GB2483232A - Removable PTFE and silicone induction stovetop cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A removable washable induction stovetop cover comprises a laminated sheet 5 with a layer 7 of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a layer 8 of silicone. In some embodiments the sheet comprises an intermediate layer 6 of an electrically-insulating material e.g. a flexible glass fibre fabric (2, fig 1), or a rigid glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic material 6 at least 3mm thick. Alternatively, the sheet only comprises the PTFE and silicone layers (10, 11, fig 3). The PTFE can be skived or cast.

Description

REMOVABLE INDUCTION STOVETOP COVER

The present invention relates to a removable induction stovetop cover for protecting the stovetop from spills and scratching.

In an induction stove, the stovetop is usually made from a glass-ceramic sheet. While this sheet is smooth and flat so that it can be readily wiped clean such stovetops can be easily scratched, for example by sliding cooking pans over the surface. Also, food with a high sugar content (such as jam) should never be allowed to dry on the surface if it spills, otherwise damage to the glass-ceramic surface will occur.

The object of the present invention is to provide a removable cover that will protect an induction stovetop from such spills and scratching.

According to the present invention there is provided a removable induction stovetop cover comprising a laminated sheet with a first outer layer comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene and second outer layer comprised of silicone.

In use, such a sheet is used with the silicone layer in contact with the stovetop and the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer uppermost. The silicone layer prevents the cover from slipping over the stovetop while the PTFE layer provides a non-stick surface from which cooking spills and spatters can be readily cleaned.

In some embodiments the sheet preferably comprises an intermediate layer comprised of an electrically-insulating material. This intermediate layer may be rigid or flexible.

In a first embodiment, the intermediate layer preferably comprises a fabric, for example one comprised of glass fibres. Such a fabric is preferably woven from yarn made from glass fibres but could be a non-woven or knitted fabric.

Preferably also, the fabric is impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

In a second embodiment, the intermediate layer preferably comprises a rigid glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic material. Such an intermediate layer is preferably at least 3 mm thick.

Alternatively, the sheet is flexible and is comprised only of the first and second layers. In this case the first layer of the laminated sheet preferably comprises a skived or cast layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Advantageously, in embodiments wherein the sheet is flexible the sheet has an overall thickness in a range of 0.190 to 0.320 rum inclusive.

Preferably also, in these embodiments the weight of the material is in a range of 330 to 560 g/m2 inclusive.

Other preferred but non-essential features of the various aspects of the present invention are described in the dependent claims appended hereto.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of induction stovetop cover in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 3 is also a view similar to Fig. 1 but of a third embodiment of the invention.

A first embodiment of cover as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a flexible laminated sheet 1 with an intermediate layer comprised of a glass fibre fabric 2, which is preferably a cloth woven from glass-fibre yarn. The cover 1 also has a first outer layer 3 comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene and second outer layer comprised of silicone 4. Such a cover 1 is manufactured firstly by impregnating and coating both sides of the fabric 2 with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The PTFE layer on one side of the fabric 2 is then removed, for example by etching or by other chemical treatment. This side of the fabric 2 may then be roughened prior to it being coated with a layer of silicone 4. The roughening facilitates the bonding of the silicone layer to the impregnated fabric 2. The finished laminated sheet 1 is then cut to shape to produce the cover. Such a cover may comprise a rectangular sheet for location over the whole of a stovetop or, alternatively, appropriately sizes circular sheets adapted to cover individual induction elements of a stovetop.

The sheet 1 preferably has an overall thickness in a range of 0.19 0 to 0.320 mm inclusive with a weight in a range of 330 to 560 g/m2 inclusive.

A second embodiment of cover is shown in Fig. 2 and comprises a rigid laminated sheet with an intermediate layer 6 comprised of a rigid glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic material. It will be appreciated that this layer 6 may be made of a similar material to the stovetop itself and is preferably at least 3 mm thick. On side of the layer 6 is covered with a PTFE layer 7 and the other side of the layer 6 is covered with a silicone layer 8. The surfaces of the layer 6 are therefore textured to provide a key to facilitate the adherence of the layers 7 and 8 thereto. Each of the layers 7 and 8 preferably has a thickness between 0.100 mm and 0.320 mm inclusive.

In this embodiment, preferably the intermediate layer 6 is first cut to appropriate shapes and sizes similar to those required for the finished cover before it is coated with the outer PTFE and silicone layers 7, 8.

A third embodiment of cover is shown in Fig. 3. This cover is flexible and comprised only of a laminated sheet 9 having only a polyLetrafluoroethylene layer 10 and a silicone layer ii. Such a sheet 9 is manufactured by produced by a skived or cast layer of polytetrafluoroethylene and then coating it on one side with a layer of silicone. The cover is then cut to shape from the resulting laminated sheet 9.

As in the first embodiment, the sheet 9 is made with an overall thickness in a range of 0.190 to 0.320 mm inclusive and with a weight in a range of 330 to 6o g/m2 inclusive.

In use, the cover is simply placed over the induction stovetop with the silicone layer in contact with the stovetop and can then be cleaned by wiping in situ or lifted off the stovetop to be washed as necessary.

Although in an induction cooker the stovetop does not generate heat and therefore does not become as hot as the stovetop of a cooker with conventional electrical elements or rings, the cooking vessel itself will heat up. This means that the cover must be capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 200°C. The covers made from the laminated sheets 1, jj and 9 described above in accordance with the invention are all capable of withstanding continuous operating temperatures of up to 250°C and may withstand intermittent temperatures of up to 3 00°C.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS1. A removable induction stovetop cover comprising a laminated sheet with a first outer layer comprised of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and second outer layer comprised of silicone.
2. 2. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sheet comprises an intermediate layer comprised of an electrically-insulating material.
3. 3. A cover as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a fabric.
4. 4. A cover as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the fabric is comprised of glass fibres.
5. 5. A cover as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the fabric is impregnated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
6. 6. A cover as claimed in Claim 1, wherein in said laminated sheet is comprised only of said first and second layers.
7. 7. A cover as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said first layer is comprised of a skived or cast layer of polytetrafluoroethylene.
8. 8. A cover as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein the sheet is flexible and has an overall thickness in a range of 0.190 to 0.320 mm inclusive.
9. 9. A cover as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the sheet is flexible has a weight in an a range of 330 to 6o g/m2 inclusive.
10. 10. A cover as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a rigid glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic material.
11. ii. A cover as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said intermediate layer is at least 3 mm thick.
12. 12. An induction stovetop cover comprising a laminated sheet substantially as described herein and as shown in any one of Figs. 1 to 3.