Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a venting assembly for a cooktop and, in particular, a built-in induction cooktop.

Background

[0002] Built-in induction cooktops are becoming increasingly popular in kitchens for various reasons. However, induction cooktops are more sensitive to heat during their normal operation and, as a result, require more ventilation than conventional electric or gas cooktops. To provide such ventilation, cooktop manufacturers always recommend forming gaps or openings in the cabinetry over which the benchtop and cooktop are situated, to allow for heat generated by the operation of the induction cooktop to be exhausted.

[0003] Typically, a gap is formed between the benchtop that is directly in front of the induction cooktop and the top of the panel/door/drawer that is situated below the cooktop. This gap not only is unsightly for the user, but also presents a danger due to the underside of the induction cooktop being exposed through the gap, which can lead to accidental injury from burns, as well as allowing rodents and insects to enter. To form this gap, cooktop manufacturers suggest removing the solid support rail (typically of solid timber) for the benchtop that is directly in front of the induction cooktop. This leaves the benchtop that is directly in front of the induction cooktop unsupported due to the presence of this gap. Any pressure placed on this section of the benchtop, as well as heat generated from the operation of the induction cooktop, can lead to cracking of the benchtop.

Object

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to substantially overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least provide a useful alternative. Summary

[0005] There is disclosed herein a venting assembly for a cooktop mounted on a benchtop, the benchtop being mounted on a cabinet and the cooktop having a rearward air inlet and a forward air outlet, the venting assembly comprising: a rail having a plurality of openings, the rail configured to mount on a pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet and support a forward portion of the benchtop; a barrier connected to the rail and configured to engage the pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet and the cooktop between the rearward air inlet and the forward air outlet such that air exhausted from the forward air outlet is directed through the plurality of openings of the rail.

[0006] The rail may comprise a first elongate member defining a first set of the plurality of openings and a second elongate member defining a second set of the plurality of openings located rearward of the first set of the plurality of openings so that air exhausted from the forward air outlet is received by the second set of the plurality of openings and released through the first set of the plurality of openings.

[0007] The first set of the plurality of openings may be smaller than the second set of the plurality of openings.

[0008] Each opening of the first set of the plurality of openings may be in the form of a slot. Alternatively, the first set of the plurality of openings may be in the form of perforations.

[0009] In some embodiments, the rail may further comprise a third elongate member defining a third set of the plurality of openings. The third elongate member may be configured to be fixed to the pair of opposing side walls and located rearward of the second set of the plurality of openings so that air exhausted from the forward air outlet is received by the third set of the plurality of openings and released through the first set of the plurality of openings.

[0010] The third set of the plurality of openings may correspond to and may be aligned with the second set of the plurality of openings. [0011] In other embodiments, each of the first and second elongate members may be a C- shaped channel. The second elongate member may be disposed substantially within the first elongate member.

[0012] The venting assembly may further comprise a mesh portion attached to the first elongate member to substantially cover the first set of the plurality of openings.

[0013] The first and second elongate members may be formed from stainless steel.

[0014] The third elongate member may be formed from stainless steel.

[0015] The barrier may comprise a planar portion disposed below the plurality of openings and extending rearwardly from the rail, and a wall portion spaced rearwardly from the rail and extending upwardly from the planar portion for abutment with the cooktop between the forward air outlet and the rearward air inlet.

[0016] The planar portion may be configured to reduce the transmission of heat from the cooktop therethrough.

[0017] The planar portion may be formed from stainless steel.

[0018] The wall portion may comprise a polymeric foam.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described hereinafter, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a rail of an embodiment of a venting assembly;

[0021] Fig. 2 is a partially exploded view of the venting assembly of Fig. 1;

[0022] Fig. 3 is perspective view of the rail of the venting assembly of Fig. 1;

[0023] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a venting assembly in use; [0024] Fig. 5 is a front view of the venting assembly of Fig. 4 in use;

[0025] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a venting assembly in use;

[0026] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a drawer front of a top drawer with a vent attached thereto;

[0027] Figs. 8a and 8b are partial perspective views of embodiments of an inlet vent;

[0028] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a venting assembly in use;

[0029] Fig. 10 is an partial enlarged view of the venting assembly of Fig. 9 in use, with the top drawer open;

[0030] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the venting assembly of Fig. 9 in use, with the top drawer removed;

[0031] Fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of the venting assembly of Fig. 9 in use, with the barrier omitted for illustration purposes;

[0032] Figs. 13 and 14 are partial cross-sectional views of further embodiments of the venting assembly in connection with various drawer configurations;

[0033] Fig. 15 is an exploded partial perspective view of a rail of another embodiment of a venting assembly;

[0034] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a venting assembly in use;

[0035] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the venting assembly of Fig. 16 in use, with only the third elongate member of the rail of the venting assembly being shown; and

[0036] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the venting assembly of Fig. 16 in use, with only the third elongate member and the second elongate member of the rail of the venting assembly being shown. Description of Embodiments

[0037] The present disclosure according to one or more embodiments provides a venting assembly 10 for a cooktop. The embodiments of the venting assembly as described herein are in connection with an induction cooktop having an upper cooking surface and a lower chassis. The induction cooktop is a built-in type configured to be mounted on a kitchen benchtop in the typical manner, wherein the chassis is inserted into an opening in the benchtop and the upper cooking surface of the cooktop rests on the benchtop and secured into place with an adhesive so as to create a seal between the benchtop and the upper cooking surface. The benchtop described herein may be formed from any suitable material, such as engineered stone or granite. The induction cooktop typically includes a rearward air inlet at a rear portion of the chassis, a forward air outlet at a front portion of the chassis, and a fan assembly. Operation of the fan assembly causes airflow to be drawn into the chassis through the rearward air inlet, guided through the chassis, and exhausted through the forward air outlet. It will be appreciated that air exhausted through the forward air outlet is warm/hot air due to the heat generated by the operation of the cooktop.

[0038] The benchtop is mounted on a kitchen cabinet. The cabinet may be of the type that accommodates a built-in oven or a set of drawers below the cooktop. The oven or set of drawers is disposed between a pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet. The oven or set of drawers is also spaced from a forward portion of the benchtop and the cooktop. A ventilation gap is established below and behind the oven or set of drawers, which leads to the rearward air inlet. With this overall arrangement, the fan assembly, when operated, directs air from the ventilation gap into the space between the bottom surface of the cooktop and the oven or set of drawers and through the rearward air inlet.

[0039] The venting assembly as described hereinafter is configured to direct air exhausted from the forward air outlet of the cooktop to the outside of the cabinet, in use. With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the venting assembly 10 comprises a rail 100 having a plurality of openings 102, and a barrier 200. The rail 100 is configured to mount on the pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet and support the forward portion of the benchtop, in use. The rail 100 comprises a first elongate member 104 in the form of a C-shaped channel having a planar portion 106 and opposed upper and lower flange portions 108, 110 that extend perpendicularly from the planar portion 106. The planar portion 106 defines a first set 102a of the plurality of openings 102. With reference to Fig. 1, in this embodiment, each of the first set of openings 102a is in the form of vertically extending slots. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the first set of openings 102a may take any other size and shape (e.g., horizontally extending slots, circular holes, etc.). With reference to Fig. 2, the rail 100 also comprises a second elongate member 112 in the form of a C-shaped channel having a planar portion 114 and opposed upper and lower flange portions 116, 118. The planar portion 114 defines a second set 102b of the plurality of openings 102. In this embodiment, each of the second set of openings 102b is square-shaped and is larger than each of the first set of openings 102a. Referring to Fig. 3, the second member 112 is substantially disposed within the first member 104 such that upper and lower flange portions 116, 118 of the second member 112 substantially abut the upper and lower flange portions 108, 110 of the first member 104, respectively, thus forming a rigid rail. The upper flange portion 116 of the first member 104 is configured to abut the forward portion of the benchtop, in use.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first and second members 104, 112 are formed from stainless steel.

[0041] The rail 100 further comprises a mesh portion 120 that is attached to the first member 104 to substantially cover the first set of openings 102a. The mesh portion 120 prevents small rodents and insects from passing through the first set of openings 102a. In this embodiment, the mesh portion 120 is formed from stainless steel.

[0042] The barrier 200 is connected to the rail 100 and configured to engage the pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet and the cooktop between the rearward air inlet and the forward air outlet so as to prevent air exhausted from the forward air outlet from recirculating back to the rearward air inlet. The barrier 200 comprises a planar portion 202 and a wall portion 204. As best shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, the planar portion 202 is in the form of a stainless steel heat shield that is configured to reduce the transmission of heat from the cooktop therethrough. The planar portion 202 extends rearwardly from the rail 100 and spans across the pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet. The planar portion 202 has two opposed flanges 206 that are configured to attach to the pair of opposing side walls of the cabinet. Furthermore, the planar portion 202 is attached to the lower flange portion 110 of the first member 104 so as to be disposed between the rail 100 and the oven or set of drawers, in use. [0043] The wall portion 204 is spaced rearwardly from the rail 100 and extends upwardly from the planar portion 202 for abutment with the cooktop between the rearward air inlet and the forward air outlet. The rearward wall portion 204 comprises a stainless steel elongate bracket 208 that is attached to the planar portion 202 and extends across the pair of side walls of the cabinet, as well as a polymeric foam strip 210 that extends across the pair of side walls of the cabinet and which is disposed above the bracket 208 for abutment with the cooktop.

[0044] Figs. 4 and 5 show an exemplary use of a venting assembly. The venting assembly is similar to the venting assembly 10 of Figs. 1 to 3 and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. In this embodiment, a cooktop 20 is mounted on a benchtop 30, which is mounted on an elevated cabinet 40 that accommodates a built-in oven 50. The rail 100 is mounted on a pair of opposing side walls 42 of the cabinet 40 and abuts a forward portion 32 of the benchtop 30 so as to support the forward portion 32. The rail 100 also substantially obstructs the gap between the forward portion 32 and the top of the oven 50. The plurality of openings 102 of the rail 100 are also disposed forward of the forward air outlet of the cooktop 20. The planar portion 202 is attached to the pair of opposed side walls 42 of the cabinet 40 and the wall portion 204 extends upwardly from the planar portion 202 such that the foam strip 210 abuts the cooktop 20 between the rearward air inlet and the forward air outlet. The venting assembly 10, the opposed side walls 42 of the cabinet 40, the cooktop 20 and the forward portion 32 of the benchtop 30 together define a chamber 60.

[0045] Operation of the fan assembly of the cooktop 20 causes airflow (as depicted by the arrows AA) to be drawn into the ventilation gap from below the oven 50, through the rearward air inlet of the cooktop 20, guided through the chassis of the cooktop 20, and exhausted through the forward air outlet. The warm/hot air exhausted from the forward air outlet enters the chamber 60 and is directed through the second set of openings 102b of the rail 100 and then released through the first set of openings 102a of the rail 100. The barrier 200 prevents the warm/hot air in the chamber 60 from recirculating back to the rearward air inlet. With this arrangement, heat generated by the operation of the cooktop 20 can be effectively exhausted from the chassis of the cooktop 20.

[0046] A hollow inlet vent 300 can also be attached to a bottom shelf 44 of the cabinet 40 in a location where air enters the cabinet 40. The inlet vent 300 defines a plurality of openings 302, as best shown in Fig. 5. A mesh may also be attached to the inlet vent 300 to substantially cover the plurality of openings 302 of the inlet vent 300. The mesh prevents small rodents and insects from passing through the plurality of openings 302.

[0047] Fig. 6 shows another exemplary use of a venting assembly. The venting assembly is similar to the venting assembly 10 of Figs. 1 to 3 and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the cabinet 40 accommodates a set of drawers 70. The planar portion 202 also extends rearwardly to substantially cover the top drawer 72 of the set of drawers 70. This not only prevents warm/hot air from interacting with the items in the top drawer 72, but also prevents any protruding items in the top drawer 72 from contacting the cooktop 20 and potentially damaging the cooktop 20. Operation of the fan assembly of the cooktop 20 causes airflow AA to be drawn into the ventilation gap from below the set of drawers 70, through the rearward air inlet of the cooktop 20, guided through the chassis of the cooktop 20, and exhausted through the forward air outlet. The warm/hot air exhausted from the forward air outlet enters the chamber 60 and is directed through the second set of openings 102b of the rail 100 and then released through the first set of openings 102a of the rail 100. The barrier 200 prevents the warm/hot air in the chamber 60 from recirculating back to the rearward air inlet. With this arrangement, heat generated by the operation of the cooktop 20 can be effectively exhausted from the chassis of the cooktop 20.

[0048] In this embodiment, a hollow vent 400 is also attached to the top of the drawer front 74 of the top drawer 72 and disposed forward of the rail 100, so that the drawer front 74 does not obstruct the rail 100. The vent 400 defines a plurality of openings 402 as shown in Fig. 7. Air passing through the rail 100 is directed through the plurality of openings 402 of the vent 400 when the top drawer 72 is closed. A mesh may also be attached to the vent 400 to substantially cover the plurality of openings 402. One or more hollow inlet vents 500 can also be attached to the bottom shelf 42 of the cabinet 40 where air enters the cabinet 40. Each of the inlet vents 500 defines a plurality of openings 502. In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8a, the plurality of openings 502 are in the form of slots. In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 8b, the plurality of openings 502 are in the form of perforations. A mesh may also be attached to each of the inlet vents 500 to substantially cover the plurality of openings 502, thus preventing small rodents and insects from passing through the plurality of openings 502.

[0049] Figs. 9 to 12 show another exemplary use of a venting assembly. The venting assembly is similar to the venting assembly 10 of Fig. 6 and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the drawer front 74 of the top drawer 72 is a shark nose type, as best seen in Fig. 12.

[0050] It will be appreciated that the venting assembly as described herein may be suitable for use with any drawer arrangement without departing from the present disclosure. Figs. 13 and 14 show rails 100 of other embodiments of the venting assembly 10 in connection with various drawer configurations. For example, the rail 100 may extend substantially over the door of the top drawer (Fig. 13) or the rail 100 may extend partially over the door of the top drawer (Fig. 14).

[0051] Fig. 15 shows a rail of an alternative embodiment of a venting assembly. The venting assembly is similar to the venting assembly 10 of Figs. 1 to 3 and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the flange portions 108, 110 of the first member 104 define the first set of openings 102a and the flange portions 116, 118 of the second member 112 define the second set of openings 102b. In this embodiment, the first set of openings 102a are in the form of vertically extending slots and the second set of openings 102b are square-shaped. In an alternative embodiment, the first set of openings 102a are in the form of perforations. The second member 112 is substantially disposed within the first member 104 such that the flange portions 116, 118 of the second member 112 substantially abut the forward and rearward flange portions 108, 110 of the first member 104, respectively, thus forming a rigid rail. In this embodiment, the planar portion 106 of the first member 104 is attached to the planar portion 202 of the barrier 200 and the planar portion 114 of the second member 112 is configured to abut the forward portion of the benchtop, in use. The rail 100 may also comprise a mesh portion that is attached to the first member 104 to substantially cover the first set of openings 102a.

[0052] Figs. 16 to 18 show another exemplary use of a venting assembly. The venting assembly is similar to the venting assembly 10 of Fig. 6 and like features have been indicated with like reference numerals. However, in this embodiment, the rail 100 comprises the first member 104, the second member 112 and a third elongate member 122. With reference to Fig. 17, the third elongate member 122 has a planar portion 124 that defines a third set 102c of the plurality of openings 102, and opposed upper and lower flange portions 126, 128. In this embodiment, each of the third set of openings 102c is square-shaped and correspond to the second set of openings 102b of the second member 112. The third member 122 is attached to the pair of opposing side walls 42 of the cabinet 40 and the upper flange portion 126 abuts the forward portion of the benchtop to provide additional support for this section. Referring to Fig. 18, the second member 112 is disposed forwardly of the third member 122 and attached to the opposing side walls 42 of the cabinet 40 over the second member 112, such that the second and third set of openings 102b, 102c are aligned. The second member 112 is substantially disposed within the first member 104, such that upper and lower flange portions 116, 118 of the second member 112 substantially abut the upper and lower flange portions 108, 110 of the first member 104 in a press fit arrangement. Further, as best shown in Fig. 16, the first and second members 104, 112 can also be used to form an inlet vent 600 disposed in a location where air enters the cabinet 40.

[0053] As is apparent, the embodiments described above effectively establishes a ventilation system that ensures that warm/hot air exhausted from the forward air outlet of a cooktop is directed through a plurality of openings 102 of the rail 100 and expelled to the atmosphere, thus protecting the cooktop from overheating. The barrier 200 of the venting assembly 10 advantageously prevents air exhausted from the forward air outlet from recirculating back to the rearward air inlet. Furthermore, the rail 100 of the venting assembly 10 provides a rigid support for the forward portion of the benchtop, thus prolonging the life of the benchtop, and also prevents access to the underside of the cooktop, thus eliminating the risk of accidental injury. A further advantage is that the venting assembly 10 is easy to manufacture and can be used in connection with a range of cooktop and cabinet configurations.

[0054] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.