OVEN DOOR

An oven door includes an interior panel and an exterior panel. The interior panel faces the heating chamber and has a glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. The exterior panel is affixed to the interior panel and includes a frame portion formed of plastic defining an aperture aligned with the glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. A non-opaque panel is fixed relative to the frame portion and extends across the aperture. The non-opaque panel has an inside surface facing the interior panel and the exterior panel has a masking portion formed of plastic and integrally formed with the frame portion. The masking portion extends from the frame portion into the aperture along the inside surface of the non-opaque panel and defines a window for viewing the heating chamber through the glass sheet.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The subject patent application claims priority to and all the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/371,074 which was filed on Aug. 5, 2010, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an oven door including an exterior panel formed of plastic.

2. Description of the Related Art

An oven door includes an interior panel for sealing a heating chamber of the oven and an exterior panel spaced from the interior panel to provide a layer of insulation, e.g., solid and/or air, between the interior panel and the exterior panel. The exterior panel also aesthetically covers the interior panel.

The exterior panel is typically formed of several metal components that are separately formed and subsequently assembled together. The exterior panel also typically includes a glass pane for viewing the heating chamber of the oven. The material cost for manufacturing the metal components and the glass pane is relatively high. In addition, relatively high manufacturing costs are associated with forming the components and the glass panel separately and subsequently assembling the components and the glass panel.

Also, some consumers desire ovens having different colors. As one example, some consumers desire stainless steel ovens and are willing to pay higher prices for an oven that has a stainless steel appearance. As such, the exterior panel can be formed of stainless steel to provide this appearance; however, stainless steel is a relatively expensive material thereby increasing the cost to manufacture exterior panels formed of stainless steel. The exterior panel can also be formed of another type of metal and subsequently painted to either have a stainless steel appearance or to have another color desired by the consumer. Such paint adds cost not only for the paint itself but also for manufacturing costs associated with applying the paint to the exterior panel. The paint is also subject to scratching, chipping, cracking, etc.

In addition, a handle is connected to the exterior panel and extends away from the exterior panel for moving the oven door between open and closed positions. The handle typically includes a flat surface that abuts a flat surface of the exterior panel. A threaded fastener extends through the flat surface of the handle and the flat surface of the exterior panel to affix the handle to the exterior panel. As the handle is used over time, the interface between the abutting flat surfaces of the handle and the exterior panel begins to loosen such that the handle wobbles relative to the exterior panel. Such an occurrence gives an unwanted feel and appearance of low quality.

Accordingly, there remains opportunity to manufacture an oven door having an exterior panel having lower material and assembly costs and having a color desired by consumers. There also remains opportunity to manufacture an oven door having a handle that reliably connects to the exterior panel and has an aesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention includes an oven door for closing an opening to a heating chamber of an oven. The oven door comprises an interior panel for facing the heating chamber. The interior panel has a glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. An exterior panel is affixed to the interior panel for facing away from the heating chamber and includes a frame portion formed of plastic defining an aperture aligned with the glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber. A non-opaque panel is fixed relative to the frame portion and extends across the aperture and has an inside surface facing the interior panel. The exterior panel has a masking portion formed of plastic and integrally formed with the frame portion and extending from the frame portion into the aperture along the inside surface of the non-opaque panel and defining a window for viewing the heating chamber through the glass sheet.

The present invention also includes an oven door for closing an opening to a heating chamber of an oven. The oven door comprises an interior panel for facing the heating chamber and an exterior panel formed of plastic and having an exterior side for facing away from the heating chamber. The exterior panel presents a pocket defined by a wall extending from the exterior side toward the interior panel and a bottom extending transversely from the wall spaced from the exterior side. A handle has a boss portion extending into the pocket for stabilizing the handle relative to the exterior panel and a gripping portion extending from the boss portion away from the exterior panel for moving the oven door between open and closed positions. The bottom is disposed between the boss portion of the handle and the interior panel. The handle has a post extending from the gripping portion through the boss portion and being connected to the interior panel for coupling the interior panel, the exterior panel, and the handle.

By forming the frame portion of the exterior panel from plastic, the costs associated with material and manufacturing of the frame portion is advantageously decreased. The manufacturing process of forming the frame portion is more efficient, and thus less costly, by decreasing or eliminating secondary assembly steps. Forming the exterior from plastic also allows the designer more styling freedom because plastic is relatively easy to form into intricate shapes. The plastic of the exterior panel also provides superior insulation to reduce the amount of heat that is transferred to the an exterior side of the exterior panel.

In addition, the plastic of the frame portion can be advantageously colored. Further, since the plastic is colored, as opposed to being painted, desired coloring of the frame portion is accomplished without secondary steps such as painting, thereby advantageously making the manufacturing process of the exterior panel more efficient and less costly. In addition, since the plastic itself is colored, the coloring is more durable than paint.

Finally, the interaction between the handle and the exterior panel advantageously increases the stability and durability of the oven door. By receiving the boss portion in the pocket, the exterior panel firmly retains the handle to increase the stability of the handle relative to the exterior panel. Also, since the bottom is disposed between the boss portion and the handle and since the post extends from the handle, the bottom of the exterior panel is retained between the handle and the interior panel when the post is connected to the interior panel. As such, the interior panel, the exterior panel, and the handle are coupled together when the post is connected to the interior panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an oven including a first oven door and a second oven door;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exterior panel, a non-opaque panel, and a handle of a first embodiment of the first oven door;

FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the first embodiment of the first oven door;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an exterior panel, a non-opaque panel, and a handle of a second embodiment of the first oven door;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the second oven door; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line 6 of FIG. 1.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, an oven is generally shown at 10. The oven 10 includes at least one oven door 14, 16 for closing an opening to a heating chamber 12 of the oven. The oven 10 can be any type of oven such as, for example, a convection oven, a microwave oven, a toaster oven, etc.

The oven 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first oven door 14 and a second oven door 16. The oven 10 can include one, two, or more oven doors without departing from the nature of the present invention. The oven door can be hinged, such as the first oven door 14 shown in FIG. 1, or can slide, such as the second oven door 16 shown in FIG. 1. It should be appreciated that the adjectives “first” and “second” are used herein merely to distinguish between the two oven doors 14, 16 shown in FIG. 1 and are not meant to delineate order or importance, i.e., the oven 10 can include the second oven door 16 without including the first oven door 14.

The oven 10 can include one or more heating chambers 12 each enclosed by one or more oven doors 14, 16. With reference to FIG. 1, the first oven door 14 encloses one heating chamber 12, such as, for example, a convection heated chamber, and the second oven door 16 encloses another heating chamber 12, such as, for example, a warming drawer 50 or a broiler.

A first embodiment of the first oven door 14 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a second embodiment of the first oven door 14 is shown in FIG. 4, and an embodiment of the second oven door 16 is shown in FIG. 5. Common features of the first and second embodiments of the first oven door 14 and the embodiment of the second oven door 16 are identified with like numerals.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, the oven door 14, 16 includes an interior panel 18, an exterior panel 20, and a non-opaque panel 22. The interior panel 18 faces the heating chamber 12 and is typically directly exposed to the heating chamber 12. The interior panel 18 typically has a metal frame 24 surrounding a glass sheet 26 for viewing the heating chamber 12.

The exterior panel 20 is affixed to the interior panel 18 and faces away from the heating chamber 12. Specifically, the exterior panel 20 has an exterior side 28 that faces outwardly relative to the rest of the oven 10 and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The exterior panel 20 includes a frame portion 30 defining an aperture 32 aligned with the glass sheet 26 of the interior panel 18 for viewing the heating chamber 12. The frame portion 30 typically has a one-piece construction. Insulation 34, such as that shown in FIG. 5, can be disposed between the frame portion 30 of the exterior panel 20 and the interior panel 18.

The exterior panel 20 can define a groove 36 and the interior panel 18 can define a flange 38 that extends into the groove 36 to couple the exterior panel 20 and the interior panel 18. In the alternative, or in addition, other complementary features and/or fastener 70s (not shown) can also attach the exterior panel 20 and the interior panel 18 to each other.

At least a portion of the exterior panel 20, including the frame portion 30, can be formed of plastic such as a polyester. The plastic can be glass filled or can be free of glass filling. One example of a type of suitable polyester is glass filled thermoplastic polyester commercially available from BASF Corporation in Florham Park, N.J. under the tradename Ultramid® B4040G3. However, it should be appreciated that the exterior panel 20 can be formed of any type of suitable material without departing from the nature of the present invention. The plastic of the exterior panel 20 can have any color. As one example, the plastic of the exterior panel 20 can simulate the look of metal such as stainless steel.

The non-opaque panel 22 is fixed relative to the frame portion 30 and extends across the aperture 32 defined by the frame portion 30. The non-opaque panel 22 has an inside surface 40 facing the interior panel 18. The non-opaque panel 22 can be, for example, transparent, speckled, screened, translucent, frosted, etc.

As set forth further below, the exterior panel 20 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 can be formed and/or combined by plastic injection molding. A plastic injection mold (not shown) is used for the plastic injection molding and, specifically, receives molten plastic to shape the molten plastic. However, it should be appreciated that the exterior panel 20 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 can be formed in any way without departing from the nature of the present invention.

The first oven door 14 typically includes a vent portion 42 for venting heated air from between the interior panel 18 and the exterior panel 20. The vent portion 42 is typically formed of the same type of material as the frame portion 30 and is typically integrally formed with the frame portion 30 of the exterior panel 20, i.e., formed together simultaneously or at substantially the same time so as to form a single part. Alternatively, the vent portion 42 can be formed separately from the frame portion 30 and subsequently attached to the frame portion 30. The vent portion 42 can be blended with the frame portion 30 so that the vent portion 42 and the frame portion 30 have a common surface appearance. Alternatively, the vent portion 42 and the frame portion 30 can have different surface texture and/or color.

In the first embodiment of the first oven door 14, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the exterior panel 20 has a masking portion 44 typically formed of plastic. The masking portion 44 is typically integrally formed with the frame portion 30 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, i.e., formed together simultaneously or at substantially the same time so as to form a single part. Alternatively, the masking portion 44 is integrally formed with the non-opaque panel 22 such that the masking portion 44 and the non-opaque panel 22 in combination are assembled to the frame portion 30 in the aperture 32. In any event, the masking portion 44 extends from the frame portion 30 into the aperture 32 along the inside surface 40 of the non-opaque panel 22 and defines a window 46 for viewing the heating chamber 12 through the glass sheet of the interior panel 18.

The masking portion 44 is typically formed of the same type of plastic as the rest of the exterior panel 20 as set forth above. However, it should be appreciated that the masking portion 44 can be formed of any type of suitable material without departing from the nature of the present invention. The plastic of the masking portion 44 can have any color and typically has a different color than the plastic of the frame portion 30. As one example, the color of the plastic of the masking portion 44 is black. Alternatively, the color of the plastic of the masking portion 44 can be the same as the color of the plastic of the frame portion 30.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, non-opaque panel 22 is formed separately from the exterior panel 20 and the exterior panel 20 supports the non-opaque panel 22. The non-opaque panel 22 can be fixed to the masking portion 44 of the exterior panel 20. As one example, the non-opaque panel 22 can be adhered to the masking portion 44. For example, the non-opaque panel 22 can be adhered to the masking portion 44 with an adhesive; however, it should be appreciated that the non-opaque panel 22 can be adhered to the masking portion 44 with any type of adhesive without departing from the nature of the present invention. In the alternative to adhering, the non-opaque panel 22 can be, for example, overmolded, fastened, mechanically retained, etc., to the masking portion 44 and/or the rest of the exterior panel 20.

The masking portion 44 is typically recessed relative to the frame portion 30, as best shown in FIG. 2, so that the non-opaque panel 22 is flush with the frame portion 30 along the exterior side 28 when supported by the exterior panel 20, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, the masking portion 44 defines a recess 48 that receives the non-opaque panel 22. Alternatively, the masking portion 44 is positioned relative to the frame portion 30 such that the non-opaque panel 22 is not flush, i.e., is stepped, with the frame portion 30 along the exterior side 28 when supported by the exterior panel 20.

In the first embodiment of the first oven door 14, the non-opaque panel 22 is typically formed of glass. Alternatively, the non-opaque panel 22 is formed of plastic. When formed of plastic, for example, the non-opaque panel 22 can be glass filled or can be free of glass filling. As one example, the non-opaque panel 22 can be formed from an unfilled polyethersufone commercially available from BASF Corporation in Florham Park, NJ under the tradename Ultrason® E2010. In the configuration where the non-opaque panel 22 is formed of plastic, the non-opaque panel 22 can be fixed to the masking portion 44 by, for example fusing, welding, overmolding, etc., in addition to the fixing configurations set forth above.

With continued reference to the first embodiment of the first oven door 14, the frame portion 30 and the masking portion 44 of the exterior panel 20 are typically simultaneously formed in the injection mold. For example, one shot of molten plastic can be injected into the injection mold to form the frame portion 30 and the masking portion 44, i.e., the frame portion 30 and the masking portion 44 are integrally formed of a single type of plastic have a single color and surface texture.

Alternatively, for example, a first shot of molten plastic can be injected into the injection mold to form the frame portion 30 and a second shot of molten plastic can be injected into the injection mold to form the masking portion 44. In such a configuration, the first shot and the second shot can include plastic of different type, color, and/or surface texture, i.e., the resulting frame portion 30 and masking portion 44 can have different plastic type, color, and/or texture. Alternatively, as set forth above, the masking portion 44 and the non-opaque panel 22 can be integrally formed and subsequently assembled to the frame portion 30, in which case the frame non-opaque panel 22 and the masking portion 44 can be formed by a first shot and a second shot, respectively, of molten plastic. In any event, it should be appreciated that the injection mold can receive more than two shots with the additional shots forming additional features. As one example, the vent portion 42 can be formed by a third shot so that the vent portion 42 and the frame portion 30 can include have different plastic type, color, and/or surface texture.

Regardless of whether the frame portion 30 and the masking portion 44 are formed from one or two shots of molten plastic, the non-opaque panel 22 can be subsequently attached to the frame portion 30 and/or the masking portion 44 after formation of the frame portion 30 and masking portion 44 in the injection mold, e.g., after the exterior panel 20 is removed from the injection mold. Alternatively, the non-opaque panel 22 can be inserted into the injection mold before the molten plastic is injected such that, upon injection into the injection mold, the molten plastic partially encapsulates the non-opaque panel 22, i.e., the non-opaque panel 22 is overmolded by the molten plastic of the exterior panel 20 in the injection mold. Specifically, in the scenario where a single shot forms the exterior panel 20, the single shot partially encapsulates the non-opaque panel 22. In the scenario where a first shot and a second shot form the exterior panel 20, the first and/or the second shot partially encapsulates the non-opaque panel 22.

With reference to FIG. 4, in the second embodiment of the first oven door 14, the non-opaque panel 22 is integrally formed with the exterior panel 20, i.e., formed together simultaneously or at substantially the same time so as to form a single part. The non-opaque panel 22 is typically formed of plastic. The non-opaque panel 22 can be formed from the same type of plastic as that of the exterior panel 20 or can be formed from a different type of plastic than that of the exterior panel 20. The plastic can be glass filled or can be free of glass filling. One example of a type of suitable plastic for the non-opaque panel 22 is an unfilled polyethersufone commercially available from BASF Corporation in Florham Park, NJ under the tradename Ultrason® E2010. However, it should be appreciated that the non-opaque panel 22 can be formed of any type of suitable material without departing from the nature of the present invention.

In the second embodiment of the first oven door 14, the masking portion 44 can be formed of plastic and integrally formed with the frame portion 30 of the exterior panel 20 and/or the non-opaque panel 22. In such a configuration, the masking portion 44 is typically formed of the same type of plastic as the rest of the exterior panel 20 as set forth above. However, it should be appreciated that the masking portion 44 can be formed of any type of suitable material without departing from the nature of the present invention. The plastic of the masking portion 44 can have any color and typically has a different color than the plastic of the frame portion 30. Alternatively, the color of the plastic of the masking portion 44 can be the same as the color of the plastic of the frame portion 30. As one example, the color of the plastic of the masking portion 44 is black.

When formed of plastic and integrally formed with the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22, the masking portion 44 can extend along inside surface 40 of the non-opaque panel 22. In the alternative to being integrally formed with the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22, the masking portion 44 can be formed separately from and subsequently combined with the exterior panel 20 and the non-opaque panel 22. In such a configuration, the masking portion 44 can be, for example, plastic, metal, a decal, etc. The masking portion 44 of such a configuration can be partially or fully encapsulated by the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 during formation of the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 or can be attached or adhered to the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22.

In the second embodiment of the first oven door 14, the frame portion 30 and the non-opaque panel 22 are typically simultaneously formed in the injection mold. For example, a first shot of molten plastic can be injected into the injection mold to form the frame portion 30 and a second shot of molten plastic can be injected into the injection mold to form the non-opaque panel 22. In such a configuration, the first shot and the second shot can include plastic of different type, color, and/or surface texture, i.e., the resulting frame portion 30 and non-opaque panel 22 can have different plastic type, color, and/or surface texture.

The first shot of molten plastic forming the frame portion 30 can also integrally form the masking portion 44 with the frame portion 30. Alternatively, a third shot of molten plastic, in addition to the first shot for the frame portion 30 and the second shot for the non-opaque panel 22, can be injected into the injection mold to integrally form the masking portion 44 with the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22. It should be appreciated that the injection mold can receive more than three shots with the additional shots forming additional features.

As set forth above, the masking portion 44 can alternatively be formed separately from the frame portion 30 and the non-opaque panel 22. For example, the masking portion 44 can be subsequently attached to the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 after formation of the frame portion 30 and non-opaque panel 22 in the injection mold, e.g., after the frame portion 30 and the non-opaque panel 22 are removed from the injection mold. Alternatively, the masking portion 44 can be inserted into the injection mold before the molten plastic is injected such that, upon injection into the injection mold, the molten plastic partially encapsulates the masking portion 44, i.e., the masking portion 44 is overmolded by the molten plastic of the frame portion 30 and/or the non-opaque panel 22 in the injection mold.

With reference to FIG. 5, the second oven door 16 includes a drawer 50 extending from the interior panel 18 for sliding into and out of the oven 10. The construction of the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the non-opaque panel 22 of the second oven door 16 is like that of the first embodiment of the first oven door 14 in that the non-opaque panel 22 is formed separately from the exterior panel 20 and the exterior panel 20 supports the non-opaque panel 22. The description of interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the non-opaque panel 22 of the first embodiment of the first oven door 14 above is also descriptive of the second oven door 16 shown in FIG. 5.

Alternatively, the construction of the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the non-opaque panel 22 of the second oven door 16 is like that of the second embodiment of the first oven door 14 in that the non-opaque panel 22 is integrally formed with the exterior panel 20. In such a configuration, the description of the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the non-opaque panel 22 of the second embodiment of the oven door 14, 16 above is also descriptive of the second oven door 16.

With reference to FIGS. 1-6, the oven door 14, 16 includes a handle 52 fixed to the exterior panel 20. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through line 6 of FIG. 1, i.e., through the first oven door 14, for exemplary purposes and a similar cross-sectional view through the second oven door 16 is similar to FIG. 6. The handle 52 includes a boss portion 54 engaging the exterior panel 20 and a gripping portion 56 extending away from the boss portion 54 and the exterior panel 20 for moving the oven door 14, 16 between open and closed positions. The gripping portion 56 is typically sized and shaped so as to be easily gripped by hand. The boss portion 54 is typically hollow.

With reference to FIG. 6, the exterior panel 20 presents a pocket 58 and the boss portion 54 extends from the gripping portion 56 into the pocket 58 for stabilizing the handle 52 relative to the exterior panel 20. The pocket 58 is defined by a wall 60 and a bottom 62. The wall 60 extends from the exterior side 28 of the exterior panel 20 toward the interior panel 18. The bottom 62 extends transversely from the wall 60 spaced from the exterior side 28. The boss portion 54 of the handle 52 abuts the wall 60 so that the wall 60 firmly supports the boss portion 54 in the pocket 58.

The handle 52 has a post 64 extending from the gripping portion 56 through the boss portion 54 and being connected to the interior panel 18 for coupling the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the handle 52. Specifically, the bottom 62 defines a hole 66, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and the post 64 extends through the hole 66 toward the interior panel 18 for coupling to the interior panel 18. The post 64 abuts the interior panel 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the post 64 defines a bore 68 and a fastener 70 extends into the bore 68 and engages the interior panel 18. Specifically, the fastener 70 includes a head 72 disposed on a side of the interior panel 18 opposite the exterior panel 20. A threaded shank 74 extends from the head 72 through the interior panel 18 toward the exterior panel 20 and threadedly engages the bore 68.

When the fastener 70 engages the post 64, e.g., when the threaded shank 74 threadedly engages the bore 68, the fastener 70 retains the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the handle 52 together. Specifically, with continued reference to FIG. 6, the bottom 62 is disposed between the hollow boss portion 54 and the interior panel 18 so that, when the handle 52 is connected to the interior panel 18, the bottom 62 is retained between the interior panel 18 and the boss portion 54 of the handle 52 to couple the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the handle 52 together. As such, the interior panel 18, the exterior panel 20, and the handle 52 are coupled together when the post 64 is connected to the interior panel 18.

The handle 52 is typically formed of plastic such as, for example, a polyester. The plastic can be glass filled or can be free of glass filling. One example of a type of suitable polyester is glass filled polyethylene terepthalate commercially available from BASF Corporation in Florham Park, N.J. under the tradename Petra® 7010. However, it should be appreciated that the handle 52 can be formed of any type of suitable material without departing from the nature of the present invention. The handle 52 can be formed by, for example, gas assist molding; however, it should be appreciated that the handle 52 can be formed by any method without departing from the nature of the present invention.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. An oven door for a heating chamber of an oven, said oven door comprising:

an interior panel for facing the heating chamber and including a glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber;
an exterior panel affixed to said interior panel for facing away from the heating chamber and including a frame portion formed of plastic defining an aperture aligned with said glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber; and
a non-opaque panel fixed relative to said frame portion and extending across said aperture and including an inside surface facing said interior panel;
said exterior panel including a masking portion formed of plastic and integrally formed with said frame portion and extending from said frame portion into said aperture along said inside surface of said non-opaque panel and defining a window for viewing the heating chamber through said glass sheet.

2. An oven door as set forth in claim 1 wherein said exterior panel supports said non-opaque panel.

3. An oven door as set forth in claim 2 wherein said non-opaque panel is fixed to said masking portion of said exterior panel.

4. An oven door as set forth in claim 2 wherein said non-opaque panel is adhered to said masking portion.

5. An oven door as set forth in claim 3 wherein said non-opaque panel is formed of glass.

6. An oven door as set forth in claim 2 wherein said non-opaque panel is integrally formed with said exterior panel.

7. An oven door as set forth in claim 6 wherein said non-opaque panel is formed of plastic.

8. An oven door as set forth in claim 6 wherein said exterior panel and said non-opaque panel are formed of polyester.

9. An oven door as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a handle fixed to said exterior panel and including a gripping portion extending away from exterior panel for moving said oven door between open and closed positions.

10. An oven door as set forth in claim 9 wherein said exterior panel presents a pocket and wherein said handle includes a boss portion extending from said gripping portion into said pocket for stabilizing said handle relative to said exterior panel.

11. An oven door as set forth in claim 10 wherein said pocket is defined by a wall extending from an exterior side of said exterior panel toward said interior panel and a bottom extending transversely from said wall spaced from said exterior side with said bottom being disposed between said boss portion and said interior panel and with said handle being connected to said interior panel for coupling said interior panel, said exterior panel, and said handle.

12. An oven door for a heating chamber of an oven, said oven door comprising:

an interior panel for facing the heating chamber;
an exterior panel formed of plastic and including an exterior side for facing away from the heating chamber, said exterior panel presenting a pocket defined by a wall extending from said exterior side toward said interior panel and a bottom extending transversely from said wall spaced from said exterior side; and
a handle including a boss portion extending into said pocket for stabilizing said handle relative to said exterior panel and a gripping portion extending from said boss portion away from said exterior panel for moving said oven door between open and closed positions;
said bottom being disposed between said boss portion of said handle and said interior panel and said handle including a post extending from said gripping portion through said boss portion and being connected to said interior panel for coupling said interior panel, said exterior panel, and said handle.

13. An oven door as set forth in claim 12 wherein said bottom defines a hole and said post extends through said hole toward said interior panel for coupling to said interior panel.

14. An oven door as set forth in claim 13 wherein said post defines a bore and a fastener engages said interior panel and extends into said bore.

15. An oven door as set forth in claim 14 wherein said fastener includes a head disposed on a side of said interior panel opposite said exterior panel and a threaded shank that extends from said head through said interior panel toward said exterior panel and threadedly engages said bore.

16. An oven door as set forth in claim 14 wherein said interior panel abuts said post.

17. An oven door as set forth in claim 12 wherein said boss portion of said handle abuts said wall.

18. An oven door as set forth in claim 12 wherein said exterior panel defines a groove and said interior panel defines a flange that extends into said groove.

19. An oven door as set forth in claim 12 wherein said handle is formed of plastic.

20. An oven door as set forth in claim 12 wherein said handle is formed of polyester.

21. An oven door for a heating chamber of an oven, said oven door comprising:

an interior panel for facing the heating chamber and including a glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber;
an exterior panel affixed to said inner panel for facing away from the heating chamber and including a frame portion formed of plastic defining an aperture aligned with said glass sheet for viewing the heating chamber; and
a non-opaque panel formed of plastic and fixed relative to said frame portion and extending across said aperture and including an inside surface facing said interior panel;
said exterior panel including a masking portion formed of plastic and integrally formed with said frame portion and extending from said frame portion into said aperture along said inside surface of said non-opaque panel and defining a window for viewing the heating chamber through said glass sheet;
said exterior panel supporting said non-opaque panel with said non-opaque panel being integrally formed with said exterior panel;
said exterior panel presenting a pocket defined by a wall extending from an exterior side of said exterior panel toward said interior panel and a bottom extending transversely from said wall spaced from said exterior side; and
a handle including a boss portion extending into said pocket for stabilizing said handle relative to said exterior panel and a gripping portion extending from said boss portion away from said exterior panel for moving said oven door between open and closed positions.
Patent History
Publication number: 20120031389
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 4, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 9, 2012
Inventors: William J. McMaster (Berkeley Heights, NJ), Gavin L. Jewell (Westford, MA), David J. Murphy (Dearborn, MI)
Application Number: 13/198,264
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Transparent Panel (126/200)
International Classification: F24C 15/04 (20060101);