GB2629769A

GB2629769A - Oven door

Info

Publication number: GB2629769A
Application number: GB2306709.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mortimer Iain; Mckee Thomas
Original assignee: Ooni Ltd
Current assignee: Ooni Ltd
Priority date: 2023-05-05
Filing date: 2023-05-05
Publication date: 2024-11-13
Also published as: WO2024231667A1; GB202306709D0

Abstract

An oven door 100 comprises a viewing window (110, Fig. 1) having an outer perimeter (111, Fig. 3B), an outer face 110A and an inner face 110B. The window is secured in a surrounding frame (120, Fig. 1) by an attachment point (140, Fig. 1). A gap 150 defined between the outer perimeter of the window and the frame provides an air flow path B through the gap and across the inner face of the window. The attachment point may comprise a clamp 141. The frame may comprise an exterior and an interior cavity 120B containing insulation 170, with a gap 155 between the insulation and the outer perimeter of the window. The gap may be defined by a gap defining member comprising a protrusion or a ledge 172. The gap defining member may be above the window and keeps the insulation spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the window. The door may have an air flow guide 184 adjacent to the inner surface of the window to guide air from the gap to the inner surface of the window. An oven (200, Fig. 4) and a method of preventing soot deposit on the door are also claimed.

Description

1 OVEN DOOR

3 Field of the invention

The present invention relates to doors for ovens.

7 Background to the invention

9 Ovens for cooking food items typically comprise an oven chamber into which food items are inserted and a heat source which provides heat to the oven chamber to 11 cook the food items. Many ovens have doors which seal the oven chamber to avoid 12 heat loss occurrence from the oven chamber.

14 Often, the doors become dirty owing to soot deposit which is formed on the inner face of the door through burning of fuel sources such as wood or charcoal. To 16 remove the soot deposit from the door a lot of cleaning is required which is 17 inconvenient for the user. Moreover, the sooting can adversely affect the flavour of 18 the food items during cooking resulting in an overly charred flavour. The soot deposit 19 on the door has a particularly negative effect if the door comprises a viewing window as these viewing windows are intended to remain clear (and thus free of soot) to 21 allow the user to view the items during cooking.

1 Some ovens comprise vents in the oven body which allow for air to travel through the 2 oven; however, these isolated vents only allow for directed air flow along isolated 3 paths in the oven body or across the door. Vents that are close to the door provide 4 isolated directed air flow paths that are largely offset from the face of door and any viewing window thereon.

7 It is in this context that the present inventions have been devised.

9 Summary of the invention

11 In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a door for an 12 oven, the door comprising: a viewing window having an outer perimeter, a viewing 13 window outer face and a viewing window inner face; and a frame surrounding the 14 viewing window, wherein the viewing window is secured in the frame by at least one attachment point, wherein at least one gap is defined between the outer perimeter of 16 the viewing window and the frame, whereby an air flow path is provided through the 17 at least one gap and across at least a portion of the viewing window inner face.

19 When the door is attached to an oven in use, the configuration of the gap between the frame and the outer perimeter of the viewing window in the door provides the air 21 flow path that allows for air external to the oven to travel through the gap and directly 22 across the viewing window. The air flow path thus provides a route for air to travel 23 from a region external to the door and through the gap, resulting in air passing over 24 the inner face of the viewing window. Accordingly, the air can flow over the inner face of the viewing window and this reduces soot deposit on the inner face of the oven, 26 typically allowing the viewing window to be substantially free of soot. This allows for a 27 superior air flow within the oven directed at soot reduction on the door compared to 28 typical ovens on the market which have vents in the oven body and thus only allow 29 for isolated directed air flow paths which are often far removed from reaching the face of the door itself. The air may flow through an inner periphery of the frame, on 31 the outside of the viewing window, around an outer periphery of the viewing window 32 and through the inner periphery of the frame on the inside of the viewing window.

34 The frame surrounds the viewing window such that the viewing window is in the frame. Attachment of the viewing window to the frame by at least one attachment 36 point secures the viewing window to the frame at the same time as providing the gap 1 to allow the air flow through the frame and past the outer face of the viewing window.

2 The attachment point may be at any location on the frame and there may be any 3 number of attachment points greater than or equal to one. This provides a large 4 degree of customisability.

6 The frame may have an inner and an outer perimeter. The inner perimeter of the 7 frame may define an aperture which exposes the viewing window. The outer 8 perimeter of the viewing window may be between the inner and outer perimeter of 9 the frame. In this configuration, the viewing window may extend beyond the aperture defined by the inner perimeter of the frame and into the frame.

12 The gap can extend along substantially the whole outer perimeter of the viewing 13 window. In this way a free passage of air is allowed between the outer and inner face 14 of the viewing window through the air flow path it provides.

16 The viewing window may be secured to the frame at a plurality of attachment points, 17 thereby forming a plurality of gaps around the viewing window. The gap may 18 therefore be divided into further gaps by the at least one attachment point.

Each of the one or more gaps can act as channels. In this way, a flow of air can be 21 directed through each of the gaps, through the channel and across the inner face of 22 the viewing window for enhanced soot reduction.

24 The at least one attachment point can act as a partial barrier or baffle to the air flowing into the door from outside of the oven. There may be two, three, four or more 26 attachment points that secure the viewing window to the frame. There may be an 27 attachment point at each of the four corners of the viewing window. Each attachment 28 point may divide the gap into a corresponding number of gaps. For example, there 29 may be four attachment points and these may divide the gap into four gaps along the outer perimeter of the viewing window. The attachment points may be located 31 anywhere on the frame to secure the viewing window to the frame. For example, the 32 attachment points may be located on an upper portion of the frame, on a lower 33 portion of the frame, on a side portion of the frame or on any combination of points 34 along the frame. For example, there may be two attachment points on an upper portion of the frame and two attachment points on a lower portion of the frame. The 36 gaps may be slots.

2 The at least one attachment point may comprise a clamp. Other configurations of the 3 attachment point may include a supporting hook, a clip, a fastener or any other 4 securing means to attach the viewing window to the frame.

6 The frame may have an interior cavity and an exterior. The interior cavity may 7 comprise insulation. A gap may be formed between the insulation and the outer 8 perimeter of the viewing window. The interior cavity may be formed by a lip on the 9 frame that extends all the way along a periphery of the frame. The insulation may comprise at least one of the materials selected from the following: ceramic fibre, 11 fiberglass, mineral fibre, mineral wool, polyurethane, and silicone. The insulation in 12 the interior cavity reduces the temperature of the exterior of the frame and makes it 13 safe for a user to touch.

The door may comprise a gap defining member within the interior cavity that defines 16 the gap formed between the interior cavity and the outer perimeter of the viewing 17 window. The gap defining member may comprise at least one protrusion. In this way, 18 the at least one protrusion can act as a support for the insulation within the cavity.

19 The gap defining member may comprise at least one ledge. The gap defining member may comprise a bracket. The gap defining member may be positioned on an 21 upper portion of the interior cavity, on a lower portion of the interior cavity, or on a 22 side of the interior cavity.

24 The gap defined between the interior cavity and the viewing window perimeter may have a breadth, typically between the gap defining member and the outer perimeter 26 of the viewing window of at least 1.5 mm. For example, the breadth may be between 27 1.5 to 6.0 mm. The larger the gap within the range, the more air that can flow through 28 the gap and over the inner surface of the viewing window. The smaller the gap within 29 the range, the more insulation that can be incorporated into the interior cavity to reduce the temperature of the frame exterior and the less cold air that is drawn in 31 from the outside of the oven.

33 The door may comprise an outer face with a handle thereon. The outer face may be 34 the frame exterior or another component part separate to the frame. The handle may be any shape or size to enable a user to open the door so as to expose the oven 36 chamber when the door is attached to an oven. The handle may be attached to the 1 frame above the viewing window. The handle may be attached to the frame beneath 2 the viewing window. The handle may be attached to the frame at a side of the 3 viewing window.

It may be that the insulation is located in the frame behind the handle. In other words, 6 the insulation may be directly opposite the handle in the interior cavity. In this way the 7 insulation provided in the interior cavity will protect the handle from becoming too hot, 8 thus protecting the user when they come to open or close the oven chamber using 9 the door when attached to the oven body.

11 It may be that, when the door comprises a gap defining member, at least part of the 12 insulation is separated from the outer perimeter of the viewing window by the gap 13 defining member. The at least part of the insulation may be in contact with the gap 14 defining member. For example, it may rest on the gap defining member. It may be that, when the door comprises a gap defining member above the viewing window, at 16 least part of the insulation is provided thereon such that at least part of the insulation 17 is located above the gap formed between the insulation and the outer perimeter of 18 the viewing window, above the viewing window. In this way, the at least part of the 19 insulation is separated from the gap formed between the insulation and the outer perimeter of the viewing window and allows a clear path for air flow to pass through 21 the frame and across the inner face of the viewing window to contribute to the soot 22 reduction.

24 The door may further comprise an air flow guide adjacent the viewing window inner surface, at the periphery of the viewing window, wherein the air flow guide is in fluid 26 communication with the one or more gaps and the viewing window inner surface, to 27 thereby guide air onto the viewing window inner surface. The air flow guide may 28 comprise a cavity. By providing an air flow guide in this way, more air is directed onto 29 the inner surface of the viewing window to further promote reduction in soot deposits forming on the viewing window surface.

32 The air flow guide may be formed by a component depending from a top surface of 33 the interior cavity or from a back wall of the interior cavity. The component may 34 comprise an elongate part extending from the top surface or back wall of the interior cavity to a part distal to the top surface of the interior cavity that is angled so as to 1 direct air flow against the inner face of the viewing window. The part distal to the top 2 surface may comprise a degree of curvature.

4 In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an oven comprising an oven chamber having an opening and a door according to any embodiment of the 6 preceding aspect, pivotably mounted thereto. The door may be detachably attached 7 to the oven. The door may be attached to the oven such that it can move between a 8 closed position where it closes the opening and an open position where the opening 9 is exposed. The door therefore allows for a large amount of heat retention in the oven chamber when closed, at the same time as providing a pathway for air to enter the 11 oven through the at least one gap and flow over the inner face of the viewing window.

12 In this way a highly efficient oven with high heat retention highly reduced sooting is 13 provided.

The oven may comprise a flue. Typically, the flue extends from the roof of the oven 16 chamber to the exterior of the oven. The flue provides a path for heated air to leave 17 the oven chamber. Accordingly, air is drawn into the oven chamber through the one 18 or more gaps.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising the steps 21 of: providing an oven according to the previous aspect; providing a fuel to the oven; 22 and burning the fuel with the door closed. Air may thereby be drawn into the oven 23 chamber through the at least one gap.

Typically, air which passes into the oven chamber through the one or more gaps 26 mixes with combusted gas in the oven. Typically, the air which passes into the oven 27 chamber through the one or more gaps is not used for combustion. Typically, the 28 oven comprises a (separate) air supply for combustion of fuel. Typically this 29 (separate) air supply is located at the rear of the oven, opposite to the door.

31 By the terms 'inner' and 'outer' we refer to positions or surfaces of a door when the 32 door is attached to an oven. Accordingly, inner will be understood to mean closest to 33 the inside of the oven and outer will be understood to mean away from the inside of 34 the oven and therefore facing away from the inside of the oven. Typically, the door comprises a handle and the surface with the handle is the outer surface.

1 It will also be understood that the term 'periphery' means the outer edge of a 2 component part.

4 Description of the Drawings

6 An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with 7 reference to the following Figures in which: 9 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a door according to an example of the

present disclosure;

11 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the door according to an example of

12 the present disclosure.

13 Figures 3A and 3B are, respectively, a view from the back of the door and a 14 cross-sectional view from the back of the door according to an example of the

present disclosure.

16 Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the door attached to an oven 17 according to an example of the present disclosure.

19 Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment

21 In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, as shown by Fig. 1, there is 22 provided an oven door 100 which has a viewing window 110 and a frame 120 around 23 the viewing window. The frame has an exterior 120A as shown in Fig. 1 and an 24 interior cavity (not shown). An aperture 160 is defined through the frame. The viewing window occludes the aperture. In use the user can look through the viewing 26 window to see into an oven. The viewing window has an outer face 110A which, 27 when the door is connected to an oven that comprises an oven chamber, faces away 28 from the oven chamber. An inner face of the viewing window (not shown) is on the 29 opposing side of the viewing window to the outer face. The door also has a handle 130 on a top portion of the frame. The viewing window is secured to the frame at an 31 attachment point on the corner of the viewing window by clamp 140. Other 32 attachment points are not shown in this view but are located at the other three 33 corners of the viewing window. The viewing window and the frame move together 34 when the door is opened and closed.

1 Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the door 100 with the frame 120. The 2 viewing window extends into an interior cavity 120B of the frame such that the 3 viewing window extends beyond the aperture defined by the frame. The frame 4 surrounds the viewing window and clamp 141 and support 143 which act as further attachment points are shown.

7 There is a gap 150 formed between the viewing window and the frame and the 8 attachment points divide this gap into four further gaps 151, 152, 153, 154. The inner 9 face 110B of the viewing window is shown on the opposite side of the viewing window to the outer face 110A. The gaps act as channels through which air from 11 outside of the oven can pass through, travelling around the viewing window and then 12 across the inner face of the viewing window to prevent soot from depositing thereon.

13 The gaps therefore define an air flow path that provides a route for air to travel from a 14 region external to the door and through the gap, resulting in air passing over the inner face of the viewing window.

17 The interior cavity of the frame 120B has a component comprising a channel defining 18 support 182 that depends from a top surface of the interior cavity and extends to an 19 air guide 184 distal to the top surface of the frame that is angled so as to direct downward air flow against the inner face of the viewing window. The shape of the 21 component forms a cavity 186 which aids in directing air flowing around the viewing 22 window across the inner face of the viewing window, thus further aiding soot 23 reduction.

The bold arrows show the flow of air B from outside of the oven from the outer face of 26 the viewing window, travelling through the gaps, around the viewing window and then 27 travelling across the inner face of the viewing window (and thus along the air flow 28 path that is provided), providing a blanket of air as a soot prevention layer on the 29 inner face of the viewing window. In some embodiments, air also travels around the sides of the glass.

32 The interior cavity comprises insulation 170 as shown that is provided on a gap 33 defining member configured as a ledge 172 within the interior cavity. A gap 155 is 34 defined between the ledge 172 and the outer perimeter of the viewing window, and a breadth of the gap 155 is defined between a top portion 112 of the outer perimeter of 1 the viewing window and the ledge 172 as shown by the double ended arrow in Fig. 2.

2 The gap breadth is at least 1.5 mm.

4 Fig. 3A is a view from the back of the door 100. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view from the back of the door along cutting plane A-A in Fig. 3A. As shown in Fig. 3B, the 6 viewing window has an outer perimeter 111 which is surrounded by the frame 120.

7 The frame comprises an inner perimeter 122 and an outer perimeter 124 and the 8 interior cavity of the frame 120B is exposed in this cross-sectional view. The viewing 9 window is secured to the frame by attachment clamps 141, 142 located on a lower part of the frame and supporting clips 143, 144 located on an upper part of the frame.

11 The interior cavity comprises insulation 170 as shown in Fig. 3B that is provided on a 12 gap defining member configured as a ledge 172 within the interior cavity. A gap 155 13 is defined between the ledge 172 and the outer perimeter of the viewing window, and 14 a breadth of the gap 155 is defined between a top portion 112 of the outer perimeter of the viewing window and the ledge 172 as shown by the double ended arrow in Fig. 16 3B. The gap breadth is at least 1.5 mm.

18 The door further comprises an outer face opposite to the frame interior with a handle 19 thereon (not shown). The insulation 170 and the gap 155 are located in the frame interior and behind the handle. In this way, when the door is attached onto an oven in 21 use, heat generated from the oven chamber will reach the door interior cavity and the 22 insulating material will absorb a substantial amount of the heat so that the handle on 23 the door outer surface remains cool to the touch and suitable for safe use. The gap 24 155 acts as a channel for which air from outside of the oven can flow into the oven through the gap in the door and onto the inner surface of the viewing window.

27 When incorporated into an oven, the door provides a means to open and close an 28 oven chamber within the oven. As shown in Fig. 4, the door 100 is attached onto a 29 front of an oven 200. The oven has an oven chamber 201 in which a heat source 202 is located at the rear of the oven to heat the oven chamber. The oven also has a flue 31 203 which allows for the escape of hot air and smoke produced in the oven chamber.

32 In use, the door is attached onto the oven, fuel is provided to the oven and this fuel is 33 burnt to heat the oven chamber.

The heat source can, for example, be a solid fuel burner using wood or charcoal as 36 fuel. The heat source draws in air, A, from outside the oven that is combusted with 1 the fuel. The combustion produces a flame that is provided within the oven chamber.

2 The air that has been combusted with the fuel is combusted air that circulates in the 3 oven chamber and soot is produced as a by product of burning the fuel. Air external 4 to the oven that is colder than the temperature of the inside of the oven chamber, B, is drawn into the oven chamber through the gap that is arranged between the inner 6 perimeter of the frame and the outer face of the viewing window of the door. As this 7 air travels across the inner face of the viewing window, there is a reduction in the 8 soot which can deposit on the inner face of the viewing window compared to when 9 the gap is no present. Accordingly, the gap provides for a reduction of soot on the viewing window inner face when the door is connected to an oven body in use. The 11 air A travels along the air flow path as shown by the bold arrows. The separate air 12 supplies at the rear and front of the oven, A, B, may mix and escape the oven 13 through flue 203. Air supply B is the predominant air supply which travels through the 14 door and across the inner face of the viewing window to produce effective soot deposit prevention on the inner surface.

17 Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and 18 "contain" and variations of them mean "including but not limited to", and they are not 19 intended to and do not exclude other components, integers, or steps. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural 21 unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is 22 used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as 23 singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a 26 particular aspect, embodiment, or example of the invention are to be understood to 27 be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless 28 incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including 29 any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except 31 combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually 32 exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments.

33 The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features 34 disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method 36 or process so disclosed.

Claims

1 Claims 3 1. A door for an oven, the door comprising: a viewing window having an outer 4 perimeter, a viewing window outer face and a viewing window inner face; and a frame surrounding the viewing window, wherein the viewing window is secured in the 6 frame by at least one attachment point, wherein at least one gap is defined between 7 the outer perimeter of the viewing window and the frame, whereby an air flow path is 8 provided through the at least one gap and across at least a portion of the viewing 9 window inner face.11

2. The door according to claim 1, wherein the frame has an inner and an outer 12 perimeter and the outer perimeter of the viewing window is between the inner and 13 outer perimeter of the frame.

3. The door according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the viewing window is 16 secured to the frame at a plurality of attachment points, thereby forming a plurality of 17 gaps around the viewing window.19

4. The door according to any one preceding claim, wherein the one or more gaps are channels.22

5. The door according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the at least one attachment point 23 comprises a clamp.

6. The door according to any of the previous claims, wherein the frame has an 26 interior cavity and an exterior, the cavity comprising insulation, a gap located 27 between the insulation and the outer perimeter of the viewing window.29

7. The door according to claim 6, comprising a gap defining member within the cavity to define the gap.32

8. The door according to claim 7, wherein the gap defining member comprises 33 at least one protrusion.

9. The door according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the gap defining member 36 comprises at least one ledge.2

10. The door according to any one of claim 7 to 9, wherein the gap has a breadth, 3 between the gap defining member and the outer perimeter of the viewing window, of 4 at least 1.5 mm.6

11. The door according to any preceding claim, wherein the door has an outer 7 face with a handle thereon.9

12. The door according to claim 11, wherein the handle is attached to the frame, above the viewing window.12

13. The door according to claim 6 and claim 11 or 12, wherein the cavity 13 comprises insulation in the frame, behind the handle.

14. The door according to claim 13, wherein, when the door comprises a said gap 16 defining member above the viewing window, at least part of the insulation is provided 17 thereon, such that the gap defining member above the viewing window keeps the 18 insulation spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the viewing window, above the 19 viewing window.21

15. The door according to any preceding claim, comprising an air flow guide 22 adjacent the viewing window inner surface, at the periphery of the viewing window, 23 wherein the air flow guide is in fluid communication with the one or more gaps and 24 the viewing window inner surface, to thereby guide air onto the viewing window inner surface.27

16. The door according to claim 15, wherein the air flow guide comprises a cavity.29

17. An oven comprising an oven chamber having an opening and a door according to any preceding claim, pivotably mounted thereto.32

18. A method of preventing soot deposit on an oven door, the method comprising 33 the steps of: providing an oven according to claim 17; providing a fuel to the oven; 34 and burning the fuel with the door closed, thereby drawing air into the oven chamber through the at least one gap.