FULL-VIEW OVEN DOORS HAVING LOCKING MECHANISMS
An oven door including a frame including a shroud and a pair of side rails for holding in place a glass pane; a hinge for securing the frame to an oven; and a mechanism for holding the oven door in a closed position relative to the oven, in which the glass pane provides a full view of the interior contents of the oven when the oven door is in the closed position.
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This application is a continuation International Application Serial No. PCTUS0944012 filed May 14, 2009, now pending, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure is related to oven doors. More particularly, the present disclosure is related to oven doors that have locking mechanisms and a glass panel that provides a full view of the interior content of an oven when the oven door is in a closed position.
2. Description of Related Art
Most residential and professional kitchens include one or more ovens having an oven door through which contents can be placed into the oven. The oven door includes a door-frame that has a hinge, an exterior handle, a gasket or seal, a locking mechanism, and, often a small window.
The hinge pivotally secures the frame of the door to the oven. The exterior handle allows the user to open and close the door by pivoting the door about the hinges. The gasket or seal seals the frame to the wall of the oven when in the closed position to reduce the heat transfer between the frame and the oven wall. The small window allows a partial view of the contents of the oven can be seen.
Unfortunately, the structural and functional requirements of the door-frame have previously only allowed oven windows of a small size. The small size of the prior art oven windows can result in an obstructed view of the inside of the oven and can result in poor lighting of the interior contents. Thus, prior art oven users have found it difficult to see the contents during the cooking process.
Currently, oven doors are assembled utilizing a number of parts that are susceptible to degradation over time when in the presence of high temperatures. This is especially prevalent in ovens that utilize a self-clean cycle in which temperatures are ordinarily much higher than those typically used during the cooking process. The wear and tear of degradation undesirably results in repair costs and/or replacement of the oven in whole.
Accordingly, it has been determined by the present disclosure that there is a need for oven doors that overcome, alleviate and/or mitigate one or more or other deleterious effects of prior art oven doors.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn oven door including a frame including a shroud and a pair of side rails for holding in place a glass pane; a hinge for securing the frame to an oven; and a mechanism for holding the oven door in a closed position relative to the oven, in which the glass pane provides a full view of the interior contents of the oven when the oven door is in the closed position.
A method for assembling an oven door, including applying a first exposed side of an adhesive tape to an edge of an outer glass pane; rolling the adhesive tape on the outer glass pane; applying a pair of hinges to a second exposed side of adhesive tape; inserting a first single sided low-e glass with the coating facing up; inserting two pieces of double coated low-e glass; and securing a handle to the outer glass panel with the adhesive tape.
The above-described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims.
Referring to the drawings and in particular to
Advantageously, oven door 10 eliminates the need for costly and complex glass, glass seals, and glass spacers of the prior by using a simple combination of four glass sheets held in place by metallic spacers. It has been determined by the present disclosure that door 10 having the simple combination of four panes of glass spaced apart by metallic spacers provides excellent thermal properties without the need for the expensive low expanding glasses of the prior art and eliminates the need for the expensive and complex high temperature plastic molded parts of the prior art. Moreover, oven door 10 provides a full-view oven door wherein essentially the entire interior of the oven cavity can be viewed and yet allows the oven to include a high temperature self-cleaning cycle.
As used herein, “full-view” as defined in the present disclosure means a complete, unobstructed view of the entirety of the interior of the oven from any visual angle outside of the oven door. As used herein, “transparency” means light transmission. “Translucent” means surface area that allows light there through. As used herein, the term self-cleaning cycle refers to a cycle of oven 12, wherein the oven increases its internal temperatures to more than 600° F. (degrees Fahrenheit) and more commonly more than 800° F. for a predetermined period of time, such as about three to four hours, so as to burn off or pyrolitically clean the interior surfaces of the oven. In the United States, the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) Standards for Safety require ovens having such self-cleaning cycle capability to include a door that is locked during the cleaning cycle to prevent inadvertent exposure to the cleaning cycle temperatures.
Advantageously, oven door 10 also functions with oven 12 having a door lock or holder 14 and is capable of withstanding the high temperatures of such self-cleaning cycles. Thus, door 10 not only provides a full-view of the inside 16 of oven 12, but also allows for use of the self-cleaning cycle of the oven.
As illustrated in
Frame 18 includes a first side rail 28, a second side rail 30, and a shroud 32. Hinges 20 extend from first and second side rails 28, 30 so as to engage with oven 12 in a known manner. In the illustrated embodiment, hinges 20 are known lift off hinges. The oven door 10 is virtually entirely translucent in that the glass portion is translucent but the shroud 32 and first and second side rails 28, 30 are not translucent.
Shroud 32 includes one or more vent openings 34 disposed therein. Vent openings 34 provide fluid communication between ambient room air and spaces between the one or more glass panes 22. Additionally, shroud 32 includes lock opening 24, which is configured for receipt of lock 14 defined in oven 12. In this manner, door 10 is UL compliant when used with oven 12 having a self-cleaning cycle.
In use, shroud 32 is configured to engage oven electronics such as light switch (not shown) and/or lock 14. Thus, shroud 32 is preferably formed of a material having sufficient rigidity to engage lock 14. In a preferred embodiment, shroud 32 is a stamped metal shroud such as brushed stainless steel.
The detailed construction of the exemplary embodiment of door 10 is described by way of simultaneous reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, door 10 includes four glass panes 22, namely a first or outer glass pane 22-1, a second or inside or “inner” glass pane 22-4, a third or middle glass pane 22-2, and a fourth or middle glass pane 22-3 best seen in
Glass panes 22 can be any glass suitable for use with the temperatures of oven 12. In preferred embodiment, outer glass pane 22-1 is a non-reflective decorative glass pane made of an uncoated sheet of common 0.125 clear float glass. Third and fourth glass panes 22-2 and 22-3 are a low-emissive glass panes having a soda-lime glass sheet with a metal-oxide coating (not shown) on one side. Preferably, third and fourth glass panes 22-2, 22-3 are positioned in door 10 such that the coating faces the interior 16 of oven 12. Advantageously, glass panes 22 have a uniform transparency.
Inner glass pane 22-4 is a low-emissive glass pane having a soda-lime glass sheet with a metal-oxide coating on each side. Thus, inner glass pane 22-4 is positioned in door 10 such that coating faces both the interior 16 of oven 12, while the other coating faces the exterior of the oven.
It should be recognized that frame 18 and glass panes 22 are described herein as being made of particular materials. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for frame 18 and panes 22 to be made of any known material suitable for use with the temperatures and stresses generated by oven 12.
In a preferred embodiment shown in
As shown in
Side rails 28, 30 are described with reference to
Side rail 30 includes an inner U-shaped channel 40, an outer U-shaped channel 42, a plurality of spacer bars 44, an L-shaped channel 46, and a bottom bar 48. Outer U-shaped channel 42 includes a slot 50 positioned and configured to receive hinge 18.
Inner U-shaped channel 40, as well as handle 26 and one of spacer bars 44, are connected to outer glass pane 22-1 by way of adhesive tape 52. Here, channel 40 is secured to glass pane 22-1 so that the open face of the u-shaped channel faces away from the outer glass pane. Outer U-shaped channel 42 is secured over inner u-shaped channel 40 to define a substantially rectangular opening therein.
Adhesive tape 52 can be any adhesive tape sufficient to withstand the thermal stresses imparted to door 10 by oven 12, as well as the mechanical stresses imparted to door 10 during use of the oven. In a preferred embodiment, tape 52 is a double coated acrylic foam tape such as, but not limited to, VHB™ tape that is commercially available from the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing or 3M™ Company.
Spacer bars 44 and L-shaped channel 46 are secured to a side of outer U-shaped channel 40 to define a plurality of pane receiving slots (S). Slots S are positioned and configured to loosely receive glass panes 22-2, 22-3, and 22-4 therein. Preferably, spacer bars 44 and L-shaped channel 46 are mechanically fastened to channel 40 such as by one or more machine screws (not shown), which can in some embodiments also secure outer U-shaped channel 42 to inner U-shaped channel 40. Similarly, bottom bar 48 is mechanically fastened to spacer bars 44 such as by one or more machine screws (not shown). It should be recognized that bars 48, 44 and channels 40, 42, 46 are described above by way of example only as being mechanically fastened to one another. Of course, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for bars 48, 44 and channels 40, 42, 46 to be secured to one another in any desired manner.
It has also be determined that door 10 can easily be converted to fit a wide range of prior art ovens 12 by merely changing the position of U-shaped channels 40, 42 with respect to one another so as to increase the width of the rectangular opening formed therein.
In the partially assembled state shown in
Thus, glass pane 22-1 is the pane that is furthest from interior 16 of oven 12 so as to have the lowest heat exposure. Here, glass pane 22-1 is secured to side rails 28, 30 using adhesive tape 52. However, glass panes 22-2, 22-3, and 22-4, which are exposed to higher heat from oven 12, are loosely held in slots (S) to allow for thermal expansion without the need for costly spacers or seals of the prior art. Moreover, the area between the glass panes 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, and 22-4 is open to ambient air allowing for heat dissipation between the panes.
In some embodiments, door 10 can include a high temperature seal 54 for sealing the door to oven 12 as shown in
The graphs of
The temperature testing was performed using the self-cleaning cycle of a known prior art oven, namely a Monogram Wall Oven Model No. ZET 1SM1S, which is commercially available from the General Electric Company.
The temperatures on the inside of the prior art door (
Similarly, the temperatures on the outside of the prior art door (
When comparing the graphs of
Moveover, when comparing the graphs of
Further, it has been determined by the present disclosure that prior art oven 12 can be retrofitted to include oven door 10 according to the present disclosure by simply removing the prior art door by lifting off the hinges attaching hinges 20 to the oven 12. This is in contrast to the oven doors of the prior art in which the sealing must be removed from the oven door to the oven peripheral wall via a custom adaptor.
Referring now to
It is believed that the glass structure of oven door 10 of
Referring now to
First, in a positioning step 102, outer glass pane 22-1 is positioned on a work surface. In a first adhesive preparation step 104, adhesive tape 52 is prepared for use by removing backing from one side of the tape to expose the adhesive. The exposed sides of the two strips of adhesive tape 52 are then placed on two appropriate and parallel edges of outer glass pane 22-1 in a tape application step 106.
In some embodiments, tape application step 106 can include a rolling step 108, wherein a roller can be used to apply pressure seating the tape to outer glass pane 22-1.
In further embodiments, a tape inspection step 110 can be included wherein outer glass pane 22-1 can be inspected to ensure proper positioning, alignment, and appearance of tape 52.
Once tape 52 is properly positioned on outer glass pane 22-1, method 100 further includes a second adhesive preparation step 112. During second adhesive preparation step 112, adhesive tape 52 is further prepared for use by removing the backing from the second side of the tape to expose the adhesive.
Method 100 includes a side rail application step 114 in which side rails 28, 30 are secured to opposing sides of outer glass pane 22-1. In a preferred embodiment, side rail application step 114 includes securing inner U-shaped channel 40 to tape 52. Once inner U-shaped channel 40 is secured to tape 52, outer U-shaped channel 42 having spacer bars 44, L-shaped channel 46, and bottom bar 48 positioned thereon can be secured to inner U-shaped channel 40 using desired connector such as, but not limited to, one or more machine screws (not shown).
When securing outer U-shaped channel 42 to inner U-shaped channel 40, slots 50 in the outer U-shaped channel 42 are aligned to a bottom edge of the outer glass pane 22-1. Then, hinges 18 are positioned within side rails 28, 30 so that the hinges extend through the slots 50.
After side rails 28, 30 are secured to outer pane 22-1, glass panes 22-2, 22-3, and 22-4 are positioned within slots (S) in first and second glass insertion steps 116 and 118.
During first glass insertion step 116, second and third glass panes 22-2 and 22-3 are positioned in door 10 such that the coating faces the interior 16 of oven 12. During second glass insertion step 118, inside glass pane 22-4 is positioned in door 10 such that one coating faces both the interior 16 of oven 12, while the other coating faces the exterior of the oven.
After completing glass insertion steps 116, 118, method 100 includes a shroud fastening step 120 in which shroud 32 is positioned and secured to door 10 so that lock opening 24 is on the upper side of the door and on the same side inside glass pane 22-4 and slots 50.
In embodiments of door 10 having handle 26, method 100 includes additional positioning, adhesive preparation and inspection steps for securing the handle to outer glass pane 22-1.
Referring now to
In some embodiments, tape application step 126 can include a rolling step 128, wherein a roller can be used to securely and evenly bond the exposed side of the adhesive tape to outer glass pane 22-1.
In further embodiments, a tape inspection step 130 can be included wherein outer glass pane 22-1 can be inspected to ensure proper positioning, alignment, and appearance of tape 52.
Once tape 52 is properly positioned on outer glass pane 22-1, method 100 further includes a second adhesive preparation step 132. During second adhesive preparation step 132, adhesive tape 52 is further prepared for use by removing the backing from the second side of the tape to expose the adhesive.
Once exposed, method 100 includes a handle application step 134 in which handle 26 is secured to outer glass pane 22-1.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An oven door comprising:
- one or more glass panes;
- a frame including a shroud and a pair of side rails for holding in place the one or more glass panes;
- a pair of hinges for securing the frame to an oven; and
- a mechanism for holding the oven door in a closed position relative to the oven, wherein the one or more glass panes provide a full view of the interior contents of the oven when the oven door is in the closed position.
2. The oven door of claim 1, wherein the one or more glass panes comprises a plurality of glass panes, and the oven door further comprises a plurality of spacer bars for receiving and spacing the plurality of glass panes.
3. The oven door of claim 1, wherein the shroud is configured to engage an oven electronic device.
4. The oven door of claim 3, wherein the oven electronic device is a light switch.
5. The oven door of claim 1, wherein the shroud comprises at least one or more vent openings, the at least one or more vent openings providing fluid communication between ambient room air and spaces between the at least one or more glass panes.
6. The oven door of claim 2, wherein the glass pane comprises:
- an outer glass pane;
- an inner glass pane;
- a third glass pane adjacent an interior of the oven; and
- a fourth glass pane, wherein the third and fourth glass panes are positionable between said outer and inner glass panes.
7. The oven door of claim 6, wherein the inner glass pane is a low-emissive glass pane.
8. The oven door of claim 6, wherein the outer glass pane is a non-reflective decorative glass pane.
9. The oven door of claim 6, wherein the third and fourth glass panes are low-emissive glass panes.
10. The oven door of claim 6, wherein said inner glass pane has a first inner surface that is substantially planar to a second inner surface of said frame.
11. The oven door of claim 1, wherein said pair of hinges are spring arm hinges or cam-arm hinges.
12. The oven door of claim 6, wherein each one of said pair of side rails comprises:
- an inner u-shaped channel;
- an outer u-shaped channel including a slot positioned and configured to receive a first one of said pair of hinges;
- an L-shaped channel; and
- a bottom bar.
13. The oven door of claim 12, further comprising an adhesive tape for connecting the inner U-shaped channel, and the at least one of said plurality of spacer bars to the outer glass pane.
14. The oven door of claim 13, wherein the adhesive tape connects the handle to the outer glass pane.
15. The oven door of claim 13, wherein the adhesive tape is a double coated acrylic foam tape.
16. The oven door of claim 1, further comprising a high temperature seal for sealing the oven door to the oven.
17. A door for an oven, comprising:
- an outer glass pane adjacent an exterior of the oven;
- an inner glass pane adjacent an interior of the oven;
- a high temperature seal on the inner glass pane for sealing the oven door to the oven;
- a third glass pane;
- a fourth glass pane, the third glass pane being between the inner glass pane and the fourth glass pane, the fourth glass pane being between the outer glass pane and the third glass pane;
- a frame including a shroud and a pair of side rails for holding the outer, inner, third, and fourth glass panes;
- a plurality of spacer bars providing a space between the inner glass pane and the third glass pane, between the third and fourth glass panes, and between the fourth glass pane and the outer glass pane; and
- one more vent openings defined in the shroud to provide fluid communication between ambient room air and the spaces.
18. The oven door as in claim 17, wherein the inner glass pane, the third glass pane, and the fourth glass pane each comprising low-emissive glass, and the outer glass pane comprising non-reflective decorative glass.
19. The oven door as in claim 17, wherein said inner glass pane and said exterior glass pane have a light transmission of approximately 78% to 85%.
20. The oven door of claim 17, wherein the spaces and one or more vents are sufficient to ensure that a temperature of the exterior glass pane does not exceed 115 degrees Celsius during a self-cleaning cycle of the oven.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2011
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2012
Applicant: SCHOTT GEMTRON CORPORATION (Sweetwater, TN)
Inventor: Albach R. Eberhard (Madison, TN)
Application Number: 13/295,120
International Classification: F24C 15/04 (20060101);