Abstract: An electric range is provided that may include a case; at least one fan configured to cool an inside of the case; at least one first through hole formed on a lower surface of the case and configured to supply air to the at least one fan; and a first cover disposed to encircle the at least one first through hole outside of the lower surface of the case and having a plurality of first slits. The first cover may prevent a foreign substance from contacting the at least one fan. The foreign substance may be an end portion of a user's body, for example, a user's finger. The at least one fan may have no structure for preventing contact of a foreign substance.

Abstract: A slide-in or drop-in cooking range includes an upper cooktop in the form of a module suspended above an oven cavity. For installation purposes, the upper cooktop can be vertically repositioned relative to the oven cavity to assure proper alignment with the countertop and avoid damage to the cooktop as a result of combined thermal and mechanical stresses over time. The disclosure is particularly applicable to ranges employing glass cooktops having a periphery designed to rest upon edge portions of a countertop and contemplates various mechanisms to perform the cooktop repositioning function, including select mechanisms for locking, ratcheting and biasing the cooktop to establish a desired vertical position for the cooktop.

Abstract: A plug-in electric ceramic heating plate and an electric stove provided with the heating plate are disclosed. The plug-in electric ceramic heating plate comprises a plate body and a plate component, and the electric stove provided with the heating plate comprises an electric socket matched with an electric plug on the plug-in electric ceramic heating plate. The plate body includes a plate shell, a temperature controller, a microcrystal glass plate, the electric plug, an electric plug press plate, a plug adapter and a bottom cover plate. The electric plug is connected with the plate component through the plug adapter. The plate has notches formed on its circumference. A convex edge corresponding to the shape of the notch on the circumference of the plate is arranged in the plate shell.

Abstract: In a method for embodying a hotplate for a hob, at least one metallic layer and a further layer under the metallic layer are formed on an underside of the hotplate. After applying the at least one metallic layer and the further layer, at least one region of the metallic layer is changed by a laser light of a laser beam so that the further layer is recognized when viewing the hob on a topside.

Abstract: An electric heating device includes a substrate and a heat conductor layer formed on the substrate. The heat conductor track includes a plurality of track sections which run adjacently to one another and are separated from one another by insulating interruptions. At least one reversal point is provided at which the heat conductor track is deflected such that inner track sections with opposite flow directions run adjacently and parallel to one another. The spacing between the adjacent inner track sections is locally expanded in the region of the reversal point where the inner track sections protrude outwards to outer track sections, and the width of the track sections is locally reduced in front of and in the outer track sections to compensate for the local expansion on the inner face between the inner track sections and for the protrusion of the inner track sections.

Abstract: Glass or glass ceramic substrates are provided that have a decorative coating. Methods for coating a glass or glass ceramic substrate with a decorative coating are also provided. In the method, a first, textured layer is applied which is filled with a further layer, so that a layer material of graded composition is formed.

Abstract: A cooking hob, or a ceramic hob, for a fixed or mobile cooking appliance, the hob including at least one cooking area and at least one control and/or information area, the control and/or information area being formed by a window separated from the cooking area by at least one joint made of synthetic material. The joint includes a mechanism for fixing a control and/or display screen under the window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking hob with illumination equipment. The cooking hob includes at least one transparent or semitransparent panel (10) arranged at the top side of said cooking hob. Further, the cooking hob includes at least one frame (12) enclosing at least partially the panel (10). A plurality of lighting elements (14) is arranged within the frame (12) and beside a narrow side of the panel (10). The frame (12) comprises at least one opening (16) on at least one inner side of said frame (12), so that the cooking hob and/or the environment above said cooking hob are illuminated out of the frame (12).

Abstract: The apparatus of this invention relates to a device for heating or cooking food or liquids such as soup, water, roast, etc. A downwardly curved visor-like deflector is selectively removably positioned outwardly of the upper end of the radiation disk of an infrared heater so as to extend outwardly therefrom. The deflector has an upwardly presented cooking utensil opening formed therein and a horizontally disposed cooking utensil support secured to the deflector at the inner surface thereof below the cooking utensil opening. The cooking utensil support dwells in a plane below the upper end of the radiation disk whereby infrared rays emitted from the radiation disk will impinge upon the cooking utensil support and a cooking utensil positioned on the cooking utensil support to cook or heat the contents thereof. Other accessories may also be attached to the heater such as a protective grill or a cooking basket.

Abstract: A built-in cooking appliance includes a main body, a top plate provided above the main body, a cabinet supporting the top plate, a support forming an airflow space between a side of the top plate and the cabinet and allowing the top plate to be supported by the cabinet even at the space, and an air outlet allowing internal air of the main body to be discharged through the support.

Abstract: A glass ceramic cooktop is provided, which has a knob pattern that is ground off in a peripheral area of the cooktop to create a flat facet with a shallow angle, which can be used as a display area.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and articles provide for LAS-type glass-ceramics having specific thermo-mechanical, optical and coloration characteristics to yield generally brown-grey products. The glass-ceramic materials may include as colorants iron oxide, vanadium oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide and/or cerium oxide.

Abstract: A cooktop plate includes a base plate having a lower side. A coating is formed on the lower side of the base plate and includes at least two metal layers and at least two dielectric layers in such a manner that a first color parameter a* or a second color parameter b* of the cooktop plate has a value greater than +10 or smaller than ?10.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for controlling the temperature of a workpiece operatively engaged thereby is provided. The assembly generally comprises a housing characterized by first and second housing members sealingly united at their peripheries, and a heater cartridge enclosed within the housing and compressively retained interior of the sealingly united peripheries of the housing members. The heater cartridge comprises a heat conducting casing characterized by first and second heat conducting casing members and a composite heating element compressively retained between the heat conducting casing members. The first and second heat conducting casing members are selectively united interior of their peripheries so as to delimit heat conduits for the heater cartridge.

Abstract: A cooktop apparatus, in particular an induction cooktop apparatus, includes at least one glass unit and at least one coating configured as a multilayer structure, which is disposed on at least one subregion of at least a main face of the glass unit and has at least two layers. In order to achieve optimum compatibility with the sensors of the user interface without requiring a process after deposition, at least one of the layers is formed by at least one semiconducting material, to fulfill the function of an absorbing layer.

Abstract: A hot plate includes a base plate having an underside. A coating has at least two metallic layers and at least two dielectric layers and is formed on the underside of the base plate in such a way that a reflectivity of the hot plate is lower than 15% in a wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm.

Abstract: Kitchen appliance comprising one or more electrical and/or electromechanical devices, a frontal surface adapted, once the kitchen appliance is installed, to be faced by a user, a lateral surface substantially perpendicular to the frontal surface, the lateral surface being provided with a touch-sensitive control device adapted to operate the one or more electrical and/or electromechanical devices of the same kitchen appliance and/or of one or more further kitchen appliances.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a glass cooktop panel and a cooktop frame. A radiant heating element is positioned between the cooktop frame and the glass cooktop panel. The heating element has an upper surface biased toward a lower surface of the glass cooktop panel. A screwless spring clip is coupled to both the heating element and the cooktop frame so as to secure the heating element to the cooktop frame.

Abstract: A method for producing a domestic appliance plate from a starting mixture. In order to provide a domestic appliance plate having a high resistance to thermal shock, good thermal insulation, and advantageous mechanical properties, at least magnesium silicate hydrate, kaolinite, calcined kaolinite, and aluminum oxide are used for the starting mixture.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a boundary element which borders the cooktop at least on one side, and a camera for recognition of operating gestures, wherein the camera is arranged in a recess of the boundary element.

Abstract: A heating apparatus, in particular a hob heating apparatus, with at least one heating connection for at least one heating element and at least one frequency unit. In order to provide a heating apparatus of the generic type with relatively high operational reliability, it is proposed that the heating apparatus comprises a protective unit, which is provided for determining the existence of a conducting path between the frequency unit and the at least one heating connection.

Abstract: A household appliance, in particular a cooking hob device, includes at least one thermochromic and/or thermoluminescent element that contains at least one vanadium-containing material. The material containing vanadium can be a semiconductor in at least one temperature range, e.g. a doped semiconductor in the temperature range, and may include vanadium dioxide.

Abstract: A glass-ceramic cooktop is provided that is made of glass-ceramic material with a flat upper side and an underside. The glass-ceramic material has transmittance values of greater than 0.1% in the visible light range in the total wavelength region greater than 420 nm, a light transmittance in the visible range of 0.8-2.5%, and a transmittance of 0-85% in the infrared at 1600 nm, and wherein the glass-ceramic material has high quartz mixed crystals as the prevalent crystal phase. The underside is flat, unstructured, and coplanar with the upper side.

Abstract: A support assembly for use in a household appliance includes a planar metal viewing body having a substantially rectangular main surface and an angled section on two opposite edges of the main surface to thereby give the viewing body a three-dimensional shape. The viewing body has two further outer edges, each having a cut edge which directly adjoins the rectangular main surface of the viewing body.

Abstract: One subject of the invention is a cooking device comprising internal elements including at least one heating means, control and/or monitoring means and at least one light-emitting device, said internal elements being covered with at least one glass or glass-ceramic plate colored using vanadium oxide, at least one light-emitting device not being of red color seen through said plate, said plate intrinsically having a light transmission ranging from 2.3% to 40% and an optical transmission of at least 0.6% for at least one wavelength within the region ranging from 420 to 480 nm, said cooking device being such that at least one masking means intended to mask at least one part of said internal elements is placed on top of, underneath or within said plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooking hob with illumination equipment. The cooking hob includes at least one transparent or semitransparent panel (10) arranged at the top side of said cooking hob. Further, the cooking hob includes at least one frame (12) enclosing at least partially the panel (10). A plurality of lighting elements (14) is arranged within the frame (12) and beside a narrow side of the panel (10). The frame (12) comprises at least one opening (16) on at least one inner side of said frame (12), so that the cooking hob and/or the environment above said cooking hob are illuminated out of the frame (12).

Abstract: In a method for operating a cooking zone of a cook top, wherein the cooking zone is formed by at least two cooking sub-zones and each cooking sub-zone can be heated by at least one heating unit, with the heating units arranged adjacent to each other without overlapping such that a cohesive heatable surface is formed during a joint operation of the cooking sub-zones, the cooking sub-zones are operated as a single cooking zone in a first operating mode, and occupancy of a cooking sub-zone by at least one food preparation vessel is detected in the first operating mode, with an occupancy detection phase being started in a user-defined manner.

Abstract: A portable party table [1000] for holding hot and cold foods is described. It employs at least two sections [1100, 1500] held together with a hinge [1600] for holding foods. The party table [1000] has folding legs [1111, 1511] and leg supports [1113, 1513] to support the legs. Each section [1100, 1500] has a tapered base [1101, 1501] with a drain hole [1107, 1507] and a drain plug [1109, 1509]. As ice melts it is directed toward the drain holes [1107, 1507]. Electric receptacle [1525] provide electricity for a heating plate. Alternatively, the hinge [1600] is a type which provides spacing between the sections [1100, 1500] to thermally insulate the hot from the cold section. The hinge [1600] may be allowed to slide to provide an insulation gap [1607], or eliminate the gap [1607].

Abstract: Glass-ceramic plates that may be used to cover or receive at least one heating element of a cooking apparatus include a coating comprising at least two contrasted zones. Methods and devices for producing such glass plates and cooking apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a control panel and a control panel mounting bracket which includes a frame shaped for being installed on a surface panel of a domestic appliance. The surface panel has an opening therein for receiving the frame. The frame has an open portion for receiving a control mount adhered over the open portion. The surface panel has a top surface and a bottom surface, and the frame has a main securing member having at least one tab extending therefrom. The tab is bendable along a line off-set from vertical such that when the tab is bent, it bears against the bottom surface of the surface panel to urge the frame against the surface panel.

Abstract: A touch responsive capacitive control for a smooth surfaced ceramic cooktop provides a continuously variable control voltage which indicates the last touched position on an elongated control surface. An alternating current potential is applied between a transmitter plate and a pair of receiver plates all of which are positioned below the surface of the cooktop. The relative area of overlap between the touching finger and the two receiver plates varies along the length of the control surface, and the resulting change in the relative currents flowing to the two receiver plates is sensed to provide a position indication used to control the cooktop.

Abstract: A burner for a glass top stove includes a heating element, and a reflector. The reflector is shaped to reflect heat and light emitted down and to the sides of the heater back up to the glass top of the burner. The reflector is shaped to form multiple images of the heater on the glass plate. This ensures uniform heating of the glass plate. It also causes a user to believe that there are more heaters than are actually mounted on the burner.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an electrical cooking apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electrical cooking apparatus includes a substantially continuous cooking surface, a plurality of electrical heating elements disposed under the substantially continuous cooking surface, and at least two temperature controllers configured to allow independent control of temperatures of at least two of the plurality of heating elements.

Abstract: The glass ceramic plate for a cooking apparatus is transparent to visible light and IR radiation and has a noble metal film on its underside. The noble metal film is composed of an alloy of gold, platinum and/or palladium, which imparts a reflective property to it. It contains from 0 to 5 percent by weight, in relation to a total metal content, of silver, copper, silicon, bismuth and other metals that are not noble metals. The glass ceramic plate coated with the noble metal film has a spectral transmission of 0 to 12% in the infrared region of the spectrum. When a decoration consisting of a grid of unsymmetrically distributed elements is provided on the topside of the glass ceramic plate, defects in the glass ceramic material can be concealed. The invention also includes a method of coating.

Abstract: A heater strip for use as a heating element in an electric heater is made up of a profiled strip made of a flat metallic material forming a resistor section and of mounting elements extending over one common longitudinal side and they are manufactured as one piece with the resistor section for mounting the heater strip to a support. The strip has a zigzag-shaped structure. The mounting elements are provided only on the flat leg sections of the zigzag-shaped heater strip.

Abstract: A burner for a glass top stove includes a heating element, and a reflector. The reflector is shaped to reflect heat and light emitted down and to the sides of the heater back up to the glass top of the burner. The reflector is shaped to form multiple images of the heater on the glass plate. This ensures uniform heating of the glass plate. It also causes a user to believe that there are more heaters than are actually mounted on the burner.

Abstract: A cooktop gasket includes a sealing body having a stem extending from an upper portion of the gasket and terminating in a retention knuckle. A base is provided that includes a support portion integrally connected to a locking portion, the locking portion having an inner leg, an outer leg, and a retention channel positioned between the inner and outer legs. The retention channel is capable of the receiving the stem of the sealing body when the sealing body and the base are in an engaged position to maintain the relative positions of the base and sealing body. A sealing cam on the stem biases the inner leg toward a cooktop edge to seal against the edge of the cooktop.

Abstract: A sheathed heater assembly includes a sheathed heating element and a cold pin electrically coupled to the sheathed heating element. The cold pin includes a free end including an electrical connector. The electrical connector is configured to mate with a mating connector to electrically connect the sheathed heating element to a wiring harness. The electrical connector has a circumferential groove and a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the electrical connector is coextensive with a longitudinal axis of the cold pin.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a frame having a bottom wall for supporting heating elements and a peripheral side portion that extends from and about an outer periphery of the bottom wall so as to define a chassis upon which is arranged a cooktop. The peripheral side portion includes a plurality of openings that lead into the chassis. A control box is mounted in the chassis for housing control elements and associated electronics. The control box includes a plurality of side walls, with at least one of the side walls being provided with a vent which opens into the chassis. A fan is mounted within the chassis wherein, when the fan is activated, a cooling airflow is developed, with a first portion being drawn directly into the chassis, while a second portion first enters the control box housing before being directed into the chassis. A cover can be disposed beneath the chassis to guide and disperse the airflow.

Abstract: A method and device for limiting and/or controlling the surface temperature of a hob having a ceramic cooking surface. The hob is heated by an energy source which includes a temperature limiter with a variable switching temperature. The switching temperature of the temperature limiter is varied during a cooking procedure according to a redetermined switching temperature-time profile.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven with horizontal cyclonic convection air flow for enhancing equalized heating of printed circuit boards conveyed therethrough. Air circulation apparatus can include a first air movement fan for urging air to move horizontally laterally from the first side wall of the oven toward the second side wall of the oven across and above printed circuit boards being conveyed therethrough. A second air fan is positioned below and laterally displaced from the conveying means for directing a second air stream below the first air stream and oppositely oriented in order to urge movement of heated air across the undersurface of the conveyor for enhancing equalization of heating of the printed circuits boards thereupon. Preferably, both blowers are oriented to move air approximately perpendicularly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyed printed circuit boards in opposite respective directions thereabove and therebelow.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a frame including a central web portion having a plurality of burner openings adapted to receive a plurality of burner elements, a control opening adapted to receive a control element assembly, and a cooking panel. More specifically, each of the plurality of burner openings and the control element opening has associated therewith a plurality of integrally formed tab elements. The cooking panel includes a plurality of cooking zones corresponding to the plurality of burner elements and is supported by the central web portion. Preferably, the cooking panel includes a peripheral rim portion that overhangs the central web, thereby eliminating any seams between the cooking panel and the frame.

Abstract: A cooktop includes a frame including a central web portion having a plurality of burner openings adapted to receive a plurality of burner elements, a control opening adapted to receive a control element assembly, and a cooking panel. More specifically, each of the plurality of burner openings and the control element opening has associated therewith a plurality of integrally formed tab elements. The cooking panel includes a plurality of cooking zones corresponding to the plurality of burner elements and is supported by the central web portion. Preferably, the cooking panel includes a peripheral rim portion that overhangs the central web, thereby eliminating any seams between the cooking panel and the frame.

Abstract: A top plate is provided for use in a cooking device having an induction heater alone or an infrared heater in addition, which comprises a transparent crystallized glass plate, a light-shading film on a bottom surface of the glass plate and an ornamental film formed on the top surface of the glass plate. The light-shading film is a porous layer of inorganic pigment powder dispersed in glass matrix. The light-shading film has small apertures at a portion corresponding to the infrared heater. Alternatively, it has a decreased thickness at the portion. In another alternative, a luster film is used in place of the inorganic pigment layer at the portion corresponding to the infrared heater.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a grilling grate supported directly above at least one heating element and situated adjacent to a downdraft grill. The grilling grate includes structure to effectively shield the heating element(s) from an air flow generated during operation of the downdraft system. More specifically, the grilling grate includes a grilling surface on an upper side, and a plurality of conductive heat members on a lower side. The conductive heat members have side portions which extend about the heating element in order to cloak the heating element from the effects of the airflow produced by the downdraft system thereby providing a more efficient means of energy transfer to the grilling surface.

Abstract: In a cooktop having a cooktop panel, beneath which at least one heating element is disposed for heating up a vessel to be placed on the panel, and a temperature sensor sensing temperature of the underside of the panel within the heating element and connected to a control unit for controlling heating power of the heating element, to make assembly/fitting of the unit easier, the temperature sensor is fastened to an element extending from a region inside the heating element into a region outside the heating element, the element having a receiving portion inside the heating element for the temperature sensor and a fitting portion for fastening of the element, in particular, to the heating element, and/or a connection portion for connecting at least an electrical line from outside the heating element, which receiving portion lies radially offset laterally with respect to the fitting portion or connection portion.

Abstract: An appliance control protection apparatus for a glass ceramic cooktop is constructed with a double wall housing and a low voltage cooling fan. The double wall housing is comprised of a first inner wall and a outer wall and prevents the transfer of heat from the heating elements in a glass ceramic cooktop towards the electronic control unit. The first inner wall is adhered to the underside of the ceramic glass panel of the cooktop and the outer wall snaps into position over the first wall, resulting in a space therebetween for insulation. Additionally, the control housing is provided with a low voltage fan that convects heat away from hot spots formed on the electronic control unit toward other components within the control housing. The low voltage fan operates in response to certain operating temperatures within the control housing as detected by a heat sensor.

Abstract: The cooking apparatus has at least one cooking area including a glass-ceramic panel providing a cooking surface and at least one glass molded part made from glass with definite mechanical stability, such as technical glass or hardened glass. The glass molded part or parts act as an adapter for the glass-ceramic panel. In a preferred embodiment the glass-ceramic panel is bordered or enclosed by an assembly of the glass molded parts that form the adapter and protect the edges of the glass-ceramic panel. Some of the glass molded parts provide signaling and/or control panels, e.g. for residual heat. The glass molded parts replace prior art molded parts, such as eloxated aluminum and stainless steel parts, that are disadvantageously sensitive to direct mechanical surface loads.

Abstract: A base (2) for an electric heater comprises a compressed and heat-hardened composition.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance with a work surface made of a temperature-resistant plastic material or composite plastic material, which has a cooktop receptacle. To reduce the installation effort for use in a row of kitchen appliances, a kitchen sink has cutouts for associated plumbing fixtures and a control panel receptacle is embodied in the work surface, besides the cooktop receptacle. Splash guard edges with support receptacles for support elements for kitchen utensils, kitchen utensil deposits and/or kitchen utensil supports are formed on the work surface.