WO2011080235A2

WO2011080235A2 - A cooking device comprising a knob

Info

Publication number: WO2011080235A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/070732
Authority: WO
Inventors: Metin Gozacar; Merih Tarimtoru; Onder Fesligil; Gulseren Karakayali
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2009-12-31
Filing date: 2010-12-24
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2012-06-30
Also published as: EP2519775A2; WO2011080235A3; ES2617919T3; EP2519775B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooking device (1) comprising a control panel (2) and a knob (4) having esthetic appearance, disposed on the control panel (2), having a body (3) moved by the user and a movement transmitter (5) providing the movement of the body (3) to be transmitted.

Description

A COOKING DEVICE COMPRISING A KNOB

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooking device comprising knobs

mounted on the control panel.

[0002] In cooking devices, particularly in cookers and ovens, knobs that provide the cooking temperature and time to be adjusted are disposed, and the knobs are mounted on the control panel. In cooking devices the control panel heats up due to operating of the heaters for a long time and this heat affects the knobs on the control panel. The temperature of the knobs should be below the temperature values determined by standards so that the user is not harmed. Therefore, the knobs are produced from plastic material having thermal insulation. However, the plastic material wears out due to the effect of heat from the control panel and hot oil spattering from the foods being cooked etc. and results in customer dissatisfaction.

[0003] In the state of the art Patent Application No. WO2009083364, the heat in the control panel is provided not to affect the knobs, rotation of the knobs is facilitated and dirt and oil particles are prevented from entering between the knobs and the control panel by preventing direct contact of the knob in a cooking device with the control panel.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooking device

comprising knobs mounted on the control panel that are not affected by heat.

[0005] The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present

invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises knobs disposed on the control panel providing the parameters like cooking temperature and the cooking time to be adjusted by the user. The knob comprises a plastic body and a movement transmitter providing the body to be mounted to the panel and to transmit the rotation or pushing movement to the control panel.

[0006] The knob furthermore comprises a sheath produced from metal material that is mounted onto the body. Thus, the user is not harmed by the heat when holding the knob from the sheath. The sheath protects the plastic body from the external factors since it is metal. The sheath being of metal furthermore gives the knob an esthetic appearance and hence satisfaction of the customer increases.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob comprises bracelet shaped protrusion on the surface of the body facing the control panel, which is wider than the side surfaces of the body. The protrusion prevents the heat of the control panel to be transferred to the sheath.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob comprises a housing disposed on the body ceiling and an extension on the surface of the sheath opposite the hole that extends towards the housing so that the sheath can be fixed on the body. The sheath is fixed onto the body by tightening the screw that is passed from the housing and the extension. Thus, when the user desires to turn the knob by holding the sheath, the sheath is prevented from dislodging from the body or from turning loosely on the body.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the knob comprises at least one claw disposed on the body in order to prevent the sheath from dislodging from the body. The knob furthermore comprises a flange on the inner surface of the sheath providing the sheath to be mounted onto the body by stretching the claw. When the sheath is mounted to the body, the claw holds the flange and prevents it from back dislodging.

[0010] In this embodiment of the present invention, the knob furthermore

comprises a pin mounted to the body and the sheath by being passed through the holes situated on the sheath and the body so that the sheath is prevented from turning on the body. When the user desires to turn the knob by holding from the sheath, the sheath moves the pin and the pin moves the body. Thus, the sheath is prevented from turning on the body.

[001 1] In an embodiment of the present invention, a head, narrower than the body of the pin, and a neck are disposed at the end of the pin. The pin is mounted to the sheath and the body upon passing behind the first hole by stretching the first hole and the neck remaining in the second hole, since the body of the pin is wider than the second hole, only the head and neck portions of the pin passes through the second hole.. The pin fixes the sheath and the body to one another since the head remains behind the hole of the body.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pin remaining outside the sheath is used as the knob pointer. The pin moving on the displays like the clock, the temperature etc. situated on the control panel shows the current situation as the user turns the knob.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pin is produced from the same metal material as the sheath. Thus, the pin mounted to the knob for securing the sheath to the body, appears as the pointer or a visual decoration of the sheath.

[0014] By means of the knob of the present invention, a knob is realized having a metal sheath that is seen by the user as more stylish and sturdy. The sheath is mounted onto the plastic body such that the protrusion, extension of the body, remains between the control panel and the sheath. Consequently, the heat of the control panel is prevented from heating the sheath that the user holds.

[0015] The cooking device realized in order to attain the aim of the present

invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0016] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooking device.

[0017] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a knob in an embodiment of the

present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 - is the exploded view of the knob in an embodiment of the

present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a knob in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 5 - is the top exploded view of the knob in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 - is the bottom exploded view of the knob in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooking device

2. Control panel

3. Body

4. Knob 5. Movement transmitter

6. Skirt

7. Sheath

8. Housing

9. Extension

10. Screw

1 1. Claw

12. Flange

13. First opening

14. Second opening

15. Pin

16. Head

17. Neck

[0023] The cooking device (1) comprises a control panel (2) and a knob (4)

disposed on the control panel (2), having a body (3) of plastic material and a movement transmitter (5) providing the movement of the body (3) to be transmitted to the control panel (2).

[0024] In cooking devices (1 ) gas or electric heaters are provided. The cooking temperature and time are adjusted by the knobs (4). The knobs (4) are mounted onto the control panel (2).

[0025] The knob (4) furthermore comprises a sheath (7) produced from metal material, mounted onto the body (3) so as cover the exterior of the body (3), that also moves the body (3) when moved by the user (Figure 2 and Figure 4).

[0026] In the cooking device (1 ), the control panel (2) heats up when the heaters are operated for a long time. The sheath (7), preferred to be metal for visual concerns, is mounted onto the plastic body (3), having thermal insulation properties so that this heat does not also heat the knobs (4) on the control panel (2) and harm the user. Thus, the sheath (7) produced from metal material having fast heating feature is not affected by the heat of the control panel (2) by means of the plastic body (3) whereon the sheath (7) is mounted. Consequently, the glossy metallic looking knob (4), preferred visually by the user, is realized to be with heatproof properties by means of the metal sheath (7) and the plastic body (3).

[0027] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) comprises a skirt (6) on the portion thereof facing the control panel (2). The skirt (6) functions as barrier between the sheath (7) and the control panel (2), preventing transfer of heat from the control panel (2) to the sheath (7).

[0028] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) comprises at least one housing (8) disposed on the body (3), an extension (9) extending from the sheath (7) towards the inside of the housing (8) and at least one screw (10) providing the sheath (7) to be secured to the body (3) by being passed from the housing (8) and installed to the extension (9) (Figure 3). After the sheath (7) is covered on to the body (3), the extension (9) on the inner surface thereof is aligned with the housing (8) and the extension (9) and the housing (8) are secured to one another with the screw (10).

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) comprises at least one claw (1 1 ) disposed between the side wall of the body (3) and the skirt (6) and a flange (12) situated at the lower edge of the sheath (7), whereto the claw (1 1 ) is fitted providing the sheath (7) to be secured to the body (3) (Figures 4, 5 and 6). While the sheath (7) is mounted onto the body (3), the flange (12) is mounted by stretching the claw (1 1). After the flange (12) is mounted to the claw (1 1), the claw (1 1 ) resumes the prior position again and provides the sheath (7) to be snap-fitted on the body (3). Thus, the sheath (7) is mounted onto the body (3) without requiring to use the screw (10).

[0030] In this embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) furthermore

comprises a first opening (13) situated on the side wall of the body (3), a second opening (14) disposed on the side wall of the sheath (7) and aligned with the first opening (13) and a pin (15) mounted by first being passed through the second opening (14) then the first opening (13), providing the sheath (7) to remain stable on the body (3) without turning (Figures 4, 5 and 6). The pin (15) remains on the sheath (7) and the body (3) by passing through both openings (14 and 15). Thus, when the user desires to turn the knob (4) by holding from the sheath (7), the sheath (7) applies pressure on the pin (15) and the pin (15) applies pressure on the body (3). Consequently, the sheath (7) is prevented from rotating on the body (3), and is provided to turn the pin (15) together with the body (3).

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pin (15) comprises a head (16) and a neck (17) disposed at one end (Figure 5 and Figure 6). The thickness of the head (16) is slightly narrower than the second opening (14) and slightly wider than the first opening (13). Since the body (3) is of plastic material, the head (16) is mounted by stretching the first opening

(13) . The neck (17) is seated in the second opening (14) and the first opening (13). The body of the pin (15) is wider than the second opening

(14) and projects out from the sheath (7) by covering the second opening

(14) entirely. Thus, the pin (15) is mounted to the knob (4) by being passed the head (16) through the second opening (14) and the first opening (13).

[0032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) comprises a pin

(15) that is used as the pointer. The portion of the pin (15) projecting from the sheath (7) provides the pin (15) to be used as the knob (4) pointer. The pin (15) shows the signs on the control panel (2), as the knob (4) are turned, for example indicating whether the heater is on or off, the temperature degrees or the time.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob (4) comprises a pin (15) produced from the same metal material as the sheath (7).

Accordingly, the pin (15) and the sheath (7) look like a single piece.

[0034] By means of the present invention, the knob (4) is realized that has the sheath (7) with the outer surface being of metal material wherefrom the user holds and the body (3) with the portion contacting the control panel (2) being of insulative plastic material. The plastic body (3) insulates the heat of the control panel (2). The sheath (7) mounted onto the body (3) with the screw (10) or the claw (1 1 ) not only protects the body (3) from external factors but also increases customer satisfaction by giving an esthetic and sturdy appearance to the knob (4), since the sheath (7) is made of metal.

[0035] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the

embodiments disclosed above and a person skilled in the art can easily introduce different embodiments. These different embodiments should also be considered within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cooking device (1 ) comprising a control panel (2) and a knob (4) disposed on the control panel (2), having a body (3) of plastic material and a movement transmitter (5) providing the movement of the body (3) to be transmitted to the control panel (2), characterized by the knob (4) having the body (3) produced from plastic material and a metal sheath (7) that is mounted onto the body (3) so as cover the ceiling and side surfaces of the body (3) and that also moves the body (3) when moved by the user.

2. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 1 , characterized by the body (3) having a protrusion shaped skirt (6) on the portion thereof facing the control panel (2).

3. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by the knob (4) having at least one housing (8) disposed on the body (3), an extension (9) extending from the sheath (7) towards the inside of the housing (8) and at least one screw (10) providing the sheath (7) to be fixed to the body (3) by being passed from the housing (8) and mounted to the extension (9).

4. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 1 and 2, characterized by the knob (4) having at least one claw (1 1 ) disposed therein between the side wall of the body (3) and the skirt (6) and a flange (12) situated at the lower edge of the sheath (7), providing the sheath (7) to be fixed to the body (3) by the claw (1 1 ) being fitted thereon.

5. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 4, characterized by the knob (4) having a first opening (13) situated on the side wall of the body (3), a second opening (14) disposed on the side wall of the sheath (7) and aligned with the first opening (13) and a pin (15) mounted to the body (3) and the sheath (7) by first being passed through the second opening (14) then the first opening (13), providing the sheath (7) to remain stable on the body (3) without turning.

6. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 5, characterized by the pin (15) having a head (16) and a neck (17) disposed at one end thereof.

7. A cooking device (1 ) as in Claim 5 and 6, characterized by the pin (15) that is used as the display.