GLASS CERAMIC ARTICLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an article formed of a glass-ceramic plate, this plate being in particular intended to serve as a worktop or surface (in particular horizontal) of furniture, this plate being in particular of large dimensions (the article being for example the furniture thus formed), the article also comprising elements useful for its operation or for the operation of the plate, for example heating elements, electronic components, etc.

[0002] Glass-ceramic has been used for several years to form glass-ceramic cooktops, which have been very successful with households, appliance manufacturers and users due to their attractive appearance and ease of cleaning.

[0003] Worktops are generally made of other materials, for example wood, quartz, Corian ®, etc., however the use of ceramic glass cooktops to make these worktops, although inducing problems specific to this material, proves to be particularly interesting.

[0004] A glass-ceramic is originally a type of glass, called precursor glass (or mother glass or green glass), whose specific chemical composition allows for controlled crystallization through appropriate heat treatments known as ceramization. This specific, partially crystalline structure gives the glass-ceramic its unique properties.

[0005] Each glass-ceramic product is the result of specific studies and numerous tests, given that it is very difficult to make modifications to glass-ceramics and / or their manufacturing process without risking an adverse effect on the desired properties: for example, in its usual use as a cooktop, a glass-ceramic cooktop must generally have a transmission in the visible range that is both low enough to mask the underlying heating elements at rest and high enough so that the user can visually detect said elements when in operation for safety purposes and / or can read any displays.Ceramic glass hobs must also have sufficient mechanical resistance as required for their use, especially and even more so when they are large, in particular, in the field of household appliances, must have good resistance (defined for example according to standard EN 60335-2-6 in their usual use as cooking hobs) to pressure, shocks (support and falling utensils, etc.), etc.

[0006] In order to fulfill its intended function(s), the ceramic glass cooktop is generally equipped with additional accessories or elements (decorative or functional) required for its final use (for example, heating elements or a control panel for cooktops), particularly electronic components. These elements or accessories are generally permanently fixed to the cooktop, either by embedding them in a recess provided for this purpose, and / or by gluing them in an area separate from any heating zones. The position and selection of the accessories are thus predetermined, and once the cooktop and its accessories are installed, if an element is defective, the entire assembly must be disassembled using specific tools, or the repair may require replacing the entire cooktop or assembly. Document EP2469190 A1 discloses an article according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] The dismantling process is made all the more complicated by the fact that glass-ceramic cooktops are heavy, especially large ones, and are generally fixed to their support, sometimes with a gasket for safety and sealing purposes. Consequently, using glass-ceramic combined with electronic components to create worktops or interactive and / or multi-purpose furniture surfaces presents challenges in terms of assembling or disassembling the components, particularly when creating modular installations. Any intervention is particularly complex and could necessitate replacing the entire assembly if a component is defective.

[0008] The present invention therefore sought to develop an article, such as a worktop or a piece of furniture, consisting of at least one ceramic glass plate and elements necessary for its operation (in particular electronic equipment), notably hidden by said plate within said article during its operation, this article allowing easier maintenance of those of its constituents necessary for its operation which are normally hidden by said plate in operation, without resorting to specific tools and without having to change the plate.

[0009] This objective has been achieved by the article according to the invention, this article being in particular a worktop or piece of furniture, or other appliance for domestic use and / or furniture, this article being formed of at least one ceramic glass plate and elements for its operation (the plate being, for example, intended to be equipped with electronic components for various uses, and being able in particular to cover or receive heating elements), at least one of said elements being positioned on a movable two- or three-dimensional support (such as a platform or a box) coupled to a safety (or protection) device, such as a circuit breaker or a contactor or a switch, so that, in a first position of the support (operating position of the element(s),said element (positioned on the support) is located opposite a face of the plate (in particular its lower face) at a distance (perpendicular to said face and between said face and the nearest end of the element) of no more than 10 cm from the plate and can be activated, and in a second position of the support, obtained by movement thereof, in which at least one of the ends (or one of the edges) of the support is displaced by a distance (or is at a distance) of at least 2 mm from the plate perpendicular to it (in particular vertically), and is displaced by a distance (or is at a distance) of at least 5 cm (perpendicular or not to the plate) from its first position (or the position it occupies in the first position of the support), said element is deactivated (advantageously by the action of the safety device).

[0010] Preferably, several elements (or at least part of all the elements) useful for the operation of the plate or article, or even all the elements enabling the operation of the plate or article, are positioned (or placed) on the movable support so that, in a first position (first and second denoting relative positions, not necessarily in that order, other intermediate or additional positions may also be provided) of the support (operating position of the elements and / or the plate), said elements are opposite a face of the plate (in particular its lower face) at a distance (perpendicular to said face and between said face and the nearest end of each of said elements) of no more than 10 cm from the plate and can be activated, and in a second position of the support, obtained by movement of the latter,in which at least one end (or one edge) of the support is displaced by, or is located at, a distance of at least 2 mm from the plate perpendicular to it, and is displaced by, or is located at, a distance of at least 5 cm from its first position, at least part (or even all) of said elements are deactivated (advantageously by the action of the safety device), certain elements, presenting little danger (for example a tablet or a light source whose operating voltage is less than 12V AC or 30V DC), and connected to electrical circuits independent of those concerned by the safety device, may, where appropriate, remain active.

[0011] The mobile support may take the form of a tray, or a box or casing (especially open), for example in a material such as aluminium, stainless steel, glass, laminate, etc., this support being preferably located under the plate and being able to occupy a surface corresponding to all or part of that of the face of the plate opposite which it is located in the first position of the support, the support being generally arranged parallel or approximately parallel to said face of the plate in said first position.The support can be movable in translation and / or rotation, horizontally and / or vertically, so as to move it at least partially away from the plate in the second position mentioned according to the invention. The support is further coupled to a safety device, this device being in particular a circuit breaker or consisting of at least one circuit breaker, manual or automatic, triggered notably by the movement of the platform and able to be located, or activated, at various points along the platform's travel, depending on the device used and the desired level of safety, in order to allow easy and safe access to the components, enabling the operation of the plate or article, positioned on the support. The safety device can also be, for example, a contactor that disengages when the support is moved, thus preventing the normal operation of the electrical system.

[0012] The support is preferably mobile in rotation and / or in at least two directions, for example vertically and horizontally, in order to move the elements both vertically away from the plate and to offset (or shift) them horizontally from their first position, in particular allowing them where necessary to come out of the space delimited by the plate and under which they are in their operating position (first position of the support), these elements being in particular always hidden by the plate in their operating position and thus able to be extracted from the enclosure of the article (in particular, where applicable, from the enclosure of the closed cabinet or in compact position) and become visible and accessible when an intervention or replacement has to be carried out on at least one of them.

[0013] The movement of the support can be, for example, along an axis of rotation (for example, located along an edge opposite to that intended to be moved away from the plate and through which access is provided for an operator to the elements located on the support, as illustrated later, or locally around an appropriate axis, in the manner, for example, of a hatch under the plate, etc.) or along (guide) rails or slides, where appropriate of shape(s) allowing vertical and horizontal movement, for example, rails of approximately S shape, as illustrated later, or along one or more racks, etc.The support may, for example, in the latter case, be in the form of a drawer or be part of a drawer or be located within a drawer, this support sliding along rails and being able to be extracted in whole or in part from the piece of furniture or article in which it is located, for example by pulling on handles located on the visible external wall of the drawer, as illustrated later.

[0014] In the first position of the support, the elements located on the support are positioned opposite the underside of the plate at a distance of no more than 10 cm, and preferably no more than 4 cm, from the plate (measured perpendicular to said face and between said face and the nearest end of each element), and particularly preferably at a distance of less than 1 cm, advantageously less than 5 mm, the elements being able to be in contact with the plate (for example, inductors) or at a short distance, for example, of at least 1 mm or a few millimeters, from it, depending on the elements considered, this first position notably allowing these elements to perform their functions; in the second position of the support, at least one of its ends, or even the entire support, is displaced by, or is located at, a distance of at least 2 mm, and preferably at least 1 cm,relative to the plate, perpendicular to it (so that the movement of the support does not damage, in particular scratch, the plate), and is moved (in the same movement as that used to move the support away from the plate or in a second movement, simultaneous or consecutive), or is located at a distance of at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm, and particularly preferably at least 15 cm, in particular at least 50 cm, from its first position (this distance being measured between the two positions), this distance also preferably corresponding to at least 30%, or even at least 100%, of the length or depth of the plate, so that the elements are clearly clear of the plate and accessible. In particular, in the second position, at least one end of the support, or even the entire support, is moved by, or is located at a distance of at least 10 cm from its first position vertically.for example by rotation or lowering of the support, and / or is moved by, or is located at a distance of at least 2 mm from the plate vertically and at least 5 cm, in particular at least 10 cm, particularly preferably at least 15 cm, in particular at least 50 cm, horizontally relative to its first position, for example by lowering and then translating the support, the displacement having been made in particular by translation or by rotation, with in particular in the latter case an angle of at least 2.5°, in particular at least 10°, or at least 20°, or even at least 30°, in particular at least 45°, or at least 60°, relative to the first position.

[0015] The safety (or protection) device is preferably made up of at least one component or device which cuts off the electricity supplying at least part of the elements located on the support (such as, where applicable, the heating elements to avoid any burns) when the support moves from the first to the second position and / or in the event of an electrical short circuit, and is presented for example in the form of a device (circuit breaker, contactor, switch, etc.), with mechanical or electrical action, integrated, at least for a part of said device, into the electrical system(s) to be cut off (the other or another part being located in particular where applicable on the support) and triggered for example by the movement of the support.

[0016] Where appropriate, the article may also include (or the plate may also be coupled to) a safety device (independent or not of the aforementioned safety device) to prevent the operator from being pinched or the support from moving too abruptly when it is operated, such as a brake or a shock absorber, or the article may include or the plate be coupled to (a safety device incorporating) one or more stops or one or more latches or one or more blocking or locking devices or systems when the support is in (at least) one of its positions of use (in particular its first and / or second position) in order to ensure, if necessary, sufficient stability of the support in that position or in each position.

[0017] The support (or the article according to the invention) may also include other components, such as one or more handles for handling it; the article may also be equipped with various elements (positioned on the support or not) as detailed below. If necessary, the support may also be in several parts, each of which may or may not be independently operable.

[0018] The article according to the invention allows for easier maintenance of those components necessary for its operation that are concealed by the glass-ceramic plate forming one of its surfaces. This maintenance can be carried out safely, without requiring tedious disassembly or involving the replacement of external elements such as the plate, thus saving time and avoiding excessive costs in the event of component malfunctions. Furthermore, the proposed solution eliminates the need to handle and move the glass-ceramic plate, which is particularly heavy, especially when large, and prevents any damage to said plate or the components necessary for its operation, while allowing said components to perform their function in the operating position in combination with the plate (such as heating, lighting of heating zones, or data display).

[0019] The glass-ceramic plate advantageously occupies most (more than 50% of the surface of the face on which it is located, preferably more than 80%, and in particular more than 90%) or even the entire surface of one face, especially the upper face, of the article according to the invention, providing a continuous surface that can serve as a support for different articles depending on the intended use of said plate or article. Where applicable, it rests, generally at its periphery, on at least one frame or one or more support feet, without the need for an intervening gasket (or without an intervening gasket) between these parts (unlike devices in which the glass-ceramic plate occupies only a portion of the surface in which it is embedded).The glass-ceramic cooktop is also advantageously monolithic (or one-piece or single-block), and essentially flat (except for any localized deformations made to the substrate for aesthetic and / or functional purposes). The cooktop thus offers a mostly continuous / uniform / seamless surface that is both aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean. The cooktop can, if desired, be coated with thin decorative or functional coatings (ranging from a few tens of nanometers to a few hundred microns, or even more), for example, enamel, paint, thin films, etc., as detailed later, or it can be decorated by sandblasting or engraving, etc.

[0020] When the article is a piece of furniture or worktop, the glass-ceramic plate may in particular have a surface area (length by width of its largest dimension face) greater than or equal to 0.7 m², preferably greater than 0.9 m², in particular greater than 1 m², or even greater than 2 m². Preferably in this case it also has one and / or the other of the following characteristics (the given limits being inclusive): Young's modulus between 80 and 100 GPa (measured according to ASTM C 1259), flexural strength between 110 and 220 MPa (measured by ring test on tripod, on a plate of 70 mm X 70 mm X 4 mm, the sample resting on 3 balls of 9.5 mm diameter positioned at the apex of an equilateral triangle inscribed in a circle of 40 mm diameter, a force being applied to the center of the sample by a ring of 10 mm diameter with an advance of 5 mm / min, the results being interpreted with the Weibull model described in: "A statistical distribution of strength of Materials", Royal Swedish Institute For Engineering Research, W. Weibull, Stockholm 1939, 1-45, the data obtained, also called "scale factor", revealing the average stress at failure and resulting from the analysis by the Weibull method of the measurements of modulus of rupture in bending (MOR), being expressed in MPa), thermal conductivity less than 2 W / mK (measured according to DIN 51936), thermal shock resistance between 250 and 700°C, density between 2.3 and 2.7, resistance to acids between 0 and 2 mg / cm 2< (measured according to DIN12116 standard), and resistance to bases between 0 and 1 mg / cm 2< (measured according to ISO 695 standard).

[0021] The glass-ceramic plate according to the invention is advantageously flat (or mostly or almost flat), and in particular has a flatness (height between the highest and lowest points of the substrate relative to the average plane of the substrate, excluding any intentional deformations made to the substrate for aesthetic or functional purposes) of less than 0.1% of the substrate diagonal, and preferably less than 3 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, in particular less than 1 mm, or even close to zero, depending on the size / surface area / diagonal of the substrate. The flatness is measured using a SurFlat reference wavemeter marketed by Visuol. The plate is generally geometric in shape, in particular rectangular, or even square, circular or oval, etc.It generally has a "top" face (visible face) in the position of use, a "bottom" face (usually hidden within the frame or cabinet of the furniture incorporating the panel) in the position of use, and an edge (or rim or thickness). The top face is generally flat and smooth but may also have at least one raised area and / or at least one recessed area and / or at least one opening and / or beveled edges, etc., these variations in shape advantageously constituting continuous variations of the panel (without changes in materials or joints). The bottom face may be smooth or have raised bumps to increase its mechanical strength, obtained, for example, by rolling.

[0022] The thickness of the ceramic glass plate is generally at least 2 mm, in particular at least 2.5 mm, and is generally less than 30 mm, in particular less than 15 mm, in particular in the range of 3 to 15 mm.

[0023] Glass-ceramics have a coefficient of thermal expansion of zero or almost zero, specifically less than 30 x 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ between 20 and 400°C, and preferably less than 13 x 10⁻⁷ K⁻¹ between 20 and 400°C. They are typically lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics. They can be dark (black, dark brown) or light (white, cream) in color, and can be translucent, opaque, or transparent depending on the intended use and aesthetic. It can be refined with arsenic (i.e., of (mother glass) composition comprising on the order of 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of arsenic oxide (expressed as As 2 O 3), or can be unrefined with arsenic (in particular having an arsenic oxide content of less than 0.2%, in particular less than 0.1%, or even zero) or refined with tin or refined with sulfide(s), and can be obtained by rolling or by flotation.

[0024] In most cases and preferably according to the invention, the plate used to form the article according to the invention is monolithic and has both a thickness of less than 15 mm, a coefficient of expansion less than 30.10 -7< K -1< between 20 and 400°C, and a surface area greater than or equal to 0.7 m 2< .

[0025] The article according to the invention also consists of elements necessary for its operation, more particularly necessary for the operation of the aforementioned ceramic glass cooktop. These elements may be, for example, one or more heating elements (e.g., induction coils), one or more display systems, one or more electronic boards, one or more light sources, one or more control boxes or interfaces, one or more sensors, one or more chargers (e.g., for a phone, induction coil, etc.), particularly wireless chargers, one or more cables, one or more audible or vibrating components (signaling, for example, the approach of an object such as a pan), etc.

[0026] For example, the plate can be equipped with one or more light sources, notably light-emitting diodes, intended, for example, to highlight (make visible) one or more areas or one or more elements or displays on the plate, particularly through light transmission through the plate. These sources can, in particular, allow the display of commands (in the form of buttons, logos, or even keyboards, etc.).), which can be activated, for example, by contact on the surface of the plate (using sensors located beneath the surface, which can also be connected via the connectors) or remotely (particularly via wireless communication), or even by a simple hand movement (using sensors located externally where necessary, which record the movement, for example by triangulation, and convert it, using a suitable algorithm and interface, into the activation of a function, for example), or, where applicable, by placing a specific object in a specific location on the plate. The light source(s) can also display decorations or various data (for example, computer web pages, recipes, etc.) downloaded, for example, via wireless communication using a suitable interface and projected or transmitted from the light sources onto the surface of the plate.

[0027] The hob can also be equipped with one or more heating elements, such as induction coils, radiant elements, which can also be activated in different ways as described for light sources, and can also be equipped with communication interface(s) with at least one adjacent element (for example, light sources or heating elements), and / or where appropriate with at least one external element, for example with an external module for wireless communication, the said interface(s) being for example a control box, a tablet or a touch screen, a Bluetooth, WLAN, wifi, RFID chip, LiFi system, etc.

[0028] The plate can also be equipped with other elements, such as one or more waveguides, as well as various other components, in particular electrical and / or electronic as mentioned above, such as a charger (e.g. telephone, induction coil, etc.), one or more cables, a sound or vibrating component, etc.

[0029] The cooktop may also have various functional and / or decorative coatings, including those commonly used with glass-ceramics, such as enamel, paint, or thin film (e.g., metallic, dielectric, etc.). For example, one side may have one or more layers or one or more enamel patterns for decorative purposes and / or to highlight one or more elements (displays, etc.), and / or to provide masking (for example, to prevent direct viewing of light sources), and / or for other functions (such as light extraction or to homogenize lighting, etc.). The cooktop may also have one or more functional layers that give it additional properties such as scratch resistance, mechanical reinforcement, fingerprint resistance, spill resistance, etc. The coating(s) may be located on the visible side or the reverse side, depending on the type of coating and the desired function.

[0030] The present invention relates in particular to a table, worktop, or piece of furniture comprising a surface or tabletop, especially a large one, formed by a glass-ceramic plate and capable of allowing different activities and / or the support of objects, either simultaneously or successively. This piece of furniture could be, for example, a central island in a room, such as a kitchen island, or any worktop or table for various uses, such as a laboratory bench, a table or coffee table, or even a console-type piece of furniture, a sideboard, a storage unit, a counter, etc.

[0031] The article according to the invention is manufactured in particular from the glass-ceramic plate, in particular of large dimensions, obtained by ceramization, by placing and fixing it, for example by gluing (double-sided, silicone, magnetic tape, etc.), where appropriate on a box or support feet and by associating it, beforehand or during its assembly, with the mobile support and the elements necessary for its operation, positioned (at least in part) on the mobile support.

[0032] As a reminder, the manufacturing process for glass-ceramic cooktops generally proceeds as follows: in a melting furnace, the glass of the chosen composition is melted to form the glass-ceramic. The molten glass is then laminated into a standard ribbon or sheet by passing it between laminating rollers, and the glass ribbon is cut to the desired dimensions. The cooktops, whether pre-cut or not, are then ceramicized using a well-established process. Ceramicization involves firing the cooktops according to the chosen thermal profile to transform the glass into the polycrystalline material called "glass-ceramic," which has a coefficient of thermal expansion of zero or near-zero and can withstand thermal shock of up to 700°C.Ceramization generally includes a step of gradually raising the temperature to the nucleation range, usually located in the vicinity of the glass transformation range, a step of crossing the nucleation range over several minutes, a further gradual raising of the temperature to the ceramization plateau temperature, maintaining the ceramization plateau temperature for several minutes and then rapid cooling to room temperature.

[0033] In order to obtain large plates according to the invention, in particular plates with a surface area greater than 0.7 m², the passage speed is preferably reduced during the ceramization cycle by at least 25%, preferably by at least 50%, or the length of the ceramization arch or the residence time in said arch is increased by at least 25%, preferably by at least 50%, compared respectively to the optimal or usual speed, length or residence time for obtaining a glass-ceramic substrate with a surface area less than 0.4 m².

[0034] Where applicable, the process also includes a cutting operation (generally before ceramicization), for example by water jet, mechanical scoring with a wheel, etc., followed by a shaping operation (grinding, beveling, etc.). The process may also include a rolling or slumping step to create specific reliefs.

[0035] Other details and advantageous features will become apparent from the description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: There figure 1 represents a schematic perspective view of the article according to a first embodiment of the invention in a first position where the elements enabling its operation are hidden and can be activated; The figure 2 represents a schematic partial side view (the side panel of the cabinet and that of the drawer being removed on this side) of the item from the figure 1 in the first position of the support bearing the elements; The figure 3 represents a schematic partial side view similar to that of the figure 2 The difference is that the support is now in its second position where the elements are accessible and deactivated. figure 4 represents a schematic perspective view of the article according to a second embodiment of the invention in a position of the support where the elements enabling the operation of the article are accessible and (at least for some of them) deactivated.

[0036] The same references are used throughout the figures to designate the same types of elements, although not all elements are represented at the same scale for better understanding of the figures.

[0037] In the figures 1 à 3 The article according to the invention is a piece of furniture (1), for example a kitchen island, intended for various uses (successive or simultaneous), including the preparation and consumption of food, the support of objects, the cooking of food, etc. This piece of furniture is formed of a cabinet (2) measuring 240 cm (length) x 120 cm (depth) x 95 cm (height, including the base (2') of the cabinet) surmounted by a worktop (3) entirely (i.e., over its entire surface) formed of a monolithic substrate (4) of glass-ceramic with a surface area of ​​2.88 m². This substrate is, for example, a plate of the type marketed under the reference KeraBlack+ by the company Eurokera, this plate having a smooth upper surface and an underside with raised bumps, and a thickness of 6 mm.This substrate is obtained for example by proceeding as in patent application WO2012156444 but by reducing the speed of passage in the ceramization arch by 50%, the resulting glass-ceramic substrate has a flatness of less than 2 mm.

[0038] The article also includes a drawer (5), measuring 238 cm (length) x 100 cm (depth) x 5 cm (height), fitted with handles (6), and doors (7), also fitted with handles (6'), as well as elements (8) for the operation, where applicable, of the hob, these elements being in particular, in this case, heating elements for cooking food, for example, induction elements, arranged under the hob. The location of the heating elements may, where applicable, be indicated by decorations (9), for example, in enamel, on the surface of the hob, delimiting, where necessary, the heating zones (in the figure 1 (four heating zones are thus represented).

[0039] The heating elements are positioned on a support (10) in the form of a platform mounted, for example by means of a bearing system and / or trolley and / or rollers and / or pads (11), on an S-shaped guide rail (12) placed inside the drawer (in particular on each of the opposite side walls), the drawer itself being mounted on one or more slides (13), for example of the telescopic type and located along each of the side edges of the drawer.

[0040] When the drawer is operated, the support, on which the heating elements and, where applicable, other elements for the operation of the plate or the item are located, moves along the rail (12) and passes from a first position ( figure 2 ) where the elements are located opposite the underside of the plate and, for at least some of them (e.g., heating elements), against said plate / at zero distance from said plate, or where appropriate for others (e.g., a touch tablet or a charger) at least 1 mm and less than 10 cm from said plate (this distance being measured perpendicular to said face and between said face and the nearest end of the element in question) and can be activated, in a second position of the support ( figure 3 ), in which the entire support is moved both horizontally over a distance of at least 50 cm, and vertically over a distance of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 1 cm from the plate, and the elements (8) are deactivated and accessible, the elements having been deactivated during the travel of the platform by a safety device (not shown but located for example at the rear of the drawer or support), for example by the action of a circuit breaker and / or by the disengagement of a contactor.

[0041] When the drawer is pushed back, the support in the lower position gradually returns to the upper position inside the furniture, then when the drawer reaches its stop in its initial position, a locking system (not shown) can lock the assembly in its operating position and the contactor, for example, can again ensure the operation of the elements on the tray by supplying the electrical current, said contactor being activated only when the front of the drawer is in contact with the furniture (or the support is in its first position).

[0042] In the embodiment shown in figure 4 , the unit (1) is also formed as before of a box (2) similar to that of the previous figures, also surmounted by a work surface (3) entirely formed of a monolithic substrate (4) in vitroceramic as before, and equipped with heating elements (8) such as inductors, arranged under the plate, for cooking food, the location of the heating elements being indicated by decorations (9) on the upper face of the plate, the unit being this time provided with two doors (7') and a support, carrying at least the aforementioned heating elements, movable, this time in rotation, for example around its edge (14) opposite to that (15) intended to be moved away from the plate and by which access is provided for an operator to the elements located on the support (as shown), or locally around an appropriate axis, in the manner for example of a hatch under the plate.

[0043] The support can be locked in its first position, where the items on the support are opposite the underside of the hob and, for at least some of them (e.g., heating elements), against the hob / at zero distance from the hob, or, where appropriate, for others (e.g., a touch tablet (17) or a charger) at least 1 mm and less than 10 cm from the hob, by means of latch(s) (or locking system(s)) holding the support against the hob. By opening the cabinet doors and removing the latch(s), the support then tilts (as indicated by the arrow) downwards and moves into a second position (illustrated on the figure 4where the end (15) of the support is moved (essentially vertically) over a distance of 20 cm (and with a rotation angle of 20°), and the elements (8) are deactivated and accessible, these elements being deactivated, for example, when the support is unlocked and moved by disengaging a contactor (not shown). If necessary, the support may also be equipped with a support leg (16) (additional safety system) allowing the support to be held in its second position if required.

[0044] The support may also include other elements, such as a touch screen or a tablet (17), these elements may also be disabled when the support is switched or not.

[0045] The furniture shown in the previous figures can serve various purposes, such as writing, holding objects, or using as a kitchen table (allowing for eating or placing hot cooking containers, etc.). If necessary, the cabinet can also be replaced with support legs (the equipment under the worktop can be concealed by a localized casing a few centimeters thick beneath the surface), similar to a table.

[0046] The equipment according to the invention can in particular be used advantageously to produce a new range of multi-purpose furniture that is easier to repair despite, where applicable, the size and weight of some of its components.

Claims

1. Item (1), in particular for domestic and / or furnishing use, particularly a worktop or furniture unit (4), made up of at least one glass ceramic sheet and elements (8) for its operation, at least one of said elements (8) being positioned on a two-dimensional or three-dimensional mobile support (10) coupled to a safety device, so that, when the support (10) is in a first position, said element (8) lies facing one face of the sheet (4) at a distance of at most 10 cm from the sheet (4) and can be activated, and, when the support (10) is in a second position, obtained by a movement thereof, in which position at least one of the ends of the support (10) is moved by, or lies at, a distance of at least 2 mm with respect to the sheet (4) and perpendicular thereto and is moved by, or lies at, a distance of at least 5 cm with respect to its first position, said element (8) is deactivated.

2. Item (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the elements (8), or even all the elements (8), of use in the operation of the sheet (4) or of the item are positioned on the mobile support (10), said elements lying facing one face of the sheet (4), particularly the lower face thereof, at a distance, perpendicular to said face and between said face and the nearest end of each of said elements (8), of at most 10 cm from the sheet when the support (10) is in said first position, and in that at least some of said elements (8) are deactivated when the support (10) is in said second position, advantageously through the action of the safety device.

3. Item (1) as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the mobile support (10) takes the form of a plate or of a casing or housing, preferably situated beneath the sheet (4), the support (10) being capable of translational and / or rotational movement, horizontally and / or vertically, so as to move it at least partially away from the sheet (4) in the second position.

4. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, when the support (10) is in the first position, the element(s) situated on the support (10) lie facing the lower face of the sheet (4) at a distance of at most 4 cm, preferably under 1 cm, advantageously less than 5 mm, from the sheet and, when the support (10) is in the second position, at least one of the ends of the support (10), or even the entirety of the support, lies at a distance of at least 5 cm, in particular of at least 10 cm, as a particular preference of at least 15 cm, in particular of at least 50 cm, in relation to its first position, in particular lies vertically at a distance of at least 10 cm from its first position, for example by rotation or lowering of the support (10), and / or lies vertically at a distance of at least 2 mm from the sheet (4) and horizontally at a distance of at least 5 cm from its first position, for example by lowering followed by a translational movement of the support (10).

5. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the safety device is formed of at least one manual or automatic circuit breaker, triggered in particular by the movement of the plate and / or by a short circuit and / or of a contactor and / or of a breaker switch.

6. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the movement of the support (10) is about an axis of rotation, situated, for example, along an opposite edge to the edge intended to be moved away from the sheet, with an angle of at least 2.5°, in particular of at least 10°, or of at least 20°, or even of at least 30°, particularly of at least 45°, or of at least 60°, with respect to the first position of the support (10), or along guide rails or slides, where appropriate allowing a movement that is vertical and horizontal, for example approximately S-shaped.

7. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises, or in that the sheet (4) is coupled to, a safety device, such as a brake, to prevent the operator from becoming trapped or prevent excessively sharp movement of the support (10) as it is actuated, or such as one or more end stops or one or more latches or one or more devices for immobilizing the support (10) in at least one of its positions of use.

8. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the glass ceramic sheet (4) occupies more than 50% of the surface of the face on which it is located, preferably more than 80%, in particular more than 90%, or even all of the surface area of one face, particularly the top face, of said item, said sheet (4) in particular resting on at least one casing or one or more support legs, without a seal in between.

9. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the sheet (4) is a monolithic sheet having a thickness of less than 15 mm, an expansion coefficient of less than 30x10-7 K-1 between 20°C and 400°C, and a surface area of greater than or equal to 0.7 m2.

10. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said item (1) or sheet (4) comprises, by way of element(s) of use in its operation, at least one of the following elements (8): heating element, light source, audible or vibrating component, display system, electronic board, control interface or unit, or sensor.

11. Item (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the item is a table or a worktop or a furniture unit, for example a central island unit in a room, a kitchen island unit, a lab table, a coffee table, a side-table, a credenza, an item of storage furniture, or a counter top.