OVEN DOOR FOR A COOKING OVEN

Abstract

A, preferably dismountable, oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass panel, wherein the glass panel comprises a first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges, the glass panel is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively, the glass panel is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surface and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges, the door frame or at least one door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel, so that the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass panel.

Claims

1. An oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass pane, wherein: the glass panel comprises a first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges, the glass panel is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively, the glass panel is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surface and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges, the door frame or at least one said door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel so that the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass panel, wherein the glass panel is trapezoid shaped having an upper edge extending parallel to a lower edge thereof, wherein at least one of a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge of the glass panel is slanted and forms a mechanical element effecting an unsymmetrical form of said glass panel, and wherein a counterpart of said slanted lateral edge in said door frame and/or pair of door columns comprises a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column.

2. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein said physical or chemical property of the first and second large-area surfaces of the glass panel is invisible and/or the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel.

3. The oven door, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a first axis extending within a plane of said glass panel, the glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a second axis extending within the plane of said glass panel and perpendicular to the first axis, an intersection of the first axis and the second axis is arranged in a centre of the glass panel, and at least one of the first axis and the second axis extends parallel to at least one said edge of the glass panel.

4. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the door frame or at least one door column, respectively, includes at least one counterpart of the mechanical element, and the counterpart of the door frame or door column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to the mechanical element of the glass panel, so that the counterpart is engageable or compatible with the mechanical element of said glass panel wherein the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass panel.

5. The oven door according to claim 4, wherein the counterpart of the mechanical element and the door frame or door column, respectively, form a single-piece part, or the counterpart of the mechanical element is detachably fixable or fixed at the door frame or door column, respectively.

6. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element further comprising a cut-out in the glass panel, while the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises a plug, an appendix, a prolongation, a screw and/or a snap in hook.

7. The oven door according to claim 6, wherein the counterpart of the mechanical element includes a cross-section complementary to that of said cut-out.

8. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element further comprising a recess at an edge of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for receiving a said edge of the glass panel when the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

9. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element further comprising a chamfer arranged between two adjacent ones of said edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises an interruption of the groove of the door frame, wherein said groove encloses at least partially the glass panel when the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

10. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element further comprising a curvature arranged between two adjacent ones of said edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises a bent portion or an interruption in the groove of the door frame, wherein the bent portion encloses at least partially the curvature or the interruption supports the curvature when the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.

11. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element further comprising at least one clip element arranged in an outer portion of the glass panel, wherein the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises a recess formed in the door frame or door column.

12. (canceled)

13. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the door columns are attached at an outer door panel.

14. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the glass panel is single-sided or double-sided coated by a layer, wherein at least one said layer is provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from at least one said surface of the glass panel.

15. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the first large-area surface of the glass panel comprises a first coating and the second large-area surface of the glass panel comprises no coating or comprises a second coating differing from said first coating, wherein said first coating and/or said second coating is invisible to a user of the oven.

16. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein at least two different markings are applied on both large-area surfaces of the glass panel and on the door frame or door columns, wherein the marking on the glass panel matches the corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns if an orientation of the glass panel in the door frame or at the door columns is correct.

17. A cooking oven comprising the oven door according to claim 1, the cooking oven being adapted to carry out a pyrolytic cleaning process.

18. An oven door comprising a glass panel having first and second opposing large-area surfaces, at least one invisible thermal coating deposited on at least one of said first and second opposing large surfaces, and a door frame, said door frame comprising receiving means adapted and dimensioned to reversibly and complementarily receive and accommodate said glass panel in an assembled state of said oven door, said glass panel being unsymetrical with respect to both first and second imaginary, perpendicular axes extending in a plane of said glass panel, said receiving means of said door comprising counterpart unsymmetry that is complementary to the unsymmetry of said glass panel such that said glass panel can be properly received and seated by said receiving means only in a single orientation upon assembly therewith, said at least one thermal coating being adapted to insulate a cooking cavity of an oven to prevent or inhibit thermal energy from escaping through said door during a pyrolitic cleaning process thereof, wherein improper orientation of said at least one thermal coating would inhibit or destroy the effectiveness therefor of said at least thermal coating.

19. The oven door according to claim 18, said receiving means comprising a pair of opposing door columns of said oven door that complement adjacent, respectively opposing lateral edges of said glass panel when said glass panel is received and seated by said door columns in the assembled state of said door.

20. The oven door according to claim 18, said glass panel being shaped as an unsymmetric trapezoid having parallel upper and lower edges, and non-parallel left and right lateral edges, at least one said lateral edge extending between and forming non-right angles with the upper and lower edges.

Description

[0046] The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawing, in which

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention,

[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and

[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain a chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel 10 of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] The glass panel 10 includes an upper edge 12, a lower edge 14, a left lateral edge 16 and a right lateral edge 18. In this example, the upper edge 12 extends parallel to the lower edge 14, while the left lateral edge 16 extends parallel to the right lateral edge 18. Thus, the glass panel 10 is rectangular.

[0058] The terms upper, lower, left and right relate to the situation, in which the oven door is assembled and in a closed state, wherein the viewer is in front of the cooking oven.

[0059] A first axis 20 extends within the plane of the glass panel 10 and parallel to the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14, wherein said first axis 20 is equidistant to the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14. A second axis 22 extends within the plane of the glass panel 10 and perpendicular to the first axis 20, wherein said second axis 22 is arranged in the centre between the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. In this example, the second axis 22 is equidistant to the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18.

[0060] The glass panel 10 includes a cut-out 24. Said cut-out 24 is formed close to a corner of said glass panel 10. In this example, the cut-out 24 is formed close to a lower left corner of the glass panel 10. In general, the cut-out 24 is formed in border area of the glass panel 10. Usually, said border area is covered by a door frame, a door column and/or a cover element of the oven door. In this example, the cut-out 24 is rectangular. In general, the cut-out 24 may have an arbitrary shape.

[0061] The glass panel 10 is insertable into the door frame or mountable at a pair of the door columns. The door frame or the door column includes a counterpart of the cut-out 24 of the glass panel 10. Said counterpart is insertable into the cut-out 24. The counterpart of the cut-out 24 is at least partially formed complementary to said cut-out. The counterpart may be a fixing element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame or door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, an appendix, a prolongation, a screw or a snapin hook.

[0062] The cut-out 24 and its position cause that the glass panel 10 is unsymmetrical in view of the first axis 20 and additionally in view of the second axis 26.

[0063] The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the counterpart of said cut-out 24, wherein said counterpart belongs to the door frame or door column, allow that the glass panel 10 can be inserted into the door frame or mounted at the door column in the correct and predetermined orientation only. It is not possible that the glass panel 10 could be inverted, when the glass panel 10 is inserted into the door frame or mounted at the door column.

[0064] In particular, one or both large-area surfaces of the glass panel 10 are coated. The coatings are provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface, so that the thermal energy remains in the oven cavity and the temperature in front of the cooking oven and the energy consumption of said cooking oven are reduced. The coating for reflecting heat radiation has to be arranged towards the oven cavity, i.e. at the rear side of the glass panel 10 in FIG. 1. In contrast, the coating for reducing emissions of heat from the surface has to be arranged opposite to the oven cavity, i.e. at the front side of the glass panel 10 in FIG. 1. The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the counterpart of said cut-out 24 guarantee that the coatings of the glass panel 10 are always arranged at the correct sides.

[0065] Further, the glass panel 10 may include a clip element instead of the cut-out 24, wherein the counterpart of said clip element is a recess formed in the door frame or door column. The clip element may be glued onto the glass panel 10.

[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The glass panel 10 of the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the second embodiment includes a long hole 26 instead of the cut-out 24. Further, the door frame or the door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the long hole 26.

[0068] The counterpart of the long hole 26 is at least partially formed complementary to said long hole 26. The counterpart may be a fixing element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame or door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, one or more screws, an appendix, a prolongation or a snapin hook.

[0069] The long hole 26 in the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the counterpart of the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, allow exclusively the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment is similar to those of the embodiments mentioned above. However, the glass panel 10 of the third embodiment includes a recess 28 instead of the cut-out 24 or long hole 26, respectively. Moreover, the door frame or the door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the recess 28.

[0072] The counterpart of the recess 28 is at least partially formed complementary to said recess 28. For example, the counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for receiving the lower edge 14 of the glass panel 10.

[0073] Also the recess 28 in the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Moreover, the counterpart of the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment includes a chamfer 30 between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 of the glass panel 10. Thus, the chamfer 30 is arranged at the right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The corresponding door frame or door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the chamfer 30.

[0076] The counterpart of the chamfer 30 is at least partially formed complementary to said chamfer 30. For example, the counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is provided for enclosing the glass panel 10, when the glass panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.

[0077] The chamfer 30 at the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the chamfer 30 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns, respectively, guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The glass panel 10 of the fifth embodiment is similar to that of the fourth embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the fifth embodiment includes a curvature 32 instead of the chamfer 30. The curvature 32 is arranged between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 of the glass panel 10. Thus, the curvature 32 is arranged at the right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The corresponding door frame or door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the curvature 32.

[0080] The counterpart of the curvature 32 is at least partially formed complementary to said curvature 32. For example, the counterpart may be a bent portion in the groove of the door frame, wherein said bent portion encloses the curvature 32, when the glass panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.

[0081] Also the curvature 32 at the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the curvature 32 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns, respectively, guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0082] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The glass panel 10 of the sixth embodiment is trapezoid. The glass panel 10 includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14 are arranged parallel to each other. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the upper edge 12 and to the lower edge 14. However, an acute angle is formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18, while an obtuse angle is formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18.

[0084] The counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column of a pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0085] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18, i.e. the slanting frame part of the door frame or the slanting door column of the pair of door columns, destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting right lateral edge 18 and the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] The glass panel 10 of the seventh embodiment includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the lower edge 14, while the upper edge 12 and the left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18. In contrast, acute angles are formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and the upper edge 12 on the other hand.

[0088] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the slanting upper edge 12 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts of the slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Further, the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0089] Also the counterparts of the slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 as well as the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0090] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel 10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The glass panel 10 of the eighth embodiment includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the upper edge 12, while the lower edge 14 and the left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18. Further, acute angles are formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and the lower edge 14 on the other hand.

[0092] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the slanting lower edge 14 destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts of the slanting lower edge 14 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Alternatively, the counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for example.

[0093] The counterparts of the slanting lower edge 14 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy also the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting lower edge 14, the slanting right lateral edge 18 and the corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0094] According to the present invention the glass panel 10 is unsymmetrical in view of the first axis and second axis. Also the corresponding door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, is unsymmetrical, so that an incorrect orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns is impossible. Thus, the system of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of door columns is a so-called poka yoke construction. A marginal element destroying the symmetry of the glass panel 10 and the corresponding counterpart at the door frame or the door columns are sufficient in order to obtain said poka yoke construction, so that the incorrect orientation of the glass panel 10 is avoided.

[0095] Additionally, two different markings may be applied on both large-area surfaces of the glass panel 10. Said markings may be symbols, texture, a pattern, arrows and/or numbers. The markings may be printed or applied by a laser onto the surfaces of the glass panel 10. The same markings may be also applied on the door frame or door columns. If the orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns is correct, then the marking on the glass panel 10 matches the corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns. This is an additional option in order to ensure the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door columns.

[0096] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain the chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a pair of human hands 34 and 36. The human hands 34 and 36 have chiral geometric shapes. The left hand 34 cannot be mapped to the right hand 36 by rotations and translations alone and vice versa. In other words, each human hand 34 and 36 cannot be mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. The human hands 34 and 36 are the most famous example for chiral objects.

[0097] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0098] 10 glass panel [0099] 12 upper edge [0100] 14 lower edge [0101] 16 left lateral edge [0102] 18 right lateral edge [0103] 20 first axis [0104] 22 second axis [0105] 24 cut-out [0106] 26 long hole [0107] 28 recess [0108] 30 chamfer [0109] 32 curvature [0110] 34 left hand [0111] 36 right hand