Double-door oven

Abstract

A cooking appliance includes: a housing having an internal compartment; a divider positionable within the interior compartment for dividing the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity; a first heating element, wherein the first heating element is configured to heat the first oven cavity; and a second element configured to heat the second oven cavity. The divider is at least one of retractable and / or removable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to cooking appliances, and more particularly to a bread oven having a variety of different cooking configurations. Background Art

[0002] There are various bread ovens for heating and cooking various foods. For example, existing bread ovens are used to toast bagels, heat sandwiches, bake desserts, roast meats, and reheat leftovers. Heating and cooking these foods are usually achieved by operating upper and lower heating elements within the bread oven and controlling the temperature and time of these heating elements through a user interface or control panel.

[0003] While existing bread ovens are generally adequate for average performance, there is room for improvement in terms of ease of use, performance, cooking capacity, and cleanability.

[0004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a bread oven that can be selectively configured to provide a variety of different oven cavity configurations. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cooking appliance having a plurality of different oven cavity configurations.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a cooking appliance in the form of a bread oven having a plurality of different oven cavity configurations.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an oven having double doors for access to the oven cavity.

[0008] The present invention achieves these and other objects.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a cooking appliance includes: a housing having an interior compartment; a divider positionable within the interior compartment for dividing the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity; a first heating element configured to heat the first oven cavity; and a second element configured to heat the second oven cavity. The divider is at least one of retractable and / or removable.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a cooking appliance having a housing and an interior compartment is provided. The method includes the steps of: deploying a divider into the interior compartment to divide the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity; activating a first cooking mode to heat the first oven cavity to a first temperature; and activating a second cooking mode to heat the second oven cavity to a second temperature different from the first temperature.

[0011] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a cooking appliance includes: a housing having an interior compartment; a plurality of heating elements within the interior compartment; a first door enclosing a first portion of the interior compartment; and a second door enclosing a second portion of the interior compartment. The first door and the second door are configured such that in a first mode, the first door and the second door can be opened simultaneously by applying an opening force on only one of the first door and the second door, and in a second mode, one of the first door and the second door can be opened while the other of the first door and the second door is maintained in a closed position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the appliance in a single compartment configuration.

[0014] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the cooking appliance of , showing the appliance in a single compartment configuration with the door open.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of a cooking appliance showing the appliance in a dual configuration.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the cooking appliance of , showing the appliance in a dual compartment configuration with the door open.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the cooking appliance of , showing the appliance in a dual compartment configuration with the left door open.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Another perspective view of the cooking appliance of , showing the appliance in a dual compartment configuration with the right door open.

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a cooking appliance showing the insertion of a divider into an interior compartment to create two discrete compartments.

[0020] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A perspective cross-sectional view of a cooking appliance.

[0021] Fig. 9 yes Figure 1A cross-sectional top view of a cooking appliance showing the upper heating element and convection fan assembly of the first compartment and the second compartment.

[0022] Fig.10 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional top view of a cooking appliance showing the first compartment and the lower heating element of the second compartment.

[0023] Fig.11 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a divider of a cooking appliance.

[0024] Fig.12 is used with Figure 1 A perspective view of an alternative divider for use with a cooking appliance.

[0025] Fig.13 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a cooking appliance of Fig.12 Alternative separators.

[0026] Fig.14 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a cooking appliance showing Fig.12 The replacement divider is moved to the extended position.

[0027] Fig.15 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a portion of a cooking appliance showing the double compartment forming the Fig.12 Alternative separators.

[0028] Fig.16 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of the doors of a cooking appliance showing the doors engaged with each other.

[0029] Fig.17 yes Figure 1 Rear perspective view of a door of a cooking appliance.

[0030] Fig.18 yes Figure 1 Another rear perspective view of the door of the cooking appliance showing the internal components of the handle.

[0031] Fig.19 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the left side door of a cooking appliance showing its locking bolt in an extended position.

[0032] Fig. 20 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the left side door of a cooking appliance showing its locking bolt in a retracted position.

[0033] Fig.21 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the right side door of a cooking appliance showing its locking bolt in an extended position.

[0034] Fig. 22 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the right side door of a cooking appliance showing its locking bolt in a retracted position.

[0035] Fig.23 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a cooking appliance door handle showing the internal components of the handle.

[0036] Fig.24 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance having an alternative door locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig.25 yes Fig.24 A front perspective view of a door of a cooking appliance showing the internal components of the handle and the locking bolt in a retracted position.

[0038] Fig.26 yes Fig.24 A front perspective view of a door of a cooking appliance showing the internal components of the handle and the locking bolt in an extended position.

[0039] Fig. 27 yes Fig.24 Another rear perspective view of the door of the cooking appliance.

[0040] Fig.28 yes Fig.24 A front perspective view of a locking mechanism of a door of a cooking appliance.

[0041] Fig.29 yes Fig.24 A rear perspective view of a locking mechanism of a door of a cooking appliance.

[0042] Fig.30 yes Fig.24 An exploded perspective view of a handle of a door of a cooking appliance.

[0043] Fig.31 is a perspective view of a cooking appliance having an alternative door configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Fig.32 yes Fig.31 A perspective view of a cooking appliance showing the door in an open position and having a single cavity configuration.

[0045] Fig.33 yes Fig.31 A perspective view of a cooking appliance showing the door in an open position and having a dual cavity configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] refer to Figure 1-10 , shows a cooking device 10 (also referred to herein as a double door oven 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cooking device 10 is generally in the form of a bread oven having an insulated housing 12 defining an interior heating compartment 14. The interior compartment 14 is accessed through a first door 16 and a second door 18, each door having a transparent front panel 20, 22 and a handle 24, 26 positioned along an upper edge of each door. In an embodiment, the doors 16, 18 are pivotally connected to the housing 12 at their lower edges and can be opened and closed relative to the housing 12 via rotation of the doors 16, 18 about hinges at their lower edges. Figure 2 In the open position shown in , access to the interior compartment 14 is provided. Figure 1-7 As further shown in FIG. 1 , a plurality of feet 28 support the housing 12 in a spaced relationship relative to a countertop or other surface. The front of the housing 12 includes a control panel 30 forming a user interface (including, for example, a graphical display, such as an LCD, and an array of user controls, such as buttons, switches, and / or knobs for selecting one or more programmed cooking modes and / or for manually selecting one or more cooking parameters).

[0047] refer to Figure 8 In an embodiment, the cooking device 10 includes a lower groove or rail 32 at the bottom of the interior compartment 14 and extending from the front of the housing 12 to the rear of the housing 12, and an upper groove or rail 34 at the top of the interior compartment 14 and extending from the front of the housing 12 to the rear of the housing 12. The lower rail 32 and the upper rail 34 are aligned in the vertical direction. Figure 8 As further shown in the cooking apparatus 10, the cooking apparatus 10 includes a divider 36 that is removably received within the upper and lower rails 32, 34. The divider 36, when received in the upper and lower rails 32, 34, is used to divide the interior compartment 14 into a first (or left) compartment 38 and a second (or right) compartment 40. In an embodiment, the width of the first compartment 38 and the second compartment 40 generally corresponds to the width of the doors 16, 18. In an embodiment, the cooking appliance 10 may include a sensor or other detection device (not shown) for detecting when the divider 26 is received within the interior compartment 14 and for transmitting this condition to the controller. In an embodiment, the divider 36 may be thermally insulated.

[0048] like Figure 8As best shown in FIG. 1 , the interior compartment 14 of the cooking appliance 10 includes a first lower heating element 42 and a second lower heating element 44 associated with the first compartment 38 and the second compartment 40, respectively. The interior compartment 14 is also provided with a pair of upper heating elements (heating elements 46, 48 and 58, 60) associated with each of the first compartment 38 and the second compartment 40, respectively. In an embodiment, the heating elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 58, 60 may be any type of heating element known in the art, such as Heating element (e.g. stainless steel Heating elements), although any other type of heating elements known in the art, such as quartz, infrared, tungsten, halogen, etc., may also be utilized without departing from the broader aspects of the present invention. In an embodiment, each compartment 38, 40 may also include a convection fan assembly 50, 52, which is mounted in the housing 12 above the left compartment 38 and the right compartment 40, respectively, for generating convection air to be circulated in the left compartment 38 and the right compartment 40. In an embodiment, each convection fan assembly 50, 52 may include a motor and a fan or impeller drivingly connected to the motor.

[0049] In an embodiment, heating elements 42, 44, 46, 58 are generally rectangular in shape / configuration, while heating elements 48, 60 are generally circular in shape / configuration and are closely associated with the air inlets of convection fan assemblies 50, 52 (eg, Fig. 9 ), so that the air entering the first and second compartments 38, 40 from the convection fan assemblies 50, 52 passes through the heating elements 48, 60 and is heated as it enters the left and right compartments 38, 40. Figure 8 As additionally shown in FIG. 1 , each compartment 38 , 40 may also include a removable crumb tray 54 , 56 slidably received within the housing 12 at the bottom of each compartment 38 , 40 .

[0050] In an embodiment, the user interface 30 is electrically connected to the heating elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 58, 60 and the convection fan assembly 50, 52, and is configured to control the operation of the heating elements and the convection fan assembly. In particular, the user interface 30 includes a microprocessor (not shown) and a control circuit, which is configured to control the heating elements and the convection fan assembly according to user input and according to a control algorithm stored in a memory. In an embodiment, each of the heating elements 42, 44, 46, 48, 58, 60 can be independently controlled by the microprocessor and the control circuit. In another embodiment, the heating elements of the first compartment 38 can be controlled independently of the heating elements of the second compartment 40, and vice versa. In yet another embodiment, the entire array of heating elements can be collectively controlled as a group.

[0051] In an embodiment, the opposing inner side walls of the cooking appliance 10 have rails or grooves that slidably receive one or more horizontal shelves 62 or cooking baskets, such as Figure 1 and 2 Similarly, Fig.11 As shown in the embodiment, opposite sides of the divider 36 are configured with one or more slots, such as slots 64, 66, 68, which correspond to the slots in the inner side wall spaced from the bottom of the appliance 10. These slots enable one or more racks or cooking baskets 70 to be slidably received by and supported in the left and right compartments 38 and 40, as shown in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 Best shown in .

[0052] Return to reference Figure 1 and 2 , in use, the divider 36 can be removed from the internal compartment 14 to provide a single large oven cavity / compartment. In this operating mode, all heating elements and / or convection fan assemblies can be collectively controlled and operated to perform one or more pre-programmed or manually selected / programmed cooking modes. However, the present invention is not intended to be so limited in this regard. In particular, it is envisioned that even if the divider 36 does not exist, the heating elements and convection fan assemblies can be independently controlled to provide various cooking functions. For example, one or more heating elements associated with the left compartment 38 can be operated at a different temperature, different duration or different operating mode (e.g., baking mode) from one or more heating elements associated with the right compartment 40 to provide different cooking zones or cooking functions in the same oven cavity. For example, one side of the oven can operate in a baking operating mode, while the other side of the oven can operate in a baking operating mode.

[0053] refer to Figure 3-7 , the divider 36 can be inserted into the lower rail 32 and the upper rail 34 to divide the internal compartment 14 into a left compartment 38 and a right compartment 40. In the inserted position, the divider 36 can be detected by a sensor or other detection device. Then, the left compartment 38 and the right compartment 40 can be operated as effectively separated ovens to perform one or more pre-programmed or manually selected / programmed cooking modes. In particular, in this configuration, the heating elements 42, 46, 48 and the convection fan assembly 50 of the left compartment 38 can be operated independently of the heating elements 44, 58, 60 and the convection fan assembly 52 of the right heating compartment 40. Therefore, the left compartment 38 and the right compartment 40 can be used to perform two different cooking modes or cooking functions (e.g., baking and roasting; roasting and convection cooking / air frying; baking at a first temperature in one compartment and baking at a second different temperature in another compartment).

[0054] Reference now Fig.12, an alternative divider 72 for use with the cooking appliance 10 is shown. Rather than a single flat body, the divider 72 includes a first body portion 74 and a second body portion 76 connected to the first body portion at a hinge 78. The divider 72 also includes a first hinge 82 or rod mounted adjacent to a free edge of the first body portion 74, and a second hinge 80 or rod mounted adjacent to a free edge of the second body portion 76. Fig.12 As shown in FIG, the divider 72 can thus be folded about the central hinge 78.

[0055] Now refer to Figure 13-15 The operation of the alternative divider 72 is disclosed. As shown in the figure, the second hinge or rod 80 of the second body portion 76 is mounted in a fixed position at the rear end of the upper slot 34 and the lower slot 32. The opposite distal ends of the first rod 82 are slidably received in the upper slot 34 and the lower slot 32 respectively. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the divider 72 can be folded and moved to a position where it lies flat against the rear wall of the interior compartment 14. In this stowed position, the cooking appliance 10 can be operated as a single large oven. Fig.14 When dual compartment operation is desired, the front edge of the first body portion 74 can be grasped and pulled forward; this movement causes the first rod 82 to slide forward within the slots 32, 34, thereby expanding the divider 72 to Fig.15 . Opposing upper and lower apertures (not shown) can hold the divider 72 in its extended / deployed position. In an embodiment, the rods 80, 82 can be spring biased so that the rods can be shortened against the spring bias, allowing the divider 72 to be removed from the compartment 14 for cleaning, etc.

[0056] Reference now Figure 16-23 , illustrates the configuration and operating mechanism of the doors 16, 18 of the cooking appliance 10. As shown in the figure, the handle 24, 26 of each door 16, 18 includes a corresponding release button 84, 86. In an embodiment, the release button 84, 86 is located on the rear surface of the handle 24, 26, although it is also contemplated that the release button 84, 86 can be located on the forward facing surface of the handle 24, 26. As described above, the doors 16, 18 are pivotally connected to the housing 12 of the cooking appliance 10 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 88, as shown in FIG. Fig.16 as shown in .

[0057] like Fig.19 and 20 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the button 84 of the left door 16 includes a button 84 biased to its extended position ( Fig.198, and an interior inclined surface 92, the purpose of which will be described below. The first spring bolt 94 extends laterally outward from the handle 24 through an opening therein toward the right door 18 and is connected to a linkage assembly 96 that extends inwardly within the handle toward the button 84. The linkage assembly 96 includes a protrusion 98 that interfaces with the inclined surface 92 of the button. As shown in the figure, a second compression spring 102 is installed in the handle 24 and interfaces with the linkage assembly 96 in a manner described below.

[0058] In operation, the first compression spring 90 biases the button 84 to its extended position, while the second compression spring 102 biases the linkage assembly 96, and therefore the first spring bolt 94, to its extended position, in which the distal end of the spring bolt 94 extends from the handle 24 toward the second door 18, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 As best shown in Fig. 20 As best shown in FIG. 1 , when the button 84 is depressed against the bias of the first compression spring 90, the inclined surface 92 acts on the projection 98 of the linkage assembly 96, driving the projection 98 and the linkage assembly 96 to the right against the bias of the second compression spring 102 as the projection 98 travels along the inclined surface 92. This movement of the linkage assembly 96 causes a corresponding movement of the first spring bolt 94, thereby retracting it into the handle 24, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 When the button 84 is released, the first compression spring 90 biases the button 84 to its extended position, while the second compression spring 102 biases the first spring bolt 94 to its extended position.

[0059] Return to reference Fig.17 The left door 16 also includes a shoulder 104 that forms a stop above the first spring bolt 94 and a notch 106 in the door 16 that is aligned with the shoulder 104, the purpose of which will be described below. A silicone flap 108 is positioned at the rear of the notch 106. The door 16 also includes a sealing element 110 that forms a seal with the second door 18 when the doors 16, 18 are in the closed position.

[0060] The configuration and operating mechanism of the right door 18 are similar to those of the left door 16. Fig.21 and 22 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the button 86 of the right door 18 includes a first compression spring 112 and an inner inclined surface 114 inside the button 86, wherein the first compression spring biases the button 86 to its extended position ( Fig.2186). A second spring bolt 116 extends laterally outward from the handle 26 through an opening therein toward the left door 16 and is connected to a linkage assembly 118 that extends inwardly within the handle toward the button 86. The linkage assembly 118 includes a protrusion 120 that interfaces with the inclined surface 114 of the button 86. As shown in the figure, a second compression spring 122 is mounted within the handle 26 and interfaces with the linkage assembly 118 in a manner described below.

[0061] In operation, the first compression spring 112 biases the button 86 to its extended position, while the second compression spring 122 biases the linkage assembly 118, and thus the first spring bolt 116, to its extended position, in which the distal end of the spring bolt 116 extends from the handle 26 toward the first door 16, as shown in FIG. Fig.21 As best shown in Fig. 22 As best shown in FIG. 1 , when the button 86 is depressed against the bias of the first compression spring 112, the inclined surface 114 acts on the projection 120 of the linkage assembly 118, driving the projection 120 and the linkage assembly 118 to the left against the bias of the second compression spring 122 as the projection 120 travels along the inclined surface 114. This movement of the linkage assembly 118 causes a corresponding movement of the second spring bolt 116, thereby retracting it into the handle 26, as shown in FIG. Fig. 22 When the button 86 is released, the first compression spring 112 biases the button 86 to its extended position, while the second compression spring 122 biases the second spring bolt 116 to its extended position.

[0062] Reference again Fig.17 The right door 18 similarly includes a shoulder 124 that forms a stop beneath the second spring bolt 116 and a notch 126 in the door 18 that is aligned with the shoulder 124, the purpose of which will be described below.

[0063] Now go to Fig.23 , showing the interface between the left handle 24 and the right handle 26. As shown, the first spring bolt 94 of the handle 24 is received on the shoulder 124 of the handle 26 of the right door 18, while the second spring bolt 116 of the handle 26 is received on the shoulder 104 of the handle 24 of the left door 16 (when the doors 16, 18 are in their closed positions and the buttons 84, 86 are not depressed).

[0064] In use, when it is desired to open both doors 16, 18 simultaneously, the user may grasp either or both of the handles 24, 26 and pull to rotate the doors 16, 18 about the axis 88 (without depressing either button 84, 86). This is possible due to the interengagement of the spring bolts 94, 116 with the shoulders 104, 124 of the opposing doors 16, 18. For example, grasping and pulling the handle 24 of the door 16 without depressing the button 84 rotates the door 16 open about the axis 88. This rotational movement also causes the first spring bolt 94 to engage the shoulder 124 of the door 18 and exert an opening force on the shoulder 124, thereby causing the door 18 to also move to the open position via rotation about the axis 88. Similarly, grasping and pulling the handle 26 of the door 18 without depressing the button 86 rotates the door 18 open about the axis 88. This rotational movement also causes the second spring bolt 116 to engage the shoulder 104 of the door 16 and exert an opening force on the shoulder 104, thereby moving the door 16 to the open position via rotation about the axis 88. Figure 2 and 4 Shown in.

[0065] Importantly, the cooking appliance 10 is also configured so that the doors 16, 18 can be operated individually, such as when access to only one of the cavities / compartments 38, 40 is desired (e.g., when operating in a dual-cavity configuration). For example, when it is desired to open only the left door 16, the user grasps the handle 24 and depresses the button 84 against the bias of the compression spring 102. This retracts the first spring bolt 94 within the handle 24 and out of engagement with the shoulder 124 of the door 18. In this retracted position, the door 16 is free to rotate about the axis 88 to its open position (since the first spring bolt 94 no longer contacts the shoulder 124). The notch 106 in the door 16 also allows the door 16 to pass over the second spring bolt 116 of the door 18 as the door 16 rotates open. This Figure 5 Importantly, the rearwardly facing surface of the first spring bolt 94 is angled so that the door 16 can be fully moved to the closed position without depressing the button 84 (and the first spring bolt 94 is in the extended position).

[0066] Similarly, when it is desired to open only the right door 18, the user grasps the handle 26 and depresses the button 86 against the bias of the compression spring 122. This retracts the second spring bolt 116 within the handle 26 and out of engagement with the shoulder 104 of the door 16. In this retracted position, the door 18 is free to rotate about the axis 88 to its open position (since the second spring bolt 116 no longer contacts the shoulder 104). The notch 126 in the door 18 also allows the door 18 to pass over the first spring bolt 94 of the door 16 as the door 18 rotates open. This Figure 6Importantly, the rearwardly facing surface of the second spring bolt 116 is angled so that the door 18 can also be fully moved to the closed position without depressing the button 86 (and the second spring bolt 116 being in the extended position).

[0067] Now go to Fig.24 , shows a cooking appliance 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cooking appliance 200 is identical to the cooking appliance 10, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts. However, the cooking appliance 200 includes an alternative door locking mechanism. In particular, as Figure 24-30 As best shown in FIG. 1 , instead of having a depressible button for selectively opening the left door 16 or the right door 18, a sliding mechanism 202 is employed. In such an embodiment, the right door 18 may include a slidable button 204 accessible from the front of the handle 26, and a locking bolt 206 rigidly connected to the slidable button 204 and disposed within the handle 26. The button 204 may slide between a first position in which the distal end of the locking bolt 206 is retracted within the handle 26, and a second position in which the locking bolt 206 extends from the handle 26, as shown in FIG. Fig. 27 As best shown in Fig. 27 As shown in , the handle 24 of the left door 16 includes a slot 208 configured to receive a distal end of the locking bolt 26 .

[0068] In operation, the button 204 can be moved to the right to retract the locking bolt 206 within the handle 26. In this position, the doors 16, 18 are separated from each other, such as Fig.25 , so that doors 16, 18 can be opened individually by pulling handles 24, 26, respectively. This is particularly useful when the dividers of the cooking appliance 10 are in place and the cooking appliance 10 is in a dual oven cavity configuration. When it is desired that the doors be opened simultaneously, such as when the cooking appliance 10 is in a single oven cavity configuration, the button 204 can be slid to the left, which causes the locking bolt 26 to extend from the handle 26 and enter the slot 208 in the handle 24 of the door 16. In this position, the doors 16, 18 are locked together so that pulling either handle 24, 26 will move both doors 16, 18 to the open position. Fig.29 As best shown in FIG. 1 , in an embodiment, the rear side of the locking bolt 206 may include a resilient arm or pawl 210 that holds the locking mechanism 202 in a locked or unlocked position. Although the locking mechanism 202 is disclosed as being part of the right door 18 and the slot is part of the left door 16, it is contemplated that such components may be reversed.

[0069] Final Reference Figure 30-33, a cooking appliance 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The cooking appliance 300 is identical to the cooking appliance 10, wherein like reference numerals denote like parts. The cooking appliance 300 includes French doors, and in particular, a first door 302 and a second door 304, which are mounted to the housing at the outer side edges and are rotatable about respective vertical axes, rather than having doors 16, 18 mounted to the housing 16 at their lower edges and rotatable about horizontal axes. Similar to the doors 16, 18, the doors 302, 304 each include a transparent panel 306, 308, and include vertically oriented handles 310, 312, respectively. Fig.32 The two doors 302, 304 are shown in an open position, with the cooking appliance 300 in a single cavity configuration, while Fig.33 The two doors 302 , 304 are shown in an open position, with the cooking appliance 300 in a dual-cavity configuration with the divider 36 present.

[0070] As will be appreciated, as disclosed above, the cooking appliance 10 of the present invention (as well as cooking appliances 200 and 300) can be selectively configured into a first cooking configuration, thereby providing a single large-capacity oven cavity in which various cooking modes can be performed. In this configuration, the heating element and the convection fan assembly can be operated collectively as a group or separately. The cooking appliance 10 can also be selectively configured into a second cooking configuration, thereby providing two separate, smaller-capacity oven cavities in which various cooking modes can be performed. As discussed above, the separate oven cavities are each characterized by independent control of the cooking functions performed therein; that is, the separate oven cavities are characterized by separate temperature controls, and separate and independently controllable convection fan assemblies. Therefore, the separate oven cavities are capable of operating as effectively separate bread ovens (although implemented in a single housing).

[0071] Although the cooking appliance of the present invention has been disclosed above as having two oven cavities or compartments of equal size in a dual cavity configuration, the present invention is not intended to be so limited in this regard. In particular, it is contemplated that in embodiments, the divider 36 may be offset to one side to provide a first oven cavity of smaller capacity / volume and a second oven cavity of larger capacity / volume.

[0072] Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to its detailed embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and its elements may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt specific circumstances or materials to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the above detailed description, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A cooking utensil, comprising: a housing having an interior compartment; a divider positionable within the interior compartment for dividing the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity; a first heating element configured to heat the first oven cavity; as well as a second heating element configured to heat the second oven cavity; Wherein the divider is at least one of retractable and / or removable.

2. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The first heating element and the second heating element are independently controllable.

3. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising: a first convection fan assembly configured to provide air flow to the first oven cavity; as well as A second convection fan assembly is configured to provide air flow to the second oven cavity.

4. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising: a first door configured to enclose the first oven cavity; as well as A second door is configured to enclose the second oven cavity.

5. The cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein: The first door and the second door are configured to be opened via rotation about a horizontal axis.

6. The cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein: The first door and the second door are configured to be opened via rotation about respective vertical axes.

7. The cooking appliance according to claim 4, wherein: The first door and the second door include a locking mechanism configured to mechanically couple the first door and the second door so that the first door and the second door can be opened simultaneously.

8. The cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein: The first door and the second door are configured such that the first door and the second door can be opened simultaneously when only one of the doors is manipulated by a user.

9. The cooking appliance according to claim 7, wherein: The first door and the second door can be opened independently of each other.

10. The cooking appliance according to claim 3, wherein: The first heating element comprises a lower heating element and an upper heating element within the first oven cavity; and The second heating element includes a lower heating element and an upper heating element within the second oven cavity.

11. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The interior compartment includes a lower rail and an upper rail; and Wherein the divider is slidably received within the lower rail and the upper rail.

12. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The first oven cavity has a first volume; and the second oven cavity having a second volume; Wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

13. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The divider has a plurality of shelf supports on opposing sides of the divider.

14. The cooking appliance according to claim 1, further comprising: a first removable crumb tray located at a bottom of the first oven cavity; as well as A second removable crumb tray is located at a bottom of the second oven cavity.

15. The cooking appliance of claim 1, wherein: The divider is foldable and retained in the interior compartment to provide a single oven cavity.

16. A method of operating a cooking appliance having a housing and an interior compartment, the method comprising the steps of: deploying a divider into the interior compartment to divide the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity; activating a first cooking mode to heat the first oven cavity to a first temperature; as well as A second cooking mode is initiated to heat the second oven cavity to a second temperature different from the first temperature.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: actuating a first convection fan assembly associated with the first oven cavity; and A second convection fan assembly associated with the second oven cavity is actuated.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein: The cooking appliance includes a first door enclosing a first portion of the interior compartment and a second door enclosing a second portion of the interior compartment; Wherein the method further comprises the step of simultaneously opening the first door and the second door by applying an opening force on only one of the first door and the second door.

19. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: One of the first door and the second door is opened while the other of the first door and the second door is maintained in a closed position.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: The divider is folded and stowed within the interior compartment to provide a single oven cavity within the interior compartment.

21. A cooking appliance, comprising: a housing having an interior compartment; a plurality of heating elements within the interior compartment; a first door enclosing a first portion of the interior compartment; as well as a second door enclosing a second portion of the interior compartment; Wherein the first door and the second door are configured such that in a first mode, the first door and the second door can be opened simultaneously by applying an opening force on only one of the first door and the second door, and in a second mode, one of the first door and the second door can be opened while the other of the first door and the second door is maintained in a closed position.

22. The cooking appliance according to claim 20, further comprising: A divider is positionable within the interior compartment for dividing the interior compartment into a first oven cavity and a second oven cavity.

23. The cooking appliance of claim 21, wherein: the plurality of heating elements comprising a first heating element associated with the first oven cavity and a second heating element associated with the second oven cavity; Wherein the first heating element and the second heating element are independently controllable.

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