EP3358262B1

EP3358262B1 - Oven system with a cover device and method

Info

Publication number: EP3358262B1
Application number: EP17154243.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Irfan KARAZOR
Original assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Vestel Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2017-02-01
Filing date: 2017-02-01
Publication date: 2019-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-01
Also published as: EP3358262A1; TR201702887A2

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an oven system for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam and a corresponding method.

BACKGROUND

Although applicable to any system that needs a cover device to redirect hot air or hot steam produced in particular during generation of heat in an oven or cooker the present disclosure will mainly be described in conjunction with so called electric oven.
Usually oven produces hot air or hot steam during a cooking process. The hot air or the hot steam mainly remains in the oven as long as the oven door is closed. Opening the oven door, in particular during the cooking process leads to a sudden escape of the hot air or hot steam in a substantially vertical direction. The temperature of the hot air or hot steam can comprise a temperature range of around 150°C to 250°C. Thus, a user has to pay attention during opening the oven door since otherwise he or she can be injured by the hot air or the hot steam.
Document US 7357131 B2 relates to an air curtain door system for inhibiting heat and exhaust exiting from an access opening of an oven.
Document US 3387600 A relates to an oven with automatic air curtain means.
US 2 526 890 A relates to a circulating air passage structure for ovens. EP 0 337 962 A1 relates to a guard device for protecting the controls on the front panel of a cooking oven appliance from the heat and the vapours or smoke being released from the oven upon opening of the door. FR 1 430 981 A relates to an oven comprising a movable screen retractable from front to back, supported by a piece of metal which extends over the entire width of the oven door. EP 0 346 306 A2 relates to a baffle for an automatic heat protection of the controls on the front panel of a household cooking oven.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved cover device for an oven, in particular an electric oven, to avoid injuries for the user.

SUMMARY

The invention is defined by the appended claims.
The cover device for an oven, in particular an electric oven, comprises an intermediate connecting member with a front side, a back side and side surfaces, wherein the side surfaces are configured to connect the front side with the back side of the intermediate connecting member. The cover device further comprises a first active element arranged on the front side, wherein the first active element is configured to interact with a second active element such, that the first active element executes a releasable operative connection with the second active element. The cover device further comprises and a fixing element arranged on the back side of the intermediate connecting element, wherein the fixing element is configured to execute an elastic operative connection, and wherein a holding force of the releasable operative connection is weaker than a spring force of the elastic operative connection. Alternatively also a maximal spring force of the elastic operative connection can be meant.
According to the invention, the oven system for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam comprises an oven with an oven door configured to close or open the oven, wherein the oven door comprises a bottom side and a top side. To open and close the oven door, the oven door is pivotally mounted with its bottom side at a front wall of the oven. Further the oven system comprises the cover device according to the present disclosure or any of the here described embodiments, wherein the second active element is arranged on the top side of the oven door. Alternatively, the second active element can be mounted on or integrated in the top side of the oven door but is not limited thereof. For example, the second active element can be an integral component of the oven door, wherein a surface of the second active element can be flush with a main surface of the oven door. The here described main surface faces a front wall of the oven. The oven system comprises the fixing element of the cover device and the fixing element is connected with a rear wall of the oven such, that the cover device connects the top side of the oven door with the rear wall of the oven. For example the cover device can in particular extend parallel to a lateral extent of the oven and the cover device can be arranged in direction of a hotplate of the oven. In other words the cover device can be arranged, mounted or adjusted such that a sudden heat flow of hot air or hot steam can be prevented, when opening the oven door by a user.
According to the invention, the method for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam with the oven system according to the present disclosure comprises the step of pulling out the cover device, when the oven door is lifted up or opened by the user. The method further comprises detaching of the first active element from the second active element, when the oven door is substantially fully lifted up or opened by the user. In Addition, the method comprises pulling in the cover device inside the oven by the spring force of the elastic operative connection and of the fixing element, respectively.
The present disclosure uses the finding that it is difficult to prevent sudden heat flow of hot air or hot steam in particular in a vertical direction or upon the user who desires access to the oven or an oven interior via air circulation, air fan or an air curtain.
The present disclosure therefore provides in particular an improved cover device which can be easily integrated or arranged in the oven and efficiently diverts or redirects the hot air or the hot steam in transverse, sideways or lateral direction, when opening the oven door.
It is understood, that the term "a" comprises also a plurality of corresponding elements or components, for example, at least one or a plurality of the corresponding elements or components.
The here and in the following described features with respect to the cover device are also disclosed for the oven system as well as the method and vice versa.
The lateral extent of the intermediate connecting member can be substantially the same as a size of an opening of the oven interior. Therefore, the hot air or the hot steam can be efficiently diverted or redirected in the transverse, sideways or lateral direction, when opening the oven door.
Further, a size of first active element and a size of the second active element can be the same or can be different from each other.
The fixing element can be mechanically connected with the back side of the intermediate connecting element. The elastic operative connection can be a reversible operative connection, wherein the elastic operative connection cannot be released.
The releasable operative connection can also be a further reversible operative connection, wherein corresponding elements - the first active element and the second active element - can be separated or detached from each other after opening the oven door by lifting up, for example.
According to the invention, the first active element can be detached from the second active element when the spring force of the elastic operative connection exceeds a predetermined value of the holding force of the releasable operative connection between the first active element and the second active element. Therefore a safe and fast diversion or redirection can be realized. In addition, an access to an interior space of the oven can be easily realized since the spring force can pull in the cover device in the oven. For example the spring force is bigger than the holding force when the oven door substantially reaches its final open state or alternatively when an angle between a front wall of the oven and the tilted or lifted up oven door is bigger than 45° or 60°, for example. The predetermined value of the spring force can be determined by the Hooke's law.
In another embodiment, the intermediate connecting member can comprise a foil, tray, sheet or shield with a heat resistant material or a combination of heat resistant materials. Therefore, the cover device can ensure high process reliability. For example, the resistant material can be an aluminum alloy, wherein aluminum can be the predominant metal. Typical alloying elements can be copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin and zinc. Alternatively, the heat resistant material can comprise silicone.
In one embodiment, the intermediate connecting member can comprise a foil, tray, sheet or shield with a flexible material or a combination of flexible materials. Therefore, the cover device can ensure high process reliability. Further, the cover device can be manufactured in space-saving manner. The intermediate connecting member can be therefore at least partially rolled up within a predetermined area of the oven for convenient storage. For example, the flexible material can be the aluminum alloy, wherein aluminum can be the predominant metal. Typical alloying elements can be copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon, tin and zinc. Alternatively, the flexible material can comprise silicone.
In a further embodiment, each of the first active element and the second active element can comprise corresponding magnetic elements. Therefore, the releasable operative connection can be easily and cost-efficiently realized. The second active element can be arranged on a further first device, wherein the first active element and the second active element can be hold by the holding force, here magnetic holding force.
In one embodiment, each of the first active element and the second active element can comprise corresponding ferromagnetic material. Therefore, the releasable operative connection can be permanent and sustainable and the holding force of the releasable operative connection can be constant, wherein the holding force of the releasable operative connection is weaker than the spring force of the elastic operative connection. That is, that the first active element and the second active element can be retained by magnetic attraction.
In another embodiment, the fixing element can comprise a helical or coil spring. Therefore, the elastic operative connection can be sustainable, wherein the spring force can be increased by pulling out the cover device, in particular the intermediate connecting member. The spring force can increase until the spring force or rather the maximal spring force is stronger than the holding force. Consequently, the first active element can be detached from the second active element. The helical or the coil spring can be designed to operate with a tension load, so the said spring stretches as a load is applied to it. In other words the fixing element can be any kind of tension/extension spring.
In one embodiment, the cover device can be arranged in a receiving device of the oven and wherein the receiving device can be configured to be arranged adjacent to the top side of the oven door. Therefore, the cover device can be arranged or mounted in the oven in space-saving and cost-saving manner. In other words the receiving device comprises the cover device such, that the first active element of the cover device and the second active element of the oven door can be disposed facing one another in a closed state of the oven, for example. That is, the first active element and the second active element can also be a latching means and a counter-latching means. Thus, the releasable operative connection can be also based on a mechanical linkage, wherein the holding force can be generated between the latching means and the counter-latching means.
In one embodiment, the receiving device can comprise receiving rails for the cover device, wherein the receiving rails are arranged on side walls of the oven. For example, the receiving rails can be anchored on the side walls of the oven. The receiving rails of the receiving device can extend in a parallel direction of the longest extent of the intermediate connecting member. Therefore, friction between the cover device and the oven can be reduced. For example, a sliding function can be provided based on the receiving rails, wherein pulling in the cover device can be efficiently supported.
In one embodiment, the receiving device can be configured to roll in a part of the intermediate connecting member of the cover device. Therefore a required space of the receiving device can be easily reduced. Preferably the intermediate connecting member comprises the flexible material.
In one embodiment, during lifting up the oven door the spring force of the elastic operative connection increases and exceeds the holding force of the releasable operative connection. Therefore, an access to the oven interior can be easily provided in the open state of the oven.
The here and in the following described features with respect to the cover device are also disclosed for the oven system as well as the method and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A, 1B: show a schematic top view and a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a cover device according to the present patent application;
Fig. 2: shows a top view of another embodiment of a cover device according to the present patent application;
Figs. 3A-3C: show cross-sectional views of an embodiment of an oven system according to the present patent application;
Fig. 4: shows a graph for describing an effect of the cover device according to the present patent application; and
Fig. 5: shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present patent application.

In the figures like reference signs denote like elements unless stated otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1A shows a schematic top view of the cover device and Fig. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the cover device of Fig. 1A according to the present invention.
The cover device 100 for an oven 2, in particular an electric oven, comprises an intermediate connecting member 10 with a front side 11, a back side 12 and side surfaces 13, 14, wherein the side surfaces 13, 14 are configured to connect the front side 11 with the back side 12 of the intermediate connecting member 10. The cover device 100 further comprises a first active element 20, 21 arranged on the front side 11, wherein the first active element 20, 21 is configured to interact with a second active element 30, 31 such, that the first active element 20, 21 executes a releasable operative connection M1, M2 with the second active element 30, 31. The cover device 100 further comprises and a fixing element 40, 41 arranged on the back side 12 of the intermediate connecting element 10, wherein the fixing element 40, 41 is configured to execute an elastic operative connection S1, S2, and wherein a holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2 is weaker than a spring force of the elastic operative connection S1.
As shown in Fig. 1A the second active element 30, 31 can be arranged in a further first device 71. The first active element 20, 21 are disposed facing the second active element 30, 31.
The fixing element 40 can be arranged in the middle of the back side 12 of the intermediate connecting member 10 and the fixing element 40 can be further connected with a further second device 72. The further first element 71 as well as the further second element 72 are illustrated for a better understanding of a functionality of the cover device 100. The further first element 71 can be an oven door 3 and the further second element 72 can be a rear wall 60 of the oven 2 (see Fig. 3A).
The first active element 20, 21 detaches from the second active element 30, 31 of the further second device 72 when the spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2 exceeds a predetermined value of the holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2. between the first active element 20, 21 and the second active element 30, 31.
The intermediate connecting member 10 of the present disclosure can comprise a foil, tray, sheet or shield with a heat resistant material or a combination of heat resistant materials. The intermediate connecting member 10 can preferably comprise the said foil, tray, sheet or shield with a flexible material or a combination of flexible materials. A material which can comprise both properties, namely heat resistance and flexibility can be silicone.
For example, each of the first active element 20, 21 and the second active element 30, 31 can comprise corresponding ferromagnetic material. Alternatively, the first active element 20, 21 can comprise a latching means and the second active element 30, 31 can comprise a counter-latching means. Thus, the releasable operative connection M1, M2 can be also based on a mechanical linkage, wherein the holding force can be generated between the latching means and the counter-latching means.
As illustrated in Fig. 1A the fixing element 40 can comprise a helical or coil spring.
Fig. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the cover device 100 of Fig. 1A according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 shows a top view of another embodiment of the cover device 100. Fig. 2 is based in Fig. 1A with the difference that the cover device 100 of Fig. 2 comprises two fixing elements 40, 41. The fixing elements 40, 41 are disposed on the back side 12 of the intermediate connecting member 10, wherein the fixing elements 40, 41 are arranged opposite to the first active elements 20, 21 and the second active elements 30, 31, respectively. The intermediate connecting member 10 is disposed between the first active element 20, 21 and the fixing element 40, 41, wherein the first active element 20, 21 and the fixing element 40, 41 are arranged, mounted or integrated on or with the intermediate connecting member 10.
Figs. 3A to 3B show cross-sectional views of a oven system 300 for protecting a user against hot air and/or hot steam according to the present invention. Fig.3A shows a closed state of the oven system 300. Fig. 3B shows an intermediate state during opening the oven door 3 of the oven 2 of the oven system 300. Fig. 3C shows an open state of the oven system 300. That is, when the oven door 3 is fully opened or lifted-up.
In Fig. 3A the oven system 300 for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam comprises an oven 2 with an oven door 3 configured to close or open the oven 2, wherein the oven door 3 comprises a bottom side B1 and a top side T1. The oven door 3 is pivotally mounted with its bottom side B1 at a front wall 63 of the oven 2 (indicated by a circle in the bottom side B1 of the oven door 3). Further the oven system 300 comprises the cover device 100 according to the present disclosure, wherein the second active element 30, 31 is arranged on the top side T1 of the oven door 3. The fixing element 40, 41 is further connected with the rear wall 60 of the oven 2 such, that the cover device 100 connects the top side T1 of the oven door 3 with the rear wall 60 of the oven 2.
As illustrated in Fig. 3A the cover device can be arranged in a receiving device 5 of the oven 2, wherein the receiving device 5 can be configured to be arranged adjacent to the top side T1 of the oven door 3. Therefore, the cover device 100 can be arranged or mounted in the oven 2 in space-saving and cost-saving manner. In other words the receiving device 5 comprises the cover device 100 such, that the first active element 20, 21 of the cover device 100 and the second active element 30, 31of the oven door 3 can be disposed facing one another in a closed state of the oven 2, for example. That is, the first active element 20, 21 and the second active element 30, 31 can also be the latching means and the counter-latching means as described above. Thus, the releasable operative connection M1, M2 can be also based on a mechanical linkage, wherein the holding force can be generated between the latching means and the counter-latching means.
The receiving device 5 can comprise receiving rails 6, 7 for the cover device 100, wherein the receiving rails 6, 7 are arranged on side walls 61, 62 of the oven 2. For example, the receiving rails 6, 7 can be anchored on the side walls 61, 62 of the oven. The receiving rails 6, 7 of the receiving device 5 can extend in a parallel direction of the longest extent of the intermediate connecting member 10. Therefore, friction between the cover device 100 and the oven 2 can be reduced. For example, a sliding function can be provided based on the receiving rails 6, 7, wherein pulling out and/or pulling in the cover device can be efficiently supported.
Fig. 3B shows the intermediate state during opening the oven door 3 of the oven 2 of the oven system 300.
Fig 3B is based on Fig. 3A with the difference that the oven door 3 is at least partially opened of lifted-up. Therefore the cover device 100 can be at least partially pulled out of the oven 2 and oven interior, respectively, due to the holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2. In this state the holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2 exceeds the predetermined value of the spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2 and the maximal spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2, respectively. In other words, the hot air or the hot steam is redirected in lateral or transversal direction due to the intermediate connecting member 10 which covers an area between the top side T1 of the oven door 3 and the front wall 63 of the oven 2.
Fig. 3C shows an open state of the oven system 300, wherein the oven door 3 is fully opened or lifted-up.
Fig. 3C is based on Fig. 3B with the difference that now the oven door 3 of the oven system 300 is fully opened or lifted-up. As illustrated in Fig. 3C the cover device 100 can be pulled in inside the oven 2 and therefore in the receiving device 5 of the oven 2, respectively. This is based on the spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2, wherein the spring force is stronger than the holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2. Therefore, an access to the oven 2 can be in particular automatically provided and the user can be protected against burn injury caused by the hot air or the hot steam which is escaped or released when opening the oven door as illustrated in Fig. 3B.
Fig. 4 shows a graph for describing an effect of the cover device according to the present invention.
In Fig. 4 reference sign A1 indicates the horizontal X-axis, wherein on the X-axis a time is applied. Reference sign A2 indicates the vertical Y-axis, wherein on the Y-axis a temperature is applied.
Fig. 4 comprises three temperature curves C1-C3, wherein C1 illustrates a oven system without a cover device, C2 an oven system with an prior art air curtain or air curtain apparatus and C3 illustrates the oven system 300 with the cover device 100 of the present invention.
As can be seen in Fig. 4, the prior art air curtain or air curtain apparatus is not able to prevent sudden heat flow of hot air or hot steam in particular in a vertical direction or upon the user who desires access to the oven or an oven interior.
In contrast, the oven system 300 with the cover device 100 of the present invention is able to prevent sudden heat flow of hot air or hot steam in particular in a vertical direction or upon the user who desires access to the oven or an oven interior. Therefore, burn injury caused by the hot air or the hot steam released when opening the oven door can be efficiently prevented.
Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a method for protecting the user against hot air or hot steam with the oven system according to the present invention.
The method starts with pulling out T1 the cover device 100, when the oven door 3 is lifted up by the user. The method further comprises the step of detaching T2 the first active element 20, 21 from the second active element 30, 31, when the oven door 3 is substantially fully lifted up by the user. In Addition, the method comprises pulling in T3 the cover device 100 inside the oven 2 by the spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2 and the fixing element 40, 41, respectively.
The method can be based on the phenomenon, that during lifting up the oven door 3 the spring force of the elastic operative connection S1, S2 can increase and exceed the holding force of the releasable operative connection M1, M2. Consequently, the first active element 20, 21 detaches from the second active element 30, 31.

List of reference signs:

100: cover device
300: oven system
2: oven
3: oven door
5: receiving device of the oven
6, 7: receiving rails
10: intermediate connecting member
11: front side of the intermediate connecting member
12: back side of the intermediate connecting member
13, 14: side surfaces of the intermediate connecting member
20, 21: first active element
30, 31: second active element
40, 41: fixing element

60: rear wall of the oven
61, 62: side walls of the oven
63: front wall of the oven
71: further first device
72: further second device

B1: bottom side of the oven door
T1: top side of the oven door
M1, M2: releasable operative connection
S1, S2: elastic operative connection
C1, C2, C3: temperature curves
A1: X axis
A2: Y axis
T1, T2, T3: method steps

Claims

Oven system (300) for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam comprising:
an oven (2) with an oven door (3) configured to close or open the oven (2), wherein the oven door (3) comprises a bottom side (B1) and a top side (T1),

wherein the oven door (3) is pivotally mounted with its bottom side (B1) at a front wall (63) of the oven (2), and a cover device (100) comprising:
- an intermediate connecting member (10) with a front side (11), a back side (12) and side surfaces (13, 14), wherein the side surfaces (13, 14) are configured to connect the front side (11) with the back side (12) of the intermediate connecting member (10),

- a first active element (20, 21) arranged on the front side (11), wherein the first active element (20, 21) is configured to interact with a second active element (30, 31) such, that the first active element (20, 21) executes a releasable operative connection (M1, M2) with the second active element (30, 31),

- a fixing element (40, 41) arranged on the back side (12) of the intermediate connecting element (10), wherein the fixing element (40, 41) is configured to execute an elastic operative connection (S1, S2),

wherein the second active element (30, 31) is arranged on the top side (T1) of the oven door (3), and wherein

the fixing element (40, 41) is connected with a rear wall (60) of the oven (2) such, that the cover device (100) connects the top side (T1) of the oven door (3) with the rear wall (60) of the oven (2), characterized in that

the holding force of the releasable operative connection (M1, M2) is configured to be stronger than the spring force of the elastic operative connection (S1, S2) until an angle between the oven door (3) and the front wall of the oven (63) is at a predetermined value,

and the holding force of the releasable operative connection (M1, M2) is configured to be weaker than that the spring force of the elastic operative connection (S1, S2) and the elastic operative connection (S1, S2) is configured to pull in the cover device (100) inside the oven by the spring force of the elastic operative connection (S1, S2) when the angle between the oven door (3) and the front wall of the oven (63) is larger than the predetermined value.
Oven system (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate connecting member (10) comprises a foil, tray, sheet or shield with a heat resistant material or a combination of heat resistant materials.
Oven system (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate connecting member (10) comprises a foil, tray, sheet or shield with a flexible material or a combination of flexible materials.
Oven system (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first active element (20, 21) and the second active element (30, 31) comprises corresponding magnetic elements.
Oven system (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first active element (20, 21) and the second active element (30, 31) comprises corresponding ferromagnetic material.
Oven system (300) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing element (40, 41) comprises a helical or coil spring.
Oven system (300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cover device (100) is arranged in a receiving device (5) of the oven (2) and wherein the receiving device (5) is configured to be arranged adjacent to the top side (T1) of the oven door (3).
Oven system (300) according to claim 7, wherein the receiving device (5) comprises receiving rails (6, 7) for the cover device (100), wherein the receiving rails (6, 7) are arranged on side walls (61, 62) of the oven (2).
Oven system (300) according to claim 7, wherein the receiving device (5) is configured to roll in a part of the intermediate connecting member (10) of the cover device (100).
Method for protecting a user against hot air or hot steam with the oven system (300) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising:
pulling out (T1) the cover device (100) when the oven door (3) is lifted up by the user,

detaching (T2) of the first active element (20, 21) from the second active element (30, 31), when the oven door (3) is substantially fully lifted up by the user, and

pulling in (T3) the cover device (100) inside the oven (2) by the spring force of the elastic operative connection (S1, S2).
Method according to claim 10, wherein during lifting up the oven door (3) the spring force of the elastic operative connection (S1, S2) increases and exceeds the holding force of the releasable operative connection (M1, M2).