Cooking appliance equipped with a mineral material tray secured to an upright

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile cooking appliance (1), comprising: - a mineral material tray (2) extending along a receiving plane, comprising a first recess (21); - a connecting element (3) comprising a projecting plate (31), a connecting part (32) comprising a lug (33) engaged in said first recess (21); - an upright (4) having a conduit (41) and comprising a lower stop (42) and an upper stop (43), an opening (46) of the conduit (41) being positioned vertically between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43), said plate (31) passing through the opening (41), the connecting part (32) and the lug (33) being positioned between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43) so as to prevent the lug (33) from being removed from said first recess (21); - a fixing element (5) securing the plate (31) to the upright (4). Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Cooking appliance equipped with a mineral material tray secured to an upright

[0001] The invention relates generally to cooking appliances, and in particular to cooking appliances intended for melting cheese of the raclette type.

[0002] Such cooking appliances are most often used to melt raclette cheese or heat other foods and have at least one tray so that several guests can place bowls filled with food on this tray. A heating element generally overhangs this tray in order to grill or heat the food placed in bowls on said tray. The heating element is most often surmounted by an upper tray, allowing both to place objects on the cooking appliance and to concentrate the heating towards the tray carrying the bowls. A third tray can be positioned below the main tray, for example to store the bowls temporarily not in use during use of the product.

[0003] Some cooking appliances use heating trays made of mineral materials, for example glass, both for aesthetic and technical reasons. A tray made of mineral material is, for example, very easy to clean and has increased rigidity and reduced wear compared to a metal tray. The tray overhanging the heating element can provide transparency which allows visibility of the food being cooked. Such trays are supported at their ends by one or more uprights, which allows them to be kept raised above the surface of a table and to be kept fixed.

[0004] A known method of assembling a mineral tray to uprights consists of securing them with glue. While the method is a priori simple to implement, it nevertheless poses a certain number of problems. The chosen glue must correspond to the pair of materials of the tray and the upright and meet the mechanical and thermal constraints imposed by the device. The glued part must be masked to guarantee a good aesthetic of the connection. Finally, the implementation and hardening time of the glue is relatively long and requires a production line and substantial logistics. In addition, in the event of a defect during assembly or in the event of alteration during use of the device, it is not possible to separate the tray from the upright to which it is fixed, which limits the repairability of the device. This also poses a problem at the end of the life cycle, since the tray cannot easily be separated from the uprights.Being made of different materials and having to be treated differently, this limits the recyclability of the device.

[0005] The invention aims to solve one or more of these drawbacks. The invention thus relates to a mobile cooking appliance, comprising: - a mineral material tray extending along a receiving plane, the directions parallel to this receiving plane being radial directions, the direction normal to this receiving plane being a vertical direction, the tray comprising a first recess along the vertical direction positioned near one of its edges; - a first connecting element comprising a plate projecting radially relative to said edge, a connecting part secured to the plate and comprising a lug engaged in said first recess; - an upright having a conduit extending radially to provide access from an internal face and from an external face of the upright, the upright comprising a lower stop and an upper stop on the side of the internal face, an opening of the conduit being positioned vertically between the lower stop and the upper stop, said plate passing through the opening, the connecting part and the lug being positioned between the lower stop and the upper stop so as to prevent the lug from being removed from said first recess; - a fixing element accessible from said external face and securing the plate to the upright.

[0006] The invention also relates to the following variants. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the features of the following variants can be independently combined with the above features, without constituting an intermediate generalization.

[0007] According to a variant, said fixing element extends radially between the plate and the upright and comprises on the one hand a part engaged with the plate to restrict a radial movement of the plate going from the external face towards the internal face, and on the other hand a part interfering with the upright to restrict its radial movement going from the external face towards the internal face.

[0008] According to another variant, said fixing element is a screw whose head interferes with the upright and whose thread is engaged in a threaded half-bore of the upright and engaged in a threaded half-bore of the plate.

[0009] According to another variant, the first connecting element comprises a vertically projecting edge on the side of the plate to restrict pivoting of the plate around a vertical direction.

[0010] According to another variant, the device comprises an elastic ring interposed between the first connecting element and the plate and surrounding said lug.

[0011] According to another variant, the materials of the upright and of the first connecting element have the same values to within 20% for any one of the following physical properties: modulus of elasticity, coefficient of friction or hardness of surface.

[0012] According to yet another variant, the upright comprises a section positioned above or below the upper stop, the vertical projection of the outline of this section onto a receiving plane surrounding the outline of the connecting element.

[0013] According to another variant, the device comprises at least one other tray secured to said upright, said upright extending in one piece between said trays.

[0014] According to another variant, the device comprises at least one other upright having the same characteristics as said upright, and comprising a second connecting element having the same characteristics as said first connecting element, said plate comprising a second recess in the vertical direction and positioned close to another of its edges; -the lug of the second connecting element being engaged in said second recess, the plate of the second connecting element passing through the opening of the other upright, the connecting part and the lug of the second connecting element being positioned between the lower stop and the upper stop of the other upright so as to prevent the removal of this lug from the second recess.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method of assembling a mobile cooking appliance, comprising the steps of: -provide a mineral material tray extending along a receiving plane, the directions parallel to this receiving plane being radial directions, the direction normal to this receiving plane being a vertical direction, the tray comprising a first recess along the vertical direction positioned near one of its edges; - securing a first connecting element to the plate, the connecting element comprising a plate positioned protruding radially relative to said edge, a connecting part secured to the plate and comprising a lug positioned engaged in said first recess; -providing an upright having a conduit extending radially to provide access from an inner face and from an outer face of the upright, the upright comprising a lower stop and an upper stop on the inner face side, an opening of the conduit being positioned vertically between the lower stop and the upper stop; -positioning said plate so as to pass through the opening, and so as to position the connecting part and the lug between the lower stop and the upper stop so as to prevent the lug from being removed from said first recess; - secure the plate to the upright using a fixing element from said external face.

[0016] Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description which is given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] - is a perspective view of a mobile cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0018] [Fig.2] - is a perspective view of an intermediate tray made of mineral material of the mobile cooking appliance;

[0019] [Fig.3] - is a perspective view of details of the attachment of the tray of [Fig.2] to an amount;

[0020] [Fig.4] - is a perspective view of an example of a connecting element of a device according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.5] - is another perspective view of the connecting element of [Fig.4];

[0022] [Fig.6] - is a cross-sectional view of the amount of the cooking appliance of the [Fig.l];

[0023] [Fig.7] - is a front view of the upright of the cooking appliance of [Fig.l];

[0024] [Fig.8] - is a perspective view of the amount of the cooking appliance of [Fig.l]

[0025] [Fig.9] - is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of [Fig.l] at the level of the connection between the upright and the tray;

[0026] [Fig. 10] - is a perspective view of a cover used to hide the connecting elements of the mobile device of [Fig.l].

[0027] [Fig. 1] is a perspective view of a mobile cooking appliance 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The mobile cooking appliance 1 is more particularly intended for cooking raclette strips or other foods placed in bowls. The appliance 1 comprises in particular a tray 2 and an upright 4. In the example illustrated and in other possible variants, such an appliance may comprise two or more trays, and / or two or more uprights.

[0028] The tray 2 is made of mineral material, for example glass. Such a tray 2 is advantageous both for its aesthetics and for its ease of washing. The tray 2 is intended to be fixed to the upright 4 in an optimal manner. The tray 2 extends along a receiving plane including the directions X, Y, the directions parallel to this receiving plane being radial directions. The direction Z normal to this receiving plane will be considered as a vertical direction. The tray 2 is intended to receive cups, by access along different radial directions.

[0029] An example of a tray 2 is more precisely illustrated with reference to [Fig. 2]. The tray 2 comprises a recess 21 in the vertical direction. This recess 21 is positioned close to one of the edges of the tray. The recess 21 may be through or blind. The recess 21 may be formed by any suitable means in the tray 2.

[0030] [Fig.3] illustrates a perspective view of details of the attachment of the plate 2 to the upright 4. For the sake of readability, an external cover 7 associated with upright 4 has been removed, which allows the interior of upright 4 to be viewed. [Fig. 3] makes it possible to identify a connecting element 3 intended to secure the plate 2 to upright 4. The connecting element 3 is illustrated in more detail in the perspective views of figures 4 and 5. The connecting element 3 comprises a plate 31, a connecting part 32 and a lug 33.

[0031] The lug 33 is engaged in the recess 21 of the plate 2, as illustrated in the sectional view of [Fig.9]. The relative translations between the plate 2 and the connecting element 3 in the radial directions are thus clamped, without requiring gluing. The plate 31 projects radially relative to the edge of the plate 2. The connecting part 32 is integral with the plate 31 and comprises the lug 33. The connecting part 32 provides the mechanical connection between the plate 31 and the lug 33. The connecting part 32 here overhangs a part of the plate 2 between the edge of the plate 2 and the recess 21.

[0032] Figures 6, 7 and 8 are respectively side, front and perspective sectional views of the upright 4. The upright 4 comprises a conduit 41 extending radially to provide access from an internal face 44 and access from an external face 45. Access via the internal face 44 makes it possible in particular to bring the association of the connecting element 3 and the plate 2 to the conduit 4L. The upright also comprises a lower stop 42 and an upper stop 43 on the side of the internal face 44. The stops 42 and 43 are here formed of flat walls extending radially from the conduit 4L. An opening 46 of the conduit 41 is positioned vertically between the lower stop 42 and the upper stop 43. Thus, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, the plate 31 can be inserted into the conduit 41 by passing through the opening 46, so as to be accessible from the external face 45.Advantageously, the plate 31 is fully inserted into the conduit 41, which makes it possible to accommodate the greatest possible length of the plate 2 between the stops 42 and 43. The connecting part 32 and the edge of the plate 2 are then positioned between the lower stop 42 and the upper stop 43. The connecting part 32 and the lug 33 are thus positioned between the lower stop 42 and the upper stop 43 so as to prevent the lug 33 from being removed from the recess 21.

[0033] Furthermore, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, a fixing element 5 is accessible from the external face 45. The fixing element 5 secures the plate 31 to the upright 4. By immobilizing the plate 31 relative to the upright 4, the tray 2 is also immobilized relative to the upright 4. The ergonomics of assembly of the cooking appliance 1 is particularly advantageous, since the connecting element 3 / tray 2 assembly can be inserted from the internal face 44 and ensure their attachment by easy access from the external face 45.

[0034] Thus, the invention makes it possible to dispense with the use of glue and the multiple associated design constraints, as well as the significant time required for the glue to harden and the impossibility of dismantling the device either during its assembly or at the end of its life cycle.

[0035] The fixing element 5 advantageously extends radially, and is arranged between the connecting element 3 and the upright 4. The fixing element 5 comprises on the one hand a part engaged with the plate 31 to restrict a radial movement of the plate 31 going from the external face 45 towards the internal face 44, and on the other hand a part interfering with the upright 4 to restrict its radial movement going from the external face 45 towards the internal face 44. Thus, such a fixing element 5 is inserted between the connecting element 3 and the upright 4 to ensure their joining. It is thus possible to keep a connecting element 3 fairly thin, since there is no need to provide a threaded bore in its thickness.

[0036] In particular, the fixing element 5 is a screw. The head of the screw 51 interferes with the upright 4 and its thread is engaged in a threaded half-bore 48 of the upright 4 and engaged in a threaded half-bore 38 of the connecting element 3. A threaded half-bore 48 of the upright 4 is notably illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8. The threaded half-bores thus make it possible to distribute the size of the screw 5 between the connecting element 3 and the upright 4.

[0037] In the example illustrated, the connecting element 3 advantageously comprises a rim 35 projecting vertically on the side of the plate 2, to restrict a pivoting of the plate 2 around a vertical direction. Such a rim 35 thus facilitates the handling of the plate 2 before its assembly with the upright 4.

[0038] As illustrated in [Fig.9], the device 1 advantageously comprises an elastic ring 6 interposed between the connecting element 3 and the plate 2, and further surrounding the lug 33. The elastic ring 6 thus makes it possible to compensate for the geometric tolerances between the different parts during assembly, in order to minimize the play between the connecting element 3 and the upright 4, and to compensate for the differences in expansion coefficient between the connecting element 3 and the plate 2, during heating of the device.

[0039] Advantageously, the materials of the upright 4 and the connecting element 3 have the same values to within 20% for any of the following physical properties: the modulus of elasticity, the coefficient of friction or the surface hardness. These similarities in physical properties prove particularly appropriate when a screw 5 ensures the connection between the connecting element 3 and the upright 4.

[0040] The upright 4 of the cooking appliance 1 advantageously comprises a lateral face 47 in order to prevent the connecting element 3 from pivoting around a vertical axis. The lateral face 47 is for example provided to interfere with the connecting part 32. Another lateral face can be positioned opposite the lateral face 47.

[0041] Advantageously, the upright 4 comprises a section 49 positioned above the upper stop 43. Such a section 49 can also be positioned below the upper stop, for example at the base of the upright 4. Such a section 49 forms a closed contour. The vertical projection of the contour of this section 49 on a receiving plane surrounds the contour of the connecting element 3. In other words, the connecting element 3 is housed in a confined space of the upright 4 to be as invisible and accessible as possible during use of the device 1. The interior of the upright 4 can be hidden by means of an attached cover 7, as illustrated in [Fig. 10]. The cover 7 can have access for electrical wiring or for a control interface. The cover 7 can be made flush with the section 49. The association between the cover 7 and the upright 4 can result in a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0042] Advantageously, the cooking appliance 1 comprises at least one other tray 20, having the same characteristics as the tray 2. The tray 2 is here an intermediate tray, the tray 20 being a lower tray. The tray 20 can be used for example to place dishes or objects that do not need to be reheated. The tray 20 is also integral with the upright 4. The upright 4 extends in one piece between the trays 2 and 20, so that an upright 4 made of the same material can be used to ensure the fixing of these two trays. Furthermore, the association of the plates 2 and 20 with the upright 4 contributes to the overall rigidity of the cooking appliance 1. The plate 20 thus comprises a recess near one of its edges, in which the lug of another connecting element 3 engages, the assembly being fixed in the upright between other lower and upper stops, positioned on either side of the opening of a conduit.A fixing element 5 also secures this other connecting element 3 to the upright 4.

[0043] In the example illustrated, the cooking appliance 1 comprises yet another tray 91, having characteristics similar to those of the tray 2. The tray 91 is here an upper tray having characteristics close to those of the tray 2. The tray 91 may for example include a recess to allow it to be fixed to the upright 4 by means of a lug. The tray 91 may for example overcome a heating resistor positioned directly above the tray 2. The upright 4 also advantageously extends continuously between the tray 2 and the tray 91.

[0044] In the example illustrated, the apparatus 1 comprises another upright 40. The plate 2 (as well as the plates 20 and 91) are also secured to the upright 40. The other upright 40 has the same mechanical characteristics as the upright 4, in particular the interfaces with the plates 2, 20 and 91, with the connecting elements 3 or with the fixing elements 5. Connecting elements identical to the connecting elements 3 are used to secure the plates 2 and 20 to the upright 40, in a similar manner to the fixing with the upright 4. In particular, the plate 2 comprises a recess 22 positioned at an edge opposite the recess 21, this recess 22 being intended to engage with a lug of a connecting element 3. It can be seen that the association of several uprights and several plates contributes to the stability of the structure of the device 1. Furthermore, this design makes it possible to secure a plate 2 or 20 to an upright, while this plate is already secured to another upright, guaranteeing a certain stability during assembly.

[0045] To ensure optimal holding of a tray 2 and in particular to limit its pivoting relative to the upright 4, the stops 42 and 43 advantageously have a dimension of at least 25 mm in the X direction. To optimally immobilize the connecting element 3 between the stops 42 and 43, the clearance between the connecting element 3 and the stops 42 and 43 is advantageously less than 1 mm. Such clearance also makes it possible to prevent the lug 33 from being able to come out of the recess 21 and guarantees a sufficient overlapping surface between the fixing element 5, the connecting element 3 and the upright 4.

Claims

Claims

1. Mobile cooking appliance (1), characterized in that it comprises: - a mineral material tray (2) extending along a receiving plane, the directions parallel to this receiving plane being radial directions, the direction normal to this receiving plane being a vertical direction, the tray (2) comprising a first recess (21) in the vertical direction positioned close to one of its edges; - a first connecting element (3) comprising a plate (31) projecting radially relative to said edge, a connecting part (32) secured to the plate (31) and comprising a lug (33) engaged in said first recess (21);-an upright (4) having a conduit (41) extending radially to provide access from an inner face (44) and from an outer face (45) of the upright (4), the upright comprising a lower stop (42) and an upper stop (43) on the inner face side, an opening (46) of the conduit (41) being positioned vertically between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43), said plate (31) passing through the opening (41), the connecting part (32) and the lug (33) being positioned between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43) so as to prevent the lug (33) from being removed from said first recess (21); -a fixing element (5) accessible from said outer face (45) and securing the plate (31) to the upright (4).;

2. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein said fixing element (5) extends radially between the plate (31) and the upright (4) and comprises on the one hand a part engaged with the plate (31) to restrict a radial movement of the plate (31) going from the external face towards the internal face, and on the other hand a part (51) interfering with the upright (4) to restrict its radial movement going from the external face towards the internal face.

3. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to claim 2, wherein said fixing element (5) is a screw whose head (51) interferes with the upright (4) and whose thread is engaged in a threaded half-bore of the upright (4) and engaged in a threaded half-bore of the plate (31).

4. A mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the first connecting element (3) comprises a rim (35) projecting vertically on the side of the tray to restrict a pivoting of the plate (2) around a vertical direction.

5. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an elastic ring (6) interposed between the first connecting element (3) and the tray (2) and surrounding said lug (33).

6. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the materials of the upright (4) and the first connecting element (3) have the same values to within 20% for any of the following physical properties: modulus of elasticity, coefficient of friction or surface hardness.

7. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upright (4) comprises a section (49) positioned above or below the upper stop (43), the vertical projection of the outline of this section on a receiving plane surrounding the outline of the connecting element (3).

8. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one other tray (20) integral with said upright (4), said upright (4) extending in one piece between said trays.

9. Mobile cooking appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one other upright (40) having the same characteristics as said upright, and comprising a second connecting element having the same characteristics as said first connecting element (3), said tray (2) having a second recess (22) in the vertical direction and positioned close to another of its edges; - the lug of the second connecting element being engaged in said second recess (22), the plate of the second connecting element passing through the opening of the other upright, the connecting part and the lug of the second connecting element being positioned between the lower stop and the upper stop of the other upright so as to prevent the removal of this lug from the second recess (22).

10. Method of assembling a mobile cooking appliance (1), comprising the steps of: - providing a mineral material tray (2) extending along a receiving plane, the directions parallel to this receiving plane being radial directions, the direction normal to this receiving plane being a vertical direction, the plate (2) comprising a first recess (21) in the vertical direction positioned near one of its edges; - securing a first connecting element (3) to the plate (2), the connecting element (3) comprising a plate (31) positioned protruding radially relative to said edge, a connecting part (32) secured to the plate (31) and comprising a lug (33) positioned engaged in said first recess (21); -providing an upright (4) having a conduit (41) extending radially to provide access from an internal face (44) and from an external face (45) of the upright (4), the upright comprising a lower stop (42) and an upper stop (43) on the side of the internal face, an opening (46) of the conduit (41) being positioned vertically between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43); -positioning said plate (31) so as to pass through the opening (41), and so as to position the connecting part (32) and the lug (33) between the lower stop (42) and the upper stop (43) so as to prevent the lug (33) from being removed from said first recess (21); - secure the plate (31) to the upright (4) by means of a fixing element (5) from said external face (45).

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