WO2019186289A1

WO2019186289A1 - Enclosure for a cooking fume extraction hood

Info

Publication number: WO2019186289A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/051115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano LATINI
Original assignee: Elica S.P.A.
Priority date: 2018-03-27
Filing date: 2019-02-12
Publication date: 2019-10-03
Also published as: EP3775699B1; ES2912966T3; EP3775699A1; IT201800003993A1; PL3775699T3

Abstract

An enclosure (1) for a cooking fume extraction hood comprises a box- like body (2) which is configured to accommodate suction means (5) and has at least one opening (4) facing an outside environment and arranged on a plane transverse to a vertical direction (A); a panel (16) which is configured to block the opening (4), and is hinged to the box- like body (2); at least one telescopic element (7) connected to the panel (16) and the box-like body (2) for guiding a pivoting motion of the panel (10) relative to the box-like body (2); lock means (10) for locking the panel (16), which are configured to lock the panel (16) in a closed position, in which the panel (16) is placed substantially parallel to the opening (4) and blocks the opening (4); the lock means (10) comprise a deformable member (11) which is configured to take hold of the telescopic element (7) when the panel (16) is in the closed position, to lock the telescopic element (7) in position relative to the panel (10) and prevent the pivoting motion of the panel (10).

Description

Enclosure for a cooking fume extraction hood

DESCRIPTION

Technical field

The present invention relates to an enclosure of a cooking fume extraction hood. In particular, the present invention relates to an enclosure of a vertical hood, i.e. a hood in which the suction opening is on a non-horizontal plane. These hoods are usefully employed in kitchens of private households, restaurants, canteens or any environment in which food must be cooked and cooking fumes must be exhausted.

Background art

Vertical hoods are known in the art. These hoods comprise an enclosure defined by a box-like body. The box-like body has one or more openings, lying in a plane transverse to a vertical direction, such plane being parallel or angled to said transverse direction in certain embodiments. In most cases, the openings are arranged in an oblique direction, i.e. are inclined relative to both the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

A panel is configured to at least partially hide the opening from view. The panel is hinged at the top of the box-like body. At least one telescopic element is connected to the panel and the box-like body, to guide a pivoting motion of the panel relative to the box like body.

The hood further comprises one or more magnets, particular neodymium magnets, which have the purpose of locking the panel in a closed position, i.e. a position in which the panel is substantially parallel to the opening to block it.

A suction motor unit is accommodated in the box-like body in fluid communication with the opening via a duct. Such unit is also in fluid communication with a cooking fume extraction flue, such that fumes may flow into such extraction flue and exhausted from the room. Therefore, the panel may assume either an operating position in which it hides the opening from view, while allowing the passage of the extracted gases, or a maintenance position in which, after pivoting motion with respect to the box-like body, it allows the exposure of the opening and conventional maintenance, such as filter removal and/or cleaning.

The use of magnets, and especially neodymium magnets has the drawback of increasing the manufacturing costs for the enclosure, and for the hood as a whole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide an enclosure of a cooking fume extraction hood that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an enclosure of a cooking fume extraction hood that can limit the manufacturing costs.

The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by an enclosure of a cooking fume extraction hood that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Advantages of the Invention

The enclosure of the invention, being equipped with suitable deformable members that can take hold of the telescopic elements, does not need any magnet. Since the deformable members may be made of any material, including plastic and steel, the manufacturing costs for the enclosure are reduced.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of an enclosure of a cooking fume extraction hood as shown in the annexed drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a sectional side view of a hood of the present invention;

- Figures 2 and 3 show a perspective view of the hood of the present invention;

- Figure 4 is a view of the closing panel of the hood of the present invention;

- Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional side view of a detail of the hood of the present invention,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Even when this is not expressly stated, the individual features as described with reference to the particular embodiments shall be intended as auxiliary to and/or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

Referring to the annexed figures, numeral 1 designates an enclosure for a cooking fume extraction hood 20 of the present invention.

The enclosure 1 comprises a box-like body 2. Such box-like body 2 has the purpose of accommodating the functional components of the hood 20, namely the suction means 5 that will be described below.

As shown for example in Figure 1, the box-like body 2 defines the lower portion of the hood 20 and faces the burners in operation.

More in detail, the box-like body 2 has at least one wall 2a, 2b, 2c, 2e in contact with the outside environment. In particular, the box-like body has a bottom wall 2a, a top wall 2b, a pair of side walls 2c and a rear wall 2e. The bottom wall 2a directly faces the burners and, in operation, substantially faces the burners of a kitchen (not shown).

The top wall 2b is arranged substantially parallel to the bottom wall 2a, and hence is also substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction“A”. The rear wall 2e is connected to the top wall 2b and the bottom wall 2a, and is particularly arranged transverse, particularly perpendicular thereto. In operation, the rear wall 2e faces or contacts a room wall. It shall be noted that the top wall 2b generally has a greater surface than the bottom wall 2a.

The side walls 2c are arranged parallel to each other and are connected to the top wall 2b, the bottom wall 2a and the rear wall 2e. It shall be noted that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the side walls 2c have a trapezoidal shape.

The box-like body 2 has at least one opening 4 that faces an outside environment and is particularly arranged on a plane transverse to the vertical direction“A”.

As shown for example in Figure 1, the opening 4 is preferably arranged in an oblique direction, i.e. lies in a plane inclined also with respect to a horizontal direction. More in detail, the opening 4 is inclined at an angle ranging from 15° to 30°, preferably at 21°, relative to the vertical direction“A”.

Particularly referring to Figures 2 and 3, it shall be noted that the enclosure 1 comprises a panel 16 for covering the opening 4.

This panel 16 is configured to block the opening 4. In particular, the panel 16 is hinged to the box-like body 2, preferably at its top. More in detail, the panel 16 is hinged to a top edge 2f of the box-like body 2.

The panel 16 can be moved between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the panel 16 is substantially parallel to the opening 4 and blocks it. Conversely, in the open position the panel 16 completely exposes the opening 4 as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

When the hood is in operation, the covering panel 16 is in the closed position, i.e. arranged parallel to the opening 4 and at a distance therefrom, to allow air to flow into the opening 4.

For maintenance or service, the cover panel 16 is pivoted to the open position, i.e. substantially horizontal and raised with respect to the box-like body 2, to allow removal of the components accommodated in the box-like body 2 itself, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

More in detail, the panel 16 has an upper edge l6a, which is arranged parallel and proximate to the top edge 2f of the box-like body 2. The panel 16 further comprises a bottom edge l6b, which is moved toward/away from the bottom wall 2a of the box-like body 2 as a result of the pivoting motion of the panel 16. Two side edges l6c of the panel 16 are each associated with a respective side wall 2c of the box-like body 2, to thereby move toward/away from them.

In order to guide the pivoting motion of the panel 16, the enclosure 1 comprises at least one telescopic element 7. Preferably, the enclosure 1 comprises a pair of telescopic elements 7, each located at a respective side edge l6c of the panel 16.

More in detail, each telescopic element is placed proximate to a respective side wall 2c of the box-like body 2, as shown for example in Figures 2 and 3. The telescopic elements 7 are arranged on respective planes parallel to each other and to the side walls 2c of the box-like body 2.

It should be noted, also referring to Figure 1, that each telescopic element 7 is connected both to the panel 16 and to the box-like body 2. In particular, each telescopic element 7 comprises a cylinder 8 hinged to the panel 16, preferably substantially at its respective side edge l6c.

Each telescopic element 7 also comprises a piston 9 which slidingly fits into the respective cylinder 8. Each piston 9 is hinged to the box-like body 2, and particularly to a respective side wall 2c.

The telescopic elements 7 may be formed according to any manner known to the skilled person, and therefore will not be further described.

It shall be noted, also referring to Figures 2, 3 and 5, that the enclosure 1 is equipped with suitable lock means 10 for locking the panel 16, which are configured to lock the panel 16 in the above mentioned closed position.

According to the invention, the lock means 10 comprise at least one deformable member 11, which is configured to take hold on the telescopic element 7, particularly when the panel 16 is in the closed position.

In this case the deformable member 11 locks the telescopic element 7 in position relative to the panel 16, thereby preventing the pivoting motion of the panel 16.

It shall be noted that in the preferred embodiment of the invention the lock means

10 comprise a pair of deformable members 10 each associated with a respective telescopic element 7.

The deformable members 11 are particularly fixed to the panel 16, each proximate to a respective side edge l6c, to be able to interact with the telescopic elements 7.

In alternative embodiments, not shown, the deformable members 11 may be each fixed to a respective side wall 2c of the box-like body 2.

More in detail, it shall be noted that each deformable member 11 is designed to take hold of a respective cylinder 8, namely by elastically deforming when it is pressed against the cylinder 8 by the pivoting motion of the panel 16.

Then, the cylinder 11 is received by the respective deformable member 11 when the panel 16 is in the closed position.

Particularly referring to Figure 5, it should be noted that each deformable member

11 has a C-shaped section, i.e. it is provided with two half-parts 1 la. These half-parts 1 la are joined together at a coupling portion 1 lb to the panel 16, and separated from each other by a gap 1 lc from the side opposite to the coupling portion 1 lb.

Each deformable member 11 has a respective seat 12, particularly defined between the two half-parts 1 la, which is configured to receive the cylinder 8 when the panel 16 is in the closed position. The seat 12 has an inner surface 13 configured to directly contact the respective cylinder 8.

It shall be noted that the distance between the half-parts 1 la at the gap l6c, in an undeformed state of the deformable member 11 , is smaller than an outside diameter of the cylinder 8. By this arrangement, when the cylinder 8 contacts the half-parts 1 la at the gap 1 lc, the half-parts 1 la open apart, thereby widening the gap 1 lc and allowing the cylinder

8 to fit between the half-parts 1 la into the seat 12.

Then, the half-parts 1 la are restored to an undeformed state, holding the cylinder 8 in the seat 12.

With a reverse movement the cylinder 8 will be unlocked and extracted from the half-parts 11 a of the deformable member 11.

A hood 20 comprising the above discussed enclosure 1 is also part of the present invention. This hood 20 further comprises an exhaust chimney 6, located centrally and above the box-like body 2. In particular, the chimney 6 is in fluid communication with the ducts 3.

The hood 20 also comprises the aforementioned suction means 5. This suction means 5 are in fluid communication with the outside environment and with the chimney 6. The suction means 5 are configured to extract cooking fumes from the environment and exhaust them through the chimney 6. The suction means 5 are known to the skilled person and will not be further described herein. By way of illustration, the suction means 5 may comprise a suction motor unit with a centrifugal aspirator. It shall be noted that the suction means 5 are accommodated in the box-like body 2.

Filters (not shown) are in fluid communication with the suction means 5, to thereby remove the liquid particles, grease or other from the cooking fumes. These filters are removable for cleaning and are well-known to the skilled person, whereby they will not be further described. Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants may be made to the arrangements as described hereinbefore to meet incidental and specific needs. All of these variants and changes fall within scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An enclosure (1) for a cooking fume extraction hood (20), said enclosure (1) comprising:

- a box-like body (2) which is configured to accommodate suction means (5) and has at least one opening (4) facing an outside environment and arranged on a plane transverse to a vertical direction (A), said box-like body(2) having at least one side wall (2c) in contact with the outside environment;

- a panel (16) which is configured to block said opening (4), and is hinged to said box-like body (2);

- at least one telescopic element (7) connected to said panel (16) and to said box-like body (2) for guiding a pivoting motion of said panel (10) relative to said box-like body (2);

- lock means (10) for locking said panel (16), which are configured to lock said panel (16) in a closed position, in which said panel (16) is placed substantially parallel to said opening (4) and blocks said opening (4);

characterized in that said lock means (10) comprise a deformable member (11) which is configured to take hold of said telescopic element (7) when said panel (16) is in the closed position, to lock said telescopic element (7) in position relative to said panel (10) and prevent any pivoting motion of said panel (10), said deformable member (11) being fixed to said panel (16).

2. An enclosure (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said telescopic element (7) has a cylinder (8) which is hinged to said panel (16); a piston (9) that slidingly fits into said cylinder (8) and is hinged to said box-like body (2), namely to said side wall (2c), said deformable member (11) being configured to take hold of said cylinder (7) by being elastically deformed as it contacts said cylinder (7) and to receive said cylinder (7) when said panel (16) is in the closed position.

3. An enclosure (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said deformable member (11) has a seat (12) which is configured to receive said cylinder (7) when said panel (16) is in the closed position.

4. An enclosure (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that said seat (12) has an inner surface (13) that is configured to directly contact said cylinder (7).

5. An enclosure (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said deformable member (11) has a C shape.

6. An enclosure (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a pair of telescopic elements (7) located at opposite side edges (l6c) of said panel (16), each proximate to a respective side wall (2c); a pair of deformable members (11) each associated with a respective telescopic element (7).

7. A hood (1) comprising an enclosure (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims; suction means (5) within said enclosure (1).

8. An enclosure (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said opening (4) is inclined at an angle that ranges from 15° to 30° with respect to said vertical direction (A).