Cooking Device, Built-In Cooking Appliance System, Household System

This application is a U.S. National Phase application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2023/061705, filed on May 3, 2023, and claims benefit to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2022 112 198.4, filed on May 16, 2022 and to Belgian Patent Application No. BE 2022/5372, filed on May 17, 2022. The International Application was published in German on Nov. 23, 2023 as WO/2023/222387 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

The present invention relates to a cooking device including, in particular, at least one furniture front element for integration in a furniture front. The cooking device is configured in particular as a steam cooking device and includes at least one main body including at least one top side, at least one cooking chamber, and at least one air outlet opening for discharging air and/or cooking vapors from the main body, the air outlet opening having at least one guiding device associated therewith, and the guiding device being displaceable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position. The present invention also relates to a built-in cooking appliance system and a household system.

The prior art has described a variety of different cooking devices, such as baking ovens, microwave appliances, and/or steam cooking devices which have a cooking chamber for cooking foods and/or foodstuffs and which, in particular, can be integrated into a furniture front, e.g., of a kitchen or a run of kitchen units and/or the like.

Known cooking devices often have an air outlet for discharging air and/or cooking vapors into the environment of the cooking device before, during and/or after the operation of the cooking device. Frequently, known cooking devices additionally have at least one air outlet geometry for controlling the flow of air or cooking vapors emerging from the air outlet opening, thereby, for example, protecting the environment of the cooking device from being soiled and/or damaged by emerging air and/or emerging cooking vapors. Such known cooking devices are substantially reliable in operation.

However, the disadvantage of such known cooking devices is that they often do not allow for a visually appealing design. For example, in the case of a cooking device suitable for integration into a furniture front, the front of the cooking device should be flat so as to give the cooking device and/or the furniture front an appearance that is often perceived as particularly appealing and aesthetic by users.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides a cooking device, comprising: at least one furniture front element configured to integrate into a furniture front: at least one main body including at least one top side: at least one cooking chamber: and at least one air outlet opening configured to discharge air and/or cooking vapors from the at least one main body, the at least one air outlet opening having at least one guiding device associated therewith, the guiding device being displaceable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, wherein the at least one air outlet opening is disposed at the at least one top side of the at least one main body, and wherein the at least one guiding device is configured to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the at least one air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly when in the open position.

In an embodiment, the present invention in an embodiment the present invention provides a cooking device that allows for a visually appealing design, especially when integrated into a furniture front, and preferably reliably controls a flow of air or cooking vapors emerging from the air outlet opening.

In an embodiment the invention provides a cooking device having the features described herein, a built-in cooking appliance system having the features described herein, and by a household system having the features described herein.

The inventive cooking device, in particular with at least one furniture front element for integration into a furniture front, is configured in particular as a steam cooking device and includes at least one main body including at least one top side, at least one cooking chamber, and at least one air outlet opening for discharging air and/or cooking vapors from the main body. The air outlet opening has at least one guiding device associated therewith, and the guiding device being displaceable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position. The air outlet opening is disposed at the top side of the main body, and the guiding device is suitable and configured to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly when in the open position.

Preferably, the guiding device is suitable and adapted to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly, in particular substantially in a direction perpendicular to the furniture front and/or out of the furniture front, when in the open position.

In this context, “forwardly” is understood to mean in particular toward a user standing in front of the cooking device and/or directed toward the user. Preferably, a front side of the main body faces a user. In a typical situation of use of the cooking device, a user is located in front of cooking device and faces in particular the front side.

The top side is in particular a surface and/or wall that bounds the main body upwardly. Preferably, the main body is at least partially bounded and/or provided by a housing device. In suitable embodiments, the top side is at least partially provided by a top wall or upper wall of the housing device.

In particular, the top side is provided by a water tank receptacle and/or a water tank. The guiding device may also be connected to the water tank receptacle and/or to the water tank. The guiding device is provided in particular by a flap device and/or a similarly suitable device.

In suitable embodiments, the guiding device is suitable and configured to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided forwardly in a controlled and/or directed manner when in the open position.

The cooking chamber is suitable and configured in particular for cooking foods or foodstuffs. Preferably, the cooking chamber is suitable and configured to receive a cooking vessel and/or a drip pan or the like. In advantageous embodiments, the main body has at least one opening for loading the cooking chamber.

Preferably, the cooking device has at least one door device for closing the opening.

Preferably, the opening and/or the door device is/are disposed and/or received at the top side of the main body.

In suitable embodiments, the main body includes at least one fan device. In particular, the fan device, the cooking chamber, and the air outlet opening are in operative connection and/or fluid communication or flow connection with each other.

In suitable embodiments, the main body includes an air outlet portion, which is associated in particular with the air outlet opening. Preferably, the air outlet portion includes at least one air mixing portion and/or provides a venturi nozzle element at least in a portion thereof. Depending on the function and configuration, the main body may include the venturi nozzle element as a separate unit.

In suitable embodiments, a normal of the outlet opening or a normal of a plane or area of the outlet opening is substantially perpendicular to the furniture front.

Preferably, the main body includes a guide duct system for guiding at least one fluid, such as air, cooking vapors, and/or a liquid.

In particularly advantageous embodiments, when the guiding device is in the open position, the angle between at least a portion of the guiding device and at least a portion of the top side, in particular a portion of the top side adjacent the air outlet opening, is in the range from 5° to 90°, preferably in the range from 5° to 70°, more preferably in the range from 5° to 45°, and especially preferably in the range from 30° to 45°. Depending on the function and configuration, in the open position, the angle between at least a portion of the guiding device and at least a portion of the top side may also be in a different range.

Preferably, when the guiding device is in the open position, the air outlet opening is substantially cleared, so that air and/or cooking vapors can exit or flow out of the air outlet opening.

In suitable embodiments, when the guiding device is in the closed position, the air outlet opening is at least partially and in particular completely covered or closed, so that air and/or cooking vapors cannot exit or flow out of the air outlet opening in an unhindered manner. Depending on the function and design, when in the closed position, the guiding device may cover and/or close the air outlet opening in such a way that air and/or cooking vapors substantially cannot exit or flow out of the air outlet opening.

The cooking device according to the invention has many advantages. One significant advantage is that the air outlet opening is disposed at the top side of the main body, and that the guiding device is suitable and configured to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly when in the open position.

Because the air outlet opening is disposed at the top side of the main body, a particularly appealing visual appearance can be achieved for a cooking device according to the invention. For example, the top side, and thus an air outlet opening disposed at the top side, are generally not visible to a user. In particular in the case of a cooking device for integration into a furniture front, the disposition of the outlet opening at the top side of the main body makes it possible to achieve a particularly appealing visual design for the furniture front. For example, an air outlet opening disposed at the top side allows for a flat or flush furniture front design, which is generally perceived as visually appealing.

Because the guiding device is suitable and configured to cause air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly when in the open position, soiling of and/or damage to the built-in furniture, building components, and/or the like disposed above the cooking device is/are reduced or ideally prevented, depending on the design. Especially in the case of a cooking device for integration into a furniture front or in the case of a cooking device that is integrated into a furniture front, a guiding device that allows air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly is particularly advantageous. Thus, the guiding device enables air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be transferred to an area in front of the furniture front in a satisfactory and preferably optimal manner.

Furthermore, the displaceability of the guiding device makes it possible for air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided forwardly by the guiding device when in the open position, and for the air outlet opening to be substantially covered and/or closed when the guiding device is in the closed position, so that ingress of dirt and/or dust into the air outlet opening can be largely prevented. This also makes it possible to prevent and/or avoid objects from falling into the air outlet opening and/or users from accidentally reaching into the air outlet opening.

Preferably, when in the closed position, the guiding device is substantially flush with at least a portion of the top side. Preferably, when in the closed position, the guiding device covers the air outlet opening to a substantial extent and in particular completely. In this context, “cover” is understood to mean in particular “conceal” and/or “close.”

This largely prevents ingress of dirt, dust, and/or objects into the air outlet opening. Furthermore, the substantially flush arrangement of guiding device in the closed position gives the cooking device, in particular a drawer-type cooking device, an even more appealing visual appearance.

Preferably, when in the closed position, the guiding device is substantially flush and/or even with at least a portion of the top side, in particular a portion of the top side adjacent the air outlet opening.

In suitable embodiments, when in the closed position, the guiding device is substantially disposed in the same plane as at least a portion of the top wall and/or top side, in particular a portion of the top wall and/or top side adjacent the air outlet opening.

In suitable embodiments, the guiding device is suitable and configured to cover and/or close the air outlet opening when in the closed position.

In advantageous embodiments, in the closed position, the angle between at least a portion of the guiding device and at least a portion of the top side, in particular a portion of the top side adjacent the air outlet opening, is in the range from −10° to +10°, from −5° to +5°, in particular 0°.

Particularly preferably, the air outlet opening is disposed on and/or in a front portion of the top side. This allows air and/or cooking vapors to be guided forwardly to an area in front of the cooking device in an even more advantageous, in particular more reliable manner.

The top side is provided in particular by a top wall or upper wall of a housing device.

A front portion of the top side is understood to be in particular the front half, preferably the front third, more preferably the front quarter, particularly preferably the front fifth of the top side of the main body. Depending on the function and configuration, the air outlet opening may also be disposed on the frontmost portion of the top side of the main body. It is also possible that the air outlet opening may be disposed on and/or in a different portion of the top side.

Preferably, the air outlet opening is disposed on a lateral, in particular front portion of the top side.

In advantageous embodiments, the guiding device is pivotably mounted at the top side.

In this context, “pivotably” is understood to mean in particular “foldably” and/or the like. Advantageously, the guiding device is pivotably mounted by means of a pivot on at least one portion of the top side and/or top wall.

In particular, the pivot is disposed at a rear portion of the air outlet opening or on a side opposite the front portion of the air outlet opening.

Preferably, when the guiding device is in the open position, a front portion thereof is spaced apart from the top side of the main body, so that preferably the guiding device causes air and/or cooking vapors flowing out of the air outlet opening to be guided substantially forwardly.

Particularly preferably, the guiding device is displaceable from the closed position to the open position by a pressure provided by the air and/or cooking vapors at the air outlet opening. Alternatively or additionally, depending on the design, provision may also be made for active opening of the guiding device, for example by means of a motor.

Preferably, the guiding device is suitable and configured to be displaced from the closed position to the open position by a pressure provided by the air and/or the cooking vapors at the air outlet opening. In particular, the guiding device is displaced from the closed position to the open position by a pressure provided by the air and/or the cooking vapors at the air outlet opening. In this context, “displaceable” is understood to mean in particular “pivotable” and/or “foldable.”

In suitable embodiments, the main body includes a biasing device, by means of which the guiding device can be displaced between the closed position and the open position.

Preferably, the biasing device is provided by a spring device and/or a similarly suitable device.

In advantageous embodiments, the guiding device is displaceable from the closed position to the open position by means of the biasing device and, in particular, is also displaced from the closed position to the open position by means of the biasing device. This allows the guiding device to be displaced in a particularly reliable manner.

Preferably, the guiding device is displaceable from the open position to the closed position by means of the biasing device.

Particularly preferably, the guiding device is displaceable from the open position to the closed position by means of its own weight.

In particular, the guiding device is displaceable by its own weight from the open position to the closed position when no pressure is exerted on the flap by outflowing air and/or outflowing cooking vapors.