GB2149089A

GB2149089A - Gas cooking hob

Info

Publication number: GB2149089A
Application number: GB08329445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Gray; Derek Charles Horne
Original assignee: Thorn EMI Domestic Appliances Ltd
Current assignee: Thorn EMI Domestic Appliances Ltd
Priority date: 1983-11-03
Filing date: 1983-11-03
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8329445D0; GB2149089B

Abstract

A gas cooking hob (1) has a flat, top surface (3) of glass or ceramic having a plurality of apertures (5). A burner (6) is located in each of the apertures and a flange (7) of the burner extends laterally thereof to overlie the periphery of the aperture. A seal (10) can be provided between the flange and the top surface. The hob does not require a spillage tray and has a neat, generally pleasing appearance. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gas cooking hob The present invention relates to a gas cooking hob, suitable for use in either a free-standing cooker or in a built-in kitchen unit.

U.K. published Patent Application No.

2068104A discloses a gas cooking hob having a top surface formed of a sheet of glass with a number of apertures, in each of which is located a spillage tray and a gas burner unit. Each spillage tray forms a substantial recess in the glass, significantly larger in diameter than the burner unit, as each tray must underlie the effective heating area.

Objects of the present invention include providing a gas cooking hob which can be readily and economically manufactured and which has a pleasing appearance.

The present invention provides a gas cooking hob having a flat top surface of glass or ceramics material, the top surface having at least one aperture with a burner unit positioned therein such that the burner unit extends laterally to, and/or overlies, the periphery of the aperture.

Preferably, the burner unit is separated from the periphery of the aperture and/or the top surface only by a sealing member, which may be, for example, an annulus of resilient material. Alternatively the burner unit contacts directly the periphery of the aperture and/or the top surface.

In another aspect the present invention provides a gas cooking hob having a flat top surface of glass or ceramics material, the top surface having at least one aperture with a burner unit positioned therein, the at least one aperture and burner unit having no associated spillage receptacle.

Clearly, the term "burner unit" refers to only those elements whose primary functions are related to the burning of the gas, namely the burner outlet nozzles, the burner mixture chamber and the associated burner housing; this term does not extend to elements with other primary functions, for example sealing, spillage collection, heat control or pan support.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the sole accompanying drawing of a gas cooking hob in cross-section.

A gas cooking hob 1 is located in a built-in kitchen unit 2 and has a top surface formed of a glass sheet 2 and a metallic control panel 4. The glass sheet 3 has four apertures 5 (of which only two are shown), in each of which a burner unit 6 is positioned. Each burner unit 6 has an integral, laterally extending annular flange 7 and, between flange 7 and an inlet 8 for gas from a supply (not shown), an external thread (not referenced) which can receive a fixing ring 9. Thus the burner unit 6 is secured to the glass sheet 3 by a clamping action between flange 7 and ring 9 with the degree of clamping being effected by screwing ring 9 relative to burner unit 6. A rubber annulus 10 separates burner unit 6 and glass top 3 thereby providing a seal to prevent spillage entering the interior of hob 1.Also annulus 10 has a downwardly directed flange so that the main body of burner unit 6 is force-fitted into aperture 5, thereby further ensuring that burner unit 6 is firmly secured in hob 1.

Burner unit 6 has a top section 11 with a plurality of cirumferential nozzles 1 2 from which exit the gases for combustion. The hob 1 has any suitable form of structure to provide a pan support for each burner unit 6. Thus there may a single pan support structure either releasably secured at the edges of the hob or hinged along the back edge; alternatively there may be a separate pan support for each burner, for example the pan support being fixed to its corresponding burner unit.

The hob 1 includes control knobs 1 3 to effect switching on and off of the individual burner units and control of their gas flow rates.

The flow of air to the burners necessary for combustion can be from around and below the glass top 3, or from a suitable inlet below the control knobs 13, or from a suitable inlet intermediate glass top 3 and the control knobs.

Hob 1 may have decorative trims around the periphery, and/or the glass top 3 can have some form of decoration.

The appearance presented by hob 1 is that of a flat top with four upstanding burners and hence it simulates closely the appearance of an electric hob which is considered most attractive.

Also the hob 1 uses less materials more effectively than the hob disclosed in B.P.A.

20681 04A in that the latter requires additionally a metallic spill-tray and wastes a greater ares of glass sheet cut out to make a larger aperture. Thus also hob 1 is cheaper to make.

Also honb 1 can be quickly and easily assembled, thereby further contributing to low cost of its manufacture.

The sealing annulus 10 may be modified to have a U-shaped cross-ection.

The burner units may be modified such that the are secured to the glass top 3 in any other suitable way. For example, the units may be formed so that, when assembled, the flange lies underneath the glass top and the fixing ring, screwed onto an external thread on the unit, contacts the upper surface of the glass top. Alternatively, a flange on the unit is screwed onto the lower surface of the glass top with a number of screws.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gas cooking hob The present invention relates to a gas cooking hob, suitable for use in either a free-standing cooker or in a built-in kitchen unit. U.K. published Patent Application No. 2068104A discloses a gas cooking hob having a top surface formed of a sheet of glass with a number of apertures, in each of which is located a spillage tray and a gas burner unit. Each spillage tray forms a substantial recess in the glass, significantly larger in diameter than the burner unit, as each tray must underlie the effective heating area. Objects of the present invention include providing a gas cooking hob which can be readily and economically manufactured and which has a pleasing appearance. The present invention provides a gas cooking hob having a flat top surface of glass or ceramics material, the top surface having at least one aperture with a burner unit positioned therein such that the burner unit extends laterally to, and/or overlies, the periphery of the aperture. Preferably, the burner unit is separated from the periphery of the aperture and/or the top surface only by a sealing member, which may be, for example, an annulus of resilient material. Alternatively the burner unit contacts directly the periphery of the aperture and/or the top surface. In another aspect the present invention provides a gas cooking hob having a flat top surface of glass or ceramics material, the top surface having at least one aperture with a burner unit positioned therein, the at least one aperture and burner unit having no associated spillage receptacle. Clearly, the term "burner unit" refers to only those elements whose primary functions are related to the burning of the gas, namely the burner outlet nozzles, the burner mixture chamber and the associated burner housing; this term does not extend to elements with other primary functions, for example sealing, spillage collection, heat control or pan support. In order that the invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the sole accompanying drawing of a gas cooking hob in cross-section. A gas cooking hob 1 is located in a built-in kitchen unit 2 and has a top surface formed of a glass sheet 2 and a metallic control panel 4. The glass sheet 3 has four apertures 5 (of which only two are shown), in each of which a burner unit 6 is positioned. Each burner unit 6 has an integral, laterally extending annular flange 7 and, between flange 7 and an inlet 8 for gas from a supply (not shown), an external thread (not referenced) which can receive a fixing ring 9. Thus the burner unit 6 is secured to the glass sheet 3 by a clamping action between flange 7 and ring 9 with the degree of clamping being effected by screwing ring 9 relative to burner unit 6. A rubber annulus 10 separates burner unit 6 and glass top 3 thereby providing a seal to prevent spillage entering the interior of hob 1.Also annulus 10 has a downwardly directed flange so that the main body of burner unit 6 is force-fitted into aperture 5, thereby further ensuring that burner unit 6 is firmly secured in hob 1. Burner unit 6 has a top section 11 with a plurality of cirumferential nozzles 1 2 from which exit the gases for combustion. The hob 1 has any suitable form of structure to provide a pan support for each burner unit 6. Thus there may a single pan support structure either releasably secured at the edges of the hob or hinged along the back edge; alternatively there may be a separate pan support for each burner, for example the pan support being fixed to its corresponding burner unit. The hob 1 includes control knobs 1 3 to effect switching on and off of the individual burner units and control of their gas flow rates. The flow of air to the burners necessary for combustion can be from around and below the glass top 3, or from a suitable inlet below the control knobs 13, or from a suitable inlet intermediate glass top 3 and the control knobs. Hob 1 may have decorative trims around the periphery, and/or the glass top 3 can have some form of decoration. The appearance presented by hob 1 is that of a flat top with four upstanding burners and hence it simulates closely the appearance of an electric hob which is considered most attractive. Also the hob 1 uses less materials more effectively than the hob disclosed in B.P.A. 20681 04A in that the latter requires additionally a metallic spill-tray and wastes a greater ares of glass sheet cut out to make a larger aperture. Thus also hob 1 is cheaper to make. Also honb 1 can be quickly and easily assembled, thereby further contributing to low cost of its manufacture. The sealing annulus 10 may be modified to have a U-shaped cross-ection. The burner units may be modified such that the are secured to the glass top 3 in any other suitable way. For example, the units may be formed so that, when assembled, the flange lies underneath the glass top and the fixing ring, screwed onto an external thread on the unit, contacts the upper surface of the glass top. Alternatively, a flange on the unit is screwed onto the lower surface of the glass top with a number of screws. CLAIMS

1. A gas cooking hob having a flat top surface of glass or ceramics material, the top surface having at least one aperture with a burner unit positioned therein such that the burner unit extends laterally to, and/or overlies, the periphery of the aperture.

2. A hob according to Claim 1, wherein the burner unit is separated from the peri phery of the aperture only by a sealing member.

3. A hob according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the burner unit is separated from the top surface only by a sealing member.

4. A gas cooking hob substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the sole accompanying Figure.