Patent ID: 12256477

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS.1through16, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

Configurations shown in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application.

The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to restrict and/or to limit the 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 the terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the 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 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.

Hereinafter, an induction heating cooking apparatus will be described as an example of cooking apparatuses. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and may include a highlight type cooking apparatus. In addition, the disclosure will describe a cooking apparatus separately provided as an example, but unlike this, the cooking apparatus may be integrally provided on the top of the oven.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure, andFIG.2is a view illustrating glasses and a coupling member separately in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a cooking apparatus1includes a main body10, a first glass110of a heat-resistant material positioned above the main body10, including heating region guides101a,101b, and101c, and supporting a cooking container2, a second glass120including an input unit to receive a control instruction from a user and a display unit to display various kinds of information about the cooking apparatus1, a coupling member200to couple the first glass110and the second glass120, and a working coil (not shown) disposed inside the main body10to generate a magnetic field to induction heat the cooking container2.

A glass100may include the first glass110and the second glass120. The first glass110and the second glass120are physically separated and may be coupled through the coupling member200.

The first glass110forms the first region101, the cooking container2may be disposed in the first region101, and the cooking container2disposed on the first glass110may be induction heated by a magnetic field generated by the working coil (not shown).

The second glass120forms the second region102separated from the first region101, and cooking information of the cooking apparatus1including a temperature, a cooking elapsed time and/or date/time of the cooking container2may be displayed on the second region102.

The second region102may also be provided with the input unit to receive a control instruction from a user to turn on/off the cooking apparatus1or to control the temperature of the cooking container2.

Referring toFIG.2, at least a portion of the first glass110may be coupled to one side of the coupling member200. At least a portion of the second glass120may be coupled to the other side of the coupling member200. The coupling member200may not only couple the first glass110and the second glass120, but also divide the first region101and the second region102.

FIG.3illustrates cross-sections of the glasses and the coupling member before being coupled in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.4illustrates that an adhesive member is applied to the coupling member inFIG.3, andFIG.5illustrates that the glasses are coupled to the coupling member inFIG.4.

Hereinafter, a process of coupling the glasses to the coupling member in the cooking apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.3to5.

Referring toFIG.3, the first glass110may include an upper surface111, a lower surface112, a side surface113, and a painted surface114. The first glass110may have a first color, and the painted surface114may exhibit the first color.

The second glass120may include an upper surface121, a lower surface122, a side surface123, and a painted surface124. The second glass120may have a second color, and the painted surface124may exhibit the second color.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first color and the second color may be different. In other words, the color of the first glass110and the color of the second glass120may be different. Through such a configuration, the cooking apparatus1of various designs may be implemented. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first color and the second color may be the same. Accordingly, the first glass110and the second glass120may be divided by the coupling member200and provided in the same color.

The coupling member200may include an upper flange210to cover a portion of an upper surface of the glass100, a lower flange240to support a portion of the lower surface of the glass100, and a column270connecting the upper flange210and the lower flange240.

The upper flange210may include a first upper flange220extending toward the first glass110from a center line C symmetrically dividing the column270, and a second upper flange230extending toward the second glass120from the center line C.

The lower flange240may include a first lower flange250extending toward the first glass110from the center line C, and a second lower flange260extending toward the second glass120from the center line C.

The coupling member200may include a first insertion groove201formed by the first upper flange220, the first lower flange250and the column270.

The column270may include both side surfaces271and272.

The coupling member200may also include a second insertion groove2021formed by the second upper flange230, the second lower flange260and the column270.

Referring toFIG.4, adhesive members21and22may be applied to the first insertion groove201and the second insertion groove202, respectively. The adhesive members21and22may be provided to adhere the glass100and the coupling member200. The adhesive members21and22may be applied in a liquid state and solidified. For example, the adhesive members21and22may include silicone.

Referring toFIG.5, the first glass110and the second glass120may be inserted into the first insertion groove201and the second insertion groove202, respectively.

The first glass110may be coupled to the coupling member200by being inserted into the first insertion groove201. The first glass110may be temporarily fixed by being inserted into the first insertion groove201. The adhesive member22may be disposed between the first glass110and the coupling member200to adhere the first glass110and the coupling member200. Specifically, when the first glass110is inserted into the first insertion groove201, the adhesive member22in a liquid state applied to the first insertion groove201may move to a gap between the first insertion groove201and the first glass110and then be solidified, thereby adhering the first glass110to the first insertion groove201. At this time, the adhesive member22may be in contact with the side surface113of the first glass110, and may be in contact with the upper surface111and/or the lower surface112of the first glass110.

The second glass120may be coupled to the coupling member200by being inserted into the second insertion groove202. The second glass120may be temporarily fixed by being inserted into the second insertion groove202. The adhesive member21may be disposed between the second glass120and the coupling member200to adhere the second glass120and the coupling member200. Specifically, when the second glass120is inserted into the second insertion groove202, the adhesive member21in a liquid state applied to the second insertion groove202may move to a gap between the second insertion groove202and the second glass120and then be solidified, thereby adhering the second glass120to the second insertion groove202. At this time, the adhesive member21may be in contact with the side surface123of the second glass120, and may be in contact with the upper surface121and/or the lower surface122of the second glass120.

FIG.6illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, a coupling member200amay include a first upper flange220a, a second upper flange230a, a column270a, lower grooves252aand262aformed by recessing an upper surface of a lower flange240adownward.

Specifically, a first lower flange250amay include the first lower groove252aformed by recessing an upper surface251aof the first lower flange250adownward. A second lower flange260amay include the second lower groove262aformed by recessing an upper surface261aof the second lower flange260adownward.

The first lower groove252amay include an upper surface and opposite side surfaces. One side surface of the first lower groove252amay be formed by extending downward from a side surface271aof the column270. In other words, one side surface of the first lower groove252amay form a portion of the side surface271aof the column270. Alternatively, one side surface of the first lower groove252amay be formed on the same surface as the side surface271aof the column270.

The second lower groove262amay include an upper surface and opposite side surfaces. One side surface of the second lower groove262amay be formed by extending downward from a side surface272aof the column270. In other words, one side surface of the second lower groove262amay form a portion of the side surface272aof the column270. Alternatively, one side surface of the second lower groove262amay be formed on the same surface as the side surface272aof the column270.

The first lower groove252amay increase a contact area between the first glass110and the adhesive member22. The adhesive member22may be inserted into the first lower groove252a, and the adhesive member22inserted into the first lower groove252amay come into contact with the lower surface112of the first glass110. A gap between the first glass110and the upper surface251aof the first lower flange250amay be very small. As described above, when the gap between the first glass110and the first lower flange250ais small, the movement of the adhesive member22having a high viscosity into the gap between the first glass110and the first lower flange250ais difficult. When the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110increases, an adhesive force of the adhesive member22becomes strong. When the first lower groove252ais formed, the adhesive member22may move to the first lower groove252a, and the adhesive member22accommodated in the first lower groove252amay come into contact with the first glass110. Accordingly, the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110may increase, and a coupling force between the first glass110and the coupling member200may increase.

Similarly, as the second lower groove262ais formed, the adhesive member21may be introduced into the second lower groove262a, and a coupling force between the second glass120and the coupling member200may increase.

FIG.7illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7, a coupling member200bmay include a column270b, a first lower flange250bhaving an upper surface251b, a second lower flange260bhaving an upper surface261b, upper grooves222band232bas well as lower grooves252band262b.

A first upper flange220bmay include the first upper groove222bformed by recessing a lower surface of the first upper flange220bupward. A second upper flange230bmay include the second upper groove232bformed by recessing a lower surface of the second upper flange230bupward.

The first upper groove222bmay include an upper surface and opposite side surfaces. One side surface of the first upper groove222bmay be formed by extending upward from a side surface271bof the column270. In other words, one side surface of the first upper groove222bmay form a portion of the side surface271bof the column270. Alternatively, one side surface of the first upper groove222bmay be formed on the same surface as the side surface271bof the column270.

The second upper groove232bmay include an upper surface and opposite side surfaces. One side surface of the second upper groove232bmay be formed by extending upward from a side surface272bof the column270. In other words, one side surface of the second upper groove232bmay form a portion of the side surface272bof the column270. Alternatively, one side surface of the second upper groove232bmay be formed on the same surface as the side surface272bof the column270.

The first upper groove222bmay increase a contact area between the first glass110and the adhesive member22. The adhesive member22may be inserted into the first upper groove222b, and the adhesive member22inserted into the first upper groove222bmay come into contact with the upper surface111of the first glass110. A gap between the first glass110and the lower surface of the first upper flange220bmay be very small. As described above, when the gap between the first glass110and the first upper flange220bis small, the movement of the adhesive member22having a high viscosity into the gap between the first glass110and the first upper flange220bis difficult. When the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110increases, an adhesive force of the adhesive member22becomes strong. When the first upper groove222bis formed, the adhesive member22may move to the first upper groove222b, and the adhesive member22accommodated in the first upper groove222bmay come into contact with the first glass110. Accordingly, the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110may increase, and a coupling force between the first glass110and the coupling member200may increase.

Similarly, as the second upper groove232bis formed, the adhesive member21may be introduced into the second upper groove232b, and a coupling force between the second glass120and the coupling member200may increase.

FIG.8illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.8, a coupling member200cmay include a column270chaving both side surfaces271cand272c, a first lower flange250chaving an upper surface251c, a second lower flange260chaving an upper surface261c, upper grooves222cand232chaving an open side as well as lower grooves252cand262c.

A first upper flange220cmay include the third upper groove222cformed by recessing a lower surface of the first upper flange220cupward and having the open side. A second upper flange230cmay include the fourth upper groove232cformed by recessing a lower surface of the second upper flange230cupward and having the open side.

The third upper groove222cmay increase a contact area between the first glass110and the adhesive member22. The adhesive member22may be inserted into the third upper groove222c, and the adhesive member22inserted into the third upper groove222cmay come into contact with the lower surface112of the first glass110. A gap between the first glass110and the lower surface of the first upper flange220cmay be very small. As described above, when the gap between the first glass110and the first upper flange220cis small, the movement of the adhesive member22having a high viscosity into the gap between the first glass110and the first upper flange220cis difficult. When the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110increases, an adhesive force of the adhesive member22becomes strong. When the third upper groove222cis formed, the adhesive member22may move to the third upper groove222c, and the adhesive member22accommodated in the third upper groove222cmay come into contact with the first glass110. Accordingly, the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110may increase, and a coupling force between the first glass110and the coupling member200may increase.

Similarly, as the fourth upper groove232cis formed, the adhesive member21may be introduced into the fourth upper groove232c, and a coupling force between the second glass120and the coupling member200may increase.

FIG.9illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.9, a coupling member200dmay include a column270dhaving both side surfaces271dand272d, a first upper flange220d, a second upper flange230d, a first lower flange250dhaving an upper surface251d, a second lower flange260dhaving an upper surface261d, lower grooves252dand262dhaving an open side.

A first lower flange250dmay include the third lower groove252dformed by recessing an upper surface of the first lower flange250ddownward and having the open side. A second lower flange260dmay include the fourth lower groove262dformed by recessing an upper surface of the second lower flange260ddownward and having the open side.

The third lower groove252dmay increase a contact area between the first glass110and the adhesive member22. The adhesive member22may be inserted into the third lower groove252d, and the adhesive member22inserted into the third lower groove252dmay come into contact with the lower surface112of the first glass110. A gap between the first glass110and the upper surface of the first lower flange250dmay be very small. As described above, when the gap between the first glass110and the first lower flange250dis small, the movement of the adhesive member22having a high viscosity into the gap between the first glass110and the first lower flange250dis difficult. When the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110increases, an adhesive force of the adhesive member22becomes strong. When the third lower groove252dis formed, the adhesive member22may move to the third lower groove252d, and the adhesive member22accommodated in the third lower groove252dmay come into contact with the first glass110. Accordingly, the contact area between the adhesive member22and the first glass110may increase, and a coupling force between the first glass110and the coupling member200may increase.

Similarly, as the fourth lower groove262dis formed, the adhesive member21may be introduced into the fourth lower groove262d, and a coupling force between the second glass120and the coupling member200may increase.

FIG.10illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.10, a coupling member200emay include a column270ehaving both side surfaces271eand272e, a first upper flange220e, a second upper flange230e, a first lower flange250ehaving an upper surface251e, a second lower flange260ehaving an upper surface261e, upper grooves222eand232eas well as lower grooves252eand262ehaving an open side. The upper grooves222eand232ehave the same structures and functions as the upper grooves222band232bdescribed with reference toFIG.7, and thus redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.11illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.11, a coupling member200fmay include a column270fhaving both side surfaces271fand272f, a first upper flange220f, a second upper flange230f, a first lower flange250fhaving an upper surface251f, a second lower flange260fhaving an upper surface261f, upper grooves222fand232fhaving an open side as well as lower grooves252fand262fhaving an open side. The upper grooves222fand232fhave the same structures and functions as the upper grooves222cand232cdescribed with reference toFIG.8, and thus redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.12illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.12, a coupling member200gmay include a column270ghaving both side surfaces271gand272g, a first upper flange220g, a second upper flange230g, a first lower flange250ghaving an upper surface251g, a second lower flange260ghaving an upper surface261g, all of the two types of lower grooves described above. Specifically, the coupling member200gmay include a first lower groove252gand a second lower groove262g, and also include a third lower groove253gand a fourth lower groove263g. As such, when the first to fourth lower grooves252g,262g,253g, and263gare provided, the contact area between the adhesive members21and22and the glass100may increase more than when including any one type of lower groove. The first to fourth lower grooves252g,262g,253g, and263gare the same structures and functions as the first to fourth lower grooves described with reference toFIGS.6to11, and thus redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.13illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.13, a coupling member200hmay include a column270hhaving both side surfaces271hand272h, a first upper flange220h, a second upper flange230h, a first lower flange250hhaving an upper surface251h, a second lower flange260hhaving an upper surface261h, upper grooves222hand232has well as first to fourth lower grooves252h,262h,253h, and263h. The upper grooves222hand232hhave the same structures and functions as the upper grooves222band232bdescribed with reference toFIG.7, and thus redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.14illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIG.14, a coupling member200imay include a column270ihaving both side surfaces271iand272i, a first upper flange220i, a second upper flange230i, a first lower flange250ihaving an upper surface251i, a second lower flange260ihaving an upper surface261i, upper grooves222iand232ias well as first to fourth lower grooves252i,262i,253i, and263i. The upper grooves222iand232ihave the same structures and functions as the upper grooves222cand232cdescribed with reference toFIG.8, and thus redundant descriptions will be omitted.

FIG.15illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

A coupling member200jmay include a column270jhaving both side surfaces271jand272j, a first upper flange220j, a second upper flange230j, a first lower flange250jhaving an upper surface251j, a second lower flange260jhaving an upper surface261j, upper grooves222jand232jas well as first to fourth lower grooves252j,262j,253j, and263j.

Referring toFIG.15, a length d2in which a first upper flange220jextends from the center line C of a column270jtoward the first glass110may be shorter than a length d1in which a second upper flange230jextends from the center line C of the column270jtoward the second glass120. Hereinafter, the sum of d1and d2is referred to as a width of an upper flange210j.

As illustrated inFIG.15, as the first upper flange220jand the second upper flange230jare provided asymmetrically, the upper flange210jmay effectively cover the glass100while having the same width.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the glass100may be made of a transparent material. The glass100is transparently provided, and a painted surface provided on the lower surface of the glass100may allow the glass100to have a predetermined color.

When the glass100is provided transparently, the adhesive members21and22applied to the insertion grooves201and202may be seen from the outside through the transparent glass100. When the adhesive members21and22are uniformly applied, it may not be a problem even when the adhesive members21and22are visible to a user from the outside. However, the adhesive members21and22may be disposed non-uniformly in the insertion grooves201and202due to reasons such as non-uniform applying in the process of applying the adhesive members21and22and shrinkage in the process of curing the adhesive members21and22. As such, when the adhesive members21and22is disposed non-uniformly in the insertion grooves201and202, the user may regard this state as not neat or consider it defective. Therefore, it is required that the non-uniform arrangement of the adhesive members21and22is not visible from the outside.

The upper flange210jmay cover a portion of the upper surface of the glass100so that the adhesive members21and22disposed on a side surface or the lower surface of the glass100are not visible from the outside. The easiest way to prevent the adhesive members21and22from being visible from the outside is to increase the width of the upper flange210j, but this may act as a factor that deteriorates the aesthetic sensibility of the cooking apparatus1. Therefore, it is important to adequately maintain a thickness of the upper flange210jand cover a portion of the upper surface of the glass100so that the adhesive members21and22are not visible from the outside.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a cooking region may be provided on the first glass110, and a control region may be provided on the second glass120. For convenience of use, it is appropriate that the control region is placed closer to a user than the cooking region. According to this arrangement, the user's gaze is directed toward the cooking apparatus1in a diagonal line from the top of the second glass120. Referring toFIG.15, the user's gaze is directed toward the cooking apparatus1in a diagonal direction from an upper left in the drawing. On the other hand, the user generally does not look at the cooking apparatus1in the diagonal direction from an upper right in the drawing. In consideration of this specific point of use, in the cooking apparatus1according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the width d1of the second upper flange230jmay be larger than the width d2of the first upper flange220j. Through this configuration, the width (d1+d2) of the upper flange210jmay be maintained, and at the same time it may be effectively prevented from viewing the adhesive members21and22from the outside.

FIG.16illustrates cross-sections of glasses and a coupling member in a cooking apparatus according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

The coupling member200may include a column270having both side surfaces271and272.

Referring toFIG.16, between the coupling member200and the glass100, an adhesive member is not provided, but a sealing member30may be provided. The sealing member30may seal a gap to block foreign substances from entering the gap between a lower surface of the upper flange210and the upper surface of the glass100. The sealing member30may be provided in various forms, but according to an embodiment, the sealing member30may include an O-ring.

The sealing member30not only blocks the entry of foreign substances by sealing the gap between the upper flange210and the glass100, but also may allow the glass100to be coupled to the coupling member200without a separate adhesive member by sealing the gap.

As is apparent from the above, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses physically separated can be provided.

An embodiment of the disclosure, a cooking apparatus including a plurality of glasses having different colors can be provided.

An embodiment of the disclosure, a cooking apparatus in which a cooking portion and a control portion are provided on different glasses can be provided.

An embodiment of the disclosure, a cooking apparatus capable of preventing foreign substances from entering a gap between a glass and a coupling member coupling a plurality of glasses can be provided.

While the disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood by those of skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described with various embodiments, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.