EP3760933A1

EP3760933A1 - Hood for cooking fumes extraction having a link hinge with a closure panel

Info

Publication number: EP3760933A1
Application number: EP20173305.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Crisà; Luca Donati
Original assignee: Elica SpA
Current assignee: Elica SpA
Priority date: 2019-07-02
Filing date: 2020-05-06
Publication date: 2021-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-05-06
Also published as: ES2900398T3; IT201900010620A1; EP3760933B1

Abstract

A hood (1) for the suction of cooking fumes, comprising a main body (2) having an opening (3) that can face a cooking hob for the suction of cooking fumes; a panel (4) connected to the main body (2) and placed at the opening (3) for partially covering it; at least a hinge (5) connected to the panel (4) and to the main body (2) and configured to allow the rotation of the panel (4) with respect to the main body (2) to make the inside of the main body (2) accessible through the opening (3), the hinge (5) comprising a fixed portion (6) connected to the main body (2) and a movable portion (8) connected to the panel (4) and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed portion (6) about an axis of rotation (A); the movable portion (8) comprises a guide (10), a slider (11) that is slidable along the guide (10) and fixed to the panel (4) to make it slide along the guide (10).

Description

The present invention relates to a hood for the suction of cooking fumes. Such hood may be employed in the field of cooking food, particularly but not exclusively in the kitchens of houses, restaurants, public or private places and still more.
Hoods for the suction of cooking fumes are known in the prior art. A hood of this type is generally configured to be arranged above a cooking hob, or in any case facing it. Such hood comprises a main body, inside which a suction duct is obtained. Inside the suction duct a fan is inserted. The main body has an opening adapted to receive the cooking fumes sucked by the fan and to introduce them into the suction duct.
At the opening, the hood comprises a panel connected to the main body. Such panel is smaller than the opening, so as to leave a peripheral zone of the opening free to allow air enter the duct.
Two hinges connect the panel to the main body, so as to allow the rotation of the panel with respect to the main body. The opening of the panel allows to make the inside of said main body accessible through the opening, allowing performing maintenance operations inside the hood, such as cleaning the filters.
Disadvantageously, the hinges of the known type are arranged at the corners of the panel and, as an opening portion remains uncovered at the edge, they partially hinder the air flow passing through the opening resulting in swirl and noise.
Furthermore, known hinges are visible from outside even when the panel is closed, compromising its appearance.
Another hood of this type is disclosed in document EP 2 541 154 A1 . In detail such hood for the suction of cooking fumes comprises a main body having an opening that can face a cooking hob, and a panel hinged to the main body placed at the opening.
The hood is configured to switch between an opening configuration, wherein the panel is extracted from the main body leaving the opening at least partially free, and a closed configuration wherein the panel obstructs completely the opening.
It must be noted that the hood disclosed in document EP 2 541 154 A1 is able to suck cooking fumes only in the opening configuration, as in the closing configuration the panel obstructs completely the opening preventing fumes from passing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this framework, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a hood for the suction of cooking fumes that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, it is the object of the present invention to make available a hood for the suction of cooking fumes able to conceal the presence of hinges to the user.
The technical task explained and the specified objects are substantially reached by a hood for the suction of cooking fumes comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the enclosed claims.
In particular a hood for the suction of cooking fumes according to the present invention comprises a main body that has an opening. Such opening can face a cooking hob to suck fumes, for example produced by cooking food.
A panel is connected to the main body, and is placed at the opening for partially covering it. The panel comprises at least a pair of opposite sides and it is smaller than the opening so as to partially cover it leaving a peripheral zone free.
At least a hinge is connected to the panel and to the main body. In detail, the hinge is placed at an intermediate position, of one of the two opposite panels, comprised between 10% and 90% of its length. Such hinge is configured to allow the rotation of the panel with respect to the main body, so as to make the inside of the main body accessible through the opening.
The hinge comprises a fixed portion that is connected to the main body. Furthermore, the hinge comprises a movable portion connected to the panel. Such movable portion is configured to rotate with respect to the fixed portion about a rotation axis.
The movable portion comprises a guide and a slider that is slidable along the guide. The slider is fixed to the panel so as to make it slide along the guide.
Such device overcomes the technical problem in that, thanks to the slider sliding along the guide, the hinge can be placed in places other than the corners. Consequently, it is possible to place it more inside the panel, where it does no longer hinder the air flow passing through.
Advantageously, the hinge can be positioned so as to be concealed from the user view, preserving the technical functionality while guaranteeing at the same time an improved appearance.

LIST OF FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiment of a hood for the suction of cooking fumes, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a hood for the suction of cooking fumes according to the present invention;
Figures 2a, 2b and 2c are section side views of the hood of Figure 1 in respective operating configurations; and
Figures 3a and 3b are perspective views of a detail of the hood of Figure 1 in respective operating configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, 1 indicates a hood for the suction of cooking fumes according to the present invention.
The hood 1 is provided with a main body 2 having an opening 3. In use, such opening 3, can generally face a cooking hob (not illustrated) to suck cooking fumes. The hood 1 is provided with suction means (not shown).
A panel 4 is connected to the main body 2 and is placed at the opening 3 for partially covering it. Such panel 4 may be switched between an opening configuration and a closing configuration. In the opening configuration, access to the main body 2 of the hood 1 is allowed, so as to enable performing maintenance operations, such as for example changing and/or cleaning filters. In the closing configuration the panel 4 prevents access into the main body 2. However, it must be noted that the panel 4 has dimensions slightly smaller than the opening 3, so as to allow the passage of air into an outer portion of the opening 3 in the closing configuration.
In greater detail, the panel 4 has at least a pair of sides 4a, 4b opposite from each other. Preferably the panel 4 is rectangular-shaped, and comprises a pair of first sides 4a parallel between each other and perpendicular to a pair of second sides 4b, also parallel between each other. For merely exemplary purposes, first sides 4a may be smaller sides and second sides 4b may be greater sides, that is to say that the length of the first sides 4a is lower than the length of the second sides 4b.
According to the present invention, the hood 1 comprises at least a hinge 5 connected to the panel 4 and to the main body 2. Preferably, though not necessarily, the hood 1 comprises a pair of hinges 5 positioned on opposite sides of the panel 4. Each hinge 5 is configured to allow the rotation of the panel 4 with respect to the main body 2.
It must be noted that each hinge 5 is placed at an intermediate position of a respective side 4a, 4b of the panel 4. Within the framework of the present description, intermediate position refers to a zone of the side 4a, 4b comprised between 10% and 90% of the length. Advantageously, the conformation of the hinge 5 which will be better described later allows to avoid positioning thereof at the panel 4 corners, which is aesthetically unpleasant.
In detail, the hinge 5 comprises a fixed portion 6, which is connected to the main body 2. Referring in particular to figure 3b, the fixed portion 6 is formed in a first sheet 7, substantially vertically oriented. The sheet 7 extends along a main extension direction which, in use, is substantially parallel to the edge of the opening 3 on which it is installed.
One or more flanges 9 extend from the first sheet 7 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first sheet 7 and, thus, substantially parallel to the opening 3. Flanges 9 are adapted to be directly or indirectly fixed to the main body 2 of the hood 1 in any way known in itself to the expert in the field, for example by means of screws.
The hinge 5 further comprises a movable portion 8 connected to the panel 4. Such movable portion 8 is arranged to rotate with respect to the fixed portion 6, in particular with respect to the rotation axis "A". Referring in particular to figure 2b, the rotation axis "A" is arranged on a plane substantially parallel to the plane defined by the opening 3 and, in particular, substantially perpendicular to the opening 3 edge.
According to the present invention, the movable portion 8 comprises a guide 10. A slider 11 is slidable along the guide 10, and it is fixed to the panel 4 so as to enable it to slide along the guide 10. It must be noted that the guide 10 is substantially rectilinear, and defines a sliding direction "G" parallel to the panel 4.
It is worth noting that the hinge 5 may be switched between a closing configuration and an opening configuration. In the closing configuration, the guide 10 is arranged on a plane defined by the opening 3 to allow the panel 4 to partially close the opening 3. In the opening configuration, the guide 10 is arranged transversally with respect to the opening 3, so as to tilt the panel 4 and allow access to the main body 2.
As shown for example in figures 3a and 3b, the slider 11 has an elongated shape, that is to say it has an extension along the guide 10 that is greater than the dimensions on the planes perpendicular to the guide 10. Advantageously, this stabilizes the movement of the slider 11 along the guide 10.
In greater detail, the movable portion comprises a second sheet 12 having a first end 12a hinged to the fixed portion 6, in particular at the rotation axis "A". A second end 12b is opposite to the first end 12a along the sliding direction "G". The mentioned guide 10 extends between the first 12a and the second end 12b of the second sheet 12.
In the preferred embodiment, the guide 10 is formed by a substantially rectilinear groove 13. In alternative non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, the guide 10 may be implemented in any similar method already known by the expert in the field.
Referring in particular to figure 3b, it must be noted that the slider 11 is introduced into the groove 13, so as to slide between the first 12a and the second end 12b of the second sheet 12. A connecting element 14 is fixed to the slider 11, for example an "L"-shaped sheet, which steadily fixes the slider 11 to the panel 4.
As shown for example in figure 3b, the hinge 5 is provided with a cam 15, adapted to engage the slider 11 when the hinge is in a closing configuration. Consequently it is necessary for the user to act with a given strength to unlock the hinge 5, when it is in the closing configuration.

Claims

A hood (1) for the suction of cooking fumes comprising:
- a main body (2) having an opening (3) that can face a cooking hob for the suction of cooking fumes;

- a panel (4) connected to the main body (2) and placed at the opening (3) for partially covering it, the panel (4) being smaller than the opening (3), so as to leave a peripheral zone of the opening (3) free, the panel (4) having at least one pair of sides (4a, 4b) opposite each other;

- at least one hinge (5) connected to the panel (4) and to the main body (2) and configured to allow the rotation of said panel (4) with respect to said main body (2) to make the inside of said main body (2) accessible through said opening (3), said hinge (5) comprising a fixed portion (6) connected to said main body (2) and a movable portion (8) connected to said panel (4) and configured to rotate with respect to said fixed portion (6) about an axis of rotation (A);
characterised in that the hinge (5) is placed at an intermediate position of a respective side (4a, 4b), said intermediate position is defined by a portion of said side (4a, 4b) comprised between 10% and 90% of the length, said movable portion (8) comprises a guide (10); a slider (11) that is slidable along said guide (10) and fixed to said panel (4) for making it slide along said guide (10).
Hood (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said guide (10) is rectilinear and defines a sliding direction (G) parallel to said panel (4).
Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said guide (10) has a first end (12a) proximal to said axis of rotation (A) and a second end (12b) opposite said first end (12a) and distal with respect to said axis of rotation (A).
Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said hinge (5) can be switched between a closing configuration in which said guide (10) is arranged on a plane defined by said opening (3) to enable the panel (4) to partially close the opening (3) and an opening configuration, in which the guide (10) is arranged transversally with respect to said opening (3) to incline said panel (4) with respect to said opening (3) and enable access to said main body (2).
Hood (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said slider (11) has a greater extension along the guide (10) with respect to the dimensions in the perpendicular planes to the guide (10).
Hood (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said guide (10) is defined by a groove (13), said slider (11) being inserted in said groove (13).
Hood (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a pair of said hinges (5) arranged on opposite sides of said panel (4).