Cooking tray and cooking appliance

Abstract

To more easily attain a structure capable of expressing a gradation while reducing the number of colors in a glass plate constituting a top plate for a heating cooker.SOLUTION: A top plate 3 for a heating cooker is provided with: a glass plate 10; a plurality of first coloring parts 21 structured so as to cover one plate surface (rear surface 10A) of the glass plate 10 and superimposed on the glass plate; and a second coloring part 22 different in at least one of a color tone, a color saturation and brightness from those of the glass plate 10 and the first coloring part 21. A gradation area is included in a plurality of individual areas forming at least one part of a virtual area alignment when setting the virtual area alignment obtained by dividing the one plate surface (rear surface 10A) into a plurality of prescribed-shape individual areas. In the gradation area, a ratio of a visually recognized area of the first coloring part 21 to a visually recognized area of the second coloring part 22 in each of the individual areas becomes gradually larger as going from one side to the other side in a prescribed direction along the one pate surface (rear surface 10A) in a plurality of virtual area columns included in the gradation area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a top plate for a cooking appliance and a cooking appliance.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a top plate (top plate) for a cooking appliance. This top plate includes a glass plate. A light-shielding film or a decorative film is provided on the plate surface of the glass plate for concealing internal parts of the cooking appliance and improving the appearance.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When creating changes such as shades and brightness on the top plate for a cooking appliance, it is assumed that patterns and colors are applied using methods such as multicolor printing. However, in such methods, since it is necessary to print many colors, it is likely to cause complications in processing devices and processing methods.

[0005] On the other hand, in manufacturing a top plate having a glass plate, screen printing is cited as a printing method that is advantageous in terms of mass production and cost. However, when applying a gradation pattern to a glass plate by a general screen printing method, it is necessary to repeatedly perform the process of supplying ink and printing while overlapping a stencil on the glass substrate for each color. In such a method, there is a concern of being disadvantageous in terms of burden and the number of colors.

[0006] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to more simply realize a configuration capable of expressing a gradation on a glass plate constituting the top plate for a cooking appliance while suppressing the number of coloring.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] One of the disclosures is a cooking plate for a heating appliance, A top plate for a cooking appliance equipped with a glass plate, The glass plate is configured to cover one of its surfaces, and includes a plurality of first colored portions that overlap the glass plate, A second colored portion overlaps the glass plate and is positioned in a region that does not overlap vertically with at least the first colored portion, covering one or the other surface of the glass plate, and having at least one of its hue, saturation, and brightness different from that of the glass plate and the first colored portion. Equipped with, The first colored portion and the second colored portion are visible from above the glass plate, with or without the glass plate. In the case where a virtual region array is set up by dividing one of the board surfaces into a plurality of individual regions of a predetermined shape, and in the virtual region array, a plurality of virtual region rows are set up so that a plurality of the individual regions are aligned in a first direction along the one of the board surfaces, and a plurality of the individual regions are divided so that a plurality of the virtual region rows are aligned in a second direction along the one of the board surfaces, A gradient region is included in a plurality of individual regions that make up at least a part of the aforementioned virtual region array. In the gradient region, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the board surfaces in a plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradient region, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion in each individual region gradually increases. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the technology disclosed herein, one of the objectives is to more easily realize a configuration that can represent a gradient effect in a glass plate constituting a top plate for a cooking appliance by reducing the number of colors used. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a built-in cooktop according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a plan view of the built-in cooktop shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows a magnified portion of the colored layer as seen from above through a glass plate. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view conceptually showing an enlarged view of a cross-section obtained by cutting a portion of the tabletop in a predetermined direction. [Figure 5] Figure 5(A) shows an example of the arrangement of the first colored portion in the gradient region of the top plate of the first embodiment, Figure 5(B) shows a different arrangement example from Figure 5(B), and Figure 5(C) shows a different arrangement example from Figures 5(A) and (B). [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows an enlarged portion of the colored layer visible from above through the glass plate in the top plate of the third embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram that schematically shows an enlarged portion of the colored layer visible from above through the glass plate in the top panel of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the method for setting the virtual area rows differs from that in Figure 7 for the top panel of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view conceptually showing an enlarged cross-section of a part of the tabletop according to another embodiment, cut in a predetermined direction. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated below. The features illustrated below may be combined in any non-consistent way.

[0011] [1] One of the disclosures is a top plate for a cooking appliance, A top plate for a cooking appliance equipped with a glass plate, The glass plate is configured to cover one of its surfaces, and includes a plurality of first colored portions that overlap the glass plate, It overlaps the glass plate in a configuration that covers one or the other plate surface of the glass plate so as to be disposed in a region that does not overlap vertically with at least the first colored portion, and at least one of hue, chroma, and lightness is different from the glass plate and the first colored portion. A second colored portion, comprises The first colored portion and the second colored portion are visible from above the glass plate, either through the glass plate or without passing through the glass plate, In a case where a virtual region array that divides one plate surface into a plurality of individual regions of a predetermined shape is set, and a virtual region row is set such that a plurality of the individual regions are arranged in a first direction along the one plate surface in the virtual region array, and a plurality of the individual regions are divided such that a plurality of the virtual region rows are arranged in a second direction along the one plate surface, a gradation region is included in a plurality of the individual regions that form at least a part of the virtual region array, In the gradation region, in a plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradation region, as going from one side to the other side in a predetermined direction along the one plate surface, the ratio of the visible region of the first colored portion to the visible region of the second colored portion in each individual region gradually increases.

[0012] The top plate for the cooking appliance according to [1] can represent a gradation adjustment in the glass plate constituting the top plate. Moreover, since the gradation adjustment can be expressed by the configuration of "gradually changing the ratio of the visible region of the first colored portion to the visible region of the second colored portion", it is not necessary to print many colors to represent the gradation adjustment, and it can be more reliably realized with fewer colors. Therefore, the top plate for this cooking appliance can realize a configuration capable of representing a gradation adjustment more simply while suppressing the number of colors.

[0013] In this specification, the visible region is a region that is visible from above the top plate. The visible region may be configured such that "the upper surface of the visible region is exposed", or may be configured such that "the upper surface of the visible region is covered by a glass plate having transparency and the upper surface of the visible region is visible through the glass plate from above the glass plate".

[0014] 〔2〕The outer edge shape of the first colored portion in the gradation region is circular, In the plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradation region, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored portion gradually increases from one side to the other side in a predetermined direction along one plate surface. The top plate for a cooking appliance according to 〔1〕.

[0015] The top plate for a cooking appliance according to 〔2〕 can give a sense of shape unity even to individual regions with different coloring patterns, and it is easy to suppress a decline in aesthetics caused by a prominent difference in shape. And a configuration in which the ratio of the visible region of the first colored portion to the visible region of the second colored portion gradually increases in the gradation region can be more easily realized by the feature of "varying the size of the circle".

[0016] 〔3〕The gradation region extends across the top plate between a position closer to one end in the left - right direction of the top plate and a position closer to the other end in the left - right direction of the top plate. The top plate for a cooking appliance according to 〔1〕 or 〔2〕.

[0017] In the top plate for a cooking appliance according to 〔3〕, a gradation region can be formed as a whole in the left - right direction, and such a configuration can be realized more simply by suppressing the number of colors.

[0018] 〔4〕The gradation region extends across the top plate between at least a position closer to the front end of the top plate and the central position in the front - rear direction of the top plate. A cooking tray for a heating appliance as described in any one of [1] to [3].

[0019] The cooking surface for the heating appliance described in [4] can have a gradient area formed in the front area that is easily visible to the user, and the "gradient effect created by gradually increasing the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored part to the visible area of ​​the second colored part" can be further emphasized.

[0020] [5] The individual regions are regions demarcated by rectangular or square boundaries, The aforementioned virtual region array is a region in which multiple individual regions are arranged in a grid. A cooking tray for a heating appliance as described in any one of [1] through [4].

[0021] In the cooking surface for the heating appliance described in [5], the virtual area arrangement can be a simple shape of area with multiple individual areas set up in a grid. This makes it easier to set up such an area arrangement.

[0022] [6] In each of the individual regions in the gradient region where the first colored portion is arranged, the center of each first colored portion coincides with the center of each individual region. A cooking tray for a heating appliance as described in any one of [1] through [5].

[0023] The cooking surface for the heating appliance described in [6] is less likely to result in a configuration where the arrangement of the first colored areas differs significantly from one individual area to another within the gradient region, and the first colored areas are more easily arranged in a balanced manner. Therefore, it is easier to improve the aesthetic appearance from the standpoint of the balance of the first colored areas.

[0024] A cooking appliance having a top plate for a cooking appliance as described in any one of items [7], [1], to [6].

[0025] The heating appliance in [7] provides the same effect as the baking sheet in [1].

[0026] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. Overall configuration of the cooking appliance The cooking appliance 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is configured as a gas stove equipped with a gas burner as the heating element. In Figure 2, the downward, upward, right, and left directions refer to the front, rear, right, and left sides of the cooking appliance 1, respectively. Specifically, of the plate-shaped top plate 3, the shorter side is the front-to-back direction, and the longer side is the left-to-right direction. The thickness direction of the top plate 3 is the up-to-down direction.

[0027] The cooking appliance 1 shown in Figure 1 is configured as a gas stove equipped with gas burners. The cooking appliance 1 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped-shaped appliance body 2. A top plate 3 is attached to the top of the appliance body 2. On the top plate 3, a right burner 4 is provided at the front right (closer to the right and front ends), a left burner 5 is provided at the front left (closer to the left and front ends), and a rear burner 6 is provided at the rear center. Although not described in detail, each of the burners 4 to 6 is provided with an igniter (not shown) for ignition. On the top plate 3, trivets 4A, 5A, and 6A are provided around each of the burners 4 to 6, respectively. A grill exhaust port 7 is provided at a position near the rear end of the top plate 3, which communicates with a grill compartment (not shown) installed inside the appliance body 2.

[0028] A grill door 8 is provided in the center of the front of the appliance body 2. The grill door 8 can slide in the front-to-back direction by a rail unit (not shown) provided inside the grill compartment. A handle 9 is provided in the center of the front of the grill door 8.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1, four ignition buttons 11-14 are provided near the front of the cooking appliance 1, corresponding to the burners 4-6 and the grill compartment, respectively. The ignition buttons 11-14 are circular in shape when viewed from the front. Ignition button 11 is pressed to ignite / extinguish the right burner 4. Ignition button 12 is pressed to ignite / extinguish the left burner 5. Ignition button 13 is pressed to ignite / extinguish the rear burner 6. Ignition button 14 is pressed to ignite / extinguish the grill burner (not shown) inside the grill compartment. When each of the ignition buttons 11-14 is pressed for ignition, it protrudes cylindrically forward from the front of the appliance body 2 by a well-known push-on / push-off mechanism (not shown), and in this protruding state, it can be rotated. The user can adjust the flame intensity of the various burners 4-6 or the grill burner by rotating the ignition buttons 11-14, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the top plate 3 is equipped with a glass plate 10. The glass plate 10 is made of transparent or translucent glass. The glass plate 10 is made of glass such as borosilicate glass or crystallized glass. The glass plate 10 may be colored transparent. The glass plate 10 is rectangular with rounded corners when viewed from above. The glass plate 10 has a uniform thickness throughout. The glass plate 10 is provided with openings (not shown) through which burners 4-6 are inserted, and openings (not shown) surrounding the grill exhaust port 7.

[0031] 2. Detailed configuration of the top panel Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of the colored layer 20 as seen from above through the glass plate 10. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually showing an enlarged view of a cross-section obtained by cutting a portion of the top plate in a predetermined cutting direction. Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually showing a cross-section obtained by cutting through the center of each first colored portion 21 in a single virtual region row. In Figure 4, hatching and other details of the glass plate 10 are omitted, and the front and back surfaces of the glass plate 10 are shown with solid lines. In Figure 4, the range of the first colored portion 21 is conceptually shown as a black filled area, and the range of the second colored portion 22 is conceptually shown as a gray area. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the top plate 3 has a colored layer 20 formed on one surface of the glass plate 10 (in this embodiment, the back surface (bottom surface) 10A). The colored layer 20 is a printed layer, for example, printed by screen printing. Screen printing is a printing method in which a stencil is placed on the back surface 10A of a glass plate 10, ink is applied, and the process is repeated for each color. The colored layer 20 is a layer containing a coloring agent (such as a pigment). The colored layer 20 is mainly formed by the ink composition (a composition containing a coloring agent and a solvent) discharged onto the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. The color of the coloring agent is visible throughout the colored layer 20. The colored layer 20 is visible from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10.

[0032] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the top plate 3 has multiple first colored sections 21 and second colored sections 22 on the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. The first colored sections 21 are part of the colored layer 20. The first colored sections 21 overlap the glass plate 10 in a configuration that partially covers the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. At least one of the hue, saturation, and lightness of the first colored sections 21 differs from that of the glass plate 10. Hue is the difference in relative color. Hue is the difference in color (shade), and is a color specified by, for example, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, etc. Saturation is the degree of vividness of a color. The higher the saturation, the more vivid the color, and the lower the saturation, the duller and muddier the color. Lightness is the degree of brightness of a color. The higher the lightness, the whiter the color, and the lower the lightness, the darker the color. The first colored portion 21 is visible from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10.

[0033] At least one of the hue, saturation, and lightness of the color appearing in the first colored section 21 is different from that of the second colored section 22, which will be described later. Specifically, the combination of hue, saturation, and lightness of the first colored section 21 (first combination) is different from the combination of hue, saturation, and lightness of the second colored section 22 (second combination). For example, the color of the first colored section 21 is blue, and the color of the second colored section 22 is a darker blue than the blue of the first colored section 21. In this case, the hue is the same in the first colored section 21 and the second colored section 22, but at least one of the saturation and lightness is different. In this way, at least one of the hue, saturation, and lightness of the first colored section 21 is different from that of the second colored section 22, making it possible to distinguish between the first colored section 21 and the second colored section 22 by visual inspection. The above-mentioned specific examples are merely examples, and the hue of the first colored section 21 and the hue of the second colored section 22 may be different, and the combination of hue and lightness of the first colored section 21 and the combination of hue and lightness of the second colored section 22 may be different.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the first colored portion 21 is circular when viewed from above. The outer edge of the first colored portion 21 is circular, and the entire inner region of the circular outer edge of the first colored portion 21 is the first combination (for example, a predetermined blue color). Here, "circular" includes not only a perfect circle but also a shape that is substantially the same as a perfect circle (for example, a shape that resembles a perfect circle, such as one with some minute irregularities).

[0035] As shown in Figure 3, the arrangement of the first colored portion 21 when a virtual region array VA is set on the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10 will be described. The virtual region array VA is a region array in which the back surface 10A is divided into a plurality of individual regions AR of a predetermined shape. The virtual region array VA is set over the entire back surface 10A, for example. Figure 3 shows a part of the virtual region array VA, and the parts not shown are also a similar region array. An individual region AR is a region separated by a square boundary. That is, an individual region AR is a square. The outer edge of an individual region AR is a square. The outer edge shape of an individual region AR is similar to the outer edge shape of the first colored portion 21 contained within that individual region AR. The center of an individual region AR coincides with the center of the first colored portion 21. The virtual region array VA is a region in which a plurality of individual regions AR are set up in a grid pattern (set up separated by a grid-like boundary). A grid pattern refers to a state (shape) in which multiple vertical lines (lines parallel to the first direction in Figure 3) and horizontal lines (lines parallel to the second direction in Figure 3) intersect, as is commonly known as a checkered pattern.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, in the virtual region array VA, the virtual region column L is set up so that multiple individual regions AR are aligned in a first direction along the back surface 10A. The first direction is, for example, the front-to-back direction. Multiple individual regions AR are aligned consecutively in the first direction. When individual regions AR are aligned consecutively, it means that two adjacent individual regions AR do not separate from each other and their boundaries overlap. For example, in a part of the virtual region column L1 shown in Figure 3, individual regions A, B, C, D, and E are aligned consecutively from one side (front side) to the other side (back side) in the first direction. Similarly, in virtual region columns L2, L3, L4, and L5, individual regions AR are aligned consecutively from one side to the other in the first direction.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, multiple virtual region columns L are arranged in a second direction along the back surface 10A. In this first embodiment, the second direction is the left-right direction. For example, in a part of the virtual region array VA shown in Figure 3, virtual region columns L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5 are arranged consecutively in the second direction. In this embodiment, "virtual region columns L are arranged consecutively" means that two adjacent virtual region columns L do not separate from each other, and their boundaries overlap.

[0038] As described above, when a virtual region array VA is set up, each individual region AR has its own first colored portion 21. The first colored portion 21 is positioned within the individual region AR such that its four edges (four straight lines on the outer edge) are parallel to the four edges (four straight lines on the outer edge) of the individual region AR.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, in multiple individual regions AR, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21 differs between one type of individual region AR and another type of individual region AR. For example, if the first colored portion 21 located in individual region A is designated as the first colored portion 21A, and the first colored portion 21 located in individual region B is designated as the first colored portion 21B, then the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21B in individual region B is greater than the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21A in individual region A. Each individual region AR will be perceived in a coloring pattern corresponding to the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21. Therefore, the existence of multiple individual regions AR with different proportions occupied by the first colored portion 21 allows for different coloring patterns to be generated at different locations on the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10.

[0040] At least a portion of the multiple individual regions AR is a ratio change region in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21 in the individual region AR gradually increases as you move from one side (front side) to the other side (rear side) in a predetermined direction along the back surface 10A (front-to-back direction in this first embodiment). This ratio change region is also called a gradient region CR. Specifically, in the gradient region CR, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21 in the individual region AR increases as you move from one side to the other in the front-to-back direction. The gradient region CR is a region in which, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the board surfaces in a plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradient region CR, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 22 in each individual region gradually increases. In this embodiment, in each individual region of the gradient region CR, the entire first colored portion 21 is the visible area. Specifically, the upper surface of the first colored portion 21 in each individual region is covered by a transparent glass plate 10, and the upper surface of each first colored portion 21 (the upper surface of the visible region) is visible from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10. Furthermore, in each individual region of the gradient region CR, the portion of the second colored portion 22 that is not covered by the first colored portion 21 (the portion outside the first colored portion 21) is the visible region. Specifically, in each individual region, the upper surface of the portion of the second colored portion 22 that is not covered by the first colored portion 21 (the portion outside the first colored portion 21) is covered by a transparent glass plate 10, and the upper surface of the portion of the second colored portion 22 that is not covered by the first colored portion 21 (the portion outside the first colored portion 21) (the upper surface of the visible region) is visible from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10.

[0041] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first colored portion 21 overlaps the glass plate 10 in a configuration that directly contacts the back surface 10A of the transparent glass plate 10. The upper surface of the first colored portion 21 is in contact with the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10 and can be viewed from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10. Specifically, in each individual region, the entire upper surface of the first colored portion 21 can be viewed from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10. In other words, the contact surface between the first colored portion 21 and the glass plate 10 is the viewing area.

[0042] The second colored portion 22 overlaps the glass plate 10, partially covering the area on the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10 other than the first colored portion 21. As shown in Figure 4, the second colored portion 22 covers the first colored portion 21 from the opposite side of the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. The second colored portion 22 is part of the colored layer 20. A portion of the upper surface of the second colored portion 22 (specifically, the portion not covered by the first colored portion 21) can be seen from above the glass plate 10 through the glass plate 10. In other words, the contact surface of the second colored portion 22 with the glass plate 10 is the visible area.

[0043] The second colored portion 22 differs from the glass plate 10 in at least one of its hue, saturation, and lightness. Specifically, the glass plate 10 is transparent, while the second colored portion 22 is opaque or semi-transparent. In this way, the top plate 3, by having a colored layer 20 comprising a first colored portion 21 and a second colored portion 22, can produce an aesthetic appearance based on the contrast between the first colored portion 21 and the second colored portion 22. For example, if the first colored portion 21 is blue and the second colored portion 22 is a lighter blue than the color of the first colored portion 21, in the configuration shown in Figure 3, the proportion of darker blue (the color of the first colored portion 21) increases as you move from the front to the back of the top plate 3. Because of this configuration, when a user views the top plate 3 from a distance, they perceive a gradient pattern where the blue color becomes darker from the front to the back.

[0044] In this first embodiment, although only a portion is shown in Figure 3, all of the multiple individual regions AR (the entirety of the virtual region array VA) are gradient regions CR. For example, taking a portion of the virtual region sequence L1 as an example, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21A in individual region A, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21B in individual region B, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21C in individual region C, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21D in individual region D, and the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21E in individual region E increases in that order. In virtual region sequences L2, L3, L4, and L5, similar to virtual region sequence L1, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21 in individual regions AR increases from the front to the back. Specifically, the outer edge shape of the first colored portion 21 in the gradient region CR is circular, and in the multiple virtual region rows L (in Figure 3, virtual region rows L2, L3, L4, L5) included in the gradient region CR, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored portion 21 gradually increases as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the board surfaces. Due to this configuration, the intensity of the color when viewing individual regions AR from a distance differs according to the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21 in the individual regions AR. Furthermore, in the gradient region CR, the proportion gradually increases as you move from the front side to the rear side in the front-to-back direction, so that when a user views the top plate 3 from a distance, they can perceive a gradient pattern regarding the color of the first colored portion 21.

[0045] As shown in Figure 3, in each individual region where the first colored portion 21 is positioned within the gradient region CR, the center of each first colored portion 21 coincides with the center of each individual region. Although Figure 3 shows only a portion of the gradient region CR, for example, in all of the multiple individual regions AR included in the gradient region CR (more specifically, in the entire virtual region array VA of the top panel, for example), the center of each first colored portion 21 coincides with the center of each individual region AR. In the example in Figure 3, for example, the center A1 of individual region A coincides with the center A2 of the first colored portion 21A. Similarly, the center B1 of individual region B coincides with the center B2 of the first colored portion 21B. In this way, the first colored portion 21 can be positioned towards the center of the individual region AR. Therefore, a sense of unity in the placement of the first colored portion 21 is achieved between different positions where differences in coloring patterns occur, thereby improving aesthetics.

[0046] As described above, in the present embodiment, when a virtual region array VA is set up by dividing one surface (back surface 10A) of the top plate 3 and glass plate 10 into a plurality of individual regions AR of a predetermined shape, and the virtual region row L is set up so that a plurality of individual regions AR are lined up in a first direction along one surface (back surface 10A) in the virtual region array VA, and the plurality of individual regions AR are divided so that a plurality of virtual region rows L are lined up in a second direction along one surface (back surface 10A), then a gradient region CR is included in a plurality of individual regions AR that make up at least a part of the virtual region array VA. In the gradient region CR, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one surface (back surface 10A) in the plurality of virtual region rows L included in the gradient region CR, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 22 in each individual region AR gradually increases. To achieve this configuration, the top panel 3 has different ratios of the viewing surface of the first colored area 21 (the surface visible from above) and the viewing surface of the second colored area 22 (the surface visible from above) for one type of individual area AR and for the other type of individual area AR.

[0047] In the example in Figure 3, each virtual region row L has multiple first colored sections 21 arranged in the first direction with equal spacing between their centers. The centers of the multiple first colored sections 21 in each virtual region row L lie on a virtual straight line. In the region array VA, the boundary between two adjacent virtual region rows L in the second direction is a virtual straight line in the first direction, and in the region array VA, multiple such first-direction boundaries (virtual straight lines) are set parallel and at equal intervals. For each boundary (virtual straight line) in the first direction, the distance to the center of each first colored section 21 in the virtual region rows L on both sides separated by the boundary is a fixed value X. Specifically, in the region array VA, the boundary in the first direction is defined by multiple virtual straight lines in the first direction, and these multiple virtual straight lines in the first direction are set at equal intervals. Furthermore, in the region array VA, the boundary in the second direction is defined by multiple virtual straight lines in the second direction which are orthogonal to the first direction, and these multiple virtual straight lines in the second direction are set at equal intervals. These multiple virtual lines in the first direction and multiple virtual lines in the second direction define a grid-like boundary separating multiple individual regions. Each first colored portion 21 is placed in each individual region AR where the virtual boundary is set in a grid-like manner. The center of each first colored portion 21 (for example, the centroid) is located at the center of each individual region AR.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 3, in the gradient region CR, multiple "first colored section rows" are provided in a manner that contacts the lower surface of the glass plate 10, with multiple visible surfaces (upper surfaces visible from above) of the first colored section 21 arranged in a first direction. These first colored section rows are arranged in a second direction. In each first colored section row, the center of each first colored section 21 lies on a virtual straight line in the first direction. Multiple first colored sections 21 are provided, with multiple "first colored section rows" where multiple visible surfaces (upper surfaces visible from above) of the first colored section 21 lies in a second direction. These first colored section rows are arranged in a first direction. In each first colored section row, the center of each first colored section 21 lies on a virtual straight line in the second direction. In this arrangement, the distance between the centers of any two adjacent first colored sections 21 in the first direction is constant, and the distance between the centers of any two adjacent first colored sections 21 in the second direction is constant. In other words, each row of first colored sections is arranged in the first direction such that the distance between the centers of the first colored sections 21 is constant. Then, each row of first colored sections is arranged in the second direction such that the distance between the centers of the first colored sections 21 is constant. The outer edge shape of each viewing surface (top surface) of the multiple first colored sections 21 is a predetermined shape (a square in the example in Figure 3), and the size of the outer edge shape varies. The shape of each viewing surface (top surface) of the multiple first colored sections 21 is selected from multiple types of similar shapes (multiple types of similar squares in the example in Figure 3). Furthermore, the viewing surface (upper surface visible from above) of the second colored portion 22 is positioned in a manner that contacts the lower surface of the glass plate 10, in addition to the area where the viewing surfaces (upper surfaces) of the multiple first colored portions 21 are arranged.

[0049] In the representative example of the first embodiment, the second colored portion 22 is arranged not only in the area other than the first colored portion 21 but also in the area on the lower surface of the first colored portion 21. However, the second colored portion 22 does not have to be arranged in the area on the lower surface of the first colored portion 21. Furthermore, the first colored portion 21 and the second colored portion 22 may differ in only one of the following: hue, saturation, and lightness, or they may differ in two of these, or they may differ in three of these.

[0050] 3. Effects of the First Embodiment In the gradient region CR of the top plate 3, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces (the back surface 10A, which is the bottom surface) in each individual region AR, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored part 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored part 22 gradually increases in each individual region AR. Therefore, a gradient effect can be represented on the glass plate 10 that constitutes the top plate 3. Moreover, since the gradient effect can be represented by the configuration of "gradually changing the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored part 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored part 22," it is not necessary to print many colors to represent the gradient effect, and it can be achieved more reliably with fewer colors. Thus, this top plate 3 for a cooking appliance can more easily realize a configuration that can represent a gradient effect while reducing the number of colors used.

[0051] In the gradient region CR, the outer edge shape of the first colored area 21 is circular, and in the multiple virtual region rows L included in the gradient region CR, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored area 21 gradually increases as one side moves from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces (back surface 10A). This top plate 3 can maintain a sense of shape uniformity even in individual regions with different coloring patterns, and it is easy to suppress the deterioration of aesthetics caused by the prominent appearance of shape differences. Furthermore, the configuration in which the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored area 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored area 22 in the gradient region CR gradually increases can be more easily realized by the feature of "varying the size of the circles". For example, in some individual regions AR, the first colored area 21 can be made to the size shown in Figure 5(A), and in other individual regions AR, the first colored area 21 can be made to the size shown in Figure 5(B). In this way, the impression (especially the impression of density) can be greatly changed by a simple adjustment of varying the size of the circles.

[0052] When the first colored portion 21 is arranged using the method described above, the outer edge shape of the first colored portion 21 can be made circular if the size of the first colored portion 21 fits within the individual region AR, as shown in Figures 5(A) and 5(B), and the combination of hue, saturation, and brightness of the entire area inside the outer edge can be the first combination described above. On the other hand, some or all of the first colored portion 21 may be shaped as shown in Figure 5(C). The first colored portion 21 in Figure 5(C) is a circle whose center is set within the individual region AR (preferably a circle whose center coincides with the center of the individual region AR), and when a circle is set that extends beyond the individual region AR, only the area within the individual region AR of the inner area of ​​the circle is made the area of ​​the first colored portion 21 within the individual region AR.

[0053] The gradient region CR extends across the top plate 3, between a position near one end of the top plate 3 in the left-right direction and a position near the other end of the top plate 3 in the left-right direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the gradient region CR is continuously provided across the entire left-right region C2 between the left and right ends of the visible area of ​​the glass plate 10 on the top plate 3 (the area of ​​the glass plate 10 that is visible from above, for example, the area of ​​the glass plate 10 where the top surface is exposed). This top plate 3 can form a gradient region CR throughout the left-right direction, and such a configuration can be realized more easily by reducing the number of colors.

[0054] The gradient region CR extends across the top plate 3, at least between a position near the front edge of the top plate 3 and the center of the top plate 3 in the front-to-back direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the gradient region CR is provided at least in region C11 on the top plate 3 between the front edge and the center of the visible area of ​​the glass plate 10. This top plate 3 allows the gradient region CR to be configured in the front area that is easily visible to the user, and can further emphasize the "gradient effect created by gradually increasing the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 21 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 22." More specifically, it is provided continuously across the entire region C1 in the front-to-back direction between the front edge and the rear edge of the visible area of ​​the glass plate 10.

[0055] In the top panel 3, individual regions AR are areas demarcated by rectangular or square boundaries, and the virtual region array VA is an area where multiple individual regions AR are arranged in a grid. In this top panel 3, the virtual region array can be a region with a simple shape where multiple individual regions are arranged in a grid. Therefore, it becomes easier to set up such a region array.

[0056] In the gradient region CR, in each individual region AR where the first colored portion 21 is positioned, the center of each first colored portion 21 coincides with the center of each individual region AR. This top plate 3 makes it less likely for the arrangement of the first colored portion 21 to differ significantly from region to region in the gradient region CR, and the first colored portion 21 is easily arranged in a balanced manner. Therefore, it is easy to improve the aesthetic appearance from the standpoint of the balance of the first colored portion 21.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below. In the first embodiment and the embodiments described later, in any individual region where the first colored portion is arranged in the gradient region CR, the center of each first colored portion coincides with the center of each individual region. However, in the first embodiment and the embodiments described later, in any individual region where the first colored portion is arranged in the gradient region CR, the center of each first colored portion and the center of each individual region may be offset by a predetermined positional relationship. The predetermined positional relationship can be, for example, "a positional relationship in which the center of the first colored portion arranged in the individual region is positioned at a position offset by ΔX in the first direction and ΔY in the second direction from the center of the individual region."

[0058] <Third Embodiment> The following description relates to the third embodiment. The top plate 3 of the third embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the method of setting the virtual area arrangement. In the following description, parts that have the same configuration as the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions of these parts are omitted, with an emphasis on the differences from the first embodiment. Figures 1 and 2 are the same for the first and third embodiments, so these figures will be referred to as appropriate in the following description. In the third embodiment, in the configuration of Figure 4, the first colored part 21 and the second colored part 22 are replaced by a first colored part 321 and a second colored part 322.

[0059] The top plate 3 of the third embodiment (Figures 1 and 3), as shown in Figure 6, has a plurality of first colored portions 321 and a plurality of second colored portions 322 on the back surface of the glass plate 10 (the same back surface (bottom surface) as the back surface 10A in Figure 4). When viewed from above the top plate 3, the outer edge of the first colored portion 321 is circular. The second colored portions 322 cover the first colored portions 321 in the same arrangement as in Figure 4 and overlap the glass plate 10 in a configuration that partially covers the area on the back surface of the glass plate 10 other than the first colored portions 321. At least one of the hue, saturation, and lightness of the second colored portions 322 differs from that of the first colored portions 321 and the glass plate 10.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the arrangement of the first colored portion 321 will be described when a virtual region array VA3 is set on the back surface of the glass plate 10 (the same back surface as the back surface 10A in Figure 4). The virtual region array VA3 is a region array in which the back surface of the glass plate 10 is divided into a plurality of individual regions AR3 of a predetermined shape. The virtual region array VA3 is set over the entire back surface of the glass plate 10, for example. Figure 6 shows a part of the virtual region array VA3, and the parts not shown are also a similar region array. The individual regions AR3 are regions separated by regular hexagonal boundaries. That is, the outer edge of the individual regions AR3 is a regular hexagon. The center of the individual regions AR3 coincides with the center of the first colored portion 321. The virtual region array VA3 is a region in which a plurality of individual regions AR3 are set in a honeycomb shape.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, in the virtual region array VA3, the virtual region column L30 is set up so that multiple individual regions AR3 are arranged continuously in a first direction along the back surface of the glass plate 10. In the example in Figure 6, virtual region columns L31, L32, L33, etc. are shown as examples of parts of multiple virtual region columns L30. The first direction is, for example, the front-to-back direction. In a part of the virtual region column L31 shown in Figure 6, individual regions A3, B3, and C3 are arranged continuously from one side (front side) to the other side (back side) in the first direction. Similarly, in virtual region columns L32 and L33, individual regions AR3 are arranged continuously from one side to the other in the first direction.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6, multiple virtual region rows L30 are arranged in a second direction along the back surface of the glass plate 10. In the third embodiment, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, specifically the left-right direction. For example, in a part of the virtual region array VA3 shown in Figure 6, virtual region rows L31, L32, L33, etc., are arranged continuously in the second direction.

[0063] When a virtual region array VA3 is set up in this way, each individual region AR3 has its own first colored portion 321. In multiple individual regions AR3, the ratio of the first colored portion 321 occupied by one type of individual region AR3 differs from that of other types of individual regions AR3. In the example in Figure 6, the first colored portion 321 located in individual region A3 is designated as the first colored portion 321A, and the first colored portion 321 located in individual region B3 is designated as the first colored portion 321B. The ratio occupied by the first colored portion 321B in individual region B3 is larger than the ratio occupied by the first colored portion 321A in individual region A3.

[0064] In the third embodiment, part or all of the top plate 3 is a gradient region CR3. In the example in Figure 6, taking a part of the virtual region row L31 as an example, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 321A in individual region A3, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 321B in individual region B3, and the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 321C in individual region C3 are increasing in that order. In virtual region rows L32 and L33, similar to virtual region row L31, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 321 in individual region AR3 increases as you move from the front to the back. Thus, in the gradient region CR3, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one plate surface (the back surface of the glass plate 10) in the multiple virtual region rows L30 included in the gradient region CR3, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 321 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 322 in each individual region AR3 gradually increases.

[0065] In the example in Figure 6, the outer edge shape of the first colored portion 321 in the gradient region CR3 is circular. Furthermore, in the multiple virtual region rows L30 included in the gradient region CR3, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored portion 321 gradually increases as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces (back surface (bottom surface) 10A).

[0066] In the gradient region CR3, in each individual region AR3 where the first colored portion 321 is located, the center of each first colored portion 321 coincides with the center of each individual region AR3. For example, in the example in Figure 6, the center A31 of individual region A3 coincides with the center A32 of the first colored portion 321A. Similarly, the center B31 of individual region B3 coincides with the center B32 of the first colored portion 321B. Note that in the entire virtual region array VA3, the center of each first colored portion 321 may coincide with the center of each individual region AR3.

[0067] <Fourth Embodiment> The following description relates to the fourth embodiment. The top plate 3 of the fourth embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in the method of setting the virtual area arrangement. In the following description, parts that have the same configuration as the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions of these parts are omitted, with the differences from the first embodiment being the main focus of the description. Figures 1 and 2 are the same for the first and fourth embodiments, so these figures will be referred to as appropriate in the following description. In the fourth embodiment, in the configuration of Figure 4, the first colored part 21 and the second colored part 22 are replaced by a first colored part 421 and a second colored part 422.

[0068] The top plate 3 of the third embodiment (Figures 1 and 3) is provided with a plurality of first colored portions 421 and second colored portions 422 on the back surface of the glass plate 10 (similar to the back surface 10A in Figure 4), as shown in Figure 7. When viewed from above the top plate 3, the outer edge of the first colored portion 421 is circular. The second colored portions 422 overlap the glass plate 10 in a configuration that partially covers the area on the back surface of the glass plate 10 other than the first colored portions 421. At least one of the hue, saturation, and lightness of the second colored portions 422 differs from that of the first colored portions 421 and the glass plate 10.

[0069] The example in Figure 7 shows an example in which a virtual region array VA4 is set on the back surface of the glass plate 10. The virtual region array VA4 of the fourth embodiment is a region obtained by rotating each individual region AR3 of the virtual region array VA3 of the third embodiment by 30° around the center in any direction (for example, clockwise).

[0070] In the example in Figure 7, in the virtual region array VA4, a virtual region column L40 is set up so that multiple individual regions AR4 are arranged in a first direction along the back surface of the glass plate 10. Figure 7 shows examples of virtual region columns L41, L42, L43, L44, etc., as part of the multiple virtual region columns L40. In the example in Figure 7, the first direction is the front-to-back direction. For example, in a part of virtual region column L41, individual regions A4, B4, C4, etc. are arranged at predetermined intervals (the length of one side of individual region AR4) from one side (front side) to the other side (rear side) in the first direction. Similarly, in virtual region columns L42, L43, L44, individual regions AR4 are arranged at predetermined intervals from one side to the other side in the first direction.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7, multiple individual regions AR4 are separated such that multiple virtual region rows L40 are aligned in a second direction along the back surface 10A. In the fourth embodiment, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, for example, the left-right direction. In the example in Figure 7, in a part of the virtual region array VA4, virtual region rows L41, L42, L43, L44, etc. are aligned continuously in the second direction. Between adjacent virtual region rows L40, individual regions AR4 are arranged in a staggered pattern along the front-to-back direction. In this configuration, the ratio of the first colored portion 421 increases as you move from the front to the back of the multiple individual regions AR arranged in a staggered pattern along the front-to-back direction.

[0072] In the example in Figure 7, the proportion of the first colored portion 421 in one type of individual region AR4 differs from that of another type of individual region AR4. For example, if the first colored portion 421 located in individual region A4 is designated as the first colored portion 421A, and the first colored portion 421 located in individual region B4 is designated as the first colored portion 421B, then the proportion of the first colored portion 421B in individual region B4 is greater than the proportion of the first colored portion 421A in individual region A4.

[0073] In the fourth embodiment as well, part or all of the top plate 3 (Figures 1 and 2) is a gradient region CR4. In the example in Figure 7, taking a part of the virtual region row L41 as an example, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 421A in individual region A4, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 421B in individual region B4, and the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 421C in individual region C4 are increasing in that order. In virtual region rows L42, L43, and L44, similar to virtual region row L41, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 421 in individual region AR4 increases as you move from the front to the back. Thus, in the gradient region CR4, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one plate surface (the back surface of the glass plate 10) in the multiple virtual region rows L40 included in the gradient region CR4, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 421 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 422 in each individual region AR4 gradually increases.

[0074] In the example in Figure 7, the outer edge shape of the first colored portion 421 in the gradient region CR4 is circular. Furthermore, in the multiple virtual region rows L40 included in the gradient region CR4, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored portion 421 gradually increases as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces (back surface 10A).

[0075] In the gradient region CR4, in each individual region AR4 where the first colored portion 421 is located, the center of each first colored portion 421 coincides with the center of each individual region AR4. For example, in the example in Figure 7, the center A41 of individual region A4 coincides with the center A42 of the first colored portion 421A. Similarly, the center B41 of individual region B4 coincides with the center B42 of the first colored portion 421B. In addition, the center of each first colored portion 421 and the center of each individual region AR4 may coincide throughout the entire virtual region array VA4.

[0076] In the fourth embodiment, the virtual region row L50 may be set up as shown in Figure 8. In the example in Figure 8, the first direction (the direction in which multiple individual regions AR4 are lined up) is a direction tilted 30° clockwise when viewed from above, along the back surface of the glass plate 10 with respect to the front-to-back direction. The second direction (the direction in which multiple virtual region rows L50 are lined up) is a direction tilted 30° clockwise when viewed from above, along the back surface of the glass plate 10 with respect to the left-to-right direction. One side of the first direction is the front diagonal left, and the other side of the first direction is the rear diagonal right. In the example in Figure 8, in a part of virtual region row L51 among the multiple virtual region rows L50, individual regions A5, B5, C5, etc. are lined up continuously from one side (front diagonal left) to the other side (rear diagonal right) in the first direction. Similarly, in virtual region rows L52 and L53, individual regions AR4 are lined up continuously from one side to the other in the first direction. In the example shown in Figure 8, in a portion of the virtual region array VA4, virtual region columns L51, L52, L53, etc., are arranged consecutively in the second direction. Even when virtual region column L50 is set in this way, the first colored section 421 can be arranged in the same way as when virtual region column L40 is set.

[0077] In the example in Figure 8, for instance, taking a portion of the virtual region sequence L51 as an example, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 521A in individual region A5, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 521B in individual region B5, and the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 521C in individual region C5 are increasing in that order. In virtual region sequences L52 and L53, similar to virtual region sequence L51, the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 421 in individual region AR4 increases as you move from one side to the other in the first direction.

[0078] Even when multiple virtual region rows L50 are set as shown in Figure 8, in the multiple virtual region rows L50 included in the gradient region CR4, as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces (the back surface of the glass plate 10), the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion 421 to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion 422 in each individual region AR4 gradually increases.

[0079] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, any combination of the features of the embodiments described above or below is possible as long as it does not contradict each other. Furthermore, any feature of the embodiments described above or below may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. In addition, the embodiments described above may be modified as follows.

[0080] In the descriptions of the first to third embodiments above, examples were shown in which screen printing is used to form the colored layer 20, but other methods may be used. For example, the colored layer 20 may be transferred using a transfer sheet, or the colored layer 20 may be printed using an inkjet printer. In this case as well, a configuration that can change the shade and brightness depending on the area can be realized more easily by reducing the number of colors to be printed.

[0081] In the description of the first embodiment above, an example was shown in which the colored layer 20 is provided on the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. However, as shown in Figure 9, the colored layer 20 may also be provided on the front surface (top surface) 10B of the glass plate 10. The first colored portion 21 is visible from above the glass plate 10 without passing through the glass plate 10. In Figure 10, the first colored portion 21 is provided on top of the second colored portion 22. In this case as well, the entirety of each first colored portion 21 is a visible area, and the area of ​​the second colored portion 22 that is not covered by the first colored portion 21 is a visible area. In this example, the front surface (top surface) 10B of the glass plate 10 is one of the plate surfaces, and the first colored portion 21 is configured to cover one of the plate surfaces (front surface 10B) of the glass plate 10, but it covers one of the plate surfaces (front surface 10B) with the second colored portion 22 in between, and overlaps with the glass plate 10 with the second colored portion 22 in between. In the example shown in Figure 10, the second colored portion 22 overlaps the glass plate 19 in such a configuration that it covers one surface (front surface 10B) of the glass plate 10, with at least a portion of it being positioned so as not to overlap vertically with the first colored portion 21. Alternatively, the example in Figure 10 may be modified so that the first colored portion 21 directly contacts and covers one surface (front surface 10B) of the glass plate 10, and the second colored portion 22 is positioned on the other surface (back surface 101). In this example as well, the entirety of each first colored portion 21 constitutes the visible area, and the portion of the second colored portion 22 that does not overlap vertically with the first colored portion 21 constitutes the visible area. The second to fourth embodiments can also be configured similarly to Figure 10.

[0082] In the above-described first to third embodiments, the second colored portion 22 covered the first colored portion 21 from the side opposite to the back surface 10A of the glass plate 10. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which the second colored portion 22 surrounds the first colored portion 21 without covering it.

[0083] In the above-described first to third embodiments, an example was shown in which the virtual region arrangement is set across the entire surface of one of the glass plates 10. However, it may also be set on a part of one of the glass plates (such as the front end portion, the rear end portion, or the outer circumference of the opening through which the burners 4 to 6 are inserted). Furthermore, a part of one of the glass plates 10 may be the ratio change region.

[0084] In the above-described first to third embodiments, an example was given in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion in an individual region gradually increases as one moves from one side to the other in the first direction. However, the proportion may also be configured to periodically increase and decrease. This allows the top plate 3 to form a more complex gradient pattern. In the above-described first to third embodiments, the first direction was set to the front-to-back direction, but it may be any other direction (such as the left-to-right direction).

[0085] In the above-described first to third embodiments, an example was given in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion in an individual region gradually increases as one moves from one side to the other in the first direction. However, instead of this configuration, or in addition to this configuration, an example may be given in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion in an individual region gradually increases as one moves from one side to the other in the second direction.

[0086] In the above-described explanation of the first to third embodiments, an example was given in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion in an individual region increases as you move from one side to the other in the first direction. However, other configurations are also acceptable as long as the proportion gradually increases. For example, there may be a configuration in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion increases sequentially in individual regions that are skipped over, moving from one side to the other in the first direction. Specifically, in the first embodiment, there may be a configuration in which the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21A in individual region A is the same as the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21B in individual region B, and the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21C in individual region C is the same as the proportion occupied by the first colored portion 21D in individual region D.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the outer edge of the first colored area is circular, but other shapes are also possible. For example, in any embodiment, the shape of the outer edge of the first colored area may be elliptical, quadrilateral (rectangle, square, rhombus, etc.), other polygon (triangle, pentagon, etc.), or other shapes. The entire area inside the outer edge of the first colored area may be the first colored area, or the second colored area may be located in a part of the inside of the outer edge of the first colored area. Furthermore, the outer edge shape of the individual area AR may be circular (perfect circle, elliptical), or other shapes. In the above-described embodiment, a virtual area arrangement is set up with a configuration in which a large number of individual areas are separated without gaps, but an arrangement in which gaps are set between the individual areas is also possible. In this case, the gaps may contain the second colored area, the first colored area, or a colored area of ​​a different color from the first and second colored areas.

[0088] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope set forth in the claims or equivalents thereof. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1...Heating cooker 3… Tabletop 10…Glass plate 10A…Back side (bottom side) 20...Colored layer 21,21A~21E,321,321A~321C,421,421A~421C,521A~521C...First colored part 22,322,422…Second colored part A1, A31, A41, B1, B31, B41... Center of individual areas A2,A22,A32,A42,B2,B22,B32,B42...center of first colored part A~E,A3~C3,A4~C4,A5~C5,AR,AR3,AR4...Individual area CR, CR3, CR4... Gradient area L, L1~L5, L30~L33, L40~L44, L50~L53... virtual region sequence VA, VA3, VA4… virtual region array

Claims

1. A top plate for a cooking appliance equipped with a glass plate, The glass plate is configured to cover one of its surfaces, and includes a plurality of first colored portions that overlap the glass plate, A second colored portion overlaps the glass plate and is positioned in a region that does not overlap vertically with at least the first colored portion, covering one or the other surface of the glass plate, and having at least one of its hue, saturation, and brightness different from that of the glass plate and the first colored portion. Equipped with, The first colored portion and the second colored portion are visible from above the glass plate, with or without the glass plate. In the case where a virtual region array is set up by dividing one of the board surfaces into a plurality of individual regions of a predetermined shape, and in the virtual region array, a plurality of virtual region rows are set up so that a plurality of the individual regions are aligned in a first direction along the one of the board surfaces, and a plurality of the individual regions are divided so that a plurality of the virtual region rows are aligned in a second direction along the one of the board surfaces, A gradient region is included in a plurality of individual regions that make up at least a part of the aforementioned virtual region array. The gradient region is configured such that, in a plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradient region, as one direction along a predetermined direction on one of the board surfaces moves from one side to the other, the ratio of the visible area of ​​the first colored portion to the visible area of ​​the second colored portion in each individual region gradually increases. The aforementioned individual regions are regions demarcated by rectangular or square boundaries. The outer edge shape of the first colored portion in the gradient region is circular. In the plurality of virtual region rows included in the gradient region, the diameter of the circle forming the outer edge of the first colored portion gradually increases as you move from one side to the other in a predetermined direction along one of the plate surfaces. The aforementioned virtual region array is a region in which a plurality of the aforementioned individual regions are set in a grid pattern. The first colored portion is defined as a circle whose center is set within the individual region and whose size extends beyond the individual region, and in such cases, only the area within the individual region of the inner region of the circle is defined as the area of ​​the first colored portion within the individual region. A baking tray for a cooking appliance.

2. The gradient region extends between a position near one end of the top plate in the left-right direction and a position near the other end of the top plate in the left-right direction. A top plate for a cooking appliance according to claim 1.

3. The gradient region extends at least between the position near the front end of the top plate and the central position in the front-to-back direction of the top plate. A top plate for a cooking appliance according to either claim 1 or claim 2.

4. In each of the individual regions in the gradient region where the first colored portion is arranged, the center of each of the first colored portions coincides with the center of each of the individual regions. A top plate for a cooking appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A cooking appliance having a top plate for a cooking appliance according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

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