Spill diverter for a cooking appliance

Abstract

A cooking appliance includes a cabinet and a cooktop. A component compartment is defined within the cabinet and positioned below the cooktop. Furthermore, an aperture is defined through the cooktop and provides fluid communication between the compartment and the cooktop. Moreover, the appliance includes a spill diverter positioned within the compartment and aligned with the aperture. The diverter is configured to capture and direct matter that enters the aperture. The diverter includes a chute sloped downward within the compartment whereby the matter is directed downward along the chute after entering the chute. Additionally, the diverter includes an umbrella flange positioned directly below the aperture. The flange is sloped downward toward the chute for directing the matter downward along the flange to the chute. The flange includes a trailing edge positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to cooking appliances, and more particularly to spill diverters for cooking appliances.BACKGROUND

[0002] Oven appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a cooking chamber for cooking food items therein, such as for baking or broiling the food items. A cooktop may be provided on a top panel of the cabinet. The cooktop typically includes multiple heating elements for receipt of cooking utensils thereon. During a cooking operation, food items may be added to, removed from, or transferred between such cooking utensils. Also, cooking operations frequently involve stirring or mixing food items within the cooking utensils on the cooktop. In some instances, food items may boil over and spill out of the cooking utensils. In addition to the foregoing examples, there are numerous circumstances which can lead to spills on or around the cooktop. In some instances, spilled food items, or other items, in particular liquids, which are spilled on or around the cooktop may leak into the cabinet and may interfere with intended operations of internal components of the oven appliance.

[0003] Accordingly, cooking appliances which provide features for managing spills and, in particular, for protecting internal components of the cooking appliance from spills, are desired.BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004] Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

[0005] In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, an oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction is provided. The oven appliance includes a cabinet. Additionally, the oven appliance includes a cooking chamber. The cooking chamber is defined within the cabinet for cooking food items therein. Furthermore, the oven appliance includes a cooktop. The cooktop is positioned vertically above the cooking chamber. Moreover, the oven appliance includes a component compartment. The component compartment is defined within the cabinet. The component compartment is positioned vertically below the cooktop. Additionally, the oven appliance includes an aperture. The aperture is defined through the cooktop. The aperture provides fluid communication between the component compartment and the cooktop. Furthermore, the oven appliance includes a spill diverter. The spill diverter is positioned within the component compartment and aligned with the aperture. Moreover, the spill diverter is configured to capture and direct matter that enters the aperture. The spill diverter includes a chute. The chute is sloped vertically downward within the component compartment, whereby the matter is directed vertically downward along the chute after entering the chute. Additionally, the spill diverter includes an umbrella flange. The umbrella flange is positioned directly vertically below the aperture. The umbrella flange is sloped vertically downward toward the chute for directing the matter vertically downward along the umbrella flange to the chute. The umbrella flange includes a trailing edge. The trailing edge is positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute, whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening.

[0006] In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction is provided. The cooking appliance includes a cabinet. Additionally, the cooking appliance includes a cooktop. The cooktop is positioned on the cabinet. Moreover, the cooking appliance includes a component compartment. The component compartment is defined within the cabinet. The component compartment is positioned vertically below the cooktop. Additionally, the cooking appliance includes an aperture. The aperture is defined through the cooktop. The aperture provides fluid communication between the component compartment and the cooktop. Furthermore, the cooking appliance includes a spill diverter. The spill diverter is positioned within the component compartment and aligned with the aperture. Moreover, the spill diverter is configured to capture and direct matter that enters the aperture. The spill diverter includes a chute. The chute is sloped vertically downward within the component compartment, whereby the matter is directed vertically downward along the chute after entering the chute. Additionally, the spill diverter includes an umbrella flange. The umbrella flange is positioned directly vertically below the aperture. The umbrella flange is sloped vertically downward toward the chute for directing the matter vertically downward along the umbrella flange to the chute. The umbrella flange includes a trailing edge. The trailing edge is positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute, whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening.

[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0009] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a cooking appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0010] FIG. 2 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary cooking appliance of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the exemplary cooking appliance of FIG. 1 with the top of the cabinet of the cooking appliance removed.

[0012] FIG. 4 provides a rear view of the exemplary cooking appliance of FIG. 1 with a rear of the cabinet of the cooking appliance removed.

[0013] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a first exemplary spill diverter for use with a cooking appliance.

[0014] FIG. 6 provides a close-up perspective view of a second exemplary spill diverter for use with a cooking appliance.

[0015] Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0017] As used herein, the terms “first,”“second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The term “at least one of” in the context of, e.g., “at least one of A, B, and C” refers to only A, only B, only C, or any combination of A, B, and C. In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and / or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0018] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “generally,”“about,”“approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and / or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

[0019] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” In addition, references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “an embodiment” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0020] FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of an oven appliance 100 as may be employed with the present subject matter. Oven appliance 100 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. As illustrated, oven appliance 100 includes an insulated cabinet 102. Cabinet 102 of oven appliance 100 extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along the vertical direction V, between a first side 108 (left side when viewed from front) and a second side 110 (right side when viewed from front) along the lateral direction L, and between a front 112 and a rear 114 along the transverse direction T.

[0021] A single cooking chamber 120 is defined within cabinet 102. The cooking chamber 120 is configured for the receipt of one or more food items to be cooked. However, it should be appreciated that oven appliance 100 is provided by way of example only, and aspects of the present subject matter may be used in any suitable cooking appliance, such as a double oven range appliance. Thus, the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not intended to limit the present subject matter to any particular cooking chamber configuration or arrangement.

[0022] Oven appliance 100 includes a door 124 rotatably attached to cabinet 102 in order to permit selective access to cooking chamber 120. Handle 126 is mounted to door 124 to assist a user with opening and closing door 124 in order to access cooking chamber 120. As an example, a user can pull on handle 126 mounted to door 124 to open or close door 124 and access cooking chamber 120. One or more transparent viewing windows 128 (FIG. 1) may be defined within door 124 to provide for viewing the contents of cooking chamber 120 when door 124 is closed and assist with insulating cooking chamber 120.

[0023] In general, cooking chamber 120 is defined by a plurality of chamber walls 130 (FIG. 2). Specifically, cooking chamber 120 may be defined by a top wall, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and two sidewalls. These chamber walls 130 may be joined together to define an opening through which a user may selectively access cooking chamber 120 by opening door 124. In order to insulate cooking chamber 120, oven appliance 100 includes an insulating gap defined between the chamber walls 130 and cabinet 102. According to an exemplary embodiment, the insulation gap is filled with an insulating material 132, such as insulating foam or fiberglass, for insulating cooking chamber 120.

[0024] Oven appliance 100 also includes a cooktop 140. Cooktop 140 is positioned at or adjacent top 104 of cabinet 102 such that it is positioned vertically above cooking chamber 120. Specifically, cooktop 140 includes a top panel 142 positioned vertically above or on top 104 of cabinet 102. By way of example, top panel 142 may be constructed of glass, ceramics, enameled steel, and combinations thereof. One or more grates 144 may be supported on a top surface of top panel 142 for supporting cooking utensils, such as pots or pans, during a cooking process.

[0025] Oven appliance 100 may further include one or more heating elements (identified generally by reference numeral 150) for selectively heating cooking utensils positioned on grates 144 or food items positioned within cooking chamber 120. For example, referring to FIG. 1, heating elements 150 may be gas burners 150. Specifically, a plurality of gas burners 150 are mounted within or on top of top panel 142 underneath grates 144 that supports cooking utensils over the gas burners 150 while gas burners 150 provide thermal energy to cooking utensils positioned thereon, e.g., to heat food and / or cooking liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc.). Gas burners 150 can be configured in various sizes so as to provide e.g., for the receipt of cooking utensils (i.e., pots, pans, etc.) of various sizes and configurations and to provide different heat inputs for such cooking utensils. According to alternative embodiments, oven appliance 100 may have other cooktop configurations or burner elements, such as electric burners.

[0026] In addition, heating elements 150 may be positioned within or may otherwise be in thermal communication with cooking chamber 120 for regulating the temperature within cooking chamber 120. Specifically, an upper gas heating element 154 (also referred to as a broil heating element or gas burner) may be positioned in cabinet 102, e.g., at a top portion of cooking chamber 120, and a lower gas heating element 156 (also referred to as a bake heating element or gas burner) may be positioned at a bottom portion of cooking chamber 120. Upper gas heating element 154 and lower gas heating element 156 may be used independently or simultaneously to heat cooking chamber 120, perform a baking or broil operation, perform a cleaning cycle, etc. The size and heat output of gas heating elements 154, 156 can be selected based on, for example, the size of oven appliance 100 or the desired heat output. Oven appliance 100 may include any other suitable number, type, and configuration of heating elements 150 within cabinet 102 and / or on cooktop 140. For example, oven appliance 100 may further include electric heating elements, induction heating elements, or any other suitable heat generating device.

[0027] Additionally, a component compartment 134 is defined within cabinet 102. The component compartment 134 may house various components of oven appliance 100. For example, component compartment 134 may house components associated with electrical operation of the oven appliance 100, such as electrical wires, controllers, and / or the like. Furthermore, component compartment 134 may be defined between top panel 142 and cooking chamber 120, such as one of the chamber walls 130, e.g., the top wall, and, thus, be spatially isolated from cooking chamber 120.

[0028] In addition, oven appliance 100 may also include one or more apertures or openings defined through top panel 142 of cooktop 140, such as aperture 146 positioned behind gas burners 150 in the transverse direction T. An aperture cover 147 with a plurality of vents 148 may be positioned over the aperture 146. The aperture 146 may extend through top panel 142 of cooktop 140, and into the top 104 of cabinet 102 above component compartment 134, thus providing fluid communication between the top panel 142 of cooktop 140 and the component compartment 134. Sometimes matter, such as water, grease, oil, food particles, and / or the like may enter the aperture 146 and, thus, enter component compartment 134. As will be described below, the matter may be diverted by a spill diverter to inhibit or prevent the matter from dripping or spilling onto components within the component compartment 134, particularly components associated with electrical operation of the oven appliances, such as electrical wires, controllers, and / or the like.

[0029] A control panel assembly 160 is located within convenient reach of a user of the oven appliance 100. For example, in some embodiments, control panel assembly 160 is positioned at a top 104 and front 112 of cabinet 102, e.g., above door 124 along the vertical direction V and forward of cooktop 140 along the transverse direction T. Control panel assembly 160 includes several knobs 162. Each knob 162 is associated with one of heating elements 150. In this manner, knobs 162 permit the user to activate each heating element 150 and determine the amount of heat input provided by each heating element 150 for cooking food items within cooking chamber 120 and / or on cooktop 140. Although shown with knobs 162, it should be appreciated that knobs 162 and the configuration of oven appliance 100 shown in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. More specifically, control panel assembly 160 may include various input components, such as one or more of a variety of touch-type controls, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. Control panel assembly 160 may also be provided with one or more graphical display devices or display components, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback or other information to the user such as e.g., whether a particular heating element 150 is activated and / or the rate at which the heating element 150 is set. Indeed, according to the illustrated embodiment, control panel assembly 160 includes a display assembly 164, such as a liquid crystal display with an interactive display and interface.

[0030] Generally, oven appliance 100 may include a controller 166 in operative communication with control panel assembly 160. Control panel assembly 160 of oven appliance 100 may be in communication with controller 166 via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses, and signals generated in controller 166 operate oven appliance 100 in response to user input via user input devices, e.g., control knobs 162 and / or display assembly 164. Input / Output (“I / O”) signals may be routed between controller 166 and various operational components of oven appliance 100 such that operation of oven appliance 100 can be regulated by controller 166. In addition, controller 166 may also be communication with one or more sensors, such as temperature sensor 168 (FIG. 2), which may be used to measure the temperature inside cooking chamber 120 and provide such measurements to the controller 166. Although temperature sensor 168 is illustrated at a top and rear of cooking chamber 120, it should be appreciated that other sensor types, positions, and configurations may be used according to alternative embodiments.

[0031] Controller 166 is a “processing device” or “controller” and may be embodied as described herein. Controller 166 may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICS), CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of oven appliance 100, and controller 166 is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM, electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM), or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 166 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and / or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

[0032] Although aspects of the present subject matter are described herein in the context of a single oven appliance, it should be appreciated that oven appliance 100 is provided by way of example only. Other oven or range appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and / or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter, e.g., double ovens, standalone cooktops, wall ovens, etc.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, various views of oven appliance 100 and a spill diverter 200 for use with an oven appliance, such as oven appliance 100, are provided. Specifically, FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of oven appliance 100 with cooktop 140 and the top 104 of cabinet 102 removed, exposing component compartment 134. FIG. 4 provides a rear view of oven appliance 100 with the rear 114 of cabinet 102 removed, exposing an interior of cabinet 102. FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of a spill diverter 200 for use with oven appliance 100. FIG. 6 provides a close-up perspective view of a second embodiment of a spill diverter 200 for use with oven appliance 100. While described herein in the context of oven appliance 100, it should be appreciated that spill diverter 200 may be utilized with any other suitable oven appliance, such as an electric oven, a wall oven, a double oven, and / or the like.

[0034] According to some example embodiments, spill diverter 200 is positioned within cabinet 102 of oven appliance 100, such as within the component compartment 134 of oven appliance 100 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Specifically, spill diverter 200 may be aligned with aperture 146. In this respect, as will be described below, at least a portion of spill diverter 200 may be positioned directly below or underneath aperture 146. As such, spill diverter 200 may capture matter, e.g., water, grease, oil, food particles, and / or the like, that spill into component compartment 134 through the aperture 146. For example, during boiling of water in a saucepan on cooktop 140, water may bubble and be projected out of the saucepan and into the aperture 146 and, thus, into the component compartment 134. Spill diverter 200 may capture the matter that enters the component compartment 134 and direct the matter to a desired location, such as to a collecting area and away from undesired components of the oven appliance 100 as will be described below. As such, spill diverter 200 may be positioned above / over the undesired components, such as components associated with electrical operation of the oven appliance, e.g., electrical wires, controllers, and / or the like. Furthermore, as best illustrated in FIG. 3, spill diverter 200 may be positioned within component compartment 134 at or approximately at the rear 114 of cabinet 102. Moreover, spill diverter 200 may be positioned within component compartment 134 approximately halfway between first side 108 and second side 110 of cabinet 102. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, spill diverter 200 may be positioned approximately halfway between the first side 108 and second side 110, but closer to first side 108 than second side 110. Furthermore, spill diverter 200 may be at least partially formed from or made up of bendable / flexible material, such as sheet metal, which permits the spill diverter 200 to be a continuous monolithic piece forming a unitary body integrally joined together without fasteners and / or welds.

[0035] According to some example embodiments, spill diverter 200 may include a plurality of sections, such as a chute 202. Chute 202 may be positioned between other sections, which include a collection pan and an umbrella flange described below. Chute 202 includes a chute body 204 which includes a main surface 206. Additionally, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, chute202 and, thus, chute body 204, may be sloped or angled at least partially downward in the vertical direction V. For example, a leading end 208 of chute 202 may be positioned above a trailing end 210 of chute 202 in the vertical direction V. In this respect, the matter may be directed along / down the chute 202 e.g., the main surface 206 thereof, by gravity away from the leading end 208 and toward the trailing end 210 of chute 202. Stated differently, gravity may move / slide the matter along / down the chute 202, e.g., the main surface 206 thereof. In some embodiments, chute 202 may be sloped such that an acute angle, e.g., greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees, is defined between the top panel 142 of cooktop 140 and main surface 206 of chute 202. For example, the acute angle defined between the top panel 142 of cooktop 140 and main surface 206 of chute 202 may be between 30 degrees and 60 degrees, such as approximately 45 degrees.

[0036] Additionally, chute 202 may include a pair of side walls 212 spaced apart from each other. Each side wall 212 may extend upward in the vertical direction V from main surface 206 of chute 202, such as upward from opposing lateral edges of the main surface 206. Non-linear / non-straight angles may be defined between main surface 206 and the pair of side walls 212. The pair of side walls 212 may define boundaries, particularly side boundaries, of the chute 202. In this respect, the pair of side walls 212 may direct the matter along the main surface 206 by constraining the matter within the bounds of the side walls 212 and, thus, preventing the matter from spilling or dripping from the main surface 206 and off of the spill diverter 200. Moreover, as best illustrated in FIG. 5, the opposing lateral edges of the main surface 206 and, thus, the pair of side walls 212, may be inwardly sloped as they proceed away from the leading end 208 of the chute 202 and toward the trailing end 210 of the chute 202. In this respect, the pair of side walls 212 and the main surface 206 may collectively act as a funnel that funnels the matter along the chute 202 and to a desired location, such as into the collecting pan described below. Additionally, in some embodiments, the pair of side walls 212 and the main surface 206 may be integrally coupled or formed as a continuous piece, e.g., as a single continuous and monolithic piece forming a unitary body whereby the pair of side walls 212 and the main surface 206 are integrally joined together without fasteners and / or welds. As such, the non-linear / non-straight angles defined between the main surface 206 and the pair of side walls 212 may be defined at folds or creases 218 between the pair of side walls 212 and the chute body 204.

[0037] According to some example embodiments, chute 202 may also include a support plate 214 that engages with an interior surface of oven appliance 100, whereby support plate 214 supports spill diverter 200 on the interior surface of oven appliance 100. For example, one or more fastener holes 216 (FIG. 6) may be defined through support plate 214 for fastening / attaching the spill diverter 200 to the interior surface of oven appliance 100, such as to a rear interior surface 103 of cabinet 102. As best illustrated in FIG. 6, support plate 214 may be attached to and extend upward in the vertical direction V from a top edge 207 of the main surface 206, which may be at the leading end 208 of chute 202. A non-linear / non-straight angle, e.g., an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees, may be defined between main surface 206 and the support plate 214. In some embodiments, the support plate 214 and the chute body 204 may be integrally coupled or formed as a continuous piece, e.g., as a single continuous and monolithic piece forming a unitary body whereby the chute body 204 and the support plate 214 are integrally joined together without fasteners and / or welds. As such, the non-linear / non-straight angle defined between the main surface 206 and the support plate 214 may be defined at a fold or crease 218 between the support plate 214 and the chute body 204.

[0038] Furthermore, potential spill location openings, such as a pair of gaps (not shown) may be defined between a pair of lateral edges 217, one of which is shown in the figures, of the support plate 214 and the pair of side walls 212. The potential spill location openings may occur naturally as a result natural flexing / bending between the support plate 214 and the chute body 204, such as when the support plate 214 is attached / fastened within the cabinet 102. Each cover flap 220 of a pair of cover flaps 220 may extend from a different one of the lateral edges 217 of the support plate 214. Non-linear / non-straight angles may be defined between each of the cover flaps 220 and the support plate 214. In some embodiments, the support plate 214 and the pair of cover flaps 220 may be integrally coupled or formed as a continuous piece, e.g., as a single continuous and monolithic piece forming a unitary body whereby the support plate 214 and the pair of cover flaps 220 are integrally joined together without fasteners and / or welds. As such, the non-linear / non-straight angles defined between the support plate 214 and the pair of cover flaps 220 may be defined at folds or creases 218 between the support plate 214 and the pair of cover flaps 220. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pair of cover flaps 220 may each extend to and may overlap one of the side walls 212 thus spanning and at least partially covering the gaps / potential spill location openings. In this respect, the pair of cover flaps 220 may inhibit the matter moving along the chute 202 from spilling / dripping from the chute 202 through the gaps / potential spill location openings described above.

[0039] According to some example embodiments, spill diverter 200 may include a collection pan 230 (FIG. 5). The collection pan 230 may be positioned at the bottom or the trailing end 210 of the chute 202. The collection pan 230 may include an open side 232 facing the trailing end 210 of the chute 202. In this respect, the collection pan 230 may receive matter therein upon the matter exiting the chute 202. Additionally, the collection pan 230 may include a plurality of walls 234 that surround and bound multiple sides of the collection pan 230 to retain the matter within the collection pan 230. The collection pan 230 may be approximately flat or level to limit movement of the matter within the collection pan 230.

[0040] According to some example embodiments, spill diverter 200 may include one or more flanges. The flanges may direct the matter toward the chute 202 and away from potential spill openings, such as the pair of gaps described above between the pair of lateral edges 217 of the support plate 214 and the pair of side walls 212. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in some exemplary embodiments, spill diverter 200 may include a first flange, which is described herein as an umbrella flange 240. Umbrella flange 240 may span most of a distance, such as between 80% and 99% of the distance, of a top edge 215 of the support plate 214 positioned vertically above all other edges of the support plate 214. Additionally, umbrella flange 240 may be coupled to the support plate 214 at the top edge 215 of the support plate 214. For example, a leading edge 242 of the umbrella flange 240 may be coupled to the top edge 215 of the support plate 214. A non-linear / non-straight angle may be defined between the umbrella flange 240 and the support plate 214. In some embodiments, the umbrella flange 240 and the support plate 214 and, thus, the umbrella flange 240 and the chute 202, may be integrally coupled or formed as a continuous piece, e.g., as a single continuous and monolithic piece forming a unitary body whereby the umbrella flange 240 and the support plate 214 are integrally joined together without fasteners and / or welds. As such, the non-linear / non-straight angle defined between the umbrella flange 240 and the support plate 214 may be defined at a fold or crease 218 between the umbrella flange 240 and the support plate 214. As shown in FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the leading edge 242 of the umbrella flange 240 may define a radial curvature to further aid in directing matter, such as vertically downward to chute 202 as described below.

[0041] According to some example embodiments, the umbrella flange 240 may be positioned directly vertically below the aperture 146. As such, the matter that enters the aperture 146 may land on the umbrella flange 240. Additionally, the umbrella flange 240 may be at least partially sloped downward in the vertical direction V toward the chute 202. For example, the umbrella flange 240 may also include a trailing edge 244. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the trailing edge 244 may be positioned below the leading edge 242 of the umbrella flange 240 in the vertical direction V. Additionally, the trailing edge 244 may be positioned over the main surface 206 of the chute 202. As such, the matter may be directed vertically downward by the umbrella flange 240 to the chute 202, e.g., onto the main surface 206. Additionally, in some embodiments, the umbrella flange 240, particularly the trailing edge 244 thereof, may be positioned entirely between the pair of side walls 212 of the chute 202 to retain the matter that falls / drips onto the main surface 206 between the pair of side walls 212.

[0042] According to some example embodiments, the umbrella flange 240, particularly the trailing edge 244 thereof, is positioned beyond / past potential spill openings, e.g., the pair of gaps described above between the pair of lateral edges 217 of the support plate 214 and the pair of side walls 212, with respect to a first matter flow path FP1. In this respect, the umbrella flange 240 inhibits the matter that is directed along the umbrella flange 240 from spilling through the potential spill openings, which are positioned underneath and covered by the umbrella flange 240.

[0043] According to some example embodiments, the one or more flanges of the spill diverter 200 may additionally, or alternatively, include a second flange 250 (FIG. 6). The second flange 250 may also be positioned directly below the aperture 146. As such, the matter that enters the aperture 146 may land on the second flange 250. The second flange 250 may be coupled or attached to the chute 202, such as to one of the cover flaps 220. Additionally, the second flange 250 may be sloped downward in the vertical direction V toward the chute 202. For example, the second flange 250 may include a leading edge 252 and a trailing edge 254. As shown in FIG. 6, the trailing edge 254 may be positioned below the leading edge 252 of the second flange 250 in the vertical direction V. The trailing edge 254 may be positioned vertically over / above the main surface 206 of the chute 202. As such, the matter may be directed downward by the second flange 250 to the chute 202, e.g., onto the main surface 206. Additionally, in some embodiments, the second flange 250, particularly the trailing edge 254 thereof, may be positioned entirely between the pair of side walls 212 of the chute 202 to retain the matter that falls / drips onto the main surface 206 between the pair of side walls 212.

[0044] According to some example embodiments, the second flange 250, particularly the trailing edge 254 thereof, is positioned beyond / past potential spill openings, e.g., the pair of gaps described above between the pair of lateral edges 217 of the support plate 214 and the pair of side walls 212, with respect to a second matter flow path FP2. In this respect, the second flange 250 inhibits the matter that is directed along the second flange 250 from spilling through potential spill openings, which are positioned underneath and covered by the second flange 250. Additionally, in some embodiments, the trailing edge 244 of the umbrella flange 240 and the trailing edge 254 of the second flange 250 may not be parallel to one another, e.g., the trailing edge 244 and the trailing edge 254 may be approximately perpendicular to each other. In this respect, the second matter flow path FP2 may not be parallel to the first matter flow path FP1 described above, e.g., may be approximately perpendicular to the first matter flow path FP1. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the second flange 250 may define a second flange surface area that is smaller or lesser than a first flange surface area of the umbrella flange 240. For example, the second flange surface area may be between 85% and 95% lesser than the first flange surface area.

[0045] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An oven appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the oven appliance comprising:a cabinet;a cooking chamber defined within the cabinet for cooking food items therein;a cooktop positioned on the cabinet vertically above the cooking chamber;a component compartment defined within the cabinet, the component compartment positioned vertically below the cooktop;an aperture defined through the cooktop, the aperture providing fluid communication between the component compartment and the cooktop; anda spill diverter positioned within the component compartment and aligned with the aperture, the spill diverter configured to capture and direct matter that enters the aperture, the spill diverter comprising:a chute sloped vertically downward within the component compartment whereby the matter is directed vertically downward along the chute after entering the chute; andan umbrella flange positioned directly vertically below the aperture, the umbrella flange sloped vertically downward toward the chute for directing the matter vertically downward along the umbrella flange to the chute, the umbrella flange comprising a trailing edge positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening.

2. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the chute and the umbrella flange are integrally formed together as a single piece.

3. The oven appliance of claim 1, wherein the chute and the umbrella flange are comprised of sheet metal.

4. The oven appliance of claim 1, the spill diverter further comprising:a collection pan positioned at a bottom of the chute, whereby the matter directed vertically downward along the chute enters the collection pan upon exiting the chute.

5. The oven appliance of claim 1, the chute comprising:a main surface; anda pair of side walls spaced apart from each other and extending upward from the main surface and defining boundaries of the chute, the pair of side walls configured to direct the matter along the main surface.

6. The oven appliance of claim 5, wherein:the umbrella flange is positioned entirely between the pair of side walls of the chute, whereby matter dripping from the umbrella flange falls onto the main surface of the chute between the pair of side walls.

7. The oven appliance of claim 5, the chute further comprising:a support plate extending vertically upward from a top edge of the main surface, the support plate engaged with an interior surface of the oven appliance, whereby the support plate supports the spill diverter on the interior surface of the oven appliance, a gap defined between an edge of the support plate and at least one side wall of the pair of side walls; anda flap extending from the edge of the support plate to the at least one side wall, thereby covering the gap.

8. The oven appliance of claim 7, the umbrella flange further comprising:a leading edge attached to the support plate of the chute,wherein, the umbrella flange is sloped vertically downward such that the leading edge is positioned vertically above the trailing edge of the umbrella flange.

9. The oven appliance of claim 7, wherein:the opening beyond which the trailing edge of the umbrella flange is positioned includes the gap defined between the edge of the support plate and the at least one side wall.

10. The oven appliance of claim 7, wherein:a non-straight angle is defined between the flap and the edge of the support plate;the umbrella flange is a first flange of the spill diverter; andthe spill diverter further comprises a second flange positioned vertically below the aperture, the second flange sloped vertically downward toward the chute, whereby the second flange directs the matter vertically downward along the second flange to the chute, the second flange comprising a trailing edge positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening, the second flange also comprising a leading edge attached to the flap of the chute.

11. The oven appliance of claim 10, wherein the trailing edge of the second flange and the trailing edge of the first flange are not parallel to each other.

12. The oven appliance of claim 1, the umbrella flange further comprising:a leading edge attached to the chute, the leading edge defining a radial curvature.

13. A cooking appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the cooking appliance comprising:a cabinet;a cooktop positioned on the cabinet;a component compartment defined within the cabinet, the component compartment positioned vertically below the cooktop;an aperture defined through the cooktop, the aperture providing fluid communication between the component compartment and the cooktop; anda spill diverter positioned within the component compartment and aligned with the aperture, the spill diverter configured to capture and direct matter that enters the aperture, the spill diverter comprising:a chute sloped vertically downward within the component compartment whereby the matter is directed vertically downward along the chute after entering the chute; andan umbrella flange positioned directly vertically below the aperture, the umbrella flange sloped vertically downward toward the chute for directing the matter vertically downward along the umbrella flange to the chute, the umbrella flange comprising a trailing edge positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute whereby the trailing edge inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening.

14. The cooking appliance of claim 13, wherein the chute and the umbrella flange are integrally formed together as a single piece.

15. The cooking appliance of claim 13, the chute comprising:a main surface;a pair of side walls spaced apart from each other and extending upward from the main surface and defining boundaries of the chute, the pair of side walls configured to direct the matter along the main surface;a support plate extending vertically upward from a top edge of the main surface, the support plate engaged with an interior surface of the cooking appliance, whereby the support plate supports the spill diverter on the interior surface of the cooking appliance, a gap defined between an edge of the support plate and at least one side wall of the pair of side walls; anda flap extending from the edge of the support plate to the at least one side wall, thereby covering the gap.

16. The cooking appliance of claim 15, wherein:the umbrella flange is positioned entirely between the pair of side walls of the chute whereby matter dripping from the umbrella flange falls onto the main surface of the chute between the pair of side walls.

17. The cooking appliance of claim 15, the umbrella flange further comprising:a leading edge attached to the support plate of the chute,wherein, the umbrella flange is sloped vertically downward such that the leading edge is positioned vertically above the trailing edge of the umbrella flange.

18. The cooking appliance of claim 15, wherein:a non-straight angle is defined between the flap and the edge of the support plate;the umbrella flange is a first flange of the spill diverter; andthe spill diverter further comprises a second flange positioned vertically below the aperture, the second flange sloped vertically downward toward the chute, whereby the second flange directs the matter vertically downward along the second flange to the chute, the second flange comprising a trailing edge positioned beyond an opening defined through the chute whereby the trailing edges inhibits the matter from spilling through the opening, the second flange also comprising a leading edge attached to the flap of the chute.

19. The cooking appliance of claim 18, wherein the trailing edge of the second flange and the trailing edge of the first flange are not parallel to each other.

20. The cooking appliance of claim 13, the umbrella flange further comprising:a leading edge attached to the chute, the leading edge defining a radial curvature.

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