U.S. patent application number 16/335817 was filed with the patent office on 2019-07-18 for oven door for a cooking oven.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG. Invention is credited to Stefan BAYERLEIN, Dietmar HILDNER, Branko IVANOVIC.
Application Number | 20190219270 16/335817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56997395 |
Filed Date | 2019-07-18 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190219270 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAYERLEIN; Stefan ; et
al. |
July 18, 2019 |
OVEN DOOR FOR A COOKING OVEN
Abstract
A, preferably dismountable, oven door comprising at least one
glass panel and a door frame or a pair of door columns for
supporting said glass panel, wherein the glass panel comprises a
first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and
at least two lateral edges, the glass panel is detachably or
permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door
columns, respectively, the glass panel is chiral in respect of a
physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface and
of its second large-area surface and of the geometric shapes of its
at least two lateral edges, the door frame or at least one door
column, respectively, is formed at least partially complementary to
the glass panel, so that the door frame or the at least one door
column, respectively, is engageable or compatible with said glass
panel.
Inventors: |
BAYERLEIN; Stefan;
(Rothenberg ob der Tauber, DE) ; HILDNER; Dietmar;
(Rothenberg ob der Tauber, DE) ; IVANOVIC; Branko;
(Rothenberg ob der Tauber, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
56997395 |
Appl. No.: |
16/335817 |
Filed: |
August 28, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
August 28, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/071579 |
371 Date: |
March 22, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 15/045
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 15/04 20060101
F24C015/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 26, 2016 |
EP |
16190593.0 |
Claims
1. An oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a door
frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass pane,
wherein: the glass panel comprises a first large-area surface, an
opposing second large-area surface and at least two lateral edges,
the glass panel is detachably or permanently mounted or mountable
in the door frame or at the door columns, respectively, the glass
panel is chiral in respect of a physical or chemical property of
its first large-area surface and of its second large-area surface
and of the geometric shapes of its at least two lateral edges, the
door frame or at least one said door column, respectively, is
formed at least partially complementary to the glass panel so that
the door frame or the at least one door column, respectively, is
engageable or compatible with said glass panel, wherein the glass
panel is trapezoid shaped having an upper edge extending parallel
to a lower edge thereof, wherein at least one of a left lateral
edge and a right lateral edge of the glass panel is slanted and
forms a mechanical element effecting an unsymmetrical form of said
glass panel, and wherein a counterpart of said slanted lateral edge
in said door frame and/or pair of door columns comprises a slanting
frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column.
2. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein said physical or
chemical property of the first and second large-area surfaces of
the glass panel is invisible and/or the door frame or the at least
one door column, respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the
glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of the glass
panel.
3. The oven door, in particular according to claim 1, wherein the
glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a first axis
extending within a plane of said glass panel, the glass panel is
formed unsymmetrically in view of a second axis extending within
the plane of said glass panel and perpendicular to the first axis,
an intersection of the first axis and the second axis is arranged
in a centre of the glass panel, and at least one of the first axis
and the second axis extends parallel to at least one said edge of
the glass panel.
4. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the door frame or at
least one door column, respectively, includes at least one
counterpart of the mechanical element, and the counterpart of the
door frame or door column, respectively, is formed at least
partially complementary to the mechanical element of the glass
panel, so that the counterpart is engageable or compatible with the
mechanical element of said glass panel wherein the door frame or
the at least one door column, respectively, is adapted to be
engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear orientation of
the glass panel.
5. The oven door according to claim 4, wherein the counterpart of
the mechanical element and the door frame or door column,
respectively, form a single-piece part, or the counterpart of the
mechanical element is detachably fixable or fixed at the door frame
or door column, respectively.
6. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element
further comprising a cut-out in the glass panel, while the
counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises a plug, an
appendix, a prolongation, a screw and/or a snap in hook.
7. The oven door according to claim 6, wherein the counterpart of
the mechanical element includes a cross-section complementary to
that of said cut-out.
8. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element
further comprising a recess at an edge of the glass panel, while
the counterpart of the mechanical element further comprises an
interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said groove is
provided for receiving a said edge of the glass panel when the
glass panel is inserted in the door frame.
9. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element
further comprising a chamfer arranged between two adjacent ones of
said edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the
mechanical element further comprises an interruption of the groove
of the door frame, wherein said groove encloses at least partially
the glass panel when the glass panel is inserted in the door
frame.
10. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element
further comprising a curvature arranged between two adjacent ones
of said edges of the glass panel, while the counterpart of the
mechanical element further comprises a bent portion or an
interruption in the groove of the door frame, wherein the bent
portion encloses at least partially the curvature or the
interruption supports the curvature when the glass panel is
inserted in the door frame.
11. The oven door according to claim 4, the mechanical element
further comprising at least one clip element arranged in an outer
portion of the glass panel, wherein the counterpart of the
mechanical element further comprises a recess formed in the door
frame or door column.
12. (canceled)
13. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the door columns
are attached at an outer door panel.
14. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the glass panel is
single-sided or double-sided coated by a layer, wherein at least
one said layer is provided for reflecting heat radiation and/or for
reducing emissions of heat from at least one said surface of the
glass panel.
15. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein the first
large-area surface of the glass panel comprises a first coating and
the second large-area surface of the glass panel comprises no
coating or comprises a second coating differing from said first
coating, wherein said first coating and/or said second coating is
invisible to a user of the oven.
16. The oven door according to claim 1, wherein at least two
different markings are applied on both large-area surfaces of the
glass panel and on the door frame or door columns, wherein the
marking on the glass panel matches the corresponding marking of the
door frame or at the door columns if an orientation of the glass
panel in the door frame or at the door columns is correct.
17. A cooking oven comprising the oven door according to claim 1,
the cooking oven being adapted to carry out a pyrolytic cleaning
process.
18. An oven door comprising a glass panel having first and second
opposing large-area surfaces, at least one invisible thermal
coating deposited on at least one of said first and second opposing
large surfaces, and a door frame, said door frame comprising
receiving means adapted and dimensioned to reversibly and
complementarily receive and accommodate said glass panel in an
assembled state of said oven door, said glass panel being
unsymetrical with respect to both first and second imaginary,
perpendicular axes extending in a plane of said glass panel, said
receiving means of said door comprising counterpart unsymmetry that
is complementary to the unsymmetry of said glass panel such that
said glass panel can be properly received and seated by said
receiving means only in a single orientation upon assembly
therewith, said at least one thermal coating being adapted to
insulate a cooking cavity of an oven to prevent or inhibit thermal
energy from escaping through said door during a pyrolitic cleaning
process thereof, wherein improper orientation of said at least one
thermal coating would inhibit or destroy the effectiveness therefor
of said at least thermal coating.
19. The oven door according to claim 18, said receiving means
comprising a pair of opposing door columns of said oven door that
complement adjacent, respectively opposing lateral edges of said
glass panel when said glass panel is received and seated by said
door columns in the assembled state of said door.
20. The oven door according to claim 18, said glass panel being
shaped as an unsymmetric trapezoid having parallel upper and lower
edges, and non-parallel left and right lateral edges, at least one
said lateral edge extending between and forming non-right angles
with the upper and lower edges.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a, preferably dismountable,
oven door for a cooking oven comprising at least one glass panel or
glass package and a door frame or a pair of door columns for
supporting said glass panel. Further, the present invention relates
to a cooking oven.
[0002] Some oven doors are dismountable by the user. The one or
more glass panels or glass package are exposed for cleaning
purposes. When the user assembles the oven door again after
cleaning the glass panel and/or glass package, it is important that
the glass panels and/or glass packages are inserted into the door
frame or fixed at the door columns with the correct
orientation.
[0003] Often the glass panel or glass package comprises one or more
thin transparent coatings on its surface or surfaces. For example,
said coating is provided for reflecting heat radiation or for
reducing emissions of heat from the surface, so that the thermal
energy remains in the oven cavity. The temperature in front of the
cooking oven and the energy consumption of said cooking oven are
reduced.
[0004] During a pyrolytic cleaning process a very high temperature
occurs in the cooking oven. There are special oven doors with two,
three or four glass panels for pyrolytic appliances. For example,
said glass panels are made of float glass or borosilicate glass
coated by special layers.
[0005] The glass panels may be coated at one or both large-area
surfaces. The coating of single-sided coated glass panels is
arranged toward either the heat source or the outside of the
cooking oven. If the coating is faced toward the heat source, then
the reflection of heat is the dominating effect. If the coating is
arranged opposite to the heat source, then the reduced emission is
the main effect. The double-sided coated glass panels combine these
effects mentioned above.
[0006] However, the effects of the coatings are restricted or lost,
if said coatings are arranged at the wrong sides. The user cannot
recognise per se an outer surface and an inner surface of the glass
panel, when the oven door is assembled again after a cleaning
process. Sometimes, the glass panel comprises an over-print
indicating the outer surface and/or the inner surface of said glass
panel by symbols or by clear text. However, the over-prints are
often not clearly visible. Further, the user may misunderstand the
meanings of the symbols.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
dismountable oven door for a cooking oven, which guarantees the
correct orientation of the glass panels, when the oven door is
assembled by the producer or assembled again by the user.
[0008] The object is achieved by the dismountable oven door
according to claim 1.
[0009] According to the present invention a, preferably
dismountable, oven door comprising at least one glass panel and a
door frame or a pair of door columns for supporting said glass
panel is provided, wherein: [0010] the glass panel comprises a
first large-area surface, an opposing second large-area surface and
at least two lateral edges, [0011] the glass panel is detachably or
permanently mounted or mountable in the door frame or at the door
columns, respectively, [0012] the glass panel is chiral in respect
of a physical or chemical property of its first large-area surface
and of its second large-area surfaces and of the geometric shapes
of its at least two lateral edges, [0013] the door frame or the at
least one door column, respectively, is formed at least partially
complementary to the glass panel, so that [0014] the door frame or
the at least one door column, respectively, is engageable or
compatible with said glass panel.
[0015] According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention,
said door frame or said at least one door column, respectively, is
adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a single front-rear
orientation of the glass panel. In particular, said pair of door
columns can be adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a
single front-rear orientation of the glass panel, wherein said pair
of door columns respectively each engages specifically with a
corresponding one of the geometric shapes of said at least two
lateral edges of the glass panel that contribute to the chiral
property thereof.
[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, said physical or chemical
property of the first large-area surface and of the second
large-area surface of the glass panel can be invisible to a person.
For example, said physical or chemical property can involve that
the first large-area surface comprises a first coating and the
second large-area surface of the glass panel comprises no coating
or comprises a second coating differing from said first coating.
Said first coating and/or said second coating can be invisible to a
person. One or both of the large-surface sides can comprise a
visible indication of the front and/or rear side of the glass panel
which might be misunderstood by a person.
[0017] The invention effectively ensures that during manufacture of
the oven or during its handling by a user, the glass panel of the
oven door that has different properties of its rear and front side
can be reliably arranged on the door frame or on the door columns
in its correct front-rear orientation, even if the assembly person
or the user cannot readily determine which of its large area
surfaces is the front side and which is the back side, for example
because any coating(s) is invisible, or even because though there
is a visible front-rear indication on the glass panel that
indication might be misunderstood.
[0018] Suitable examples of door frames or door columns that are
adapted to take up the glass panel of the invention in a single
orientation only comprise two opposing door columns that are
complementary respectively to corresponding non-parallel edges of
the glass panel. Said opposing door columns can be complementary
respectively to sections of corresponding edges of the glass panel,
wherein said sections have different lengths. Further suitable
examples of door frames or door columns comprise at least two
neighbouring door columns or at least two neighbouring door frame
elements that are complementary respectively to corresponding
neighbouring edges of the glass panel, wherein said neighbouring
edges of the glass panel enclose an angle that is sufficiently
smaller or larger than the right angle in order to effectively
avoid an arrangement of the glass panel on the door frame or on
said door columns in different orientations by turning the glass
panel. Said neighbouring door columns or door frame elements can be
complementary respectively to sections of corresponding
neighbouring edges of the glass panel, wherein said sections of the
neighbouring edges of the glass panel have different lengths.
[0019] The core of the present invention is a poka yoke
construction for the oven door, wherein the glass panel has a
chiral geometric shape. The glass panel and preferably also the
door frame and/or at least one door column is/are formed
unsymmetrically, so that essentially only one spatial orientation
of the glass panel in the door frame or at the door columns is
possible. The chiral geometric shape of the glass panel in the
sense of the present invention means that the glass panel cannot be
superposed onto it. The chiral glass panel cannot be mapped to its
mirror image by rotations and translations alone. There is only one
orientation of the chiral glass panel, in which said glass panel
can be inserted into the door frame or door columns, respectively.
The unsymmetrical forms of the glass panel and the door frame or
door columns, respectively, guarantee the correct orientation of
the glass panels, when the oven door is assembled during production
or assembled again by the user.
[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present invention,
[0021] the glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a first
axis extending within the plane of said glass panel, [0022] the
glass panel is formed unsymmetrically in view of a second axis
extending within the plane of said glass panel and perpendicular to
the first axis, [0023] an intersection of the first axis and the
second axis is arranged in the centre of the glass panel, and
[0024] at least one of the first axis and the second axis extends
parallel to at least one edge of the glass panel.
[0025] According to a further example of the present invention,
[0026] the glass panel includes at least one mechanical element
effecting the unsymmetrical and/or chiral form of said glass panel,
[0027] the door frame or at least one door column includes at least
one counterpart of the mechanical element, and [0028] the
counterpart of the door frame or door column is formed at least
partially complementary to the mechanical element of the glass
panel, so that [0029] the counterpart of the at least one door
frame or door column is engageable or compatible with the
mechanical element of said glass panel.
[0030] Preferably, the door frame or the at least one door column,
respectively, is adapted to be engaged with the glass panel in a
single front-rear orientation of the glass panel.
[0031] In particular, the counterpart of the mechanical element and
the door frame or door column form a single-piece part.
[0032] Alternatively, the counterpart of the mechanical element is
detachably fixable or fixed at the door frame or door column.
[0033] For example, the mechanical element is a cut-out in the
glass panel, while the counterpart of the cut-out is a plug, an
appendix, a prolongation, a screw and/or a snapin hook, wherein
preferably said cut-out is arranged in an outer portion of the
glass panel.
[0034] The cut-out may be rectangular, squared, triangular, a round
hole, a long hole or any shaped piece, wherein preferably the
counterpart includes a cross-section complementary to said
cut-out.
[0035] Further, the mechanical element may be a recess at an edge
of the glass panel, while preferably the counterpart of the recess
is an interruption of a groove of the door frame, wherein said
groove is provided for receiving the edge of the glass panel, when
the glass panel is inserted in the door frame.
[0036] Moreover, the mechanical element may be a chamfer arranged
between two adjacent edges of the glass panel, while the
counterpart of the chamfer is an interruption of the groove of the
door frame, wherein said grove encloses at least partially the
glass panel, when said glass panel is inserted in the door
frame.
[0037] According to another embodiment the mechanical element is a
curvature arranged between two adjacent edges of the glass panel,
while the counterpart of the curvature is a bent portion or an
interruption in the groove of the door frame, wherein preferably
the bent portion encloses at least partially the curvature or the
interruption supports the curvature, when the glass panel is
inserted in the door frame.
[0038] Furthermore, the mechanical element may be at least one clip
element arranged in the outer portion of the glass panel, wherein
the counterpart of said clip element is a recess formed in the door
frame or door column, and wherein preferably the clip element is
glued onto the glass panel.
[0039] In particular, the glass panel is rectangular, wherein the
first axis is parallel and equidistant to an upper edge and a lower
edge of said glass panel, while the second axis is parallel and
equidistant to a left lateral edge and a right lateral edge of said
glass panel.
[0040] According to another embodiment, the glass panel may be
trapezoid, wherein an upper edge extends parallel to the lower
edge, and wherein at least one of a left lateral edge and a right
lateral edge is slanted and forms the mechanical element effecting
the unsymmetrical form of said glass panel, and wherein the
counterpart of said slanted lateral edge is a slanting frame part
of the door frame or a slanting door column, wherein preferably the
door columns are attached at an outer door panel. Alternatively,
the upper edge or the lower edge may be slanted, while the left
lateral edge and the right lateral edge are parallel to each other,
wherein the door frame or door column are appropriately adapted.
Moreover, at least one of the upper edge and the lower edge and
also at least one of the left lateral edge and the right lateral
edge may be slanted.
[0041] Further, the glass panel may be single-sided or double-sided
coated by a layer, wherein at least one layer is provided for
reflecting heat radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat
from the surface of the glass panel.
[0042] Additionally, at least two different markings are applied on
both large-area surfaces of the glass panel and on the door frame
or door columns, wherein the marking on the glass panel matches the
corresponding marking of the door frame or at the door columns, if
the orientation of the glass panel in the door frame or at the door
columns is correct, and wherein preferably said markings are
symbols, texture, patterns, arrows and/or numbers.
[0043] Further, the present invention relates to a cooking oven,
wherein the cooking oven comprises an oven door mentioned
above.
[0044] In particular, the cooking oven is provided for a pyrolytic
cleaning process.
[0045] Novel and inventive features of the present invention are
set forth in the appended claims.
[0046] The present invention will be described in further detail
with reference to the drawing, in which
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel
of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first embodiment
of the present invention,
[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second
embodiment of the present invention,
[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third
embodiment of the present invention,
[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention,
[0052] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention,
[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention,
[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth
embodiment of the present invention, and
[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain a
chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention.
[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a glass panel
10 of an oven door for a cooking oven according to a first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] The glass panel 10 includes an upper edge 12, a lower edge
14, a left lateral edge 16 and a right lateral edge 18. In this
example, the upper edge 12 extends parallel to the lower edge 14,
while the left lateral edge 16 extends parallel to the right
lateral edge 18. Thus, the glass panel 10 is rectangular.
[0058] The terms "upper", "lower", "left" and "right" relate to the
situation, in which the oven door is assembled and in a closed
state, wherein the viewer is in front of the cooking oven.
[0059] A first axis 20 extends within the plane of the glass panel
10 and parallel to the upper edge 12 and the lower edge 14, wherein
said first axis 20 is equidistant to the upper edge 12 and the
lower edge 14. A second axis 22 extends within the plane of the
glass panel 10 and perpendicular to the first axis 20, wherein said
second axis 22 is arranged in the centre between the left lateral
edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. In this example, the second
axis 22 is equidistant to the left lateral edge 16 and the right
lateral edge 18.
[0060] The glass panel 10 includes a cut-out 24. Said cut-out 24 is
formed close to a corner of said glass panel 10. In this example,
the cut-out 24 is formed close to a lower left corner of the glass
panel 10. In general, the cut-out 24 is formed in border area of
the glass panel 10. Usually, said border area is covered by a door
frame, a door column and/or a cover element of the oven door. In
this example, the cut-out 24 is rectangular. In general, the
cut-out 24 may have an arbitrary shape.
[0061] The glass panel 10 is insertable into the door frame or
mountable at a pair of the door columns. The door frame or the door
column includes a counterpart of the cut-out 24 of the glass panel
10. Said counterpart is insertable into the cut-out 24. The
counterpart of the cut-out 24 is at least partially formed
complementary to said cut-out. The counterpart may be a fixing
element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame or
door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, an appendix, a
prolongation, a screw or a snapin hook.
[0062] The cut-out 24 and its position cause that the glass panel
10 is unsymmetrical in view of the first axis 20 and additionally
in view of the second axis 26.
[0063] The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the counterpart of
said cut-out 24, wherein said counterpart belongs to the door frame
or door column, allow that the glass panel 10 can be inserted into
the door frame or mounted at the door column in the correct and
predetermined orientation only. It is not possible that the glass
panel 10 could be inverted, when the glass panel 10 is inserted
into the door frame or mounted at the door column.
[0064] In particular, one or both large-area surfaces of the glass
panel 10 are coated. The coatings are provided for reflecting heat
radiation and/or for reducing emissions of heat from the surface,
so that the thermal energy remains in the oven cavity and the
temperature in front of the cooking oven and the energy consumption
of said cooking oven are reduced. The coating for reflecting heat
radiation has to be arranged towards the oven cavity, i.e. at the
rear side of the glass panel 10 in FIG. 1. In contrast, the coating
for reducing emissions of heat from the surface has to be arranged
opposite to the oven cavity, i.e. at the front side of the glass
panel 10 in FIG. 1. The cut-out 24 in the glass panel 10 and the
counterpart of said cut-out 24 guarantee that the coatings of the
glass panel 10 are always arranged at the correct sides.
[0065] Further, the glass panel 10 may include a clip element
instead of the cut-out 24, wherein the counterpart of said clip
element is a recess formed in the door frame or door column. The
clip element may be glued onto the glass panel 10.
[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] The glass panel 10 of the second embodiment is similar to
that of the first embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the
second embodiment includes a long hole 26 instead of the cut-out
24. Further, the door frame or the door column includes a
corresponding counterpart of the long hole 26.
[0068] The counterpart of the long hole 26 is at least partially
formed complementary to said long hole 26. The counterpart may be a
fixing element attached permanently or detachably at the door frame
or door column. For example, the counterpart is a plug, one or more
screws, an appendix, a prolongation or a snapin hook.
[0069] The long hole 26 in the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry
of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in
view of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the counterpart of
the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or the
pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the
unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively,
allow exclusively the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in
the door frame or at the door columns.
[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a third
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment is similar to
those of the embodiments mentioned above. However, the glass panel
10 of the third embodiment includes a recess 28 instead of the
cut-out 24 or long hole 26, respectively. Moreover, the door frame
or the door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the
recess 28.
[0072] The counterpart of the recess 28 is at least partially
formed complementary to said recess 28. For example, the
counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame,
wherein said groove is provided for receiving the lower edge 14 of
the glass panel 10.
[0073] Also the recess 28 in the glass panel 10 destroys the
symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as
well as in view of the second axis 22. Moreover, the counterpart of
the long hole 26 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the
pair of door columns. The unsymmetrical glass panel 10 and the
unsymmetrical door frame or pair of door columns, respectively,
guarantee the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door
frame or at the door columns.
[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0075] The glass panel 10 of the third embodiment includes a
chamfer 30 between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18
of the glass panel 10. Thus, the chamfer 30 is arranged at the
right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The corresponding door
frame or door column includes a corresponding counterpart of the
chamfer 30.
[0076] The counterpart of the chamfer 30 is at least partially
formed complementary to said chamfer 30. For example, the
counterpart may be an interruption of a groove of the door frame,
wherein said groove is provided for enclosing the glass panel 10,
when the glass panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.
[0077] The chamfer 30 at the glass panel 10 destroys the symmetry
of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in
view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the chamfer 30
destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door
columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and the door
frame or the pair of door columns, respectively, guarantees the
correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at
the door columns.
[0078] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0079] The glass panel 10 of the fifth embodiment is similar to
that of the fourth embodiment. However, the glass panel 10 of the
fifth embodiment includes a curvature 32 instead of the chamfer 30.
The curvature 32 is arranged between the lower edge 14 and the
right lateral edge 18 of the glass panel 10. Thus, the curvature 32
is arranged at the right lower corner of the glass panel 10. The
corresponding door frame or door column includes a corresponding
counterpart of the curvature 32.
[0080] The counterpart of the curvature 32 is at least partially
formed complementary to said curvature 32. For example, the
counterpart may be a bent portion in the groove of the door frame,
wherein said bent portion encloses the curvature 32, when the glass
panel 10 is inserted in the door frame.
[0081] Also the curvature 32 at the glass panel 10 destroys the
symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as
well as in view of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the
curvature 32 destroys the symmetry of the door frame or of the pair
of door columns. The unsymmetrical form of the glass panel 10 and
the door frame or the pair of door columns, respectively,
guarantees the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the
door frame or at the door columns.
[0082] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a sixth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0083] The glass panel 10 of the sixth embodiment is trapezoid. The
glass panel 10 includes the upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the
left lateral edge 16 and the right lateral edge 18. The upper edge
12 and the lower edge 14 are arranged parallel to each other. The
left lateral edge 16 extends perpendicular to the upper edge 12 and
to the lower edge 14. However, an acute angle is formed between the
upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18, while an obtuse angle
is formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge
18.
[0084] The counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be
a slanting frame part of the door frame or a slanting door column
of a pair of door columns. In the latter case, the door columns may
be attached at an outer door panel, for example.
[0085] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of
said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view
of the second axis 22. Also the counterpart of the slanting right
lateral edge 18, i.e. the slanting frame part of the door frame or
the slanting door column of the pair of door columns, destroys the
symmetry of the door frame or of the pair of door columns,
respectively. The slanting right lateral edge 18 and the
corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct
orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door
columns.
[0086] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to a seventh
embodiment of the present invention.
[0087] The glass panel 10 of the seventh embodiment includes the
upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the
right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends
perpendicular to the lower edge 14, while the upper edge 12 and the
left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between
the upper edge 12 and the right lateral edge 18. In contrast, acute
angles are formed between the lower edge 14 and the right lateral
edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and
the upper edge 12 on the other hand.
[0088] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of
the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view
of the second axis 22. In a similar way, the slanting upper edge 12
destroys the symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first
axis 20 as well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts
of the slanting upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge
18 may be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Further, the
counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the
slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter
case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for
example.
[0089] Also the counterparts of the slanting upper edge 12 and the
slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy the symmetry of the door
frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The slanting
upper edge 12 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 as well as the
corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct
orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door
columns.
[0090] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic front view of the glass panel
10 of the oven door for the cooking oven according to an eighth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0091] The glass panel 10 of the eighth embodiment includes the
upper edge 12, the lower edge 14, the left lateral edge 16 and the
right lateral edge 18. The left lateral edge 16 extends
perpendicular to the upper edge 12, while the lower edge 14 and the
left lateral edge 18 are slanted. An obtuse angle is formed between
the lower edge 14 and the right lateral edge 18. Further, acute
angles are formed between the upper edge 12 and the right lateral
edge 18 on the one hand and between the left lateral edge 16 and
the lower edge 14 on the other hand.
[0092] The slanting right lateral edge 18 destroys the symmetry of
the glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as well as in view
of the second axis 22. Also the slanting lower edge 14 destroys the
symmetry of said glass panel 10 in view of the first axis 20 as
well as in view of the second axis 22. The counterparts of the
slanting lower edge 14 and the slanting right lateral edge 18 may
be slanting frame parts of the door frame. Alternatively, the
counterpart of the slanting right lateral edge 18 may be the
slanting door column of the pair of door columns. In the latter
case, the door columns may be attached at an outer door panel, for
example.
[0093] The counterparts of the slanting lower edge 14 and the
slanting right lateral edge 18 destroy also the symmetry of the
door frame or of the pair of door columns, respectively. The
slanting lower edge 14, the slanting right lateral edge 18 and the
corresponding door frame or door columns guarantee the correct
orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door frame or at the door
columns.
[0094] According to the present invention the glass panel 10 is
unsymmetrical in view of the first axis and second axis. Also the
corresponding door frame or pair of door columns, respectively, is
unsymmetrical, so that an incorrect orientation of the glass panel
10 in the door frame or at the door columns is impossible. Thus,
the system of the glass panel 10 and the door frame or the pair of
door columns is a so-called poka yoke construction. A marginal
element destroying the symmetry of the glass panel 10 and the
corresponding counterpart at the door frame or the door columns are
sufficient in order to obtain said poka yoke construction, so that
the incorrect orientation of the glass panel 10 is avoided.
[0095] Additionally, two different markings may be applied on both
large-area surfaces of the glass panel 10. Said markings may be
symbols, texture, a pattern, arrows and/or numbers. The markings
may be printed or applied by a laser onto the surfaces of the glass
panel 10. The same markings may be also applied on the door frame
or door columns. If the orientation of the glass panel 10 in the
door frame or at the door columns is correct, then the marking on
the glass panel 10 matches the corresponding marking of the door
frame or at the door columns. This is an additional option in order
to ensure the correct orientation of the glass panel 10 in the door
frame or at the door columns.
[0096] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic example in order to explain
the chiral geometric shape in the sense of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a pair of human hands 34 and 36. The human hands 34
and 36 have chiral geometric shapes. The left hand 34 cannot be
mapped to the right hand 36 by rotations and translations alone and
vice versa. In other words, each human hand 34 and 36 cannot be
mapped to its mirror image by rotations and translations alone. The
human hands 34 and 36 are the most famous example for chiral
objects.
[0097] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention
have been described herein with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other
changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in
the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0098] 10 glass panel [0099] 12 upper edge [0100] 14 lower edge
[0101] 16 left lateral edge [0102] 18 right lateral edge [0103] 20
first axis [0104] 22 second axis [0105] 24 cut-out [0106] 26 long
hole [0107] 28 recess [0108] 30 chamfer [0109] 32 curvature [0110]
34 left hand [0111] 36 right hand
* * * * *