Modular countertop cooking system
First Claim
1. A countertop cooking appliance system including modular components, comprising:
- at least one cooking module including a box-like, open-top housing and at least one heating apparatus,said cooking module being free of controls for energizing or controlling said heating apparatus anda control module for carrying controls for controlling said heating apparatus, including a box-like, open-top control housing separate from said cooking module, a side of said control housing providing a connection for said control module to one side of said box-like, open-top housing of said cooking module,said control module and cooking module providing means for interconnection to provide substantially coplanar open-tops when connected and operation of said heating apparatus with substantially coplanar controls.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular countertop cooking assembly is provided comprising at least one cooking module and a control module. The cooking module includes a burner box housing, and preferably includes a downdraft ventilation system, and is adapted to operatively receive at least one heating unit within the burner box. The control module is preferably arranged juxtaposed to the cooking module and can provide selective control of the heating units and the ventilation system included in the cooking assembly. The cooking module burner box includes an integral peripheral trim about its top edge and the control module includes an integral peripheral trim about its edge, both of which interface when assembled to provide a flush appearance across their interface and the appearance of a unitary cooking appliance disposed within a countertop. The modularity of the components provided by this invention allows the construction of a single, double, or triple module cooking assembly of variable configuration with reduced tooling and component inventory.
64 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A countertop cooking appliance system including modular components, comprising:
-
at least one cooking module including a box-like, open-top housing and at least one heating apparatus, said cooking module being free of controls for energizing or controlling said heating apparatus and a control module for carrying controls for controlling said heating apparatus, including a box-like, open-top control housing separate from said cooking module, a side of said control housing providing a connection for said control module to one side of said box-like, open-top housing of said cooking module, said control module and cooking module providing means for interconnection to provide substantially coplanar open-tops when connected and operation of said heating apparatus with substantially coplanar controls. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A modular cooktop system of variable configuration, comprising:
-
a separate cooking unit including an open top burner box formed by a pair of faces, a pair of sides and a bottom; a separate plenum forming unit including a blower to provide ventilation for said cooking unit, said burner box including means to receive said plenum forming unit across said burner box between said pair of faces and one or more heating units juxtaposed to said plenum forming unit; and a separate control unit including an elongated control enclosure with long sides, and means for interconnecting said control unit to a side of said burner box, said control enclosure including means to receive one or more heating unit controls. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A countertop cooking appliance system including modular components, comprising:
-
at least one cooking modular including a box-like, open-top housing including a downdraft ventilation means in said housing, said housing including at least one heating apparatus, said cooking module being free of controls for energizing or controlling said heating apparatus and said downdraft ventilation means; a selectable control module including a housing separate from said cooking module housing and juxtaposed and connected to said cooking module, said control module including manually adjustable controls for controlling said heating apparatus and said downdraft ventilation means; means for connecting an energy source to said control module; and means for connecting said control module to said cooking module to selectively provide energy thereto. - View Dependent Claims (12)
-
-
13. A countertop cooking appliance system including modular components, comprising:
-
at least one cooking module including a housing and at least one heating apparatus, said cooking module being free of controls for energizing or controlling said heating apparatus; a downdraft ventilation means connected at one side of said cooking module housing; and a control module, including a control housing separate from said cooking module housing, juxtaposed and connected to another side of said cooking module and carrying controls for controlling the heating apparatus and downdraft ventilation means, said control module including means for operation of said heating apparatus and said downdraft ventilation means.
-
-
14. A modular cooking appliance system adapted to be received and supported within an opening provided in a countertop, comprising:
-
at least one cooking module including a housing including a peripheral trim in position to overlie the countertop and at least one heating apparatus, said cooking module being free of controls for energizing or controlling said heating apparatus; and a control module, including a control housing separate from said cooking module, juxtaposed to one side of said cooking module and including controls for controlling said heating apparatus and a trim strip positioned to overlie the countertop and mate with the peripheral trim of the cooking module housing; means for connecting said housing of said control module to said cooking module for providing, when connected, the appearance of a unitary cooking appliance.
-
Specification