EP4187160A1

EP4187160A1 - Container for a kitchen apparatus and kitchen apparatus with a container

Info

Publication number: EP4187160A1
Application number: EP21210201.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Alwin Neukamm; Björn Leyh; Valerio Verdoliva; Eduardo PUOTI; Lokesh PATIL
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2021-11-24
Filing date: 2021-11-24
Publication date: 2023-05-31
Also published as: AU2022395190A1; WO2023094110A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (100) for accommodation, in particular for reception, of substances, wherein the container (100) is configured for an arrangement at or a connection, preferably a detachable connection, with a housing wall (310) of a kitchen apparatus (300), wherein at least a part of the container (100) is configured to be transferred from a first orientation or a first position (P1) relative to the housing wall (310) to a second orientation or a second position (P2) relative to the housing wall (310) without a detachment of the container (100) or of the at least part of the container (100) from the housing wall (310), wherein preferably at least a portion of the container (100), in particular a portion of a bottom element (130) of the container (100), is at least approximately horizontally aligned, when the at least part of the container (100) is in the first orientation or first position (P1), and/or is inclined to the horizontal, when the at least part of the container (100) is in the second orientation or second position (P2). The invention relates further to a kitchen apparatus (300) comprising or being configured to be equipped with a container (100) .

Description

The present invention is in the field of kitchen appliances and relates to a container for a kitchen apparatus for accommodation of substances such as liquids. The present invention relates further to a kitchen apparatus with such a container.
Containers in the form of liquid collectors in the course of combination apparatuses with a hob and a hood, for example, are known from the prior art. Reference is made, for example, to the German patent applications No. DE 10 2016 211 206 A1 and DE 10 2016 207 A1 . However, such containers are characterized by a relatively complex configuration as well as assembly or placement and/or disassembly or removal. Moreover, the handling of such containers is difficult, preferably with regard to emptying from the collected liquids and it may well happen that collected liquids are spilled.
It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an improved container for a kitchen apparatus with a wall, in particular a housing wall, that is configured such that the container with accommodated, specifically collected, substances can be emptied easily from the substances, preferably without a complete disassembly or removal from the housing wall, and that a spilling is avoided. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kitchen apparatus being configured for arrangement of such a container and/or to provide a kitchen apparatus with such a container.
The object is achieved by the container according to claim 1 and the kitchen apparatuses according to claim 16. Further examples and applications of the present invention result from the dependent claims and are explained in the following description with partial reference to the figures.
A first general aspect of the present invention relates to a container for accommodation, in particular for reception, of substances, such as liquids, preferably dripping or at least drip-able liquids from a filter unit of a hood, i.e. a fume extraction device of the kitchen apparatus, wherein the container is configured for an arrangement at or a connection, preferably a detachable connection, with a housing wall of a kitchen apparatus. At least a part of the container is configured to be transferred from a first orientation or a first position relative to the housing wall to at least a second orientation or a second position relative to the housing wall without a detachment of the container or of the at least part of the container from the housing wall. According to a first preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the container, in particular a portion of a bottom element of the container, is at least approximately horizontally aligned, when the at least part of the container is in the first orientation or first position. According to a second preferred embodiment, which may be provided in addition or alternatively to the first preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the container, in particular a portion of a bottom element of the container, is inclined to the horizontal, when the at least part of the container is in the second orientation or second position.
Hence, the present invention provides a container that can be easily installed and handled in connection with a housing wall of a kitchen apparatus such that, for example, the container can be emptied from the substances and need not to be completely released or removed from the housing wall for emptying. Hence, a spilling of substances can be avoided.
According to an embodiment, the container or the at least part of the container comprises a first lateral section and a second lateral section, wherein the second lateral section is arranged opposite the first lateral section. The container or the at least part of the container is pivotably arranged or arrangeable on the housing wall, in particular on or next to an edge of a cutout of the housing wall. The second lateral section is displaced during the transfer of at least the part of the container from the first orientation or first position to the second orientation or second position, preferably displaced towards a lower level.
The container may comprise at least one hinge-locking unit, which is configured to be hooked into at least one recess of the housing wall. In that case, the at least one hinge-locking unit is configured to lock, preferably in at least one first direction, the container in the first orientation or first position for collection of the substances and to hold the container at least in the second orientation or second position for emptying the container from the substances, preferably when the container is hooked into the at least one recess of the housing wall via the at least one hinge-locking unit.
For example, it is possible via the at least one hinge-locking unit to locate the container in an inclined orientation or angled position for emptying while continuing to hold the container against the housing wall via the at least one hinge-locking unit.
More specifically, the present invention provides a container with an easier handling and avoids, for example, a liquid flood inside the kitchen apparatus. The container can be, for example, hinged at a specific position and is operable with just one hand. The container can perform at least partially a rotational movement about a rotational axis, preferably within an angle range from 0° (first orientation or first position) and 60° (second orientation or second position), before it can be released or removed completely from the kitchen apparatus.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, for enabling at least partially a rotational movement of the container, preferably about a rotational axis, between the first orientation or first position and the at least second orientation or second position the at least one hinge-locking unit may be designed as an at least partially hook-shaped or at least partially stirrup-shaped element or portion of the container, and/or may comprise at least one undercut. Hence, the container comprises means for performing an at least partial rotational movement wherein in particular the at least one hinge-locking unit is at least partially hook-shaped or at least partially stirrup-shaped and/or comprises at least one undercut.
This allows, for example, a simple but robust design of the at least one hinge-locking unit and allows in the further, a kinematic flexibility of the container, preferably with regard to rotational movement during, for example, a hooked-in status.
It is possible that for supporting the container at the housing wall the at least one hinge-locking unit can comprise at least one abutment element and/or at least one abutment section, wherein particularly the at least one abutment element may be configured as a rail or as a cone, and/or wherein preferably the at least one abutment section can be configured as a wall section. Said at least one abutment section may be configured for supporting the container at the housing wall to hold the container in the at least second orientation or second position, preferably when the container is hooked into the at least one recess of the housing wall via the at least one hinge-locking unit.
According to further aspect of the present invention, the at least one abutment section and at least one further abutment section may be arranged spaced apart from each other and may be configured for supporting the container at the housing wall in essentially opposite directions to each other to hold the container in the first orientation or first position, preferably when the container is hooked into the at least one recess of the housing wall via the at least one hinge-locking unit.
The at least one hinge-locking unit may comprise at least one reinforcing element, wherein the at least one reinforcing element may be configured as a rip or as a strut, and/or can extend at least partially in a circumferential direction of the at least one hinge-locking unit.
The container may comprise a bottom element, wherein the at least one hinge-locking unit may be arranged at a first front end of the bottom element and/or may protrude, preferably in essentially a longitudinal direction of the container, beyond at least from a first front end of the bottom element, and the bottom element, preferably a circumferential bottom edge section of the bottom element, can be configured for contacting at least partially the housing wall in the first orientation or first position of the container, and/or wherein the at least one hinge-locking unit may be formed integrally in one piece with the bottom element.
The container may comprise at least one locking section being configured to be inserted into at least one further recess of the housing wall, wherein the at least one locking section may be configured to lock, preferably in at least one second direction being essentially perpendicular to the at least one first direction, the container in the first orientation or first position, particularly when the container is hooked into the at least one recess of the housing wall via the at least one hinge-locking unit.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one locking section may be arranged at a second front end of the bottom element being opposite, preferably essentially in a longitudinal direction of the container, to a first front end of the bottom element, in particular where the at least one hinge-locking unit is arranged, and/or wherein the at least one locking section can be configured as projection protruding beyond at least from the second front end.
It is possible that the at least one locking section can be arranged offset from the bottom element, and/or can be configured essentially flat and/or essentially plate-shaped, and/or that the at least one locking section may comprise a rail element being configured to form a detachable latching connection, preferably with at least one latching element of the housing wall.
The at least one hinge-locking unit may be configured to enable the container at least partially a rotational movement, preferably about a rotational axis, between the first position and the at least second position in an angle range from about 0° to about at least 60°.
The container may comprise a side element to form a container volume of the container, wherein the side element can protrude from a bottom element of the container, preferably essentially perpendicularly from the bottom element, and may form an opening of the container.
The side element may be of closed circumferential configuration and may be arranged spaced apart from the front ends of the bottom element, i.e. inside the bottom element.
The side element may comprise a channel section being configured for guiding the substances in a direction, preferably in essentially a longitudinal direction of the container.
The channel section may comprise in a view, preferably in a top view in direction to a bottom element of the container, a steadily essentially tapering contour, preferably at least partially an essentially V-shaped contour.
The side element can be configured to at least partially receive a covering element to at least partially cover the opening, and/or to form a labyrinth with a covering element, preferably when the covering element is received by the side element. The covering element may comprise a hole being smaller than the opening of the container.
The side element may comprise at least partially a double-wall section with a first side wall and a second side wall being arranged from each other, preferably essentially in parallel, and/or may be configured for insertion at least partially a side element, i.e. a side wall, of the covering element, preferably when the covering element is received by the container.
A second general aspect of the present invention relates to kitchen apparatus, comprising or being configured to be equipped with a container as disclosed herein. The kitchen apparatus may comprise a housing with a housing wall, which housing or housing wall comprises or includes at least one recess for receiving or providing space for at least a part of the container. Additionally or as an alternative, means may be included, which are adapted to be paired with or to interact with the at least one hinge-locking unit.
The previously described examples and features of the present invention can be combined with each other in any way.
Further or other details and advantageous effects of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures:

Fig. 1: illustrates a perspective view of an example of a kitchen apparatus that comprises or is configured to be equipped with an example of a container according to the present invention;
Fig. 2: illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container from figure 1, wherein the container is detachably connected to a housing wall of the kitchen apparatus;
Fig. 3: illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container from figure 1;
Fig. 4: illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container from figure 1 with a covering element;
Fig. 5: illustrates an enlarged section view of a cutout of the of the example of the container from figure 1, wherein the container 1 is arranged towards the housing wall in a first position;
Fig. 6: illustrates an enlarged section view of the cutout of the of the example of the container from figure 1, wherein the container 1 is arranged towards the housing wall in a second position;
Fig. 7: illustrates an enlarged section view of a further cut-out of the example of the container from figure 1, wherein the container is arranged towards the housing wall in the first position;
Fig. 8: illustrates a section view of the example of the container from figure 1, wherein the container is arranged towards the housing wall in the third position.

The following detailed description of the examples shown in the figures serves as a closer illustration or exemplification and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example of a kitchen apparatus 300 that comprises or is configured to be equipped with an example of a container 100 according to the present invention.
The kitchen apparatus 300 is preferably a combination apparatus that comprises a hob 340 and a fume extraction device 350.
The hob 340 comprises preferably several cooking units (not visible in figure 1). Each of the cooking units may be preferably configured as an induction cooking unit with each a resonant circuit comprising, for example, at least one resonant capacitor and at least one induction coil. In other words, the cooking units may be operated by hob power units comprising power boards, i.e. power electronics. Alternatively, the cooking units can be configured differently with regard to the principle of generating heat, for example, as heating coils, gas burners or the like. The cooking units are at least partially integrated in and/or are at least partially supported by a frame structure 341 of the hob 340. The frame structure 341 serves as supporting structure of the hob 340 and further as a mounting structure of the kitchen apparatus 300, for example, for mounting or integration on or in a kitchen cabinet or countertop of a kitchen cabinet.
The hob 340 further comprises a cooktop plate 342. The cooktop plate 342 may be configured essentially flat and/or essentially plated-shaped. The cooktop plate 342 may comprise an essentially rectangular-shaped contour in a view, preferably in a top view. The cooktop plate 342 may be made, for example, of glass and/or ceramic material. The cooktop plate 342 is arranged on a front face of the frame structure 341. The cooking units are at least partially arranged on or integrated in the cooktop plate 342. The cooktop plate 342 comprises an inlet recess (not visible in figure 1). The inlet recess may the arranged and/or formed essentially centrally in the cooktop plate 342. The inlet recess may comprise an essentially rectangular cross-section through which fumes are to be sucked.
As already stated above, the hob 340 comprises the fume extraction device 350 with a housing 351. The fume extraction device 350 may be, for example, configured as a downdraft fume extraction device 350. The fume extraction device 350 comprises an intake duct (not visible in figure 1) that is connected to the inlet recess of the cooktop plate 342 in order to suck and guide the fumes from the hob 340.
The intake duct is in flow connection with a blower unit (not visible in figure 1) of the fume extraction device 350. The blower unit is arranged inside the housing 351 of the fume extraction device 350 and thus not visible in figure 1. The blower unit may comprise a propeller and an electric motor for driving the propeller in order to realize the extraction, i.e. suction effect for the fumes.
The fume extraction device 350 comprises a filter unit with at least one grease filter and/or at least one odor filter. The at least one grease filter and/or the at least one odor filter may be arranged between the inlet recess of the cooktop plate 342 and the blower unit, preferably in the intake duct of the fume extraction device 350 below the inlet recess. The at least one grease filter and/or the at least one odor filter may be configured essentially plate-shaped, and/or the at least one grease filter and the at least one odor filter can be arranged essentially in parallel to each other. It is possible that the fume extraction device 350 comprises, for example, two filter units being at least partially spaced from each other, and preferably inclined or angled to each other, for example in a wedge-shaped configuration. The at least one filter unit may filter the fumes and extract contents from the fumes. The at least one grease filter and/or the at least one odor filter of the at least one filter unit may generate substances from the fumes such as liquids. The liquids can drip from the at least one filter unit in the direction of the earth gravity field under corresponding circumstances. However, such liquids may be accommodated or collected by the container 100 according to the present invention as exemplary described below.
The housing 351 of the fume extraction device 350 and thus the kitchen apparatus 300 in a further sense comprises a housing wall 310. The housing wall 310 may be configured essentially flat and/or essentially plate-shaped. The housing wall 310 comprises recesses 321 and 322 and a hole 333 for the container 100 in order to collect liquids in a first orientation or first position P1 that is illustrated in figure 2. Figure 1 shows an example of the container 100 in a fourth orientation or fourth position P4 representing a decoupled and an inclined or angled orientation or position with regard to the mounting wall 310. The orientation or position of the container 100 towards the mounting wall 310 can be characterized by angle α.
Further aspects of the container 100 that are labelled with reference signs in figure 1 are described in more detail below with regard to the further figures.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container 100 from figure 1 according to the present invention, wherein the container 100 is detachably connected to the housing wall 310 of the kitchen apparatus 300. In other words, the container 100 is configured for detachable connection, preferably manually detachable connection (detachable by hand), with the housing wall 310 of the kitchen apparatus 300 as it will be described in further detail below.
The kitchen apparatus 300 is now illustrated at least partially schematically in figure 1 for the sake of clarity, wherein the housing wall 310 of the kitchen apparatus 300, i.e. the fume extraction device 350 is illustrated graphically in further detail.
The container 100 according to the present invention is configured for accommodation, in particular for reception, of substances such as liquids, preferably dripping or at least drip-able liquids, for example from a filter unit of a kitchen apparatus 300 as described above. As described above, the housing wall 310 may be, for example, a housing wall of the fume extraction device 350 or, in the alternative, of the filter unit of the kitchen apparatus 300. It is possible that the container 100 may be configured for accommodation, in particular for reception, of substances in connection with other household appliances than kitchen apparatuses.
The container 100 comprises a first hinge-locking unit 110 and a second hinge-locking unit 120 each being visible in figure 1 and being visible only partially in figure 2. The first hinge-locking unit 110 is configured to be hooked into a first recess 321 of the housing wall 310 that is illustrated in further detail in figures 4 and 5. The second hinge-locking unit 120 is configured to be hooked into a second recess 321 of the housing wall 310 (see figure 1).
The container 100 is characterized by a bottom element 130 that extends in a longitudinal direction X which preferably represents the direction of the largest extension of the container 100 in a spatial direction.
Via the first and the second hinge-locking units 110 and 120, it is possible that the container 100 is able to perform at least partially a rotational movement, preferably about a rotational axis R between a first orientation or position P1 and a second orientation or position P2 while being hooked into the first recess 321 and the second recess 321 via the first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120. The at least partial movement and/or the respective position of the container 100 may be characterized, for example, by the angle α.
In order to further connect the container 100 detachably to the housing wall 310, the housing wall 310 further comprises a first latching element 331 and a second latching element 332. Both the first latching element 331 and the second latching element 332 is each configured to be operated manually, i.e. to be operated by hand, preferably essentially in the longitudinal direction X in order to fasten and to release the container 100 from the housing wall 310.
For an optimum realization of the functionality of accommodation of substances by the container 100, the housing wall 310 on which the container 100 is intended to be used is preferably an essentially flat and/or an essentially plate-shaped housing wall 310, and preferably aligned and/or positioned essentially horizontally. The container 100 is preferably configured for accommodation, in particular reception, of dripping or at least drip-able liquids, thus therefore exploiting gravity and the resulting drop direction.
Corresponding elements and components by which the container 100 according to the present invention is characterized are now described in more detail below with reference to the further figures.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container 100 from figures 1 and 2.
The container 100 of the present invention may be preferably made of essentially a plastic material, preferably by at least one injection process and/or by at least one casting process. In the alternative, it is possible that the container 100 of the present invention 100 is made essentially from a metallic material. Is understood that the container 100 comprises several walls and/or wall sections of which the most relevant ones and/or the most essential ones are described herein in the course of the description of an example of the present invention.
The container 100 is essentially shaped or configured like a box or drawer. The container 100 comprises a bottom element 130. The bottom element 130 is configured essentially flat and/or essentially plate-shaped. In other words, the bottom element 130 is preferably configured as a bottom plate. The bottom element 130 extends essentially in the longitudinal direction X of the container 100.
As also already illustrated above, the container 100 comprises a first hinge-locking unit 110 and a second hinge-locking unit 120 of which merely the second hinge-locking unit 120 is visible in figure 3. The first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120 are arranged at a first front end 131 of the bottom element 130. The first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120 are preferably formed integrally each in one piece with the bottom element 130 as disclosed herein.
The container 100 comprises further a first locking section 140 and a second locking section 150. Both the first locking section 140 and the second locking section 150 are arranged at a second frond end 132 of the bottom element 130. The second front end 132 is located opposite, preferably essentially in the longitudinal direction X of the container 100, to the first front end 131 where both the first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120 are arranged. By analogy with the first and the second hinge-locking units 110 and 120, the first locking section 140 and the second locking section 150 are preferably formed integrally each in one piece with the bottom element 130 as disclosed herein. The first locking section 140 and the second locking section 150 further serve to form the detachable connection of the container 100 to the housing wall 310 via interaction with the first latching element 331 and the second latching element 332.
The bottom element 130 is further characterized by a third front end 133 and a fourth front end 134 being arranged opposite to each other.
The container 100 further comprises a side element 160 to form a container volume of the container 100 for the accommodation, in particular reception, of the substances. The side element 160 protrudes from the bottom element 130, preferably essentially perpendicularly from the bottom element 130 and forms an opening 101 of the container 100. The side element 160 may also be preferably formed integrally in one piece with the bottom element 130 as disclosed herein. The contour of the cross section 103 of the opening 101 of the container 100 is marked in figure 3 via a dashed line.
The side element 160 is preferably of closed circumferential configuration, i.e. extends along and/or around the bottom element 130. Further, the side element 160 is arranged spaced apart from the front ends 131, 132, 133 and 134 of the bottom element 130 thus providing a bottom edge section 135 of the bottom element 130 between the side element 160 and the front ends 131, 132, 133 and 134.
The circumferential bottom edge section 135 of the bottom element 130 and in particular the corresponding circumferential surface is configured for contacting at least partially the housing wall 310 in the first orientation or position P1 of the container 100, i.e. when the container 100 is detachably connected with the housing wall 310 as it will be described in further detail below.
Figure 3 further illustrates schematically and exemplary via a dashed arrow the direction of the fall of a drop of a substance, i.e. of a liquid drop.
In order to optimize emptying the container 100, preferably in a second orientation or position P2 being different to the first orientation or position PI, the side element 160 comprises a channel section 163. The channel section 163 is configured for guiding the substances in a direction, preferably essentially in the longitudinal direction X of the container 100. In order to be able to realize the function of guiding the substances for emptying the container 100, the channel section 163 comprises in a view, preferably in a top view in direction to the bottom element 130 of the container 100, an essentially steadily tapering contour 164, preferably at least partially an essentially V-shaped contour 164. Hence, the container 100 of the present invention is characterized by a drainage system that guides the substances, i.e. the liquids in a defined manner when emptying the container 100 in a second orientation or position P2.
A part of the channel section 163 of the side element 160 is illustrated enlarged in a top view in figure 3.
In addition, it is possible to equip the container 100 with an optional covering element 200. The covering element 200 is illustrated in figure 4 in connection with the container 100. The covering element 200 can be combined with the container 100, for example, when the container 100 is used in the course of accommodation of substances of a filter unit according to which the container 100 is located and/or positioned via a housing wall 310 below such a filter unit, and where it is necessary to avoid the substances, preferably liquids, to be sucked by a blower unit of a fume extraction device 350 and thus to be emptied at least partially in an undesirable manner.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the example of the container 100 from figure 1 with the covering element 200. Referring to figures 2 and 3, the side element 160 of the container 100 is configured to at least partially receive the covering element 200 to at least partially cover the (initial) opening 101 of the container 100.
The covering element 200 comprises a base element 201 being configured essentially flat and/or plate-shaped and comprising a hole 202 so that substances can enter the container 100 when used. The covering element 200 thus reduces the cross section of the opening 101 but allows due to covering of areas in the proximity of the side element 160 that substances within the container 100, i.e. being accommodated by the container 100, are sucked from the container 100 in a corresponding flow regime. Hence, the covering element 200 is configured to be connected to the container 100 as disclosed herein which will be described in further detail below in the course of the further figures.
Figure 5 illustrates now an enlarged section view of a cutout of the example of the container 100 from figure 1, wherein the container 100 is in a first orientation or position P1. The first orientation or position P1 represents preferably an orientation or position according to which the container 100 is detachably connected to the or with the housing wall 310, i.e. detachably fixed, preferably essentially horizontally.
Figure 5 illustrates a configuration of the container 100 with regard or with focus to the first hinge-locking unit 110. The following description of the features and aspects of the first hinge-locking unit 110 does preferably also apply to the second hinge-locking unit 120 as illustrated, for example, in figures 1 and 2. In other words, the first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120 are preferably configured essentially identically.
Due to a corresponding arrangement of the first hinge-locking unit 110 and the second hinge-locking unit 120, it is possible to describe the mechanisms of connection and motion of the container 100 of the present invention in the course of the description of the first hinge-locking unit 110.
As regards the first orientation or position P1 of the container 100, the container 100 is hooked into the recess 321 of the housing wall 310 of the kitchen apparatus 300 that is illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The recess 321 comprises, for example, an essentially rectangular-shaped cross section being configured such that the first hinge-locking unit 110 can be inserted into and thus hooked into the recess 321. In addition, the housing wall 310 comprises a groove or a slot 330 for formation of at least a form-fit engagement of a section of the first hinge-locking unit 110.
The first hinge-locking unit 110 is configured to lock, preferably at least in a first direction, more preferably in the longitudinal direction X, the container 100 in the first orientation or position P1 such that the collection or reception of substances, i.e. liquids, by the container 100 can be ensured. The first orientation or position P1 is preferably an orientation or a position wherein the essentially flat and essentially plate-shaped bottom element 130 of the container 100 is located and/or oriented essentially horizontally, preferably when the kitchen apparatus 300 is in an operating and/or mounted status.
The first hinge-locking unit 110 is configured at least partially hook-shaped or at least partially stirrup-shaped. In other words, the first hinge-locking unit 110 comprises an undercut 116 and the undercut 116 is configured to be engaged with the recess 321. The first hinge-locking unit 110 may thus be configured like a stirrup-shaped handle.
In order to the strengthen the hook-shaped or the stirrup-shaped section and to increase the stability of the first hinge-locking unit 110, the first hinge-locking unit 110 comprises a reinforcing element 115. The reinforcing element 115 is configured as a rip or as a strut, and/or extends at least partially in a circumferential direction of the first hinge-locking unit 110. The reinforcing element 115 as rip or strut extends essentially in a plane being essentially perpendicular to the bottom element 130 and preferably aligned in longitudinal direction X of the container 100.
The first hinge-locking unit 110 comprises an abutment element 114 for further supporting the container 100 and/or at least engaging with the groove or slot 330. In order to realize the function of supporting and/or at least engaging the abutment element 114 is configured as a rail 114 being arranged accordingly and/or complementary with the configuration of the groove or slot 330. It is in the alternative possible that the abutment element 114 is configured as a cone, for example.
The first hinge-locking unit 110 further comprises a first abutment section 111 and a second abutment section 112. The first abutment section 111 and the second abutment section 112 are preferably formed by walls or at least wall sections of the first hinge-locking unit 110.
The first abutment section 111 and the second abutment section 112 are arranged spaced apart from each other and are configured for supporting the container 100 at the housing wall 310 in opposite directions to each other to hold, preferably to support, the container 100 in the first position P1.
It is possible that the first hinge-locking unit 110 may further comprise a third abutment section 113 that is configured for supporting the container 100 at the housing wall 310 to hold the container 100 in the second orientation or position P2 as it is illustrated in figure 2. However, this is preferably accompanied by a corresponding configuration, preferably by a corresponding width, of the undercut 116 of the first hinge-locking unit 110 as well as the configuration of the recess 321 of the housing wall 310 according to which the first hinge-locking unit 110 is configured to be hooked into.
As it can be further retrieved from figure 5 and as described above, the side element 160 of the container 100 is configured to at least partially receive the covering element 200. The covering element 200 is characterized by an essentially flat and an essentially plate-shaped base element 201 comprising a hole 202. A side element, i.e. a side wall 203 is arranged at the base element 201 and protrudes beyond, preferably essentially perpendicularly, from the base element 201.
When the covering element 200 is received by the container 100, the side wall 203 of the covering element 200 is arranged in the space between the first side wall 161 and the second side wall 162 of the side element 160 of the container 100. The side element 160 and preferably the opening 101 of the container 100 is covered in a certain area. A labyrinth 204 is formed that, for example, prevents substances, i.e. liquids, being inside the container 100 to be sucked from the container 100 due to a corresponding flow regime, for example being generated by a blower of a fume extraction device.
When the covering element 200 is received by the container 100, the base element 201 contacts preferably at least one of the front ends of the first side wall 161 and/or the second side wall 162 (not further marked in figure 5 for the sake of clarity) .
In order to hold and preferably to support the container 100 in the first orientation or position PI, the container 100 is detachably connected with, i.e. detachably fixed at the housing wall 310 via the first locking section 140 and the second locking section 150, which is described in further detail below on the basis of figure 7.
Figure 6 illustrates an enlarged section view of a cutout of the example of the container 100 from figure 1, wherein the container 1 is now arranged towards the housing wall 310 in a second orientation or position P2. For the sake of clarity, the covering element 200 is not illustrated in figure 6 and the abutment sections 111, 112 and 113 of the first hinge-locking unit 110 are especially marked.
The second orientation or position P2 represents preferably an orientation or position according to which the container 100 is released from the housing wall 310 at the side of the container 100 where the first and second locking sections 140 and 150 are arranged to realize the function of emptying the container 100 from the substances being accommodated in the container 100.
The configuration of the first hinge-locking unit 110 (and thus also the second hinge-locking unit 120) as preferably at least partially hook-shaped or at least partially stirrup-shaped enables the container 100, preferably via interaction with the recesses 321 of the housing wall 310, for at least partially a rotational movement of the container 100, preferably about a rotational axis R as illustrated in figures 1, 2 and 3, between the first orientation or position P1 and the second orientation or position P2 and the fourth orientation or position P4. Moreover, the first hinge locking unit 110 is configured to hold the container 100 in the second orientation or position P2 for emptying or draining the container 100 from the substances, preferably when the container 100 is still hooked into the recess 321 of the housing wall 310 via the first hinge-locking unit 110 (and in the further the second hinge-locking unit 120).
More specifically, the first hinge-locking unit 110 is configured to enable the container 100 at least partially a rotational movement, preferably about the rotational axis R, between the first orientation or position P1 and the at least second orientation or position P2 in an angle range α from about 0° to at least about 60° while preferably still being hooked into the recess 321. At an angle of more than 60°, for example, it is of course possible to hook out and thus to release the container 100 from the housing wall 310, in order to further empty and/or clean the container 100, for example.
Depending on the configuration and preferably the geometric design of the first hinge-locking unit 110 as well as the recess 321, other angles α or angle ranges α may also be considered.
Figure 7 illustrates an enlarged section view of a further cutout of the example of the container 100 from figure 1, wherein the container 100 is arranged towards the housing wall 310 in the first orientation or position P1.
Figure 7 illustrates vividly a cutout of the side of the container 100 being opposite to the side where the first and second hinge-locking unit 110 and 120 are arranged.
As already stated above, the container 100 comprises further a first locking section 140 and a second locking section 150 of which the first locking section 140 is visible in figure 7. The representations and explanations in connection with the first locking section 140 do preferably also apply to the second locking section 150 accordingly.
The first locking section 140 is configured to be inserted in a further recess 322 of the housing wall 310. The first locking section 140 is configured to lock the container 100 in a direction essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X when the container 100 is in the first orientation or position PI, i.e. in an orientation or position according to which the container 100 can be detachably connected with or fixed at the housing wall 310.
The first locking section 140 is arranged at the second frond end 132 of the bottom element 130 being opposite in essentially the longitudinal direction X of the container 100 to the first front end 131 of the bottom element 130 where the first and second hinge-locking units 110 and 120 are arranged.
The first locking section 140 is preferably configured essentially flat and plate-shaped as a projection protruding beyond at least from the second front end 132 (see also figure 1). Moreover, the first locking section 140 is arranged offset from the bottom element 130.
The first locking section 140 comprises a rail element 141 being configured to form a detachable latching mechanism or a detachable latching connection. The rail element 141 extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the container 100.
The detachable latching mechanism or detachable latching connection of the first locking section 140 is realized via the first latching element 331. The first latching element 331 is slidably mounted on the housing wall 310 via at least one guiding hook element 334 that penetrates at least one rail-like recess in the housing wall 310 (not visible in figure 6). The at least one guiding hook element 334 is further guided along a base 335 of the housing wall 310.
The first latching element 331 can be operated preferably manually, i.e. by hand, in the directions as indicated in figure 7 via the double arrow in order to release the container 100 from the housing wall 310 when the container 100 is in the first orientation or position P1. The first latching element 331 (and thus also the second latching element 332) provides a simple but efficient mechanism for realization of a detachable connection of the container 100 at the housing wall 310.
It is understood that corresponding sections of the container 100, preferably of the bottom element 130 contact and/or abut with respective sections of the housing wall 310 which are not described in further detail.
Figure 8 illustrates a section view of the example of the container 100 from figure 1, wherein the container 100 is arranged towards the housing wall 310 in a third orientation or position P3.
The angle α of the container 100, i.e. the bottom element 130, towards the housing wall 310 has reached a corresponding amount, preferably more than 60°, according to which the container 100 can be released completely from the housing wall 310. In other words, the container 100 is in a position and/or in an orientation that the first and the second hinge-locking units 110 and 120 can be hooked out from the corresponding recesses 321 of the housing wall 310 of which one recess 321 is visible in figure 8.
In a synopsis of the figures, it can be retrieved that the housing wall 310 of the kitchen apparatus 300 is configured essentially flat and/or plate shaped. The housing wall 310 comprises a hole 333 of corresponding dimension such that at least the side element 160 of the container 100, optionally with the covering element 200, can penetrate through for accommodation, i.e. collection of substances by the container 100.
The housing wall 310 comprises two recesses 321 being configured for hooking in the first and the second hinge-locking units 110 and 120 of the container 100. The housing wall 310 comprises two further recesses 322 being configured for insertion of the first and the second locking sections 140 and 150 of the container 100 to be locked via the first and the second latching elements 331 and 332 (see also figure 1).
The present invention provides a container 100 for accommodation, in particular reception, of substances which can be easily manufactured and emptied by means of simple manual operation.
The present invention is not limited to the examples described above. Rather, a large number of variants and modifications are possible, which also make use of the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope of protection.

List of reference signs

100: container
101: opening
103: cross section
110: hinge-locking unit
111: abutment section
112: abutment section
113: abutment section
114: abutment element
115: reinforcing element
116: undercut
120: hinge-locking unit
130: bottom element
131: front end
132: front end
133: front end
134: front end
135: bottom edge section
140: locking section
150: locking section
160: side element
161: first side wall
162: second side wall
163: channel section
200: covering element
201: base element
202: hole
203: side wall
204: labyrinth
300: kitchen apparatus
310: housing wall
321: recess
322: recess
330: groove/slot
331: latching element
332: latching element
333: hole
334: guiding hook element
335: base
340: hob
341: frame structure
342: cooktop plate
350: fume extraction device
351: housing

P1: first position
P2: second position
P3: third position
P4: fourth position
R: rotational axis
X: longitudinal direction

α: angle/angle range

Claims

A container (100) for accommodation, in particular for reception, of substances,
wherein the container (100) is configured for an arrangement at or a connection, preferably a detachable connection, with a housing wall (310) of a kitchen apparatus (300),

wherein at least a part of the container (100) is configured to be transferred from a first orientation or a first position (PI) relative to the housing wall (310) to a second orientation or a second position (P2) relative to the housing wall (310) without a detachment of the container (100) or of the at least part of the container (100) from the housing wall (310),

wherein preferably at least a portion of the container (100), in particular a portion of a bottom element (130) of the container (100),
- is at least approximately horizontally aligned, when the at least part of the container (100) is in the first orientation or first position (PI),
and/or

- is inclined to the horizontal, when the at least part of the container (100) is in the second orientation or second position (P2).
The container (100) according to claim 1,
wherein the container (100) or the at least part of the container (100) comprises a first lateral section and a second lateral section, the second lateral section being arranged opposite the first lateral section,

wherein the container (100) or the at least part of the container (100) is pivotably arranged or arrangeable on the housing wall (310), in particular on or next to an edge of a cutout of the housing wall (310),

and wherein the second lateral section is displaced during the transfer of at least the part of the container (100) from the first orientation or first position (PI) to the second orientation or second position (P2), preferably displaced towards a lower level.
The container (100) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the container (100) comprises at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) being configured to be hooked into at least one recess (321) of the housing wall (310),
wherein the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) is configured to lock, preferably in at least one first direction, the container (100) in the first orientation or first position (PI) for collection of the substances and

to hold the container (100) at least in the second orientation or second position (P2) for emptying the container (100) from the substances,

preferably when the container (100) is hooked into the at least one recess (321) of the housing wall (310) via the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120).
The container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the container (100) comprises means for performing an at least partial rotational movement, preferably about a rotational axis (R), between the first orientation or first position (PI) and the at least second orientation or second position (P2), in particular the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) is at least partially hook-shaped or at least partially stirrup-shaped and/or comprises at least one undercut (116).
The container (100) according to claim 3 or 4,
wherein for supporting the container (100) at the housing wall (310) the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) comprises at least one abutment element (114) and/or at least one abutment section (111, 112, 113), which at least one abutment section (113) is configured for supporting the container (100) at the housing wall (310) to hold the container (100) in the at least second orientation or second position (P2), preferably when the container (100) is hooked into the at least one recess (321) of the housing wall (310) via the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120),
the at least one abutment element (114) particularly being configured as a rail or as a cone, and/or the at least one abutment section (111, 112, 113) particularly being configured as a wall section.
The container (100) according to claim 5,
wherein the at least one abutment section (111) and at least one further abutment section (112) are arranged spaced apart from each other and are configured for supporting the container (100) at the housing wall (310) in opposite directions to each other to hold the container (100) in the first orientation or first position (PI),
preferably when the container (100) is hooked into the at least one recess (321) of the housing wall (310) via the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120).
The container (100) according to any one of the claims 3 to 6,
wherein the container (100) comprises a bottom element (130),
wherein the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) is arranged at a first front end (131) of the bottom element (130) and/or protrudes, preferably in a longitudinal direction (X) of the container (100), beyond at least from a first front end (131) of the bottom element (130),

and the bottom element (130), preferably a circumferential bottom edge section (135) of the bottom element (130), is configured for contacting at least partially the housing wall (310) in the first orientation or first position (PI) of the container (100), and/or

wherein the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) is formed integrally in one piece with the bottom element (130) .
The container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the container (100) comprises at least one locking section (140, 150) being configured to be inserted into at least one further recess (322) of the housing wall (310),
wherein the at least one locking section (140, 150) is configured to lock, preferably in at least one second direction being perpendicular to the at least one first direction, the container (100) in the first orientation or first position (PI),

particularly when the container (100) is hooked into the at least one recess (321) of the housing wall (310) via the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120).
The container (100) according to claim 8,
wherein the at least one locking section (140, 150) is arranged at a second front end (132) of the bottom element (130) being opposite, preferably in a longitudinal direction (X) of the container (100), to a first front end (131) of the bottom element (130), in particular where the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120) is arranged, and/or
wherein the at least one locking section (140, 150) is configured as projection protruding beyond at least from the second front end (132).
The container (100) according to claim 9,
wherein the at least one locking section (140, 150) is arranged offset from the bottom element (130), and/or is configured flat and/or plate-shaped, and/or
wherein the at least one locking section (140, 150) comprises a rail element (141) being configured to form a detachable latching connection,

preferably with at least one latching element (331) of the housing wall (310).
The container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the container (100) comprises a side element (160) to form a container volume of the container (100), wherein the side element (160) protrudes from a bottom element (130) of the container (130), preferably perpendicularly from the bottom element (130), and forms an opening (101) of the container (100), wherein the side element (160) is preferably of closed circumferential configuration and arranged spaced apart from the front ends (131, 132, 133, 134) of the bottom element (130).
The container (100) according to claim 11,
wherein the side element (160) comprises a channel section (163) being configured for guiding the substances in a direction, preferably in a longitudinal direction (X) of the container (100).
The container (100) according to claim 12,
wherein the channel section (163) comprises in a view, preferably in a top view in direction to a bottom element (130) of the container (100), a steadily tapering contour (164), preferably at least partially a V-shaped contour (164) .
The container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 11 to 13,
wherein the side element (160) is configured to at least partially receive a covering element (200) to at least partially cover the opening (101), and/or
to form a labyrinth (202) with a covering element (200), preferably when the covering element (200) is received by the side element (160).
The container (100) according to claim 14,
wherein the side element (160) comprises at least partially a double-wall section with a first side wall (161) and a second side wall (162) being arranged from each other, preferably in parallel, and/or being configured for insertion at least partially a side element (203) of the covering element (200), preferably when the covering element (200) is received by the container (100).
A kitchen apparatus (300) comprising or being configured to be equipped with a container (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 15, the kitchen apparatus (300) particularly comprising a housing (350) with a housing wall (310), which housing (350) or housing wall (310) includes at least one recess (321, 322) for receiving or providing space for at least a part of the container (100) and/or means (321, 330) adapted to be paired with or to interact with the at least one hinge-locking unit (110, 120).