GB2203029A - Wall-mountable domestic appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

A wall mounted domestic appliance e.g. for making beverages comprises a housing (20), means (14) on said housing for supplying electrical energy to water heating means (16), in tank (18). The appliance includes an upper unit 4 containing a filter for coffee on to which boiling water is directed from tank (18) and a lower unit (6). The housing and units together form an at least substantially enclosed cabinet whereby steam normally issuing from the appliance in use can be contained within the housing. The housing is mounted in a wall with a steam outlet (1). In a toaster, bread is grilled in an upper part and then falls into a lower section from which it is removed. Gas heating may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

WALL-MOUNTABLE DOMESTIC APPLIANCES The present invention relates to wall-mountable domestic appliances, and especially to wall-mountable liquid infusion (e.g. coffee, tea) machines and to wall-mountable toasters.

Electric coffee makers and toasters are well known domestic items which comprise a body provided with a heating element which is connected to an electrical socket connector so that the electric appliance may be provided with electric current for heating the electric elements. The connector is readily able to be disassembled from the electricity supply as desired.

Such electric appliances are often provided with an automatic device for cutting the electric current when the heating step has been completed.

Such devices operate satisfactorily but they suffer from the disadvantage that not only do they take up space on the kitchen working surfaces but also they tend to release quantities of steam and/or smoke into the kitchen atmosphere. The steam tends to recondense on the nearest cold surface and can lead to problems of discoloration of the surface, decorations etc. Smoke can have a similar deletorious effect.

The present invention has as its object the provision of domestic appliances which are wallmountable not only for convenience but also to restrict the amount of readily condensable steam entering the kitchen atmosphere.

In US-A-3366776 there is described a holder for an electrically heated kettle,- means on said holder for supplying electrical energy to said heating means, and co-operative means ensuring that the electrical energy cannot be switched on until the holder and the vessel are correctly inter-engaged.

In our EP-A-0178147 there is described an assembly of a holder for an electrically heated kettle, means on said holder for supplying electrical energy to heating means, a co-operative means ensuring that the electrical energy cannot be switched on until the holder and the vessel are correctly inter-engaged, wherein the holder comprises an open-fronted cabinet and the kettle substantially closes the front of the cabinet so that steam issuing from the kettle in use collects in the closed cabinet, and means for removing collected steam from the cabinet.

The present invention relates to improvements in assemblies of this type wherein steam normally issuing from an appliance is collected within a cabinet assembly, and recondensed to the atmosphere using the sensible heat of the appliance over a prolonged period of time.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a wall-mountable. domestic appliance comprising means for producing an edible or drinkable product and a receptacle arranged to receive the product in a downward direction from the producing means, being housed in a wall-mountable cabinet such that the product may be removed from the receptacle without moving the means for producing the product.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall-mountable assembly of a holder for an electrically heated domestic appliance, means on said holder for supplying electrical energy to heating means, co-operative means ensuring that the electrical energy cannot be switched on until the holder and the appliance are correctly inter-engaged, wherein the holder comprises an open-fronted cabinet which is substantially closed by the appliance so that steam normally issuing from the appliance in use can be collected in the cabinet, and wherein the domestic appliance comprises an upper and a lower unit, said upper unit comprising means for preparing using heat a food or drink, and said lower unit comprising means for receiving the heated food or drink from the upper unit.

Evaporation means may be provided within the cabinet to evaporate to the exterior condensate formed within the closed cabinet; means for dissipating excess steam may be additionally provided, said excess steam being in excess of that normally produced during the functioning of the assembly.

The appliance may comprise a body formed with a heating element connector and the cabinet may be formed with a corresponding connector for inter-engagement therewith only when the appliance is latched into said cabinet. The connector on said appliance may be positioned toward the base thereof, said appliance being provided with a guide for guiding said appliance into the cabinet.

In cne preferred form of the invention the upper unit is an infusion filter unit, for example for the production of tea or coffee, and the lower unit is a storage jug. In such an assembly the upper and lower units may be slidably inter-engageable with each other so that the lower unit can be withdrawn from the cabinet independently of the upper unit but the upper and lower unit can be inserted into the cabinet together. The cabinet may be provided with means for boiling water for supply to the upper unit, and control means for monitoring the amount and heat of the water supply thereto.

In another aspect of th invention the upper unit is a toasting assembly including heating elements and gate means to allow the finished toasted product to fall into the lower unit from which the toasted product can be removed. In such an arrangement the upper unit of the toasting assembly is provided with an outwardly and downwardly pivotable flap, optionally including food product guide means, whereby the product may be guided into the upper unit by upward and inward return pivoting of the flap. In this arrangement the lower unit of the toaster assembly may be provided with an outwardly and downwardly pivotable flap, optionally including food product guide means, whereby the product may be removed from the lower unit by outward and downward pivoting movement of the flap.Assemblies of the present invention may be formed as free-standing units but are preferably wall or kitchen unit mounted.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of illustration only, with reference to the drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a vertical front elevation in part cross-section of a cabinet for a first infusion device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a vertical side elevation in part crosssection of a second cabinet, similar to that of Figure 1, for an infusion device in accordance with the present invention, Figure 3 shows a front elevation of a toaster in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 shows a side elevation in part crosssection of the arrangement of Figure 3.

With reference first to Figures 1 and 2 a cabinet 20 of a generally rectangular cross-section is provided on its intended front face as shown in Figure 1 with a grill 1 for the escape of excess steam and/or smoke.

The cabinet 20 is adapted to be mounted in a wall such that only the front face shown in Figure 1 is visible, the arrangement shown in Figure 2 being contained within the wall.

The cabinet 20 is provided with a central cavity again of a generally rectangular cross-section. This cavity accommodates a coffee filter carrier 4 above a coffee jug 6, said upper and lower units being intr- engageable together such as to form an integral unit.

Each unit is provided with a handle 8 such that both units can be readily withdrawn from the cabinet 20, or the lower unit 6 can be independently withdrawn leaving the upper unit 4 in situ if desired.

The upper unit 4 is provided with a cone-shaped filter support of known type adapted to support a coffee filter of a corresponding configuration. Coffee and/or tea in suitable form can be positioned in the filter 4 prior to use. The jug 6 is provided with a level sensor 7, or more preferably means whereby the level of liquid in the jug can be assessed electronically from a level sensor disposed in the body of the cabinet. In use the upper and lower units 4,6 are slidable into inter-engagement so that they may be positioned within the cavity in the cabinet 20 so as to form a substantially enclosed space therewithin. The lower jug 6 may be withdrawn independently from the upper filter unit 4 so that the coffee or tea produced by means of the filter element can be conveniently withdrawn for use.

The cabinet 20 is also provided with a water inlet control valve 17 which supplies water to the water tank 1 8 or 11. It will be appreciated in this connection that Figures 1 and 2 represent separate embodiments: tank 11 of Figure 2 constitutes a flash heat exchanger whereas tank 18 of Figure 1 is filled to a level indicated by the sensor 7' and subsequently heated by heating element 16 which is supplied by power via the electricity supply connection 14. In either event boiling water is supplied to water outlet pipe 2.

Steam produced in the infusion device, eg. recirculated from the upper unit 4, may be used to drive water out of the tank 18 through the outlet pipe 2.

The water inlet is controlled by solenoid valve 10 which is suitably controlled by means of sensors 7', 7, and control buttons 9.

An optional steam extraction pipe with fan 3 is provided, as shown in Figure 2, if desired, and if architecturally feasible. Situate towards the base of the cabinet of Figure 2 the temperature maintenance element 12 is adapted to hold the temperature of an infused product at a predetermined level. Additionally the temperature maintenance element 12 acts upon the drip tray evaporator 13 thereby to form any condensate reaching said tray into a vapour which gently returns to the exterior without possibility of recondensation on cold surfaces within the kitchen.

In use, with the cabinet positioned in a wall space, the upper and lower units. 4 and 6 respectively are inter-engaged, and a filter paper positioned within the filter unit 4. Coffee in ground form is positioned in the filter unit and the units 4, 6 slid together into the cavity in the cabinet 20. A selector button 9 is pressed to open the solenoid valve 10 and to commence heating of the liquid in the tanks 18 or 11.

Control means (not shown) arrange that a suitable supply of water is forced up the outlet pipe 2 and hence is supplied to the ground coffee within the filter unit 4. Filtered coffee passes into the jug 6 to a predetermined level.

The control means in addition to switching on the water heating means for the tank 11, 18 also switch on the heating maintenance element 12. This maintains the coffee at a desired temperature and also causes evaporation of any condensate in the drip tray. During the infusion process a certain amount of steam rises from the filter unit 4. This mostly condenses out within the cavity of the cabinet 20 and runs down the walls thereof toward the drip collector 15 which feeds the same to the drip tray 13 from whence it is vaporised to the exterior. The fan 3 can optionally withdraw excess steam via pipe 19 to the exterior where this is feasible. Even where pipe 19 and fan 3 are provided, the drip tray evaporator is required since inevitably drips of water flowing from the outlet pipe 2 will fall into the drip tray 13 when the upper and lower units 4 and 6 have been removed.

Another embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 show a toaster unit similar in concept to the infusion device shown in Figures 1 and 2, but wherein the toaster unit replaces the upper and lower units shown in Figures 1 and 2. The toaster unit of Figures 3 and 4 can be interchangeable with the upper and lower units 3 and 4 of Figures 1 and 2, or it may be built as a separate unit.

In the arrangement of Figures 3 and 4 a cabinet 20 of the type generally described above is provided with a grill 1 towards its upper and outer face. The cabinet is again intended for positioning within a space in a wall and hence only the front face shown in Figure 3 is intended to b seen.

An upper unit 23 according to the present invention provides a toasting area, whereas the lower storage unit 28 is situated immediately inferior thereto.

With reference to the upper unit 23 a toasting area is provided with four slots for the accommodation of slices of bread for toasting. The toasting area is provided with a plurality of heating elements shown diagrammatically which are operated in accordance with a programme control associated with selector switch 25 and an/off switch 24. A flap 21, provided with a plurality of retaining bars 22, is pivoted towards its lower inner edge so as to move outwardly and downwardly, or upwardly and inwardly. The food product for toasting 22' may be positioned on the flap 21 when the flap 21 is in its downward outward position. The food product 22' is retained by the retaining bars 22 such that when the flap is moved upwardly and inwardly the toastable product is pivoted into a position between the heating elements.The flap 21 is preferably formed of transparent material so that the toasting process may be readily observed.

The upper unit of the toaster in accordance with the present invention is provided with a plurality of gates 27, one gate beneath each position of the food product 22'. The gates 27 are controlled by gate control 26 such that at the end of the toasting process, as selected by means of the control unit associated with selector buttons 25, the gate 27 opens and allows the toasted, product to fall under gravity into the lower storage unit 28. The lower storage unit is provided with a temperature maintenance element 29.

The lower storage area 28 is also provided with a flap 30 of a similar configuration to that of flap 21. Flap 30 can be pivoted outwardly and downwardly to allow removal of the toasted product therefrom. It will be appreciated that temperature maintenance element 29 maintains the temperature of the toast at a predetermined value while also providing heat whereby any condensate forming at the bottom of the storage unit 28 is vaporised and removed to the exterior as discussed above.

Accordingly the present invention provides a domestic appliance for wall mounting, said domestic appliance comprising an infusion device or toaster. It should be noted that domestic appliances according to this invention may be heated using gas or other power instead of electricity.

Claims (15)

1. A wall-mountable domestic appliance comprising means for producing an edible or drinkable product and a receptacle arranged to receive the product in a downward direction from the producing means, being housed in a wall-mountable cabinet such that the product may be removed from the receptacle without moving the means for producing the product.

2. A wall-mountable assembly of a holder for an electrically-heated domestic appliance, means on said holder for supplying electrical energy to heating means, co-operative means ensuring that the electrical energy cannot be switched on until the holder and the appliance are correctly inter-engaged, wherein the holder comprises an open-fronted cabinet which is substantially closed by the appliance so that steam normally issuing from the appliance in use can be collected in the cabinet, and wherein the domestic appliance comprises an upper and a lower unit, said upper unit comprising means for preparing using heat a food or drink, and said lower unit comprising means for receiving the heated food or drink from the upper unit.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the provision of evaporation means to evaporate to the exterior condensate formed within the cabinet.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the cabinet is provided with means for dissipating steam.

5. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the appliance comprises a body formed with a heating element connector and wherein the cabinet is formed with a corresponding electric connector, said connectors being adapted for inter-engagement only when the appliance is latched into said cabinet.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the connector on said appliance is positioned toward the base thereof, said appliance being provided with a bore let into the body thereof to provide a guide for guiding said appliance into the cabinet.

7. An assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the upper unit is an infusion filter unit, and the lower unit is a storage jug.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the upper and lower units are slidably interengageable so that the lower unit can be withdrawn from the cabinet independently of the upper unit, but the upper and lower units can be inserted into the cabinet together.

9. An assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the cabinet is provided with means for boiling water for supply to the upper unit, and control means for monitoring the amount and heat of the water supply to the upper unit.

10. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the upper unit is a toasting assembly including heating elements and gate means to allow finished toasted products to fall into the lower unit from which the toasted product can be removed.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, wherein the upper unit of the toasting assembly is provided with an outwardly and downwardly pivotable flap, optionally including food product guide means, whereby the product may be guided into the upper unit by upward and inward return pivoting of the flap.

12. An assembly according to either of claim 10 or 11, wherein the lower unit of the toasting assembly is provided with an outwardly and downwardly pivotable flap, optionally including food product guide means, whereby the product may be removed from the lower unit by outward and downward pivotal movement of the flap.

13. An assembly according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the assembly is adapted for wall mounting.

14. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein the appliance is heated using gas instead of electricity.

15. A wall-mountable assembly for producing an edible or drinkable heated product, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the drawings.