Food oven

Abstract

A food oven comprising: a muffle (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and configured to define a cooking chamber (6); the muffle (2) having an edge (7) configured to define an opening (8) for accessing the cooking chamber (6); the opening (8) extending around the longitudinal axis (A); a front panel (13) coupled to the muffle (2) and configured to surround the opening (8) of the muffle (2); and at least one sealing element (4); the front panel (13) and the muffle (2) being shaped to define a recess (16) around the opening (8) of the muffle (2) and configured to house the at least one sealing element (4); the recess (16) being defined by a back wall (18), a first side wall (19) located proximal to the opening (8) and a second side wall (20) located distal to the opening (8); the first side wall (19) having an axial height (A1) lower than an axial height (A2) of the second side wall (20).

Description

[0001] Citations of relevant applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000017299, filed on July 16, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a food oven.

[0004] The technical field of this invention is ovens (household and professional ovens) for cooking and / or heating food, without being limited to the type of cooking and / or heating. In this sense, the oven according to the invention can be an electric oven, a gas oven, a steam or humidified cooking oven, a microwave oven, or a hybrid oven with various cooking modes. Background Technology

[0005] As is well known, household or professional ovens used for cooking and / or heating food include a specific internal structure, referred to in the art as a muffle oven, which defines a cooking chamber. An outer frame exists outside the muffle oven, and all means for the oven to function properly are located between the muffle oven and this outer frame. The oven is also provided with a door for selectively closing the cooking chamber. As is known, the door is movable between a first position, in which the door closes the cooking chamber to reduce the dissipation of cooking heat, and in the second position, the door allows the user access to the cooking chamber.

[0006] During cooking with the door closed, it is crucial to prevent heat and fluid from escaping from the cooking chamber to the outside. For this purpose, known types of ovens are equipped with sealing systems that limit the leakage of heat and fluid from the cooking chamber.

[0007] However, depending on the type of cooking and / or heating the oven is used, the sealing systems available to date differ from one another, and furthermore, different structural requirements necessitate different oven designs. This leads to high industrialization and production costs for food ovens. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a food oven that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art highlighted herein; in particular, the object of the present invention is to manufacture a food oven that, both from a functional point of view and a structural point of view, allows for overcoming the above-mentioned prominent disadvantages in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0009] For these purposes, the present invention relates to a food oven, comprising:

[0010] a muffle extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to define a cooking chamber; the muffle has a rim configured to define an opening for accessing the cooking chamber; the opening extends around the longitudinal axis;

[0011] a front panel coupled to the muffle and configured to surround the opening of the muffle;

[0012] at least one sealing element;

[0013] the front panel and the muffle are shaped to define a recess around the opening of the muffle and configured to house the at least one sealing element; the recess is defined by a back wall, a first side wall adjacent to the opening and a second side wall distal from the opening; the first side wall has an axial height lower than the axial height of the second side wall.

[0014] The food oven according to the present invention advantageously has a structure compatible with all different types of heating. In particular, the recess is shaped to house all types of sealing elements according to the heating technology used.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first side wall is defined by the rim of the muffle, the second side wall is defined by a recess of the front panel, and the muffle and the front panel are coupled along the back wall of the recess, preferably by welding.

[0016] In this way, the coupling area between the muffle and the front panel is strategically positioned along the back wall of the recess, which is protected in use by the sealing element.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rim of the muffle comprises a ruffle having a circular cross-sectional profile. In this way, the rim of the muffle can be uniformly enamelled.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the oven comprises a fixing device configured to fix the at least one sealing element in the recess. Preferably, the fixing device comprises a plurality of holes formed along the back wall of the recess and a plurality of fastening elements configured to engage the respective holes. In this way, the sealing element is firmly fixed in the recess and ensures the seal during use.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at least one sealing element comprises a main body shaped to engage the recess, a first sealing strip projecting from the main body to abut with the door of the oven, and at least one second sealing strip projecting from the main body to substantially cover one ruffle of the rim of the muffle.

[0020] Preferably, the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip project from a corner portion of the main body, which projects from the first side wall of the recess.

[0021] In this way, the sealing element can ensure the seal against microwaves and against steam.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present application, the recess is shaped so as to comprise a rounded edge. In this way, the recess can be uniformly and durably applied with enamel.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present application, the edge of the muffle defines a first face facing the recess, a second face facing the opening, and a ruffle connecting the first face and the second face; the distance between the first face and the second face is within an optimal range. In this way, the distance between the sealing element and the opening of the muffle is optimized for sealing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] Further features and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following description of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present application, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a food oven according to the present application, with some parts removed for the sake of clarity;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic front view of a first detail of the oven of Figure 1 , with some parts removed for the sake of clarity;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second detail of the oven of Figure 1 , with some parts removed for the sake of clarity;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second detail of Figure 3 , with some parts removed for the sake of clarity, in which some geometric parameters are highlighted;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second detail of Figure 3 , in a particular operating configuration, with some parts removed for the sake of clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In Figure 1 , a food oven 1 according to an embodiment of the present application is partially shown.

[0031] The oven 1 comprises a muffle 2 extending along a longitudinal axis A, a frame 3 (only partially visible), at least one sealing element 4, and a door (not shown in the drawings).

[0032] The muffle 2 is configured so as to define a cooking chamber 6 and has a peripheral edge 7. The edge 7 is configured so as to define an opening 8 for accessing the cooking chamber 6. The opening extends substantially around the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the opening 8 extends along a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis A.

[0033] In particular, the muffle 2 comprises a bottom wall 9, a back wall 10, a top wall 11 and two side walls 12a and 12b. The back wall 10 is substantially orthogonal to the axis A and is arranged opposite the opening 8 along the longitudinal axis A. The bottom wall 9 is arranged opposite the top wall 11 with respect to the longitudinal axis A. The side walls 12a and 12b are arranged opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis A and extend between the bottom wall 9 and the top wall 11.

[0034] The bottom wall 9, the back wall 10, the top wall 11 and the side walls 12a and 12b are mutually connected to each other or are made in a single piece directly. Preferably, the bottom wall 9, the back wall 10, the top wall 11 and the side walls 12a and 12b of the muffle 2 are defined by a deep-drawn metal sheet.

[0035] The side walls 12a and 12b of the muffle 2 comprise supports or guides (not shown for simplicity) configured to support at least one shelf to divide the cooking chamber into sub-chambers. As known, such a shelf allows to simultaneously cook multiple dishes or, if for example there are resistors for a specific type of cooking, to move the dishes closer to the top wall.

[0036] The frame 3 surrounds the muffle 2 and comprises a front panel 13 and other structural elements coupled to each other, not shown in the attached figures for simplicity. In the gap between the muffle 1 and the frame 3, there are housed devices indicated for the correct functioning of the oven 1. Since the present invention is independent of the type of cooking provided by the oven 1, in Figure 1 , the heating devices and the remaining structural elements of the frame 3 are not properly shown.

[0037] The front panel 13 is coupled to the muffle 2 and is configured to surround the opening 8 of the muffle 2. In particular, the front panel 13 is provided with an opening 14 sized to house the muffle 2 and such that the front panel 13 surrounds the opening 8 of the muffle 2.

[0038] With reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the front panel 13 and the muffle 2 are shaped to define a recess 16 which surrounds the opening 8 of the muffle 2 and is configured to house the sealing element 4.

[0039] With reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the recess 16 has a substantially U-shaped cross section and is defined by a back wall 18, by a first side wall 19 arranged proximal to the opening 8 of the muffle 2 and by a second side wall 20 arranged distal to the opening 8 of the muffle 2.

[0040] The back wall 18 is arranged substantially orthogonal to the axis A.

[0041] The first side wall 19 and the second side wall 20 extend parallel to the axis A.

[0042] The first side wall 19 has an axial height Al lower than an axial height A2 of the second side wall 20. The height is understood as being a dimension along the axis A and thus a dimension along a direction orthogonal to the back wall 18 of the recess 16.

[0043] In particular, the difference between the axial height A2 of the second side wall 20 and the axial height Al of the first side wall 19 is preferably at least 1 mm.

[0044] Preferably, the axial height A2 of the second side wall is at least 8 mm.

[0045] The back wall 18 preferably has a length L, understood as being a dimension along a direction orthogonal to the axis A, of at least 10 mm.

[0046] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the first side wall 19 is part of a muffle 2 and the second side wall 20 is part of a front panel 13. The front panel 13 and the muffle 2 are coupled to each other along the back wall 18 of the recess 16, preferably by welding.

[0047] With reference to Figure 3 , the first side wall 19 is defined by an edge 7 of the muffle 2. The second side wall 20 is defined by a recess 22 of the front panel 13.

[0048] The edge 7 of the muffle 2 is essentially defined by the folding of the sheet material that defines the bottom wall 9, the back wall 10, the top wall 11 and the side walls 12a and 12b.

[0049] Preferably, the edge 7 of the muffle 2 is shaped so as to define an essentially rectangular or square opening 8 without sharp edges.

[0050] In other words, the edge 7 of the muffle 2 is shaped so that the opening 8 has rounded vertices 24.

[0051] With reference to Figure 2 , along a plane orthogonal to the axis A, the edge 7 is curved at the vertices 24 of the opening 8. Preferably, along a plane orthogonal to the axis A and at the vertices 24 of the opening 8, the edge 7 has a radius of curvature RV preferably of at least 25 mm.

[0052] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , along a section parallel to the longitudinal axis A, the edge 7 of the muffle 2 defines a hem 25 preferably having a circular cross-sectional profile.

[0053] With reference to Figure 4The edge 7 of the muffle 2 defines a first face 26 facing the recess 16, a second face 27 facing the opening 8, and a strip 29 extending from the first face 26, which is preferably orthogonal to the first face 26. The hem 25 connects the first face 26 and the second face 27.

[0054] Preferably, the distance D between the first face 26 and the second face 27 is within an optimal range.

[0055] Preferably, the cross-sectional profile of the hem 25 is a substantially asymmetric circular profile having a first side 31 having a first radius of curvature and a second side 32 having a second radius of curvature different from the first radius of curvature. In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the first side 31 abuts the second face 26 and substantially faces the recess 16, while the second side 32 abuts the second face 27 and faces the opening 8.

[0056] The first face 26 substantially defines the face of the first side wall 19 of the recess 16.

[0057] The radius of curvature R1 of the first side 31 is preferably smaller than the radius of curvature R2 of the second side 32.

[0058] Preferably, the second side 32 has a radius of curvature R2 of at least 2 mm, while the first side 31 has a radius of curvature R1 of at least 1 mm.

[0059] A variant, not illustrated, provides that the circular cross-sectional profile of the edge 7 is symmetric and therefore the first side and the second side have the same radius of curvature.

[0060] The strip 29 extends orthogonally from the first face 26. Preferably, the junction 36 between the strip 29 and the first face 26 is circular. In particular, the junction 36 is concave and has a radius of curvature RB greater than 1 mm.

[0061] With reference to Figure 2 The recess 22 of the front panel 13 follows the shape of the edge 7 so that the recess 16 has a constant size, in particular a constant width, along the path around the opening 8.

[0062] Therefore, it is also curved at the vertex 24 of the opening 8 along a plane orthogonal to the axis A. Preferably, at the vertex 24 of the opening 8 and along the plane orthogonal to the axis A, the recess 22 of the front panel 13 has the same radius of curvature as the edge 7.

[0063] With reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4The front panel 13 comprises a support face 37 and a recess 22, which, in use, defines a support surface for the door of the oven 1. The support face 37 extends along a plane and the recess 22 defines a portion of the front panel 13 which is set back with respect to this plane towards the rear wall 10 of the muffle 2.

[0064] The recess 22 is shaped so as to define a side face 38 orthogonal to the support face 37 and a strip 40 orthogonal to the side face 38. The strip 40 is therefore substantially parallel to the support face 37.

[0065] The side face 38 substantially defines the second side wall 20 of the recess 16.

[0066] The recess 22 defines an edge 42 between the support face 37 and the side face 38. Preferably, the edge 42 is rounded. Preferably, the edge 42 is convex and has a radius of curvature RS greater than 1 mm.

[0067] Preferably, the connection 41 between the strip 40 and the side face 38 is rounded. In particular, the connection 41 between the strip 40 and the side face 38 is concave and has a radius of curvature RL greater than 1 mm.

[0068] Preferably, the front panel 13 is made in a single piece.

[0069] The strip 29 of the muffle 2 and the strip 40 of the front panel 13 overlap and are coupled to each other, preferably by welding.

[0070] In other words, the rear wall 18 of the recess 16 is defined by the at least partially overlapping strip 29 and strip 40.

[0071] Essentially, the recess 16 defined by the muffle 2 and by the front panel 13 has no sharp edges. In fact, all the edges of the recess 16 are rounded.

[0072] Preferably, the rear wall 18 is provided with a plurality of coupling elements (visible only in Figure 2 ) configured to cooperate with corresponding further coupling elements of the sealing element 4.

[0073] In the non-limiting example described and illustrated herein, the coupling elements are through holes formed along the rear wall 18 and are configured to cooperate with the pins 43 Figure 5 ) to fix the sealing element 4 to the recess 16.

[0074] According to a variant not illustrated, the coupling holes 42 cooperate with hook elements.

[0075] Preferably, the coupling elements are arranged equidistantly along the rear wall 18.

[0076] The recess 16 shaped and sized in this way can be subjected to an enamelling process. This is usually adopted in order to cover only the face of the muffle 2 facing the cooking chamber 6. The particular shape of the recess 16 further allows a uniform and lasting enamelling to be obtained. This increases the reliability of the oven 1.

[0077] In Figure 5 , a sealing element 4 according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0078] In particular, Figure 5 The sealing element 4 shown is a sealing element preferably suitable for ovens able to generate three different heating modes that can be combined with each other (by means of resistors, by means of steam and by means of microwaves).

[0079] The sealing element 4 is provided with a main body 45 shaped to engage with the recess 16. In particular, the main body 45 is housed in the recess 16 so as to be arranged against the side walls 19 and 20 and has a corner portion 47 that protrudes from the first side wall 19 of the recess 16. The sealing element 4 comprises a first strip 48 that protrudes from the corner portion 47 towards the door and a second strip 49 that protrudes from the corner portion 47 so as to substantially cover the hem 25 of the edge 7 of the muffle 2.

[0080] The sealing element 4 is fixed to the rear wall 18 of the recess 16 by means of a pin 43 that engages the coupling hole 42 of the rear wall 18.

[0081] The sealing element 4 made in this way ensures the best sealing of the microwaves, while ensuring the best sealing of the steam.

[0082] It should be understood that the recess 16 is shaped to house different types of sealing elements and is suitable for ovens able to generate other different heating modes.

[0083] For example, in the recess 16 it is possible to house a sealing element made especially for a microwave oven (not shown) shaped so as to protrude slightly from the plane defined by the bearing face 37, thus allowing the door to effectively generate a seal against the electromagnetic radiation in the cooking chamber 6.

[0084] Alternatively, in the recess 16 it is possible to house a sealing element made for a traditional oven provided only with resistors (not shown) for heating, which have a protruding lip so as to be arranged against the door in use.

[0085] Another alternative, not shown, provides a tubular sealing element made of braided glass fibre (suitable for pyrolytic temperatures) housed in the recess 16. The diameter and deformability of the sealing element made in this way define the correct abutment against the door and the correct distance from the bearing face.

[0086] Another alternative, not shown, provides a sealing element specifically designed for steam ovens (pure and / or combined) having at least one steam sealing lip housed in the recess 16.

[0087] Essentially, the recess 16 shaped according to the present application allows to house different types of sealing elements without the need for any structural adjustment operations of the muffle 2 and / or of the frame 3.

[0088] Finally, it is clear that modifications and variants can be made to the oven described herein without departing from the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A food oven comprising: - a muffle (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and configured to define a cooking chamber (6); said muffle (2) having a rim (7) configured to define an opening (8) for accessing said cooking chamber (6); said opening (8) extending around said longitudinal axis (A); - a front panel (13) coupled to said muffle (2) and configured to surround said opening (8) of said muffle (2); - at least one sealing element (4); said front panel (13) and said muffle (2) being shaped to define a recess (16) surrounding said opening (8) of said muffle (2) and configured to house said at least one sealing element (4); said recess (16) being defined by a back wall (18), a first lateral wall (19) located proximal to said opening (8) and a second lateral wall (20) located distal to said opening (8); said first lateral wall (19) having an axial height (Al) lower than an axial height (A2) of said second lateral wall (20), said first lateral wall (19) being defined by said rim (7) of said muffle (2), and wherein said second lateral wall (20) is defined by a recess (22) of said front panel (13).

2. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said muffle (2) and said front panel (13) being coupled along said back wall (18) of said recess (16).

3. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said muffle (2) and said front panel (13) being joined together by welding.

4. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said rim (7) of said muffle (2) comprising a ruffle (25) having a circular cross- sectional profile.

5. The food oven according to claim 1, comprising fixing means (42; 43) configured to fix said at least one sealing element (4) in said recess (16).

6. The food oven of claim 5, wherein, said fixing means comprising a plurality of holes (42) made along said back wall (18) of said recess (16) and a plurality of fastening elements (43) configured to engage respective holes (42).

7. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said at least one sealing element (4) comprising a main body (45) shaped to engage said recess (16).

8. The food oven of claim 7, wherein, said at least one sealing element (4) comprising at least one first sealing strip (48; 49) protruding from said main body (45).

9. The food oven of claim 8, wherein, said at least one sealing element (4) comprising at least one second sealing strip (49) protruding from said main body (45).

10. The food oven of claim 9, wherein, said first sealing strip (48) and said second sealing strip (49) protruding from a corner portion (47) of said main body (45), said corner portion protruding from said first lateral wall (19) of said recess (16).

11. The food oven of claim 10, wherein, said second sealing strip being arranged so as to substantially cover one ruffle (25) of said rim (7) of said muffle (2).

12. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said recess (16) being shaped to comprise a rounded rim (41, 42, 31, 32, 36).

13. The food oven of claim 1, wherein, said back wall (18) being arranged substantially orthogonal to said longitudinal axis (A).

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