COOKING APPLIANCE WITH SELF-CLEANING FUNCTION, PREFERABLY WITH STEAM FUNCTION, PARTICULARLY PREFERABLY AN OVEN/STEAM COOKER COMBINATION APPLIANCE

Abstract

A cooking appliance with a self-cleaning function includes: a cooking chamber partially formed by an inner enclosure; a cleaning device for cleaning the cooking chamber, the cleaning device including a delivery device and a distribution device; a closure element for closing and clearing an access opening of the cooking chamber; and at least one cooking chamber seal disposed in a cooking chamber groove of the cooking appliance such that the at least one cooking chamber seal faces the closure element, the cooking chamber groove being formed by the inner enclosure and/or by a front housing wall of the cooking appliance. The cooking chamber seal, at least in some sections, has at least one slot extending along a principal direction of extent thereof, the at least one slot being open inwardly in a mounting direction and/or outwardly in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

Priority is claimed to Belgian Patent Application No. BE 2022/5641, filed on Aug. 16, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention relates to a cooking appliance with self-cleaning function. The cooking appliance may preferably be a cooking appliance with steam function, particularly preferably an oven/steam cooker combination appliance.

BACKGROUND

For the preparation of foods, which can also be referred to as items to be treated or items to be cooked, various kitchen appliances are known, which can also be referred to as cooking appliances. These include cooktops on which the item to be cooked can be prepared in a cookware item, such as a pot with or without a lid, in a pan, or the like, by cooking, roasting, and the like. For this purpose, the cookware item is placed on a cooking zone of the cooktop, and the bottom of the cookware item is heated electrically, inductively, or the like, by the cooking zone. The cookware item may also be referred to as a cooking vessel, a carrier for items to be cooked, or as a receptacle for items to be cooked. In this case, the cookware item provides a cooking chamber for the item to be cooked, which, in the case of pans and pots, may be open or closed by a lid.

Further, there are known cooking appliances which have a cooking chamber that is configured in immovable (i.e., stationary) relationship with the cooking appliance and in which the item to be cooked can be disposed in or on a cookware item and cooked while the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance is closed. A cooking appliance of this type can be, for example, an oven, a steam cooker, or a combination appliance composed of an oven with a steam cooker.

Such cooking appliances with a stationary cooking chamber have in common that they have an outer housing as an outer enclosure that substantially encloses the cooking appliance outwardly, protecting the individual components and elements thereof and allowing them to be handled together. Formed within the cooking appliance is an interior space which constitutes the cooking chamber and is substantially enclosed by an inner housing as an inner enclosure, also referred to as the cooking chamber shell or oven shell. Between the inner enclosure and the outer enclosure, a housing space is formed as an interstitial space in which may be disposed functional elements of the cooking appliance, such as a controller or control unit, an electrical power supply, and other components that serve the intended use of the cooking appliance. As viewed along the depth from the front, i.e. from the perspective of a user, the outer enclosure or a front panel in the form of a furniture material or in the form of a control panel and the like, together with the inner enclosure, encloses the housing space so that the housing space is not accessible to the user.

As viewed along the depth, the interior space of the cooking appliance has a front-facing through-opening as an access opening through which the interior space of the cooking appliance is accessible to the user, allowing the user to insert and position cookware items in the interior space of the cooking appliance as its cooking chamber and to take out and remove cookware items from the interior space of the cooking appliance after the treatment of the item to be cooked is complete. The user can open the access opening by means of a closure element, for example, in the form of a side-swinging door, a downwardly swinging flap, and the like, in order to access the interior space of the cooking appliance as previously described, or to close the interior space of the cooking appliance and perform the cooking operation or process. Such a closure element may be of a closed design or may have a viewing window to allow the user to look into the closed interior space of the cooking appliance.

Such cooking appliances with a stationary cooking chamber are typically designed as built-in appliances or built-in kitchen appliances to be fixedly disposed in a space-saving manner with their outer enclosure in kitchen furniture, such as built-in kitchen closets, at a vertical height that is easily accessible to the user and such that their closure element and, if present, also their front panel is/are flush with the surfaces of the other cooking appliances, drawers, doors, and the like, of the kitchen furniture, as viewed looking toward the user, which can improve the visual appearance to the user.

Such ovens, steam cookers, and combination appliances including an oven and a steam cooker usually have to be cleaned after use, in particular to remove residues from the previous cooking process from the cooking chamber. To this end, the inner enclosure of the cooking chamber usually has to be wiped with water and a cleaning agent using a cloth, a sponge, or the like. This can represent a considerable effort for the user. Also, not all areas, especially corners and the like, can be reliably reached and cleaned in this way.

In order to make these regular cleaning operations easier for the user or to relieve the user at least partially from carrying out such cleaning operations, automatic cleaning functions are known, for example, in steam cookers and combination appliances including an oven and a steam cooker, where a solution of water and cleaning agent is distributed as a cleaning solution in the cooking chamber by means of an automatic cleaning process. This process can be referred to as washing of the cooking chamber with the solution or cleaning solution. This can relieve the user of this task. Also, the cleaning solution can thus reach areas of the cooking chamber which are difficult to access or cannot be accessed at all by the user with a cloth, sponge, and the like, which can improve the cleaning quality.

To subsequently remove the cleaning solution from the cooking chamber of the cooking appliance without leaving any residue, the automatic cleaning function may include rinsing with plenty of pure water as a further step. In the case of reservoir-type appliances; i.e., steam cookers or combination appliances having a removable water reservoir, this may result in the user having to remove, refill, and insert the water reservoir at least once so that sufficient clear water can be used for rinsing. In cooking appliances of this type which have their own water connection, also called fresh water-type appliances, the quantity of water can be adjusted as required and taken from the water line. However, this is only possible with this type of appliances.

For both washing the cooking chamber with a cleaning solution and rinsing it with pure water, the cooking appliance must distribute the corresponding liquids in its cooking chamber in order to implement such a self-cleaning function. The distribution of the cleaning liquid and of the pure water can be accomplished using the same distribution device, which for this purpose typically projects from the top of the cooking appliance into the cooking chamber thereof and is rotatable about the vertical axis to distribute the respective liquid as uniformly as possible so that it can reach substantially all areas of the cooking chamber, which can improve the respective effect.

EP 3 190 344 A1 describes a cooking appliance including a cooking chamber and a cleaning device for cleaning the cooking chamber. The cleaning device includes a delivery device and a distribution device, the delivery device including a pump system with a pump device, and the distribution device including a rotating distribution wheel and a motor device. The cooking chamber has a cooking chamber bottom and a cooking chamber top, a drain being provided in the cooking chamber bottom, and an inlet being provided in the cooking chamber top. The delivery device is suitable and adapted to convey a fluid from the drain to the inlet. Furthermore, the distribution wheel is disposed below the inlet so that it can receive fluid from the inlet.

EP 3 715 723 A1 describes a cooking appliance including a cooking chamber, a distribution system for a cleaning liquid for cleaning the cooking chamber, and a circulation system for circulating the cleaning liquid including a pump, a drain conduit, and a supply conduit, the pump being fluidically connected by the drain conduit to a cooking chamber drain disposed in a cooking chamber bottom of the cooking chamber and being fluidically connected by the supply conduit to an inlet opening of the distribution system, the distribution system having a distributor disk with a pivot for connection, preferably for torque-transmitting connection, to a shaft of the cooking appliance.

DE 10 2020 108 023 A1 describes a cooking appliance including a cooking chamber, a distribution system for a cleaning liquid for cleaning the cooking chamber, and a circulation system for circulating the cleaning liquid including a pump, a drain conduit, and a supply conduit, the pump being fluidically connected by the drain conduit to a cooking chamber drain disposed in a cooking chamber bottom of the cooking chamber and being fluidically connected by the supply conduit to an inlet opening of the distribution system, the distribution system having a distributor disk with a pivot for connection, preferably for torque-transmitting connection, to a shaft of the cooking appliance.

However, such self-cleaning functions of cooking appliances result in the cooking chamber being exposed to the cleaning liquid and possibly also to pure water. Therefore, the cooking chamber must be sealed from the environment with respect to the cleaning liquid and, where applicable, the clear rinsing water. Leakage of liquid could be perceived by the user as a quality issue of the cooking appliance. Also, the user would have to remove the leaked liquid, which would require additional effort. In particular, this could pose a risk to the user and other persons as they could slip on the liquid on the floor in front of the cooking appliance.

This also applies to the interstitial space of the cooking appliance; i.e. liquids must be kept away from there, too. Otherwise, mold could grow there. The liquid could also damage or destroy electrical and electronic components present in the interstitial space.

Accordingly, a seal must be provided between the closure element and the inner enclosure, which seal is capable of keeping the liquids of the self-cleaning function of the cooking appliance inside the cooking chamber, so that they can be collected or discharged there.

This applies in particular to the lower edge of the access opening, as liquids always follow gravity to the bottom of the cooking chamber where they may accumulate. Therefore, the seal of the lower edge of the access opening must be capable of retaining these liquids.

In particular, the liquids may run down the inside of the closed closure element and thus meet a seal exactly from above, which seal is located at the lower edge of the access opening between the inner enclosure and the closure element. In this respect, too, tightness must be ensured.

It should be noted in this connection that the cleaning liquids or cleaning solutions of such self-cleaning functions are a mixture of pure water and a cleaning agent, so that the cleaning solutions have a lower surface tension than pure water and can thus be distributed more finely. This increases the requirements with respect to tightness; i.e., with respect to the seal used.

Simply increasing the thickness of previously known and used seals to enhance tightness may improve the sealing effect, but on the other hand may make it more difficult or even impossible to mount the thickened seals. Especially in the area of the lower edge of the access opening, mountability may already be impaired if the closure element is configured as a flap having an axis of rotation parallel to the lower edge of the access opening. A thickening or increased thickness of the seal could then make it very difficult or even impossible to mount it, at least in the area of the lower edge of the access opening.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cooking appliance with a self-cleaning function, comprising: a cooking chamber partially formed by an inner enclosure; a cleaning device for cleaning the cooking chamber, the cleaning device including a delivery device and a distribution device; a closure element configured to close and clear an access opening of the cooking chamber; and at least one cooking chamber seal disposed in a cooking chamber groove of the cooking appliance such that the at least one cooking chamber seal faces the closure element, the cooking chamber groove being formed by the inner enclosure and/or by a front housing wall of the cooking appliance, wherein the cooking chamber seal, at least in some sections, has at least one slot extending along a principal direction of extent thereof, the at least one slot being open inwardly in a mounting direction and/or outwardly in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Subject matter of the present disclosure will be described in even greater detail below based on the exemplary figures. All features described and/or illustrated herein can be used alone or combined in different combinations. The features and advantages of various embodiments will become apparent by reading the following detailed description with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate the following:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an inventive cooking appliance in the form of an oven/steam cooker combination appliance having a cooking chamber groove, viewed obliquely from above and shown without an inserted cooking chamber seal;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the bottom right portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an inventive cooking chamber seal according to a first exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the inventive cooking chamber seal according to the first exemplary embodiment in the cooking chamber groove;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an inventive cooking chamber seal according to a second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a clamping element for the inventive cooking chamber seal according to the second exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inventive cooking chamber seal according to the first exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the inventive cooking chamber seal according to the second exemplary embodiment in the cooking chamber groove with the clamping element inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cooking appliance with self-cleaning function that is capable of ensuring fluid tightness of the access opening of the cooking chamber. This may be achieved especially when liquids are used, in particular cleaning liquids with reduced surface tension. This may be achieved in particular in the area of the lower edge of the access opening of the cooking chamber. In any case, this may be achievable in a most simple, cost-effective and space-saving manner that allows easy mounting and is visually appealing and unobtrusive to the user. An embodiment at least provide an alternative to the known approaches.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides a cooking appliance with self-cleaning function, preferably with steam function, particularly preferably an oven/steam cooker combination appliance, having a cooking chamber partially formed by an inner enclosure, further having a cleaning device for cleaning the cooking chamber, the cleaning device including a delivery device and a distribution device, and further having a closure element configured and adapted for closing and clearing an access opening of the cooking chamber, at least one cooking chamber seal being disposed in a cooking chamber groove such that it faces the closure element, the cooking chamber groove being formed by the inner enclosure and/or by a front housing wall. The cleaning device may be implemented as described at the outset or as known in the art. In particular, the closure element may be a door or a flap. The cooking chamber seal is disposed on the cooking appliance in a manner that makes it possible to obtain the sealing action between the closure element in the closed state and the remainder of the cooking appliance, in particular the inner enclosure and/or the front housing wall.

The inventive cooking appliance with self-cleaning function is wherein the cooking chamber seal, at least in some sections, has at least one slot extending along the principal direction of extent thereof, the slot being open inwardly in the mounting direction or outwardly in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. The mounting direction or the direction opposite thereto points in the direction in which the closure element closes the access opening of the cooking chamber when in the closed state. This may in particular be the longitudinal direction or depth of the cooking appliance. The principal direction of extent of the cooking chamber seal, which is preferably continuously closed, is the path of the edge of the access opening of the cooking chamber. The cooking chamber seal may be composed of a plurality of individual elements which are joined together to form the cooking chamber seal. To simplify mounting, it may be preferable for the cooking chamber seal to be formed as a continuous, single piece. The slot may also be referred to as notch or groove. The slot may be formed by suitable shaping directly during the manufacture of the cooking chamber seal or may also be formed into the cooking chamber seal by material removal at a later time.

In any case, the inventive cooking chamber seal of the inventive cooking appliance has a slot that extends from outside into the material or body of the cooking chamber seal in or opposite to the mounting direction, such as in particular the longitudinal direction. This results in a weakening of the material in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and perpendicular to the principal direction of extent of the cooking chamber seal, which allows the cooking chamber seal to be compressed to a greater extent perpendicularly to the mounting direction and perpendicularly to the principal direction of extent during mounting, which can facilitate the mounting process. This makes it possible to effect a positive and/or frictional retention of the cooking chamber seal in the cooking chamber groove, which can improve retention in the mounted state. Also, compression of the cooking chamber seal during mounting or insertion into the cooking chamber groove makes it possible to compensate for tolerances.

In any case, the slot allows the cooking chamber seal to be compressed to a greater extent than was previously known perpendicularly to the mounting direction and perpendicularly to the principal direction of extent, which can produce the effects and advantages previously described.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the slot is open outwardly in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, and the outwardly open slot is filled, at least in some sections, by a clamping element such that the cooking chamber seal is pressed against the sides of the cooking chamber groove perpendicularly to the mounting direction. This may be one option for practical implementation. In particular, this makes it possible to achieve the sealing action of the cooking chamber seal perpendicular to the mounting direction and perpendicular to the principal direction of extent. This may be accomplished by means of the additional clamping element after the cooking chamber seal itself has been mounted, so that the mounting of the cooking chamber seal itself is not changed and thus not complicated.

Thus, as known in the art, the cooking chamber seal can first be mounted in the cooking chamber groove and then be spread apart perpendicularly to the mounting direction and perpendicularly to the principal direction of extent by additionally inserting the clamping element, which can improve the sealing effect without changing or complicating the mounting of the cooking chamber seal itself.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the outwardly open slot is formed only along a lower edge of the inner enclosure, and the clamping element is disposed exactly along the lower edge of the inner enclosure. Thus, the previously described effect can be achieved exactly in the lower area between the cooking chamber and the closure element, where the liquids may accumulate. The liquids may get into this area especially when they flow down the inside of the closure element. Since this is exactly where increased fluid tightness requirements must be met, improved tightness can be achieved as previously described exactly where it is needed or where it can have a beneficial effect. Other than that, improved tightness can therefore be dispensed with and the additional effort associated therewith can be avoided.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the outwardly open slot has a constriction perpendicular to the mounting direction, the clamping element having a clamping edge and a neck that is thinner than the clamping edge perpendicularly to the mounting direction, and the constriction of the outwardly open slot positively holding the clamping element by means of the clamping edge. Depending on the design, an additional, frictional retention may be achieved. In any case, the clamping element can be held by the cooking chamber seal in this way without further measures, which can minimize the effort required for implementation and mounting. In particular, this also makes it possible to achieve a secure retention, which prevents the clamping element from being inadvertently removed from the cooking chamber seal by the user when cleaning the outer surface of the cooking chamber seal.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the outwardly open slot of the cooking chamber seal has, at least on one side, preferably on both sides, a recess formed in the mounting direction and facing the closure element, and the clamping element has, at least on one side, preferably on both sides, an outer edge facing the closure element, the outer edge(s) being partially or completely received, in the mounting direction, by the corresponding recess of the cooking chamber seal. In other words, the clamping element can be received within the contour of the cooking chamber seal or its recess as a clamping element receptacle in order for it not to protrude toward the closure element, which could impair the sealing effect of the cooking chamber seal and/or could be perceived by the user as visually disturbing.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a front face of the clamping element facing the closure element is set back in relation to the cooking chamber seal. This allows the clamping element to be prevented from protruding toward the closure element also in the context of manufacturing and mounting tolerances.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal and a front face of the clamping element facing the closure element together form a smooth surface. This makes it possible to obtain a smooth boundary surface toward the closure element, which may be perceived by the user as visually particularly appealing.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the slot is open inwardly in the mounting direction, and the inwardly open slot is continuous along the principal direction of extent of the cooking chamber seal. This can be an alternative option for practical implementation. This can also simplify the implementation, because the slot can be formed into the material of the cooking chamber seal from inside when viewed in the mounted state, which makes it possible to minimize the depth of the slot. This also makes it possible to configure the cooking chamber seal to have a closed, flat or smooth shape toward the closure element, which can improve the visual appearance to the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal has a flush surface opposite the inwardly open slot. This may be perceived by the user as visually appealing. This can also promote the sealing effect against the closure element.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for the front housing wall, which sealing lip engages the front housing wall in the mounting direction. This can improve the sealing effect at this location.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal has a corrugated contact surface which engages the front housing wall perpendicularly to the mounting direction. This may provide a linear point contact surface that is as uniform as possible, in particular a circumferentially linear contact surface, which improves the sealing effect. When viewing the sealing lip in cross section, a linear contact surface is a point contact between the sealing lip and the housing wall. In particular, the linear contact surface is oriented perpendicular to the mounting direction and perpendicular to the principal direction of extent.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for the closure element, which sealing lip is configured to engage the inside of the closure element in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. This can improve the sealing effect at this location.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for an inner cooking chamber side of the cooking chamber, which sealing lip engages the inner cooking chamber side of the cooking chamber perpendicularly to the mounting direction. This can improve the sealing effect at this location.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the cooking chamber seal is formed as a single piece and/or made of an elastic material. The unitary (i.e., integral) configuration of the cooking chamber seal as a single piece can simplify the manufacture and mounting. The use of an elastic material, such as, in particular, an elastomeric material, can ensure or improve the sealing effect.

The present invention also relates to a cooking chamber seal for use in a cooking appliance as previously described. Thus, a cooking chamber seal as previously described can be provided to enable implementation of a cooking appliance with self-cleaning function as previously described and to be able to make use of its features and advantages.

The present invention further relates to a clamping element for use in a cooking chamber seal as previously described. Thus, a clamping element as previously described can be provided to enable implementation of a cooking chamber seal as previously described and to be able to make use of its features and advantages.

In other words, first the cooking chamber seal is mounted in the mounting groove. Then, a clamping piece is inserted into the cooking chamber seal, which clamping piece thickens the seal in the required sealing area, providing the necessary overlap and thus ensuring tightness. Thus, the tightness into the appliance is also guaranteed during the cleaning process. At the same time, it is ensured that the mounting process of the cooking chamber seal does not become complicated, since there is no need to insert any additional material overhang into the mounting gap.

The sealing function is improved without impairing or preventing the mounting of the seal. No additional tool is needed for mounting.

The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal direction X can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to longitudinal direction X is a transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. A vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity, is perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. Longitudinal direction X and transverse direction Y together define the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as horizontal plane X, Y.

A cooking appliance 1 with self-cleaning function according to the invention will be discussed as a cooking appliance 1 with self-cleaning function and with steam function using the example of an oven/steam cooker combination appliance 1 with self-cleaning function.

Oven/steam cooker combination appliance 1 has a cooking chamber 10 as an interior space 10, which is defined by an inner enclosure 11 as an inner housing 11. The side of inner enclosure 11 facing interior space 10 can be referred to as inner cooking chamber side 11a, and the side of inner enclosure 11 facing away from interior space 10 can be referred to as outer cooking chamber side 11b. Cooking chamber 10 is accessible to the user from the front in longitudinal direction X through an access opening 14, which can be opened and closed by a closure element (see, for example, FIG. 1).

Inner enclosure 11 is adjoined in transverse direction Y and in vertical direction Z by a front housing wall 13, which bounds or closes an interstitial space (not labeled) in longitudinal direction X toward the front. Between the edge of inner enclosure 11 and front housing wall 13, a cooking chamber groove 12 is formed as an indentation in longitudinal direction X into the cooking appliance, the cooking chamber groove 12 extending parallel to cooking chamber 10 (see, for example, FIG. 2).

According to the first exemplary embodiment, in order to provide for fluid-tight sealing of cooking chamber 10 with respect to access opening 14 when the closure element is in the closed state, a cooking chamber seal 2 is used which is formed in one piece from an elastic material, in particular from an elastomeric material. Cooking chamber seal 2 has a preferred direction of extent, in which cooking chamber seal 2 is continuously closed. The cross-sectional profile of the cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment can be seen, for example, in FIG. 3. Cooking chamber seal 2 has a rectangular shape with rounded corners that corresponds to the shape of cooking chamber groove 12 of oven/steam cooker combination appliance 1 (compare FIG. 5 of the second exemplary embodiment). Cooking chamber seal 2 is fitted into cooking chamber groove 12 of oven/steam cooker combination appliance 1 in a mounting direction A which corresponds to longitudinal direction X and points away from the user.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a housing attachment receptacle 20 in the form of an indentation by which cooking chamber seal 2 is positively held around an edge of inner enclosure 11 (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4).

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a corrugated contact surface 24, which engages front housing wall 13 perpendicularly to mounting direction A (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4). In this way, a substantially uniform point contact surface can be provided at this location.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a sealing lip 21 for front housing wall 13, which sealing lip 21 engages front housing wall 13 in mounting direction A (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4). In this way, fluid-tightness can be achieved at this location.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a sealing lip 22 for the closure element, which sealing lip 22 is configured to engage the inside of the closure element in a direction opposite to mounting direction A (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4). In this way, fluid-tightness can be achieved at this location.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a sealing lip 23 for inner cooking chamber side 11a of cooking chamber 11, which sealing lip 23 engages inner cooking chamber side 11a of cooking chamber 11 perpendicularly to mounting direction A (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4). In this way, fluid-tightness can be achieved at this location.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a slot 25 which is open inwardly in mounting direction A; i.e., points inwardly into cooking chamber groove 12 (see, for example, FIGS. 3 and 4), and thus increases the elasticity of this portion of cooking chamber seal 2 perpendicularly to mounting direction A and perpendicularly to the principal direction of extent of cooking chamber seal 2. This can simplify mounting and make it possible to compensate for tolerances. The inwardly open slot 25, which can also be referred to as notch 25, is formed continuously along the principal direction of extent of cooking chamber seal 2. Cooking chamber seal 2 has a flush surface opposite the inwardly open slot 25 in order to obtain a smooth boundary surface toward the closed closure element.

The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8 is used in combination with a single-piece clamping element 3 or clamping piece 3. The cooking chamber seal 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment is substantially similar to the cooking chamber seal 2 according to the first exemplary embodiment with the difference that instead of the surrounding, inwardly open slot 25, a slot 26 which is open outwardly in a direction opposite to mounting direction A is provided only in the area of the lower edge of cooking chamber 10; i.e., an outwardly open slot 26 in the form of a clamping element receptacle 26. Clamping element receptacle 26 of cooking chamber seal 2 merges into a constriction 26a along longitudinal direction X. A recess 26b is formed both above and below constriction 26a in vertical direction Z (see, for example FIG. 7).

Clamping element 3 has a clamping edge 32 which is ball head-shaped in cross section and is received by clamping element receptacle 26 of cooking chamber seal 2 when in the mounted state. Clamping element 3 merges from the clamping edge 32 into a neck 31, which is received by constriction 26a of cooking chamber seal 2 when in the mounted state. An outer edge 31 is formed both above and below neck 31 in vertical direction Z (see, for example FIG. 6), the outer edges 31 filling the recesses 26b of cooking chamber seal 26 in the mounted state, so that a front face 30 of clamping element 3 is flush with cooking chamber seal 2 toward the closed closure element (see, for example FIG. 8).

During mounting of the cooking chamber seal 2 according to the second exemplary embodiment, as in the first exemplary embodiment, cooking chamber seal 2 is inserted by hand into cooking chamber groove 12 and thereby resiliently pressed into cooking chamber groove 12 of oven/steam cooker combination appliance 1 in such a manner that cooking chamber seal 2 is positively held around the respective edge of inner enclosure 11 by means of cooking appliance housing receptacle 20. In both cases, this can be facilitated by the inwardly open slot 25 of the first exemplary embodiment or by the outwardly open slot 26b of the second exemplary embodiment, respectively.

In the case of the first exemplary embodiment, the mounting of cooking chamber seal 2 is thus complete.

In the case of the second exemplary embodiment, clamping element 3 is then pressed in mounting direction A, with clamping edge 32 first, into outwardly open slot 26 as a clamping element receptacle 26, whereby the tightness is increased, in particular in the area of cooking appliance housing receptacle 20 and the corresponding edge of the inner enclosure 11. Clamping element 3 is positively held by cooking chamber seal 2 by means of constriction 26a of cooking chamber seal 2.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. It will be understood that changes and modifications may be made by those of ordinary skill within the scope of the following claims. In particular, the present invention covers further embodiments with any combination of features from different embodiments described above and below. Additionally, statements made herein characterizing the invention refer to an embodiment of the invention and not necessarily all embodiments.

The terms used in the claims should be construed to have the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with the foregoing description. For example, the use of the article “a” or “the” in introducing an element should not be interpreted as being exclusive of a plurality of elements. Likewise, the recitation of “or” should be interpreted as being inclusive, such that the recitation of “A or B” is not exclusive of “A and B,” unless it is clear from the context or the foregoing description that only one of A and B is intended. Further, the recitation of “at least one of A, B and C” should be interpreted as one or more of a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and should not be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, regardless of whether A, B and C are related as categories or otherwise. Moreover, the recitation of “A, B and/or C” or “at least one of A, B or C” should be interpreted as including any singular entity from the listed elements, e.g., A, any subset from the listed elements, e.g., A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS (PART OF THE DESCRIPTION)

• • A mounting direction
  • X longitudinal direction; depth; length
  • Y transverse direction; width
  • Z vertical direction; height
  • X, Y horizontal; horizontal plane
  • 1 cooking appliance with self-cleaning function (with steam function); oven/steam cooker combination appliance
  • 10 cooking chamber; interior space
  • 11 inner enclosure; inner housing
  • 11a inner cooking chamber side
  • 11b outer cooking chamber side
  • 12 cooking chamber groove
  • 13 front housing wall
  • 14 access opening
  • 2 cooking chamber seal
  • 20 housing attachment receptacle
  • 21 sealing lip for front housing wall 13
  • 22 sealing lip for the closure element
  • 23 sealing lip for inner cooking chamber side 11a
  • 24 corrugated contact surface for front housing wall 13
  • 25 inwardly open slot; notch
  • 26 outwardly open slot; clamping element receptacle
  • 26a constriction
  • 26b recesses of clamping element receptacle 26
  • 3 clamping element; clamping piece
  • 30 front face
  • 31 outer edges
  • 32 clamping edge
  • 33 neck

Claims

1. A cooking appliance with a self-cleaning function, comprising:

a cooking chamber partially formed by an inner enclosure;

a cleaning device for cleaning the cooking chamber, the cleaning device including a delivery device and a distribution device;

a closure element configured to close and clear an access opening of the cooking chamber; and

at least one cooking chamber seal disposed in a cooking chamber groove of the cooking appliance such that the at least one cooking chamber seal faces the closure element, the cooking chamber groove being formed by the inner enclosure and/or by a front housing wall of the cooking appliance,

wherein the cooking chamber seal, at least in some sections, has at least one slot extending along a principal direction of extent thereof, the at least one slot being open inwardly in a mounting direction and/or outwardly in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

2. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is open outwardly in a direction opposite the mounting direction, and

wherein the at least one slot is filled, at least in some sections, by a clamping element such that the cooking chamber seal is pressed against sides of the cooking chamber groove perpendicularly to the mounting direction.

3. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein the at least one slot is formed only along a lower edge of the inner enclosure, and

wherein the clamping element is disposed exactly along the lower edge of the inner enclosure.

4. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein the at least one slot has a constriction perpendicular to the mounting direction,

wherein the clamping element has a clamping edge and a neck that is thinner than the clamping edge perpendicularly to the mounting direction, and

wherein the constriction of the at least one slot positively holds the clamping element by the clamping edge.

5. The cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein the at least one slot of the cooking chamber seal has, at least on one side, a recess formed in the mounting direction and facing the closure element, and

wherein the clamping element has, at least on one side, an outer edge facing the closure element, the outer edge(s) being partially or completely received, in the mounting direction, by the recess of the cooking chamber seal.

6. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein a front face of the clamping element facing the closure element is set back in relation to the cooking chamber seal.

7. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein the cooking chamber seal and a front face of the clamping element facing the closure element together form a smooth surface.

8. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is open inwardly in the mounting direction, and

wherein the at least one slot is continuous along a principal direction of extent of the cooking chamber seal.

9. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal has a flush surface opposite the at least one slot.

10. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for a front housing wall, which sealing lip engages the front housing wall in the mounting direction.

11. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal has a corrugated contact surface which engages a front housing wall perpendicularly to the mounting direction.

12. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for the closure element, which sealing lip is configured to engage an inside of the closure element in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

13. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal has a sealing lip for an inner cooking chamber side of the cooking chamber, which sealing lip engages an inner cooking chamber side of the cooking chamber perpendicularly to the mounting direction.

14. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking chamber seal is formed as a single piece and/or comprises an elastic material.

15. A cooking chamber seal for the cooking appliance of claim 1.

16. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the self-cleaning function comprises a steam function.

17. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooking appliance comprises an oven/steam cooker combination appliance.

18. The cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein the at least one slot of the cooking chamber seal has, on both sides, the recess formed in the mounting direction and facing the closure element, and

wherein the clamping element has, on both sides, the outer edge facing the closure element.