Baffle-type grease filter for kitchen ventilators

A grease filter has upper and lower baffle assemblies that define tortuous paths for exhaust air flowing therethrough. A hinge connects the upper and lower baffle assemblies and permits the assemblies to pivot from a closed position to an open position. In the open position, access is provided to all surfaces of the assemblies so that they can be efficiently cleaned. A locking mechanism secures the baffle assemblies in the closed position and is located on a peripheral side of the assemblies opposite the hinge. A kitchen ventilation system and method of cleaning a grease filter are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a grease filter of the type employed in canopies or hoods overlying relatively large grills, broilers, ranges, stoves and like equipment in kitchens of restaurants and other facilities where food is prepared.

While the grease filters disclosed in the above referenced patents may function in a satisfactory manner for their intended purposes, there remains a need for a re-useable grease filter which enables ready cleaning of all filter surfaces. Preferably, the grease filter should be capable of being positioned in a closed condition for extracting grease from grease-laden exhaust air and an open position for permitting direct cleaning of all filter surfaces. In addition, preferably the grease filter should include a locking mechanism capable of preventing undesired opening of the filter during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a grease filter having upper and lower baffle assemblies which, in a closed position, define tortuous paths for exhaust air flowing therethrough. A hinge connects the upper and lower baffle assemblies together and permits the assemblies to pivot relative to one another from the closed position to an open position which enables ready access to all surfaces of the assemblies for cleaning purposes. The filter also includes a locking mechanism for securing the baffle assemblies in the closed position. The locking mechanism is located on a peripheral side of the assemblies opposite the hinge.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kitchen ventilating system is provided. The system includes a food preparation apparatus selected from a group consisting of a grill, a broiler, a range and a stove, and a canopy located above the apparatus for exhausting air rising upwardly from the apparatus and laden with grease and/or oil vapors. A grease filter, as discussed above, is mounted within a mouth of the canopy and is removable therefrom for cleaning.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of cleaning a grease filter of a kitchen ventilating system is provided. A grease filter, as described above, is removed from a mouth of a canopy located above food preparation apparatus. A locking mechanism that is located on a peripheral side of the assemblies opposite the hinge and that secures the assemblies in a closed position is unlocked. Thereafter, the upper and lower baffle assemblies are pivoted relative to each other about the hinge thereby placing the assemblies in an open position. In this position, all surfaces of the upper and lower assemblies are cleaned.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a system for exhausting grease and/or oil laden hot air from a kitchen or like area. An example of such a setup is illustrated inFIG. 1in which a canopy10extends above food preparation apparatus12for receiving grease laden air rising therefrom. The apparatus12can include, for instance, a grill, stove, broiler, range or the like, and the canopy10typically has a mouth14providing an exhaust path for air to exit the building. Fans (not shown) or the like can be located upstream of the mouth14in the ventilation system to pull air through the mouth14.

One or more grease filters16can be located in the mouth14of the canopy10. Each grease filter16provides a tortuous path “P” for air laden with grease, oil and like contaminants so that the contaminants adhere to the surfaces of the grease filter16and are thereby removed from the air. The grease filters16are typically positioned on a slant within the mouth14of the canopy10so that, when grease or like substance accumulates within any of the plurality of gutter-shaped elongate baffles18of the grease filter16, the grease slides down the baffles18and is directed to a holding reservoir (not shown).

Periodically, the grease filters16require cleaning. Thus, according to the present invention, the grease filters16are removable from the canopy10and are able to be cleaned in an efficient manner before being re-installed in the canopy10.

As best illustrated inFIG. 2, the grease filter16according to the present invention includes a lower baffle assembly20and an upper baffle assembly22. Each assembly includes a peripheral frame24and26, respectively, which supports an array of baffles18in a central opening thereof. In a closed position as shown inFIG. 2, the grease filter16define tortuous paths “P” that enter the filter16via spacing provided between the array of baffles18aof the lower baffle assembly20, that are deflected downwardly into the baffles18aby baffles18bof the upper baffle assembly22, and that are then directed upwardly between the baffles18band out of the filter16. To create these paths, the baffles in each assembly are laterally spaced-apart providing openings therebetween, and the baffles in the opposed assemblies are staggered relative to one another to eliminate any paths for grease laden air to pass directly through the grease filter16without impinging upon at least one baffle.

Typically, grease carried in passing air adhere to surfaces28of baffles18band drip onto surfaces30of baffles18a, or adhere directly to surfaces30. Thereafter, baffles18afunction as a channel, or gutter, and direct the accumulation of grease under the force of gravity to an end wall32of the grease filter16. The endwall32has a series of drainage apertures34through which the grease travels on its way to a holding reservoir (not shown).

The frames,24and26, of the lower and upper baffle assemblies,20and22, are connected by a hinge36adjacent to the end wall32. For example, the hinge36illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4are provided as pins38extending from a triangular ear40of the upper baffle assembly22and a side wall42of the frame24. Of course, other hinge mechanisms can be utilized. As best illustrated inFIG. 4, the hinge36permits the lower and upper assemblies,20and22, to pivot about pins38from the closed position illustrated inFIG. 2to an open position illustrated inFIG. 4. Preferably, the hinge36permits the assemblies20and22to pivot 180° about pins38so that all surfaces are exposed for efficient and effective cleaning, including surfaces28and30of the baffles.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the grease filter16includes a locking mechanism44for use in securing the assemblies,20and22, in the closed position. The locking mechanism44is located on an end wall46of the frames,24and26, opposite from the hinge36. This location permits the locking mechanism44to remain relatively clean and prevents it is from becoming contaminated with grease or the like to ensure the locking mechanism44remains in a useful condition for long term and repeated use. The illustrated embodiment of the locking mechanism44is provided as a resilient locking tab48extending from the end wall46of the peripheral frame22and having an outwardly projecting curved end50. The end50can be captured in a locking opening52formed in the end wall46of the peripheral frame20. Thus, in the closed position, the curved end50is captured in opening52preventing relative movement between assemblies,20and22. SeeFIG. 3. However, pressure can be applied to the curved end50to deflect it inwardly so that the assemblies,20and22, can be pulled apart and pivoted about hinge36. Since the tab48is resilient, it automatically snaps into the opening52when the assemblies,20and22, are pivoted into the closed position.

By way of example, the grease filter16can be made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, aluminum or a like material. The grease filter16can be rectangular with dimensions in a closed position of about one to three feet by about one to three feet by about several inches. Of course, the grease filter can be made to any dimensions, as desired. Preferably, a pair of handles62are pivotally connected to the peripheral frame24of the lower baffle assembly20enabling ready handling of the grease filters16during installation and removal relative to the canopy10.

Preferably, each baffle has an elongated base wall54with opposite sidewalls56and58extending transversely therefrom to define a channel, or gutter, which extends from end wall46to end wall32of the grease filter16. Preferably, the sidewalls56and58of the baffles18ain the lower baffle assembly20have an array of apertures60that reduce static pressure and increase the turbulence of air traveling through the grease filter16thereby increasing the ability of the grease filter16to remove grease and like contaminants from passing air. As best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the array of apertures60include pairs of apertures uniformly spaced apart along the length of the baffles. This enables uniform flow throughout the length of the baffles.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of efficiently and effectively cleaning a grease filter16of a kitchen ventilating system. The grease filter16is removed from the mouth14of the canopy10which is located above food preparation apparatus12. The grease filter16has upper and lower baffle assemblies20and22which, in a closed position, define tortuous paths “P” for exhausting air therethrough. The filter16also has a hinge36connecting the upper and lower baffle assemblies,20and22.

A locking mechanism44that is located on a peripheral side of the assemblies,20and22, opposite the hinge36secures the assemblies,20and22, in the closed position. The method includes the steps of unlocking the mechanism44and pivoting the upper and lower baffle assemblies,20and22, relative to each other about the hinge36. This places the assemblies,20and22, in an open position and permits all surfaces of the grease filter16to be cleaned.

As discussed above, preferably the locking mechanism44of the grease filter16of the present invention includes a resilient locking tab48extending from the outer peripheral frame,24or26, of one of the upper and lower baffle assemblies,20and22, and a locking tab opening52in the outer peripheral frame,24or26, of the other baffle assembly,20and22. The step of unlocking the assemblies can include pressing the locking tab48inwardly to release the tab48from the tab opening52and simultaneously pulling the assemblies,20and22, apart so that the assemblies,20and22, pivot about the hinge36.

The grease filter16can be manually cleaned with soap and a brush or can be cleaned in an automatic dishwasher or pot sink. After the grease filter16is cleaned, the assemblies,20and22, can be pivoted into a closed position. The resilient nature of the locking tab48causes it to be automatically seated and captured within the locking tab opening52. Thereafter, the grease filter16can be installed within the mouth14of the canopy10.

While preferred exhaust systems, grease filter devices, and cleaning processes have been described in detail, various modifications, alterations, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the system, device and process according to the present invention as defined in the appended claims.