Stacked Burner with Channel for Improved Ignition

The present disclosure generally relates to a cooking burner and more specifically, to a stacked burner arrangement with ignition ports defined in a burner base.

In various aspects, what may be referred to as a stacked burner arrangement may include a flame spreader defining two sets of flame outlet ports. Each set of outlet ports generally encircles the burner with the ports being sized or otherwise configured to exhibit desired properties, which may vary depending on the overall configuration of the burner. The two sets of outlet ports are mutually spaced in a vertical arrangement, with one set being positioned above the other. In one general arrangement, such a burner can include a base that is positioned adjacent the cooktop surface of the related cooking appliance (which may be a stand-alone cooking hob or may be incorporated in a range or the like). The base is configured to receive a flow of gaseous fuel from a holder that is commonly affixed below the cooktop surface. The holder may be configured to mix the gaseous fuel with air in a desired proportional range and/or the burner may be configured to draw in air for mixing with the supplied gaseous fuel. The burner base defines a cavity and supports a spreader above the cavity to enclose a chamber to distribute the fuel/air mix to the first set of ports, which can be defined around an interface between the base and the spreader. In this manner, the spreader can include an internal wall that separates a lower portion of the spreader, associated with the first set of ports, with an upper portion, associated with the second set of ports. A second cavity is defined within the spreader opposite the internal wall and can be enclosed by a cap to define a second distribution chamber associated with the second ports, with the base and spreader being configured to further selectively supply fuel to the second distribution chamber.

In various aspects a burner according to the above description can include an ignition cavity extending inwardly from the side of the burner, including within respective portions of the base and the spreader. An ignition electrode can be positioned within the ignition cavity so as to produce an ignition spark between the electrode and a portion of the base or the spreader. In some implementations, channels can be defined in the lower surface of the spreader from the lower cavity of the spreader into an adjacent portion of the ignition cavity to provide fuel to the cavity. In this respect, it is desired that the ignition spark reliably cause ignition of the fuel/air mix emitted from at least one of the channels. Ignition of the gas then can cause ignition of the fuel passing through the first ports to ignite the lower portion of the burner. When fuel is provided to the upper ports, the upper portion of the burner will then ignite by way of the lower flames. Burners of this type have been developed with the above-mentioned channels defined only in the spreader, particularly along portions of the lower surface within the ignition cavity, with additional channels in the spreader being defined around the perimeter to define the first set of ports. In such arrangements, the adjacent upper surface of the base is flat and uninterrupted so as to enclose both the channels that define the ignition ports and the first set of burner ports. Burners of the type described above may have limited reliability in igniting the first burner ports, in general and/or within a generally desirable time interval. Additionally, they may exhibit undesired flame quality, including the “lifting” of the flames away from the burner, at least during ignition, such that further advances may be desired.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion, the first side wall including at least one channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion, an upper surface of the base extending inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted by a first plurality of channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and being partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending over the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. A plurality of flame ports extends between the first distribution chamber and an exterior of the burner and is defined by a first plurality of channels extending through the lower portion of the spreader and at least one adjacent first continuously planar portion of the upper surface of the base within the annular main portion. At least one ignition port extends between the first distribution chamber and the exterior of the burner within the ignition portion and is defined by at least one second channel extending through the first side wall and at least one adjacent second continuously planar portion of the spreader.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a burner. The burner has a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. The first side wall includes at least one channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The base also has a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted a first plurality of channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending over the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a cooking burner Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Ordinal modifiers (i.e., “first”, “second”, etc.) may be used to distinguish between various structures of a disclosed article in various contexts, but such ordinals are not necessarily intended to apply to such elements outside of the particular context in which they are used and that, in various aspects different ones of the same class of elements may be identified with the same, context-specific ordinal. In such instances, other particular designations of the elements are used to clarify the overall relationship between such elements. Ordinals are not used to designate a position of the elements, nor do they exclude additional, or intervening, non-ordered elements or signify an importance or rank of the elements within a particular class.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “about”, “approximately”, or “substantially” are intended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. Thus, unless otherwise noted, differences of up to ten percent (10%) for a given value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of exactly as described. In many instances, a significant difference can be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%), except as where would be generally understood otherwise by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the context in which such term is used.

Referring to, reference numeralgenerally designates a burner for a cooktop. The burnerincludes a basedefining a first side wallhaving an annular main portionand an ignition portionextending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. The first side wallincludes at least one ignition channelextending from an interiorthereof to an exteriorwithin the ignition portion. An upper surfaceof the baseextends inwardly from the first side wall. The burnerfurther includes a spreaderremovably disposed over the base. The spreaderdefines a lower portionwith a lower surfaceresting on the upper surfaceof the baseto enclose a first distribution chamberwithin respective portions of the baseand the spreader. The lower surfaceis interrupted by a first plurality of port channelsdefined in the lower portionof the spreaderand being partially enclosed by the upper surfaceof the baseto define a first set of flame portsfrom the first distribution chamberto the exteriorof the burner. The lower surfacefurther defines a continuous planar portionextending over the ignition portionof the first side wall, including over the at least one ignition channelin the side wallof the base, to enclose at least one respective ignition portfrom the first distribution chamberto the exteriorwithin the ignition portion.

As shown in greater detail in, the basedefines a lower wall. In one respect, the lower walldefines a bottom faceof the baseon the exteriorof the burner. As shown in, the bottom faceis configured to rest on an adjacent portion of the cooktopto support the burnerthereon. With continued reference to, when positioned on cooktop, the baseis configured to align with holder, which is positioned beneath the surfaceof the cooktop(including, in some implementations, by being mounted to the surface) on opposite the burner. As can be appreciated, the holderis configured to direct a flow of fuel (including various gaseous cooking fuels, including, but not limited to natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or the like) to the burnerto provide fuel for combustion at least by way of the first flame ports.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the cooktopcooktop includes a cooktop surfaceand at least one burner, as described herein. As can be appreciated, the cooktopcan be a part of a cooking appliance that may include a stand-alone cooking hob or a range that can include a cooking ho in connection with an oven in a single appliance. As shown in, two burnerscan be included along cooktop. In further aspects, four or more such burnerscan be included and can be in different sizes in accordance with the general principles further described herein.

As further shown in the figures, the present burneris configured as what may be generally referred to as a “stacked” burner, wherein the spreader, which primarily defines the above-mentioned first plurality of flame portsby way of the included first plurality of port channels, further defines a second plurality of flame ports. As shown, the second plurality of flame portsis positioned vertically above the first plurality of flame ports. The second plurality of flame portscan be used to provide a second set of flames for burnersuch that multiple levels of cooking heat can be provided for the burner. By way of example, the flow of fuel to the burnercan be controlled (as discussed further below) so as to fuel only the first flame portssuch that the burnercan have a “low” range of operation for warming or simmering of food products and the like. The flow of fuel can be further controlled to also fuel the second flame portsin addition to the first flame portsto provide a “high” range of operation for medium to high levels of cooking and/or boiling water or the like. In this arrangement, the respective flame portsandcan be configured to provide various desired operating ranges and/or flame profiles for the specific desired operation of burnerwithin the described framework. In the present example the first flame portscan be configured to produce smaller flames for a lower output, with the second flame portsbeing configured to produce relatively larger flames for a higher heat output. In the present example, the first flame portsare defined by between 45 and 55 first port channels, each being enclosed on the respective lower ends (e.g., at the intersections of the first port channelswith the lower surfaceof the spreaderto define respective areas of about 4 mmto about 5 mm. In the specific example of, the burnerdefines the first flame ports, each having a respective width Wof about 1.8 mm and a height Hof about 2.9 mm. In a similar respect, the second flame portscan be defined by a plurality of second port channelsopen on an upper surfaceof the spreader. The second port channelsare enclosed by a burner capand, more specifically, by the lower surfaceof the cap, which may be generally planer so as to be in supported contact with the upper surfaceof the spreader(with other arrangements being possible, as discussed further below). In such an example, the burnercan define between about 35 to 40 second flame portswith respective areas of between about 12 mm and about 14 mm. In the specific example of, the burnerdefines second flame ports, each having respective widths Wof about 2 mm and heights Hof about 6.7 mm.

To facilitate the stacked port arrangement discussed herein, spreadercan further define an interior wallthat extends generally horizontally (i.e., parallel with the cooktopsurface) within the second side wallof the spreaderthat extends between the above-described lower surfaceand second surfaceof spreader. As shown, the interior wallis spaced above the lower surfaceso as to enclose the first distribution chamberwithin the lower portionof the spreader. As further shown, the interior wallalso defines, opposite the first distribution chamber, as second distribution chamberfor directing fuel or a fuel-air mix to the second flame ports. The second distribution chamberis further enclosed over the upper surfaceof the spreaderby the above-mentioned burner cap. As is to be appreciated, the present arrangement, in which the respective flows of fuel to the first flame portsand the second flame portsare separately controlled, may be configured to provide separate flows of fuel or fuel-air mix to the first distribution chamberand the second distribution chamber. In particular, the basecan include a first inlet, associated with a first stemthat extends below the bottom faceof the base, to direct fuel or fuel-air mix to the first distribution chamber. Additionally, the basecan define a pass-throughthat extends through the lower wallthereof. The spreaderdefines a second inletadjacent the pass-throughto direct the flow of fuel or fuel-air mix past the first distribution chamberand into the second distribution chamber.

The above-described holderis further arranged to direct separate flows of fuel to the burnerand, in particular, the above-described first inletand pass-through, for further direction into the first distribution chamberand second distribution chamber, respectively. As shown in, the holderis configured to connect with a first fuel lineassociated with a respective valve that controls the flow of fuel therethrough. The first fuel lineis associated with a first spudmounted in the holderand aligned with the first inletin a spaced apart arrangement that facilitates mixture of ambient air with the fuel emanating from the first spud. In this manner, the control of fuel flowing through the first fuel linecontrols the fuel flow to the first flame ports. In a similar manner, the holderis further configured to connect with a second fuel lineassociated with a respective valve that controls the flow of fuel therethrough. The second fuel lineis associated with a second spud() mounted in the holderand aligned with pass throughin a spaced apart arrangement that facilitates mixture of ambient air with the fuel emanating from the second spud. In this manner, the control of fuel flowing through the second fuel linecontrols the fuel flow to the second flame ports. In various arrangements, the valves respectively associated with the first and second fuel lines,can be controlled by a single knob with distinct operational ranges for control and ignition of the first flame ports, as well as control of the second flame ports, although other arrangements are possible.

In at least the present arrangement, the burneris operated by first igniting the first flame ports, with the burnerbeing configured for operation of first flame portsalone in one operating mode. If use of the second flame portsis desired, the associated control is manipulated such that fuel is provided to the second fuel line. The resulting flow of fuel-air mix from the second flame portsis, according, such that the combustion associated with the first flame portscauses ignition of the second flame ports. In this respect, the first flame portsare ignited by activation of an igniter electrodepositioned and configured to generate an electrical arc between the igniter electrodeand a portion of the burner. In the present arrangement, the igniter electrodeis positioned at least partially within the ignition portionof the burnersuch that the electrical arc generated is proximate at least one of the depicted ignition ports, as discussed further below. As further shown in, the igniter electrodeis retained by the holderwith a portion thereof beneath the surfaceof cooktop. The operative portion of the igniter electrodeextends through the cooktop surfaceand into the ignition portionof the burner. More particularly, the above-described bottom wallof the baseextends outside of the first side wallwithin the ignition portionand defines an aperture() through which the igniter electrodeextends for desired positioning within the ignition portion.

As shown in, at least one ignition portextends between the first distribution chamberand the exteriorof the burnerwithin the ignition portion. According to the present disclosure, the ignition portis defined by at least one ignition channelextending through the first side wallof the base. As particularly shown in, ignition channelis open to and interrupts the upper surfaceof base. In this manner, ignition channelis enclosed to define ignition portby an overlying sub-portion of the adjacent second continuously planar portionof the spreader, which is defined on the lower surfacethereof. In one aspect, the continuously planar portionis characterized by the absence of port channelsor other similar channel structures or the like within such portion. In this respect, the continuously planar portionmay have some variation due at least to manufacturing processes and/or materials and or may have some overall curvature over the span of the surface while still being considered continuously planar for purposes of this discussion so long as at least the sub-portions enclosing the ignition channelis planar and/or otherwise uninterrupted. In at least another aspect, the continuously planar portioncorresponds with a portion of the spreaderthat overlies the ignition portionof the baseto further define part of the ignition portionwithin the spreader, wherein the lower surfacehas a similar profile along a corresponding horizontal plane to that of the first side wallof the base, at least within the ignition portion. In one aspect, the above-described first flame ports, which extend between the first distribution chamberand the exterior of the burner, are defined in a similar manner to the to the ignition portsin what can be characterized as an arrangement opposite to that of the ignition ports. Specifically, the first flame portsare defined by the first plurality of port channels, which extend through the lower portionof the spreader, and the upper surfaceof the base, which may be similarly characterized as continuously planar within the annular main portion. In this arrangement, the first flame portsare primarily defined in the spreader, whereas the ignition portsare primarily defined in the base.

As shown in the figures, the present implementation of burnerincludes two ignition channelssymmetrically disposed about a centerline C that radially bisects the ignition portionof the first side wall. Such an arrangement can allow for faster and more reliable ignition of the first flame ports, compared to an arrangement with a single ignition port, in that the disclosed arrangement provides a flow of fuel adjacent to the ignition spark generated by the igniter electrode, which may occur at various locations within the ignition portion, including on either side of the centerline C. In this respect, it is to be understood that ignition of the first flame ports will be sequential around the circumference of the spreader, starting from whichever side of the centerline C on which the ignition spark occurs.

As particularly shown in, each of the ignition channelscan be defined, respectively, as a rectangular section set into the upper surfaceof the base. More specifically, the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surfaceof the side wallwithin the ignition portionalong an entire inward radial sideof the rectangular section disposed toward the center line C and defined between an inward circumferential sideand an outward circumferential sideto define an outletfrom the ignition channelto the ignition portion. Additionally, the rectangular section can intersect an interior surfaceof the first side wallat adjacent ends of the inward circumferential sideand an outward radial sideof the rectangular section to define an inletto the ignition channelfrom the first distribution chamber. As shown, the inletis disposed at a corner of the rectangular section between the inward circumferential sideand an outward radial sidethat aligns with an interior bend of the interior surfaceof the first side wallthat is defined at the ignition portion.

Continuing with reference to, the rectangular section can be such that the ignition channeldefines a width Win a direction away from the ignition portionand circumferentially into the of first side wallwithin the ignition portion. In one implementation, the width can be between 4 mm and 5 mm. In a further implementation the width can be between 4.5 and 5.0 mm, and more specifically 4.98 mm, with the dimensions listed (here and elsewhere) as understandably varying based, at least, on reasonable manufacturing tolerances associated with the materials and manufacturing processes associated with the related structures, including, but not limited to when described as being “about” the specified dimension. The rectangular section can define a length Lalong the first side wallwithin the ignition portionand radially into the first side wall. In one implementation, the length Lcan be between 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm. In a further implementation, the length Lcan be about 5 mm. An intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wallalong the interior surfacecan define the above-described inletsto the respective ignition channels. In one implementation, the inletcan be about 2 mm wide. In a similar manner, an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wallat the exterior surfaceof the can define the above-described outletwithin the ignition portion. In one implementation, the outletcan be about 5 mm wide. The rectangular section and, accordingly, the corresponding ignition channelscan have a depth D(in a direction away from the upper surfaceof between 0.8 mm and 1.3 mm. In one implementation, the depth Dcan be 0.85 mm. In at least one aspect shown in particular in, the length Lof the ignition channelscan be such that the outletextends radially outward beyond the lower the lower surfaceof the spreadersuch that a corresponding innermost one of the first flame portsis at least partially unclosed adjacent the ignition channelwith increased exposure of the outletand the corresponding flame produced during ignition to such first flame port.

The above-described placement and configuration of the ignition portscan allow for more reliable ignition of the first flame ports, particularly in conditions where there is slight circumferential misalignment between the spreaderand the base. Additionally, the placement and configuration of the ignition portsdescribed herein can help maintain ignition times of less than four seconds, maintain an acceptable flame length, at least within the ignition portion(i.e., such that the flames resulting from ignition of the fuel-air mix emanating from the ignition portsdo not extend to a length where yellow tips are visible, including but not limited to when used with a butane fuel), and reduce or eliminate flame lifting at the first flame portsduring ignition of the burner.

Further, the incorporation of the above-described ignition channels, can allow the present baseto be used in alternative configurations of burner, including those with different configurations of spreader. In one such aspect, the baseis useable in an additional burnerthat includes an alternative spreader. Notably, the spreaderis configured in a similar manner to spreaderto realize the above-described stacked burner arrangement. In one respect, the spreaderdiffers from spreaderin that the port channelshave respective widths Wthat are greater than the widths Wof the port channelsof spreader, which may affect the ignition characteristics of the resulting burner. Accordingly, the ignition channels, as described above, are additionally configured to operate according to the above-described parameters with the spreader. In at least one such aspect, the ignition channelextends radially outward from the lower surfaceof the spreadersuch that at least a portion of at least the corresponding innermost first flame portis exposed below and outside of the ignition channelin a manner similar to that of the spreaderdescribed above. As further shown, the upper surfaceof the baseencloses the remaining port channelsto enclose the associated first flame portsin a similar manner to that which is described above in connection with burner. Additionally, the spreaderincludes a continuously planar portionthat at least partially encloses the ignition channelsto define the ignition ports, as described above. In another aspect, the spreaderincludes closed second flame portsdefined by holes through the second side wall. In other aspects, the spreadermay be similar to spreaderand may include similar features, unless otherwise specified. As can be appreciated, burnercan be included with a cooktopin a similar manner to that which is shown in connection with burnerin, as well as the cooktop variations described in connection therewith.

The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion, the first side wall including at least one ignition channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion, an upper surface of the base extending inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted by a first plurality of port channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and being partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of flame ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending within the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over at least a portion of the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to at least partially enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

In the burner of ¶ [0041], the spreader can further define an interior wall enclosing the first distribution chamber within the lower portion of the spreader and a second side wall extending from the interior wall opposite the lower portion to partially enclose a second distribution chamber, and a second set of flame ports can extend through the second side wall from the second distribution chamber to the exterior of the burner.

The burner of ¶ [0042], can further include a cap removably disposed on an upper surface of the second side wall and enclosing the second distribution chamber with the interior wall and the second side wall.

In the burner of ¶ [0043], the second set of flame ports can be defined by a second plurality of flame channels open to the upper surface of the second side wall, and the cap can enclose the second plurality of channels to define the second plurality of ports.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0044], the at least one channel can be defined as a rectangular section in the upper surface of the base.

In the burner of ¶ [0046], the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surface of the side wall within the ignition portion along an entire first side of the rectangular section defined between a second side and a third side.

In the burner of ¶¶ [0045] or [0046], the rectangular section can intersect an interior surface of the side wall at adjacent ends of adjacent first and second sides of the rectangular section.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0047], the rectangular section can define a width in a direction away from the ignition portion and axially into the first side wall, the width being between 4 mm and 5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0048], the rectangular section can define a length along the first side wall within the ignition portion and radially into the first side wall, and the length can be between 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0049], an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall can define an inlet to the at least one channel from and an interior surface of the first side wall, the opening having a width of about 2 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0050], an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall can define an outlet from the at least one channel to an exterior surface of the first side wall within the ignition portion, the outlet having a width of about 5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0051], the at least one ignition channel can have a depth in a direction away from the upper surface of between 0.8 mm and 1.3 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0052], the base can define a lower wall at least partially extending within the ignition portion and defining an aperture configured to receive at least one ignitor electrode therethrough for generating an electronic arc between the ignitor electrode and a portion of the first side wall within the ignition portion.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0053], the at least one ignition channel included in the first side wall can include two ignition channels symmetrically disposed about a centerline radially bisecting the ignition portion.

According to yet another aspect, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. A plurality of flame ports extends between the first distribution chamber and an exterior of the burner and is defined by a first plurality of port channels extending through the lower portion of the spreader and at least one adjacent first continuously planar portion of the upper surface of the base within the annular main portion. At least one ignition port extends between the first distribution chamber and the exterior of the burner within the ignition portion and is defined by at least one ignition channel extending through the first side wall and at least one adjacent second continuously planar portion of the spreader.

In the burner of ¶ [0055], the spreader can further define an interior wall enclosing the first distribution chamber within the lower portion of the spreader and a second side wall extending from the interior wall opposite the lower portion to partially enclose a second distribution chamber, and a second set of ports can extend through the second side wall from the second distribution chamber to the exterior of the burner.

The burner of ¶ [0056] can further include a cap removably disposed on an upper surface of the second side wall and enclosing the second distribution chamber with the interior wall and the second side wall.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0055] to [0057], the at least one channel can be defined as a rectangular section in the upper surface of the base, the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surface of the side wall within the ignition portion along an entire first side of the rectangular section defined between a second side and a third side, and the rectangular section can intersect an interior surface of the side wall at adjacent ends of adjacent first and second sides of the rectangular section.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0056] to [0058], the base can define a lower wall at least partially extending within the ignition portion and defining an aperture configured to receive at least one ignitor electrode therethrough for generating an electronic arc between the ignitor electrode and a portion of the first side wall within the ignition portion, and the at least one channel included in the first side wall includes two channels symmetrically disposed about a centerline radially bisecting the ignition portion.

According to yet another aspect, a cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a burner. The burner has a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. The first side wall includes at least one ignition channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The base also has a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted a first plurality of port channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending within the ignition portion of the first side wall, including at least partially over the at least one ignition channel in the side wall of the base, to at least partially enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.