Cooking Device with Ventilation and Filtration System

Abstract

A cooking device with a ventilation and filtration system is disclosed that may be a mobile cart. The ventilation and filtration system provides removal of heated and effluent-laden air from the vicinity of the cooking device utilizing a manually telescoping vent having a handle for positioning the vent. The telescoping vent piece may be easily manually removable and reattachable for cleaning. Further, the downdraft ventilator is in communication with a filtration and effluent removal system that may have one or more filters and may also have a drip tray.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 439,635 filed on Feb. 4, 2011.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention pertains to the art of cooking appliances and, more particularly, to a cooking appliance with a ventilation system, such as an adjustable vent and a corresponding filtration system.[0004]2. Discussion of the Related Art[0005]While cooking, it is often considered beneficial to utilize some type of ventilation system to evacuate the airborne contamination and heated air from the vicinity of the cook top, oven, or other cooking device, either upward through a venting hood or downward into a draft flue. In kitchens, most known venting arrangements take the form of a hood which is fixed above a cooking surface and which can be selectively activated to evacuate the contaminated air.[0006]Downdraft vent arrangements are also widely known in the art ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]The present invention relates to a mobile or stationary cooking device with a ventilation and filtration system that preferably a) removes heated air, effluents, and contaminants from the cooking environment, b) provides a filtration system that removes the effluents and contaminants from the air, and c) provides easily accessible and easily cleanable or replaceable ventilation and filtration system components. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved cooking device having a manually adjustable vent to optimize the removal of said contaminants and heated air that is easily manually removable for cleaning, and easily reinstalled. In particular, easy access is provided for removal and replacement of filter components and a drip tray for catching grease and other liquids and solids.

Problems solved by technology

When in an operating position, downdraft vent arrangements known in the art are also limited in this respect.

Present downdraft ventilator designs also present problems when integrated into a cook top.

Because of the low profile, spilled food and liquids can enter the grate and removal of the items that are not captured by the filter cannot be removed easily.

Images