Patent Publication Number: US-10309658-B2

Title: Kitchen workspace with a moving oven

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to consolidated workspaces including portable kitchen workspaces and modular kitchen workspaces. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Kitchen workspace design has traditionally focused on counter space, cabinet space, and functional work areas which are centered around the sink, stove, pantry area, refrigerator, and dishwasher with little or no thought about the overall footprint of the kitchen and the amount of user movement within the footprint. The footprint of a kitchen will in large part dictate the amount of movement a user makes within the kitchen and thus affect the speed and efficiency of work completed within the kitchen. A smaller kitchen footprint also enables kitchens to be easily manufactured in a modular form. Vertical space is often unused and if used not in an efficient manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A consolidated kitchen workspace has been developed which allows a user to stand in a fixed location and access a sink, automated shelves, one or more food cooking devices, dishes, pots and pans, food storage, and a refrigerator. The footprint of the entire kitchen area may be about 16 square feet including all of the appliances, sink, counter space, cabinet space, and food storage space. The kitchen may be prefabricated as a drop-in building module. Vertical kitchen space is maximized to organize a kitchen in a small footprint area. A consolidated vertical kitchen module has been designed which allow a user to quickly and efficiently access kitchen items and cook and prepare food for a large group without needing a large kitchen. Multiple cooking devices can be used simultaneously. Food, dishes and kitchen tools along with kitchen appliances can be stored and used while on one or more of a plurality of vertically automated shelves. The automated shelves may contain one or more pull-out drawers. One or more ovens may be positioned in front of the plurality of shelves and may slide in a horizontal or vertical direction. Additional ovens may be stored on and used while in a hidden location within a plurality of vertically automated shelves. Other kitchen appliances may also be used while in a hidden location on the plurality of vertically automated shelves. A kitchen controller may be connected to the Internet and suggest cooking plans and automatically configure a consolidated kitchen to operate in an efficient manner by preheating an oven and dictating audio and/or video to a user of the kitchen. The controller may also automatically locate and rotate the automated shelves to a proper position based on a user step within a recipe. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a consolidated kitchen in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a consolidated kitchen in accordance with the invention with a side wall removed showing a plurality of automated shelves; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the consolidated kitchen of  FIG. 1 , showing a plurality of automated shelves; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of a consolidated kitchen of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a consolidated kitchen in accordance with the invention with the side walls removed showing two sets of a plurality of automated shelves; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of two sets of a plurality of automated shelves with two side walls; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of an embodiment of a plurality of automated shelves in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a plurality of automated shelves in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of a plurality of automated shelves with appliances on some of the shelves in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a large shelf of a plurality of automated shelves in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a large shelf of a plurality of automated shelves containing appliances in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a small shelf of a plurality of automated shelves in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a small shelf of a plurality of automated shelves containing items in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a drive system of an embodiment of a plurality of automated shelves in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b    are front views of users in front of consolidated kitchens in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    are front views of consolidated kitchens in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of sliding ovens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a sliding mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a housing for one or more sliding ovens; and 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a rear portion of a housing for one or more sliding ovens in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a control diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the invention. The presently described embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a consolidated kitchen  100  is shown. The kitchen may comprise two vertical modules  124  and optional module  126 . Vertical module  124  or optional vertical module  126  may have footprint dimensions of approximately between 3 to 5 feet on each side, meaning the width and depth of each of the modules. The inside dimensions of each vertical module may be approximately 4 feet between walls  118  and  120 ; and between 122 and 120. The height of each module may be between 6 feet and 30 feet depending on the storage capacity desired and vertical space limitations. The overall footprint area of each of the vertical modules may be between 16 to 20 square feet depending on the thickness of the walls surrounding each vertical module. The consolidated kitchen  100  may be constructed and used without optional vertical module  126 . 
     A plurality of automated shelves  106 , or  104 , or  108  or  110  may be configured to rotate in a vertical manner allowing storage of kitchen items above and behind the sink  114 , cooktop  112 , refrigerator  116  and food cooking device  102 . 
     Food cooking device  102  may by a microwave oven, a convection oven, a toaster oven, a standard cooking oven, or a combination thereof. Food cooking device  102  may also have one or more additional food cooking devices stacked on top (shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). Cooktop unit  112  may be located in countertop  124  and positioned below automated shelves  106  and  104 . A user may be able to rotate automated shelves  106  and  104  by electrically commanding movement from a user device such as a phone, iPad, iPod, or laptop computer A user may obtain cooking utensils, pots, pans, food, cleaners, or any other supplies need in a kitchen by rotating automated shelves  106  and  104 . Refrigerator  116  may be located below counter top  124  and be accessible to a user while the user is standing in front of the sink. A user may be able to access the sink, the refrigerator, the cooktop, and one or more cooking devices  102  while standing in a fixed position as shown in  FIGS. 15 a    and  15   b.    
     In  FIG. 2 , automated shelf  204  is hidden behind sink  114  and may be rotated to access point  210  by means of drive pulley  206 . Automated shelf  204  may have an appliance such as a microwave, mixer, blender, etc., which is in used while hidden from sight and sound of a user. Sliding oven housing  208  is shown having one oven with space for an additional oven above. The oven housing  208  may slide vertically or horizontally as desired by a user. 
       FIG. 3 , shows oven housing  208  with horizontal sliding mounts  302  and vertical sliding mounts  304  which enable oven housing  208  to be fixed to wall  306  and slide horizontally or vertically. 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a front portion of vertical kitchen module similar to that of  FIG. 2 . Access points  402  and  404  may be formed in the face of wall  400 . User access pints  402  and  404  may be for accessing kitchen items in each plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves. Countertop  408  may provide a user work surface for cooking, cleaning, and preparing food. Refrigerator  406  may be located under countertop  408  and in front of the automated shelves. Cooktop  410  may be inset in countertop  408  and be located in front of the automated shelves. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a single vertical kitchen module is shown without any walls. A first plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves  502  may be located adjacent to a second plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves  500 . The set of automated shelves  500  and  502  may be a height of between 6 feet and 30 feet depending on the amount of storage needed and space limitations. The oven housing  208  may be positioned in front of the first plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves  502  or in front of the second plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves  500 . The oven housing  208  may contain an open top or air vents in the top, side, or rear for providing ventilation. Oven housing  208  may be positioned by a user by physically moving the housing in a vertical and/or horizontal position while staying attached to wall  504 . Oven housing  208  may be raised or lowered to allow a user to access one or more ovens contained in the housing  208 . 
       FIG. 6 , shows back wall  600  and sidewall  602  partially surrounding two sets of vertically stacked shelves. All four sides and the top and bottom of the vertically stacked shelves may be covered or partially covered or surrounded with walls. The walls may have sound damping materials such as mass loaded vinyl which protect users from appliances which may be in use on the vertically stacked shelves. For instance, a user may start a blender and then rotate the vertically stacked shelves so they don&#39;t hear the blender noise. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves. Two distinct sizes of shelves are positioned alternately along the vertical stack. Shelf  712  is a deep shelf and is found in every other position along the vertical stack. Shelf  710  is a shallow shelf that is found in between deeper shelves  712 . Staggering shallow and deep shelves allows the shelves to rotated around the end sections without binding or hitting each other. A drive system  700  provides motion for the automated shelves. Automated shelves  712  and  710  are connected to the drive system  700  by means of a linking member  714 . Drive system  700  may be connected to a power source and to a controller (not shown). The controller may provide a motor control signal and a wireless control signal for controlling the motor. User controls may include a wired connection to the controller or a wireless connection to a wireless user device. Linking member  714  joins a drive chain to the automated shelves and provides a pivoting action for each of the shelves. Frame members  706 ,  704 ,  708 , and  702  may provide support for the automated shelves and for walls that surround the automated shelves. 
       FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7  but has a different method of connecting shelves  712  and  714  to the drive system. Guide member  802  connects shelves  712  and  714  to each other and to the drive system. Guide members  802  are formed along a guide track  800  for securely holding and positioning each automated shelf as it rotates around in a circle. 
       FIG. 9  shows a front view of a plurality of automated shelves rotating  900  in a circle. Blender  900  is contained on one of the automated shelves and is plugged in to electrical power provided within the shelf. An additional oven  904  is also found on one of the automated shelves. Toaster  906  is also found on one of the automated shelves. Blender  900 , oven  904 , and toaster  906  may all be in operation or in use while the automated shelves are moving. Additional appliances  908  may be dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, can openers, crockpots, etc. Any number of a single appliance may be positioned on the plurality of automated shelves. For instance, a user of consolidated kitchen  100  may desire to make food for a large group. The user may access  4  additional microwave ovens located on the plurality of automated shelves and simultaneously cook food in each microwave while making toast in a toaster on another shelf and wash dishes in a dishwasher on another shelf without moving out of a single fixed standing position  1508 . The user may access a phone application which tracks and controls inventory on the shelves. Food that is on the plurality of automated shelves may be kept in an online record and recipes may be automatically presented to a user of the consolidated kitchen when the phone application is accessed. The automated shelves may automatically rotate to a user access position when a food item is finished cooking. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a deep automated shelf  1000 . Deep box  1000  may have a pivot point  1016  for interfacing with the drive system and linking member  714 . Deep shelf  1000  may have an electrical outlet for supplying electrical power to the shelf  1000  Deep shelf  1000  may be closed on five sides with walls  1014 ,  1016 ,  1006 ,  1002  and  1020  with a front side open. A front open side may serve as a user access when deep shelf  1000  is at a user access point  402  or  404 . Tray  1010  may slide or lift out of deep shelf  1000  when a user wants to access contents of deep shelf  1000 . Slide members  1012  may serve as a liner slide allowing tray  1010  to easily be removed from deep shelf  1000 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of deep shelf  1000  of  FIG. 10  with appliances inside. Appliances  1100  and  1102  may be removed for use or used in place and even used when in a hidden location along the vertically stacked automated shelves. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a narrow shelf  1200  also shown as shelf  710  of  FIG. 7 . This narrow shelf may have a pivot point  1202  and this pivot point may be used to connect shelf  1200  with a drive system. Narrow shelf  1200  may contain multiple item positions  1204  and  1206  for storing and organizing kitchen items. Such items might include canned food, spices, bulk food items, and other kitchen cooking supplies and tools.  FIG. 13  shows narrow shelf  1200  with kitchen items  1300  in multiple item positions. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a drive system that may be employed in connection with moving a plurality of vertical automated shelves. Drive system  1400  may include a motor  1402 , a gearbox,  1404 , a drive shaft  1410 , and drive portions  1408  and  1406 . Motor  1402  may drive portions  1408  and  1406  to rotate one or more of a plurality of vertically stacked automated shelves. The shelves may have complementary items that arrive at a user access location. For instance, one side of an automated shelf  106  may contain measuring cups and the other side  104  may contain items commonly used with measuring cups such as flour, oil, sugar, oats, etc. 
       FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b    show users standing in a fixed location in front of two different vertical kitchen modules. One user has their left hand accessing content in an automated shelf  1500  while the other hand is a using the sink  1506 . Ovens  1510  are in an upper position while ovens  1512  are in a lower position. Another user is using their right hand  1502  to access an upper oven which has been pulled down in front of one set of vertically stacked automated shelves while the other hand is accessing refrigerator door  1504 . Both users are able to access both pluralities of vertically stacked automated shelves while also accessing multiple cooking devices, a sink, and a refrigerator while standing in a fixed position  1508 . The users can prepare food and cook for a large group while standing in the same location. All of the food, dishes, tools and appliances are at the disposal of the users without moving out of a fixed standing position. 
       FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    are similar to  FIGS. 15 a  and 15 b    except the users are removed and oven  1600  is in a higher position. This higher position of oven  1600  might be necessary when the oven is making noise or is radiating heat and the user does not want to be close to the oven.  FIGS. 16 a  and 16 b    show one or more food cooking devices attached to a movable fixture above the sink. The one or more food cooking devices are operationally functional while moving the one or more food cooking devices within the kitchen workspace. Both of the food cooking devices shown may be cooking food while being moved by a user. 
       FIG. 17  shows a side view of two ovens ( 1708  and  1710 ) stacked on top of each other with moveable mounting brackets  1704  connected to each oven and fixed mounting bracket portions  1706  connected to wall  1702 . 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of mounting brackets  1704  and  1706 . 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of oven housing  1900 . This oven housing may be used to hold one or more ovens  1902 . Alternatively, one or more ovens may be mounted to each other and the external frame of the ovens may be used to mount moveable brackets onto. The ovens may include microwave ovens, toaster ovens, convection ovens, standard ovens, or any combination thereof. The housing may have moveable brackets  2000  mounted to a backside of the oven housing  1900 , as shown in  FIG. 20 . The housing may be used at least in part for storage of kitchen items in addition to ovens as is shown in  FIG. 2  at  208 . 
       FIG. 21  is a control diagram in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Controller  2102  may control motor  2110  by way of an onboard motor controller. Controller may also contain one or more wireless communication capabilities such as Wi-Fi, Shure-Fi, ZigBee, Bluetooth, etc., for communicating with wireless sensors  2108  or wireless user device  2104  or with an Internet  2100  router. Wireless user device  2104  may communicate with controller  2104  directly through wireless communications or through the Internet  2100 . Sensors  2108  may include proximity sensor, position sensors, heat sensor, humidity sensors, smoke sensors, and may be wired or wireless. Additional devices  2112  may include outlets which are inside of the automated shelves, other devices in the kitchen such as the refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, hot water tanks (under the sink), dishwashers, exhaust fans, etc. The controller  2102  may sense smoke as an input from sensors  2108  and turn on an additional device exhaust fan  2112 . The controller may keep an oven on for a given amount of time based on a recipe from the Internet  2100 . The controller may alert a user as to the best way to cook or order to cook food for a large group based on the available resources of a consolidated kitchen. The order and timing of cooking may be suggested so as to finish cooking a large meal with all of the food being done at the same time based on available appliances of a consolidated kitchen. A user may control the consolidated kitchen with a wired user control located on a wall of the kitchen. The wired or wireless controls may include an automated routine for locating and rotating automated shelves based on items on the shelves and a user&#39;s desired operation. For instance, a user may look up a recipe using the wired  2106  or wireless user device  2104  and controller  2102  may inform the user if they have the correct ingredients to make the recipe. If the user has the correct ingredients and wants to make the food, the controller may automatically dictate the steps by rotating the automated shelves into a position with the correct first step and walk the user through making and cooking the food in a fast and efficient manner. The controller  2102  may dictate in audio and/or video the steps a user should take in addition to automatically preheating an oven and locating measuring and cooking tools along with the ingredients needed. 
     The apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from their spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.