Apparatus for retaining dissipated heat

Embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus for retaining heat dissipated from an oven. The apparatus may comprise a sheet material sized to cover a portion of a front of the oven and at least one attachment connected to the sheet material. The sheet material may comprise an absorbent fabric for retaining a heat-absorbing compound. The at least one attachment may be configured to hold one side of the sheet material substantially flush against the front of the oven after the sheet material has retained the heat absorbing compound.

BACKGROUND

Baking can create extreme heat in kitchens especially in the summer months. In smaller homes or apartments, heat circulates even faster. Moreover, in older homes that are usually built with a closed floor plan (where every room is separate), kitchens can become unbearably hot when baking. For some communities living on a budget, the use of a cooling unit (such as an air conditioner) may be a luxury and may not be an option for use when trying to cool a kitchen when using an oven.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present specification and accompanying drawings disclose one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the present apparatus. The scope of the present apparatus is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments merely exemplify the present apparatus, and modified versions of the disclosed embodiments are also encompassed by the present apparatus. Embodiments of the present apparatus are defined by the claims appended hereto.

Still further, it should be noted that the drawings/figures are not drawn to scale unless otherwise noted herein.

II. An Apparatus for Retaining Dissipated Heat

Baking can create extreme heat in kitchens especially in the summer months. In smaller homes or apartments, heat circulates even faster. Moreover, in older homes that are usually built with a closed floor plan (where every room is separate), kitchens can become unbearably hot when baking. For some communities living on a budget, the use of a cooling unit (such as an air conditioner) may be a luxury and may not be an option for use when trying to cool a kitchen when using an oven.

Embodiments described herein address the issues described above. For example,FIGS.1and2illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment of the apparatus for retaining heat dissipated from an oven or another device that radiates heat. In particular, this embodiment, visually represented by an apparatus100inFIGS.1and2, assumes a rectangular-shaped, planar or sheet-like material (i.e., a material that is substantially longer and wider than thick) and includes at least one attachment connected to the sheet material. The sheet material may comprise an absorbent fabric that can retain a heat-absorbing compound (e.g., water). Then at least one attachment may be configured to hold one side of the material against the front of the oven after the material has retained the heat absorbing material.

FIG.1illustrates a front-side perspective view of apparatus100. As shown inFIG.1, apparatus100includes a sheet material102and attachments104and106. InFIG.1, sheet material102is depicted as rectangular and includes a first side108and a second side110(pictured inFIG.2) that is opposite the first side108. In other embodiments, sheet material102may assume any shape, such as: a triangle, a square, a pentagon, a hexagon, an octagon, a decagon, a semi-hexagon, a semi-octagon, and a semi-decagon. In accordance with embodiments described herein, sheet material102may be sized to cover a portion of a front of the oven. Further, sheet material102may comprise a flexible, absorbent fabric for retaining or absorbing a heat-absorbing compound (e.g., water). The absorbent fabric may be made of at least one of the following: linen, cotton, rayon, wool, terry cloth, fleece, hemp, and bamboo.

Additionally, apparatus100includes a first cavity112suitable for encasing attachment104and a second cavity114suitable for encasing attachment106. InFIG.1, attachments104and106are also depicted as rectangular. As further depicted inFIG.1, an edge116of attachment104substantially aligns with an edge118of sheet material102. Similarly, inFIG.1, an edge120of attachment106substantially aligns with an edge122of sheet material102, where edge122of sheet material102is opposite edge118of sheet material102. Edges118and120may be substantially straight edges enabling for easy alignment of apparatus100with any straight edges on an oven or other appliance.

In accordance with embodiments described herein, attachments104and106may include magnetic strips allowing for attachment of apparatus100to metal surfaces. In addition, in some embodiments, attachments104and106may include square or circle magnets. For example, the square or circle magnets may be arranged at each corner of sheet material102. In some embodiments, magnet portions of attachments104and106may be sealed in a flexible, watertight plastic sheath for protection against moisture and corrosion when apparatus100is exposed to water or other liquids.

Still yet, in some embodiments, attachments104and106may include hook-and-loop fasteners (or Velcro®). For example, two lineal fabric strips (or, alternatively, round “dots” or squares) may be attached to opposing surfaces (such as second side110of sheet material102and the front of an oven) to be fastened. Further, in some embodiments, attachments104and106may include hook-and-eye closure system. For example, hooks (e.g., flattened wire bent to the required shape) and eyes (or “eyelet”) into which the hooks fit may be attached to opposing surfaces (such as second side110of sheet material102and the front of an oven). Any of these configurations of attachments104and106described above will enable for placement and holding of one side (e.g., second side110) of sheet material102substantially flush against a front of an oven.

To help further illustrate the various features of apparatus100,FIG.2is provided.FIG.2shows a back-side perspective view of apparatus100. From this perspective, a second side110(not pictured inFIG.1) is exposed and the same features of apparatus100described with reference toFIG.1are shown inFIG.2.

III. Method for Using an Apparatus for Retaining Dissipated Heat

FIGS.3(a)-3(d)will now be described, with continued reference toFIGS.1and2, to illustrate an exemplary manner of using the apparatus for retaining dissipated heat. More specifically, what will be described is one exemplary method for using the apparatus in the context of retaining heat dissipated from an oven. As mentioned, apparatus100is not limited to use with an oven and may be compatible for use with other devices or appliances that radiate closed heat. Apparatus100depicted inFIGS.1and2will be the embodiment used in the following description on how to use the apparatus. Apparatus100depicted inFIGS.1and2and any embodiments described above may be used similarly to apparatus100as described below to the extent that other embodiments possess a similar or same feature set as apparatus100that enable such use. Other structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the following discussion with reference toFIGS.3(a)-3(d).

FIG.3(a)depicts applying a heat-absorbing compound to apparatus100. For example, inFIG.3(a), water pouring out from a faucet302is applied to apparatus100by placing apparatus100under faucet302. In accordance with embodiments described herein, absorbent fabric of sheet material102of apparatus100may retain or absorb the water from faucet302. In some embodiments, apparatus100may be soaked in water and/or another heat-absorbing compound. As depicted inFIG.3(b), in some instances, apparatus100may be wrung out (or squeezed) to extract excess water and/or another heat-absorbing compound.

InFIG.3(c), after the absorbent fabric of sheet material102retains or absorbs the heat-absorbing compound, apparatus100may be placed against the front of an oven304, which is shown to be radiating heat306. As heat is dissipated from oven304, a wet sheet material102of apparatus100absorbs the heat. As described with reference toFIGS.1and2, edges118and120of sheet material102may be substantially straight edges that enable a person to align apparatus100with any straight edges on an oven or other appliance.

FIG.3(d)depicts an exemplary placement of apparatus100on the front of oven304. As described, in some embodiments, apparatus100may attach to the top of the oven door by a magnet that is embedded (e.g., sewn in) into the sheet material102. For example, magnetic attachments104and106may attach to the metal portions of the front of oven304. Attachments104and106may hold one side (e.g., a first side108or a second side110) of sheet material102substantially flush against the front of oven304after sheet material102has retained or absorbed the heat-absorbing compound (e.g., water). As further depicted inFIG.3(d), sheet material102of apparatus100may be sized to cover a majority of the front of oven304. In accordance with embodiments described herein, sheet material102of apparatus100may assume different sizes for compatibility with various appliances.

Embodiments described herein are beneficial to various communities, such as the senior population, people with older homes, and people with heat intolerant breathing issues. Apparatus100absorbs heat radiated from an oven instead of the heat being released into the kitchen. Embodiments described herein also prevent dangerous burns for children and pets, and the Tiny House community. For example, with apparatus100placed on the front of an oven, if a pet places its paw or a toddler places his or her hand on the oven door during cooking, the damp sheet material of the apparatus100will act as a barrier and prevents burns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the embodiments and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the embodiments.

FIG.1illustrates a front-side perspective view of apparatus for retaining dissipated heat, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG.2provides a back-side perspective view the apparatus for retaining dissipated heat depicted inFIG.1, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS.3(a)-3(d)illustrate an exemplary manner of using the apparatus for retaining dissipated heat depicted inFIGS.1and2.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus for retaining heat dissipated from an oven. The apparatus may comprise a sheet material sized to cover a portion of a front of the oven and at least one attachment connected to the sheet material. The sheet material may comprise an absorbent fabric for retaining a heat-absorbing compound. The at least one attachment may be configured to hold one side of the sheet material substantially flush against the front of the oven after the sheet material has retained the heat absorbing compound.

Further features and advantages of the apparatus, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the apparatus, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the apparatus is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.