INTEGRATED COOKTOP ASSEMBLY

• US 20140116416A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Transform Sr Brands, LLC (ESL Investments, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sears Brands LLC (Sears Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Saubert, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,206,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 126/39.E
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/005 Coatings for ovens
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/107 Pan supports or grates therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/008 Ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/08 Arrangement or mounting of burners
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/082 on stoves
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 3/085 on ranges
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49348 Burner, torch or metallurgical lance making

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed regarding a gas range and an integrated cooktop assembly. The integrated cooktop assembly may be formed as a single, continuous surface. Some embodiments of the cooktop assembly may include a bowl portion, a burner portion, a grate portion, and a cooktop portion.

Claims

1. A cooktop assembly, comprising:

a single, continuous surface comprising a bowl portion, a burner portion, and a grate portion;

wherein the burner portion extends upward from a bottom surface of the bowl portion and includes a plurality of vents to deliver a gas flame; and

wherein the grate comprises a plurality of stand portions configured to support a bottom surface of a cooking utensil placed upon the grate.

2. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein the single, continuous surface comprises a single, metal sheet formed to comprise the bowl portion, the burner portion, and the grate portion.

3. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein the single, continuous surface comprises a single die cast piece molded to comprise the bowl portion, the burner portion, and the grate portion.

4. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein the single, continuous surface is covered with a coating.

5. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein:

the burner portion further includes an igniter opening configured to receive an igniter; and

the igniter opening and vents are positioned above a bottom surface of the bowl portion.

6. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the bottom surface of the bowl portion slopes away from the burner portion.

7. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, wherein the burner portion is further configured to aid the plurality of stand portions in supporting the bottom surface of the cooking utensil when placed upon the grate.

8. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed.

9. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed; and

wherein at least one stand portion extends radially from the bowl portion into the cooktop portion.

10. The cooktop assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed; and

wherein at least one stand portion extends axially about the burner portion.

11. An gas range, comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of compartments;

a plurality of cooktop assemblies, each cooktop assembly comprising a single, continuous surface comprising a bowl portion, a burner portion, and a grate portion, wherein the burner portion extends upward from a bottom surface of the bowl portion and includes a plurality of vents to deliver a gas flame, and wherein the grate comprises a plurality of stand portions configured to support a bottom surface of a cooking utensil placed upon the grate; and

wherein each compartment is configured to receive a respective cooktop assembly of the plurality of cooktop assemblies and position the receive cooktop assembly such that the burner of the received cooktop assembly is properly aligned with a respective gas manifold assembly.

12. The gas range of claim 11, wherein:

the burner portion of each cooktop assembly further includes an igniter opening configured to receive an igniter of a respective gas manifold assembly; and

each compartment is further configured to align the igniter of the respective gas manifold assembly with the igniter opening of the received cooktop assembly.

13. The gas range of claim 11, wherein the burner portion of each cooktop assembly is further configured to aid the plurality of stand portions in supporting the bottom surface of the cooking utensil when placed upon the grate.

14. The gas range of claim 11, wherein each cooktop assembly further comprises a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed.

15. The gas range of claim 11, wherein:

each cooktop assembly further comprises a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed; and

at least one stand portion of each cooktop assembly extends radially from the bowl portion into the cooktop portion.

16. The gas range of claim 11, wherein:

each cooktop assembly further comprises a cooktop portion into which the bowl portion is formed; and

at least one stand portion of each cooktop assembly extends axially about the burner portion.

17. A method, comprising:

forming a bowl portion, a burner portion, and a grate portion of a cooktop assembly as a single, continuous surface, wherein the burner portion extends upward from a bottom surface of the bowl portion and includes a plurality of vents to deliver gas flame, and wherein the grate comprises a plurality of stand portions configured to support a bottom surface of a cooking utensil placed upon the grate; and

coating the formed cooktop assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said forming comprises progressively stamping a single, metal sheet to form the bowl portion, the burner portion, and the grate portion of the cooktop assembly.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein said forming comprises molding the bowl portion, the burner portion, and the grate portion of the cooktop assembly via a single die cast.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising punching vents into the burner portion of the cooktop assembly.