EP4007870B1

EP4007870B1 - Vertical hood

Info

Publication number: EP4007870B1
Application number: EP20754372.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Luca SABATINI
Original assignee: Elica SpA
Current assignee: Elica SpA
Priority date: 2019-08-01
Filing date: 2020-07-24
Publication date: 2025-04-16
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-24
Also published as: WO2021019397A1; PL4007870T3; ES3035682T3; IT201900013698A1; CN114375360A; EP4007870A1; EP4007870C0

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vertical hood for extracting fumes, having an openable covering panel, as defined in the preamble of claim 1. This hood is useful for use in kitchens of domestic environments, restaurants and more.

Background art

A vertical hood for extracting cooking fumes is known in the art. The term "vertical hood" is intended to designate a hood having a box-like housing with a rear wall designed to be attached to a wall and having a fume-extraction opening located opposite to the rear wall, i.e. at the front.
The hood comprises a covering panel located outside the box-like housing, between the box-like housing and the environment in front of the hood. In particular, the panel is joined to the box-like housing via a hinge, which is connected to the box-like housing and the panel at an upper end thereof.
In operation, the panel is placed before the box-like housing, to at least partially cover the opening. In order to access the box-like housing, e.g. for cleaning, the panel may be rotated relative to the end of the box-like housing on which it is hinged to be moved to an open configuration.
In order to support the panel and lock it in the open configuration, the hood comprises two self-locking pistons laterally arranged between the panel and the box-like housing. When the panel is moved to the open configuration, the pistons get locked.
In order to close the panel, the latter must be slightly lifted to releases the pistons. Then, the panel may be rotated to the working position.
EP 2927605 A1 and CN107763703 A disclose a hood with an openable panel, in which a hinge mechanism allows the piston to be locked in the open position.
US 6 622 345 B2 discloses a box-like housing of a household appliance having one openable side. The document discloses a hinge mechanism located at one side that allows rotation of the door associated with that side. When the door is opened, an engagement portion, connected to the door, engages with the box-like housing, allowing the door to be locked in the open position.

Problem of the prior art

One drawback of the prior art is that the pistons increase the hood manufacturing costs and times. In addition, during installation of the hood, the presence of pistons adds an extra step to the assembly stage, thereby increasing installation times.
One additional drawback is that, if the panel has to be removed, the self-locking pistons must be disconnected, which would add complexity to the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the technical purpose of the present invention is to provide a hood for extracting cooking fumes that can obviate the above mentioned prior art drawbacks.
In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide a hood for extracting cooking fumes that affords quicker installation.
A further object of the present invention is to simplify the panel moving mechanism and facilitate panel removal from the box-like housing.
A further object of the present invention is to reduce the hood manufacturing costs.
The aforementioned technical purpose and objects are substantially fulfilled by a cooking fume extractor hood that comprises the technical features as disclosed in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Advantages of the Invention

In particular, the hood obviates the technical problem as it comprises a hinge comprising a stationary element and a movable element. The movable element is attached to the panel, whereas the stationary element is joined to the box-like housing. The movable element is configured to rotate relative to the stationary element when the covering panel switches from the closed configuration to the open configuration. The movable element is also configured to slide relative to the stationary element, thereby causing the panel to slide relative to the box-like housing. The sliding movement of the panel allows it to be locked or unlocked when it is in the open configuration.
Therefore, pistons are not required.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention will result more clearly from the illustrative, non-limiting description of a preferred, non-exclusive embodiment of a cooking fume extractor hood as shown in the annexed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a hood for extracting fumes according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the hood of Figure 1;
Figures 3, 4 and 5 show a side view of the hood of Figures 1 and 2 in respective operating configurations;
Figures 3a, 4a and 5a show respective details of the side views of Figures 2, 3 and 4;
Figure 6 show an exploded perspective view of a detail of the hood of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 7 shows a side view of a second embodiment of a hood for extracting fumes according to the present invention;
Figure 7a shows a detail of the side view of Figure 7,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures, numeral 1 designates a cooking fume extractor hood of the present invention.
The hood 1 comprises a box-like housing 2, which is designed to be mounted to a wall 21. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, not shown, the box-like housing 2 of the hood 1 can be entirely or partially embedded in the wall 21 or a ceiling. Reference will be made hereinbelow to mounting to a vertical wall 21, without prejudice to the general scope of the invention.
The box-like housing 2 has a front side 3a. This front side 3a is the side that, with the hood 1 installed, is opposite to the wall 21 on which the hood 1 is mounted and/or embedded.
The box-like housing 2 also has a rear side 3b, directly facing the wall 21 and opposite to the front side 3a. The box-like housing 2 also has an upper side 3c, facing the ceiling, and a lower side 3d, facing a hob. Optionally, the lower side 3d comprises lighting means 31.
More in detail, the box-like housing 2 has an opening 4 through which cooking fumes are channeled. The opening 4 is located on the front side 3a of the box-like housing 2.
The hood 1 comprises suction means (not shown in the accompanying figures) located inside the box-like housing 2 to draw in the cooking fumes through the opening 4. A filter 22 located at the opening 4, separates the box-like housing 2 from the environment in front of the hood 1. According to a preferred embodiment, the opening 4 is inclined downwards toward the cooking fumes.
The operating mechanism of the suction means and the internal structure of the hood 1 are known to the skilled person and will not be further described herein.
According to the present invention, the hood 1 comprises a panel 5 connected to the box-like housing 2 and namely arranged outside it. This panel 5 can face the opening 4 to cover it. The panel may be translucent or opaque. For example, the panel may be made of glass and/or a polymeric material and/or metal.
It should be noted that in certain cases it is useful to displace the panel 5 from the opening 4, for example to clean the inside of the box-like housing 2 or to clean/replace the filter 22. Accordingly, the panel 5 is configured to switch between a closed configuration in which it is placed adjacent to the opening 4, and an open configuration in which the interior of the box-like housing 2 is accessible through the opening 4.
More in detail, the hood 1 comprises at least one hinge 6. The hinge 6 is connected to the panel 5 and to the box-like housing 2. In particular, the hinge 6 is configured to allow the panel 5 to rotate relative to the box-like housing 2, thereby switching the panel between the closed configuration and the open configuration.
According to the embodiment as shown in Figures 1 to 6, the hinge 6 is interposed between the upper side 3c and the front side 3a, at an upper portion of the front side 3a and a front portion of the upper side 3c. In other words, in this embodiment, the hinge 6 is placed adjacent to the junction between the upper side 3c and the front side 3a.
According to a second alternative embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 and 7a, the hinge 6 is arranged at the front side 3a, spaced apart from the upper side 3c.
Particularly referring to Figure 6, the hinge 6 comprises a stationary element 7 joined to the box-like housing 2, and a movable element 8 attached to the panel 5.
According to a preferred embodiment, the movable element 8 has an axis of rotation "R". In operation, the axis of rotation "R" is parallel to the upper side 3c. Therefore, the movable element 8 is able to rotate about the axis of rotation "R" to switch the panel 5 from the closed configuration to the open configuration.
Once access is allowed to the interior of the box-like housing 2 by rotating the panel 5, the panel will be usefully locked in the open configuration to be prevented from rotating back to the closed configuration under its own weight. Reference will be made hereinafter to a locked configuration of the panel 5, in which the latter is open but unable to rotate, and an unlocked configuration, in which the panel 5 is open and free to rotate. Therefore, the panel 5 is also configured to switch from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration by sliding relative to the box-like housing 2.
More in detail, when the panel 5 is in the open configuration, the movable element 8 is configured to slide relative to the stationary element 7 to switch the panel 5 into the locked configuration. The movable element 8 and the panel 5 are configured to slide in a direction "S" substantially parallel to the upper side 3b.
The movable element 8 is configured to slide along a first predetermined length, for example toward the wall 21, to switch the panel 5 from the unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. When the panel 5 is in the locked configuration, it can be switched back to the unlocked configuration by sliding the movable element 8 in the opposite direction, i.e. away from the wall 21, along the same first predetermined length. By this arrangement, the panel 5 can be switched from the open configuration to the closed configuration.
According to the invention, the movable element 8 comprises a guide 9. The stationary element 7 comprises a pin 10 placed within the guide 9, and a support 11 attached to the box-like housing 2. The pin 10 extends away from the support 11 and has one end 12 distal from such support 11. The pin 10 also comprises a head 13, placed at the end 12 of the pin 10 and configured to keep the pin 10 within the guide 9.
The pin 10 further comprises a body 14, placed between the support 11 and the head 13. In particular, the pin 10 is placed within the guide 9 with the body 14. According to a preferred embodiment, the body 14 of the pin 10 has a prismatic shape with a rectangular base defined by a longer side 31 and a shorter side 32.
More in detail, the guide 9 is adapted to rotate relative to the pin 10 to switch the panel 5 between the closed configuration and the open configuration. Furthermore, such guide 9 can slide relative to the pin 10 to lock or unlock the rotation of the panel 5 when the panel 5 is in the open configuration.
According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 9 is defined by a through groove 15, inside which the body 14 of the pin 10 is arranged. Preferably, the guide 9 has a straight main direction of extension "J". The guide 9 slides relative to the pin 10 in this direction "J".
It shall be noted that in an unclaimed alternative embodiment, not shown, the positions of the guide 9 and of the pin 10 may be exchanged. In other words, the guide 9 may be placed on the stationary element 7 and the pin 10 can be formed on the movable element 8.
According to the invention, the guide 9 comprises a rotating section 16. The pin 10 is configured to engage the rotating section 16 to cause the panel 5 to reversibly rotate from the closed configuration to the open configuration, in particular to the unlocked configuration. In other words, the guide 9 can rotate relative to the pin 10 when the pin 10 engages the rotating section 16. It should be noted that, when the panel 5 rotates, the aforementioned axis of rotation "R" extends through the pin 10.
In order to allow the panel 5 to slide, the guide 9 also comprises a locking section 17, opposite to the rotating section 16 and separated therefrom by the first predetermined length. When the panel 5 is in the unlocked configuration, the guide 9 is arranged to slide with respect to the pin 10 to cause it to move from the rotating section 16 to the locking section 17. When the pin 10 engages the locking section 17, the panel 5 is in the locked configuration.
According to a preferred embodiment, the rotating section 16 and the locking section 17 are each positioned on a respective end 19a, 19b of the guide 9.
Preferably, the rotating section 16 has a circular shape with a radius equal to the maximum width of the body 14 of the pin 10 to allow the guide 9 to rotate around it. Preferably, the rotating section 16 has a dimension at least equal to the longer side 31.
The locking section 17 has a shape that matches the shape of the body 14 of the pin 10 to prevent undesired rotation of the guide 9 relative thereto. According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 9 slides along the longer side 31 of the body 14, and the body 14 abuts the locking section 17 with its shorter side 32. Preferably, the locking section 17 has a dimension equal to the shorter side 32 of the body 14 of the pin 10.
According to a preferred embodiment, the panel 5 can be disconnected from the box-like housing 2. According to this embodiment, the guide 9 further comprises a releasing section 18. Preferably, the releasing section 18 is placed in an intermediate position between the locking section 17 and the rotating section 16. It should be noted that the guide 9 is designed to slide relative to the pin 10 from the rotating section 16 and/or from the locking section 17 to the releasing section 18.
When the pin 10 engages the releasing section 18, the panel 5 can be disconnected from the box-like housing 2. More in detail, the panel 2 is configured to translate in a direction "T" parallel to the axis of rotation "R" when the pin 10 engages the releasing section 18 to be able to be disconnected from the box-like housing 2.
To be removed from the guide 9 the head 13 of the pin 10 must be able to pass through the guide 9. In particular, the releasing section 18 has a shape that matches the shape of the head 13 of the pin 10.
As shown in particular in Figure 6, the hood 1 comprises a pair of hinges 6. According to this embodiment, the respective pins 10 of each hinge 6 extend on the same side as their respective support 11, to allow the panel 5 to translate in the direction "T" to disconnect the panel 5.

Claims

A hood (1) for extracting cooking fumes comprising:
- a box-like housing (2) having a front side (3a) with an opening (4) formed therein for extracting cooking fumes;

- suction means placed in said box-like housing (2) for channeling the cooking fumes through said opening (4);

- a covering panel (5) placed outside said box-like housing (2) and designed to face said opening (4);

- at least one hinge (6), connected to said box-like housing (2) and to said panel (5) to allow a pivotal movement of said panel (5) relative to said box-like housing (2), said panel (5) being configured to switch between a closed configuration, in which it is placed adjacent to said opening (4), and an open configuration in which the interior of said box-like housing (2) can be accessed through via said opening (4); said hinge (6) comprising a stationary element (7) joined to the box-like housing (2), and a movable element (8) attached to said panel (5), said movable element (8) being adapted to rotate about an axis of rotation ("R") to switch said panel (5) from the closed configuration to the open configuration;

said movable element (8) being configured to slide relative to the stationary element (7) to lock the pivotal movement of the panel (5) in the open configuration.

characterized in that
- said movable element (8) comprises a guide (9) comprising a rotating section (16) and a locking section (17), opposite to the rotating section (16) and separated therefrom by the first predetermined length;

- said stationary element (7) comprising a pin (10) placed within said guide (9), said guide (9) being adapted to pivot relative to said pin (10) engaging the rotating section (16) to reversibly switch the panel (5) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, said guide (9) being also adapted to slide relative to said pin (10) moving from the rotating section (16) to the locking section (17) and vice versa to lock or unlock the pivotal movement of the panel (5) when said pin (10) respectively engages or disengages the locking section (17) when said panel (5) is in the open configuration, said stationary element (7) comprising a support (11) attached to the box-like housing (2), said pin (10) extending away from the support (11) and having one end (12) distal from said support (11), said pin (10) comprising a body (14), said locking section (17) having a shape that matches the shape of the body (14) to prevent undesired rotation of the guide (9) relative thereto when the pin (10) engages the locking section (17).
A hood (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said pin (10) comprises a head (13) at said end (12), which is configured to hold the pin (10) within the guide (9), the body (14) being arranged between the support (11) and the head (13).
A hood (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said guide (9) comprises a releasing section (18) and said pin (10) can be pulled out of said guide (9) to disconnect said panel (5) from the box-like housing (2) when the pin (10) engages the releasing section (18).
A hood (1) as claimed in any of claims 2 or 3, wherein the rotating section (16) and the locking section (17) are each located at one respective end (19a, 19b) of the guide (9), said pin (10) being configured to engage the rotating section (16) to reversibly switch the panel (5) from the closed configuration to the open configuration, and being configured to move from the rotating section (16) to the locking section (17) when said panel (5) is in the open configuration.
A hood (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein, said pin (10) being configured to move from the rotating section (16) and/or the locking section (17) to the releasing section (18), said panel (5) being able to be disconnected from the box-like housing (2) when the pin (10) engages the releasing section (18).
A hood (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein said panel (5) is configured to translate in a direction ("T") parallel to the axis of rotation ("R") when the pin (10) engages the releasing section (18) to be able to be disconnected from the box-like housing (2).
A hood (1) as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said releasing section (18) is placed in an intermediate position between the locking section (17) and the rotating section (16).
A hood (1) as claimed in any of claims 5 to 7, wherein said releasing section (18) has a shape that matches the shape of the head (13) of the pin (10).
A hood (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising a pair of hinges (6), their respective pins (10) extending from the same side of their respective support (11), to allow the panel (5) to translate in said direction ("T").
A hood (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said rotating section (16) is circular and its radius is equal to the maximum width of the body (14) of pin (10).