WO2011013088A2

WO2011013088A2 - Cooking oven, in particular for household use

Info

Publication number: WO2011013088A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Silvia Togni; Fabio Gambardella; Gianluca Mattogno
Original assignee: Indesit Company S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-07-30
Filing date: 2010-07-29
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: EP2459935B1; WO2011013088A3; EP2459935A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking oven (1), in particular for household use, of the type comprising: - a cabinet (2) comprising a muffle (3 ) adapted to be closed by a door (4), - a first (5A) and a second (5B) glass panes adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4), - a cooling system (H)) comprising a fan (11) and a delivery duct (12) adapted to blow a (breed air How into said first interspace (6A). The invention is characterised in that said cooking oven (1) comprises exhaust means (20; 120: 220) associated with an aperture (3A) in the muffle (3) for drawing air from within said muffle (3) and exhausting it outside the cooking oven (1), said exhaust means (20: 120; 220) being separate from said cooling system (10).

Description

COOKING OVEN, IN PARTICULAR FOR HOUSEHOLD USE

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a cooking oven, in particular for household use. according to the preamble of claim I .

Modem household cooking ovens arc usually lilted with doors comprising two or three parallel panes, in particular made of glass, to allow the user to monitor the cooking of the foods placed therein.

It is understood that, in the present description, the term "glass pane" will be used to indicate on element mode of a substantially transparent material, regardless of the actual material said element is made of.

The cooking ovens known in the art are affected by the problem that the outermost pane may reach excessive temperatures, which might be dangerous in the event of an accidental contact therewith, especially when the oven is a pyrolytic one.

In an attempt to find a remedy for this problem, it is known in the an to provide said door in a manner such that it comprises at least a fi rst and a second panes adapted to define an interspace, so as to reduce the transfer of heat from the oven to the outermost pane.

However, even with such an interspace, generally the temperature reached by the outermost pane still reaches excessively high values.

Consequently, it is known in the art U) blow air into said interspace, by either natural or forced convection, in order to improve the cooling effect on the panes of cooking υvcas^* doors, in particular on the outermost one farthest from an oven muffle.

For example, one type of cooking oven, in particular for household use. is known in the art which comprises:

a muffle adapted to be closed by a door.

at least a fi rst and a second panes adapted to define an interspace in said door.

a cooling system comprising a fan and a delivery duct adapted to blow air into said interspace.

According to the above solution, at least one portion of the air blown by the cooling system into said interspace is taken from on inner portion of the oven muffle.

It follows that this solution sulTcrs from some drawbacks, in that the air taken from the muffle is necessarily greasy and oily, and therefore it fouls the panes it comes in contact with.

Λ further drawback of the above-described solution is that, since the panes arc secured to the door, it is particularly difficult Io remove the dirt created by the air taken from lhc oven muffle, which task requires complex operations for disassembling the various components of the oven door.

Moreover, the air taken from the muflic generally has a rather high temperature and cannot cool the panes properly.

In this frame, h is the main object of the present invention to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks by providing a cooling system for a cooking oven, in particular for household use. so designed as to allow the muffle door to be highly efficient in terms of thermal insulation and cooling of its outer surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cooling system for a cooking oven. in particular for household use. so designed that the door allows good visibility of the oven muffle and of the foods contained therein.

In is a further object of the present invention to provide a cooling system for a cooking oven, in particular for household use. so designed that the cooling air flow cannot foul the interspaces obtained between the panes, thus not requiring difficult cleaning operations.

Said objects are achieved by the present invention through a cooling system for a cooking oven, in particular for household use. incorporating the features set out in the appended claims, which are intended as an integral part of the present description.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the annexed drawings, which are supplied by way of non-limiting example, wherein:

- Pig. I is a side sectional view of a first possible embodiment of a conking oven, in particular for household use. according to the present invention:

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a detail of the cooking oven of Fig. 1 :

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view of a second possible embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for household use. according to the present invention;

- Mgs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, an exploded perspective view and a top view of u detail of the cooking oven, in particular for household use. of Fig. 3: Fig.6 is a perspective view of the detail of the cooking oven of Figs.4 and S:

Fig. 7 is a side sectional view of a third possible embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for household use. according to the present invention;

Figs. 8 and 9 arc. respectively, an exploded view and a lop view of a detail of the cooking oven, in particular for household use. of Fig. 7;

Figs.9a and 9b arc, respectively, two sectional views along a line A-A and a line B-B of the detail of the cooking oven of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the annexed Figs. 1 and 2. reference numeral 1 designates as a whole a cooking oven, in particular for household use. of the type comprising:

- o cabinet 2 comprising a muffle 3 adapted to he closed by a door 4,

a first 5Λ and a second SB panes adapted to create at least a first interspace 6A in said door 4.

a cooling system, designated as a whole by reference numeral 10. comprising a fan 11 and a deliver)' duct 12 adapted to blow a forced air How into said first interspace 6Λ.

In particular, said fan 11 is of the tangential type and is driven by a motor 13. which is advantageously of the controllable variable-speed type. Alternatively, said fan 11 may he a centrifugal or axial one.

Besides, the delivery duet 12 is so shaped as to ensure optimal air conveyance into the first interspace 6Λ of the door 4; in particular, said delivery duct 12 is substantially flat and has a flared shape. Furthermore, said delivery duct 12 comprises a hole 14.

As can be seen in particular in Fig. I. the door 4 of the cooking oven I may comprise a third pane SC adapted to create a second interspace 6B with said second pane SB.

Preferably, the third pane SC is associated with the door 4 in a manner such as to keep said second interspace 6B without forced ventilation; it is however also possible to associate the third pane SC with the door 4 in a manner such as to allow the air coming from the cooling system 10 to How into the second interspace 6B.

In a preferred embodiment, if the cooking oven 1 comprises a plurality of interspaces 6Λ. 6B. said first interspace 6Λ through which the forced air flow is blown is the innermost one, i.e. the one closer to the muffle 3. so that the third pane SC is the outermost pane also having an acstherical function.

The door 4 preferably comprises a maximum number of three panes SA, SK, SC-, in that the cooling system 10 allows to obtain a good thermal insulation of the muffle 3 and an adequate temperature of the outermost pane SΛ. SB. SC. i.e. the one farthest from ihe muffle 3. As a consequence, the presence of the cooling system 10 makes it substantially useless to design a door 4 having a number of panes 5 A. ST). SC higher than three.

Λs known in the art. the walls of said muffle 3 are coated with a thermally iαstilating material, and defi ne within themselves a cooking compartment wherein heating means arc generally arranged (not shown in the drawings) which are adapted to raise the temperature inside said muffle 3 up Io a desired food cooking temperature.

In addition, between the cabinet 2 and the muffle 3 there is a space 7 thai embraces the walls of the muffle 3 so a* to improve the thermal insulation between the inside of the muffle 3 and the outer surface of the cabinet 2.

It must be noted that the air to be blown into said fi rst interspace 6Λ may be drawn by the cooling system IO indifferently from (he space 7 and/or from the environment outside the cabinet 2, e.g. through suitable slots (not shown in Figs. 1 and 2) provided on said cabinet 2. The sealing between the door 4 and the muffle 3 is ensured by a gasket 8, generally made of rubber or fi brcglass. arranged cither on the edge of the muffle 3 or on the door 4: Fig. I only shows the upper and lower portions of the gasket 8.

In accordance with the present invention, the cooking oven I comprises exhaust means (designated as a whole by reference numeral 20 in Figs. 1 and 2) associated with an aperture 3A in the muffle 3 for drawing air from within said muffle 3 and exhausting it outside the oven I. said exhaust means 20 being separate from said cooling system 10.

The exhaust means 20 according to the present invention allow the air How drawn from within said muffle 3 to be kept separate from the air flow blown into said first interspace 6Λ by the cooling system 10.

The fact that the two air flows arc kept separate from each other allows the door 4 to be designed in a manner such that is otters adequate visibility of the muffle 3 and of the foods contained therein, in particular because such a design prevents said fi rst interspace 6Λ from getting fouled, thus avoiding the need to carry out difficult cleaning operations.

The exhaust means 20 are so conceived as to release the air taken from within said muffle 3 above an upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. preferably in a space 30 obtained between the upper edge 4A of the door 4 and a lower region 41 of a front panel 40. The distance between the lower region 41 of the front panel 40 and the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4 may be very small, indicatively comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 6 mm. so as to create a nearly continuous surface between the front panel 40 and the door 4. leading to advantages in terms of exterior appearance and case of cleaning of the cooking oven I.

Said cooling system 10 is so designed as to generate a downward-directed air flow within said Ωrsi interspace 6Λ. i.e. an air flow directed from the upper edge 4A to a lower edge 4B of the door 4.

The fact that the air flow within said first interspace όA has a downward direction is particularly advantageous because said air flow can adequately cool the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. which is the one with which the user is more likely to come accidentally in contact, since it is near the front panel 40 where the interface devices of the cooking oven I arc located (not shown in the drawings).

Preferably said upper edge 4A is associated with a conveying clement 9 A adapted do convey the air flow coming from the cooling system 10 into the first interspace 6Λ and/or the second interspace 6B.

Said conveying clement 9A has a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the air flow coining from the cooling system 10 by about 90°. The conveying element 9 A may be associated with the door 4 at the inlet section of the first interspace 6A. or it may be associated with any other component of the cooking oven I in α manner such as to be positioned at the outlet section of the delivery duct 12.

Moreover, the lower edge 4B comprises deflector means 9B associated with said first 5A and second 5B panes, said deflector means 9B being bent in a direction opposite to the mulϊlc 3: the provision of the deflector means 9B allows the air flow coming from said first interspace 6Λ and/or said second interspace 6D to be directed towards an external portion of the oven I . in particular u portion thereof being external to said door 4. Advantageously, the flow is diverted in a manner such that it has at least one horizontal motion component.

Said deflector means 9B comprise a pair of deflectors, each of which may consist of a specific clement applied to the structure of the door 4 or obtained by appropriately shaping a structural element of the door 4. As an alternative, the deflector means 9B may be provided by means of a single element having contemporarily the functions of securing the first pane SA. diverting the flow coming from the first interspace 6A. and also, advantageously. collecting any condensate forming on the first pane 5Λ.

Observing Figs. I and 2. it can be noticed thai said exhaust means 20 comprise a pipe 21 associated with said aperture 3A in the muffle 3.

Preferably, said pipe 21 is adapted to go through the hole 14 in said delivery duct 12.

A second fiin 22. preferably of the axial type, may be housed inside said pipe 21 to draw air from within said muffle 3 (which air may also be mixed with air coming from outside (he muffle 3) and exhaust it above the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. in particular through an end element 23. Alternatively, said second fan 22 may be a centrifugal or tangential one.

Though smaller, the end clement 23 of the exhaust means 20 may have a shape similar to that of the delivery duct 12: in fact, also said end element 23 may be substantially Hat and have a flared shape.

Preferably, the cooking oven 1 according to the present invention comprises a plate 50 that supports the delivery duct 12: an insulating material (not shown in the drawings) is interposed between said plate 50 and the muffle 3 to prevent the cooling system 10. and in particular the air present in (he delivery duct 12, from being heated by the hot muffle 3.

Said plate 50 comprises an opening 51 for inserting the pipe 21 and associating it with the aperture 3Λ in the muffle 3. In particular, said association between the pipe 21 and the aperture 3Λ in the muffle 3 takes place by means of a tubular clement 52.

Referring now to Figs. 3 to 6. there is shown a second possible embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for household use, according to the present invention.

Said cooking oven is designated as a whole by reference numeral I and comprises:

a cabinet 2 comprising a muffle 3 adapted to be closed by a door 4.

a first 5A and a second SB panes adapted to create at least a fi rst interspace 6Λ in said door 4.

a cooling system, designated as a whole by reference numeral 10. comprising a fan 11 and a delivery duct 12 adapted to blow a forced air flow into said first interspace 6A.

In particular, said fan U is* a tangential fan positioned within a housing I IA (visible in particular in Fig. 4) of the delivery duct 12. and is driven by a motor 13. which is advantageously of the controllable vαriahlc-spccd type. Alternatively, said fan 11 may be a centrifugal or axial one. Furthermore. the delivery duct 12 has such a shape as to ensure optimal air conveyance into the first interspace 6Λ or the door 4: in particular, .said delivery duct 12 is substantially flat and has a flared shape, and comprises at least one slot 12.A, to blow a forced air flow into said first interspace 6A: Figs. 4 and 6 show a plurality of slots 12A.

Λs can he seen in particular in Fig. 3. the door 4 of the cooking oven I may comprise a third pane SC adapted to ctcaic a second interspace 6B with said second pane SB.

Preferably, the third pane 5C is associated with the door 4 in a manner such as to keep said second interspace 6B without forced ventilation; it is however also possible to associate the third pane SC with the door 4 in a manner such as to allow the air coming from the cooling system 10 to flow into the second interspace 6B.

In a preferred embodiment, if the cooking oven I comprises a plurality of interspaces 6A. 6B. the fi rst interspace 6Λ through which the forced air (low is blown is the innermost one. i.e. the one closer to the muffle 3, so that the third pane SC is the outermost pane also having an acslhetical function.

The door 4 preferably comprises a maximum number of three panes 5 A. 51), 5C. in that the cooling system 10 allows to obtain a good thermal insulation of the mufi lc 3 and an adequate temperature of the outermost pane SΛ. SB, SC. i.e. the one farthest from the muffle 3: as a consequence, the cooling system 10 according to the present invention allows the door 4 to be designed with a number of panes 5A. SB. SC no higher than three.

As known in the art. the walls of said muffle 3 are coated with a thermally insulating material, and defi ne within themselves a cooking compartment wherein heating means arc generally arranged (not shown in the drawings) which are adapted to raise the temperature inside said muffle 3 up to a desired food cooking temperature.

In addition, between the cabinet 2 and the muffle 3 there is a space 7 that embraces the walls of the muffle 3 so as to improve the thermal insulation between the inside of the muflie 3 and the outer surface of the cabinet 2. said space 7 at least partly containing an insulating material such as, for example, glass wool or cellular glass.

U must be noted that the air to be blown into said fi rst interspace 6Λ may be drawn by the cooling system 10 indifferently from the space 7 and/or from (he environment outside the cabinet 2. e.g. through a plurality of slots 2A provided on said cabinet 2.

Ilic scaling between the door 4 and the muffle 3 is ensured by a gasket 8. generally made of rubber or fibrcglass. arranged either on lhe edge of (he mulile 3 or on lhe door 4: Fig. 3 only shows the upper and tower portions of the gasket 8.

In accordance with the present invention, the cooking oven I comprises exhaust means (designated as a whole by reference numeral 120 in Figs. 3 and S) associated with an aperture 3Λ in the muffle 3 for drawing air from within said muffle 3 and exhausting it outside the cooking oven 1. said exhaust means 120 comprising a first channel 121 obtained on an upper portion of said delivery duct 12 lor carrying the air coming from said aperture .1A. said first channel 121 being associated with a second channel 122 obtained on an upper portion of said delivery duct 12 and adapted to draw at least one portion of the air processed by said fan 11. Preferably, said at least one portion of air drawn by the second channel 122 amounts to 10% to 20%, more preferably 13% to 15%. of the air flow processed by the fan 11. ϊ"his facilitates the outflow of the cooking fumes present inside the muffle 3 without having to use a dedicated fan.

The exhaust means 120 according to the present invention allow the air flow drawn from within said muffle 3 to be kept separate from the air flow blown into said first interspace 6A by the cooling system 10.

^'Hie fact that the two air flows are kept separate from each other allows the door 4 to be designed in a manner such that is offers adequate visibility of the muffle 3 and of the foods contained therein, in particular because such a design prevents said first interspace 6A from getting fouled, thus avoiding the need to carry out difficult cleaning operations.

The exhaust means 120 are so conceived as to release the air taken from within said muffle 3 above an upper edge 4Λ of the door 4, preferably in a space 30 obtained between the upper edge 4A of the door 4 and a lower region 41 of a front panel 40.

The distance between the lower region 41 of the front panel 40 and the upper edge 4A of the door 4 may be very small, indicatively comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 6 mm. so as to create a nearly continuous surface between the from panel 40 and the dour 4. leading to advantages in terms of exterior appearance and case of cleaning of the cooking oven I .

Preferably said second channel 122 has α restriction 122 A upstream of an intersection with said first channel 121. so as to cause a depression through the Vcnturi effect near said intersection and enhance the drawing of air from within said muffle 3; this advantageously facilitates the discharge of the air taken from within the muffle 3 and present in the first channel 121. Furthermore, the air taken from within the mullle 3 is dragged by the air (low tapped by the fan 11 into a third channel 123 obtained on an upper portion of said delivery duct 12 and located downstream of the intersection between the first 121 and the second 122 channels.

^'fhc air present in said third channel 123 then Hows through at least one outlet 124 (shown in particular in Fig. 6) and is released into said space 30.

As can be observed in particular in Figs. 4 and 6. said exhaust means 120 comprise a cover 125 adapted to be associated with said upper portion of the delivery duct 12 in a manner such as to enclose .said fi rst 121, second 122 and third 123 channels.

Figs. 3 and 4 also show that the exhaust means 120 according to the present invention further comprise:

a divertcr element 126, in particular wedge-shaped, positioned in said third channel 123 to divert the air flow towards said at least one outlet 124. The diverter element 126 is preferably snap-mounted by laying it onto the delivery duct 12 and securing the cover 125 to said upper portion of the delivery duct 12. said cover 125 being secured by vibration or ultrasonic welding. The diverter element 126 thus gets trapped and remains permanently positioned in its scat. Alternatively, the diverter element 126 may be obtained in one piece with tiie delivery dυct 12 or the cover 125;

a collector 127 associated with the aperture 3 A in the muffle 3 and adapted to pass through a hole 14 (shown in Figs. 4 and 5) in the delivery duct 12 for allowing the air drawn from within the muffle 3 to reach said fi rst channel 121.

Between the collector 127 and the first channel 121 an actuator may be interposed (not shown in the drawings), such as a butterfly valve, for regulating, in particular during a cooking cycle, the time periods in which the cooking fumes arc evacuated outside the cooking oven 1 and those in which the muffle 3 is kept airtight.

In addition, the upper portion of the delivery duct 12 comprises a plurality of coupling means 130 for securing some functional elements of the cooking oven 1 to said delivery duct 12. Said functional elements arc shown schematically in Fig. 6 and may comprise one or more of the following elements: an electronic board 131, an interface board 132. a door lock device 133 for locking the door 4, and so on. Preferably, said coupling means 130 are obtained during the same moulding operation carried out for manufacturing the delivery duct 12, which is preferably made or plastic material.

If the cooking oven 1 must include a microwave generator for at least one microwave-based or micrυwavc-aidcd cooking cycle, the door 4 internally comprises at least one protective shield to prevent it from being crossed by microwaves, and the cooking oven I comprises a safety switch (not shown in the drawings) adapted to automatically turn olT the microwave generator when the door 4 is opened. The safely switch is advantageously secured to the cooking oven 1 by constraining it to the delivery duct 12 through coupling means 130.

It must be stressed that the provision of the coupling means 130 (such as turrets or scats) obtained in one piece with the delivery duct 12 is per se to be considered as an invention, independently of any additional features of the delivery duct 12 and of the cooking oven 1. This provision makes the assembly of the cooking oven I considerably simpler, while reducing the number of components thereof and therefore its cost. Moreover, the functional components are positioned more accurately and arc secured in a safer and more reliable manner compared tυ the prior art.

Λs for as the cooling system IO is concerned., it is so designed as to generate a downward- directed forced air flow within said lirst interspace 6A: in fact said forced air flow passes through said at least one slot 12A and is then directed from the upper edge 4A to a lower edge 41) of the door 4.

The fact that the air flow withju said first interspace 6Λ has a downward direction is particularly advantageous because said air flow can adequately cool the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. which is the one with which the user is more likely to come accidentally in contact, since it is near the front panel 40 where the interface devices of the cooking oven I are located (not shown in the drawings).

Preferably said upper edge 4A is associated with a conveying element 9A adapted to convey the air flow coming from the cooling system 10 into the fi rst interspace 6Λ and/or the second interspace 60.

Said conveying element VA has a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the air flow coming from the cooling system IO by about 90°. The conveying clement 9 A may be associated with the door 4 at the inlet section of the first interspace 6Λ. or it may be associated with any other component of the cooking υven I at the outlet section of the delivery duct 12.

Moreover, the lower edge 4B comprises deflector means 9B associated with said first 5A and second SB panes, said deflector means 91? being bent in a direction opposite to the muffle 3: the provision of the deflector means 9B allows the air flow coming from said fi rst interspace 6 A and/or said second interspace 6R to be directed towards an external portion of the oven 1 , in particular a portion thereof being external to said door 4. Advantageously, the flow is diverted in a manner such That it has at least one horizontal motion component.

Said deflector means 9B comprise a pair of deflectors, each of which may consist of a specific element applied to the structure of (he door 4 or obtained by appropriately shaping a structural clement of the door 4. As an alternative, the deflector means 9B may be provided by means of a single element having contemporarily the functions of securing the fi rst pane

SA, diverting the flow coming from the first interspace 6A. and also, advantageously, collecting any condensate forming on the first pane SA.

In particular, it can be seen in Fig. 4 that the cooling system 10 comprises α plate SO coupled to the underside of the delivery duct 12. said plate SO comprising an opening 51 associated with the hole 14 in the delivery duct 12 for allowing the collector 127 to be inserted and associated with the aperture 3Λ in the muflle 3.

Said plate 50 is preferably made from metal sheet and is secured to the sides of the cooking oven I : in addition, an insulating material is interposed between said plate 50 and the muflle

3 to prevent the air to be blown into said fi rst interspace from getting heated too much by the not muffle 3.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9b, lherc is shown a third possible embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for household use. according to the present invention.

a cabinet 2 comprising a muflle 3 adapted to be closed by a door 4.

a fi rst 5Λ and a second SB panes adapted to create at least a first interspace 6A in said door 4.

a cooling system, designated as a whole by reference numeral 10. comprising a fan 11 and α delivery duel 12 adapted to blow a forced air flow into said first interspace 6A.

In particular, said fan 11 is of the tangential type and is driven by a motor 13. which is advantageously of the controllable variable-speed type. Alternatively, said fan 1 1 may be a centrifugal or axial one.

Besides, the delivery duel 12 Ls so shaped as to ensure optimal air conveyance into the fi rst interspace ft^'A of the door 4: in particular, said delivery duct 12 is substantially flat and has a liarcd shape. Furthermore, said delivery duct 12 comprises a hole 14.

Λs can be seen in particular in Fig. 1. the door 4 of the cooking oven 1 may comprise a third pane 5C adapted to create a second interspace 6R with said second pane SB.

Preferably, the third pane SC is associated with the door 4 in a manner such as to keep said second interspace 6B without forced ventilation; it is however also possible to associate the third pane 5C with the door 4 in a manner such as to allow the air coming from the cooling system IO to flow into the second interspace 6B.

In a preferred embodiment, if the cooking oven I comprises a plurality of interspaces 6Λ. 6B. the first interspace 6A through which the forced air flow is blown is the innermost one. i.e. the one closer to the muffle 3.

'Che door 4 preferably comprises a maximum number of three panes SA, SB. SC. in that the cooling system 10 allows to obtain a good thermal insulation of the muffle 3 and an adequate temperature of the outermost pane 5Λ, SB, SC. i.e. the one farthest from the muffle 3: as a consequence, the cooling system IO according to the present invention allows the door 4 to be designed with a number of panes SA, SB, SC no higher than three.

As known in the art. the walls of said muffle 3 arc coaled with a thermally insulating material, and define within themselves a cooking compartment wherein heating means arc generally arranged (not shown in the drawings) which are adapted to raise the temperature inside said mufllc 3 up lo a desired food cooking temperature.

In addition, between the cabinet 2 and the muffle 3 there is a space 7 that embraces the walls of the muffle 3 so as to improve the thermal insulation between the inside of the muffle 3 and the outer surface of the cabinet 2.

It must be noted that the air to be blown into said fi rst interspace 6A may be drawn by the cooling system 10 indifferently from the space 7 and/or from the environment outside the cabinet 2. e.g. through a plurality of slots 2A provided on said cabinet 2.

The scaling between the door 4 and the muffle 3 is ensured by a gasket S. generally made of rubber or flbrcglass. arranged either on the edge of the muffle 3 or on the door 4: Fig. 7 only shows the upper and lower portions of the gasket 8.

In accordance with the present invention, the cooking oven I comprises exhaust means (designated as a whole by reference numeral 220 in Figs. 7 and 8) associated with an aperture 3A in the muffle 3 for drawing air from within said muffle 3 and exhausting it outside the oven 1. said exhaust means 220 being separate from said cooling system 10 and comprising a channel 221 obtained in said delivery duct 12. in particular by means of separator walls 22IA.

The exhaust means 220 according to the present invention allow the air flow drawn from within said muffle 3 to be kept separate from the air flow blown into said first interspace 6A by the cooling system 10.

The fact that the two air flows arc kept separate from each other allows the door 4 to be designed in a manner such that is offers adequate visibility of the muffle 3 and of the foods contained therein, in particular because such a design prevents said fi rst interspace 6A from getting fouled, thus avoiding the need to carry out difficult cleaning operations.

The exhaust means 220 arc so conceived as to release the air taken from within said muffle 3 above an upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. preferably in a space 30 obtained between the upper edge 4A of the door 4 and a lower region 41 of a front panel 40.

The distance between the lower region 41 of the front panel 40 and the upper edge 4A of the door 4 may be very small, indicatively comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 6 mm. so as to create u nearly continuous surface between the front panel 40 and the door 4. leading to advantages in terms of exterior appearance and case of cleaning of the cooking oven I.

Said cooling system 10 is so designed as to generate a downward-directed forced air flow within said first interspace 6Λ. i.e. an air flow directed from the upper edge 4Λ to a lower edge 4B of the door 4.

The fact that the air flow within said first interspace 6 A has a downward direction is particularly advantageous because said air flow can adequately cool the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. which is the one with which the user is more likely to come accidentally in contact, since it is near the front panel 40 where the interface devices of the cooking oven 1 arc located (not shown in the drawings).

I'relerably said upper edge 4Λ is associated with a conveying element 9Λ adapted to convey the air flow coming from the cooling system 10 into the first interspace 6Λ and/or the second interspace 613.

Said conveying clement 9A has a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the air flow coming from the cooling system IO by about 90°. The conveying clement 9Λ may be associated with the door 4 at the inlet section of the first interspace 6Λ. or H may be associated with any other component of the cooking oven 1 at the outlet section of the delivery duct 12.

Moreover, the lower edge 4B comprises deflector means 9D associated with said first 5Λ and second 513 glass panes, said deflector means 913 being bent in a direction opposite to the muffle 3: the provision of the deflector means 913 allows the air flow coming from said first interspace 6Λ and/or said second interspace 6B to be directed towards an external portion of the oven 1. in particular a portion thereof being external to said door 4.

Said deflector means 913 comprise a pair of deflectors, each of which may consist of a specifi c clement applied to the structure of the door 4 or obtained by appropriately shaping a structural clement ol' the door 4.

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9. said fan 1 1 preferably comprises:

at least one second portion 21 113, preferably a pair of second portions 211 B arranged on side regions of the fan 1 1 symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry orthogonal to the axis of the fan 1 1.

a first portion 211Λ. in particular located in a central region of the fan I I. i.e. between said second portions 211 B. said first portion 211 Λ being separated from the second portions 21 J B by suitable septa 21 IC.

However, it is dear that the fan 11 may alternatively be replaced by two or three different fans (not shown in the annexed drawings) in a manner .such that:

- a fi rst fan is used for drawing air from within the muffle 3 and exhausting it above the upper edge 4 A of the door 4:

a second and possibly a third fans arc used lor blowing air into said delivery duct 12 and said first interspace 6Λ.

Λs can be further noticed in Figs. 8 and 9. the exhaust means 220 according to the present invention comprise:

a guide 222 associated with said hole 14 in the delivery duct 12 in a manner such that the air taken from within the muffle 3 is directed onto the ran 11. in particular onto a fi rst portion thereof 211 A. from where it is then directed into the channel 221 by the separator walls 221A:

a pipe 223 associated with the aperture 3Λ in the muffle 3 and adapted to go through said hole 14 for allowing the air drawn from within the muffle 3 to reach said guide 222.

In these drawings it can also be seen that the cooling system 10 comprises at least one second portion 211 B of the fan 11 , in particular a pair of second portions 211 B. for blowing a forced air flow into said delivery duct 12 and said first interspace 6A.

The cooling system 10 further comprises a plate 50 coupled to the underside of the delivery duct 12, said plate 50 comprising an opening Sl associated with the hole 14 in the delivery duct 12 for allowing the pipe 223 to be inserted and associated with the aperture 3A in the muffle 3.

An insulating material is preferably interposed between said plate 50 and the muffle 3 to prevent the air to be blown into said fi rst interspace 6Λ from getting heated too much by the hot muffle 3.

The cooling system 10 also comprises at least one outlet 215 provided on the plate 50. which allows the forced air coming from said fan 11 , in particular from said at least one second portion M B of the fan 11. to flow onto a profile 216 for the purpose of blowing it into said first interspace 6A.

Preferably, the plate 50 comprises an outlet system 215, in particular a pair of outlets 215 adapted to receive the forced air flow coming from said pair of second portions 211 B of the fan 1 1.

The cooling system 10 further comprises a spacer element 217. preferably obtained in one piece with the plate 50, which allows to keep the air flow drawn from said muffle 3 separate from the forced air flow to be blown into said first interspace 6Λ. in particular by a few millimetres.

Fig. 9a shows the path (indicated by dashed arrows) followed by the air to be forcedly blown into said first interspace 6Λ in accordance with the present invention.

In particular, said air:

• is taken from said at least one second portion 211 B of the fan 11 ;

is directed into (he delivery duct 12: is diverted by said at least one outlet 215 towards the profile 216;

Hows under the spacer clement 217 and is then blown into the first interspace 6A (not shown in Fig.9a).

Pig. 9b shows the path (also indicated by dashed arrows) followed by the air token from within the muffle 3 to be exhausted above the upper edge 4 A of flic door 4. wherein the air: is taken from the pipe 223 associated with the aperture 3A in the muffle 3 (not shown in Hg. 9b). in particular by turning the first portion 21 IΛ of the fiin 11, and is then directed through the opening 51 of the plate 50 and the slot 14 of the delivery duct 12:

is conveyed by the guide 222 onto the first portion 211 A of the fan 11 :

is directed into the channel 221 by the separator walls 221 Λ:

flows nbovc the spacer element 217 to be then exhausted above the upper edge 4A of the door 4 (not shown in Fig. 9b).

The advantages of a cooking oven, in particular for household use. according TO The present invention are apparent from die above description.

In particular, the fact that the air flow taken from within said muffle ^ is kept separate from the air flow blown into said first interspace 6A allows to make a door 4 which ensures adequate visibility of the muffle 3 and of the foods contained ϋicrcin. and wherein said first interspace 6A will not get fouled. As a consequence, such a design avoids having to carry out difficult cleaning operations.

Λ further advantage is that said cooling system IO allows to generate a downward-directed air flow within said first interspace 6A. i.e. an air How directed from the upper edge 4A to the lower edge 4B of the door 4: advantageously, such a design ensures a proper cooling of the upper edge 4Λ of the door 4. which is the most dangerous one because it is the one with which the user Ls more likely to come accidentally in contact.

As a result, the special design of the cooking oven I according to the present invention allows the door 4 to be very efficient in terms of thermal insulation and cooling of its outer surface.

In addition, in the second embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for ltouschold use according to the present invention as shown in fr'igs. 3 to 6, the second channel 122 having a restriction 122Λ near an intersection with the first channel 121 allows to obtain a Venturi effect which enhances the drawing of air from within said muffle 3: as a result, this considerably improves ihc discharge of the air takcu from within the muffle 3 and present in the fi rst channel 121. ϊ^"hc discharge of the air taken from within the imifllc 3 is further facilitated by the fact that it is dragged by the air How tapped by the fan 1 1. i.e. along with at least a portion of the air coming from said fan 1 1.

Another advantage of the second embodiment shown in Figs. 3 to 6 is given by the provision of a plurality of coupling means 130 on the upper portion of the delivery duct 12; in fact, said coupling means 130 allow a number of functional elements of the cooking oven 1 to be optimally secured to said delivery duct 12.

Λ further advantage of said second embodiment is offered by the use of a single fan 1 1 for drawing air from the muffle 3 and exhausting U above the upper edge 4A of the door 4 as well as for blowing a forced air flow into the first interspace 6Λ.

furthcnnorc. the third embodiment of a cooking oven, in particular for household use, according to the present invention as shown in Hgs. 7 to 9b offers the advantage of employing a single fan 1 1, said Ian 1 1 being subdivided into different portions 21 IΛ. 21 IB. In particular, a first portion 21 IA of the fan 1 1 is used for drawing air from the muffle 3 and exhausting it above the upper edge 4A of the door 4. while at least one second portion 21 1 B of the fan 11 is used for blowing a forced air flow into the first interspace 6Λ.

The cooking oven described herein by way of example may be subject to many possible variations without departing from the novelty spirit of the inventive idea: it is also clear that in the practical implementation of the invention the illustrated details may have different shapes or be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

It can therefore be easily understood that the present invention is not limited to the above- described cooking oven, in particular for household use. but may be subject to many modifications, improvements or replacements of equivalent parts and elements without departing from the inventive idea, as clearly specifi ed in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cooking oven ( I ). in particular for household use, of the type comprising:

a cabinet (2) comprising a muffle (3) adapted to be closed by a door (4).

a Inst (SA) and a second (5B) panes adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4),

- a cooling system (10) comprising a fi rst fan (I I) and a delivery duct (12) adapted to blow a forced air flow into said fi rst interspace (AA),

characterised in that

said cooking oven (I) comprises exhaust means (20; 120, 220) associated with an aperture (3A) in the muffle (3) for drawing air from within said muffle (3) and exhausting it outside the cooking oven (1). said exhaust means (20, 120. 220) being separate from said cooling system (10).

2. Λ cooking oven (1) according to claim I. characterised in lhut snid exhaust means (20: 120. 220) arc so conceived as to release the air taken from within said muffle (3) above an upper edge (4Λ) of the door (4). and that said cooling system (10) is so conceived as to generate n downward-directed air (low in said first interspace (6Λ). i.e. an air flow directed from the upper edge (4Λ) to a lower edge (4B) of the door (4).

3. Λ cooking oven (I) according to claim 2. characterised in that the air taken from within said muffle (3) is released in a space (30) obtained between the upper edge (4Λ) of the door (4) and a lower region (41 ) of a from panel (40).

4. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 3. characterised in that the distance between the lower region (41) of the front panel (40) and the upper edge (4Λ) of the door (4) is in the range of approximately 2 mm to 6 mm.

5. A cooking oven (1 ) according to claim 2. characterised in that said upper edge (4Λ) is associated with a conveying element (9A) adapted to convey the forced air (low coming from the cooling system (10) into the first interspace (6Λ). in particular said conveying element (9A) having a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the forced air flow coming from the cooling system (10) by about 90°.

6. A cooking oven ( I ) according to claim 2, characterised in that said lower edge (4B) comprises deflector means (9B) associated with said first (SΛ) and second (5B) panes., said deflector means (9B) being bent in a direction opposite to the muffle (3).

7. A cooking oven (I) according Io cluim I. characterised in that said exhaust means (20; 120; 220) comprise a pipe (21) associated with said aperture (3A) in the muffle (3) and adapted to go through a hole (14) in said delivery duct (12).

8. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 3. characterised in that a second tan (22). in particular of the radial type, housed within said pipe (21 ) allows air to he drawn from within said muffle (3) and exhausted above the upper edge (4A) of the* door (4), in particular through an end element (23).

9. A cooking oven ( I ) according to claim 1 _f characterised in that said door (4) comprises a third pane (SC) adapted to defi ne a second interspace (6B) with said second pane (5B), said third pane (SC) being associated with the door (4) in a manner such that said second interspace (6B) is kept without forced ventilation.

10. A cooking oven (t) according to claim 9, characterised in that said fi rst interspace (6Λ) is the one which is closer to the muffle (3).

11. A cooking oven ( I ) according to claim 9. characterised in that said door (4) comprises three panes (SA. SB. SC) at most.

12. A cooking oven (I ) according to claim I, characterised by comprising a plate (SO) that supports the delivery duct (12). an insulating material being interposed between said plate (SO) and the muffle (3) lor preventing the cooling system ( 10) from being heated.

13. A cooking oven ( 1 ) according to claims 7 and 12. characterised in that said plate (SO) comprises an opening (51 ) lor inserting the pipe (21 ) to be associated with the aperture (3A) in the muffle (3).

14. A cooking oven (I) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said air drawn from within said muffle (3) is mixed with air coming from outside the muffle (3).

15. A cooking oven ( I ). in particular for household use. of the type comprising:

α cabinet (2) comprising a mulϊle (3) adapted to be closed by a door (4).

a first (5Λ) and a second (SB) pones adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4).

a cooling system (10) comprising a fan ( 11 ) and a delivery duct ( 12) adapted to blow air into said fi rst interspace (6Λ).

chstracleri^ed in that said cooking oven (1 ) comprises exhaust means (20) associated with an aperture (3Λ) in the muffle (3) for drawing air from within .suid muffle (3) and exhausting il outside the cooking oven (1). said exhaust means (20; 120: 220) comprising a fi rst channel (121) obtained on an upper portion of said delivery duct (12) for carrying the air coming from said aperture (3Λ). said first channel (121) being associated with a second channel (122) obtained on on upper portion of said delivery duct (12) and adapted to draw at least one portion of the air processed by said fan (11 ).

16. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 15. characterised in that said second channel

(122) has a restriction (I22Λ) upstream of an intersection with said first channel (121), so as to cause a depression through the Venturi effect near said intersection and enhance the drawing of air from within said muffle (3).

17. A cooking oven ( 1 ) according to one or more of claims 15 and 16. characterised in that said exhaust means (20: 120: 220) comprise a third channel (123) obtained on an upper portion of said delivery duct (12) and located downstream of the intersection between the first ( 121 ) and the second ( 122 ) channels.

18. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 17. characterised in that said exhaust means (20; 120: 220) comprise at least one outlet (124) tor releasing the air .lowing in said third channel (123) into a space (30) obtained between an upper edge (4Λ) of the door (4) and a lower region (41 ) of a front panel (40).

19. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 17. characterised in that said exhaust means (20: 120: 220) comprise a cover ( 125) adapted to be associated with said tipper portion of the delivery duct (12) in a manner such as to enclose said fi rst (121). second (122) and third

(123) channels.

20. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 18. characterised in that .said exhaust means (20: 120; 220) comprise a diverter element (126). in particular wedge-shaped, positioned in said third channel (123) to divert the air flow towards said at least one outlet (124).

21. Λ cooking oven (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 15 to 20. characterised in that said exhaust means (20: 120: 220) comprise a collector (127) associated with the aperture (3A) in the muffle (3) and adapted to pass through a hole (14) in the delivery duct (12) for allowing the air drawn from within the muffle (3) to reach said first channel (121).

22. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 21. characterised in that an actuator is arranged between (he collector (127) and the first channel (121) for regulating, in particular during a cooking cycle, the time periods in which the cooking fumes are evacuated outside the cooking oven ( 1 ) and those in which the muffle (3) is kept airtight

23. A cooking oven (I) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 15 to 22. characterised in that the upper portion of the delivery duct (12) comprises a plurality υf coupling means (130) for securing some functional elements of the cooking oven (I) to said delivery duct (12). in particular said coupling means (UO) being obtained during the same moulding operation carried out for manufacturing said delivery duct (12).

24. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 21. characterised in that said cooling system (10) comprises a plate (50) coupled to the underside of the delivery duct (12). said plate (50) comprising an opening (51) associated with the hole (14) in the delivery duct (12) for ullowing the collector (127) to be inserted and associated with the aperture (3A) in the muffle (3).

25. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 15, characterised in that said cooling system (10) is so designed as to generate an air flow in said fi rst interspace (6A) from the upper edge (4Λ) towards a lower edge (4B) of the door (4).

26. A cooking oven ( I ) according to claim 25, characterised in that said upper edge (4A) is associated with a conveying element (9A) adapted to convey the forced air flow coming from the cooling system (10) into the first interspace (6Λ), said conveying element (9Λ) having a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the air flow coming from the cooling system (10) by about 90°.

27. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 25, characterised in that said lower edge (4H) comprises deflector means (9B) associated with said first (5A) and second (5B) panes, said deflector means (9B) being bcnl in a direction opposite to the muffle (3).

28. A conking oven (1) according to claim 15. characterised in that said door (4) comprises a third pane (5C) adapted to define a second interspace (6B) with said second pane (SR), said third pane (5C) being associated with the door (4) in a manner such that said second interspace (6B) is kept without forced ventilation.

29. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 28, characterised in that said fi rst interspace (6Λ) is closer to the muffle (3) than said second interspace (6B).

30. Λ cooking oven ( 1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims from I S to 29. characterised in that said delivery duct (12) is substantially HaL has a (lured shape, and comprises at least one slot (12A) for blowing a forced nir flow into said first interspace (6A).

31. A cooking oven (1) according to claim IS, characterised in that said at least one air portion drawn by the second channel ( 122) amounts to 10% to 20% of the air How processed by the fan (I I).

32. A cooking oven ( I) according to claim 31. characterised in that said at least one air portion drawn by the second channel ( 122) amounts to 13% to 15% of the air flow processed bythe fan (I I).

33. A cooking oven ( I ). in particular for household use, of the type comprising:

a cabinet (2) comprising a muffle (3) adapted to be closed by a door (4).

a first (SA) and a second (SH) panes adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4).

α cooling S)¹StCm (10) comprising a fan (11 ) and a delivery duct (12) adapted to blow air into said first interspace (6Λ).

characterised in thai

said delivery duct (12). in particular an upper portion of said delivery duct (12). comprises u plurality of coupling means (130) for securing some functional elements of the cooking oven ( I ) to said delivery duct (12).

34. A cooking oven according to claim 33. wherein said delivery duct (12) is made of plastic material and said coupling means (130) are obtained during die same moulding operation carried out for manufacturing said delivery duct ( 12).

35. A cooking oven according to claim 33 or 34. wherein said functional elements comprise an electronic board (131) and/or an interface board (132) and/or a door lock device (133) and/or a safety switch.

36. A cooking oven ( I ). in particular for household use. of the type comprising:

a cabinet (2) comprising a muflic (3) adapted to be closed by a door (4).

a first (SA) and a second (513) glass panes adapted to create at least a first interspace (6A) in said door (4),

a cooling system (10) comprising a fan (11 ) and a delivery duct (12) adapted to blow air into said Grsl interspace (6Λ). characterised in that

said cooking oven (1) comprises exhaust means (20: 120; 220) associated with an aperture (3Λ) in the muffle (3) Tor drawing air from within said muffle (3) and exhausting it outside the cooking oven (1). said exhaust means (20; 120; 220) being separate from said cooling system ( 10) and comprising a channel (221 ) obtained in said delivery duct ( 12). in particular by means of separator walls (221 A).

37. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 36. characterised in that said exhaust means (20; 120; 220) comprise a guide (222) associated with a hole (14) in the delivery duct (12) in a manner such that the air token from within the muffle (3) is directed onto the ώn (11). in particular onto a first portion thereof (211Λ). from where it is then directed into the channel (221 ) by the separator walls (221 A).

38. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 37. characterised in thai said exhaust means (20; 120; 220) comprise a pipe (223) associated with the aperture (3A) in the muffle (3) and adapted to go through said hole (14) for allowing the air drawn from within the muffle (3) to reach said guide (222).

39. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 38. characterised in that said cooling system (10) comprises a plate (SO) coupled to the underside of the delivery duct (12). said plate (50) comprising an opening (Sl ) associated with the hole (14) in the delivery duct (12) for allowing the pipe (223) to be inserted and associated with the aperture (3A) in the muffle (3).

40. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 39, characterised in that said cooling system (10) comprises at least one outlet (21S) provided on the plate (SO), which allows the forced air coming from said fan (I I ), in particular from at least one second portion (21 IB) of the Ian (11), to flow onto a profile (216) for the purpose of blowing it into said first interspace (6Λ).

41. Λ cooking oven (I) according to claim 40, characterised in that said fan (I I ) comprises a pair of second portions (2UB) arranged on side regions of the fan (I I) symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry orthogonal to the axis of the Ian ( 11 ).

42. Λ cooking oven (1) according to claim 41. characterised in that said plate (SO) comprises an outlet system (21S), in particular a pair of outlets (21S) adapted to receive the forced air flow coming from said pair of second portions (211 B) of the fan ( 11 ).

43. A cooking oven (1) according to claim 39. characterised in that said cooling system (K)) comprises a spacer element (217). preferably obtained in one piece with the plate (50). which allows to keep Ihς air flow drawn Jrom said muffle (3) separate from the forced air How to be blown into said fi rst interspace (6Λ) in particular by a few millimetres.

44. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 36. characterised in that said exhaust means (20: 120: 220) are so conceived as to release the air taken from within said muffle (3) above an upper edge (4A) of the door (4). and that said cooling system (10) is so conceived as to generate in said first interspace (6Λ) an air flow directed from the upper edge (4Λ) to a lower edge (4B) of the door (4).

45. Λ cooking oven (I) according to claim 44. characterised in thai the air taken from within said muffle (3) is released in a space (30) obtained between the upper edge (4A) of the door (4) and a lower region (41 ) of a front panel (40). the distance between the lower region (41) of the front panel (40) and the upper edge (4Λ) of the door (4) being in the range of approximately 2 to 6 mm.

46. A cooking oven (1 ) according to claim 44. characterised in that said upper edge (4Λ) is associated with a conveying element (9A) adapted to convey the forced air flow coining from the cooling system (10) into the first interspace (6A), said conveying clement (9Λ) having a profile so shaped as to change the direction of the air (low coming from the cooling system (10) by about 90°.

47. Λ cooking oven ( 1 ) according to claim 44. characterised in that said lower edge (4B) comprises deflector means (9H) associated with said fi rst (5Λ) and second (5B) glass panes, said deflector means (9B) being bent in a direction opposite to the muffle (3).

48. A cooking oven (I) according to claim 36. characterised in that said door (4) comprises a third glass pane (5C) adapted to create a second interspace (6R) with said second glass pane (5B). said third glass pane (SC) being associated with the door (4) in a manner such that said second interspace (6B) is kept without forced ventilation.

49. Λ cooking oven (1) according to claim 48, characterised in that said lirsi interspace (6A) is closer to the muffle (3) than said second interspace (6H).

50. A cooking oven (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims from 36 to 49. characterised in that said delivery duct (12) is substantially flat and has a flared shape.

51. A cooling system (10) for a door (6) of a cooking oven (1). in particular for household use. according to one or more of the preceding claims from 1 to 50.