DEVICE FOR COVERING A COOKTOP

Abstract

A safety device for covering a hot cooktop surface includes a bottom layer with a plurality of at least one pad that is placed directly on at least one cooktop burner. A top layer is provided above a middle insulating layer that is located between the bottom layer and the top layer. The device may also include a vent located on the top layer for releasing heat from the cooktop surface and channels or conduits to help air circulate over the cooktop burner and base pad. In application of the device over a hot cooking surface, the middle layer prevents the top layer from becoming excessively hot thereby preventing burn injuries and damage to food or cookware set upon the top surface of the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to a safety device, and more particularly, to a device for covering a cooktop surface.

2. Description of Related Art

As early as Roman times, stoves made of clay, tile, or earthenware were used in Central and Northern Europe. It was not until late in the 15th century that cast-iron stoves were first made in Europe. These consisted of plates that were grooved to fit together in the shape of a box and the stoves were fueled by coal or wood.

Since gas and electricity have become generally available, wood-burning and coal-burning stoves have been largely replaced by a wide variety of cooking apparatus using natural or manufactured gas, oil, acetylene, gasoline, or electricity as fuel. Modern stoves are typically considered a basic appliance in homes in developed nations and typically contain a cooktop having from three to eight burners or plates of various sizes and power levels. The size of the cooktop is only limited by the size of the burner and the size of the space the cooktop is used in. Typically the size ranges from a width of about 14 inches to about 48 inches and a depth of about 19 inches to about 28 inches.

The cooktop burners and areas surrounding the burners, typically remain hot for a long period of time after use. As a result, numerous children and adults are burned by contact with the hot cooktop surface. Furthermore, on ceramic or glass cooktops, the cooktop is a flat cooking surface made of ceramic or glass and the cooking surface is usually built into a countertop. Because the burners on a ceramic or glass cooktop are flush with the cooktop surface and countertop, the burners can difficult to perceive and the chances of inadvertent contact with the hot cooktop burners are increased, especially by younger children.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-described problem by providing a device for covering a cooktop. The cover helps prevent contact with the hot surface of the cooktop and thereby avoids injuries. The device includes a bottom layer which is placed directly on at least one cooktop burner, a top layer, and a middle insulating layer which is located between the bottom layer and the top layer. The middle layer prevents the top layer from becoming excessively hot that would otherwise cause a burn injury to human skin. Further, the device maintains the top layer at a temperature that allows it to be used for food preparation so that food, cookware, dishes and the like will not be damaged by the hot stove being covered.

More particularly, the bottom layer may be comprised of a plurality of at least one pad, wherein each base pad is placed directly on a cooktop burner. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom layer is comprised of heat resistant plastic, the middle layer is comprised of foam insulation, and the top layer is comprised of plastic. The device may also include a vent located on the top layer for releasing heat from the cooktop surface and channels or conduits to help air circulate over the cooktop burner and base pad.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a device made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a device made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of a folded device made in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, shown is cover 10 for covering a cooktop of a typical four burner stove. Cover 10 includes base pad 18, middle insulating layer 14, and top layer 16. Middle layer 14 may be attached to base pad 18 and top layer 16 by any method or means known to those having skill in the art. For example, base pad 18, middle layer 14, and top layer 16 may be attached using screws, tacks, rivets, glue, adhesive, or hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®.

Cover 10 contains at least one base pad 18 and preferably contains the same number of base pads 18 as the number of burners on the cooktop being covered by cover 10. Because a majority of cooktops have four burners, in a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, cover 10 contains four base pads 18 wherein each base pad 18 can be placed directly on a cooktop burner. Each base pad 18 of cover 10 is orientated such that each base pad 18 can be placed directly on a cooktop burner such that each burner on the cooktop is covered by base pad 18.

Base pad 18 may be any size and shape which provides for substantial coverage of the burner when cover 10 is placed on the cooktop surface. For example, suitable shapes for base pad 18 include, but are not limited to a square, oval, or circle. Preferably, base pad 18 is circular in shape.

Base pad 18 contains at least one channel 26. Channel 26 allows for air to circulate over the cooktop burner and through base pad 18. The circulating air helps to cool the cooktop burner as well as base pad 18.

Base pad 18 is comprised of any material capable of maintaining its shape and structure at high temperatures. Specifically, the material should be capable of withstanding temperatures up to about 700° F. Examples of suitable materials include, but are not limited to heat resistant plastic, ceramic, metal and metal alloys, and foam tile. Preferably, base pad 18 is comprised of heat resistant plastic. Base pad 18 protects middle insulating layer 14 from direct contact with the cooktop burners.

Middle insulating layer 14 may be comprised of any insulating material known in the art which is capable of effectively insulating top layer 16 from base pad 18 and the heated cooktop burners. Suitable materials middle layer 14 may be comprised of include, but are not limited to fiberglass, foam insulation, or ceramic foam tile. Middle insulating layer 14 prevents top layer 16 from becoming excessively hot, and desirably prevents top layer 14 from being heated at all.

Top layer 16 may be comprised of any material that is durable enough to allow for proper functioning of the cover 10. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to plastic, metal, metal alloy, wood, or particle board with laminate cover. Preferably, top layer 16 is comprised of plastic. Top layer 16 may contain a decorative design such that the appearance of cover 10 on a cooktop is aesthetically pleasing. In addition, cover 10 or top layer 16 may have beveled corners.

In use, top layer 16 of cover 10 is the surface a user sees and comes in contact with after cover 10 is placed over the cooktop and middle layer 14 helps ensure that top layer 16 remains relatively cool. In one embodiment, top layer 16 is relatively rigid and after cover 10 is placed over a cooktop, the surface of top layer 16 may be utilized as a normal countertop space. Therefore, in addition to preventing burn injuries, cover 10 may also be used to protect a cooktop surface from damage caused by dropped items or other impacts that may damage the cooktop, especially a ceramic or glass cooktop.

Cover 10 of the present invention typically has a width between about 14 inches and about 48 inches, and a depth between about 19 inches and about 28 inches. Preferably, cover 10 has a width between about 21 inches and about 36 inches, and a length between about 21 inches and about 24 inches.

The thickness of base pad 18, middle layer 14 and top layer 16 can vary depending upon the type of material each layer is comprised of However, preferably, base pad 18 and middle layer 14 each have a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.5 inch, and more preferably have a thickness between about 0.125 inch and about 0.25 inch. Top layer 16 preferably has a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.5 inch, and more preferably has a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.25 inch.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, cover 10 may also include heated air intake vent 22 and exhaust vent 24 for the release of heat from the cooktop surface. Intake vent 22 and exhaust vent 24 may be any shape, and are connected by at least one conduit 28 which passes through middle layer 14 and top layer 16. Upon the placement of cover 10 on the cooktop burners and cooktop surface, ambient air may enter from around the bottom perimeter of cover 10. This ambient air absorbs some of the heat from the cooktop burners and a cooktop surface of, in this example, of a recently used stove. The air then enters intake vent 22, travels through conduit 28 and is heated further by the heat absorbed into cover 10 from the cooktop burners and the cooktop surface. The heated air is passed out of conduit 28 by exhaust vent 24. This creates a chimney-effect whereby new cooler air is drawn into intake vent 22 that is then heated while passing through conduit 28. This causes air to circulate through cover 10 cooling base pads 18, the cooktop burners and the cooktop surface. In one embodiment, channel 26 and conduit 28 are the same or are fluidly connected. To further aid in the cooling process, a mechanical air moving device such as a fan may be incorporated into conduit 28 to allow for more rapid cooling as increased flow rate of air will increase the convective cooling.

As shown in FIG. 4, cover 10 may be a bi-fold device. This configuration is particularly convenient for storage purposes. In addition, a bi-fold design allows for the partial coverage of a cooktop surface, when it is desirable to leave one or more cooktop burners exposed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, base pad 18, middle layer 14, and top layer 16 are each comprised of two laterally disposed pieces. If there is more than one base pad 18, then only middle layer 14 and top layer 16 are each comprised of two laterally disposed pieces.

Hinge 26 or a similar structure allows for the folding of two pieces and may be located on cover 10 to allow cover 10 to be folded in half For example, hinge 26 may be located on the joint between the laterally disposed pieces of top layer 16, middle layer 14, or base pad 18. Cover 10 may be configured to fold inwardly when top layer 12 is facing up, or cover 10 may be configured to fold in the opposite direction. In addition, cover 10 may be designed to fold in half lengthwise or widthwise. For example, if cover 10 is designed to fold in half lengthwise (front to back), the folded device may be placed over the two front cooktop burners or the two back cooktop burners. If cover 10 is configured to fold in half widthwise (side to side), the folded device may be placed over the two left cooktop burners or the two right cooktop burners.

It should be understood that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for covering a cooktop comprising:

a bottom layer which may be placed directly on at least one cooktop burner;

a top layer disposed above the bottom layer, and

a middle insulating layer located between the bottom layer and the top layer wherein the middle layer prevents the top layer from becoming excessively hot and to remain at a temperature below that which would cause a burn injury to human skin.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is comprised of a plurality of base pads, wherein each base pad may be placed directly on a cooktop burner.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the bottom layer is comprised of four base pads.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the base pads are circular in shape.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer is comprised of heat resistant plastic, or ceramic foam tile.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the bottom layer is comprised of heat resistant plastic.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the heat resistant plastic maintains its shape at temperatures up to about 700° F.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the middle layer is comprised of fiberglass, foam insulation, or ceramic foam tile.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the middle layer is comprised of foam insulation.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the top layer is comprised of plastic, particle board with laminate cover.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the top layer is comprised of plastic.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a width between about 14 inches and about 48 inches, and a depth between about 19 inches and about 28 inches.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom layer has a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.5 inch.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the middle layer has a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.5 inch.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the top layer has a thickness between about 0.0625 inch and about 0.5 inch.

16. The device of claim 1, further comprising a vent for the release of heat from a cooktop.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein an intake vent is located on the bottom layer.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein an exhaust vent is located on the top layer.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a bi-fold device.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the top layer and middle layer are each comprised of at least two laterally disposed pieces.

20. A device for covering a cooktop comprising:

a bottom layer which may be placed directly on at least one cooktop burner and is comprised of heat resistant plastic, or ceramic foam tile;

a top layer wherein the top layer is comprised of plastic, particle board with laminate cover;

a middle insulating layer located between the bottom layer and the top layer, wherein the middle layer prevents the top layer from becoming hot and wherein the middle layer is comprised of fiberglass, foam insulation, or ceramic foam tile;

a vent located in the top layer for the release of heat from a cooktop; and

wherein the combination of the bottom layer, top layer, middle layer, and top layer has a width between about 14 inches and about 48 inches, and a depth between about 19 inches and about 28 inches.