the side walls 871 , 872 could comprise an outer covering 912, an inner covering 91 1 and interposed thermal isolation 910. In this case, the inner covering defines the guide means 91 . Typically, the inner and outer covering 91 1 , 912 are in metal material.

Advantageously, the support structure 2 comprises connection means 92 of said base 80 and said containment structure 90. The connection means 92 comprise: engagement means 93 and housing means 94 of said engagement means 93. The engagement means 93 and said housing means 94 are afforded the ones in said base 80 and the others in said containment structure 90. The connection between said engagement means 93 and said housing means 94 occurs at least at junction zones 95 of the two side walls 871 , 872 with the base 80 and at the junction zone 95 of the bottom wall 870 and said base 80.

Advantageously, the engagement means 93 comprise elastic deformation means 96 attachable in said housing means 94. Typically, said connection means 92 comprise deformable tabs.

The cooker 1 comprises activation means 98 of functioning of said first functional module 5. They are advantageously afforded at said bottom wall 870 (or in any case in a zone behind the cooker 1 ). The activation means 98 may be activated manually in a first configuration, in which there is correct connection of said first module 5 and said containment structure 90 (or more generally of the support structure 2). In a particular embodiment, the activation means may comprise a selector 980. Said selector 980 only in said first configuration (i.e. when there is correct connection and positioning of the first module) allows the user to activate or not the functioning of the first functional module 5. Alternatively (non-preferred embodiment), said selector 980 could be activated directly by the correct connection of said first module 5 and said containment structure 90.

The activation means 98 assume a second configuration in which they prevent activation for functioning of the first functional module 5; opportunely, the passage from the second to the first configuration is determined by a mechanical thrusting action dictated by reaching of an end of stroke of the first functional module (preferably along the guide means 91 ) and manual activation of said selector 980.

In said first configuration, the activation means 98 therefore come into contact with said first functional module 5. Opportunely, the first module 5 comprises an interface 801 destined to couple with said selector 980. The activation means 98 therefore define a switch which, in the first configuration, is activated by the selector 980.

In the preferred embodiment shown in figures 21 -24, the activation means 98 (particularly the selector 980) comprise a knob 99. The selector 980 may assume a first position in which it prevents power supply of the first module 5. The selector 980 may assume a second position in which power supply of the first module 5 is permitted. The activation means 98 comprise a tab 991 which, in a blocking position, prevents rotation of the knob 99 from the first to the second position. The tab 991 may also assume an activation configuration in which it allows rotation of the selector 980 from the first to the second position. The second position of the selector 980 is assumed in said first configuration, i.e. when there is a correct connection and positioning of the first module 5. In fact, the first module 5 which has reached the end of stroke determines a movement of the tab 991 allowing rotation of the knob 99. The selector 980 comprises a stem 992 to which the knob 99 is solidly joined. The stem 992 in turn comprises at least a first and a second electrical contact 993, 994. Opportunely, the first and the second contact 993, 994 are elastic. In the second position of the selector 980, the first contact 993 places in electrical communication said stem 992 and a power source 995 afforded on the structure 2. In the second position of the selector 980 the second contact 994 places in electrical communication said stem 992 and said first module 5.

Opportunely, the interface 801 of the first module 5 which interacts with the selector 980 comprises electrical wires 802 powered by said second contact 994 and which allow power supply of the first module 5.

In this way, in the second position of the selector 980, electrical power supply of the first module 5 is permitted through the stem 992.

Advantageously, the stem 992 comprises an element (for example a fin 996) which, in the second position of the selector 980, interacts with a corresponding component 997 (which defines a housing 803) afforded in said first module 5 to prevent extraction of the first module 5. Opportunely, the cooker 1 comprises a pin 998 which engages in a counter-shaped housing 803 afforded on the first module 5. Opportunely, the pin 998 is solidly joined to a housing 999 of the selector 980. In said housing 999, said tab 991 is also advantageously housed. In this way, the first module 5 may rotate with respect to the structure 2, which is solidly joined to the housing of the tab 991 .

The bottom wall 870 comprises:

- a frame 873 which delimits an opening;

- infill material 874 which closes the opening, said activation means 98 being applied to said infill material 874.

The cooker 1 comprises a groove 89 which extends at the junction zones 95 of the two side walls 871 , 872 with the base 80 and at the junction zone 95 of the bottom wall 870 and said lower base 80. The groove 89 is defined at least by:

-a first side 891 in which are afforded housing means 94;

-a second side 892, the engagement means 93 being insertable between the first and the second side 891 , 892 (and coming into contact with the first and the second side 891 , 892).

Opportunely, the first functional module 5 is a first cooking module (and therefore used for cooking the food). Said first module 5 is removable with respect to the support structure 2. Opportunely, the first cooking module 5 is interchangeable (and replaceable with other functional modules). It is positionable in a first housing 20 of the support structure.

Opportunely, the cooker 1 comprises a resting surface 3 accessible from above.

The cooker 1 comprises a front wall 31 which extends between the top and the bottom. Typically, the front wall 31 is an opposite wall to a rear wall which is destined to face a wall of the compartment in which the cooker 1 is positioned.

The first housing 20 may be afforded on said resting surface 3 (see, for example, figures 6, 7, 8). This case occurs especially when the first cooking module 5 is a cooker hob. Opportunely, the first cooking module 5 could be an induction, grill, steam cooker hob, Tappan Yaki, Wok.

In an alternative solution, the first housing 20 could however be positioned beneath the resting surface 3 (see figure 12, 13, 14 in which the surface 3 is omitted however). In that case, the front wall 31 is defined at least partly by a door of said first functional module 5. Also in this case, the first functional module 5 is a cooking module and, in particular, an oven.

The cooker 1 could also comprise both the first cooking module 5 and a functional additional module 51 positioned beneath the resting surface 3. The functional additional module 51 is removable, interchangeable and housed in the support structure 2 (see fig. 20). Said functional additional module 51 could be an oven or another household electrical appliance (for example, a dishwasher or a device for refrigerating food products). Opportunely, beneath the resting surface 3 a plurality of functional additional modules 51 could be present. Preferably, the functional additional modules 51 are different household electrical appliances. They could be alongside each other horizontally or stacked. For each functional additional module 51 , what is described here could be repeated with reference to the first module 5.

Reference is now made to a possible embodiment shown in figure 6, 7, 8, wherein the first cooking module 5 is:

-positionable on the resting surface 3;

-mobile between a first and a second position.

In the first position (see figure 7), the first module 5 is substantially horizontal. In the second position (see figure 8), the first module 5 is tilted upwards with respect to the first position. Opportunely, said tilting is by means of a first hinge 40. This assists cleaning of the resting surface 3. The cooker 1 comprises electrical supply means 4 of the first cooking module 5. In the construction embodiment shown in figures 6-1 1 , the electrical supply means 4 comprise a first connector 41 rotatable solidly joined to said first hinge 40. Also in the embodiment of figures 6-1 1 , the electrical supply means 4 comprise a second connector 42 solidly joined to the first cooking module 5. The first and second connectors 41 , 42 may remain connected both in the first and in the second position. Advantageously, the cooker 1 comprises a switch of the electrical supply means 4. Said switch acts to prevent functioning of said first cooking module 5 when it is in the second position. The switch may be mechanically activated, for example by a mechanical abutment with which the switch comes into contact during passage from the first to the second position. Alternatively, the switch could be controlled gyroscopically.

The object of the present invention is also a system comprising:

-a cooker 1 having one or more of the characteristics described above; -a second cooking module, the first cooking module 5 being replaceable with the second module.

The first and second cooking modules could belong to a different type of cooking points (for example, one could be an induction cooker hob and the other a steam cooker hob).

It could also be that the second model is an article washing module. In that case, the first module (to be replaced) is opportunely, but not necessarily, an oven (and is positioned beneath the resting surface 3).

An object of the present invention is also a method of realising a freely installable cooker 1 comprising the steps of:

- realising a support structure 2 forming part of the cooker 1 and comprising a first housing 20;

- choosing a predetermined cooking module 5 from a group of separate, interchangeable cooking modules positionable in said first housing 20 and connectible to the support structure 2;

- connecting said predetermined cooking module 5 to said support structure 2.

Opportunely, the step of choosing the predetermined module occurs at the company during assembly. The method could, however, provide the step of the final user replacing said predetermined cooking module with another cooking module or more generally with another functional module.

Refer now to figures 16 and 17. Preferably, the base 80 is an assembly of several panels. Said plurality of panels are coplanar. The base 80 has a modular structure in order to reach the desired dimensions.

The modular structure of the base 80 comprises a plurality of panels in turn comprising:

-a first panel 81 ;

-a second panel 82.

The first and second panels 81 , 82 contribute to defining a shared bottom surface 85.

Opportunely, said plurality of panels may comprise a third panel 83 interposed between the first and second panels 81 , 82. The third panel 83 contributes to defining said shared bottom surface 85. In this way, the third panel 83 allows the base 80 to be elongated with respect to a situation in which only the first and the second panels 81 , 82 are present.

For similar considerations, said plurality of panels may comprise a fourth panel adjacent to the third panel 83 and interposed between the first and the second panels 81 , 82. The fourth panel contributes to defining the shared bottom surface 85.

The cooker 1 further comprises connection means 86 of two adjacent panels of the modular structure. The two adjacent panels may be chosen from said plurality of panels. The connection means 86 are afforded in a single piece with said two panels.

The connection means of the two adjacent modules have a male-female type connection. Opportunely, the connection means 86 of the two adjacent modules comprise a plurality of inserts 861 which engage in corresponding housings 862. Opportunely, the inserts 861 engage in the housings 862 by means of elastic deformation. Advantageously, the two adjacent modules alternate an insert and a housing forming part respectively of said plurality of inserts and said plurality of housings. The support base 80 is quadrilateral. The base 2 comprises a groove 89 which surrounds the base on three sides and in which are engaged the two side walls 871 ,872 and the bottom wall 870.

The third panel 83 of the support structure 2 comprises a first side 831 adjacent to a first edge 81 1 of the first panel; the connection means 86 are afforded at least along the first edge 81 1 and the first side 831 .

In the preferred embodiment, the first and/or the second and/or the third and/or the fourth panel are in plastic material. The cooker could also comprise further panels. Preferably, all the panels of the base 80 extend in a row one with the other along a straight line. Opportunely, the first panel 81 extends in a single piece. Opportunely, this could be repeated for the second and/or the third and/or the fourth panel.

Opportunely, the present invention further comprises a method of realisation of a lower base 80 of a freely installable cooker. Opportunely, said freely installable cooker has one or more of the characteristics described above. The method further comprises the step of connecting a plurality of modular elements of different shapes and dimensions in order to obtain a base 80 having pre-established dimensions.

The present invention has numerous advantages. In particular, it allows the realisation of a plurality of basic components (the support structure and the functional modules) which may then be assembled in various ways to allow the desired customisation of the cooker 1 . In this way, it is possible to choose the desired arrangement of the electrical household appliances in a support structure (and also to choose which type of electrical household appliances to insert in the support structure). The invention as conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Furthermore all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any according to requirements.

Claims

1 . Freely installable cooker comprising:

i) a first functional module (5) for treatment of dishes or food products; ii) a support structure (2) of said functional module;

characterised in that said support structure (2) comprises:

a lower base (80);

a containment structure (90) which develops between the top and the bottom in a distancing direction from the base (80) and comprising two opposing side walls (871 , 872) and a bottom wall (870) which develops between the two side walls (871 , 872); said side walls (871 , 872) comprising guide means (91 ) of insertion and extraction of said first functional module (5);

reciprocal connection means (92) of said base (80) and said containment structure (90) comprising: engagement means (93) and housing means (94) of said engagement means (93); said engagement means (93) and said housing means (94) being afforded one in said base (80) and the other in said containment structure (90); the connection between said engagement means (93) and said housing means (94) occurring at least at the junction zones (95) of the two side walls (871 , 872) with the base (80) and in a junction zone (950) of the bottom wall (870) and said base (80).

2. Cooker according to claim 1 , characterised in that the engagement means (93) comprise elastic deformation means (96) attachable in the housing means (94).

3. Cooker according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises activation means (98) of functioning of said first functional module (5), said activation means (98) being afforded on the bottom wall (870) and being activatable in a first configuration wherein there is correct connection of said first functional module (5) and said containment structure (90).

4. . Cooker according to claim 3, characterised in that the activation means (98) assume a second configuration wherein they prevent activation of functioning of the first functional module (5); the first configuration occurring on reaching a limit stop of the first functional module (5) along the guide means (91 ).

5. Cooker according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that said activation means (98) comprise a knob (99) which may assume a first position wherein it prevents power supply of the first module (5) and a second position wherein power supply of the first module (5) is allowed; the activation means (98) comprising a tab (991 ) which, in a blocking conformation, prevents rotation of the knob (99) from the first to the second position and, in an activation conformation, allows rotation of the knob (99) from the first to the second position; the second position of the knob (99) being assumed in said first conformation from the moment when the first module (5) has reached the limit stop and caused a movement of the tab (991 ) from the blocking conformation to the activation conformation, allowing rotation of the knob (99); the knob (99) being solidly joined to a stem (992) which in turn comprises at least a first and a second contact (993, 994); in the second position of the knob (99) the first contact (993) placing in electrical communication said stem (992) and a power supply source (995) afforded on the structure (2) and the second contact (994) placing in electrical communication said stem (992) and said first module (5).

6. Cooker according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the bottom wall (870) comprises:

- a frame (873) which delimits an opening;

- infill material (874) which closes the opening, said activation means (98) being applied to said infill material (874); said infill material (874) comprising said activation means (98).

7. Cooker according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a groove (89) which develops at the junction zones

(95) of two side walls (871 , 872) with the base (80) and at the junction zone (950) of the bottom wall (870) and said lower base (80); said groove (89) being defined at least by:

- a first side (891 ) in which said housing means (94) are afforded;

- a second side (892), the engagement means (93) being insertable between the first and the second side (891 , 892).

8. Cooker according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the guide means (91 ) are additional elements applied with attachment means to remaining parts of the two side walls (871 , 872).

9. Cooker according to any one of the previous claims, characterised in that the guide means (91 ) are integrated into the two side walls (871 ,872).

10. Cooker according to claim 9, characterised in that the side walls (871 872) comprise a sandwich structure in turn comprising:

- outer cladding (912);

- inner cladding (91 1 );

- interposed thermal insulation (910); the inner cladding defining the guide means (91 ).