WO2018228660A1

WO2018228660A1 - Cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels

Info

Publication number: WO2018228660A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/064284
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bertil Gerard NAAR
Original assignee: Naar Bertil Gerard
Priority date: 2017-06-12
Filing date: 2017-06-12
Publication date: 2018-12-20

Abstract

There is provided a cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels, comprising: a top plate for supporting at least one support frame. The top plate has an elevated portion arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate and is elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate. The central portion has a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel. The at least one support frame is shaped for supporting a cooking vessel, respectively, each support frame having a base structure shaped for being supported by the top plate. The cooktop unit further comprises at least one receiving plate for receiving and retaining cooking residues. Each receiving plate is shaped for covering the central portion and at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate. The receiving plate has a second opening for receiving the heating element, which second opening in an assembled state coincides with the first opening of the top plate, and an outer edge portion being arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate in the assembled state. The outer edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion of the receiving plate and encloses said base portion. The base structure of the at least one support frame in the assembled state is supported by the receiving plate.

Description

Cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels

Field of Invention

The field of the invention relates to a cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels. Furthermore, the invention relates to a cooktop set for assembling a cooktop unit according to the present invention.

Background

A cooktop unit is generally known for supporting cooking vessels while heating the cooking vessels. The cooktop unit comprises a top plate for supporting at least one support frame, the top plate having an elevated portion arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate, optionally at least two sides of the top plate, and being elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate, the central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element, such as a burner, for heating a cooking vessel. The heating element is arranged for protruding from below the top plate upwards through the first opening for heating the cooking vessel.

The cooktop unit further comprises at least one support frame being shaped for supporting a cooking vessel, respectively, each support frame having a base structure shaped for being supported by the top plate. The base structure of each support frame may in an assembled state be arranged on top of the elevated portion of the top plate.

Typically, such a cooktop unit may comprise four central portions, each central portion being enclosed by the elevated portion, individually, wherein each central portion comprises a first opening for receiving a heating element, such as a burner, for heating a cooking vessel.

Furthermore, the cooktop unit may comprise four support frames for supporting a cooking vessel, respectively, each support frame having a base structure shaped for in the assembled state being supported by the elevated portion of the top plate.

When cooking residues are spilled on top of the cooktop unit it is cumbersome to remove the spilled cooking residues from the top plate including the support frames. Moreover, often the cooking residues remain for a longer time on top of the cooktop unit without being removed, thereby further allowing degradation of the cooking residues due to the heat of the heating elements. As a result the cooking residues may be firmly adhering to the top plate and / or the support frames of the cooktop unit, which makes the removal of the cooking residues more difficult.

Summary

Embodiments of the invention aim to improve the cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels, wherein the cooktop unit provides a structure for easily cleaning the cooktop unit when some cooking residues have been spilled on top of the cooktop unit. Particular embodiments aim to improve a cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels, wherein the cooktop unit can reliably support a support frame for supporting a cooking vessel and wherein a chance of deposition of the spilled cooking residue onto the support frame is reduced.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels, comprising:

a top plate for supporting at least one support frame, the top plate having an elevated portion arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate, preferably at least two sides of the top plate, and being elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate, the central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel;

the at least one support frame being shaped for supporting a cooking vessel, respectively, each support frame having a base structure shaped for being supported by the top plate;

at least one receiving plate for receiving and retaining cooking residues, each receiving plate being shaped for covering the central portion and at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate, the receiving plate having a second opening for receiving the heating element, which second opening in an assembled state coincides with the first opening of the top plate, and an outer edge portion being arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate in the assembled state, wherein the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion of the receiving plate and enclosing said base portion; and wherein the base structure of the at least one support frame in the assembled state is supported by the receiving plate.

The at least one receiving plate is shaped for covering the central portion and at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate, thereby preventing a deposition of cooking residues onto the central portion and said at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate. The at least one receiving plate has the second opening, which in the assembled state coincides with the first opening of the top plate, thus allowing the heating element to protrude from below the top plate through the first opening and the second opening for heating a cooking vessel.

The outer edge portion of the receiving plate is arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate in the assembled state, is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion of the receiving plate and encloses said base portion. As such, the outer edge portion prevents a deposition of cooking residues onto the elevated portion of the top plate and is able to retain the cooking residues on or within the receiving plate, when removing the receiving plate including the cooking residues from the cooktop top plate. In particular, the elevated outer edge portion including the base portion forms a reservoir space for retaining the cooking residues while moving the cleaning plate.

In this way, any cooking residues deposited onto the receiving plate may easily and frequently be removed by removing the receiving plate from the cooktop unit and cleaning the receiving plate, such as by manual washing of the receiving plate or by placing the receiving plate into a washing machine for washing the receiving plate, such as a dishwasher machine.

Preferably the elevated outer edge portion and the base portion of the receiving plate are shaped substantially conformal as a whole to the elevated portion and central portion of the top plate. In this way the receiving plate substantially fits with the top plate in the assembled plate thereby leaving substantially no gap between the receiving plate and the top plate. This arrangement further enhances a prevention of deposition of cooking residues onto the top plate.

In an example, the top plate may have one side, such as for a circular shaped top plate having one side circumventing the top plate. In case of only one circumventing side of the top plate, the elevated portion is arranged adjacent to said side of the top plate in at least two locations of said side for supporting the receiving plate cooperatively, such as two locations being arranged at opposite ends of the top plate relative to one another.

In a preferred example, the top plate is rectangular shaped thereby having four sides. The elevated portion is arranged adjacent to at least two sides of the top plate thereby providing at least two locations for supporting the receiving plate cooperatively.

In an embodiment, the receiving plate is removably arranged with respect to the top plate. This supports a simple and quick removal of the cooking residues from the receiving plate by first removing the receiving plate from top plate before removing, such as washing, the cooking residues from the receiving plate.

In an embodiment, the receiving plate is configured for a manual disassembly and assembly with respect to the top plate. For example, the receiving plate has a size, a shape and / or a weight for a manually handling of receiving plate and removing of the receiving plate from the top plate.

Additionally, the receiving plate may further comprise a grip element, such as a handle or an eye element, for manually handling or removing the receiving plate.

In an embodiment, the elevated portion of the top plate is arranged for enclosing the central portion of the top plate. This arrangement enhances that the receiving plate including the outer edge portion may be supported around the central portion of the top plate by the elevated portion in a stable manner, thereby providing better stability to the receiving plate when supported on the top plate.

In an embodiment, in the assembled the least one receiving plate is arranged for substantially covering the top plate. For example, in case the cooktop comprises at least two central portions and at least two associated receiving plates, the receiving plates may cooperatively be arranged for substantially covering the top plate, such as by substantially adjoining the receiving plates to one another at their interfaces. In this way, the top plate is suitably protected for preventing deposition of the spilled cooking residue onto the top plate.

In an embodiment, the at least one receiving plate is arranged for substantially covering the top plate including covering the elevated portion of the top plate. In this way the elevated portion of the top plate is also protected. In an embodiment, the receiving plate further comprises an inner edge portion, which is arranged adjacent to the second opening and enclosing the second opening and shaped elevated with respect to the base portion of the receiving plate. The inner edge portion prevents any fluid cooking residues from moving or flowing from the receiving plate through the second opening. In this way, the retaining function of the receiving plate for the cooking residues is enhanced, especially in a situation when the receiving plate is removed from the top plate.

In an embodiment, the second opening including the inner edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped to adjoin to the heating element in the assembled state. In this way substantially no gap is present between the inner edge portion and the heating element. This close arrangement provides that, when the cooktop unit including the corresponding heating element is assembled, substantially no cooking residues are allowed to move through the second opening downwards onto the top plate of the cooktop unit.

In an embodiment, the top plate further comprises an inner edge portion shaped elevated above the central portion for supporting the inner edge portion of the receiving plate in the assembled state. The supporting inner edge portion of the top plate enhances a stability of the receiving plate in the assembled state and further prevents a deposition of cooking residues onto the top plate at the associated first opening of the top plate and second opening of the receiving plate. In an embodiment, the cooktop unit further comprises the heating element, wherein the heating element comprises a first, lower, part and a second part being removably supported on top of the first part in the assembled state, wherein an upper side of the first part in the assembled state is arranged at substantially the same level as the receiving plate. The first part of the heating element is arranged for supporting the second part in the assembled state and prevents any cooking residues to flow through the second opening, when the second part of the heating element is removed from the cooktop unit. The first part supports that the receiving plate may be easily removed from the cooktop unit while the first part of the heating element remains assembled with the top plate.

In an embodiment, an upper side of the first part in the assembled state is arranged at substantially the same level as the inner edge portion of the receiving plate. This arrangement further enhances a closure of the second opening of the receiving plate when the first part of the heating element and the receiving plate are assembled in the cooktop unit.

In an embodiment, the second part of the heating element in the assembled state extends partly over the receiving plate in a radial direction of the second opening. The second part of the heating element partly covers the receiving plate near the second opening and optionally covers the inner edge portion of the receiving plate. The extending part of the second part of the heating element enhances that cooking residues are mainly deposited on the receiving tray away from the second opening. In an embodiment, in the assembled state the base structure of the at least one support frame is supported by the outer edge portion of the receiving plate. The outer edge portion of the receiving plate, which is arranged elevated with respect to the base portion of the receiving plate, prevents that cooking residues lying on the base portion of the receiving plate may contaminate the base structure of the at least one support frame.

In an embodiment, the elevated portion of the top plate comprises a first elevated portion and a second elevated portion, wherein the first elevated portion is arranged higher than the second portion relative to the central portion. The first elevated portion may be shaped for further stabilizing the receiving plate and / or the base structure of the at least one support frame in the assembled state. For example, the receiving plate, especially the outer edge portion, may be shaped conformal to the first elevated portion and a second elevated portion, thereby improving the stability of the receiving plate in the assembled state. In another example, the base structure of the at least one support frame may be shaped for fitting onto the second elevated portion while being substantially blocked in a lateral direction with respect to a supporting surface of the top plate by the first elevated portion of the top plate. In this way, a lateral position of the base structure of the at least one support frame with respect to the supporting surface of the top plate in the assembled state is controlled.

In an embodiment, the first elevated portion is an outer portion arranged adjacent to the side of the top plate and the second elevated portion is an inner portion arranged adjacent to the central portion. In this way, a positioning function of the elevated portion for the receiving plate and / or the base structure of the at least one support frame is enhanced.

In alternative embodiments, the first elevated portion may be an inner portion arranged adjacent to the central portion and the second elevated portion is an outer portion arranged adjacent to the side of the top plate, the first elevated portion may be arranged enclosing the second elevated portion, such as at both sides of the second elevated portion, and the first elevated portion and the second elevated portion may be arranged relative to the first opening, such that a receiving plate in the assembled state is preferentially or only supported on the elevated portion having a specific orientation with respect to the top plate.

In an embodiment, in the assembled state the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped and arranged for being supported on the second elevated portion of the top plate. The second elevated portion has the smallest height difference with the central portion of the top plate relative to the first elevated portion. Optionally, the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is only supported on the second elevated portion of the top plate.

In another embodiment, the outer edge portion of the receiving plate being shaped and arranged for being supported on the first elevated portion and the second elevated portion of the top plate. In this arrangement the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is substantially conformal to the first elevated portion and the second elevated portion of the top plate and enhances a protection of the first and second elevated portions of the top plate.

In an embodiment, in the assembled state the base structure of the at least one support frame is arranged to be supported by the outer edge portion at the second elevated portion of the top plate. This arrangement enhances a controlled lateral position of the base structure of the at least one support frame with respect to the supporting surface of the top plate in the assembled state.

In an embodiment, the top plate has at least two central portions, preferably four central portions, each central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel. The arrangement provides at least two, optionally four, cooking positions for heating a corresponding cooking vessel. In an embodiment, the elevated portion is arranged for enclosing each central portion, respectively. The arrangement of the elevated portion enhances that a position of a receiving plate over each central portion may be controlled independently one another. In an embodiment, the cooktop unit comprises two receiving plates, preferably four receiving plates, preferably each receiving plate covering one of the central portions. The arrangement provides that a position of a receiving plate over each central portion may be controlled independently one another. In an embodiment, the cooktop unit comprises two support frames, preferably four support frames, each support frame being positioned in the assembled state for supporting a cooking vessel above one of the central portions of the top plate. The arrangement provides that a position of a support frame over each central portion may be controlled independently one another. In an embodiment, the receiving plate is mainly constituted by a metal compound or by a ceramic material. The receiving plate made mainly from a metal compound or by a ceramic material provides a relatively stable shape. In this way the receiving plate may easily be positioned on the top plate and may be removed while holding the cooking residues. Additionally, a metal compound and a ceramic material can easily be cleaned, for example by using a washing treatment supported by a heating step of the washing liquid. Additionally, a metal compound and a ceramic material can endure a heating process, such as a heating process for heating a cooking vessel by the heating element, when the cooking vessel is supported on the cooktop unit.

In another aspect of the present invention a cooking device is provided comprising a cooktop unit according to the present invention, preferably the cooking device comprising an oven unit.

Brief description of the figures

The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a cooktop unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention for supporting cooking vessels.

Figure 2 shows a cross section view of the cooktop unit according to a modified embodiment of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a portion of the receiving plate according to the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a cooktop unit according to another embodiment of the present invention for supporting cooking vessels.

Figure 5 shows a cross section view of the cooktop unit according to the other embodiment of the present invention showing a part of the top plate and a receiving plate.

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a portion of the receiving plate according to the other embodiment of the present invention.

Description of embodiments

Figure 1 shows a cooktop unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention for supporting cooking vessels. The cooktop unit 100 is shown in a perspective view in figure 1. The cooktop unit 100 comprises a top plate 200 for supporting at least one support frame 300. The top plate 200 has an elevated portion 210 which is arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate 202. The top plate 200 has a rectangular shape having four sides. Preferably the elevated portion 210 is arranged adjacent to at least two sides of the top plate 202, more preferably adjacent to at least four sides of the top plates 202. The elevated portion 210 is elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate 220 in a direction h perpendicular to a plane of the top plate 200. The central portion 220 has a first opening 230 for receiving a heating element 500 for heating a cooking vessel. The at least one support frame 300 is shaped for supporting a cooking vessel. Each support frame has a base structure 310 shaped for being supported by the top plate 200. The cooktop unit 100 further comprises a receiving plate 400 for receiving and retaining cooking residues. The receiving plate 400 is shaped for covering the central portion 220 and at least a part of the elevated portion 210 of the top plate 200. The receiving plate 400 has a second opening 430 for receiving the heating element 500. The second opening 430 coincides in the assembled state of the cooktop unit 100 with the first opening 230 of the top plate 200, whereby the second opening 430 at least partly covers the first opening 230. Furthermore the receiving plate 400 comprises an outer edge portion 410 which is arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate 210 in the assembled state. The outer edge portion 410 of the receiving plate is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion 420 of the receiving plate in the direction h perpendicular to a plane of the receiving plate 400 and encloses said base portion 420. The base structure 310 of the at least one support frame 300 in the assembled state is supported by receiving plate 400. The receiving plate 400 is removable arranged with respect to the top plate 200. The receiving plate 400 is shaped to be manually assembled and / or disassembled with respect to the top plate 200. The elevated portion 210 is arranged for enclosing the central portion 220 of the top plate 200. In the assembled state the receiving plate 400 is arranged for substantially covering the top plate 200 including covering the elevated portion 210 of the top plate. The support frame 300 including the base structure 310 is shaped for being supported on the base portion 420 adjacent to the outer edge portion 410 of the receiving plate 400 in the assembled state as shown in Figure 1 and as is shown for the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows a cross section view of the cooktop unit 100 through a plane of the top plate 200 and the receiving plate 400 along a line C-C shown in Figure 1 according to a modified embodiment of the first embodiment.

In the embodiment as shown in figure 2 the receiving plate further comprises an inner edge portion 440 which is arranged adjacent to the second opening 430 and encloses the second opening 430. The inner edge portion 440 is shaped elevated with respect to the base portion 420 of the receiving plate 400 in a direction h perpendicular to a plane of the receiving plate 400.

The cooktop unit further comprises a heating element 500 which comprises a first part 510 and a second part 520 as is shown in the Figure 2. In the assembled stated the second opening 430 including the inner edge portion 440 of the receiving plate 400 are shaped to adjoin to the heating element 500. The adjoining of the second opening 430 means that the second opening 430 has a size and shape for substantially fitting the heating element 500. The second part 520 is removable supported on top of the first part 510 in the assembled state of the cooktop unit 100. An upper side of the first side 510 in the assembled state is arranged at substantially the same level as the receiving plate 400 in the direction h, preferably is arranged at substantially the same level as the inner edge portion 440 of the receiving plate 400. The second part of the heating element 520 in the assembled state extends partly over the receiving plate 400 in the radial direction of the second opening 430 as indicated by arrows R. The top plate 200 in an exemplary embodiment further comprises an inner edge portion 240 shaped elevated above the central portion 220 for supporting the inner edge portion 440 of the receiving plate 400 in the assembled state. In the assembled state the base structure 310 of the support frame 300 is supported by the outer edge portion 410 of the receiving plate 400. The receiving plate 400 is substantially conformal to the top plate 200. In this way the receiving plate 400 is supported by the top plate 200 thereby leaving substantially no gap between one another. In this way the receiving plate 400 can receive and hold any cooking residues thereby preventing any deposition of the cooking residues on the top plate 200.

In a further modification of the embodiment of Figure 1 or Figure 2 (not shown), the support frame 300 including the base structure 310 is shaped for being supported on the outer edge portion 410 of the receiving plate 400 in the assembled state. As the base structure 310 of the support frame 300 is supported on the outer edge portion 410 of the receiving plate 400, substantially no cooking residues are deposited on the support frame 300 or transported from the base portion 420 onto the base structure 310 of the support frame 300.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the receiving plate 400 shown in Figure 2 whereby merely a half portion of the receiving plate 400 is shown, which half portion is located between the second opening 430 up to a side 402 of the receiving plate at the outer edge portion 410. The other half portion of the receiving plate 400 is shaped similarly. As can be seen in figure 3 the outer edge portion 410 encloses the base portion 420 and the inner edge portion 440 of the receiving plate encloses the second opening. The inner edge portion 440 is arranged adjacent to the second opening 430.

Figure 4 shows a cooking device which comprises a cooktop unit 1100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cooking device further comprises an oven unit 1500.

The cooktop unit 1100 comprises a top plate 1200, at least one support frame 300 and at least one receiving plate 1400. Preferably the cooktop unit 1100 comprises four support frames 300 and four receiving plates 1400. The top plate 1200 comprises an elevated portion 1210 which is arranged adjacent to each side of the top plate 1200. The elevated portion 1210 is elevated relative to a central portion 1220 of the top plate 1200 in a direction h perpendicular to a plane of the top plate 1200. The top plate 1200 comprises four central portions 1220 wherein the elevated portion 1210 encloses each of the central portions 1220. Each of the central portion 1220 has a first opening 1230 for receiving a heating element 500 for heating a cooking vessel. Each of the support frames 300 is shaped for supporting a cooking vessel and has a base structure 310 for being supported by the top plate 1200. Further, each of the receiving plates 1400 is arranged for receiving and retaining cooking residues. The receiving plate 1400 is shaped for covering a central portion 1220 and at a least a part of the elevated portion 1210 of the top plate 1200. The receiving plate 1400 has a second opening 430 for receiving the heating element 500. The second opening 430 in an assembled state coincides with a first opening 1230 of the top plate 1200. Figure 5 shows the top plate 1200 and the receiving plate 1400 in a cross section view through a plane of the top plate 1200 and the receiving plate 1400 along a line C-C shown in Figure 4. The receiving plate 1400 comprises an outer edge portion 1410 which comprises a first part 412 and a second part 414. The outer edge portion of the receiving plate 1410 is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion 420 of the receiving plate 400 along the height direction h and encloses said base portion 420. The outer edge portion 1410 provides that any cooking residues be deposited on the receiving plate is held within the receiving plate 400.The first part 412 is arranged higher than the second part 414 relative to the base portion 420. The first part 412 is an outer portion arranged adjacent to a side of the receiving plate 1400 and the second part 414 is an inner portion arranged adjacent to the base portion 420. The first part and second part 412, 414 of the outer edge portion 410 are shaped substantially conformal to the elevated portion 1210 of the top plate 1200. The outer edge portion of the receiving plate 1410 is arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion 1210 of the top plate 1200 in the assembled state. In the assembled state the base structure 310 of each support frame 300 is supported on the outer edge portion 1410 of the receiving plate 1400.

The elevated portion 1210 of the top plate 1200 comprises a first elevated portion 212 and a second elevated portion 214. The first elevated portion 212 is arranged higher than the second elevated portion 214 relative to the central portion 1220. The first elevated portion 212 is in an embodiment an outer portion arranged adjacent to a side of the top plate 1200 and the second elevated portion 214 is an inner portion arranged adjacent to the central portion 1220.

In the assembled state ,when mounting the receiving plate 1400 in contact with the top plate 1200 in an assembling direction A, the outer edge portion 1410 is substantially completely covering the elevated portion 1210 of the top plate and substantially no gap is present between the receiving plate and the top plate 1200 at the outer edge portion 1410 of the receiving plate 400.

Preferably in the assembled state the base structure 310 of the at least one support frame 300 is arranged to be supported by the second part 414 of the outer edge portion 1410 of the receiving plates at the second elevated portion 214 of the top plate 1200, as is schematically indicated in Figure 4.

In this embodiment the outer edge portion 1410 of the receiving plate is shaped and arranged for being supported on both the first elevated portion 212 and the second elevated portion 214 of the top plate 1200. Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the receiving plate 1400 shown in Figure 5 whereby merely a half portion of the receiving plate 1400 is shown, which half portion is located between the second opening 430 up to a side 402 of the receiving plate at the outer edge portion 1410. The other half portion of the receiving plate 1400 is shaped similarly.

As can be seen from figure 6 the outer edge portion 1410 which comprises the first part 412 and the second part 414 encloses the base portion 420 of the receiving plate 1400. Furthermore, the inner edge portion 440 is arranged adjacent to the second opening 430 and encloses said second opening 430. In this way the outer edge portion 1410 and the inner edge portion 440 of the receiving plate 1400 are shaped for holding the cooking residues at the base portion 420 within the receiving plate 1400. Furthermore, the outer edge portion 1410 and the inner edge portion 440 are supported on top of the top plate 1200 thereby preventing or at least minimizing any deposition of the cooking residues on the top plate 1200.

In an exemplary embodiments the receiving plate 1400 shown in Figures 4 - 6 and / or the receiving plate 400 of the embodiments shown in Figures 1 - 3 is mainly constituted by a metal compound or by a ceramic material. This supports a substantially constant shape of the receiving plate 1400 to be fitted on top of the top plate 1200 in the assembled state. Furthermore, the material is endurable for any heating which is provided by the heating element 500 for heating the cooking vessel. Additionally, the receiving plate 1400 remains substantially in the same state even when being heated by the heating element 500.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams or views herein represent conceptual views of illustrative units or modules embodying the principles of the invention.

Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cooktop unit for supporting cooking vessels, comprising:

a top plate for supporting at least one support frame, the top plate having an elevated portion arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate, preferably at least two sides of the top plate, and being elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate, the central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel; the at least one support frame being shaped for supporting a cooking vessel, respectively, each support frame having a base structure shaped for being supported by the top plate; at least one receiving plate for receiving and retaining cooking residues, each receiving plate being shaped for covering the central portion and at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate, the receiving plate having a second opening for receiving the heating element, which second opening in an assembled state coincides with the first opening of the top plate, and an outer edge portion being arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate in the assembled state, wherein the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion of the receiving plate and enclosing said base portion; and wherein the base structure of the at least one support frame in the assembled state is supported by the receiving plate.

2. The cooktop unit according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving plate is removably arranged with respect to the top plate, preferably the receiving plate being configured for a manual disassembly and assembly with respect to the top plate.

3. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevated portion of the top plate is arranged for enclosing the central portion of the top plate.

4. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the assembled the least one receiving plate is arranged for substantially covering the top plate, preferably including covering the elevated portion of the top plate.

5. The cooktop unit according any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving plate

further comprises an inner edge portion, which is arranged adjacent to the second opening and enclosing the second opening and shaped elevated with respect to the base portion of the receiving plate, wherein preferably the second opening including the inner edge portion of the receiving plate are shaped to adjoin to the heating element in the assembled state, wherein preferably the top plate further comprises an inner edge portion shaped elevated above the central portion for supporting the inner edge portion of the receiving plate in the assembled state.

6. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooktop unit further comprises the heating element, wherein the heating element comprises a first, lower, part and a second part being removably supported on top of the first part in the assembled state, wherein an upper side of the first part in the assembled state is arranged at substantially the same level as the receiving plate, preferably an upper side of the first part in the assembled state is arranged at substantially the same level as the inner edge portion of the receiving plate, more preferably the second part of the heating element in the assembled state extends partly over the receiving plate in a radial direction of the second opening.. 7. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the assembled state the base structure of the at least one support frame is supported by the outer edge portion of the receiving plate.

The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elevated portion of the top plate comprises a first elevated portion and a second elevated portion, wherein the first elevated portion is arranged higher than the second portion relative to the central portion, wherein preferably the first elevated portion is an outer portion arranged adjacent to the side of the top plate and the second elevated portion is an inner portion arranged adjacent to the central portion.

9. The cooktop unit according to claim 8, wherein in the assembled state the outer edge

portion of the receiving plate is shaped and arranged for being supported on the second elevated portion of the top plate, wherein preferably in the assembled state the base structure of the at least one support frame is arranged to be supported by the outer edge portion at the second elevated portion of the top plate, more preferably the outer edge portion of the receiving plate being shaped and arranged for being supported on the first elevated portion and the second elevated portion of the top plate.

10. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the top plate has at least two central portions, preferably four central portions, each central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel, wherein preferably the elevated portion is arranged for enclosing each central portion, respectively. 11. The cooktop unit according to claim 10, wherein the cooktop unit comprises two receiving plates, preferably four receiving plates, preferably each receiving plate covering one of the central portions.

12. The cooktop unit according to any of the claims 10 - 11, wherein the cooktop unit comprises two support frames, preferably four support frames, each support frame being positioned in the assembled state for supporting a cooking vessel above one of the central portions of the top plate.

13. The cooktop unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving plate is mainly constituted by a metal compound or by a ceramic material.

14. A cooking device comprising a cooktop unit according to any of the claims 1 - 13,

preferably the cooking device comprising an oven unit.

15. A cooktop set for assembling a cooktop unit according to any of the claims 1 - 13

comprising:

a top plate for supporting at least one support frame, the top plate having an elevated portion arranged adjacent to at least one side of the top plate, preferably at least two sides of the top plate, and being elevated relative to a central portion of the top plate, the central portion having a first opening for receiving a heating element for heating a cooking vessel; and

at least one receiving plate for receiving and retaining cooking residues, each receiving plate being shaped for covering the central portion and at least a part of the elevated portion of the top plate, the receiving plate having a second opening for receiving the heating element, which second opening in an assembled state coincides with the first opening of the top plate, and an outer edge portion being arranged and shaped for being supported on the elevated portion of the top plate in the assembled state, wherein preferably the outer edge portion of the receiving plate is shaped elevated with respect to a base portion of the receiving plate and enclosing said base portion.