Appliance for cooking dishes comprising a hob and a downdraft hood

Abstract

The present invention relates to an appliance (1) for cooking dishes which comprises: - a hob (2) provided with at least one suction opening (20) for cooking fumes, - a downdraft hood (3) having: - a box-shaped body (30) extending below the hob (2) defining a suction chamber (30a) placed in fluid communication with the suction opening (20), - a suction unit (31) configured to generate a direct suction flow of cooking fumes along a fluid-dynamic path (P) that extends from the suction opening (20) to a discharge (32), - a filter unit (4) extractable through the suction opening (20) and arranged along the fluid-dynamic path (P) between the suction opening (20) and the suction unit (31), - a tray (5) for collecting liquids removably mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2) so as to be extractable through the suction opening (20). Characteristic of the present invention is that the filter unit (4) is removably mounted on the tray (5) and, through the latter, is removably mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2).

Description

[0001] Title: “Appliance for cooking dishes comprising a hob and a downdraft hood”

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to an appliance for cooking dishes which finds useful application in the field of kitchen equipment, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Suction hobs, i.e. equipment for cooking food that combine a hob and a suction hood in a single appliance, have been known for some time.

[0007] Such equipment has a suction opening made on the hob near the food cooking regions, and a suction unit fluid-dynamically connected to the suction opening to generate a suction flow through the latter. In some cases, as for example in EP3926242A1, the suction opening can also be located on the worktop of the kitchen cabinet near the hob.

[0008] Suction hobs comprise a filter unit configured to filter grease and / or odors present in the cooking fumes, and a tray suitable for collecting any liquids accidentally spilled through the suction opening.

[0009] Examples of such suction hobs are reported in documents EP2702329B1, US6455818, and EP4043797A1.

[0010] In a first group of embodiments described in EP2702329B1, the tray is made in one piece with a box-shaped body of the hood. In these, the box-shaped body defines a concave region below the suction opening, suitable for collecting any fluids, such as cooking water, grease, etc., entering from the suction opening of the hob.

[0011] Although making the tray in one piece with the box-shaped body allows its correct positioning with respect to the suction opening to always be guaranteed, thistechnical solution is not free from drawbacks. In use, to empty and clean the tray, the user is in fact required to insert their hands through the suction opening and wipe the tray one or more times with an absorbent cloth / sponge. This operation is particularly inconvenient as the narrow suction opening significantly limits the user's mobility in reaching the tray and the liquid contained therein.

[0012] The drawbacks of such hobs are overcome by a second group of embodiments shown in EP2702329B1 and in the solution described in EP4043797A1, in which the tray is integrated into the filter unit, which is removable through the suction opening. In this case, the tray is easily emptied and cleaned during the periodic maintenance operations of the filter unit which are carried out outside the suction hood.

[0013] However, this technical solution is not free from drawbacks either. The integration of the tray into the filter unit in fact reduces its filtering surface, to the detriment of the hood's filtering performance.

[0014] It is also worth noting that the reduction in filtering surface has an impact both for the user, as they would have to perform more frequent maintenance operations (for the same amount of filtered grease, in the case of a tray integrated into the filter, the grease is distributed over a smaller surface compared to the filter without a tray), and fluid-dynamic inefficiencies due to the reduction of the passage section of the suction flow.

[0015] Furthermore, in another known embodiment which provides that the tray is integrated into the filter unit but removable from the latter, there is the further drawback that, following maintenance and cleaning operations, the user must reposition both the filter unit and the tray in the appliance. In this situation, it could happen that the user forgets to reinsert the filter or the tray. For example, if the user were not to reinsert the tray but only the filter, then the eventual accidental introduction of fluids into the suction opening could lead to damage of electrical and / or electroniccomponents of the appliance.

[0016] This problem also exists when the tray is separate from the filter and both are removable with respect to the appliance, for example the filter through the suction opening and the tray through the bottom of the appliance itself as represented in US3587555.

[0017] Finally, this problem also exists in the case of the embodiment shown in WO2019068421, in which both the filter and the tray are separate from each other but are extractable through the suction opening.

[0018] Document US2023213209A1 teaches to mount the filters in a removable manner on the liquid collection tray, which is installed in a removable manner in the suction opening.

[0019] However, the solution described in US2023213209A1 also has drawbacks: during the joint removal of the tray and the filters, the latter constitute both a visual obstacle and a material encumbrance, preventing a comfortable and accurate movement of the tray itself. The user is therefore unable to see the level of the liquid present in the tray and is also limited in handling due to the presence of the filters. In such conditions, if maximum attention is not paid, an undesirable spillage of the liquid inside the hood could occur which, besides being inconvenient to clean, can also damage its electronic components.

[0020] Object of the Invention

[0021] In this context, the technical task at the basis of the present invention is to propose an appliance for cooking dishes that overcomes the drawbacks of the known art cited above.

[0022] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an appliance for cooking dishes that offers good suction and filtering performance of cooking fumes, while ensuring ease of maintenance.A further object of the present invention is to provide an appliance capable of preventing damage to the electronic components due to the missing or incorrect installation of the liquid collection tray.

[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] In accordance with the present invention, the indicated technical task and the specified objects are achieved by an appliance for cooking dishes according to one or more of the claims reported below.

[0025] In particular, the present invention proposes to mount the filter unit removably on the tray and, through the latter, on the box-shaped body of the downdraft hood or on the hob.

[0026] Advantageously, this allows the cleaning and maintenance operations of the filter unit and the tray to be carried out comfortably outside the internal portion of the downdraft hood.

[0027] It is also worth noting that, in the solution object of the present invention, the tray acts as a means for mounting the filter unit on the box-shaped body of the downdraft hood or on the hob. Therefore, should the user forget to mount the tray or not mount it correctly, they would not be able to correctly install the filter unit in the appliance and would thus be prompted to carry out a check that could lead them to identify the problem. Advantageously, this therefore makes it possible to prevent damage to the electronic components of the appliance if, following cleaning and maintenance operations, the user were to forget to mount the tray or not mount it correctly.

[0028] Furthermore, advantageously, the mounting of the filter unit on the tray guarantees their correct reciprocal positioning, so as to prevent any liquid dripping outside the tray.

[0029] According to an aspect, when the filter unit is mounted on the box-shaped bodyor on the hob through the tray (i.e. in the operating configuration), the filter unit itself inhibits the removal of the tray. This expedient obliges the user to remove the tray only after having removed the filters, so that the latter do not act as a visual obstacle and / or encumbrance for the comfortable and accurate movement of the tray. Therefore, this expedient, by inducing the operator to handle the tray individually, allows the operator to have greater control of manipulation of the tray during its extraction, so as to reduce the risk of any undesirable spillage of liquids into the hood during the extraction of the tray.

[0030] LIST OF FIGURES

[0031] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the indicative, and therefore non-limiting, description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an appliance for cooking dishes, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] - Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of a first embodiment of an appliance for cooking dishes according to the present invention,

[0033] - Figure 2 shows a perspective sectional view of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit and the liquid collection tray in the mounted position,

[0034] - Figure 3 shows a perspective sectional view of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit disassembled and extracted from the suction opening and the liquid collection tray in the mounted position,

[0035] - Figure 4 shows a perspective sectional view of some components of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit disassembled and extracted through the suction opening and the liquid collection tray in the mounted position,

[0036] - Figure 5 shows an enlargement of some details of Figure 4,

[0037] - Figure 6 shows a perspective sectional view of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit and the liquid collection tray disassembled and extracted through thesuction opening,

[0038] - Figure 7 shows a perspective sectional view of some components of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit and the liquid collection tray in the mounted position,

[0039] - Figure 8 shows an enlargement of some details of Figure 7,

[0040] - Figure 9 shows a side perspective view of the appliance of Figure 1 with the filter unit and the liquid collection tray disassembled and extracted through the suction opening,

[0041] - Figure 10 shows a top perspective view of a second embodiment of an appliance for cooking dishes according to the present invention,

[0042] - Figure 11 shows a perspective sectional view of some components of the appliance of Figure 10 with the filter unit and the liquid collection tray in the mounted position,

[0043] - Figure 12 shows an enlargement of some details of Figure 11,

[0044] - Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the filter unit when associated with the liquid collection tray,

[0045] - Figure 14 shows a perspective view of the filter unit when decoupled from the liquid collection tray.

[0046] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] The present description has as its object an appliance for cooking dishes, indicated with 1 in the attached figures.

[0048] The appliance 1 extends along a height direction Z-Z (vertical), a width direction X-X, and a depth direction Y-Y, which define a three-dimensional Cartesian reference system, in particular tri-orthogonal. Therefore, the height, width and depth directions are reciprocally oriented perpendicularly.

[0049] In particular, the appliance 1 extends along the depth direction Y-Y between afront portion la and a rear portion lb, along the width direction X-X between a pair of opposite side portions 1c, and along the height direction Z-Z between an upper portion Id and a lower portion le.

[0050] The appliance 1 comprises a hob 2, i.e. a kitchen apparatus having one or more cooking regions suitable for receiving containers holding dishes to be heated or cooked. For the purposes of the present invention, the hob 2 can be of any type such as, for example, gas, electric, induction or hybrid.

[0051] The hob 2 is arranged in the upper portion Id of the appliance and extends prevalently along the width X-X and depth Y-Y directions.

[0052] Furthermore, with reference to figures 4 and 6, the hob 2 extends along the height direction Z-Z between a support portion 2a suitable for receiving food containers in support and a base portion 2b opposite the support portion 2a.

[0053] According to an aspect, the hob 2 comprises a plate 21 defining the support portion 2a. This plate 21 is, for example, made of glass-ceramic material.

[0054] The hob 2 has at least one suction opening 20 for cooking fumes, i.e. an opening through which a suction flow can be channeled, suitable for capturing the cooking fumes coming from the containers holding the dishes being cooked.

[0055] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the suction opening 20 is embodied in a through hole that crosses the plate 21 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0056] It should be specified that the suction opening 20 can have any geometry and arrangement on the hob 2. In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the suction opening 20 is arranged in a central region of the hob 2 and has a quadrangular geometry, however, in alternative embodiments, the suction opening 20 could be located in other regions of the hob 2 - such as, for example, in peripheral regions -and / or have non-quadrangular geometries.

[0057] It should also be specified that, in alternative embodiments to those reported inthe attached figures, the hob 2 can also have multiple suction openings 20 configured to be crossed by distinct suction flows of the cooking fumes which, downstream of them, can rejoin to form a single flow.

[0058] The appliance 1 also comprises a downdraft hood 3, i.e. a suction apparatus configured to generate the suction flow directed from top to bottom through the suction opening 20.

[0059] This downdraft hood 3 comprises a box-shaped body 30 extending below the hob 2 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0060] The box-shaped body 30 defines inside it a suction chamber 30a placed in fluid communication with the suction opening 20. The suction chamber 30a is therefore accessible from above through the suction opening 20.

[0061] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the box-shaped body 30 extends from the base portion 2b of the hob 2.

[0062] According to an aspect, the box-shaped body 30 defines the lower portion le of the appliance 1.

[0063] According to a further aspect, the box-shaped body 30 extends along the width direction X-X between the side portions 1c of the appliance 1 and along the depth direction Y-Y from the front portion la to the rear portion lb.

[0064] The downdraft hood 3 also comprises a suction unit 31 configured to generate a depression in the suction chamber 30a which results in the flow of cooking fumes directed along a fluid-dynamic path P. As illustrated in figure 2 by dashed arrows, the fluid-dynamic path P extends from the suction opening 20 of the hob to a discharge 32.

[0065] It should be specified that the downdraft hood 3 can be installed in either filtering or suction mode. In the first case, the discharge 32 is placed in fluid communication with the environment in which the appliance is installed; in the second, the discharge32 is fluid-dynamically connected to a flue suitable for discharging the cooking fumes into the external environment.

[0066] According to an aspect, the suction unit 31 comprises an impeller 31a arranged internally to the suction chamber 30a, for example in correspondence with the front portion la. The impeller 31a is rotatable about a rotation axis which is preferably directed perpendicularly to the height direction Z-Z, in particular parallel to the width direction X-X or to the depth direction Y-Y.

[0067] In the embodiments shown in figures 2 and 11, the box-shaped body 30 defines a scroll 30b extending around the impeller 31a and configured to deflect the flow of cooking fumes entering axially into the impeller 31a towards the discharge 32.

[0068] In the embodiments shown in figures 9 and 11, the box-shaped body also defines at least one supply opening 30c configured to axially supply the suction flow to the impeller 31a.

[0069] The downdraft hood 3 also comprises a filter unit 4 configured, for example, to filter at least the grease present in the cooking fumes.

[0070] As shown in figure 2, the filter unit 4 is arranged along the fluid-dynamic path P between the suction opening 20 and the suction unit 32.

[0071] The filter unit 4 is removably mounted in the appliance, so as to be able to switch between the operating configuration, in which it is installed in the device 1 so as to treat the aspirated cooking fumes flow, and a maintenance configuration, in which it is uninstalled from the appliance so that it can be cleaned or replaced.

[0072] The switching of the filter unit 4 between the operating configuration and the maintenance configuration occurs through extraction and insertion operations conducted through the suction opening 20. The filter unit 4 is therefore shaped so as to be able to pass through the suction opening 20 along the height direction Z-Z.

[0073] In the embodiment shown in figures 1-9, the filter unit 4 is removably mountedon the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3. Differently, in the embodiment shown in figures 10-12, the filter unit 4 is removably mounted on the hob 2. Further details on the mounting of the filter unit 4 will be provided in a subsequent part of the description.

[0074] According to an aspect, the filter unit 4 comprises a filter portion 40 configured to treat the cooking fumes to remove the greasy component released by the dishes in preparation.

[0075] It should be specified that the filter portion 40 is permeable to fluids, both gaseous and liquid. Therefore, the filter unit 4 is not able to retain or otherwise collect any liquids accidentally spilled into the suction opening 20.

[0076] The filter portion 40 can for example comprise a metal grid configured to retain greasy particles and other solid particles.

[0077] The filter unit 4 can also comprise a frame 42, for example made of plastic or metallic material, on which the filter portion 40 is mounted. Advantageously, by providing structural support to the filter portion 40, the frame 42 facilitates the movement of the filter unit 4 in the switching between the operating configuration and the maintenance configuration.

[0078] In the embodiment shown in figures 13 and 14, the filter portion 40 has a concave conformation (e.g. U-shaped or V-shaped) and the frame 42 defines an upper access mouth 42a. In use, the flow of cooking fumes enters the filter unit 4 through the access mouth 42a and leaves it both laterally and inferiorly by passing through the filter portion 40.

[0079] The filter unit 4 preferably comprises first gripping members 41 - such as, for example, fins or handles - graspable by the user to move the filter unit 4 during extraction and insertion through the suction opening 20.

[0080] According to an aspect, the gripping members 41 are defined by the frame 42.In the embodiment shown in figures 13 and 14, the gripping members 41 are defined by protrusions projecting into the access mouth 42a.

[0081] It should be specified that the appliance 1 object of the present description can also comprise further filter means 7 - such as, for example, odor filters - also mounted removably on the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or on the hob 2 and extractable through the suction opening 20.

[0082] The further filter means 7 are preferably arranged along the fluid-dynamic path P downstream of the filter means 4 and upstream of the suction unit 31. However, in alternative embodiments, the further filter means 7 could be arranged downstream of the suction unit 3, for example in the discharge 32.

[0083] The downdraft hood 3 also comprises a tray 5 configured to collect liquids accidentally spilled into the suction opening 20, so as to prevent them from reaching the suction unit 31 or other electrical and / or electronic components of the appliance 1 that are sensitive to liquids.

[0084] The tray 5 is removably mounted in the appliance 1 so that it can be removed to be emptied or cleaned. The tray 5 is therefore switchable between a collection configuration, in which it is mounted in the appliance 1 so as to collect any liquids accidentally introduced through the suction opening 20, and a cleaning configuration, in which it is disassembled from the appliance 1 so that it can be emptied and cleaned.

[0085] It is worth noting that the tray 5 can be removably mounted both on the boxshaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3, as shown in the embodiment of figures 1-9, and on the hob 2, as shown in the embodiment of figures 10-12.

[0086] The switching of the tray 5 between the collection configuration and the cleaning configuration occurs through extraction and insertion operations conducted through the suction opening 20. The tray 5 is therefore shaped so as to be able to pass through the suction opening 20 along the height direction Z-Z.In the appliance 1 object of the present description, the filter unit 4 is removably mounted on the tray 5 so as to be at least partly arranged therein.

[0087] The filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are therefore switchable between a coupled configuration, in which the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5 so as to be interposed between two of its portions, and a decoupled configuration, in which the filter unit 4 is removed from the tray 5.

[0088] The mounting of the filter unit 4 in the tray 5 guarantees their correct reciprocal positioning, so as to prevent any liquid dripping outside the tray 5.

[0089] In the appliance 1 object of the present description, the filter unit 4 is removably mounted on the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or on the hob 2 through the tray 5. Therefore, according to what is shown in figures 2 and 11, the tray 5 is the means through which the filter unit 4 is removably mounted on the box-shaped body 30 or on the hob 2. In other words, when the tray 5 is in the collection position and the filter unit 4 is in the operating position, the filter unit 4 is connected, preferably supported, by the box-shaped body 30 or by the hob 2 through the tray 5.

[0090] Starting from the situation depicted in figures 2 and 11, to perform maintenance operations on the filter unit, the user must switch the filter unit 4 from the operating configuration to the maintenance one, i.e., must extract it from the appliance 1 through the suction opening 20.

[0091] Once this is done, to empty the tray 5, the user must switch the tray 5 from the collection configuration to the cleaning one, i.e., must extract it from the appliance 1 through the suction opening 20.

[0092] According to an aspect, the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are individually (singly), preferably sequentially, extractable from the suction opening 20. It follows that, preferably, the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are configured to be independently, and in some cases sequentially, extracted from the suction opening 20.Even more preferably, the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are configured to be extracted from the suction opening 20 only individually and, therefore, necessarily sequentially.

[0093] According to a further aspect, when the filter unit 4 is mounted on the boxshaped body 30 or on the hob 2 through the tray 5 (i.e. in the operating configuration), the filter unit 4 itself inhibits the removal of the tray 5. In other words, it is not possible to remove the tray 5 (i.e. switch the tray from the collection configuration to the cleaning one) without having first removed the filter unit 4 (i.e. having brought the filter unit into the maintenance configuration). This can be achieved by means of specific mechanical locking elements or by means of shape couplings. Further details on this matter will be provided in a subsequent part of the description.

[0094] In the embodiment shown in figures 13 and 14, the tray 5 comprises at least one mounting wall 51 having a first portion 51a configured to removably engage the boxshaped body 30 or the hob 2 depending on the embodiment.

[0095] In detail, with reference to figure 5, the first portion 5 la of the mounting wall 51 is in contact with the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or with the hob 2 when the tray 5 is in the collection configuration. Differently, the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51 is disengaged from the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or from the hob 2 when the tray 5 is in the cleaning configuration.

[0096] In one embodiment, the mounting wall 51 is elastically deformable. By deforming elastically, for example transversely to the height direction Z-Z, the mounting wall 51 engages / disengages the first portion 51a with / from the box-shaped body 30 or with / from the hob 2.

[0097] The mounting wall 51 is preferably made of a reversibly elastically deformable material - such as, for example, a suitably filled polymeric material -, i.e., in a material that can be elastically deformed by means of a mechanical stress and that is configuredto return to the original configuration once the applied stress is removed.

[0098] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or the hob 2 comprise a mounting portion 6 configured to make a shape coupling with the first portion 5 la of the mounting wall 51 of the tray 5. When the mounting portion 6 is coupled with the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51, the tray 5 is constrained to the box-shaped body 30 or to the hob 2 along a vertical direction V-V so as not to be able to be extracted through the suction opening 20 without first disengaging the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51 from the mounting portion 6.

[0099] The coupling between the mounting portion 6 and the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51 is preferably such as to retain the tray 5 in the collection configuration. To extract the tray 5, the user will therefore have to first disengage the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51 from the mounting portion 6, for example by elastically deforming the mounting wall 51 transversely to the height direction Z-Z.

[0100] A coupling of the type described above can be obtained, for example, by making a recess (undercut) on the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51, which is configured to receive the mounting portion 6 therein along a direction transverse to the height direction Z-Z.

[0101] In one embodiment, the mounting portion 6 can be made from the edges of the suction opening 20 defined by the plate 21 of the hob 2 or from a specific support element of the hob 2 shaped to be removably coupled with the tray 5.

[0102] In an alternative embodiment, the mounting portion 6 can also be made from a portion of the box-shaped body 30 configured to be removably coupled with the tray 5.

[0103] According to an aspect shown in figure 5, the tray 5 comprises second gripping members 54 graspable by the user to disassemble it from the box-shaped body 30 orfrom the hob 2 and extract it through the suction opening 20.

[0104] The second gripping members 54 can for example create an opening 54a on the mounting wall 51, suitable for receiving one or more fingers of the user.

[0105] In use, to switch the tray 5 from the collection configuration to the cleaning one, the user can act on the second gripping members 54, for example by deforming the mounting wall 51, to disengage the first portion 51a of the mounting wall 51 from the box-shaped body 30 or from the hob 2 according to what is described above.

[0106] In a possible embodiment, the second gripping members 54 define at least in part the first portion 51a. In the embodiment of figure 5, the edge of the opening 54a projects from the mounting wall 51 and is configured to engage the mounting portion 6 of the box- shaped body 30 or of the hob 2.

[0107] The mounting wall 51 can also comprise a second portion 51b configured to removably engage the filter unit 4.

[0108] When the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are in the coupled configuration (figure 13), the second portion 51b is in contact with the filter unit 4. Differently, when the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 are in the decoupled configuration (figure 14), the second portion 5 lb is not in contact with the filter unit 4.

[0109] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the first portion 51a and the second portion 51b are defined by opposite faces of the mounting wall 51.

[0110] In particular, still with reference to the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the first portion 51a is defined by an external face of the mounting wall 51, while the second portion 51b is defined by an internal face of the mounting wall 51.

[0111] According to an aspect, the mounting wall 51 is configured to be interposed between the filter unit 4 and the box-shaped body 30 of the downdraft hood 3 or the hob 2, so as to mount the filter unit on the box-shaped body 30 or on the hob 2.

[0112] According to a further aspect, when mounted on the tray 5, the filter unit 4 isconfigured to inhibit the elastic deformation of the mounting wall 51 so as not to allow its disengagement from the box-shaped body 30 or from the hob 2. Advantageously, this makes it possible to prevent the possibility that during the removal of the filter unit 4, the tray 5 is also removed integrally with it. The removal of the tray 5 subsequently to the removal of the filter unit 4 allows the user to always keep an eye on the level of the liquid in the tray 5 and therefore to move it with due caution.

[0113] Preferably, the second gripping members 54 of the tray 5 are not accessible to the user through the suction opening 20 when the tray 5 is in the collection configuration and the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5. This implements a further measure aimed at preventing the user from being able to simultaneously remove the filter unit 4 and the tray 5 through the suction opening 20.

[0114] For example, in the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 7, when the tray 5 is in the collection configuration and the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5, the filter unit 4 itself inhibits access to the second gripping members 54 through the suction opening 20.

[0115] It should be specified that the fact that the second gripping members 54 are not accessible to the user through the suction opening 20 when the tray 5 is in the collection configuration and the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5, is independent of the fact that the filter unit 4 inhibits or not the removal of the tray when mounted on the boxshaped body 30 or on the hob 2.

[0116] To prevent access to the second gripping members 54 of the tray 5, in the embodiment of figure 8, the frame 42 of the filter unit 4 is configured to shield access to the second gripping members 54 when the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5.

[0117] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the tray 5 comprises two mounting walls 51 of the type described above, arranged at opposite ends of the tray 5. When mounted on the tray 5, the filter unit 4 is interposed between the oppositemounting walls 51 so as to be arranged at least partially, preferably completely, internally to the tray 5.

[0118] According to an aspect, the mounting parts 51 are symmetrical with respect to an intermediate plane (not shown in the figures) of the tray 5.

[0119] With reference to figures 13 and 14, the tray 5 comprises a collection portion 50 configured to collect liquids inside it.

[0120] In use, when the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5 which is in the collection configuration, the collection portion 50 is arranged below the filter unit 4 along the height direction Z-Z. Therefore, any liquids accidentally spilled into the suction opening 20 of the hob 2, after having passed through the filter unit 4, arrive in the collection portion 50 of the tray 5 where they accumulate.

[0121] According to an aspect, when the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5 which is in the collection configuration, the filter unit 4 is at least partially arranged in the collection portion 50 of the tray 5 along the height direction Z-Z. In particular, when the filter unit 4 and the tray are in the assembled configuration, the projection of the filter unit along the height direction Z-Z falls within the collection portion 50. Advantageously, this ensures that any liquid dripping from the filter unit 4 falls internally to the tray 5.

[0122] Preferably, the collection portion 50 has a preferential collection area 50a. With reference to figure 6, this allows the encumbrance of the tray 5 to be reduced to the advantage of the fluid-dynamic efficiency of the downdraft hood 3. In this regard, it is noted that in the embodiment of figure 6 in which the discharge 32 is arranged below the tray 5, the preferential collection area 50a allows for the formation of a divergent discharge 32 which facilitates the expulsion of the suction flow and, by slowing it down, reduces the noisiness of the appliance 1.

[0123] In one embodiment, the tray 5 comprises at least one side opening 52 suitable tobe crossed by the suction flow exiting the filter unit 4. When the filter unit 4 is mounted on the tray 5, the at least one side opening 52 is therefore operatively associated with the filter portion 40 of the filter unit 4.

[0124] The tray 5 can also have an overflow opening 53, configured to discharge the liquid accumulated in the collection portion 50 into a draining region 33 of the boxshaped body 30 when said liquid exceeds a predetermined maximum level. The draining region 33 of the box-shaped body 30 can then be emptied by removing a specific plug.

[0125] In the embodiments shown in the attached figures, the mounting walls 51 project superiorly from the collection portion 50, defining between them two opposite side openings 52. In use, the suction flow containing the cooking fumes enters the filter unit 4 along the height direction Z-Z and leaves it laterally, transversely to the height direction Z-Z, through the side openings 52, so as to then reach the suction unit 31.

[0126] Obviously, a person skilled in the art may make numerous equivalent modifications to the variants described above, without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Appliance (1) for cooking dishes, comprising:- a hob (2) having at least one suction opening (20) for cooking fumes,- a downdraft hood (3) comprising:- a box-shaped body (30) extending below the hob (2) defining a suction chamber (30a), said suction chamber (30a) being placed in fluid communication with the suction opening (20),- a suction unit (31) placed in fluid communication with the suction chamber (30a) and having a discharge (32), said suction unit (31) being configured to generate a direct suction flow of cooking fumes along a fluid-dynamic path (P) extending from the suction opening (20) of the hob (2) to the discharge (32),- a filter unit (4) arranged along the fluid-dynamic path (P) between the suction opening (20) and the suction unit (31), the filter unit (4) being extractable through the suction opening (20),- a tray (5) for collecting liquids, said tray (5) being removably mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2) so as to be extracted through the suction opening (20),wherein- the filter unit (4) is removably mounted on the tray (5) so as to be at least partly arranged inside said tray (5),- the filter unit (4) is removably mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2) through said tray (4)characterized in that the filter unit (4) when mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2) through said tray (4) inhibits the extraction of the tray (5).

2. Appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the filter unit (4) and the tray (5) areconfigured to be individually extracted from the suction opening (20).

3. Appliance (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tray (5) comprises at least one mounting wall (51) having:- a first portion (51 a) configured to removably engage the box-shaped body (30) or the hob (2),- a second portion (51b) configured to removably engage the filter unit (4).

4. Appliance (1) according to claim 3, wherein the mounting wall (51) is configured to be interposed:- between the filter unit (4) and the box-shaped body (30) to mount the filter unit (4) on the box-shaped body (30), or- between the filter unit and the hob (2) to mount the filter unit (4) on the hob (2).

5. Appliance (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mounting wall (51) is elastically deformable, the mounting wall (51) being elastically deformed is configured to engage / di sengage the first portion (51a) with / from the box-shaped body (30) or with / from the hob (2).

6. Appliance (1) according to claim 5, wherein the filter unit (4) when mounted on the tray (5) is configured to inhibit elastic deformation of the mounting wall (51) so as to prevent disengagement of the mounting wall (51) from the box-shaped body (30) or hob (2).

7. Appliance (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the box-shaped body (30) or the hob (2) comprises a mounting portion (6) configured to make a shapecoupling with the first portion of the mounting wall (51) of the tray (5), the mounting portion (51) when engaged with the mounting wall (6) constraining the tray (4) to the box-shaped body (30) or to the hob (2) along a vertical direction (V-V) so as to inhibit the extraction of the tray (5).

8. Appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the tray (5) comprises a collection portion (50) and at least one side opening (52), - the filter unit (4) comprises a filter portion (40), the filter unit (4) being mountable on the tray (5) above the collection portion (40) so that the filter portion (40) is operatively associated with the side opening (52).

9. Appliance (1) according to claim 8, wherein the collection portion (50) of the tray (5) has an overflow opening (53) configured to discharge the liquid accumulated in the collection portion (50) into a draining region (33) of the box-shaped body (30) when said liquid exceeds a predetermined maximum level.

10. Appliance (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the collection portion (50) of the tray (5) has a preferential collection area (50a).

11. Appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the filter unit (4) comprises first gripping members (41) graspable by a user to disengage the filter unit (4) from the tray (5) and extract the filter unit (4) through the suction opening (20),- the tray (5) comprises second gripping members (54) graspable by the user to disassemble the tray (5) from the box-shaped body (30) or from the hob (2) and extract the tray (5) through the suction opening (20).

12. Appliance (1) according to claim 11, wherein when the tray (5) is mounted on the box-shaped body (30) or on the hob (2) and the filter unit (4) is mounted on the tray (5), the second gripping members (54) are not accessible through the suction opening (20).

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