Patent Description:
A hob typically comprises a top sheet and gas burners. A respective gas burner is associated with a gas valve for providing fuel gas. The gas valve is typically provided below the top sheet. The fuel gas is mixed with primary air to obtain a flammable gas/air mixture which is burnt at openings of the gas burner. A respective pan support for supporting a pan or the like is associated with each gas burner.

An electric hob typically comprises a top sheet having cooking zones. The cooking zones may be provided with electrical heating elements (hot plates) or use induction for heating a pan or pot standing on a respective cooking zone.

<CIT> discloses a modular hob with a number of gas burners and burner modules, wherein one gas burner is connected to one burner module. The gas burners are provided with fuel gas via the burner modules. When the hob is not in use, the gas burners can be disconnected from the burner modules.

<CIT> discloses cooker hob having a plurality of cooking zones, of which at least one zone is heatable by electrical energy and at least one further cooking zone is heatable by gas.

<CIT> discloses a gas cooking appliance for use with a removable burner. The cooking appliance includes a structural housing supporting a cooktop surface having a convertible area for use with the removable burner. When the removable burner is operable with the cooking appliance, it resides above the convertible area and is supplied a fuel mixture from the cooking appliance by a gas-to-air type fuel supplier.

<CIT> discloses a stove having two electromagnetism panels and two burner arms reaching from a side of the stove inwards, to each of which a burner can be connected to be placed atop an electromagnetism panel.

<CIT> discloses a stove having an electromagnetic oven in a stove body and a rotating mechanism arranged at a rear part of the stove body, while a gas burner is arranged at the rotating mechanism to be disposed on the stove body in a working position and to be rotated upwards into an erected non-working position.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved hob.

Accordingly, a hob is provided comprising a top sheet having an electric cooking zone, a port or a plurality of ports and a gas burner arranged on the top sheet and releasably connected to the port, the port being configured to supply the gas burner with fuel gas, wherein the gas burner is arranged on the electric cooking zone. The hob comprises a connection rail, wherein the port or the plurality of ports is arranged on the connection rail. The hob comprises an extraction unit to extract fumes arranged on or at least partially inside the connection rail.

Thereby, a flexible hob is created which can be set up according to the needs of the user who can choose electric cooking and/or cooking with gas. When the gas burner or burners are not in use, they can be disconnected from the ports and stowed away.

The top sheet is preferably made of metal, glass, ceramic or glass-ceramic. For example, the port is arranged on or adjacent to the top sheet. The fuel gas and the primary air may be mixed directly at the gas burner, below the top sheet using, for example, a venturi portion and an injector. When the gas burner is not connected to the port, said port is designed to prevent an emission of fuel gas.

That the gas burner is releasably connected to the port herein relates to a fluid connection which can be established (connected), i.e. fluid may flow from the port to the gas burner, and released (disconnected), i.e. fluid may not flow from the port to the gas burner. "Fluid" refers to a gas, in particular. The fluid connection may also include a mechanical connection comprising engaging elements engaging each other such as recesses, protrusions, pins, hooks, threads, screws etc. The port may comprise an injector for injecting fuel gas into the gas burner, in particular into a pipe or venturi portion thereof.

According to an embodiment, the hob comprises a plurality of electric cooking zones and/or a plurality of ports and/or a plurality of gas burners, each gas burner being releasably connected to one of the ports.

For example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more electric cooking zones, ports and gas burners are provided. Preferably, the hob is configured such that the user can choose to, at any time, connect a single gas burner to one port, some gas burners to some ports or a gas burner to every port.

According to a further embodiment, the electric cooking zone is an electrical heating zone or an induction zone.

An electrical heating zone, also termed hot plate, comprises an electrical heating element configured to heat up when electric current passes therethrough. The heat created in this process is passed on to the pan or pot by radiation and/or conduction. An induction zone has an induction element configured to induce a current in the pan or pot (base), thereby creating heat.

The gas burner is arranged on the cooking zone.

This is to say that, when the top sheet is viewed from above, the gas burner and the cooking zone at least overlap or are congruent. The cooking zones and/or gas burners may be of different sizes (diameters, in particular). It can be provided that every gas burner matches one cooking zone in size.

The hob comprises a connection rail, wherein the port or plurality of ports is arranged on the connection rail.

The connection rail is, preferably, an elongated element whose length is, for example, at least twice its width. For example, the connection rail may have a bar shape. The connection rail may have a rectangular or square cross-section. The connection rail may be made, at least partially, of metal. The gas burners may be detached therefrom when they are not in use. The hob comprises, preferably, a single connection rail to connect a plurality of gas burners. Alternatively, the hob may comprise more than one connection rail, for example <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or more.

According to a further embodiment, the connection rail is arranged in the center of the top sheet or along an edge of the top sheet.

"In the center" means that the connection rail passes through the center of the top sheet in a top view. "Along an edge" means that the connection rail is placed on or adjacent to one of the edges. The long side of the connection rail may be aligned with an edge (e.g. long or short) of the top sheet.

According to a further embodiment, one or more of the plurality of ports releasably electrically connect an ignitor of the gas burner.

Thereby, a power source and/or control unit of the hob can be easily connected to the ignitor of the (each) gas burner.

According to a further embodiment, the electric cooking zone has, at least below the gas burner, a continuous flat surface on which the gas burner stands.

The continuous flat surface makes cleaning easier.

The hob comprises an extraction unit to extract fumes arranged on or at least partially inside the connection rail.

For example, the extraction unit is a downdraft extraction unit which removes fumes downwardly, i.e. into an area below the top sheet. According to an alternative embodiment, the extraction unit is not arranged on the connection rail but on the top sheet.

According to a further embodiment, the extraction unit is retractable into the connection rail.

Thus, the extraction unit stays hidden when not in use.

According to a further embodiment, the connection rail is retractable into the top sheet.

Thereby, the surface of the top sheet can be easily cleaned.

According to a further embodiment, the top sheet and the connection rail, in its retraced state, form a flat surface.

After cooking, the hob can be easily cleaned since the user is not impeded by an uneven top sheet. A flat surface especially means that the upper side of the connection rail in its retracted state is flush with the top sheet.

According to a further embodiment, the hob comprises a pan support for supporting a pan above the gas burner, the pan support being connected to the gas burner so as to form a unit which is configured to be lifted off the top sheet as one unit.

Having such a unit allows easy assembly (or disassembly) when setting up the hob (or when it is not used anymore). "Pan" is understood to comprise any kind of cooking vessel, for example a pan, pot, wok etc. For example, the gas burner and pan support may be connected by a form fit, force fit or adhesive fit.

According to a further embodiment, the pan support is formed integrally with the gas burner.

In this case, the pan support and the gas burner are formed out of one piece of material (integrally). For example, the pan support and the gas burner are cast as one unit. The pan support may be manufactured out of cast iron.

Accordingly, a method for operating the above-mentioned hob is provided. Therein, the gas burner or at least one gas burner of the plurality of gas burners and the electric cooking zone or at least one electric cooking zone of the plurality of electric cooking zones are operated simultaneously.

"Operated simultaneously" means that the gas burner or at least one gas burner and the electric cooking zone or at least one electric cooking zone generate heat for cooking at the same time.

"An" or "one" is not to be understood as limiting to exactly one element but multiple elements may be provided unless otherwise specified.

<FIG> shows a hob <NUM> in a perspective view. The hob <NUM> has a top sheet <NUM>. The top sheet <NUM> may have square shape having edges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. The edges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d may limit the area of the hob <NUM>. The top sheet <NUM> has four electric cooking zones 4a - 4d. The electric cooking zones 4a - 4d may have different sizes for different cooking pans or pots. For example, the electric cooking zones 4a - 4d may comprise, underneath the top sheet <NUM>, a respective resistive heating element or induction element (not shown).

A connection rail <NUM> has, for example, a bar shape and is arranged with its longitudinal axis along the edge 3d on the top sheet <NUM>. In particular, the long sides 6b, 6d of the connection rail <NUM> run parallel with the edges 3b, 3d. The short sides 6a, 6c of the connection rail <NUM> are parallel to the edges 3a, 3c of the top sheet <NUM>.

The connection rail <NUM> has ports 7a, 7b to connect gas burners <NUM> thereto (disconnected in <FIG>). The ports 7a, 7b are arranged on the same side 6b of the connection rail <NUM> facing in the direction of the electric cooking zones 4a - 4d. In the example of <FIG>, two gas burners <NUM> are connectable to the connection rail <NUM>. The ports 7a are designed to supply a fuel-gas-air-mixture to the gas burners <NUM>. The ports 7b are designed to supply electrical power to an ignitor (not shown) of each gas burner <NUM> and for connecting a flame detector sensor, for example a thermocouple, with the gas tap (not shown) to detect if there is a flame in the gas burners <NUM>.

The gas burners <NUM> may be provided with the fuel-gas-air-mixture through a respective pipe <NUM> via the port 7a. Two ignition connectors <NUM> connect each gas burner <NUM> to the ports 7b (for example, plug-in connections).

In <FIG>, the gas burners <NUM> are connected to the ports 7a, 7b and each stand on a continuous flat surface 2a of the top sheet <NUM>. In the example, the entire surface of the top sheet <NUM> is formed as one continuous flat surface 2a. In the assembled state (gas burners <NUM> connected to ports 7a, 7b), the gas burners <NUM> may be positioned such on the top sheet <NUM> that they overlap with a respective cooking zone 4a - 4d, i.e. one gas burner <NUM> overlaps with one cooking zone 4a - 4d (see top right burner in <FIG>). In another embodiment, the gas burners <NUM> may even be arranged to be congruent with a respective cooking zone 4a (see lower left burner in <FIG>).

When the gas burners <NUM> are not needed anymore, they can be disconnected from the ports 7a, 7b to create more free space on the top sheet <NUM>.

In another embodiment, there are provided two struts <NUM> (instead or in addition to the ignition connectors or the ignition connectors may be integrated into the struts <NUM>) per gas burner <NUM> and fixedly connected thereto at one end. At the other end, each strut <NUM> engages a respective hole or pocket 7b (not or not exclusively a port in this case) formed inside the connection rail <NUM>. By way of the struts <NUM>, the gas burners <NUM> may be prevented from moving inadvertently on the top sheet <NUM>, i.e. the gas burners <NUM> are secured in the horizontal plane.

In another embodiment (not shown), the number of gas burners <NUM> connected to the connection rail <NUM> may be the same as the number of cooking zones 4a - 4d (four in this case).

In another embodiment (not shown and not claimed), the hob <NUM> may comprise no connection rail <NUM> at all. In this case, the ports 7a, 7b are arranged directly on the top sheet <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the hob <NUM> according to <FIG> in a top view. Each of the gas burners <NUM> is arranged on a respective electric cooking zone 4a, 4b whereas the other two electric cooking zones 4c, 4d are available to the user for cooking (see also <FIG>). Thus, the user is able to cook with the gas burners <NUM> and use the electric cooking zones 4c, 4d for cooking - even when the gas burners <NUM> are connected.

The user can decide to operate the gas burners <NUM> and the electric cooking zones 4a - 4d simultaneously or decide to use only the gas burners <NUM> or only the electric cooking zones 4a - 4d.

Returning to <FIG>, a pan support <NUM> is associated with each gas burner <NUM> to support a pan. The pan support <NUM> may be formed integrally with the gas burner <NUM> or be a separate element which can be connected to the gas burner <NUM> to form a unit therewith which can be handled as one unit. As shown in <FIG>, the gas burners <NUM> may be of different types.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment of a hob <NUM> in a perspective view. The hob <NUM> has a top sheet <NUM> and four electric cooking zones 4a - 4d arranged thereon. The top sheet <NUM> has a rectangular shape having short edges 3b, 3d and long edges 3a, 3c.

A connection rail <NUM> is arranged on the top sheet <NUM> and, when seen in a top view, passing through its center, for example. The opposing sides 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d of the connection rail <NUM> each may have the same distance to opposite edges 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the top sheet <NUM> which are parallel to the opposing sides 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d. Thus, the edges 3a, 3c are parallel to the sides 6a, 6c and the edges 3b, 3d are parallel to the sides 6b, 6d. This allows the user, in particular when standing in front of the long edge 3c (or 3a), to comfortably place the gas burners <NUM> on both sides (left and right) of the connection rail <NUM>, for example two on each side. The electric cooking zones 4a - 4d may also be provided on both sides of the connection rail <NUM>, for example two on each side.

Furthermore, the hob <NUM> comprises an extraction unit <NUM> arranged partially (extended state, <FIG>) or fully (retracted state <FIG>) inside the connection rail <NUM>. <FIG> shows the extended extraction unit <NUM>, for example, when the hob <NUM> is in use. The extraction unit <NUM> extracts fumes from the cooking area. The extraction unit <NUM> is configured as a downdraft extraction unit which remove fumes from the cooking area to a location under the top sheet <NUM>. The extraction unit <NUM> can be retracted into the connection rail <NUM> when the hob <NUM> is not in use (<FIG>). Preferably, an electric motor is used for retraction (and extension), but this can also be performed manually.

<FIG> shows the hob <NUM> of <FIG> with the retracted extraction unit <NUM>, wherein the connection rail <NUM> is retracted completely into the top sheet <NUM>. The retracted connection rail <NUM> is flush with the top sheet <NUM>. Thus, the connection rail <NUM> and the top sheet <NUM> with the electric cooking zones 4a - 4d form a flat surface which can be cleaned easily by the user.

When the user starts cooking, the connection rail <NUM> can be extended upwardly from the top sheet <NUM> which is shown by arrows <NUM>. Preferably, for example, an electric motor is used for retraction (and extension), but this can also be performed manually.

Claim 1:
A hob (<NUM>) comprising a top sheet (<NUM>) having an electric cooking zone (4a - 4d), a port or a plurality of ports (7a), a gas burner (<NUM>), and a connection rail (<NUM>), wherein the gas burner (<NUM>) is arranged on the top sheet (<NUM>) and releasably connected to the port (7a), wherein the port (7a) is configured to supply the gas burner (<NUM>) with fuel gas, wherein the gas burner (<NUM>) is configured to be arranged on the electric cooking zone (4a - 4d), wherein the port or the plurality of ports (7a, 7b) is arranged on the connection rail (<NUM>), characterized in that the hob comprises an extraction unit (<NUM>) to extract fumes arranged on or at least partially inside the connection rail (<NUM>).