Patent Description:
In general, an induction heating cooking apparatus is a cooking apparatus that cooks food by heating a cooking container using the principle of induction heating. The induction heating cooking apparatus may include a glass on which a cooking container is placed, and an induction heating coil disposed below the glass to generate a magnetic field when a current is applied.

When a current is applied to the induction heating coil to generate a magnetic field, a secondary current is induced to the cooking container, and Joule heat is generated by an electrical resistance of the cooking container itself. By the Joule heat, the cooking container is heated and food contained in the cooking container is heated.

On the glass of the induction heating cooking apparatus, not only a cooking area on which a cooking container is placed is provided, but also a control area for displaying a variety of information and receiving a control command from a user is also provided.

However, when the cooking area in which a cooking container is placed on one glass and the control area for displaying a variety of information and receiving a control command from a user are provided, the respective areas are not physically divided, so that the user may accidentally touch the cooking area of a high temperature. In addition, because various colors may not be implemented on the glass, aesthetics may be deteriorated.

Therefore, there is a demand to divide the cooking area and the control area by using a plurality of glasses and to implement a cooking apparatus with improved aesthetics. <CIT> discloses a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses physically separated.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses having different colors.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus in which a cooking area and a control area are provided on different glasses.

The present disclosure is directed to providing a cooking apparatus capable of preventing foreign substances from being introduced into gaps between a coupling member for coupling a plurality of glasses and the plurality of glasses.

The present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus including a main body provided to accommodate an induction heating coil, and a glass assembly provided above the main body to allow a cooking container to be placed thereon, wherein the glass assembly includes a first glass forming a first area on which the cooking container is to be placed, a second glass forming a second area separated from the first area, and a coupling member coupled to each of the first glass and the second glass, the coupling member including a base disposed below the first glass and the second glass to support the first glass and the second glass, and a column extending upward from the base and be curved to correspond to a side surface of the first glass and a side surface of the second glass.

The glass assembly may further include an adhesive member provided to couple the first glass and the second glass to the coupling member, and the base may include a first portion spaced apart from a lower surface of the first glass and spaced apart a lower surface of the second glass to accommodate the adhesive member, and a second portion protruding upward from one end of the first portion to support the first glass and the second glass.

The coupling member may further include a groove depressed downward from an upper surface of the first portion to accommodate the adhesive member and formed adjacent to the column.

An upper surface of the column may be formed to be lower than an upper surface of the first glass and lower than an upper surface of the second glass, and the glass assembly may further include a sealing member provided above the upper surface of the column to seal a coupling space between the first glass and the second glass and the coupling member.

A height of an upper surface of the sealing member may be provided to be lower than or equal to a height of the upper surface of the first glass and a height of the upper surface of the second glass.

A ratio of a thickness of the first glass and the second glass to a thickness of the sealing member may be <NUM>:<NUM>.

The first glass and the second glass may be formed of different materials, and the glass assembly may further include an outer frame provided to cover circumferences of the first glass and the second glass to fix the first glass and the second glass.

The glass assembly may further include an adhesive member disposed between the first glass and the second glass, and the outer frame, and the outer frame may include a first portion spaced apart from a lower surface of the first glass or spaced apart a lower surface of the second glass to accommodate the adhesive member, a second portion protruding upward from one end of the first portion to support the first glass or the second glass, and a third portion protruding upward from the other end of the first portion to cover a circumference of the glass assembly.

The outer frame may include a first frame extending in a first direction to cover one side of the glass assembly, and a second frame coupled to the first frame and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to cover the other side of the glass assembly, the first frame may include a coupling protrusion protruding from one end thereof along the first direction to be coupled to the second frame, and the second frame may include a coupling groove recessed from one end thereof along the second direction to accommodate the coupling protrusion.

The coupling protrusion may include a neck extending in the second direction, and a head provided at one end of the neck along the second direction and having a length longer along the first direction than a length of the neck along the first direction.

The glass assembly may further include a bracket provided on edge portions of the first glass and the second glass to be coupled to the main body.

The cooking apparatus may further include a circuit board provided below the second glass in the main body to receive an input from the second glass, wherein an input part electrically connected to the circuit board may be provided in the second area to control a current flowing through the induction heating coil.

The bracket may be a first bracket, and the main body may further include a second bracket in contact with the first bracket to support the first glass and the second glass, and a ground portion provided on the first bracket.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus including a main body including an induction heating coil, and a glass assembly disposed above the main body, wherein the glass assembly includes a first glass forming a first area on which the cooking container is to be placed, a second glass forming a second area separated from the first area and formed of a material different from that of the first glass, a middle frame provided to couple the first glass and the second glass, and an outer frame provided to cover circumferences of the first glass and the second glass to fix the first glass and the second glass when the first glass and the second glass are coupled.

The outer frame may include a first frame extending in a first direction to cover one sides of the first glass and the second glass when the first glass and the second glass are coupled, and a second frame coupled to the first frame and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to cover the other side of the first glass or the second glass, the first frame may include a coupling protrusion protruding from one end thereof along the first direction to be coupled to the second frame, and the second frame may include a coupling groove recessed from one end thereof along the second direction to accommodate the coupling protrusion.

The glass assembly may further include an adhesive member disposed between the first glass and the second glass and the outer frame, and the outer frame may include a first portion spaced apart from a lower surface of the first glass and spaced apart a lower surface of the second glass to accommodate the adhesive member, a second portion protruding upward from one end of the first portion to support the first glass and the second glass, and a third portion protruding upward from the other end of the first portion to cover a circumference of the glass assembly.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a cooking apparatus including a first glass forming a first area on which the cooking container is to be placed, a second glass forming a second area separated from the first area, and a coupling member coupled to each of the first glass and the second glass, the coupling member including a base disposed below the first glass and the second glass and a column extending upward from the base, and a sealing member provided above an upper surface of the column to seal a coupling space between the first glass and the second glass and the coupling member, the upper surface of the column is provided to be lower than an upper surface of the first glass and an upper surface of the second glass.

The column may be curved to correspond to a side surface of the first glass and a side surface of the second glass.

The coupling member may further include a groove recessed from the base.

According to the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses physically separated can be provided.

According to the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses having different colors can be provided.

According to the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus in which a cooking part and an input part are provided on different glasses can be provided.

According to the present disclosure, a cooking apparatus capable of preventing foreign substances from being introduced into gaps between a coupling member for coupling a plurality of glasses and the plurality of glasses can be provided.

The embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only examples of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and various modifications may be made at the time of filing of the present disclosure to replace the embodiments and drawings of the present specification.

Like reference numbers or signs in the various drawings of the application represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the present disclosure. For example, the singular expressions herein may include plural expressions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, the terms "comprises" and "has" are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as a first component. The term "and/or" includes any combination of a plurality of related items or any one of a plurality of related items.

In this specification, the terms "front end," "rear end," "upper portion," "lower portion," "upper end" and "lower end" used in the following description are defined with reference to the drawings, and the shape and position of each component are not limited by these terms. For example, a -Y direction in which a second area is formed is defined as the front, a Y direction in which a first area is formed is defined as the rear, and left, right, upper and lower directions are defined based on these.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an outer frame and a plurality of glasses in the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cooking apparatus <NUM> may include a main body <NUM>, an induction heating coil <NUM>, a circuit board <NUM>, a coil seating plate <NUM>, an elastic member <NUM>, and a glass assembly <NUM> positioned on the main body <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> may form an appearance of the cooking apparatus <NUM>. The induction heating coil <NUM> may be accommodated in the main body <NUM> and generate a magnetic field to inductively heat a cooking container <NUM>. The induction heating coil <NUM> may be electrically connected to a main board (not shown) provided in the main body <NUM> through an electric wire 11a.

The circuit board <NUM> may be disposed below a second glass <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> may include a display device <NUM> and a touch device <NUM>. The display device <NUM> may be disposed below a display part 102a formed in a second area <NUM>. Whether the cooking container <NUM> is heated by the induction heating coil <NUM> may be displayed on the display device <NUM>. Therefore, a user may check through the display part 102a whether the cooking container <NUM> is heated. The touch device <NUM> may be disposed below an input part 102b provided in the second area <NUM>. The touch device <NUM> may receive a touch signal from the input part 102b. For example, the touch device <NUM> may receive an input using a capacitive touch method. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the touch device <NUM> may receive an input using a pressure-sensitive touch method. The user may control a current flowing through the induction heating coil through the input part 102b, and may determine a degree to which the cooking container <NUM> is heated.

The induction heating coil <NUM> may be seated on the coil seating plate <NUM>. A coil seating hole 15a for seating the induction heating coil <NUM> may be provided on the coil seating plate <NUM>. A plurality of the coil seating holes 15a may be provided.

The elastic member <NUM> may be disposed below a middle frame <NUM> and above the coil seating plate <NUM>. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may be provided between the middle frame <NUM> and the coil seating plate <NUM> to maintain a separation distance between the middle frame <NUM> and the coil seating plate <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may ground the middle frame <NUM> and the coil seating plate <NUM>.

The glass assembly <NUM> may include a first glass <NUM> forming a first area <NUM>, the second glass <NUM> forming the second area <NUM>, the middle frame <NUM>, and an outer frame <NUM>. However, not all of the above components of the glass assembly <NUM> are essential, and some components may be omitted.

The first glass <NUM> may include heating area guides 101a, 101b, and 101c and support the cooking container <NUM>. The cooking container <NUM> may be disposed in the first area <NUM>. The second glass <NUM> includes the second area <NUM>, and the display part 102a and the input part 102b may be provided in the second area <NUM>. The display part 102a may be formed in the second area <NUM> to display a variety of information about the cooking apparatus <NUM>, and the input part 102b may be formed in the second area <NUM> to receive a control command from the user. The middle frame <NUM> may be provided to couple the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>.

The glass assembly <NUM> may include the first glass <NUM>, the second glass <NUM>, the middle frame <NUM>, and the outer frame <NUM>. The first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be physically separated and may be coupled through the middle frame <NUM>. The middle frame <NUM> may be the coupling member <NUM>.

The first glass <NUM> forms the first area <NUM>, the cooking container <NUM> may be disposed in the first area <NUM>, and the cooking container <NUM> disposed on the first glass <NUM> may be inductively heated by the magnetic field generated by the induction heating coil <NUM>.

The second glass <NUM> forms the second area <NUM> separated from the first area <NUM>, and in the second area <NUM>, cooking information of the cooking apparatus <NUM> including a temperature of the cooking container <NUM>, a cooking elapse time and/or date/time may be displayed through the display part 102a.

In addition, in the second area <NUM>, the input part 102b to receive a control command from the user to turn on/off the cooking apparatus <NUM> or control the temperature of the cooking container <NUM> may be provided. The input part 102b may receive an input by a touch of the user.

The second glass <NUM> may be tempered glass. The second glass <NUM> may also be heat-resistant glass. The first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be formed of different materials. For example, the first glass <NUM> may have a property that light is not transmitted, and the second glass <NUM> may have a property capable of transmitting a touch signal so as to transmit a signal to the circuit board <NUM> provided thereunder through a touch.

At least a portion of the first glass <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the middle frame <NUM>. For example, the first glass <NUM> may be coupled to the middle frame <NUM> on at least one of a side surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The first glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> may be coupled by adhesion. At least a portion of the second glass <NUM> may be coupled to the other side of the middle frame <NUM>. For example, the second glass <NUM> may be coupled to the middle frame <NUM> on at least one of a side surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM>. The second glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> may be coupled by adhesion. The middle frame <NUM> may couple the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> to each other. In addition, the middle frame <NUM> may divide the first area <NUM> and the second area <NUM>.

The outer frame <NUM> may cover a circumference of the glass assembly <NUM> so that the glass assembly <NUM> is fixed. The components of the glass assembly <NUM> including the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be coupled into one by the outer frame <NUM>. The outer frame <NUM> may include a first frame <NUM> and a second frame <NUM>. The first frame <NUM> may extend in a first direction. The first direction may be an X direction and/or a -X direction. The second frame <NUM> may extend in a second direction. The second direction may be a Y direction and/or a -Y direction. The first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may be coupled to each other. The first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> coupled to each other may form the circumference of the glass assembly <NUM>. For example, the first frame <NUM> may cover one side of the glass assembly <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> may cover the other side of the glass assembly <NUM>. Also, when the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> are coupled, the first frame <NUM> may cover one side of the first glass <NUM> and one side of the second glass <NUM>. For example, the first frame <NUM> may cover a left surface (a surface in the -X direction) and a right surface (a surface in the X direction) of the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. The second frame <NUM> may cover the other side of the first glass <NUM> or the second glass <NUM> when the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> are coupled. For example, the second frame <NUM> may cover a rear surface (a surface in the Y direction) of the first glass <NUM> and a front surface (a surface in the -Y direction) of the second glass <NUM>.

The glass assembly <NUM> may further include a bracket <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may be formed at an edge portion of the glass assembly <NUM>. For example, the bracket <NUM> may be formed at edge portions of the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may be attached to the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> through heat-resistant silicone. A plurality of the brackets <NUM> may be provided. Some ones of the plurality of brackets <NUM> may be attached to the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> at both ends in the X direction in which the middle frame <NUM> extends. For example, at both ends in the X direction where only a column <NUM> (see <FIG> and the like) of the middle frame <NUM> is formed, the brackets <NUM> may be coupled to the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. The other ones of the plurality of brackets <NUM> may be attached to the first glass <NUM> or the second glass <NUM> of the glass assembly <NUM> in the Y direction.

The bracket <NUM> may be the first bracket <NUM>. The first bracket <NUM> may be in contact with a second bracket <NUM> provided on the main body <NUM>. The second bracket <NUM> may support the glass assembly <NUM> so that the glass assembly <NUM> is seated on the main body <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the outer frame <NUM> and the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM> in the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, some components of the cooking apparatus are omitted.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> each may be coupled to the middle frame <NUM>.

The cooking apparatus may further include the elastic member <NUM> and a fastener <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may maintain the separation distance between the middle frame <NUM> and the coil mounting plate <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be disposed on the coil seating plate <NUM> by the fastener <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may penetrate the coil seating plate <NUM>. The fastener <NUM> may be coupled to the coil seating plate <NUM>.

The second bracket <NUM> may extend upwardly from an edge side of the coil seating plate <NUM>. A ground portion 16b may be provided at the second bracket <NUM>. For example, the ground portion 16b may be the ground tape 16b. The ground tape 16b may be provided on a bottom surface of a second bracket 16a provided on a front side. The ground portion 16b may ground the first bracket <NUM> and the second bracket <NUM>. The ground portion 16b may ground the main body <NUM> and the glass assembly <NUM>.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views illustrating a process in which the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM>, and the middle frame <NUM> are coupled in the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> are enlarged views of part C in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first glass <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM>, and the side surface <NUM>. The first glass <NUM> may be provided to have a first color. The first glass <NUM> may not transmit light.

The second glass <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM>, the lower surface <NUM>, the side surface <NUM>, and a painted surface <NUM>. The second glass <NUM> may be provided to have a second color, and the painted surface <NUM> may exhibit the second color.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first color and the second color may be different. In other words, the color of the first glass <NUM> and the color of the second glass <NUM> may be provided differently. Through this, the cooking apparatus <NUM> of various designs may be implemented. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first color and the second color may be the same. Accordingly, the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be provided with the same color while being divided by the middle frame <NUM>.

The middle frame <NUM> may include a base <NUM> and the column <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may be disposed below the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> to support the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. For example, the base <NUM> may support the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> below the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. An adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the first portion <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and between the first portion <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may adhere the middle frame <NUM> and the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM> to each other. For example, the adhesive member <NUM> may allow the middle frame <NUM> and each of the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM> to be coupled to each other. Through this, the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be coupled to each other. The second portion <NUM> may extend upwardly from one end of the first portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may support the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, when the adhesive member <NUM> is applied, the second portion <NUM> may cover an adhesive space <NUM> of the adhesive member <NUM> so that the adhesive member <NUM> does not deviate to the outside of the middle frame <NUM>. The adhesive space <NUM> may be the first adhesive space <NUM>. However, the formation position of the second portion <NUM> is not limited to the above example. The second portion <NUM> may also be formed in the middle of the first portion <NUM>.

The column <NUM> may extend upwardly from the base <NUM>. The column <NUM> may be disposed between the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> when the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> are respectively adhered to the middle frame <NUM>. The column <NUM> may be formed to be recessed. For example, the column <NUM> may be curved to correspond to the side surfaces of the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. The column <NUM> may be formed to be curved while being recessed. Because the column <NUM> is formed to correspond to the side surfaces of the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM>, the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be brought as close as possible to each other. For example, the separation distance between the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> may be minimized. Because the separation distance between the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> is minimized, aesthetics may be improved. When the user looks at the glass assembly <NUM> from the top of the cooking apparatus, it may be seen that the separation distance between the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> is very small.

However, the column <NUM> may extend perpendicularly to the base <NUM> in a Z direction rather than being curved.

The column <NUM> may include a first curved surface <NUM>, a second curved surface <NUM>, and an upper surface <NUM>. The first curved surface <NUM> may be a Y-direction surface of the column <NUM>. The first curved surface <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the side surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM>. The first curved surface <NUM> may be adhered to the side surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> by an adhesive member 131a. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first curved surface <NUM> may be in contact with the side surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> without the adhesive member 131a. The second curved surface <NUM> may be a -Y-direction surface of the column <NUM>. The second curved surface <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the side surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>. The second curved surface <NUM> may be adhered to the side surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> by an adhesive member 131b. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second curved surface <NUM> may be in contact with the side surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> without the adhesive member 131b. A height of the upper surface <NUM> of the column <NUM> may be the same as heights of the upper surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>. For example, the upper surface <NUM> of the column <NUM> may be disposed on the same line in the Y direction as the upper surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the middle frame <NUM> may form coupling spaces <NUM> and <NUM>. The coupling spaces <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed by the base <NUM> and the column <NUM>. A plurality of the coupling spaces <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided. The first coupling space <NUM> may be a space in which the middle frame <NUM> and the first glass <NUM> are coupled and/or adhered. The second coupling space <NUM> may be a space in which the middle frame <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> are coupled and/or adhered. Referring to <FIG>, the first coupling space <NUM> may be the first seating groove <NUM> in which the first glass <NUM> is seated. The second coupling space <NUM> may be the second seating groove <NUM> in which the second glass <NUM> is seated.

Referring to <FIG>, the adhesive member <NUM> may be applied to each of the first seating groove <NUM> and the second seating groove <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may be provided to adhere the glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may be applied in a liquid state to be solidified. For example, the adhesive member <NUM> may include silicon. The adhesive member <NUM> may be heat-resistant silicone. The adhesive member 131a applied to the first seating groove <NUM> may adhere the first glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>, and the adhesive member 131b applied to the second seating groove <NUM> may adhere the second glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>.

The first glass <NUM> may be seated in the first seating groove <NUM> to be coupled to the middle frame <NUM>. The first glass <NUM> may be temporarily fixed by being seated in the first seating groove <NUM>. The adhesive member 131a may be disposed between the first glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> to adhere the first glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>. Specifically, when the first glass <NUM> is inserted into the first seating groove <NUM>, the adhesive member 131a in a liquid state applied to the first seating groove <NUM> moves into a gap between the first seating groove <NUM> and the first glass <NUM> and then is solidified, so that the first glass <NUM> may be adhered to the first seating groove <NUM>. At this time, the adhesive member 131a may be in contact with the side surface <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM>.

The second glass <NUM> may be seated in the second seating groove <NUM> to be coupled to the middle frame <NUM>. The second glass <NUM> may be temporarily fixed by being seated in the second seating groove <NUM>. The adhesive member 131b may be disposed between the second glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> to adhere the second glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>. Specifically, when the second glass <NUM> is inserted into the second seating groove <NUM>, the adhesive member 131b in a liquid state applied to the second seating groove <NUM> moves into a gap between the second seating groove <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> and then is solidified, so that the second glass <NUM> may be adhered to the second seating groove <NUM>. At this time, the adhesive member 131b may be in contact with the side surface <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>.

The glass assembly <NUM> may include the adhesive member <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may be the first adhesive member <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may adhere the first glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>, and may adhere the second glass <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM>. The adhesive member 131a may be disposed between the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. Also, the adhesive member 131b may be disposed between the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> and the first portion <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In addition, the adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the side surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the first curved surface <NUM> and between the side surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> and the second curved surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an additional coupling space <NUM> may be formed above the column <NUM>. The coupling space <NUM> provided above the column <NUM> may be the third coupling space <NUM>. The height of the upper surface <NUM> of the column <NUM> may be provided to be lower than the heights of the upper surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> in the Y direction.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the middle frame <NUM> may further include a groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may be recessed from an upper surface of the first portion <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may be formed at a position adjacent to the column <NUM>. When the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> are adhered to the middle frame <NUM> after the adhesive member <NUM> is applied, the groove <NUM> may allow the adhesive member <NUM> to be accommodated in the adhesive space <NUM> without deviating from the adhesive space <NUM>. For example, the groove <NUM> may be the accommodating groove <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may form a portion of the bonding space <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the glass assembly <NUM> may further include a sealing member <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may seal the third coupling space <NUM> in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>. The sealing member <NUM> may be disposed above the upper surface <NUM> of the column <NUM>. Because the sealing member <NUM> seals the third coupling space <NUM> above the upper surface <NUM> of the column <NUM>, dust, liquid and/or foreign substances may be not introduced into the coupling spaces <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Accordingly, the cooking apparatus may be kept clean and/or repaired. The sealing member <NUM> may include heat-resistant silicon. A height of the upper surface 140a of the sealing member <NUM> may be lower than or equal to heights of the upper surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> in the Z direction. Accordingly, the sealing member <NUM> may not protrude further upward than the upper surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>, and aesthetics may be improved.

For example, a length L2 of the column <NUM> in the Z direction and a length L1 of the sealing member <NUM> in the Z direction may be <NUM>:<NUM>. The thickness L2 of the column <NUM> in the Z direction and the thickness L1 of the sealing member <NUM> in the Z direction may be <NUM>:<NUM>. A length of the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM> in the Z direction and the length of the sealing member <NUM> in the Z direction may be <NUM>:<NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an enlarged view of part D in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer frame <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, and a third portion <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> to accommodate an adhesive member <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may support the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may protrude upward from one end of the first portion <NUM>. However, the position of the second part <NUM> is not limited to the above example. The second portion <NUM> may prevent the adhesive member <NUM> from deviating an adhesive space <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> may extend upward from the other end of the first portion <NUM>. The third portion <NUM> may cover circumferences of the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM>. Because the third portion covers the circumference of the glass assembly <NUM>, the plurality of glasses <NUM> and <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> may be protected from an external environment of the cooking apparatus.

The glass assembly <NUM> may further include the adhesive member <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may be the second adhesive member <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may adhere the first glass <NUM> and/or the second glass <NUM> to the outer frame <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> and the first portion <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may prevent the adhesive member <NUM> from deviating the adhesive space <NUM>. The adhesive space <NUM> may be formed between the lower surface <NUM> of the first glass <NUM> and/or the lower surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> and the first portion <NUM>. The adhesive space <NUM> may be the second adhesive space <NUM>.

An edge surface <NUM> of the second glass <NUM> may be in contact with the outer frame <NUM>. Although not illustrated in <FIG>, an edge surface of the first glass <NUM> may also be in contact with the outer frame <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of the outer frame <NUM> in the cooking apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged perspective view of part B illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer frame <NUM> may include the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>. The first frame <NUM> may extend in the first direction. The second frame <NUM> may extend in the second direction. The first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may be coupled to each other. The coupled first and second frames <NUM> and <NUM> may form the circumference of the glass assembly <NUM>.

The first frame <NUM> may include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, and a third portion <NUM>, respectively, and the second frame <NUM> may also include a first portion <NUM>, a second portion <NUM>, and a third portion <NUM>.

The first frame <NUM> may further include a coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude toward the second direction from one end of the first frame <NUM> in the first direction. For example, the coupling protrusion <NUM> may protrude toward the -Y direction from one end of the first frame <NUM> in the X direction. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may include a neck 164a and a head 164b. The neck 164a may extend in the second direction. The head 164b may be formed at one end of the neck 164a in the second direction. The head 164b may be formed at one end of the neck 164a and the other end of the neck may be connected to one end of the first frame <NUM>. A length L4 of the head 164b in the first direction may be longer than a length L3 of the neck 164a in the first direction. A cross-sectional area of the head 164b may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the neck 164a so that the coupling between the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> is not separated. The coupling protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the first portion <NUM> of the first frame <NUM>.

The second frame <NUM> may include a coupling groove <NUM> provided in a shape corresponding to the coupling protrusion <NUM>. The coupling groove <NUM> may be recessed from one end of the second frame <NUM> in the second direction. The coupling groove <NUM> may be formed on the first portion <NUM> of the second frame <NUM>.

The coupling protrusion <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> may increase a coupling area of the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM>, and through this, the first frame <NUM> and the second frame <NUM> may be stably coupled.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a manufacturing method of the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include disposing the outer frame <NUM> and the middle frame <NUM> on a jig (<NUM>), injecting the adhesive members <NUM> and <NUM> into the adhesive spaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the outer frame <NUM> and the coupling spaces <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the adhesive spaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the middle frame <NUM> (<NUM>), disposing the first glass <NUM> and the second glass <NUM> in the coupling spaces <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the adhesive spaces <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively (<NUM>), and injecting the sealing member <NUM> into the third coupling space <NUM> (<NUM>). The manufacturing method of the cooking apparatus may further include removing the sealing member <NUM> protruding upward. By removing the protruding sealing member <NUM>, flatness of the upper surface of the glass assembly <NUM> may be maintained, and a decrease in usability and aesthetics due to the protruding shape may be prevented when a user moves the cooking container <NUM> or washes the glass assembly.

Claim 1:
A cooking apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a main body (<NUM>) provided to accommodate an induction heating coil; and
a glass assembly (<NUM>) provided above the main body to allow a cooking container (<NUM>) to be placed thereon,
wherein the glass assembly comprises:
a first glass (<NUM>) forming a first area (<NUM>) on which the cooking container is to be placed;
a second glass (<NUM>) forming a second area (<NUM>) separated from the first area; and
a coupling member (<NUM>) coupled to each of the first glass and the second glass, the coupling member comprising a base (<NUM>) disposed below the first glass and the second glass to support the first glass and the second glass; characterized in that the coupling member comprises a column (<NUM>) extending upward from the base and be curved to correspond to a side surface (<NUM>) of the first glass and a side surface (<NUM>) of the second glass.