EP2653240B1

EP2653240B1 - Hideaway hood-hob assembly

Info

Publication number: EP2653240B1
Application number: EP13001896.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simone Bottaccio
Original assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
Current assignee: Franke Technology and Trademark Ltd
Priority date: 2012-04-16
Filing date: 2013-04-12
Publication date: 2015-03-04
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-12
Also published as: ES2533856T3; ITMI20120616A1; DK2653240T3; EP2653240A1; PL2653240T3

Description

The present invention relates to a hideaway assembly comprising a hood and a hob.
The invention derives from the observation that currently the available spaces in the home can be decidedly small, so that in many situations it could be a significant advantage if the space occupied by a hob could, when not utilized, be used as a resting surface, and even more so if that space above the hob constituted by the suction hood normally combined with a hob could be eliminated.
Before explaining how the present invention enables this object to be attained and hence solve the relative technical problem, it should be noted that EP-A-1927811 describes a wall unit equipped for kitchen use, fixable to a wall and provided with a hob tiltable parallel to the wall when not in use. The wall unit can also comprise a suction hood whose functional elements, such as the suction unit fan and motor, air conduits and possible filters, are disposed in a suitable compartment in the upper part of the wall unit. The hood can also comprise a deflector which when in the rest position lies substantially in the same plane as the tilted hob, and can be opened by rotation about a horizontal axis parallel to the wall when the hood is used.
Consequently when in the rest condition, i.e. with the hob tilted to assume a vertical position and the deflector closed, the wall unit has an overall size which is much reduced compared with that when the hob and relative hood are in use.
Hideaway suction hoods are also known, located just behind a fixed hob (in particular between this latter and the wall against which the hob normally lies) and which extend upwards from the level of this hob. When not in use they can be lowered below said level until they disappear (a suitable space must clearly be provided below this level to receive the hood). These hideaway hoods, have a dimension, perpendicularly to the wall, which is much less than their other two dimensions. In its most simple embodiment, a hood of this type has an overall very squashed parallelepiped shape, its two major dimensions lying in a substantially vertical plane. The aperture or apertures through which the suction action takes place are located in that face of the hood facing the hob.
US2010/065038A1 discloses an assembly comprising a hob which, when used, is placed at a given elevation, and a hideaway hood receivable in a space provided below said use elevation.
The aforesaid object is attained by the hood-hob assembly according to the present invention, comprising a hob which, when in use, is located at a determined elevation, and a hideaway hood receivable within a space provided below said use elevation, characterized in that the hob is hinged to the hood, to be able to be tilted, when not in use, against the hood when this latter is in the use position, said receiving space being dimensioned to receive the assembly when the hob is in its non-use position.
The invention will be more easily understood from the following description of an exemplifying embodiment. In this description reference will be made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1: is a very schematic perspective view of a furniture unit enclosing a hood-hob assembly according to the present invention when in the non-use or closed condition, corresponding to that of minimum overall size;
Figure 2: is similar to Figure 1 but represents the same furniture unit in a first stage of reaching the use or open condition of the hob and hood;
Figure 3: shows the furniture unit in a second stage of reaching the use condition of the hob and hood;
Figure 4: shows both the hood and the hob in the use condition.

The furniture unit 10 visible in Figure 1 encloses a hood-hob assembly according to the present invention, the said assembly in this case being in the non-use condition of minimum overall size. In this respect, it can be seen that the entire flat rectangular upper surface 12 of the furniture unit 10 is free, as is the entire space above it, such that this surface can be used for example as a resting or work top (in particular for preparing foods prior to their cooking).
An elongate rectangular strip 14 of the surface 12, parallel to the long sides of the rectangular surface 12 and close to one of these sides, constitutes the upper surface of said assembly, indicated overall by 16. As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, this assembly can be extracted from the unit 10 in the same manner in which a conventional hideaway hood is extracted, to assume its maximum elevation position (Figure 3). As can be seen, the assembly 16 comprises a hob 18 which can be tilted from a substantially vertical position (Figure 2) to a substantially horizontal position (Figure 4). For this purpose the hob 18 is hinged to the actual hood, indicated by 20, of which that surface facing the hob 18 presents holes, slots or grilles (not shown for simplicity) through which suction takes place. In the specific case illustrated, the hood 20 comprises a lighting means, represented very schematically and indicated by 22, disposed in the upper part of that surface of the hood 20 facing the hob 18.
There is evidently no need to explain how to achieve passage from the use condition of Figure 4 to the non-use condition of Figure 1, in which the entire surface 12 of the furniture unit 10 again becomes available, without any obstacles in the space overlying that surface.
It is apparent that the unit 10 must provide the space required to receive not only the hideaway hood 20 but the entire assembly 16 when the hob 18 is in its non-use position.
The hood 20 is for the rest a conventional hideaway hood and can have all the functions and accessories (in particular filters) of this type of hood. The hob 18 can also be of conventional type, with one or more heating elements. These latter can be of electrically operated type (electrical resistance element or magnetic induction type, in particular with a vitreous ceramic support plate) or of gas operated type. The hob must evidently be provided with the prescribed safety expedients and systems.
In the case of a vitreous ceramic support plate, a cooling device can be used, either utilizing the suction of the hood 20 or being independent of it. As it can happen that the vitreous ceramic plate is still hot during closure, said cooling device can be caused to remain in operation for a certain time after closure, or until it receives a signal from a suitable thermostat.
Preferably the commands for opening the assembly 16 (i.e. to bring it from its non-use condition of Figure 1 to its use condition of Figure 4) are housed on the upper surface 14 of the assembly 16, while the commands for the hob 18 and hood 20 are located on the front part of the hob 18 (with reference to the use position of this latter).
The movement for opening the assembly 16 can be applied by a motorized mechanism with two limit switches (opening and closure).
To enable the hob 18 to be tilted, balanced hinges which maintain it in the closed position can be conveniently used, the hob being able to be opened manually by a suitable handgrip (not shown for simplicity). The hinges can be conveniently of the type which enables the hob 18 to undergo a braked rotation and a stable open position thereof (for use). A device can also be provided which, with the hob in the open position (Figure 4), prevents lowering of the assembly 16.
If required, the opening of the hob 18 can also be motorized, with automatic activation as soon as the assembly 16 reaches its highest position; closure of the hob 18 can also be automated.
In conclusion, it should be noted that by virtue of the present invention, more space is available (in particular the entire upper surface 12 of the furniture unit 10) for preparing foods prior to their cooking. Moreover, by virtue of the present invention, when the hob 18 is not in use, both this and the hood 20 can be made invisible.

Claims

An assembly (16) comprising a hob (18) which, when in use, is located at a determined elevation, and a hideaway hood (20) receivable within a space provided below said use elevation, characterized in that the hob (18) is hinged to the hood (20) such that, when not in use, the hob can be tilted against the hood (20) when this latter is in its use position, said receiving space being dimensioned to receive the assembly (16) when the hob (18) is in its non-use position.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hob (18) is provided with at least one heating element of the type operated by electrical energy.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one heating element of electrical energy type is of electrical resistance type.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one heating element of electrical energy type is of magnetic induction type.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 2, wherein if the hob (18) comprises a vitreous ceramic support plate, a cooling device for said support plate is provided, either using the suction of the hood (20) or being independent of it.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein for hinging the hob (18) to the hood (20), hinges are used of the type enabling the hob (18) to undergo a braked rotation and achieve a stable use position.
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a device is provided which, with the hob in the open position, prevents lowering of the assembly (16).
The assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the commands which enable the assembly (16) to be made to pass from its non-use position to its use position are disposed on the upper surface (14) of the assembly.
An assembly (16) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the commands for the hob (18) and for the hood (20) are located on the front part of the hob (18) with reference to its use position.