GB2240168A

GB2240168A - Gas burner for cooking

Info

Publication number: GB2240168A
Application number: GB9026421A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alain Meslif
Original assignee: Gaz de France SA
Current assignee: Engie SA
Priority date: 1989-12-29
Filing date: 1990-12-05
Publication date: 1991-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-05
Also published as: IT1244192B; FR2656677A1; BE1003479A3; IT9022420A0; GB9026421D0; ES2027179A6; GB2240168B; IT9022420A1; FR2656677B1

Abstract

A star-shaped gas cooker burner head has a series of radial legs which provide a pan support and comprise a gas manifold 3 and a snug fitting cap 2. Gas ports 13 are defined by notches 12 in the manifold and by the cap and may be arranged on one side only of asymmetrical legs, Fig 3, and radiating from the centre of the burner head. Holes 14 in the bases of the legs supply a pilot flame between the bottom of the manifold and a base member 4. Alternatively the cap comprises two orthogonal mating members (Fig 6, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

GAS BURNER FOR COOKING The present invention relates essentially to a gas burner for a cooking table, a cookstove or cooker or the like.

It is known that the cooking tables or the cookstoves or cookers are generally fitted with several gas burners allowing to heat vessels having various shapes.

More specifically the bottom of the vessels to be heated rests upon a grate or the like interposed between the said bottom and the burner and bearing most frequently upon the table or the plate fitted with the burner.

Now the provision of such a grate is not only unaesthetic but constitutes an additional element to be kept in repair and hinders or interferes with the accessibility to the burners and to the table top for cleaning purposes.

Therefore the object of the present invention is to cope in particular with the above-mentioned inconveniences by providing an improved gas burner allowing to dispense with a grate for supporting the vessels or containers to be heated.

For that purpose the subject matter of the invention is a gas burner for a cooking table, a cookstove or cooker or the like and of the type comprising a head with gaz outlet ports or openings, characterized in that the said head consists of several legs extending from the center or middle of the head in order that these legs directly perform the function of a stable support or holder for any vessel or container whatsoever.

This burner is further characterized in that the legs of the head are at least three in number and form a regular or deformed star.

According to an examplary embodiment the head of the burner consists of a cap, cover or lid topping a part forming a gas manifold or gas rail, the cap or cover and the part exhibiting both substantially the same shape with each one having the same number of legs.

According to another embodiment the head of the burner still consists of a cap, cover or lid topping a member forming a gas manifold or gas rail but the cap comprises on the one hand a first element with two opposite legs topping both lengths constituting the part forming the gas manifold or rail and on the other hand a second element with two opposite arms mounted in orthogonal relationship and removable upon the first element.

According to still another characterizing feature of the burner according to this invention each leg of the aforesaid part comprises successive crenel-shaped openings closed by a leg of the cap to constitute the ports through which the gaseous mixture would flow out.

It should be specified here that the axes of the gas outlet ports all extend substantially through the centre or middle point of the head of the burner.

According to still another characterizing feature of the invention the aforesaid part topped with the cap is mounted on a base formed of as many legs as provided on said part, this base being itself arranged on the cooking table or hotplate.

According to still a further characterizing feature of the invention the aforesaid cap protects or shields an ignition system and possibly a flame safety thermocouple arranged underneath the said cap.

According to a preferred embodiment the legs of the cap, of the part forming a gas manifold or rail and of the base exhibit a tapering shape.

It is therefore already understood that the head of the burner according to this invention itself alone performs the function of a stable support or holder for vessels or containers of any kind whatsoever and the bottom of which would directly bear upon the cap.

The invention will be better understood and further objects, characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly as the following explanatory description proceeds with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings given by way of non limiting examples only illustrating several presently preferred specific embodiments of the invention and wherein:: - Figure 1 is an elevational half-view and a half-view in cross-section taken upon the line I-I of Figure 2 showing a first embodiment of a gas burner according to the principles of the invention; - Figure 2 is a plan top view of this burner seen in the direction of the arrow II of Figure 1 and essentially illustrating the shape of the cap or cover of this burner; - Figure 3 is a plan top view of the part forming a gas manifold or rail covered by the cap; - Figure 4 is a plan top view of a base member receiving the part forming a gas manifold or rail itself topped by the cap; - Figure 5 is a view in cross-section taken upon the line V-V of Figure 6 showing another embodiment of the gas burner according to this invention; - Figure 6 is a top view of this burner viewed in the direction of the arrow VI of Figure V;; - Figure 7 is a plan top view showing one of the elements of the cap of this burner; - Figure 8 is a plan top view of the part forming a gas manifold or rail of this burner; - Figure 9 is an elevational side view showing said part forming a gas manifold or rail; - Figure 10 is a plan top view of the base member of the burner according to Figure 5; and - Figure 11 is an elevational view with a sectional half-view of the burner of Figure 5, a vessel directly resting upon this burner.

According to the examplary embodiment shown on Figures 1 to 4 a burner according to this invention essentially comprises a head 1 consisting of a cap or cover 2 topping a part 3 forming a gas manifold or rail itself mounted upon a base member 4 bearing in turn upon a cooking plate, table or range 5.

There are diagrammatically shown at 6 a gas injection nozzle, at 7 a Venturi-shaped duct portion connected to the head 1 of the burner and at 8 a passageway for the primary air which would mix or blend with the gas flowing out from the nozzle 6 to constitute a burnable mixture.

According to the invention the head 1- of the burner consists of several legs, namely four according to the example shown which extend from the centre of the head 1 in order that said legs constitute themselves a stable support for any vessel whatsoever such as the vessel R shown on Figure 11.

More specifically the cap 2 of the burner comprises four legs 9, the part 3 forming a gas manifold also comprising four legs 10 and at last the base member 4 comprises four legs 11 too.

The four legs of the cap 2, of the part 3 and of the base member 4 are substantially identical with each other as well seen on Figures 2 to 4 illustrating said cap, said part and said base member, respectively.

The four legs of each one of these elements form in a way a star which is slightly deformed as well seen on the Figures but this star could well without leaving the scope of the invention constitute a regular star or with symmetrical legs, which legs could be provided in a number equal to three or even greater than four.

It should therefore be understood from the foregoing statement that the four legs 9 of the cap 2 accurately cover the four legs 10 of the part forming a gas manifold or rail 3, which part comprises a plurality of crenel-shaped openings 12 opening at the upper portion of the part 3. Thus upon applying the cap 2 onto the part 3 in the manner of a cover or lid the successive crenels 12 of each leg 10 of the part 3 will in a way be closed to eventually constitute ports designated at 13 on Figure 1 and constituting the gas or flame outlet ports.

As well seen on Figure 3 the axes of the ports 13 consisting mostly of the crenels 12 all extend substantially through the centre or middle point 0 of the head of the burner, i.e. along the axis X-X' of said head where the fuel gas feed duct or pipeline portion 7 is opening. Of course as well seen on Figures 1, 3 and 4 the base member 4 and the part 3 forming a gas manifold comprise a central opening C allowing the passage of the gas flowing from the duct 7.

It should be pointed out here that the four legs of the cap 2, of the part 3 and of the base member 4 exhibit according to the example shown a tapering shape and that the crenels 12 are only provided on one half 10a of each leg 10 and this as well seen on Figure 3 in symmetrical relationship such that between each leg half l0a with the crenels 12 there is provided another leg half lOb without or devoid of crenels 12. It has been found that such a substantially star-shaped arrangement of the four gas manifolds lOa achieves an outstanding distribution of the temperature within the heated vessels directly supported on the cap 2.

At 14 on Figures 1 and 3 have been shown small openings formed in the part 3 on the entire periphery of that part, i.e. which extend below the crenels 12 along the halfs lOa, lOb of the four legs 10 of the part 3. The gas arriving through the duct portion 7 and flowing out through these small holes 14 would flow within the space left between the part 3 and the base member 4 so as to form after ignition thereof a pilot flame all around the head 1 of the burner underneath the part 3 forming a gas manifold.

At 15 on Figure 1 is shown an ignition system shaped as a spark plug 15 which is arranged underneath the cap 2 and is therefore protected or shielded by this cap.

Another embodiment of the gas burner according to this invention will now be described with reference to Figures 5 to 11 wherein the same reference numerals as those previously used are used to designate the common elements.

Thus the burner shown on these Figures comprises as in the embodiment previously described a cap 2 well seen on Figure 6 and covering a part 3 forming a gas manifold well seen on Figures 8 and 9 and bearing upon a base member 4 (Figure 10) mounted on a cooking table or plate or range 5 fitted with a spark plug 15 protected by the cap 2.

But here the cap 2 covering the part 3 consists of two distinct elements 16, 17 fitted into each other with their central portions, these two elements extending at right angles to each other and being removable and exhibiting in the assembled condition or position the shape of a regular star as well seen on Figure 6. Each elongated element 16, 17 tapering at its ends consists of two opposite arms 16a (Figures 5 and 6) and of two opposite arms 17a (Figures 6 and 7), respectively. Both arms 16a forming the element 16 resting upon the table 5 as well seen on Figure 5 only perform the function of a support for the vessels R whereas the legs 17a of the element 17 are covering both legs 18 of the part 3 forming a gas manifold, respectively, that part constituting an elongated element tapering at its ends as well seen on Figure 8.The legs 18 comprise as previsouly set forth crenels 12 well seen on Figure 8 which are closed by applying the element 17 of the cap 2 upon said part 3. This part 3 also comprises below the crenels 12 and as well seen on Figure 9 and also on Figure 1 small holes 14 allowing the passage of the gas and allowing the creation of a pilot flame all about the part 3.

The base member 4 seen on Figure 10 and also on Figure 1 also exhibits the shape of an elongated element with tapering ends like the part 3 which is bearing upon this base member and like the element 17 of the cap 2 which covers the part 3.

Taking into account all what has been previously set forth it is understood that the base member 4, the part 3 and the element 17 of the cap 2 have all the three of them substantially the same shapes and constitute the heating portion of the burner and a portion of the support for a vessel R whereas the element 16 of the cap 2 as well seen on Figure 11 only performs the function of a support for the vessel.

The embodiment of the burner seen on Figures 5 to 11 offers undisputable qualities in particular from the cleaning standpoint in view of its removable character, it being understood that as with the embodiment first described the vessel R will be directly supported in a stable manner by the head of the burner.

At last at 19 on Figure 5 is shown a flame safety thermocouple which may possibly fit either embodiment of the burner.

There has therefore been provided according to the invention a gas burner for a cooking table or range for instance which advantageously eliminates the use of a grate for supporting vessels, which accordingly exhibit a reduced height and which may be easily removed and cleaned and which achieves an outstanding distribution of the temperatures.

The invention is of course not at all limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have given by way of examples only.

Thus the generally star-shaped configuration of the head of the burner upon which the vessel is resting may be variable as well as the number and the arrangement of the gas outlet ports. The general shape and design of this burner could also allow the provision of an electrically heated element.

Therefore the invention comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if the latter are carried out according to its gist and within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gas burner for a cooking table, a cooker or the like, of the type comprising a head provided with gas outlet ports and formed of several legs extending from the centre of the head in order that these legs directly perform the function of a stable support for any vessel placed thereon, characterised in that the head of the burner consists of a cap covering a gas manifold, at least a part of the cap being of substantially identical shape to the manifold with the same number of legs, and fitting snugly thereover.

2. A burner according to claim 1 wherein the cap as a whole is of substantially identical shape to the manifold.

3. A burner according to claim 1, wherein the cap comprises on the one hand, a first element with two opposite legs covering both legs of the gas manifold and, on the other hand, a second element with two opposite legs detachably mounted on the first element in orthogonal relationship thereto.

4. A burner according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein each leg of the manifold has a plurality of notches which are closed by one leg of the cap to constitute the gas outlet ports.

5. A burner according to any preceding claim wherein the axes of the gas outlet ports all extend substantially through the centre (0) of the head of the burner.

6. A burner according to any preceding claim, wherein the manifold, covered by the cap, is mounted upon a base member which has as many legs as provided on said manifold.

7. A burner according to any preceding claim, wherein the legs of the cap, of the manifold and of the base member are of tapering shape.

8. A burner according to any preceding claim, wherein the cap protects an ignition system and optionally a flame safety thermocouple, arranged underneath said cap.

9. A gas burner substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figs. 1 to 4 or Figs.

5 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.