WO2015165499A1

WO2015165499A1 - Door with improved disassembly/reassembly for use in an oven

Info

Publication number: WO2015165499A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Altan OZKOK; Fatih Ceylan
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2015-11-05

Abstract

The present invention relates to a door (1) for an oven. The door (1) comprises: a rear glass pane (3) and a frame assembly (4) having a first recess (5) releasably holding a lower end (3a) of the rear glass pane (3). In the door (1) of the present invention, the frame assembly (4) comprises a detachable cover element (6) having a snap-fit portion (7a) for attachment/detachment thereof and a flange (8) for concealing and immovably holding an upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3).

Description

DOOR WITH IMPROVED DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY FOR USE IN AN OVEN

The present invention relates to a door for use in an oven, in particular a domestic built-in oven. The present invention more particularly relates to a door which has one or more than one releasable glass pane.

The exposed parts of an oven must be generally kept well below dangerous temperature limits to protect the user from skin burns and scalding. Especially, the exposed parts of an oven in particular the oven door is directly subjected to the radiant heat emanated from the cooking chamber. During the cooking process, the handle and the front glass pane of the oven door generally gets hot. Therefore, increased measures must be taken to cool the oven door down to safe temperatures.

Several techniques have been devised for cooling an oven door. In a commonly known technique the oven door is provided with a ventilation hole. The air inside the oven door is drawn through the ventilation hole into a process air duct by the suction effect of a fan, and subsequently discharged into the environment. A drawback of this technique is that the fan generally increases the overall manufacturing costs and the energy consumption of the oven.

In another commonly known technique, an inner glass pane is arranged between a front glass pane and a rear glass pane of the oven door to function as an additional thermal barrier. In this technique the hot air inside the oven door can be discharged into the environment, for example, by natural convection via a ventilation hole formed in the oven door.

A problem with the conventional oven door is that during the cooking process a layer of food debris is formed on the glass panes. Therefore, at least the rear glass pane and the inner glass pane must be rendered releasable for enabling cleaning thereof.

DE 197 38 504 C1 discloses a conventional door for use in an oven. The conventional door includes a front glass pane, a rear glass pane, and an inner glass pane which is arranged between the front glass pane and the rear glass pane. The conventional door further includes a frame assembly which releasably holds the rear glass pane and the inner glass pane. The frame assembly has two recesses into which the upper end of the rear glass pane and the lower end of the rear glass pane is slidably mounted and secured by a biasing spring mechanism.

A drawback of this conventional door is that a manufacturing process of the frame assembly is complicated and involves the provision and installation of several components parts, in particular the spring mechanism and the like which incur additional costs. Also the disassembly and reassembly of the rear glass pane may become a complicated task for a user having ordinary skills.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a door for use in an oven which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a cost effective way and which enables a user to easily disassemble and reassemble a glass pane.

This objective has been achieved by the door as defined in claim 1, and the oven as defined in claim 15. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the door according to the present invention, the frame assembly comprises:

a detachable decorative cover element which has a snap fit portion for attachment/detachment thereof and a flange for concealing and immovably holding an upper end of the rear glass pane and one or more than one fixed coupling element which has a counterpart snap fit portion for deattachably attaching to the snap fit portion of the cover element. When the cover element is attached to the coupling element, an upper end of the rear glass plane is concealed and immovably held by the flange. When the cover element is detached from the coupling element, the upper end of the rear glass pane is released from the frame assembly.

In an embodiment, the decorative cover element extends along the entire width of the rear glass pane and has two snap-fit portions which are arranged on opposing ends thereof. In this embodiment, the frame assembly has two fixed coupling elements each having a counterpart snap fit portion.

In a version of this embodiment, the two coupling elements are commonly fixed with a handle element to the front glass pane. In addition, the two coupling elements are also respectively fixed to two support elements which are sandwiched between the front glass pane and the rear glass pane.

In another version of this embodiment, an inner glass pane is arranged between the front glass pane and the rear glass pane. In addition, the lower end of the inner glass pane is releasably held in a recess of the frame assembly whereas an upper end of the inner glass pane is releasably seated on the coupling element. Herein, the cover element means has one or more than one spacer which secures a gap between the inner glass pane and the rear glass pane.

In another version of this embodiment, the coupling element has two abutments onto which respectively an upper end of the inner glass pane and an upper and of the rear glass pane are releasably seated. The two abutments respectively block a movement of the inner glass pane and the rear glass pane in a longitudinal direction. The rear glass pane and the inner glass pane can be successively removed by slightly tilting and pulling after the cover element has been detached.

In another version of this embodiment, the front glass pane, the rear glass pane and the inner glass pane are all rectangular. The front glass pane is slightly larger than the others.

With the present invention, the rear glass pane can be easily disassembled for cleaning, and easily reassembled to its designated position after it has been cleaned. The rear glass pane is immediately released by simply detaching the cover element from the coupling element without the burden of time consuming tasks involving unscrewing of bolts and compression of springs. Thereby, even a user with ordinary skill can easily disassemble and reliably reassemble the rear glass pane. With the door of the present invention, a consumer satisfaction can be increased. With the present invention, also a manufacturing process of the door has been rendered cost effective both in material and labor.

Additional advantages of the door according to the present invention and the oven according to the present invention will become apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic perspective rear view of a door according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic rear view of the door according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 – is a schematic perspective rear view of the door according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover element has been detached;

Figure 4 – is a schematic perspective rear view of the door according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover element has been detached, and wherein the rear glass pane and the inner glass pane have been removed;

Figure 5 – is a schematic perspective enlarged view of a detail of the door according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover element has been removed;

Figure 6 – is a schematic sectional view of the door shown in Fig. 2, taken along the line A-A;

Figure 7 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail C of Fig. 6;

Figure 8 – is a schematic sectional view of the door shown in Fig. 2, taken along the line B-B;

Figure 9 – is a schematic enlarged view of the detail D of Fig. 8.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Door
Front glass pane
Rear glass pane

3a. Lower end
3b. Upper end
4. Frame assembly

5. First recess

6. Cover element

7a. Snap fit portion

7b. Counterpart snap fit portion
8. Flange

9. Coupling element

10. First abutment

11. Inner glass pane

11a. Lower end

11b. Upper end

12. Second recess

13. Second abutment

14. Spacer

15. Support element

16a. Screw

16b. Screw

17. Hinge element

18. Reinforcement bracket

19. Handle element

20. Hole

21. Reinforcement projection

22. Grip element

The door (1) is suitable for use in an oven (not shown) (Figs. 1 to 9). The door (1) comprises a front glass pane (2) and a releasable rear glass pane (3). The door (1) comprises a frame assembly (4) which holds the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3). A lower end (3a) of the rear glass pane (3) is releasably held in a first recess (5) of the frame assembly (4) (Figs. 1 to 9).

In the door (1) of the present invention, the frame assembly (4) comprises a detachable decorative cover element (6) which has a snap fit portion (7a) for attachment/detachment thereof and a flange (8) for concealing and immovably holding an upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3). In the door (1) of the present invention, the frame assembly (4) further comprises one or more than one fixed coupling element (9) which has a counterpart snap fit portion (7b) for deattachably attaching to the snap fit portion (7b) of the cover element (6) (Figs. 1 to 9). When the cover element (6) is attached to the coupling element (9), an upper end (3b) of the rear glass plane (3) is concealed and immovably held by the flange (8) (Figs. 1 to 2 and Figs. 6 to 9). When the cover element (6) is detached from the coupling element (9), the upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3) is released from the frame assembly (4) (Figs. 3 to 5).

In an embodiment, the snap fit portion (7a) and the counterpart snap fit portion (7b) are configured to detach from each other when the cover element (6) is moved away from the coupling element (9) along a longitudinal direction (z) of the rear glass pane (3) (Figs. 3 to 5).

In another embodiment, the coupling element (9) has a first abutment (10) onto which an upper end (3b) of the rear glass plane (3) is releasably seated (Figs. 6 to 9). In this embodiment, the first abutment (10) is configured to block a movement of the rear glass pane (3) along its longitudinal direction (z). Thereby, the rear glass pane (3) can be firmly secured at its position despite of any excessive mechanical stress generated during the opening/closing of the door (1).

In another embodiment, the door (1) further comprises a releasable inner glass pane (11) which is arranged between the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3) (Figs. 1 to 9). In this embodiment, a lower end (11a) of the inner glass pane (11) is releasably held in a second recess (12) of the frame assembly (4) (Figs. 6 and 8). Once the rear glass pane (3) has been removed, the user can also remove the inner glass pane (11) for cleaning. In this embodiment, the cover element (6) conceals an upper end (11b) of the inner glass pane (11) (Figs. 7 and 9). In this embodiment, the coupling element (9) has a second abutment (13) onto which an upper end (11b) of the inner glass pane (11) is releasably seated (Figs. 7 and 9). In addition, the second abutment (13) is configured to block a movement of the inner glass pane (11) along its longitudinal direction (z) (Figs. 7 and 9). Thereby, the inner glass pane (11) can be firmly secured at its position despite of any excessive mechanical stress generated during the opening/closing of the door (1).

In this embodiment, the cover element (6) has a spacer (14) which secures a predetermined distance between the inner glass pane (11) and the rear glass pane (3) (Fig. 7).

In another embodiment, the frame assembly (4) further comprises two support elements (15) which respectively support lateral sides of the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3) (Figs. 3 and 4). In this embodiment, one coupling element (9) is fixed to each support element (15) (Figs. 4 and 5). In a version of this embodiment, the support (15) has a ventilation opening. In another version of this embodiment, the support (15) is provided in form of a metal profile.

In another embodiment, each coupling element (9) is fixed to the support element (15) by a screw (16a) (Figs. 5, 7 and 9).

In another embodiment, the frame assembly (4) further comprises two hinge elements (17) which are respectively mounted to the support elements (15) (Figs. 1 to 4, Figs. 6 and 8). In a version of this embodiment, the hinge element (17) is inserted into an open-end of the respective support (15).

In another embodiment, the first recess (5) is formed on the two hinge elements (17) (Figs. 4, 6 and 8). In a version of this embodiment, the first recess (5) extends in a longitudinal direction (z) and a transverse direction so as to accommodate the lower corners of the rear glass pane (3).

In another embodiment, the frame assembly further comprises a reinforcement bracket (18) which is connected across the two hinge elements (17) (Figs. 1 to 3). In this embodiment, the second recess (12) is formed into the reinforcement bracket (18) (Figs. 6 and 8).

In another embodiment, the door (1) comprises a handle element (19) (Figs. 5 to 9). In this embodiment, the handle element (19) and the coupling element (9) are fixed to one another by a common screw (16b) which penetrates through a hole (20) which is formed into the front glass pane (2) (Fig. 5). In this embodiment, the front glass pane (2) is sandwiched by the coupling element (9) and the handle element (19).

In another embodiment, the front glass pane (2) is secured to the frame assembly (4) by an adhesive.

In another embodiment, the coupling element (9) and the cover element (6) are made of a heat resistant plastic material.

In another embodiment, the cover element (6) has one or more than one reinforcement projection (21) which abuts against a front surface of the upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3) (Fig. 3).

In another embodiment, the cover element (6) has one or more than one grip element (22) to facilitate manual detachment thereof (Fig. 2).

The present invention also provides an oven (not shown), in particular a built-in oven. The oven of the present invention comprises a cooking chamber and the door (1) which is pivotably arranged to open/close the cooking chamber.

The door (1) of the present invention is not limited to be used in an oven but is also intended for use in other household appliances.

With the present invention, the rear glass pane (3) and subsequently the inner glass pane (11) can be easily disassembled and reliably reassembled even by a user with ordinary skill. With the door (1) of the present invention, a consumer satisfaction can be further increased.

Claims

A door (1) for use in an oven, the door (1) comprising a front glass pane (2) and a releasable rear glass pane (3), a frame assembly (4) which holds the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3), wherein a lower end (3a) of the rear glass pane (3) is releasably held in a first recess (5) of the frame assembly (4),

characterized in that the frame assembly (4) further comprises

- a detachable decorative cover element (6) which has a snap fit portion (7a) for attachment/detachment thereof and a flange (8) for concealing and immovably holding an upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3) and

- one or more than one fixed coupling element (9) which has a counterpart snap fit portion (7b) for deattachably attaching to the snap fit portion (7b) of the cover element (6), wherein when the cover element (6) is attached to the coupling element (9), an upper end (3b) of the rear glass plane (3) is concealed and immovably held by the flange (8) and when the cover element (6) is detached from the coupling element (9), the upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3) is released from the frame assembly (4).
The door (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the snap fit portion (7a) and the counterpart snap fit portion (7b) are configured to detach from each other when the cover element (6) is moved away from the coupling element (9) along a longitudinal direction (z) of the rear glass pane (3).
The door according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling element (9) has a first abutment (10) onto which an upper end (3b) of the rear glass plane (3) is releasably seated, wherein the first abutment (10) is configured to block a movement of the rear glass pane (3) along its longitudinal direction (z).
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a releasable inner glass pane (11) which is arranged between the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3), wherein a lower end (11a) of the inner glass pane (11) is releasably held in a second recess (12) of the frame assembly (4), wherein the cover element (6) conceals an upper end (11b) of the inner glass pane (11), wherein the coupling element (9) has a second abutment (13) onto which an upper end (11b) of the inner glass pane (11) is releasably seated, wherein the second abutment (13) is configured to block a movement of the inner glass pane (11) along its longitudinal direction (z), and wherein the cover element (6) has a spacer (14) which secures a predetermined distance between the inner glass pane (11) and the rear glass pane (3).
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame assembly (4) further comprises two support elements (15) which respectively support lateral sides of the front glass pane (2) and the rear glass pane (3), wherein one coupling element (9) is fixed to each support element (15).
The door (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each coupling element (9) is fixed to the support element (15) by a screw (16a).
The door (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the frame assembly (4) further comprises two hinge elements (17) which are respectively mounted to the support elements (15).
The door (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first recess (5) is formed into the two hinge elements (17).
The door (1) according to claim 7 or 8, where dependent on claim 4, characterized in that the frame assembly (4) further comprises a reinforcement bracket (18) which is mounted across the two hinge elements (17), wherein the second recess (12) is formed into the reinforcement bracket (18).
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a handle element (19), wherein the handle element (19) and the coupling element (9) are fixed to one another by a common screw (16b) which penetrates through a hole (20) which is formed into the front glass pane (2).
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the front glass pane (2) is secured to the frame assembly (4) by an adhesive.
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the coupling element (9) and the cover element (6) are made of a heat resistant plastic material.
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the cover element (6) has one or more than one reinforcement projection (21) which abuts against a front surface of the upper end (3b) of the rear glass pane (3).
The door (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the cover element (6) has one or more than one grip element (22) which facilitates manual detachment thereof.
An oven comprising a chamber for cooking, baking, and grilling food, characterized in that a door (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the door (1) is pivotably arranged to open/close the chamber.