PERFORATED PANEL IN COOKING COMPARTMENT OF GAS APPLIANCE

Abstract

A domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item includes a main housing; a cooking compartment in the main housing, the cooking compartment being configured to receive the food item to be heated; a shelf located in the cooking compartment and configured to support the food item to be heated; a gas burner configured to provide heat to the cooking compartment; and a perforated panel located between the gas burner and the shelf, the perforated panel having a plurality of openings.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a domestic cooking appliance. More particularly, embodiments of the invention are directed to an oven having a perforated panel above a gas burner located in the oven.

An example of an application for the invention is a domestic kitchen gas oven having a perforated panel between a gas burner and a shelf or pan supporting an item to be heated by the gas burner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some modern domestic kitchens include cooking appliances such as ovens and ranges that have a gas burner located in the bottom of a cooking compartment. These cooking appliances often have a metal panel above the gas burner that protects the gas burner from spills or other debris dropping from an item being cooked in the cooking compartment.

Applicants recognized an improvement to the above arrangement and implement that improvement in embodiments of the invention.

SUMMARY

The invention achieves the benefit of improving cooking performance while also protecting the gas burner from spills or other debris dropping from the item being cooked.

In some cooking appliances that have a metal (or other material) panel located above the gas burner, the panel is solid so that there are no openings through which debris can pass. This arrangement directs a majority, if not all, of the heat from the gas burner around the panel and up the sides of the cooking compartment. As a result, heat is directed away from the bottom of a pan, rack, or shelf on which the food item is supported. More direct cooking can be achieved if at least a portion of the heat from the gas burner is not directed away from the bottom of the pan, rack, or shelf on which the food item is supported.

The invention provides an improvement to cooking performance by positioning a perforated panel above the gas burner and below the pan, rack, or shelf on which the food item is supported. The inventive arangement of the perforations allow heat from the gas burner to more directly reach the bottom of the pan, rack, or shelf, while also preventing debris from the food item from reaching the gas burner.

Particular embodiments of the invention are directed to a domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item. The domestic cooking appliance having a main housing; a cooking compartment in the main housing, the cooking compartment being configured to receive the food item to be heated; a shelf located in the cooking compartment and configured to support the food item to be heated; a gas burner configured to provide heat to the cooking compartment; and a perforated panel located between the gas burner and the shelf, the perforated panel having a plurality of openings.

In some embodiments, the perforated panel has a plurality of upper members and a plurality of lower members, the upper members being offset horizontally relative to the lower members.

Other embodiments of the invention are directed to a domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item. The domestic cooking appliance having a main housing; a cooking compartment in the main housing, the cooking compartment being configured to receive the food item to be heated; a gas burner configured to provide heat to the cooking compartment; and a drip panel located above the gas burner, the drip panel having a plurality of upper members and a plurality of lower members, the upper members being offset horizontally relative to the lower members. Each of the lower members has an upward facing surface that has a low point and walls extending upward from the low point such that the lower member is concave upward.

In some embodiments, every fluid path through the drip panel includes a non-vertical component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the disclosed features and functions, and should not be used to limit or define the disclosed features and functions. Consequently, a more complete understanding of the exemplary embodiments and further features and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary appliance in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a cooking chamber;

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view of a cooking chamber in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of a cooking chamber in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front sectional view of a cooking chamber in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an appliance in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a perforated insert in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view along section line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

As explained above, embodiments of the invention provide an improvement to a domestic oven or other cooking appliance.

FIG. 1 shows a domestic cooking appliance 10 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Appliance 10 has a cooktop 40 with a plurality of heating elements 42. Also shown in this example are a control panel 30 having various controls including a touch panel 32. A door 20 provides access to a cooking compartment inside appliance 10 by way of a handle 22. Appliance 10 is just one example of appliances in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a cooking compartment 50 of an appliance. Cooking compartment 50 is inside a housing 100 that has sides walls 110, 120. A pan 170 supports a food item 11 to be heated and/or cooked in cooking compartment 50. A solid panel 190 is positioned above a gas burner 180. Passages 195 are provided to allow heat from gas burner 180 to flow beneath panel 190 and into cooking compartment 50. Arrows A show heat flowing around panel 190 and through passages 195. The heat then travels up the sides of cooking compartment 50 as shown by Arrows B, and predominantly heats food item 11 by contacting food item 11 from the top and sides. This configuration has the disadvantage of not providing significant heat to food item 11 through pan 170.

FIG. 3 shows an example of embodiments of the invention in which a perforated panel 200 is provided to overcome the disadvantages of the configuration shown in FIG. 2. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, perforated panel 200 is positioned above gas burner 180 and below pan 170. Pan 170 will be referred to as a pan for simplicity. It is noted that, in embodiments, pan 170 is a pan, a rack, a shelf, or any other member that supports food item 11. Perforated panel 200 has a plurality of upper members 230 and a plurality of lower members 210. In this embodiment, perforated panel 200 is supported on housing 100 by end members 220. In other embodiments, other structure is provided to support perforated panel 200. This embodiment includes a trough 130 around at least a portion of the lower perimeter of housing 100. Trough 130 is configured to catch and retain drippings and other debris that falls from pan 170, food item 11, or other areas. Some debris that falls onto end members 220 continues down end members 220 and into trough 130.

Openings 264 exist between adjacent upper members 230. Passages 262 exist between lower members 210 and upper members 230 to provide pathways for heat from gas burner 180, as shown by Arrows C. At least a portion of the heat passing through openings 264 moves upward and contacts a lower side of pan 170 and/or food item 11, as shown by Arrows D. This direct heating of pan 170 provides improved cooking performance for certain types of cooking. As shown by Arrows E and F, a portion of the heat passing through openings 264 (predominantly that passing through the outermost passages 264) will move around the sides of pan 170 and heat food item 11 by contacting food item 11 from the top and sides.

Due to the offset configuration of upper members 230 relative to lower members 210, drippings and other debris falling from pan 170 and/or food item 11 will contact either the top surface of upper members 230 or the top surface of lower members 210. Drippings and other debris that contacts the top surface of upper members 230 will either remain on the top surface of upper members 230, or will move off of upper members 230 and fall onto lower members 210. The concave upward shape of lower members 210 will cause any drippings or other debris to remain on lower members 210. The above configuration results in little or no debris passing through perforated panel 200 and contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from burner 180. Although upper members 230 are shown as flat (planar), it is noted that other shapes can be used for upper members 230. Although lower members 210 are shown as trapezoidal in shape, it is noted that other shapes can be used for lower members 210.

As a result of the above-described configuration, embodiments of the invention provide the benefit of heat more directly contacting the bottom of pan 170 and/or food item 11 without the disadvantage of debris contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from gas burner 180.

In embodiments, perforated panel 200 is removable from appliance 10 for cleaning. In the case of cooking very greasy (or other debris producing) food, frequent cleaning of perforated panel 200 may be desirable. As a result, an easily removable perforated panel 200 is beneficial. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, perforated panel 200 simply rests on housing 100 at lower surfaces of end members 220 and is easily lifted for removal.

FIG. 4 shows an example of embodiments of the invention in which a perforated panel 300 is provided. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, perforated panel 300 is positioned above gas burner 180 and below pan 170. Perforated panel 300 has a plurality of upper members 330 and a plurality of lower members 320. In this embodiment, perforated panel 300 is supported on housing 100 by end members 310. In other embodiments, other structure is provided to support perforated panel 300. This embodiment includes trough 130 around at least a portion of the lower perimeter of housing 100. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, trough 130 is configured to catch and retain drippings and other debris that falls from pan 170, food item 11, or other areas. Some debris that falls onto end members 310 continues over end members 310 and into trough 130.

Openings 364 exist between adjacent upper members 330. Passages 362 exist between lower members 320 and upper members 330 to provide pathways for heat from gas burner 180, as shown by Arrows C. At least a portion of the heat passing through openings 364 moves upward and contacts a lower side of pan 170 and/or food item 11, as shown by Arrows D. This direct heating of pan 170 provides improved cooking performance for certain types of cooking. As shown by Arrows E and F, a portion of the heat passing through openings 364 (predominantly that passing through the outermost passages 364) will move around the sides of pan 170 and heat food item 11 by contacting food item 11 from the top and sides.

Due to the offset configuration of upper members 330 relative to lower members 320, drippings and other debris falling from pan 170 and/or food item 11 will contact either the top surface of upper members 330 or the top surface of lower members 320. Drippings and other debris that contacts the top surface of upper members 330 will either remain on the top surface of upper members 330, or will move off of upper members 330 and fall onto lower members 320. The concave upward shape of lower members 320 will cause any drippings or other debris to remain on lower members 320. The above configuration results in little or no debris passing through perforated panel 300 and contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from burner 180. Although upper members 330 are shown as triangular in shape, it is noted that other shapes can be used for upper members 330. Although lower members 320 are shown as triangular in shape, it is noted that other shapes can be used for lower members 320.

As a result of the above-described configuration, embodiments of the invention provide the benefit of heat more directly contacting the bottom of pan 170 and/or food item 11 without the disadvantage of debris contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from gas burner 180.

In embodiments, perforated panel 300 is removable from appliance 10 for cleaning. In the case of cooking very greasy (or other debris producing) food, frequent cleaning of perforated panel 300 may be desirable. As a result, an easily removable perforated panel 300 is beneficial. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, perforated panel 300 simply rests on housing 100 at lower surfaces of end members 310 and is easily lifted for removal.

FIG. 5 shows an example of embodiments of the invention in which a perforated panel 400 is provided. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, perforated panel 400 is positioned above gas burner 180 and below pan 170. Perforated panel 400 has a plurality of upper members 430. Unlike the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, perforated panel 400 has no lower members. The function performed by lower members 210, 320 in FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed by a lower panel 500. In this embodiment, lower panel 500 is a solid panel with no perforations. In this embodiment, perforated panel 400 is supported on housing 100 by end members. In other embodiments, other structure is provided to support perforated panel 400. This embodiment includes trough 130 around at least a portion of the lower perimeter of housing 100. As with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, trough 130 is configured to catch and retain drippings and other debris that falls from pan 170, food item 11, or other areas. Some debris that falls onto the end members continues over the end members and into trough 130.

Openings 464 exist between adjacent upper members 430. Heat from gas burner 180 flows around lower panel 500, as shown by Arrows G. The heat continues upward through openings 464, as shown by arrows H. At least a portion of the heat passing through openings 464 moves upward and contacts a lower side of pan 170 and/or food item 11, as shown by Arrows D. This direct heating of pan 170 provides improved cooking performance for certain types of cooking. As shown by Arrows E and F, a portion of the heat passing through openings 464 (predominantly that passing through the outermost passages 464) will move around the sides of pan 170 and heat food item 11 by contacting food item 11 from the top and sides.

Due to the solid nature of lower panel 500, drippings and other debris falling from pan 170 and/or food item 11 will contact either the top surface of upper members 430 or the top surface of lower panel 500. Drippings and other debris that contacts the top surface of upper members 430 will either remain on the top surface of upper members 430, or will move off of upper members 430 and fall onto lower panel 500. The concave upward shape of lower panel 500 in this example will cause any drippings or other debris to remain on lower panel 500. The above configuration results in little or no debris passing by lower panel 500 and contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from burner 180. Although upper members 430 are shown as flat (planar), it is noted that other shapes can be used for upper members 430, including concave upward, convex upward, or other shapes. Although lower panel 500 is shown as concave upward, it is noted that other shapes can be used for lower panel 500.

As a result of the above-described configuration, embodiments of the invention provide the benefit of heat more directly contacting the bottom of pan 170 and/or food item 11 without the disadvantage of debris contacting gas burner 180 or the flames emanating from gas burner 180.

In embodiments, perforated panel 400 and lower panel 500 are removable from appliance 10 for cleaning. In the case of cooking very greasy (or other debris producing) food, frequent cleaning of perforated panel 400 and/or lower panel 500 may be desirable. As a result, easily removable perforated panel 400 and lower panel 500 are beneficial. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, perforated panel 400 simply rests on housing 100 at lower surfaces of the end members and is easily lifted for removal. Similarly, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, lower panel 500 simply rests on structure that is attached to housing 100 or another part of appliance 10.

FIGS. 6-8 show an example of a perforated panel 600 in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In this example, appliance 10 has two perforated panels 600 positioned in cooking compartment 50. While two perforated panels 600 are used in this example, more or fewer perforated panels can be used. In this example, perforated panel 600 has a plurality of upper members 630 and a plurality of lower members 640. Openings 668 exist between adjacent upper members 630, and openings 662 exist between adjacent lower members 640. Passages 664 exist between lower members 640 and upper members 630 to provide pathways for heat from gas burner 180. At least a portion of the heat passing through openings 668 moves upward and contacts a lower side of pan 170 and/or food item 11, as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 3-5. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8, upper members 630, lower members 640, and end members 620 are held in place by caps 610. Caps 610 can be welded to upper members 630, lower members 640, and end members 620, or some other type of fixed or removable fastening can be used. A removable type of fastening allows disassembly for a potentially more thorough cleaning.

In embodiments, the various parts of the perforated panels and lower panels shown in the figures are made of metal, coated metal (such as, for example, enameled steel), ceramic, or some other heat resistant material that can withstand the heat generated by gas burner 180.

Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a catch tray (similar to that shown in FIG. 2) can be provided below gas burner 180 to catch any material that might fall past gas burner 180. Although various embodiments show the perforated panel resting on housing 100, other embodiments support the perforated panel by other means such as, for example, a frame work, brackets extending from a back or side surface of the cooking compartment, or some other means.

Although one gas burner 180 is shown in the examples, it is noted that more than one gas burner 180 can be used. As can be seen from FIGS. 3-5, embodiments of the invention work effectively with any number of burners without having to change the configuration of the perforated panel.

It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Any of the features described above can be combined with any other feature described above as long as the combined features are not mutually exclusive. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the invention.

Claims

1. A domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item, comprising:

a main housing;

a cooking compartment in the main housing, the cooking compartment being configured to receive the food item to be heated;

a shelf located in the cooking compartment and configured to support the food item to be heated;

a gas burner configured to provide heat to the cooking compartment; and

a perforated panel located between the gas burner and the shelf, the perforated panel having a plurality of openings.

2. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the perforated panel is located above the gas burner, and the shelf is located above the perforated panel.

3. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 2, wherein the perforated panel has a plurality of upper members and a plurality of lower members, the upper members being offset horizontally relative to the lower members.

4. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein every fluid path through the perforated panel includes a non-vertical component.

5. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 4, wherein the perforated panel is removable from, and replaceable into, the cooking compartment without damaging the perforated panel.

6. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 5, wherein the gas burner is located in a depression in a lower surface of the cooking compartment.

7. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein the upper members are planar and are arranged along one plane.

8. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 3, wherein each of the lower members has an upward facing surface that has a low point and walls extending upward from the low point such that the lower member is concave upward.

9. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 8, wherein every fluid path through the perforated panel includes a non-vertical component.

10. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 9, wherein the lower members are configured to catch debris falling from above the upper members.

11. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 10, wherein the cooking compartment has a trough around the perimeter of the perforated panel, a low region in the trough being lower than an upper surface of the perforated panel.

12. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein the openings in the perforated panel are arranged directly below the shelf.

13. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 1, further comprising a lower panel located above the gas burner and below the perforated panel.

14. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the lower panel is a solid panel.

15. A domestic cooking appliance for heating a food item, comprising:

a main housing;

a cooking compartment in the main housing, the cooking compartment being configured to receive the food item to be heated;

a gas burner configured to provide heat to the cooking compartment; and

a drip panel located above the gas burner, the drip panel having a plurality of upper members and a plurality of lower members, the upper members being offset horizontally relative to the lower members,

wherein each of the lower members has an upward facing surface that has a low point and walls extending upward from the low point such that the lower member is concave upward.

16. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 15, wherein every fluid path through the drip panel includes a non-vertical component.

17. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 16, wherein the drip panel is removable from, and replaceable into, the cooking compartment without damaging the drip panel.

18. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 17, wherein each of the upper members has an upward facing surface that has a high point and walls extending downward from the high point such that the upper member is convex upward.

19. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 15, wherein the drip panel is removable from, and replaceable into, the cooking compartment without damaging the drip panel.

20. The domestic cooking appliance of claim 19, wherein each of the upper members has an upward facing surface that has a high point and walls extending downward from the high point such that the upper member is convex upward.