Electric heating – Heating devices – Combined with container – enclosure – or support for material...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-26
2001-10-02
Paik, Sang (Department: 3742)
Electric heating
Heating devices
Combined with container, enclosure, or support for material...
C219S452110, C126S392100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297482
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of cooking and, more particularly, to a ceramic-based cooktop including a main plate portion extending in a substantially horizontal plane and a face plate portion which projects forward and downward from a frontal section of the main plate portion, with the face plate portion defining a control panel for regulating the activation state of various heating elements arranged on the main plate portion.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Both gas and electric cooking appliances are widely available in today's marketplace. The cooktops associated with electric cooking arrangements employ either coiled, electric resistance burner elements which project slightly above the upper surface of the associated cooktop, or smooth cooktops. Smooth cooktops are formed of glass or ceramic-based, i.e., ceramic and glass-ceramic, materials.
Due to material characteristic limitations, care must be taken when forming a ceramic-based cooktop as the material can be subject to cracking and the like when stressed. This potential problem is of particular concern given that the ceramic-based cooktop must be free to flex during use. For at least these reasons, a ceramic-based cooktop will almost invariably be made as a plate extending in a single plane and without any openings. However, it has been proposed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,079, to create a bend at a rear section of a cooktop. Although controls for various heating elements are arranged adjacent to the bent zone of the cooktop, the controls are actually supported by a frame upon which the cooktop is supported. The upper surface of a ceramic-based cooktop is generally provided with a grid pattern to diminish the inherent transparent nature of the material. In the '079 patented arrangement, small transparent regions are maintained to provide visual clarity of illuminated displays mounted below the cooktop.
In order to enhance the use and versatility of ceramic-based cooktops, it would be desirable to enable heating element control devices to be mounted to the cooktop. However, mounting of the control devices from the upper planar surface is not considered most desirable from a ergodynamic standpoint. Therefore, it is considered desirable to provide a ceramic-based cooktop with a front, angled portion at which are mounted readily available operator controls.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a unitary, ceramic-based cooktop, adapted to be mounted on a countertop or upon an appliance cabinet, having an angled front portion. More specifically, the cooktop is formed as a one-piece member including a main plate portion, which defines varies spaced heating element zones, and a face plate portion which is integral with the main plate portion and extends forward and downward from a frontal section of the main plate portion. Therefore, the main and face plate portion extend in respective, intersecting planes. The face plate portion defines a control panel having various knobs and/or switches for use in regulating the operation of heating elements of the cooktop. The cooktop also preferably incorporates a downdraft venting system including a grill provided in a generally, laterally centered portion of the main plate portion, with the face plate portion also including suitable controls for the downdraft venting system. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, electronic control components are utilized and openings are formed in the face plate portion to accommodate mounting of the electronic control components. Most preferably, the electronic control components are generally flush with an exposed surface of the face plate portion to avoid the components being any type of obstruction during use of the cooktop.
Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully apparent below from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views.
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Diederiks & Whitelaw PLC
Maytag Corporation
Paik Sang
LandOfFree
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