WO2016162846A1

WO2016162846A1 - Hood enclosure assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2016162846A1
Application number: PCT/IB2016/052009
Authority: WO
Inventors: Toomaj AMIRI
Original assignee: Amiri Toomaj
Priority date: 2015-04-09
Filing date: 2016-04-08
Publication date: 2016-10-13
Also published as: WO2016162846A4

Abstract

An enclosure(100) for a kitchen hood(101), includes four vertically extending wall assemblies(104,105,106,107) that form four sides of the enclosure(100). The wall assemblies(104,105,106,107) are configured to be placed under the kitchen hood(101) and they can be vertically extended from under the hood(101) over a fume-producing kitchen device(102) to provide an extended channel for guiding the fumes towards the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood(101).

Description

HOOD ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application generally relates to fume hoods, and particularly to methods and devices directed to improve air flow into a fume hood, and more particularly to a fume hood enclosure assembly.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Kitchen hoods are designed to extract cooking fumes. They are usually mounted on a surface near a fume-producing kitchen device, such as a stove or grill, with their opening placed above the surface of the fume-producing device. Utilizing a fan, the hood extracts the fumes raising from the surface of the fume-producing device. In order for the hood to be efficient in extracting the fumes, an efficient air flow must be maintained by the fan to intake all of the fume from the kitchen environment.

[0003] There is a need in the art for a method and device for improving air flow into a kitchen hood in order to improve intake efficiency of the hood. There is also a need in the art for a method and device that encloses and separates the area under a kitchen hood over a fume- producing device in order to prevent the unpleasant odor of cooking from spreading into a kitchen environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following brief summary is not intended to include all features and aspects of the present application, nor does it imply that the application must include all features and aspects discussed in this summary. [0005] In one general aspect, the present disclosure describes an enclosure for a kitchen hood that can include four vertically extending wall assemblies that form four sides of the enclosure and the wall assemblies are configured to be attached under the kitchen hood.

[0006] In another general aspect, the present disclosure describes an enclosure for a kitchen hood that can include: a top support assembly configured to be attached under the kitchen hood; and four vertically extending wall assemblies that form four sides of the enclosure. The wall assemblies are configured to be coupled with the top support assembly.

[0007] The abovementioned general aspects may include one or more of the following features. The four wall assemblies can be pivotally attached to the kitchen hood. Each wall assembly can include a plurality of sub-panel assemblies, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are interconnected to form the wall assembly.

[0008] According to one implementation, the sub-panel assemblies can be slidably interconnected to form the wall assembly. Each sub-panel assembly can include: a panel; and two sliding track means. The two sliding track means can be mounted on transverse sides of the panel. The sliding track means of the sub-panel assemblies can be slidably interconnected with one another to form the wall assemblies. The panel can be a planar elongated rectangular panel and it can be made of a materials such as transparent glass, translucent glass, semi-opaque glass, opaque glass, reinforced glass, or polymers.

[0009] According to one implementation, each wall assembly can be configured to be vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position to a fully vertically extended position independent form other wall assemblies.

[0010] According to some implementations, the top support structure can be mounted under the kitchen hood. Alternatively, the top support structure is mounted on a surface near the kitchen hood, such that the top support structure is placed under the kitchen hood.

[0011] According to other implementations, the sub-panel assemblies can be pivotally interconnected to form a wall assembly. The sub-panel assemblies can be folded one by one to retract the wall assembly or they can be unfolded one by one to extend the wall assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present application, it is believed that the application will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying DRAWINGS, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:

[0013] FIGs. 1A-1B illustrate one implementation of an example hood enclosure assembly, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrate one implementation of an example vertically slidable hood enclosure assembly, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 3A illustrate one implementation of an example wall assembly, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 3B illustrates one implementation of an example vertically slidable hood enclosure assembly, showing a rear wall assembly, a side wall assembly and a partial view of a top support structure.

[0017] FIG. 3C illustrate one implementation of an example sub-panel assembly, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3D is a top view of the example sub-panel assembly of FIG. 3C.

[0019] FIG. 3E illustrates a perspective view of an example sliding track means, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 3F is a left view of the example sliding track means of FIG. 3E.

[0021] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of two adjacent example sliding track means slidably interconnected, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 4B illustrates a left view and a sectional view of two adjacent example sliding track means in a fully retracted position, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 4C illustrates a left view and a sectional view of two adjacent example sliding track means in a fully extended position, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows an example vertically slidable hood enclosure with its wall assemblies at different positions between fully retracted and folded position to a fully extended position. [0025] FIG. 6 illustrates an example folding method for an example hood enclosure assembly.

[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates one implementation of an example vertically slidable hood enclosure assembly with all its wall assemblies folded under the kitchen hood.

[0027] FIG. 8A illustrates an exploded view of an example corner sealing member.

[0028] FIG. 8A illustrates a top view of the example corner sealing member of FIG. 8A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0030] For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the application. Descriptions of specific applications are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the preferred implementations will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the application. Practices according to concepts disclosed by the present application are not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, are to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0031] The present disclosure describes a hood enclosure assembly mountable under a kitchen hood. The hood enclosure assembly can be configured to aid in exhausting rising fumes from a surface of a fume-producing kitchen device, for example a stove or a grill, into the kitchen hood opening located above the fume -producing kitchen device. In other words, the hood enclosure assembly configured according to one or more aspects can define an extended channel under the kitchen hood extending downward above the surface of the kitchen device that can direct the fumes upwardly toward the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood and thereby aid in the proper withdrawal of rising fumes from the fume-producing kitchen device. The hood enclosure can be, for example an integral part of the kitchen hood, or it can be mounted under a kitchen hood. Alternatively, the hood enclosure can be mounted on a surface near the kitchen hood, such that the enclosure is placed under the kitchen hood to define an extended channel under the hood over the fume-producing device.

[0032] FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate an implementation of a hood enclosure assembly 100 that can be mounted under a kitchen hood 101 above a fume-producing kitchen device 102. In one implementation, the hood enclosure assembly 100 can be mounted on the kitchen hood 101 (as shown in FIGs. 1A and IB), such that the hood enclosure assembly 100 encloses an area under the kitchen hood 101 above the fume -producing kitchen device 102 defining an extended channel under the kitchen hood 101 above the surface of the kitchen device 102 that can direct fumes upwardly toward the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood 101.

[0033] In another implementation, the hood enclosure assembly 100 can be mounted on a surface near the kitchen hood 101, such that the enclosure 100 is placed under the kitchen hood 101 and encloses the area under the kitchen hood 101 above the fume-producing kitchen device 102 defining an extended channel under the kitchen hood 101 that can direct the fumes upwardly toward the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood 101.

[0034] Referring to FIG. IB, the hood enclosure assembly 100 can include a top support structure 103 and four wall assemblies 104, 105, 106, and 107 coupled to the top support structure 103, such that the four wall assemblies 104, 105, 106, and 107 define four sides of the enclosure 100. The enclosure 100 can be sized to enclose the area over the fume-producing device. The top support structure 103 can be configured to function as an attachment interface that can be used to attach the hood enclosure assembly 100 under the kitchen hood 101. Moreover, the top support structure 103 can be configured to provide an air-tight seal between the hood enclosure assembly 100 and the kitchen hood 101. The wall assemblies 104, 105, 106, and 107 can be adapted and configured to substantially vertically extend downward from under the kitchen hood 101 to an optimal distance from the surface of the fume producing device 102. The optimal distance can be selected such that a sufficient space can be provided for the air stream to be drawn into the enclosure 100 towards the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood 101. The optimal distance depends on dimensions of the enclosure 100 and it can be chosen to be, for example, approximately one third of the distance between the exhaustion opening of the kitchen hood 101 to the surface of the fume -producing device 102. Alternatively, the four wall assemblies 104, 105, 106, and 107 can be coupled to the kitchen hood 101 directly without the top support structure 103.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows one example of a hood enclosure assembly 200 pursuant to the teachings of the present disclosure mounted on a kitchen hood 201. Referring to FIG. 2 the hood enclosure assembly 200 can include a top support structure 202, and four vertically slidable wall assemblies 203, 204, 205, and 206. The top support structure 202 can be configured to be attached under the kitchen hood 201. The four wall assemblies 203, 204, 205, and 206 can be coupled to the top support structure in order to define four sides of the hood enclosure assembly 200.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3A and 3C, in an aspect, a wall assembly 300 can include a number of sub-panel assemblies, for example four sub-panel assemblies 302a, 302b, 302c, and 302d. Each sub-panel assembly, for example, sub-panel assembly 302a can include a panel 306a and two sliding track means 304a and 304'a mountable on transverse sides of the panel. The sliding track means 304a and 304'a on either sides of the panel 306a can be mirrored versions of one another. The sub-panel assemblies 302a-302d can be slidably interconnected by the sliding track means 304a-304d on one side and the sliding track means 304'a-304'd on the other side in order to form the vertically slidable wall assembly 300. The sub-panel assemblies 302a- 302d can be interconnected offset from one another so as to be movable into overlapping positions. The vertically slidable wall assembly 300 can be vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The sub-panel assemblies 302a-302d can be movable upwardly into fully overlapping positions to retract the wall assembly 300 into the fully retracted position and be movable downwardly into a fully extended position to extend the wall assembly 300 into the fully extended position.

[0037] According to an implementation, each panel 306a, 306b, 306c, or 306d, can for example be a planar elongated rectangular panel and can, for example be made of suitable transparent, translucent, semi-opaque or opaque glass, reinforced glass, polymers, or other like materials which are capable of tolerating high temperatures. Material selection can be carried out according to standards IEC-60335-1 (All types of household and similar electrical appliances - Safety) and IEC-60335-2-31 (Electrical range hood). [0038] The sub-panel assemblies 302a, 302b, 302c, and 302d can be of similar configurations. Therefore, only one sub-panel assembly is described in detail in what follows in the present disclosure.

[0039] Referring to FIGs. 3D-3F, each sliding track means, for example the sliding track means 304a can include a C-shaped longitudinally extending channel 322; a U-shaped longitudinally extending channel 321; and a sliding rail 323 that can include a ball plunger device 324. The ball plunger device 324 can be placed, for example in a through hole 326 in the sliding rail 323 of the sliding track means 304a. Each sliding track means, for example the sliding track means 304a can include two ball detents 327a and 327b, namely the top ball detent 327a and the bottom ball detent 327b. Each sliding track means, for example the sliding track means 304a can include two pin holes 328a and 328b, namely the top pin hole 328a and the bottom pin hole 328b. The pin holes 328a and 328b function to receive two pins that define the top and bottom limits of the sliding movements inside the C-shaped channel 322 of each track means, for example track means 304a.

[0040] The panel 306a can be receivable inside the U-shaped longitudinally extending channel 321 of the sliding track means 304a and be attached by a number of fastening means, for example, the panel 306a can be screwed to the U-shaped channel 321 of the sliding track means 304a through a number of holes 325a-325c provided on the side of the U-shaped channel 321. Alternatively, the panel 306a can be snugly fitted inside the U-shaped channel 321. The top horizontally extending edge portion of each panel, for example panel 306a can be snugly receivable within a top sealing strip 319, either sides of the top sealing strip can be attached to the U-shaped channel 321 as shown in FIGs. 3C and 3D. The bottom horizontally extending edge portion of each panel, for example panel 306a can be snugly receivable within a bottom sealing strip 320. The top sealing strip 319 and the bottom sealing strip 320 function to provide an air-tight seal between two adjacent panels.

[0041] FIG. 4A shows a top view of the two adjacent track means 400 and 401. As can be seen in this figure, the sliding rail 404 of the first track means 400 is slidably movable within the C- shaped channel 405 of the second track means 401, this allows the first track means 400 to be vertically slidably movable within the C-shaped channel of the second track means 401. FIGs. 4B and 4C illustrate left and sectional views of the two track means 400 and 401 in a fully retracted position in FIG. 4B and in a fully extended position in FIG. 4C.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4B, the second track means 401 can include a top ball detent 403a, which is configured to receive a ball plunger device 402 of the first track means 400, once the two track means 400 and 401 are in the fully retracted position. Referring to FIG. 4C, the second track means 401 can include a bottom ball detent 403b, which is configured to receive the ball plunger device 402 of the first track device 400, once the two track means 400 and 401 are in the fully extended position. The ball plunger device 402 and the two ball detents 403a and 403b function to lock the two adjacent track means 400 and 401 in fully retracted (FIG. 4B) and fully extended (FIG. 4C) positions.

[0043] FIG. 3B illustrates the top support structure 311, the rear wall assembly 300, and the side wall assembly 301. The rear wall assembly 300 can include four sub-panel assemblies 302a-302d and the side wall assembly 301 can include four sub-panel assemblies 303a-303d. The sub-panel assemblies 302a-302d are interconnected by sliding track means 304a-304d on one side and track means 304'a-304'd on the other side to form the vertically slidable wall assembly 300. The sub-panel assemblies 303a-303d are interconnected by sliding track means 305a-305d on one side and track means 305'a-305'd on the other side to form the vertically slidable wall assembly 301. The sub-panel assemblies 302a-302d include panels 306a-306d and the sub-panel assemblies 303a-303d include panels 307a-307d.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 3B, the rear upper sub-panel assembly 302d is configured to be coupled with the top support structure 311. According to one implementation, the rear upper sub-panel assembly 302d can be pivotally coupled with the top support structure 311. The track means 304d and 304'd of the rear upper sub-panel assembly 302d can be attached to two rear extension tracks 308 and 308'. The two rear extension tracks 308 and 308' can be attached to two rear hinge arms 315 and 315', respectively, and the two rear hinge arms 315 and 315' can be pivotally coupled with two rear hinges 317 and 317', respectively. The two rear hinges 317 and 317' can be attached on the top support structure 311. The rear hinges 317 and 317' function to allow folding the rear wall assembly 300 once in its fully retracted position under the top support structure 311. A rear top bar 309 can be utilized to attach the two rear hinge arms 315 and 315'. The rear top bar 309 functions to coordinate the folding movements of the two rear hinge arms 315 and 315' about pivot points of the two rear hinges 317 and 317'. In order to seal the area between the rear upper sub-panel assembly 302d and the top support structure 311 a rear top sealing part 313 can be attached to the rear upper sub-panel assembly 302d. The front wall assembly not shown in FIG. 3B and the rear wall assembly 300 can be of similar construction and configuration, therefore, only the rear wall assembly 300 is described in detail in this disclosure.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3B, the side upper sub-panel assembly 303d is configured to be coupled with the top support structure 311. According to one implementation, the side upper sub-panel assembly 303d can be pivotally coupled with the top support structure 311. The track means 305d and 305'd of the side upper sub-panel assembly 303d can be attached to two side hinge arms 316 and 316', respectively, and the two side hinge arms 316 and 316' can be pivotally coupled with two side hinges 318 and 318', respectively. The two side hinges 318 and 318' can be attached on the top support structure 311. The side hinges 318 and 318' function to allow folding the side wall assembly 301 once in its fully retracted position under the top support structure 311. A side top bar 310 can be utilized to attach the two side hinge arms 316 and 316'. The side top bar 310 functions to coordinate the folding movements of the two side hinge arms 316 and 316' about pivot points of the two side hinges 318 and 318'. In order to seal the area between the side upper sub-panel assembly 303d and the top support structure 311 a side top sealing part 314 can be attached to the side upper sub-panel assembly 303d. The side wall assemblies can be of similar construction and configuration, therefore, only one side wall assembly 301 is described in detail in this disclosure.

[0046] Since the rear hinges 317 and 317' are mounted higher than the side hinges 318 and 318' (in order to allow folding of the rear wall assembly 300 on top of the side wall assembly 301) the rear extension tracks 308 and 308' can be used to compensate for this difference in elevation between the rear wall assembly 300 and the side wall assembly 301.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 3D, in order to seal the area between the rear sub panel assemblies 302a-302d and the side sub-panel assemblies 303a-303d, a corner sealing part 312a can be attached from one side to the track means 304'a and from the other side to the track means 305a; a corner sealing part 312b can be attached from one side to the track means 304'b and from the other side to the track means 305b; and a corner sealing part 312c can be attached from one side to the track means 304'c and from the other side to the track means 305c.

[0048] FIGs. 8A and 8B show an example configuration of a corner sealing part 800. The corner sealing part 800 can include a large sealing member 806 and a small sealing member 808. The large sealing member 806 can be attached to a track means 805 from one side and it can be placed tightly adjacent to the small sealing member 808. The small sealing member 808 can be attached to a track means 807 from the other side. The large sealing member 806 can include a plurality of magnets that once next to the screws 809a and 809b on the small sealing member 808 can function to press the small 808 and large 806 sealing parts tightly together and provide an air-tight seal between two adjacent sub-panel assemblies 801 and 802.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5 the wall assemblies 503, 504, 505, and 506 of the hood enclosure assembly 500 can be vertically adjustable between a retracted position under the hood 501 and an extended position over the surface of the fume -producing kitchen device. In one implementation, the wall assemblies 503, 504, 505, and 506 can be pivotally coupled with the top support structure 502, which can allow folding each wall assembly 503, 504, 505, or 506 under the kitchen hood 501, while the wall assembly 503, 504, 505, or 506 is in its retracted position. As shown in FIG. 5, each wall assembly 503, 504, 505, or 506 can be configured to be vertically adjustable independent from other wall assemblies. In this figure, the front wall assembly 503 is in a fully retracted and folded position under the kitchen hood 501, the right wall assembly 506 is in a fully retracted position, the rear wall assembly 504 is in a partially extended/retracted position, and the left wall assembly 505 is in a fully vertically extended position.

[0050] FIG. 6 shows how the wall assemblies pivotally coupled with the top support structure can be folded under the top support structure. In this figure the example steps of folding are shown sequentially and black arrows are used to show the consecutive steps of the example folding process.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7 the wall assemblies and their sub-panel assemblies are sized, such that, once all the wall assemblies 703, 704, 705, and 706 are folded under the kitchen hood 701, the exhaustion opening 707 of the hood 701 is fully open and it can function normally as a normal hood without an enclosure assembly. [0052] According to other implementations, each wall assembly can include sub-panel assemblies hinged together instead of being slidably interconnected. In this implementation, the sub-panel assemblies that are pivotally interconnected are capable of being folded and expanded under the kitchen hood.

[0053] While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.

[0054] Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain.

[0055] The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 105 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed.

[0056] Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

[0057] It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "a" or "an" does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0058] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An enclosure for a kitchen hood, comprising:

four vertically extending wall assemblies that form four sides of the enclosure, wherein, the wall assemblies are configured to be attached under the kitchen hood.

2. The enclosure according to claim 1, wherein the four wall assemblies are pivotally attached to the kitchen hood.

3. The enclosure according to claim 2, wherein each wall assembly includes a plurality of sub- panel assemblies, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are interconnected to form the wall assembly.

4. The enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are slidably interconnected to form the wall assembly.

5. The enclosure according to claim 4, wherein each sub-panel assembly comprises:

a panel; and

two sliding track means,

wherein, the two sliding track means are mounted on transverse sides of the panel.

6. The enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the sliding track means of the sub-panel assemblies are slidably interconnected with one another to form the wall assemblies.

7. The enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the wall assemblies are vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position to a fully vertically extended position.

8. The enclosure according to claim 6, wherein each wall assembly is configured to be vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position to a fully vertically extended position independent form other wall assemblies.

9. The enclosure according to claim 7, the wall assemblies are foldable under the kitchen hood in their fully retracted position.

10. The enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the panel is a planar elongated rectangular panel.

11. The enclosure according to claim 5, wherein the panel is made of a material selected from the group consisting of transparent glass, translucent glass, semi-opaque glass, opaque glass, reinforced glass, or polymers.

12. The enclosure according to claim 3, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are pivotally interconnected to form the wall assembly.

13. An enclosure for a kitchen hood, comprising:

a top support assembly configured to be attached under the kitchen hood; and four vertically extending wall assemblies that form four sides of the enclosure, wherein, the wall assemblies are configured to be coupled with the top support assembly.

14. The enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the four wall assemblies are pivotally coupled with the top support assembly.

15. The enclosure according to claim 13, wherein each wall assembly includes a plurality of sub-panel assemblies, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are interconnected to form the wall assembly.

16. The enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are slidably interconnected to form the wall assembly.

17. The enclosure according to claim 16, wherein each sub-panel assembly comprises:

a panel; and

two sliding track means,

18. The enclosure according to claim 17, wherein the sliding track means of the sub-panel assemblies are slidably interconnected with one another to form the wall assemblies.

19. The enclosure according to claim 18, wherein the wall assemblies are vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position to a fully vertically extended position.

20. The enclosure according to claim 19, wherein each wall assembly is configured to be vertically slidably adjustable between a fully retracted position to a fully vertically extended position independent form other wall assemblies.

21. The enclosure according to claim 19, wherein the wall assemblies are foldable under the kitchen hood in their fully retracted position.

22. The enclosure according to claim 17, wherein the panel is a planar elongated rectangular panel.

23. The enclosure according to claim 17, wherein the panel is made of a material selected from the group consisting of transparent glass, translucent glass, semi-opaque glass, opaque glass, or reinforced glass.

24. The enclosure according to claim 15, wherein the sub-panel assemblies are pivotally interconnected to form the wall assembly.

25. The enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the top support structure is mounted under the kitchen hood.

26. The enclosure according to claim 13, wherein the top support structure is mounted on a surface near the kitchen hood, wherein the top support structure is placed under the kitchen hood.