Abstract:
A home appliance and method including an appliance body having an oven access opening; an oven door for selectively covering the oven access opening; and a window in the oven door for viewing the oven contents, the window having a treated window portion for obscuring the view of the oven contents behind the treated window portion, the treated window portion being fabricated using a window treatment apparatus for supporting a window for treatment, the window treatment apparatus including a support stand defining a window support area, a blocking element mounted to the window stand for movement into and out of a covering relation with the window support area, the blocking element having a window cover plate having a window cover area smaller in area than the window support area, with the difference in the area of the window support area and the window cover area defining a window treatment area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates broadly to home appliances having treated windows, more particularly, to a home appliance, especially a range, having a door window that is treated to be semi-opaque to opaque over a predetermined portion of the window, and a method for treating the window. 
         [0002]    Home appliances, such as ranges, having ovens, steamers, accessory compartments or other openings in the front for user access that are covered by doors that often include viewing windows so that a user can observe the contents of the compartment. 
         [0003]    In order to provide an attractive appearance, inner portions of the range that may include unfinished metal and insulation that could otherwise be seen though door window may be hidden by treating a portion of the window. The treated window portion may be an edge portion of the window and the treatment may consist of “frosting” or other obscuring, deformation or other technique that renders the window edge opaque or semi-opaque. 
         [0004]    Often, abrasive blasting techniques are used to treat the glass that becomes the window when installed in an oven door. Such treatments can be damaging to the glass and the glass needs to be protected from scratches on the underside as well as on either side of the viewing pane. In addition, current treatment processes tend to be slow operations with such care required to protect the glass. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a home appliance having a window glass that is treated around an edge portion to provide an area of frosted glass in a safe and convenient manner using a support stand that provides enhanced glass protection. 
         [0006]    It is another object of the present invention to provide such a home appliance with a window glass that is treated using a method and apparatus that quickly adapts to multiple glass sizes. 
         [0007]    To those ends, a home appliance, which is preferably a range, includes an appliance body having an internal oven cavity and an oven access opening and an oven door for selectively covering the oven access opening. A window is in the oven door for viewing the oven contents, with the window having a treated window portion for obscuring a view of oven structure located behind the treated window portion. The treated window portion is fabricated using a window treatment apparatus for supporting a window element for treatment. The window treatment apparatus includes a window support stand defining a window support area, and a blocking element mounted to the window stand for movement into and out of a covering relation with the window support area, the blocking element having a window cover plate with a window cover area smaller in area than the window support area, with the difference in the area of the window support area and the window cover area defining a window treatment area. 
         [0008]    It is preferred that the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the window treatment apparatus includes a first blocking element pivotably and removably mountable to the window support frame and a second blocking element pivotably and removably mountable to the window support frame, wherein the first blocking element has a first window cover area and the second blocking element has a second window cover area and the first window cover area is a different size that the second window cover area. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus by abrasive blasting applied to the window treatment area. 
         [0010]    It is further preferred that the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the window is a glass sheet mounted on the window treatment stand and partially covered by the blocking element, thereby leaving the window treatment area exposed for treatment wherein the treatment includes abrasive blasting. Preferably, the window is treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the treatment includes abrasive blasting applied to the window treatment area. 
         [0011]    It is preferred that the home appliance has one of a first window made from a glass sheet having a first size with a treated window portion with a first size and the treated on the window treatment apparatus using a first blocking element and a second window made from a glass sheet having the first size and a treated window portion having a second size and treated on the window treatment apparatus using a second blocking element. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the home appliance has one of a first window made from a glass sheet having a first size and treated on the window treatment apparatus using a first blocking element and a second window made from a glass sheet having a second size and the treated on the window treatment apparatus using a second blocking element. 
         [0013]    It is further preferred that the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the window support stand includes a skeletal base and a window support frame wherein the window support frame is mounted to the skeletal base at an adjustable angular relationship with a horizontal plane. 
         [0014]    Preferentially, the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the treatment apparatus includes a padded surface on one side of the blocking element for abutment with a glass sheet for treatment thereof. It is preferred that the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the treatment apparatus includes alignment members mounted to one side of the window support frame for alignment of a glass sheet for treatment thereof. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the home appliance includes the window treated on the window treatment apparatus wherein the treatment apparatus includes a hinge system for mounting the blocking element on the window support stand. It is further preferred that the hinge system for mounting the blocking element on the window support stand is configured to mount two blocking elements on the window support stand and includes a first hinge portion for association with a first blocking element and a second hinge portion for association with a second blocking element and a common hinge portion for association with both the first blocking element and the second blocking element. Each hinge portion may include a pin mounted to one of the window treatment stand and the blocking element and a pin receiver for receipt of the pin, with the pin receiver being mounted to one of the window treatment stand and the blocking element. 
         [0016]    The present invention may also be set forth in terms of a treatment apparatus. To that end, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in treating glass for home appliance use including a window support stand defining a window support area, and a blocking element having a window cover plate having a window cover area smaller in area than the window support area, wherein the difference in the area of the window support area and the window cover area define a window treatment area. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the apparatus includes a first removable blocking element pivotably mountable to the window support frame and a second blocking element pivotably mountable to the window support frame for movement in and out of a covering relation with a glass sheet for treatment, wherein the first blocking element has a first window cover area and the second blocking element has a second window cover area and the first window cover area is a different size that the second window cover area. 
         [0018]    The present invention is also directed to a method for preparing a window for home appliance use. Such a method includes selecting a glass sheet of suitable size for use as a viewing window in the home appliance; mounting the glass sheet to a window treatment apparatus including a window support stand defining a window support area; selecting a blocking element having a cover plate of suitable size to cover a portion of the glass sheet to define a treatment area; mounting the blocking element to the window treatment apparatus wherein the blocking element is movable in and out of a covering relation with a selected portion of the glass sheet; covering a selected portion of the glass sheet with the blocking element by moving the blocking element over the glass sheet; and treating the glass sheet in the defined window treatment area using a treating apparatus. 
         [0019]    It is preferred that covering a selected portion of the glass sheet includes using one of a first blocking element pivotably and removably mountable to the window support frame and a second blocking element pivotably and removably mountable to the window support frame, wherein the first blocking element has a first window cover area and the second blocking element has a second window cover area and the first window cover area is a different size that the second window cover area. 
         [0020]    Preferably, treating the glass sheet includes applying an abrasive material to the window treatment area. 
         [0021]    Moving the blocking element preferably includes moving the blocking element into contact with the glass sheet wherein the window is partially covered by the blocking element, thereby leaving the window treatment area exposed for treatment. 
         [0022]    It is further preferred that treating the window includes applying abrasive blasting, particularly applying abrasive blasting to the window treatment area. 
         [0023]    Preferentially, selecting a glass sheet includes selecting one of a first window made from a glass sheet having a first size with a treated window portion with a first size to be treated on the window treatment apparatus using a first blocking element and a second window made from a glass sheet having the first size and a treated window portion having a second size to be treated on the window treatment apparatus using a second blocking element. 
         [0024]    It is further preferred that selecting a glass sheet includes selecting one of a first window made from a glass sheet having a first size for treatment on the window treatment apparatus using a first blocking element and a second window made from a glass sheet having a second size and for treatment on the window treatment apparatus using a second blocking element. 
         [0025]    Preferably, mounting the glass sheet includes mounting the glass sheet on the treatment apparatus wherein the window support stand includes a skeletal base and a window support wherein the window support is mounted to the skeletal base at an adjustable angular relationship with a horizontal plane. 
         [0026]    It is preferred that selecting a blocking element includes selecting a blocking element having a padded surface on one side of the blocking element for abutment with a glass sheet for treatment thereof. 
         [0027]    Mounting the glass sheet preferably includes mounting the glass sheet on the window treatment apparatus in abutment with alignment members mounted to one side of the window support stand for alignment of a glass sheet for treatment thereof. 
         [0028]    Preferentially, mounting the glass sheet includes mounting the glass sheet to a window treatment apparatus wherein the treatment apparatus includes a hinge system for mounting the blocking element on the window support stand. 
         [0029]    It is preferred that mounting the glass sheet includes mounting the glass sheet to a window treatment apparatus wherein the hinge system for mounting the blocking element on the window support stand is configured to mount two blocking elements on the window support stand and includes a first hinge portion for association with a first blocking element and a second hinge portion for association with a second blocking element and a common hinge portion for association with both the first blocking element and the second blocking element. 
         [0030]    It is further preferred that mounting the glass sheet includes mounting the glass sheet to a window treatment apparatus wherein each hinge portion includes a pin mounted to one of the window treatment stand and the blocking element and a pin receiver for receipt of the pin, with the pin receiver being mounted to one of the window treatment stand and the blocking element. 
         [0031]    By the above, the present invention provides a home appliance having a window having a treated portion that is semi-opaque or opaque that can be prepared in a simple and effective manner according to the present method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of a home appliance having treated windows according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a window treatment apparatus used to prepare windows as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2  with a blocking element pivoted away from a window support stand; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of two different sized blocking elements for use on the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus having a first blocking element attached thereto and pivoted away from the support stand; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the hinge system on the treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a window treatment apparatus having a first blocking element in place; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus having a treated window portion on the support stand and a blocking element pivoted away from the window; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a window glass on the window treatment stand with the blocking element in place defining a window treatment area; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 9  with a window treatment apparatus; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2  with a second blocking element being mounted thereto; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the second blocking element attached to the window treatment apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus having a second sized glass mounted thereto for treatment; 
           [0045]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 13  with the blocking element in place; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the window treatment apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 14  with the treatment apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0047]    Turning now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a home appliance in the form of a range is illustrated generally at  10  and includes a generally rectangular body  12  having a control panel  14  thereon. The range  10  may include one or more ovens and oven doors below the control panel  14 . The range pictured in  FIG. 1  includes first oven cavity covered by a first oven door  16  and a second cavity covered by a second oven door adjacent the first oven door  16 . The range  10  may also include a steaming chamber or other utility cavity without departing from the present invention. 
         [0048]    The oven door  16  may include a cylindrical handle  18  for pivoting the door in and out of covering relation with the oven cavity. The oven door  16  includes a viewing window  20  generally mounted to the center of the oven door  16  for a user&#39;s visual access to the contents of the oven cavity. 
         [0049]    The window  20  includes a central clear window portion  22  as well as a treated window portion  24  forming an outer edge of the window. The treated window portion is semi-opaque to opaque and may be frosted by an abrasion treatment to prevent direct viewing through the treated portion. The treated portion typically covers unfinished metal, insulation, or other internal components that are not intended for viewing by a user. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the home appliance  10  may include a second oven cavity with a second door located beside the first door. The second door may include a window that has a different size than the first window  20  or it may include a treated portion having a different size than the treated portion  24  of the first window  20 . In addition, the window may be the same size as the first window  20  but include a different size treated portion or the window may include the same size treated portion and a different size window. Therefore, both windows and treated portion borders may appear in multiple sizes. 
         [0051]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a window treatment apparatus is illustrated generally at  26  in an assembled condition. The window treatment apparatus  26  is supported on a support screen  28  which is typically a steel mesh or other metal mesh that supports the window treatment apparatus  26  for abrasive blasting to treat the designated treatment portion of the window as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter. The screen  28  allows the blasting material to fall through to an awaiting bin (not shown) for ease of cleanup and to maintain a neat work surface. 
         [0052]    The treatment apparatus  26  includes a window support stand  24 . The window support stand is effective in presenting a glass sheet for treatment at a position convenient for treatment by a user of the apparatus. The a window support stand  34  includes a skeletal frame  36 . The skeletal frame  36  defines a base  38  made from aluminum or other metallic channel material forming a generally U-shaped structure for support on the screen  28 . A pair of uprights  40 , made from the same channel material, extends vertically from the corners of the base  38  and each upright  40  is attached to the base  38  using angular mounts  42  and bolts  46 . The base  38  is also attached to the screen  28  using similar angular mounts  42  and bolts  46 . The window stand  34  is mounted to the skeletal frame  36  at an angular relationship using a slider assembly  44  to provide some angular adjustment for the convenience of a user. 
         [0053]    A window glass support frame  48  is mounted to the base  38  and is configured as a generally rectangular structure having aluminum or other metallic channel members forming generally vertically side rails  50  separated by generally horizontal side rails  52 . A center bar  54 , seen in  FIGS. 3 , extends between two vertical side rails  50  to provide additional glass support. Two alignment braces  56  project outwardly from one edge of a vertical side rail  50  for glass abutment thereagainst to align the glass on the glass support frame  48  which adds to the convenience of the system and enhances the ability of the user to treat a glass sheet in an expedient manner. 
         [0054]    The present invention provides a window treatment apparatus that not only provides a convenient platform for window treatment, but also features a structure providing the ability to treat a sequence of glass sheets in a consistent and efficient manner. Further, glass sheets of different sizes and different sized treatment areas are readily accommodated. To that end, and will be explained in greater detail hereinafter, two blocking elements  58 ,  88  are provided to define the window treatment area  86  and protect the viewing area of a glass sheet mounted to a treatment apparatus  26  for treatment. Further, each of the blocking elements  58 , 88  may be configured to define different sized treatment areas. The blocking elements  58 ,  88  are interchangeable and are mounted to the window stand  34  using a hinge system  70 . 
         [0055]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , a first blocking element  58  is formed as a generally rectangular member from the same type of channel material that forms the window stand  34  and skeletal frame  36 . The first blocking element  58  includes multiple vertical side rails  60  separated by horizontal side rails  62 . The upper horizontal side rail  62  includes a handle  66  for ease of movement of the blocking element  58  in and out of covering relation with a glass sheet mounted to the window stand  34 . 
         [0056]    A generally planar cover plate  64  is mounted to the skeletal framework of the blocking element  58  for covering and protecting a glass sheet on the window stand  34 . With reference to  FIG. 3 , the cover plate  64  includes strips of padding  68  which may be rubber adhesively applied to the cover plate  64  for contact with the glass sheet being treated. With reference to  FIG. 4 , the second blocking element  88  includes a second cover plate  94  with padding  98  applied thereto a glass sheet in the window frame  34 . In order to define different sized treatment areas, each blocking element can be configured with different sized cover plates that act to define different sized treatment areas. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 , in order to effectively mount the blocking element  58  to the window stand  34 , a hinge system  70  is provided. The hinge system  70  includes two hinge elements  72 ,  172  on the first blocking element  58 , and two hinge elements  72 ,  272  on the second blocking element  88  and three receivers  76 ,  176 ,  276  on the window stand  34 . Two of the receivers  176 ,  276  are used with each blocking element  58 ,  88  and one hinge receiver  76  is common to both blocking elements  58 ,  88 . Each hinge element  72 ,  172 ,  272  has a peg  74 ,  174 ,  274  projecting outwardly therefrom for receipt in the receivers  76 ,  176 ,  276  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The receivers  76 ,  176 ,  276  are mounted to the window stand  34  along the lower horizontal side rail  52 . 
         [0058]    Turning now to  FIG. 6 , the hinge system  70  includes a latch  84 , operationally associated with the common hinge element  72  and the common receiver  76 . The common receiver illustrated in  FIG. 6  is shown engaged with the first hinge element  72  of the first blocking element  58 . Notably, the latch  84  latches either the first blocking element  58  or the second blocking element  88  in place.  FIG. 7  illustrates a situation wherein the first blocking element  58  is latched in place using the common hinge element  72 . The left-most receiver  176  and the left-most hinge element  172  are engaged to pivotably mount the first blocking element  58  on the window stand  34 . It is a simple matter to change blocking elements by sliding one off the hinge system  70 , replacing it with the other blocking element and using the latch  84  to retain the respective blocking element in place. 
         [0059]    The second blocking element may be seen mounted to the window stand  34  in  FIG. 11 . There, and with reference to  FIG. 14 , it can be seen that the second blocking element  88  includes two generally vertically extending side rails  90  separated and supported by horizontal side rails  92 . A second cover plate  94  is mounted to the thusly formed framework and a handle  96  is provided for ease of movement of the second blocking element  88  in a manner similar to the first blocking element  58 . 
         [0060]    In order to prepare a glass sheet for use as a window in the home appliance of the present invention and according to the method of the present invention, the treatment apparatus  26  is set up in a manner illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Initially, the size of the window should be noted and a proper glass sheet selected to be used as a window once treated. Further, the size of the treatment area should be noted and a proper blocking element selected.  FIG. 5  illustrates the larger, first blocking element  58  being moved into place on the window stand  34  by engaging the pin  74  of the first hinge element  72  with the receiver  76 . The blocking element  58  is then moved laterally into place and the latch  84  moved into a locking relationship as seen in  FIG. 6 . The resultant configuration is seen in  FIG. 7  prior to insertion of the glass sheet. Turning now to  FIG. 8 , the blocking element  58  is open and a glass window  20  is moved into place with the window sheet  20  moved against the alignment elements  56 . It should be noted that the glass sheet illustrated in  FIG. 8  is shown in a treated condition for clarity and to illustrate the treated portion  24 . Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the first blocking element is rotated into place against the window which leaves the treatment portion  24  exposed for treatment. 
         [0061]    Turning now to  FIG. 10 , a treatment gun  30  includes a hose  32  attached thereto for directing abrasive at the exposed window portion  24 . The abrasive or blast medium may be aluminum oxide number  36  grit or any other appropriate abrasive that will result in disfiguring the glass to render it opaque or semi-opaque in a desired manner. 
         [0062]    Turning now to  FIG. 11 , for a second smaller window, or a different treatment area, the smaller, second blocking element  88  is mounted to the window stand  34  in a matter similar to the first blocking element  58 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the second hinge element  80  is fitted to the common receiver  78  and is latched in place as earlier described. 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , a smaller glass sheet for use as the second window  100  has a different sized treatment area  102  and a viewing area  104 . Once again, the treatment area  102  is show in a treated manner for clarity and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that prior to treatment, the entire glass sheet is clear. The second window  100  is moved against the alignment braces for proper positioning. Turning now to  FIG. 14 , the second blocking element  88  is rotated into covering relation with the second window  100  exposing the second treatment area  102  for treatment. 
         [0064]    As seen in  FIG. 15 , the treatment gun  30  with the abrasive delivery hose  32  is moved into position by user and the abrasive grit is applied to the treatment area  102  in order to provide a treated window surface  106  in the exposed area. 
         [0065]    From the above, it can be seen that the size of the blocking element  58 ,  88  defines the inner boundaries of the treatment area while the glass edge defines the outer boundaries of the treatment area. In order to change the size of the treatment area, a user can select a different blocking element, a different glass sheet size or both. It is the combination of the size of the glass sheet and the blocking element that determines the treatment area that receives the abrasive grit. 
         [0066]    By the foregoing, the present home appliance includes windows treated by versatile apparatus that can be adapted to both large and small window glasses and larger or smaller treatment areas to provide an attractive appearance to an oven viewing window. It should be appreciated that not only is the present home appliance a range with ovens or other cavities, the appliance can also be a dishwasher, laundry washer, laundry dryer or any other home appliance that utilizes a viewing window and needs an attractive opaque or semi-opaque border applied in a straightforward and efficient manner. 
         [0067]    It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility and application. While the present invention is described in all currently foreseeable embodiments, there may be other, unforeseeable embodiments and adaptations of the present invention, as well as variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, that do not depart from the substance or scope of the present invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.