Cooking apparatus

Abstract: A domestic cooker has a plenum chamber positioned to the rear of its oven cavity. Air is pumped into the chamber by a fan which draws air around the outside of the cavity. Air exits from the chamber to atmosphere via a duct above the oven cavity having first passed over the cooker control panel to keep the latter at an acceptable temperature. The oven cavity has a door of a composite construction with inner and outer door panels spaced apart by a passageway open at the top and at the bottom of the door. Air from the plenum chamber flows to the passageway via a second duct located beneath the cavity. In another embodiment of the invention the cooker has two oven cavities each with a door of the composite construction, the passageways between the inner and outer panels of each door being supplied with air from a plenum chamber at the rear of the cavities.

Description: This invention relates to cooking apparatus and has particular reference to domestic gas and electric cookers. Conventionally, such domestic cookers include an oven cavity heated by a gas burner or by electric heating elements. The cookers also have an oven door that gives access to the oven cavity. When the oven is in use, it is found that the outer surface of the door becomes hot and sometimes sufficiently hot to present a hazard. It is proposed in European Patent Application No. 0330727 to draw air upwardly through a passageway in an oven door by means of a fan located above and at the rear of the cooker oven. Air drawn upwardly through the passageway leaves the latter via a port at the upper end of the passageway and then enters, through an inlet port, a duct situated above the oven cavity. The fan discharges that air to atmosphere via an outlet port that is located very close to the inlet port to which passes the air leaving the passageway via the exit port at the upper end thereof. UK Patent Application GB 2026685 A describes a cooker with two ovens positioned one above the other. Fans are used to draw air around the ovens to limit the transfer of heat to articles of furniture adjacent the cooker. Both ovens have doors which are of a double-walled construction to allow cooling air direct from atmosphere to flow between the walls. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for maintaining the oven door or at least the outer surface thereof at a safe temperature. According to the present invention a cooker includes an oven cavity, heating means for heating the cavity, a plenum chamber positioned at the rear of the cavity, the chamber having an air inlet for air to flow into the chamber, fan means for pumping air into the chamber via the air inlet, the oven cavity having a door of a composite construction having inner and outer panels spaced apart by a passageway open at or adjacent the top and at or adjacent the bottom of the door, and in which there is an air flow duct for directing air from the plenum chamber to the passageway between the door panels. In one embodiment of the invention air is directed by the air flow duct into the passageway between the door panels via the lower open end of the passageway. In another embodiment of the invention, the cooker has two oven cavities each of which has heating means and a door of a composite construction including inner and outer panels spaced apart by a passageway open at or adjacent the top and at or adjacent the bottom of the door, the cooker also having a plenum chamber positioned at the rear of the cavities, the chamber having an air inlet, there being fan means for pumping air into the chamber via the air inlet and in which there is a first air inlet duct allowing the flow of air from the plenum chamber to the passageway of one of the doors and a second air outlet duct allowing the flow of air from the plenum chamber to the passageway of the other door. By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of which :- Fig. 1 is a section in diagrammatic form only of a first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a section in diagrammatic form only of a second embodiment, Fig. 3 is a view in diagrammatic form only of part the front of the embodiment of Fig. 2, and, Fig. 4 is a section in diagrammatic form only of a third embodiment. Fig. 1 is a vertical section in diagrammatic form only of a domestic cooker having an oven cavity 1 with an oven door 22 providing access to the interior of the cavity. It will be understood that the oven cavity is fitted with supports for oven shelves on which food to be heated is placed. Neither the supports nor the shelves are shown in Fig. 1. Located at the rear of the oven cavity behind the rear wall 3 thereof is a plenum chamber 4 which may extend across the entire width of the rear wall 3. The chamber 4 has an air inlet 5 aligned with the "eye" of a centrifugal fan 6 housed in the chamber 4 at a location spaced from the lower wall 7 of the chamber 4. The chamber 4 also has an air outlet 8 in its upper wall 9. The outlet 8 communicates with an outlet duct 10 above the roof 11 of the cavity 1. The duct 10 terminates in a series of outlet orifices 12 spaced across the front of the cooker beneath a control panel 13 also positioned above the cavity 1. The duct 10 may extend across the entire width of the oven cavity roof 11 or it may be of a smaller dimension adjacent the outlet 8 and diverge smoothly to the outlet orifices 12 where its dimension equals that of the full width of the cavity. The fan 6 is driven by an electric motor which may be an integral part of the fan. The motor has a control circuit which energises it automatically when the oven is brought into use. Energisation may occur immediately the oven is brought into use or there may be a predetermined time delay before energisation takes place. If desired, an air inlet duct (not shown) may be provided beneath the oven cavity for conveying air at ambient temperature directly to the fan inlet from air inlet apertures 16 in the front wall of the cooker beneath the oven door 22. The oven cavity may be heated by a gas burner (not shown) mounted on or beneath the floor 17 of the cavity or by electric heating elements mounted on or beneath the floor 17 or on the side walls 18 of the cavity. When a gas burner is used, at least some of the air required for combustion may be supplied from the plenum chamber 4. Additionally, there is a duct 19 beneath the floor 17 of the oven cavity 1 and which communicates with, at one end, the chamber 4 via one or more exit holes 20 in the floor 7 of the chamber, and at the other end, a series of exit holes 21 spaced across the width of the front of the cooker in the front wall thereof. The oven cavity 1 has an oven door 22 of a composite construction having a door frame that supports inner and outer door panels 23, 24 separated by a vertical passageway 25 open to atmosphere at the top and at the bottom of the door. At its lower edge the door 22 is contoured in a manner such that, when closed, it fits over the exit holes 21 and such that those holes are in communication with the passageway 25. The fan 6 draws air around the outside of the oven cavity as indicated by the arrows 14 and pumps it into the plenum chamber 4 via the air inlet 5. The fan pumps the air into the plenum chamber 4 and thus creates a positive pressure within the latter and a resultant air flow through the outlet 8 and into the duct 10. The air leaves the duct 10 via the orifices 12. That air flow carries heat emitted from the oven cavity to and out of the orifices 12 and so reduces considerably the extent to which that heat is able to raise the temperature of the control panel and in that way components on the control panel are protected against overheating. When the oven is in use, the inner panel 23 is heated by heat generated within the oven cavity and air flow from the plenum chamber 4 via the duct 17 and through the passageway 25 extracts heat from the inner panel 23 and conveys it to the atmosphere through the upper open end of the passageway. The upward movement of air in the passageway is assisted by the natural convectional movement of air in the passageway. Air flow through the passageway 25 maintains the temperature of the outer door panel 24 at a safe temperature thereby eliminating the risk of injury to a user who inadvertently touches the panel. Preferably, the flow of air from the holes 21 to the passageway 25 is assisted by a scoop 26 which may be a part of the door or it may be mounted on the front of the cooker. Fig. 2 is a section similar to that of Fig. 1 of a second embodiment of the invention. Some components of the second embodiment correspond with components of the first embodiment and these components have the same reference numbers as in Fig. 1. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the oven cavity 1 is heated by a gas burner shown diagrammatically at 27. The oven cavity is contained within an enclosure 28 open at 29 to give access to the interior of the cavity. The enclosure 28 has a floor 30, a roof 31 and a back wall 32. Behind the back wall 32 is the plenum chamber 4 into which air is pumped by the fan 6 that is accommodated within a second chamber 33 as shown in Fig. 2. Air passes into the plenum chamber 4 via an inlet opening 34 in the rear wall 35 of the plenum chamber. Air is drawn into chamber 33 through an inlet aperture 36 in its rear wall 37, and via further inlet apertures 38 in its floor 39. Apertures 38 provide communication from an inlet duct 40 beneath the floor 30 of the enclosure. Inlet duct 40 terminates in a series of inlet holes 41 spaced across the front of the cooker beneath the opening 29. Air is able to leave the plenum chamber 4 through exit holes 42 in the back wall 32 and via further exit holes 43 just above the duct 40. Holes 42 allow air to flow from the plenum chamber 4 into the space between the cavity and the enclosure accommodating the former. Some of that air reaches the burner 27 and provides combustion air therefor. Holes 43 allow air to flow from the plenum chamber 4 into a duct 44 above the floor 31 and thence to a series of exit holes 45 spaced across the front of the cooker beneath the cooker control panel shown diagrammatically at 12, thereby keeping the control panel cool. The fan 6 is driven by an electric motor which may be an integral part of the fan. The motor has a control circuit which energises it automatically when the oven is brought into use. Energisation may occur immediately the oven is taken into use or there may be a predetermines time delay before energisation takes place. The cavity 1 has a door shown diagrammatically at 46. The door 46 is of a composite construction comprising a door frame supporting inner and outer door panels 47, 48 spaced apart by a passageway 49 open at the top and the bottom of the door. At its lower edge, the door 46 is so contoured that, when closed, it fits over the holes 45 so channelling air from the holes 45 into the passageway 49 in the door. That air flow is in an upward direction and so is assisted by the natural convection flow of the air. Air flowing upwardly through the passageway 49 leaves the latter via the open upper end thereof and passes to atmosphere. The air flow keeps the temperature of the outer panel 48 at a safe level thereby eliminating the risk of injury to a user who inadvertently touches the panel. Preferably, air from the holes 45 is directed into the passageway 49 by a scoop 50 located on the door structure or on the front of the cooker. The cavity may be lined externally with a layer of thermally-insulating material thereby reducing the emission of heat from the cavity. In Fig. 2, the layer is shown diagrammatically at 51. Mounted on the inner face of the back wall of the oven cavity is an electrically-driven centrifugal fan 50 which, when the oven is in use, is energised to circulate air within the cavity to ensure that all parts of the latter are at the same temperature. The oven may be heated by an electric heating element or elements instead of a gas burner. Fig. 2 shows a heating element in diagrammatic form only at 53. The element is of an annular form and is located round the fan 52 and lies in the path of air discharged from the fan 52. The embodiments described above all have single ovens only. However, the invention may also be embodied in cookers with double ovens and such a cooker is shown in schematic form only in Fig. 4. The cooker has two oven cavities 53, 54 disposed one above the other. To the rear of both oven cavities is a plenum chamber 55 with an air inlet 56 disposed in line with the "eye" of a centrifugal fan 57. The fan 57 draws air from around the cooker chassis and the oven cavities as indicated by the arrows 58 and discharges it into the plenum chamber 55 at a positive pressure. The fan 57 is driven by an electric motor which may be an integral part of the fan. The motor has a control circuit which brings it into use when one or other of the ovens is brought into use. Energisation may takes place immediately or there be a predetermined time delay before energisation takes place. One or more outlets 59 in the top wall 60 of the chamber 55 allow air from the latter to enter an outlet duct 60 above the upper oven cavity 53. Air flowing in the duct 61 passes round the cooker control panel indicated diagrammatically at 62 and so cools it. Air leaves the duct 60 to atmosphere via a series of outlet holes 63 spaced across the front of the cooker above the control panel 62. A second outlet or outlets 64 allow air from the plenum chamber 55 to pass into a second duct 65 positioned between the upper and lower oven cavities 53, 54. Duct 65 terminates in a series of outlet holes 66 spaced across the front of the cooker and aligned with the lower open end of a passageway 67 between inner and outer door panels of the upper oven cavity door 68. Door 68 is of the composite construction described above. Air leaves the passageway 67 to atmosphere via its upper open end adjacent the control panel. A scoop may be fitted to assist the flow of air from the duct 65 to the passageway 67. A third outlet or outlets 69 allows air from the plenum chamber 55 to enter a third outlet duct 70 beneath the lower oven cavity 54. Duct 70 terminates in a series of outlet holes 71 spaced across the front of the cooker and aligned, when the door 73 is closed, with the lower open end of a passageway 72 between the inner and outer door panels of the lower oven cavity door 73. Door 73 is also of the composite construction described above. Air leaves the passageway 72 at the upper open end thereof and passes to atmosphere. Air flow from the duct 70 to the passageway 72 may be assisted by a scoop. Air flow through the passageways 67 and 72 maintains the temperature of the outer door panels of the doors 67 and 72 at a safe temperature so minimising the risk of injury to a user who inadvertently touched the outer panel. The cavities 53 and 54 may be heated by gas burners or by electric heating elements and where a gas burner is employed, some at least of the combustion air required by the burner may be supplied from the plenum chamber 55. One or both of the cavities 53, 54 may be fitted with air circulating fans similar to fan 57 referred to above in connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. 2.

Claims: A cooker having an oven cavity (1), heating means (27) for heating the cavity, a plenum chamber (4) positioned at the rear of the cavity, the chamber (4) having an air inlet (5) for air to flow into the chamber, fan means (6) for pumping air into the chamber via the air inlet, the oven cavity (1) having a door (22) of a composite construction having inner and outer door panels (23,24) spaced apart by a passageway (25) open at or adjacent the top and at or adjacent the bottom of the door, characterised in that there is an air flow duct (19) for directing air from the plenum chamber (4) into the passageway (25) between the door panels. A cooker as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that air is directed by the air flow duct (19) into the passageway (25) between the door panels via the lower open end of the passageway (25). A cooker as claimed in claim 1 or 2 characterised in that the air flow duct (19) is positioned between the oven cavity (1) and an air inlet duct (40) for conveying air to the plenum chamber (4). A cooker as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 characterised in that air is directed from the air flow duct (19) to the passageway (49) between the door panels (47,48) by a scoop (50). A cooker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that there is an air inlet chamber (33) adjacent the plenum chamber (4), the fan means (6) being located in the inlet chamber, the output of the fan being directed into the plenum chamber (4) via the air inlet (34) of the latter chamber (4). A cooker having two oven cavities (53,54) each having heating means and a door (68,73) of a composite construction including inner and outer door panels spaced apart by a passageway (67,72) open at or adjacent the top and at or adjacent the bottom of the door, a plenum chamber (55) positioned at the rear of the cavities (53,54), the chamber (55) having an air inlet (56) through which air flows into the chamber (55) and at least one air outlet (64) through which air leaves the chamber, a fan (57) for pumping air into the chamber (55) via the air inlet (56), characterised in that there is a first air outlet duct (65) allowing the flow of air from the plenum chamber (55) to the passageway (67) of one (68) of the doors and a second air outlet duct (70) allowing the flow of air from the plenum chamber (55) to the passageway (72) of the other door (73). A cooker as claimed in claim 6 characterised in that the oven cavities (53,54) are arranged one above the other, and in that the first air flow duct (65) is located between the cavities (53,54), and in that the second duct (70) is located beneath the lower cavity (54). A cooker as claimed in claim 6 or 7 characterised in that air is directed into the respective passageways (67,72) between the door panels via the lower ends thereof. A cooker as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 characterised in that air is directed into the respective passageways (67,72) by scoops. A cooker as claimed in any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the fan (6) is driven by an electric motor, and in that the motor has a control circuit for energising the motor automatically when the oven cavity or one of the oven cavities is brought into use. A cooker as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that the control circuit is such that energisation occurs immediately the cavity is brought into use.

Inventors: BROWN GEOFFREY JOHN EDMUND, GOSTELOW BENJAMIN FRANK, BROWN, GEOFFREY JOHN EDMUND, GOSTELOW, BENJAMIN FRANK
Applicants: STOVES LTD, STOVES LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: F24C15
IPC codes: F24C15