Cooking appliance lid and cooking appliance

Abstract

A pivoting cooking appliance lid (14) for the selective closure of an upward-opening cooking container has a pivot axis around which it can rotate. Inside this axis is a circular frame that defines the peripheral edge of the cooking appliance lid (14). This frame is coated on both its upper and lower surfaces. At opposite corners of the cooking appliance lid (14) are hinged pieces (46) that define the pivot axis of the lid (14). These hinged pieces are made of plastic and have projecting arms that extend into the frame. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Cooking appliance lid and cooking appliance

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance lid for the selective closure, by pivoting, of an upward-opening cooking container, as well as to a cooking appliance comprising such a cooking appliance lid.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a cooking appliance lid and a cooking appliance having so-called pivoting vats, also referred to hereafter as cooking vessels, which can be selectively closed by means of a cooking appliance lid. The user can pivot such vats downwards about a pivot axis provided on their front face in order to pour a liquid food product into a nearby container. In such cooking appliances, it is not only possible to cook liquid foods, but also, for example, to roast.

[0003] Cooking appliance lids are generally made of stainless steel inside and out and have a handle on the front face that allows them to be gripped and rotated.

[0004] The structure of such a cooking appliance lid is generally characterized by a circumferential inner frame that delimits and defines a peripheral edge. One or more plate-shaped pieces attached to the frame form the lower and upper faces. Hinged pieces are mounted, usually welded, on the typically opposite rear corners of the cooking appliance lid and have a pivot bearing section with a cylindrical bearing surface. These bearings must support the cooking appliance lid without play, the weight of which must not be neglected; they must be heat-resistant, robust, and ensure a long service life. Precision-cast stainless steel parts are currently used to achieve these sometimes conflicting properties.These feature a projecting arm on the pivot bearing section that is seamlessly integrated into the pivot bearing section and mounted in or on the frame.

[0005] On cooking appliance lids used to date, a certain shock is felt at the end positions, i.e., when fully closed and fully opened, due to the high weight resulting from their construction. These shocks are transmitted as an impulse to the rest of the cooking appliance, which is disadvantageous.

[0006] The object of the invention is to improve a cooking appliance lid so that it is characterized by better shock absorption when opening and closing, and to provide a cooking appliance having such an appliance lid.

[0007] The purpose is achieved by a cooking appliance lid for the selective closure, by pivoting, of an upward-opening cooking container, comprising a pivot axis around which the cooking appliance lid can pivot, a circumferential peripheral edge delimited by an inner frame, at least one plate-shaped piece mounted on the frame, which defines the lower and upper faces of the cooking appliance lid, two hinged pieces which are spaced apart, positioned in opposite corners of the cooking appliance lid and define the pivot axis, and which each comprise a pivot bearing section which has a cylindrical bearing surface, and a projecting arm which is integral with the pivot bearing section, the respective arm being fixed to the frame, and the hinged pieces being made of plastic.

[0008] Surprisingly, the invention uses precisely the location on the lid of the cooking appliance that might at first glance be considered the most unsuitable for these purposes, namely the stainless steel hinge parts, and replaces them with plastic parts. These plastic parts provide significantly improved shock absorption, so that the modified seals or other shock absorbers can be made in a less complex way or can be eliminated altogether. During long-term tests, it was found that the stability of a plastic hinge part was absolutely guaranteed by the protruding arms on the pivot bearing sections.

[0009] This also results in a considerable advantage in terms of cost and weight. The lids are therefore easier to pivot. The use of a smaller quantity of stainless steel is, as a secondary effect, also very advantageous in terms of durability, since elements such as nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and the like are not used in large quantities with a plastic part. The cooking appliance lid according to the invention is characterized primarily by higher elasticity. There is better shock absorption during opening and closing, which significantly increases the comfort of the end user.

[0010] The frame is preferably made of metal, i.e. a mixture of plastic and metal materials is provided, and these parts of the lid of the cooking appliance made of completely different materials, which are the main load-bearing parts, can nevertheless absorb all the forces and give the new lid of the cooking appliance sufficient stability.

[0011] The frame is preferably composed of several frame pieces connected to each other, in particular hollow profiles.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the frame has a receiving opening in its two opposite corners. The arms of the hinged parts protrude into the corresponding receiving openings, so that the arm is thus also stabilized as a whole and is subjected to lower bending forces and stresses.

[0013] The arms should rest on the inner contour of the receiving openings in order to ensure a connection by cooperation of shapes which stabilizes the arms over a large surface.

[0014] To simplify the construction of the cooking appliance lid as much as possible, the frame pieces are open hollow profiles. The receiving openings are formed by openings on the front face of the hollow profile, so that it is not necessary to create additional holes. Furthermore, the force exerted by the arm on the frame piece is thus transmitted over a large surface area.

[0015] Each hinged part may have at least one metal insert that is surrounded by and embedded in the plastic material of the hinged part. The metal insert has a fastening geometry, in particular an internal thread, for attaching the plate-shaped part. The hinged part thus also serves to fasten one or both of the plate-shaped parts in the area of ​​the rear edge of the cooking appliance lid. Such a metal insert may be embedded during the injection molding of the hinged part or screwed in afterward, like a threaded bushing.

[0016] One of the two hinged parts has, along the axis of the pivot bearing, an axially extended section relative to the other hinged part. This section has a drive geometry for mounting a drive lever, which is resistant to rotational torque. The hinged part is therefore also used to apply torque to the lid of the cooking appliance in order to raise and lower it via a motor.

[0017] The drive geometry can be one or more flats and / or one or more grooves.

[0018] It has been found that the load in the area of ​​the drive geometry, i.e., in the so-called extended section, is generally very high. According to one embodiment of the invention, the hinged part is therefore hollow in the area radially inward from the drive geometry, and a metal stiffener is inserted into the cavity formed, in particular in the form of a sleeve. This sleeve stabilizes the plastic.

[0019] The drive lever can also optionally be fixed by clamping to the extended section on its periphery, so that it exerts a radial force on the extended hollow section. This force is then mainly absorbed by the metallic stiffener.

[0020] At least one hinged part may carry a bearing bushing inserted or mounted axially, by means of which the lid of the cooking appliance is then mounted onto the container so as to be able to be housed therein. This bearing bushing is in particular made of metal.

[0021] The integrated hinged parts are preferably injection-molded plastic parts that are not mechanically machined, i.e., parts that are neither turned nor milled after being manufactured. This results in a further reduction in costs.

[0022] The invention ultimately relates to a cooking appliance comprising an upward-opening cooking vessel, also called a cooking pot, and a cooking appliance lid according to the invention pivotally attached thereto. The cooking appliance according to the invention further features a pivoting drive coupled to one of the hinged parts in order to apply torque to that hinged part. Consequently, the hinged part not only performs bearing functions but also a torque transmission function, which increases its load, which is all the more surprising.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and the drawings to which reference is made. In the drawings:

[0024] - [Fig. 1] shows a cooking apparatus according to the invention, here with two vats, and associated cooking appliance lids according to the invention,

[0025] - [Fig.2] shows a rear section of the cooking appliance lid according the invention of [Fig. 1] with the upper wall partially removed,

[0026] - [Fig.3] shows an enlarged view of the cooking appliance lid according to [Fig.2] with a drive lever mounted on one side,

[0027] - [Fig.4] shows the frame present inside the cooking appliance lid according the invention, including the hinged parts,

[0028] - [Fig. 5] shows an enlarged view of a corner of the frame of [Fig. 4] with a piece to hinge,

[0029] - [Fig.6] shows one of the hinged parts present,

[0030] - [Fig.7] shows another of the hinged parts present, here with an extension axial for the arrangement of the drive lever.

[0031] Fig. 1 represents a cooking appliance 10 comprising here two tanks 12, for example pivoting, i.e. cooking containers capable of being opened and closed by pivoting cooking appliance lids 14, and each delimiting within their interior a cooking space 16.

[0032] This cooking appliance 10 is heated either electrically and / or by gas, at what is called the bottom of the tank. The tanks 12 are essentially formed internally by two parts, namely sheet metal parts welded together. One of the sheet metal parts is what is called the bottom of the tank 18, which is flat and has an upper bottom face 20 and an opposite lower bottom face 22. The second part is a peripheral sheet metal side wall 24, which is circumferentially closed.

[0033] The tanks 12 have a pivot axis at their front edge towards a frame 26.

[0034] The cooking appliance lids 14 are also mounted on either side of this frame 26 by means of a pivot axis A.

[0035] Fig. 2 illustrates such a bilateral mounting of a cooking appliance lid 14.

[0036] Before going into detail on this subject, the inside of the cooking appliance lid 14 according to [Fig.4] is explained.

[0037] Indeed, the cooking appliance lid 14 has a circumferential peripheral edge 32 delimited by an inner frame 30.

[0038] This frame 30 is made of metal and is notably composed, but not limited to, of hollow profiles, which also include folded sheets, as shown in [Fig.4],

[0039] Two parallel and opposite side frame pieces 34 are provided, which are coupled to each other by transverse frame pieces 36, 38. The frame piece 38 is a rear frame piece which is not fixed to the side frame pieces 34 at the rear end thereof, but at a distance from them, so that the side frame pieces 34 have ends 40 projecting out from the rear frame piece 38.

[0040] These projecting ends 40 then also form the rear corners of the frame and terminate with a receiving opening 44 formed by the hollow profile (see [Fig.5]), into which hinged parts 46, 48 are inserted and anchored.

[0041] These hinged parts 46, 48, which will be explained below with reference to figures 6 and 7, are made of plastic, more precisely preferably injection-molded plastic parts, not mechanically machined.

[0042] As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, the frame 30 is not visible from the outside thanks to a plurality of plate-shaped parts mounted on the frame 30, part 50 of which is provided with reference numbers in [Fig. 2]. These parts constitute the lower and upper faces of the cooking appliance cover 14.

[0043] In [Fig. 2], a rear cover 51 (see [Fig. 3]), which can be removed for maintenance and installation work, is removed and forms part from the upper face of the cooking appliance cover 14. Fittings 52 and piping 54 allowing steam evacuation or measurement are then visible, i.e. that sensor lines are partly installed there.

[0044] The installation space thus formed is enclosed between the rear frame piece 38 and the protruding ends 40 of the frame 30.

[0045] Depending on whether the cooking appliance cover 14 is mounted on one side or both sides, hinged parts 46, 48 defining the pivot axis A can be mounted on one side or, as illustrated in [Fig.2], on both sides and therefore in both corners.

[0046] The hinged part 46, unlike the hinged part 48, protrudes laterally from the outer face of the cooking appliance lid 14. The axially extended section 60 thus formed is intended to mount a drive lever 62 (see [Fig. 3]) in a manner resistant to a rotational torque. For this purpose, the extended section 60 has a drive geometry 64, here in the form of oppositely oriented flats on the outer face of the extended section 60. Alternative drive geometries are grooves or teeth.

[0047] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the drive lever 62 has a kind of collar structure and surrounds the extended section 60 circumferentially by clamping, which creates a radial preload.

[0048] In order to absorb these clamping forces and reduce the stresses on the hinged part 46, a metal stiffener 66 in the form of a sleeve is press-fitted into the hinged part 46. Indeed, the hinged part 46 is made hollow along the outlet axis of the piping 54 and the other corresponding conduits, so that the metal stiffener 66 is inserted into the cavity.

[0049] Figures 6 and 7 show the hinged parts 48 and 46. It is clearly visible that the hinged parts 46 and 48 comprise a pivot bearing section 70 with a cylindrical bearing surface 72, and a projecting arm 74 integrally integrated into the pivot bearing section 70. This arm 74 is adapted to the shape of the corresponding receiving opening 44 in the frame 30, so that it can be inserted into it, as shown in [Fig. 5]. Externally, screws, rivets, or other fasteners 79 can then pass through or penetrate the frame 30 and the arm 74 to secure the arm 74 rigidly to the frame 30.

[0050] In order to also fix, for example, one of the plate-shaped parts forming the upper or lower face to the hinged part 46, 48, the latter may have one or more metal inserts 80 (see [Fig. 6]), which are, for example, made in the form of threaded bushings. An internal thread is formed inside these metal inserts 80, so that a plate-shaped part can be screwed into it. area. Metal inserts 80 can of course also be provided to fix the hinged parts 46, 48 to the frame 30.

[0051] A plain bearing or a rolling bearing is inserted into the hinged part 48, in the circular cylindrical opening with the bearing surface 72 in the mounted state, then a shaft fixed to the frame 26 of the cooking appliance 10 is inserted into the bearing.

[0052] In the case of the hinged part 46, a plain or rolling bearing is placed on the bearing surface 72 oriented radially outwards, which is then fixed laterally to the frame 26 in a bearing housing 82, which is omitted in [Fig. 3]. The frame 26 (here a wall) is provided between the shown side wall of the cooking appliance cover 14 and the bearing housing 82, but it is omitted in [Fig. 3].

[0053] A pivoting drive 90, symbolically represented in [Fig.3], causes the cooking appliance lid 14 to pivot by driving the drive lever 62 into the open position and into the closed position, or into intermediate positions.

[0054] Thanks to the plastic construction of the hinged parts 46, 48, the cooking appliance lid 14 is characterized by high elasticity and thus better shock absorption during opening and closing. This results in greater comfort for the operator and also leads to considerable cost savings.

Claims

Demands

1. A cooking appliance lid for the selective, pivoting closure of an upward-opening cooking vessel (12), comprising a pivot axis (A) around which the cooking appliance lid (14) can pivot, a circumferential peripheral edge (32) delimited by an inner frame (30), at least one plate-shaped piece (50) mounted on the frame (30) that defines the lower or upper face of the cooking appliance lid (14), two hinged pieces (46, 48) spaced apart, positioned in opposite corners of the cooking appliance lid (14) and defining the pivot axis (A), and each comprising a pivot bearing section (70) having a cylindrical bearing surface (72), and a projecting arm (74) that is integral with the pivot bearing section (70), the respective arm (74) being fixed to the frame (30), the hinged parts (46,48) being made of plastic, and a hinged part (46) having, in the direction of the pivot bearing axis (A), relative to the other hinged part (48), an axially extended section having a drive geometry (64) for mounting, resistant to a rotational torque, a drive lever (62).

2. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (30) is made of metal.

3. Cooking appliance cover (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame (30) is composed of several frame pieces (34, 36, 38) connected to each other, in particular hollow profiles.

4. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (30) has a receiving opening (44) in its two opposite corners and in that the arms (74) protrude into the associated receiving openings (44).

5. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to claim 4, characterized in that the arms (74) rest on the inner contour of the receiving openings (44).

6. Cooking appliance cover (14) according to claim 3 and also according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the frame parts (34, 36, 38) are open hollow profiles and the receiving openings (44) are formed by openings on the front face side of the hollow profile.

7. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the hinged parts (46, 48) is provided with at least one metal insert (80) which is surrounded by and embedded in the plastic material of the hinged part (46, 48) and which has a fixing geometry for fixing the plate-shaped part (50).

8. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive geometry (64) has a flattening or a groove.

9. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinged part (46, 48) is hollow in the area radially towards the inside of the driving geometry (64) and in that a metal stiffener (66) is inserted into the cavity formed, in particular a socket.

10. Cooking appliance cover (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bearing bushing mounted or inserted in the axial direction is fixed on at least one hinged part (46, 48).

11. Cooking appliance cover (14) according to claim 10, characterized in that the bearing sleeve is made of metal.

12. Cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the integrated hinged parts (46, 48) are injection-molded plastic parts not mechanically machined.

13. Cooking appliance comprising an upwardly open cooking container (12) and a cooking appliance lid (14) according to any one of the preceding claims pivotally fixed thereto, and a pivot drive (90) which is coupled to one of the hinged parts (46, 48) to apply torque to that hinged part (46, 48).

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