PROTECTIVE BARRIER SYSTEM AGAINST COOKING SPLATTER

Abstract

A barrier system protecting a wall from cooking surface splatter includes a panel having an exterior surface and a rear surface spatially offset from the wall. The panel also has a bottom edge and an opposing upper edge. The panel is secured to the wall with multiple securements such that the lower edge of the panel is positioned between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters above the cooking surface. The securements include a pedestal that defines the offset between the wall and the rear surface of the panel and a fastener in simultaneous contact with the panel by way of an aperture in the panel, the pedestal, and the wall. A panel formed of tempered glass is amenable to inclusion of an ultraviolet illumination light source that facilitates degradation of splatter on the panel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a barrier system protecting a proximal wall from splatter from a cooling surface and in particular, to a wall mounted panel forming a splatter barrier system with a portion of the cooking surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Splatter associated with food preparation on a cooking surface represents a continuous task to remove such splatter from adjoining surfaces. This cleaning is particularly difficult with respect to a wall located behind the cooking surface. As a result, there is potential danger of back wall cleaning while the cooking surface is hot. Prolonged failure to clean a rearward wall adjacent to a cooling surface results in an unhygienic accumulation of splatter and also has the potential of becoming a combustion hazard. Even with the diligent cleaning of a wall behind a cooking surface, porous wall materials, such as grout, unglazed tile, and stone, over time become discolored with embedded splatter.

Conventional techniques to limit splatter accumulation on a back wall have included extending vertically a stainless steel or enameled metal sheet from the cooling surface or the placement of a cooking surface within a ventilation hood. Owing to the size and expense associated with these constructs, the use has largely been limited to commercial kitchens. Unfortunately, even with these constructs, a gap is usually provided vertically above the cooking surface through which splatter from the cooking surface can permeate and the fixture constructs then make cleaning all the more difficult. Different solutions have taken the form of a freestanding enclosure supported by the cooking surface or a sheet mounted to the back of the cooking surface appliance. Unfortunately, such devices have met with limited acceptance owing to the propensity of a three-dimensional structure supported on the cooking surface to shift if not anchored or alternatively, an anchored three-dimensional shield tends to limit illumination and operational access to the cooking surface. Additionally, shields mounted to the back of cooking apparatus require moving the apparatus during installation and owing to the bulk of the apparatus, such a mounting is disfavored.

Still another solution to cooking splatter is attaching a covering in contact with the wall surface. The wall surface mount shields have also met with limited success owing to a failure of such mounts to form an effective gap-free barrier to splatter. Representative of such devices are those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,970,054; 2,563,078; 2,565,905; 2,568,276; and 2,580,103.

Thus, there exists a need for a splatter barrier that is wall mounted and offset from the wall to form a barrier with the cooking surface. There also exists a need for a barrier to facilitate wall cleaning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A barrier system protecting a wall from cooking surface splatter includes a panel having an exterior surface and a rear surface spatially offset from the wall. The panel also has a bottom edge and an opposing upper edge. The panel is secured to the wall with multiple securements such that the lower edge of the panel is positioned between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters above the cooking surface. The securements include a pedestal that defines the offset between the wall and the rear surface of the panel and a fastener in simultaneous contact with the panel by way of an aperture in the panel, the pedestal, and the wall. A panel formed of tempered glass is amenable to inclusion of an ultraviolet illumination light source that facilitates degradation of splatter on the panel.

With the attachment of such a panel to a wall, splatter contacting the panel is degraded by resistively heating the panel through resort to a resistively heated tape, exposure of the splatter to ultraviolet illumination or combination thereof. As a result, a panel is wiped clean with a water-dampened cloth independent of surfactants or caustics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective partial cutaway view of an inventive splatter barrier system;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the inventive system depicted in FIG. 1 along line 2′; and

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a flush mount to the outer plane of the panel of the inventive system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention has utility as a barrier system that prevents cooking splatter from a cooking surface contacting an adjacent vertical wall. The inventive barrier system includes a wall mounted vertical panel that is mounted and offset from the wall to form a continual barrier with the cooking surface to preclude cooking splatter from contacting the wall. The barrier cleaning accessories of the inventive barrier system optionally include a lighting frame and a heating element. The lighting frame inclusive of a UV light emitting light source tends to degrade cooking splatter and promote ease of cleaning. Likewise, a barrier heating element also serves to inhibit splatter adhesion to the vertical panel and promote effective cleaning with a simple damp cloth as compared to necessity for diffractants and caustic agents conventionally required to clean cooking splatter from the adjacent wall surface.

Referring now to the figures, an inventive barrier is shown generally at 10. The barrier 10 includes the barrier panel 12 mounted with a spaced apart horizontal offset from a wall W adjacent to a cook surface C. The panel 12 is formed from a variety of materials resistant to discoloration and the absorption of cooking splatter contacting an exterior surface 14 of the panel 12. The panel 12 is formed from a variety of such materials illustratively including: glass, such as tempered glass; metals, such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and brass; homogeneous synthetic polymers, such as acrylics and polycarbonates; composites, such as particulate filled thermoset resins, such as those sold under the trade name CORIAN, melamine exterior surface coated polymeric synthetic resin and cellulosic boards, and sealed and polished natural, nonporous stones, such as marble and granite. Preferably, the panel 12 is glass. Regardless of the composition of the panel 12 it is preferred that the exterior surface 14 has a smooth planar finish to facilitate ease of cleaning. The panel 12 is secured to the wall W with multiple securements 16. The securement 16 has a columnar pedestal 18 having a through hole 20 connecting a wall contacting end 22 and panel contacting end 24. A fastener 26, such as a drywall screw, eyebolt, or the like, having a threaded portion 28 and a head 30 passing through an aperture 32 in the panel 12, as well as the through hole 20 of the pedestal 18 to secure panel 12 in contact with the pedestal 18 with both being affixed to the wall W. It is appreciated that the head 30 of the fastener 26 must be oversized relative to the aperture 32 in the panel or alternatively, a washer having an outer diameter larger than the aperture is placed intermediate between the fastener head 30 and the panel 12. In instances when the panel 12 is glass, preferably an elastomeric washer 34 is sealed between the fastener head 30 and the exterior surface 14 of the panel 12. Optionally, a cap 37 complementary to the fastener head 30 is attached thereto not only for decorative purposes, but also to provide another surface profile to the panel for cleaning purposes. In an alternate embodiment, the aperture 32 has a shoulder 36 against which a fastener head secures, as shown in FIG. 2B, to countersink the fastener head 30 and with the inclusion of a cap 38 complementary to the head portion 30 of the shouldered aperture 36 and the fastener head 30, a flush mounting of the panel is achieved.

The panel 12 is mounted to securements 16 in proximity to the cooking surface C so as to form a horizontal gap between a lower end 42 of the panel 12 and the proximal horizontal portion of the cooking surface C of less than 1 centimeter and preferably, between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters, so as to afford a minimal contact between the lower edge 42 and the cooking surface C upon taking into account thermal expansion associated with operating temperatures of the cooking surface C. An inventive barrier 10 has a width that is preferably at least 76.2 centimeters with the cooking surface C and more preferably, extends beyond the width of the cooking surface C so as to catch splatter radiating outward beyond the lateral extent of the cooking surface C. Typical overhangs for all inventive barrier are between 0 and 10 centimeters.

To facilitate the maintenance of an inventive barrier and clean in a hygienic form, the panel 12 is optionally in thermal contact with a heating tape 44. The heating tape 44 is resistively heated upon coupling to line power through a power cord 46 and plug 48. It is appreciated that a heating tape 44 is employed in a variety of configurations, including a line appearing near the bottom of the panel, a linear array with various patterns, including zigzag, and various geometric shapes. The heating tape is employed in preference with tempered glass and metal panels. The heating tape may be applied to the rear surface of the panel. The heating element applied to the panel may be a high temperature, stable thermoset, such as an epoxy or silicone, directly to the rear surface or a groove machined into the rear surface for the purpose of receiving the heating element.

In instances when the panel 12 is formed of glass, the inventive barrier 10 optionally includes a light emitting diode (LED) illumination source. The illumination source operative in the present invention is of two types with each type being operative separately, or both in combination. A first LED illumination source 50 contains multiple LEDs 52 having peak illumination wavelengths with a visible portion of electromagnetic spectrum, namely between 420 and 800 nanometers. The first LED illumination source provides some degree of illumination to the cooking surface C, is operative as a nightlight, and also serves to provide high contrast to the illumination that splatters on the front surface of the panel 12. The first visible light source 50, LEDs 59, is each provided in the same illumination color, or each illumination of each LED varies from the other first light source LEDs. Additionally, the LEDs 52 of the first light source 50 are operative in various modes, including continuous illumination, blinking, preset illumination patterns, such as a cycling color change suggestive of prismatic rotation. The first light source 50 includes wiring 54 connecting the LEDs 52 to an electronics module 56 operating to step down the line voltage and the operating voltage of the LEDs and provide the optional various lighting modes with time engagement of a switch 58, the switch 58 upon activation connecting the first lighting source module to the line power by way of the cord 46 and plug 48.

The second lighting source 60 includes multiple LEDs 62 having peak wavelength emission in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is otherwise identical to the first lighting system. As such, components of the second lighting system are denoted with primed reference numerals relative to those of the first illumination source. The second ultraviolet illumination source, upon activation, provides antimicrobial eradiation so as so inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on the front surface of the panel 12, as well as the lower edge. Additionally, ultraviolet light interacting with chemically unsafe saturated fats and oils facilitates the analysis of such fats and oils, thereby promoting self-cleaning of the panel 12.

A frame molding 64 adapted to engage the top panel edge 66, as illustratively shown in the accompanying figures, engages the top edge 66 and houses the LEDs 52 and 62 of the first 50 and second 60 light sources, if present, and a switch 70 and rheostat 74 for a heating tape, if present. Optionally, an optical sensor 79 is mounted to the molding 64 and interfaced with switch 58 by way of conductive insulated wire so that in one mode of operation, the optical sensor 79 actives the first lighting source 50 is become activated in response to the ambient light being beneath a predetermined threshold. In this mode of operation an inventive barrier 10 operates as a night light. An optical sensor includes a photodiode and conventional circuitry associated with a nightlight.

Optionally, the rear surface 76 of a panel 12 formed of glass is laminated with a decorative image or etched to include decorative indicia 78.

Various modifications of the present invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. These patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual application or publication was specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing description is illustrative of particular embodiments of the invention, but is not meant to be a limitation upon the practice thereof. The following claims, including all equivalents thereof, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A barrier system protecting a wall from cooking surface splatter, the barrier system comprising:

a panel having an exterior surface, a rear surface, a bottom edge, and an opposing upper edge having a plurality of securement apertures extending between the exterior and rear surfaces; and

a plurality of securements securing said panel with an offset to the wall with the lower edge positioned between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters above the cooking surface, each of said securements comprising the pedestal to define the offset and a fastener in simultaneous contact with said panel and the wall and passing through said pedestal.

2. The barrier of claim 1, wherein said panel is tempered glass.

3. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising a cap adapted to overlie a head of a fastener.

4. The barrier of claim 1, further comprising a heating tape element secured to the said panel.

5. The barrier of claim 3, wherein the outermost surface of said cap is flush with the outermost surface of said panel.

6. The barrier of claim 2, further comprising a first light source having a first plurality of light emitting diodes, each of said first plurality of light emitting diodes having a peak emission wavelength of between 440 and 800 nanometers, said first plurality of light emitting diodes secured within a frame mounted to said panel.

7. The barrier of claim 2, further comprising a first light source having a second plurality of light emitting diodes, each of said second plurality of light emitting diodes having a peak emission wavelength of between 350 and 440 nanometers, said second plurality of light emitting diodes secured within a frame mounted to said panel.

8. A barrier system protecting a wall from cooking surface splatter, the barrier system comprising

a tempered glass panel having an exterior surface, a rear surface, a bottom edge, and an opposing upper edge having a plurality of securement apertures extending between the outward and rearward surfaces; and

a plurality of securements securing said panel with an offset to the wall with the lower edge positioned between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters above the cooking surface, each of said securements comprising the pedestal to define the offset and a fastener in simultaneous contact with said panel and the wall and passing through said pedestal; and

a light source having a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes, said plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes secured within a frame mounted to said panel.

9. The barrier of claim 8, further comprising a cap adapted to overlie a head of a fastener.

10. The barrier of claim 8, further comprising a heating tape element secured to the said panel.

11. The barrier of claim 9, wherein the outermost surface of said cap is flush with the exterior surface of said panel.

12. The barrier of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of visible light emitting diodes, said plurality of visible light emitting diodes secured within said frame mounted to said panel.

13. The process for keeping a wall adjacent to a cooking surface free of splatter comprising:

attaching to a wall with an offset a panel, the lower edge of the panel being vertically spaced relative to the cooking surface by an amount of between 0.635 and 1.27 centimeters;

heating the cooking surface in a process of food preparation to create splatter on said panel; and

degrading splatter on said panel by resistively heating said panel, exposing the splatter to ultraviolet illumination from light emitting diodes coupled to said panel, or a combination thereof.

14. The process of claim 13, further comprising wiping said panel with a water-dampened cloth independent of surfactants or caustics.

15. The process of claim 13, wherein heating said panel occurs with a resistively heated tape.

16. The process of claim 13, wherein the creation of splatter occurs prior to the degrading step.