U.S. patent application number 16/658947 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for cooking range.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hestan Commercial Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Hestan Commercial Corporation. Invention is credited to Stanley Kin Sui Cheng, Eric Deng, Michael D. Mason.
Application Number | 20200049352 16/658947 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56108208 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200049352 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cheng; Stanley Kin Sui ; et
al. |
February 13, 2020 |
COOKING RANGE
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a range for cooking includes a
combustion chamber having a bottom surrounded by sidewalls that
extend upward to an upper rim, a gas burner positioned at the
bottom, and a platen positioned on the upper rim. The platen has an
opening above the gas burner with a first flange. The range further
includes a removable outer plate positioned on the first flange.
The removable outer plate has an opening above the gas burner with
a second flange. The range further includes a removable inner plate
positioned on the second flange. The removable inner plate is
circular and is made of cast iron. The removable outer plate is
configured to increase the thermal resistance between the removable
inner plate and the platen by having at least one of a different
composition, thickness, and limited contact area than or with the
platen.
Inventors: |
Cheng; Stanley Kin Sui;
(Hillsborough, CA) ; Deng; Eric; (Irvine, CA)
; Mason; Michael D.; (Corona, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hestan Commercial Corporation |
Anaheim |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Hestan Commercial
Corporation
Anaheim
CA
|
Family ID: |
56108208 |
Appl. No.: |
16/658947 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14965406 |
Dec 10, 2015 |
10465912 |
|
|
16658947 |
|
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62090270 |
Dec 10, 2014 |
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62136282 |
Mar 20, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24C 3/047 20130101;
F24C 3/082 20130101; F24C 15/10 20130101; F24C 3/042 20130101; F24C
3/085 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F24C 3/04 20060101
F24C003/04; F24C 15/10 20060101 F24C015/10; F24C 3/08 20060101
F24C003/08 |
Claims
1. A range for cooking comprising: i) a combustion chamber having a
bottom surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim;
ii) a gas burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion
chamber; iii) a platen positioned on the upper rim, the platen
having an interior opening above the gas burner with a first
flange; iv) a removable outer plate positioned on the first flange
of the platen, the removable outer plate having an interior opening
above the gas burner with a second flange; v) a removable inner
plate positioned on the second flange of the removable outer plate,
the removable inner plate being circular and further being made of
cast iron; vi) a perforated enclosure disposed to surround the gas
burner and extend upward towards the platen, the perforated
enclosure extending upward above at least a portion of a flame
generated by the gas burner, the perforated enclosure configured to
trap, reflect, and/or focus radiant heat from the flame generated
by the gas burner, vii) wherein the removable outer plate is made
of stainless steel and has at least one of a different composition
and thickness than the platen to increase the thermal resistance
between the removable inner plate and the platen, and viii) wherein
the combustion chamber has a flue for removal of gases flowing from
the gas burner, wherein a gap between an upper rim of the
perforated enclosure and a lower surface of the platen provides a
passageway for the gases to flow from the gas burner to the flue,
wherein the gap is less than approximately 2 inches.
2. The range for cooking of claim 1, wherein: the removable outer
plate is vertically flush with the platen when positioned on the
first flange of the platen; and the removable inner plate is
vertically flush with the removable outer plate when positioned on
the second flange of the removable outer plate.
3. A range for cooking comprising: a) a combustion chamber having a
bottom surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim;
b) a gas burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion chamber;
c) a platen positioned on the upper rim, the platen having an
interior opening above the gas burner with a first flange; d) a
removable outer plate positioned on the first flange of the platen,
the removable outer plate having an interior opening above the gas
burner with a second flange; e) a removable inner plate positioned
on the second flange of the removable outer plate, the removable
inner plate being circular; f) a perforated enclosure disposed to
surround the gas burner and extend upward towards the platen, the
perforated enclosure extending upward above at least a portion of a
flame generated by the gas burner, the perforated enclosure having
an upper rim disposed below but substantially aligned with at least
one of the first and second flange; g) wherein the removable outer
plate is configured to increase the thermal resistance between the
removable inner plate and the platen by having at least one of a
different composition and thickness than the platen; and h) wherein
the combustion chamber has a flue for removal of gases flowing from
the gas burner, wherein a gap between an upper rim of the
perforated enclosure and a lower surface of the platen provides a
passageway for the gases to flow from the gas burner to the flue,
wherein the gap is less than approximately 2 inches.
4. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein at least one of the
removable inner plate and the platen is made of a metal selected
from the group consisting of cast iron and mild steel.
5. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the removable outer
plate has a lower thickness than the platen.
6. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the gas burner is
centrally disposed with respect to the platen.
7. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the gas burner is the
only gas burner of the range, and wherein the gas burner is
centrally disposed with respect to the platen.
8. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the removable outer
plate has a width of less than approximately 1/4 to approximately
1/2 of a width of the combustion chamber, and there is a
substantially open cavity between the sidewalls and an interior
portion of the combustion chamber outside of a region below the
removable outer plate.
9. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the perforated
enclosure comprises a plurality of perforations that make up at
least approximately 20 percent of a surface area of the perforated
enclosure, and wherein the perforated enclosure has a width of less
than approximately 1/4 to approximately 1/2 of a width of the
combustion chamber, and there is a substantially open cavity
between the sidewalls of the combustion chamber and an exterior of
the perforated enclosure.
10. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the removable outer
plate is made of stainless steel.
11. The range for cooking of claim 3, wherein the removable inner
plate has a bottom surface that is non-planar and that extends
towards the gas burner.
12. The range for cooking of claim 3, further comprising; a) a
second gas burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion
chamber, and wherein the platen has a second interior opening above
the second gas burner with a third flange; b) a second removable
outer plate positioned on the third flange of the platen, the
second removable outer plate having an interior opening above the
second gas burner with a fourth flange; and c) a second removable
inner plate positioned on the fourth flange of the second removable
outer plate; and d) wherein the first and second removable outer
plates are configured to increase the thermal resistance between a
respective removable inner plate and the platen.
13. The range of claim 3, wherein the removable inner plate is made
of cast iron.
14. The range of claim 3, wherein the removable outer plate is made
of stainless steel.
15. The range of claim 3, wherein the platen is made of mild
steel.
16. The range of claim 3, wherein the removable inner plate is
positioned directly above the gas burner.
17. The range of claim 3, wherein: a) the removable inner plate is
circular; and b) the removable outer plate is annular.
18. The range of claim 3, wherein: a) the removable inner plate is
circular; and b) the removable outer plate is rectangular.
19. A range for cooking comprising: a) a combustion chamber having
a bottom surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper
rim; b) at least one gas burner positioned at the bottom of the
combustion chamber; c) a platen positioned on the upper rim, the
platen having an interior opening above one of the at least one gas
burner with a first flange; d) a removable outer plate positioned
on the first flange of the platen, the removable outer plate having
an interior opening above the one of the at least one gas burner
with a second flange; e) a removable inner plate positioned on the
second flange of the removable outer plate; f) a perforated
enclosure disposed to surround the one of the at least one gas
burner and that is operative to cause preferential heating of the
removable inner plate, the perforated enclosure extending upward
above at least a portion of a flame generated by the one of the at
least one gas burner; g) wherein the platen has a first specific
thermal conductivity (W/(m K), the removable outer plate has a
second specific thermal conductivity (W/(m K), and the removable
inner plate has a third specific thermal conductivity (W/(m K); h)
wherein the first specific thermal conductivity of the platen is
greater than the second specific thermal conductivity of the
removable outer plate; and i) wherein the combustion chamber has a
flue for removal of gases flowing from the at least one gas burner,
wherein a gap between an upper rim of the perforated enclosure and
a lower surface of the platen provides a passageway for the gases
to flow from the at least one gas burner to the flue, wherein the
gap is less than approximately 2 inches.
20. The range for cooking of claim 19, wherein at least one of the
removable inner plate and the platen is made of a metal selected
from the group consisting of cast iron and mild steel.
21. The range for cooking of claim 19, wherein the perforated
enclosure is operative to increase the temperature of the removable
inner plate when the gas burner is ignited by at least
approximately 40.degree. F. as compared to without the enclosure.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/965,406, filed Dec. 10, 2015, which claims
priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/090,270,
filed Dec. 10, 2014, and further claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/136,282, filed Mar. 20, 2015,
the entireties of which are incorporated herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to the field of cooking
and more specifically to a cooking range.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Traditionally, French Top cooking ranges have included a
cooking surface made up of a platen and a circular portal located
within the platen. In such cooking ranges, a cooking vessel (such
as a pot) may be heated using the platen portion of the cooking
surface and/or the circular portal portion of the cooking surface.
For example, cooking vessels may be positioned in different areas
of the cooking surface (e.g., entirely on the circular portal,
entirely on the platen, half on the platen and half on the circular
portal, etc.), causing the cooking vessels to be heated to
different temperatures. Additionally, in order to increase the heat
provided to a cooking vessel, the circular portal may traditionally
be removed, so that the cooking vessel may be exposed to the flame
generated by a burner (as opposed to receiving heat indirectly
through the circular portal). Such traditional cooking ranges,
however, may be deficient.
SUMMARY
[0004] A first aspect of the invention is achieved by providing a
range for cooking comprising a combustion chamber having a bottom
surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim; a gas
burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion chamber; a platen
positioned on the upper rim, the platen having an interior opening
above the gas burner with a first flange; a removable outer plate
positioned on the first flange of the platen, the removable outer
plate having an interior opening above the gas burner with a second
flange; a removable inner plate positioned on the second flange of
the removable outer plate, the removable inner plate being circular
and further being made of cast iron; and wherein the removable
outer plate is made of stainless steel and has at least one of a
different composition and thickness than the platen to increase the
thermal resistance between the removable inner plate and the
platen.
[0005] A second aspect of the invention is achieved by providing a
range for cooking comprising a combustion chamber having a bottom
surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim a gas
burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion chamber; a platen
positioned on the upper rim, the platen having an interior opening
above the gas burner with a first flange; a removable outer plate
positioned on the first flange of the platen, the removable outer
plate having an interior opening above the gas burner with a second
flange; a removable inner plate positioned on the second flange of
the removable outer plate, the removable inner plate being circular
and further being made of cast iron; and wherein the removable
outer plate is configured to increase the thermal resistance
between the removable inner plate and the platen by having at least
one of a different composition, thickness, and limited contact area
than or with the platen.
[0006] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein a lower thermal conductivity of the removable
outer plate with respect to the platen is operative to increase the
thermal resistance.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein at least one of the removable inner plate and the
platen is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of
cast iron and mild steel.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein a lower thickness of the removable outer plate
with respect to the platen is operative to increase the thermal
resistance.
[0009] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the gas burner is centrally disposed with respect
to the platen.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the gas burner is the only gas burner of the
range, and wherein the gas burner is centrally disposed with
respect to the platen.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable outer plate has a width of less than
approximately 1/4 to approximately 1/2 of a width of the combustion
chamber, and there is a substantially open cavity between the
sidewalls and an interior portion of the combustion chamber outside
of a region below the removable outer plate.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, further comprising a perforated enclosure disposed to
surround the gas burner and extend upward towards the platen, the
perforated enclosure having an upper rim disposed below but
substantially aligned with at least one of the first and second
flange.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the perforated enclosure comprises a plurality of
perforations that make up at least approximately 20 percent of a
surface area of the perforated enclosure, and wherein the
perforated enclosure has a width of less than approximately 1/4 to
approximately 1/2 of a width of the combustion chamber, and there
is a substantially open cavity between the sidewalls of the
combustion chamber and an exterior of the perforated enclosure.
[0014] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable outer plate is made of stainless
steel.
[0015] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate has a bottom surface
that is non-planar and that extends towards the gas burner.
[0016] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, further comprising a second gas burner positioned at the
bottom of the combustion chamber, and wherein the platen has a
second interior opening above the second gas burner with a third
flange; a second removable outer plate positioned on the third
flange of the platen, the second removable outer plate having an
interior opening above the second gas burner with a fourth flange;
and a second removable inner plate positioned on the fourth flange
of the second removable outer plate; and wherein the first and
second removable outer plates are configured to increase the
thermal resistance between a respective removable inner plate and
the platen.
[0017] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is made of cast
iron.
[0018] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable outer plate is made of stainless
steel.
[0019] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the platen is made of mild steel.
[0020] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is positioned directly
above the gas burner.
[0021] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is circular; and the
removable outer plate is annular.
[0022] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is circular; and the
removable outer plate is rectangular.
[0023] A third aspect of the invention is achieved by providing a
range for cooking comprising a combustion chamber having a bottom
surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim; at
least one gas burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion
chamber; a platen positioned on the upper rim, the platen having an
interior opening above one of the at least one gas burner with a
first flange; a removable outer plate positioned on the first
flange of the platen, the removable outer plate having an interior
opening above the one of the at least one gas burner with a second
flange; a removable inner plate positioned on the second flange of
the removable outer plate; wherein the platen has a first thermal
conductivity, the removable outer plate has a second thermal
conductivity, and the removable inner plate has a third thermal
conductivity; wherein the first thermal conductivity of the platen
is greater than the second thermal conductivity of the removable
outer plate.
[0024] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein at least one of the removable inner plate and the
platen is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of
cast iron and mild steel.
[0025] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, further comprising an enclosure disposed to surround the
gas burner and that is operative to cause preferential heating of
the removable inner plate.
[0026] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the enclosure is operative to increase the
temperature of the removable inner plate when the gas burner is
ignited by at least approximately 40.degree. F. as compared to
without the enclosure.
[0027] A fourth aspect of the invention is achieved by providing a
range for cooking comprising a combustion chamber having a bottom
surrounded by sidewalls that extend upward to an upper rim; a gas
burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion chamber; a platen
positioned on the upper rim, the platen having an interior opening
above the gas burner with a first flange; a removable outer plate
positioned on the first flange of the platen, the removable outer
plate having an interior opening above the gas burner with a second
flange; a removable inner plate positioned on the second flange of
the removable outer plate; wherein the platen has a first thermal
conductivity, the removable outer plate has a second thermal
conductivity, and the removable inner plate has a third thermal
conductivity; wherein the third thermal conductivity of the
removable inner plate is greater than both the first thermal
conductivity of the platen and the second thermal conductivity of
the removable outer plate; and wherein the first thermal
conductivity of the platen is greater than the second thermal
conductivity of the removable outer plate.
[0028] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is made of cast
iron.
[0029] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable outer plate is made of stainless
steel.
[0030] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the platen is made of mild steel.
[0031] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the platen is made of copper or a copper
alloy.
[0032] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is positioned directly
above the gas burner.
[0033] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate has a first thickness;
the removable outer plate has a second thickness; and the first
thickness of the removable inner plate is greater than the second
thickness of the removable outer plate.
[0034] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate has a bottom surface
that is non-planar and that extends towards the gas burner.
[0035] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is circular; and the
removable outer plate is annular.
[0036] Another aspect of the invention is any such range for
cooking, wherein the removable inner plate is circular; and the
removable outer plate is rectangular.
[0037] A fifth aspect of the invention is achieved by performing a
method comprising positioning a removable outer plate on a first
flange of a platen of a range for cooking, the range comprising a
combustion chamber having a bottom surrounded by sidewalls that
extend upward to an upper rim, the range further comprising a gas
burner positioned at the bottom of the combustion chamber, the
range further comprising the platen positioned on the upper rim,
wherein the platen has an interior opening above the gas burner
with the first flange, wherein the removable outer plate has an
interior opening above the gas burner with a second flange; and
positioning a removable inner plate on the second flange of the
removable outer plate; wherein the platen has a first thermal
conductivity, the removable outer plate has a second thermal
conductivity, and the removable inner plate has a third thermal
conductivity; wherein the third thermal conductivity of the
removable inner plate is greater than both the first thermal
conductivity of the platen and the second thermal conductivity of
the removable outer plate; and wherein the first thermal
conductivity of the platen is greater than the second thermal
conductivity of the removable outer plate.
[0038] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the removable inner plate is made of cast iron.
[0039] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the removable outer plate is made of stainless steel.
[0040] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the platen is made of mild steel.
[0041] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the platen is made of copper or a copper alloy.
[0042] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, further
comprising positioning the removable inner plate directly above the
gas burner.
[0043] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the removable inner plate has a first thickness; the removable
outer plate has a second thickness; and the first thickness of the
removable inner plate is greater than the second thickness of the
removable outer plate.
[0044] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the removable inner plate has a bottom surface that is non-planar
and that extends towards the gas burner.
[0045] Another aspect of the invention is any such method, wherein
the removable inner plate is circular; and the removable outer
plate is annular.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0046] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure
and its features and advantages, reference is now made to the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0047] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate an example cooking range;
[0048] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate additional examples of a cooking
range;
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates an example temperature gradient over a
first platen and a second platen of a range of FIGS. 2-3;
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates an additional example of a cooking
range;
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates an additional example of a cooking range;
and
[0052] FIG. 7 illustrates an example method of manufacturing,
installing, and/or using a cooking range.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by
referring to FIGS. 1-7 of the drawings, like numerals being used
for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
[0054] Traditionally, French Top cooking ranges have included a
cooking surface made up of a platen and a circular portal located
within the platen. In such cooking ranges, a cooking vessel (such
as a pot) may be heated using the platen portion of the cooking
surface and/or the circular portal portion of the cooking surface.
For example, cooking vessels may be positioned in different areas
of the cooking surface (e.g., entirely on the circular portal,
entirely on the platen, half on the platen and half on the circular
portal, etc.), causing the cooking vessels to be heated to
different temperatures. Additionally, in order to increase the heat
provided to a cooking vessel, the circular portal may traditionally
be removed, so that the cooking vessel may be exposed to the flame
generated by a burner (as opposed to receiving heat indirectly
through the circular portal). Furthermore, typical French Top
cooking ranges frequently deploy a removable annulus that surrounds
the circular portal. The portal and annulus can both be removed to
expose a large cooking vessel to more direct heat. When the pot or
vessel to be heated has a smaller diameter than the outer diameter
of the annulus, only the circular portal is removed so the pot or
vessel is still supported on the periphery thereof.
[0055] Such traditional cooking ranges, however, may be deficient.
For example, it may be burdensome to remove the circular portal in
order to heat a cooking vessel to a higher temperature (such as to
quickly boil water), as the circular portal may already be hot and
difficult to move and/or store safely. As another example, the
combination of a platen and a single circular portal may not
provide a sufficient number of different temperatures for heating
multiple cooking vessels simultaneously. Contrary to such typical
deficiencies, the range 100 of FIGS. 1-6 may provide one or more
advantages.
[0056] FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate an example cooking range. As
illustrated, the range 100 includes a cooking unit 109 having
combustion chamber 110 with a gas burner 120 positioned on the
bottom 111 of the combustion chamber 110. The cooking unit 109 of
the range 100 further includes an upper rim 113, a platen 130
positioned on the upper rim 113, a removable outer plate 140
positioned on a flange 132 of the platen 130, and a removable inner
plate 150 positioned on a flange 142 of the removable outer plate
140.
[0057] It has been discovered that various performance attributes
of a French Top range can be improved by varying the thermal
resistance between the removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130
by modifying different aspects of the removable outer plate
140.
[0058] The thermal resistance of the removable outer plate 140 is
adjusted with respect to the inner plate 150 and the platen 130 to,
for example, reduce the transfer of heat from the removable inner
plate 150 to the surrounding platen 130. This may provide a
beneficial effect, depending on the selections of particular
materials for these members, of increasing the temperature of the
removable inner plate 150 and creating a greater gradient or
difference in temperature between the removable inner plate 150 and
the extremely or near perimeter of the platen 130.
[0059] This thermal resistance may be characterized as a function
of both the thickness of each the first platen 130, as well as the
contact area and contact quality with the adjacent platen(s) 130,
and at steady state the thermal conductivity of each material.
[0060] It is generally desirable that the removable outer ring 140
has the greatest thermal resistance while the removable inner plate
150 or first platen 130 have the least thermal resistance. The
quality of thermal contact may vary with the contact area and
surface finish of the materials. Complete surface contact of very
smooth surface at platen interfaces may not be practical or
desired, as it may make assembly and removable of the platens
difficult. Selecting different materials can also cause the contact
quality to vary with temperature, for example, if the materials
expand at different rates due to inherent different in the
coefficient of thermal expansion.
[0061] According to various embodiments, the thermal resistance may
be modulated by selecting materials of construction according to
thermal conductivity (while keeping the contact area and thickness
constant, for example), changing the thickness of the removable
outer plate 140 with regard to the platen 130, changing the contact
area between the removable outer plate 140 and the platen 130,
modulating the thermal resistance in any other manner, or any
combination of the preceding.
[0062] As is discussed above, the range 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D includes
a platen 130, a removable outer plate 140, and a removable inner
plate 150. The removable inner plate 150 has a thermal conductivity
that may be greater than the thermal conductivity of the removable
outer plate 140 and the thermal conductivity of the platen 130.
Additionally, the thermal conductivity of the platen 130 may be
greater than the thermal conductivity of the removable outer plate
140. The lower thermal conductivity of the removable outer plate
140 (in comparison to the higher thermal conductivity of the
removable inner plate 150) may cause the removable outer plate 140
to act as an insulator for the removable inner plate 150, thereby
reducing the loss of heat at the removable inner plate 150, for
example. As such, the removable inner plate 150 may be more easily
heated, may be heated to a higher temperature, and/or may retain
the heat for a longer period of time. Therefore, a cooking vessel
may be heated to a higher temperature, without the removable inner
plate 150 being removed. Furthermore, the three different sections
of the range 100 (e.g., platen 130, removable outer plate 140, and
removable inner plate 150) may provide a wider range of
temperatures at which a cooking vessel may be heated. The higher
thermal conductivity of the platen 130 in comparison to the
removable outer plate 140 may create a smooth spatial thermal
gradient across the platen 130, reaching a lower, but still useful
cooking temperature at the perimeter adjacent the upper rim
113.
[0063] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the cooking unit 109
of the range 100 also includes a perforated enclosure 160 that may
surround the periphery of the gas burner 120. It should be
appreciated that factors effecting the maximum temperature that can
be achieved in the removable inner plate 150 may include, for
example, the amount of energy delivered by the gas burner 120, how
it is focused on the inner plate 150, and how well both the inner
plate 150 and removable outer plate 140 transfer heat to the first
or surrounding platen 130. The perforated enclosure 160 provides
this desirable focusing of energy on the inner plate 150. The
perforated enclosure 160 may extend upward towards the removable
inner plate 150 (and/or the removable outer plate 140), with a gap
161 separating a top portion of the perforated enclosure 160 and a
bottom portion of the removable inner plate 150 (and/or the
removable outer plate 140). The perforated enclosure 160 may direct
the heat from the gas burner 120 to the removable inner plate 150,
for example. As such, the removable inner plate 150 may be more
easily heated to a higher temperature. Furthermore, the gap 161 may
provide a passageway for gases (such as gases that are not
combusted) to flow from the gas burner 120 to the flue 170.
Therefore, a cooking vessel may be heated to a higher temperature,
without the removable inner plate 150 being removed. Furthermore,
the hotter removable inner plate 150 may create a wider spatial
gradient throughout the removable inner plate 150, removable outer
plate 140, and the platen 130.
[0064] As is discussed above, the range 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D includes
a cooking unit 109 having a combustion chamber 110 with a gas
burner 120 positioned on the bottom 111 of the combustion chamber
110. The combustion chamber 110 may be any chamber where gas from
the gas burner 120 may be ignited to form a flame. The combustion
chamber 110 may include a bottom 111 and sidewalls 112 that
surround the bottom 111 and extend from the bottom 111 upward to an
upper rim 113 of the range 100. The sidewalls 111 may extend upward
at any upward angle. For example, the sidewalls may extend upward
at 30.degree., 45.degree., 60.degree., 75.degree., 90.degree.,
105.degree., 120.degree., or any other upward angle. Each of the
sidewalls 111 may extend upward at the same angle (e.g.,
90.degree.), or one or more of the sidewalls 111 may extend upward
at a different angle than the other sidewalls 111 (e.g., front and
back sidewalls 111 may extend at 90.degree., and left and right
sidewalls 111 may extend at 75.degree.). The upper rim 113 may
support a cooking surface positioned over the combustion chamber
110.
[0065] The combustion chamber 110 may have any shape. For example,
the combustion chamber 110 may be shaped as a square, a rectangle,
a circle, an oval, any other shape, or any combination of the
preceding. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the combustion chamber
110 is shaped as a rectangle. The combustion chamber 110 may have
any size. For example, the combustion chamber 110 may have a height
114 (shown in FIG. 1B) of approximately (i.e., +/-0.5 inch) 5
inches to approximately 7 inches, a width 115 (shown in FIG. 1B) of
approximately 15 inches to approximately 18 inches, and a depth 116
(shown in FIG. 1A) of approximately 20 inches to approximately 24
inches. The ratio of height 114 to width 115 may be at least
approximately (i.e., +/-0.2) 2:1 to approximately 3:1, for example.
In such an example, the ratio of height 114 to width 115 may be
2.3:1. The combustion chamber 110 may have a width 115 that is
based on the size of the width of the flame that may be generated
by the gas burner 120 as measured by the burner orifice separation.
For example, the ratio of width 115 to the width of the flame may
be at least approximately 15.25:7 (i.e., 15.25+/-0.2:7+/-0.2). The
shape and/or size of the combustion chamber 110 may form a
substantially open cavity between the sidewalls 111 and an interior
portion of the combustion chamber 110 outside of a region below the
removable outer plate 140. Furthermore, the shape and/or size of
the combustion chamber 110 may form a substantially open cavity
between the sidewalls 111 and an exterior of the perforated
enclosure 160.
[0066] A gas burner 120 may be positioned at the bottom 111 of the
combustion chamber 110. The gas burner 120 may be any device that
may generate a flame. For example, the gas burner 120 may be a
central gas flame source, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D. The gas
burner 120 may generate the flame using any type of gas (or fuel).
For example, the gas burner 120 may generate the flame using
propane, butane, methane, any other ignitable gas, or any
combination of the preceding. The gas burner 120 may have one or
more orifices for emitting a combustible gas to localize a central
flame. The gas burner 120 may include (or be associated with) any
type of igniter for igniting the gas to generate the flame.
Furthermore, the gas burner 120 may have any size and/or shape.
[0067] The gas burner 120 may be positioned at any location at the
bottom 111 of the combustion chamber. For example, the gas burner
120 may be positioned at the center of the combustion chamber 110,
off-center of the width 115 of the combustion chamber 110,
off-center of the length 116 of the combustion chamber 110, at
location that is centrally disposed with respect to the platen 130
(discussed below), at a location that this is off-center with
respect to the platen 130, or any combination of the preceding. The
gas burner 120 may be positioned in any manner onto the bottom 111.
For example, the gas burner 120 may be welded onto the bottom 111,
screwed onto the bottom 111, clipped onto the bottom 111,
positioned in any other manner, or any combination of the
preceding. As is illustrated in FIG. 1D, the gas burner 120 may
receive gas from a gas supply line 181. This gas supply line 181
may be modulated by a valve 180 connected to an external knob 182.
In use, an operator may turn the external knob 182 clockwise (or
counter-clockwise) to cause gas to be supplied to the gas burner
120, and to cause an igniter included in (or associated with) the
gas burner 120 to ignite the gas to generate a flame. The operator
may further utilize the external knob 182 to increase the supply of
gas, decrease the supply of gas, or shut off the supply of gas to
the gas burner 120.
[0068] The cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may include any number
of gas burners 120. For example, the cooking unit 109 of the range
100 may include 1 gas burner 120, 2 gas burners 120, 3 gas burners
120, 5 gas burners 120, 10 gas burners 120 or any other number of
gas burners 120. Additionally, the range 100 may include any number
of gas burners 120. For example, the cooking unit 109 of the range
100 may include 1 gas burner 120, 2 gas burners 120, 3 gas burners
120, 5 gas burners 120, 10 gas burners 120 or any other number of
gas burners 120.
[0069] The cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may further include a
platen 130, a removable outer plate 140, and a removable inner
plate 150. The platen 130 may be any type of surface for cooking.
For example, the platen 130 may be a stainless steel surface for
cooking. In one example, a platen may be a lateral expanse of
generally metallic material that has a generally planar upper
surface and that is capable of bearing a load when held at the
periphery owing to the thickness and selection of material, as well
as having a thickness sufficient to preclude warping from lateral
difference in thermal expansion. A platen may have, for example,
one or more perforations (such as internal opening 131, discussed
below) in the surface, which optionally includes lower flanges
(such as flange 132, discussed below) to support inserts (such as
removable outer plate 140 and/or removable inner plate 150,
discussed below) that have a generally planar upper surface that is
generally flush with the planar upper surface of the surrounding
platen 130.
[0070] The platen 130 may be positioned on the upper rim 113, so
that the upper rim 113 may support the platen 130. The platen 130
may be positioned in any manner on the upper rim 113. For example,
the platen may be welded to the upper rim 113, nailed to the upper
rim 113, screwed onto the upper rim 113, clipped onto the upper rim
113, bolted onto the upper rim 113, positioned in any other manner
on the upper rim 113, or any combination of the preceding. By
positioning the platen 130 on the upper rim 113, the upper rim 113
may support the weight of the platen 130, for example. Furthermore,
by positioning the platen 130 on the upper rim 113, the platen 130
may be secured to the range 100, preventing the platen 130 from
moving while still secured to the range 100, for example.
[0071] The platen 130 may have any shape. For example, the platen
130 may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, any
other shape, or any combination of the preceding. The platen 130
may have the same shape as the combustion chamber 110. For example,
if the combustion chamber 110 is shaped as a square, the platen 130
may also be shaped as a square. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D,
the platen 130 is shaped as a rectangle. The platen 130 may have
any size. For example, the platen 130 may have any length, width,
and/or thickness. In one example, the platen 130 may have a length
that is approximately equal (i.e., equal +/-0.5 inches) to the
depth 116 of the combustion chamber 110 and/or a width that is
approximately equal to the width 115 of the combustion chamber
110.
[0072] The platen 130 may be made of (or constructed of) any
material that may be used as a cooking surface, and the material
may have any thermal conductivity for conducting heat for cooking.
For example, the platen 130 may be made of steel, mild steel,
stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, cast-iron, any other metal,
glass, any other material that may be used as a cooking surface, or
any combination of the surface. Furthermore, the platen 130 may be
made of a material that allows the platen 130 to absorb and
maintain a smooth temperature gradient across all of the platen
130. For example, the platen 130 may be made of a heavy duty, high
grade hot-rolled steel. As another example, the platen 130 may be
made of a mild steel. In such examples, the platen 130 may produce
a smooth temperature gradient radially towards the edges of the
platen 130. With high and uniform thermal mass, the platen 130 may
effectively absorb and maintain a consistent temperature
gradient.
[0073] The platen 130 may further include an interior opening 131
(shown in FIG. 1B). The interior opening 131 may be an opening that
extends through the entire thickness of the platen 130. As such, an
operator may be able to position a cooking vessel over (or in) the
interior opening 131, thereby putting the cooking vessel in direct
contact with the flame generated by the gas burner 120. The
interior opening 131 may have any shape. For example, the interior
opening 131 may be shaped as a square, a rectangle, a circle, an
oval, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. The
interior opening 131 may have any size. For example, the interior
opening 131 may have a diameter of approximately (i.e., +/-1 inch)
10 inches, approximately 8 inches, approximately 6 inches,
approximately 5 inches, approximately 4 inches, approximately 3
inches, or any other size. As another example, the interior opening
131 may have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of a
standard cooking vessel, such as the diameter of a 3 quart saute
pan, the diameter of a 4 quart sauce pan, or the diameter of a 7
quart stockpot. The interior opening 131 may be positioned in any
location on the platen 130. For example, the interior opening 131
may be located in the center of the platen 130 (e.g., from
side-to-side and/or front-to-back), or located off-set from the
center of the platen 130 (e.g., from side-to-side and/or
front-to-back). The interior opening 131 may be positioned in a
location directly above the gas burner 120. In such an example, the
center of the interior opening 131 may be vertically in-line with
the center of the gas burner 120. As another example, the interior
opening 131 may be positioned in any other location that is above
the gas burner 120, such as in a location that is off-set from the
center of the gas burner 120.
[0074] The interior opening 131 may include a flange 132 (shown in
FIG. 1B). The flange 132 may be any type of supporting element
(such as a ridge or a ledge) that may support the removable outer
plate 140. The flange 132 may have any size and/or shape.
Furthermore, the flange 132 may be continuous around all or a
portion of the perimeter of the interior opening 131, or the flange
132 may be segmented (with a gap between each segment) around all
or a portion of the perimeter of the interior opening 131.
[0075] The cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may further include a
removable outer plate 140 positioned on the flange 132 of the
platen 130. The removable outer plate 140 may include any type of
surface for cooking. For example, the removable outer plate 140 may
be a mild steel surface for cooking. The removable outer plate 140
may be positioned on the flange 132, so that the flange 132 may
support the removable outer plate 140. The removable outer plate
140 may be positioned so as to be removable. For example, an
operator may lift the removable outer plate 140 off of the flange
132, thereby separating the removable outer plate 140 from the
platen 130. The removable outer plate 140 may be removed in any
manner. As an example, the removable outer plate 140 may include a
tool opening or recess that may allow an operator to use a tool to
lift the removable outer plate 140 from the flange 132.
[0076] When positioned on the flange 132, the removable outer plate
140 may be flush with the platen 130. For example, the removable
outer plate 140 may be vertically flush with the platen 130. In
such an example, there may be no change in height (or substantially
no change in height) between the top surface of the platen 130 and
the top surface of the removable outer plate 140. As another
example, the removable outer plate 140 may be horizontally flush
with the platen 130. In such an example, there may be no gap (or
substantially no gap) between the inner perimeter of the interior
opening 131 and the outer perimeter of the removable outer plate
140.
[0077] The removable outer plate 140 may have any shape. For
example, the removable outer plate 140 may be shaped as a square, a
rectangle, a circle, an oval, a ring (i.e., annular), any other
shape, or any combination of the preceding. As is illustrated in
FIGS. 1A-1D, the removable outer plate 140 is shaped as a ring. The
removable outer plate 140 may have any size. For example, the
removable outer plate 140 may have any length, width, diameter,
and/or thickness. The width of the removable outer plate 140 may be
less than approximately 1/4 to approximately 1/3 (i.e., 1/4+/- 1/10
to 1/3+/- 1/10) of a width of the combustion chamber 110, for
example. The removable outer plate 140 may have the same outer
radius as the perforated enclosure 160 (discussed below). As such,
the removable outer plate 140 may compliment the perforated
enclosure 160, working with the perforated enclosure 160 to focus
all (or most) of the heat on the removable inner plate 150, for
example.
[0078] The removable outer plate 140 may be made of (or constructed
of) any material that may be used as a cooking surface, and the
material may have any thermal conductivity for conducting heat for
cooking. For example, the removable outer plate 140 may be made of
steel, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,
cast-iron, any other metal, glass, any other material that may be
used as a cooking surface, or any combination of the surface.
Furthermore, the removable outer plate 140 may be made of a
material that allows the removable outer plate 140 to act as an
insulator to the removable inner plate 150, thereby creating a
greater temperature variance. For example, the removable outer
plate 140 may be made of stainless steel (such as a heavy duty,
high grade, and high polished stainless steel). In such an example,
the removable outer plate 150 may have a low heat absorption rate.
By acting as an insulator surrounding the removable inner plate
150, the removable outer plate 140 may insulate and minimize
conductive heat loss from the removable inner plate 150.
Additionally, the removable outer plate 140 may further conduct
heat toward the platen 130. As such, when the removable outer plate
140 is heated, the removable outer plate 140 may conduct the heat
towards the platen 130, further heating the platen 130.
[0079] The removable outer plate 140 may further include an
interior opening 141 (shown in FIG. 1B). The interior opening 141
may be an opening that extends through the entire thickness of the
removable outer plate 140. As such, an operator may be able to
position a cooking vessel over (or in) the interior opening 141,
thereby placing the cooking vessel in direct contact with the flame
generated by the gas burner 120. The interior opening 141 may have
any shape. For example, the interior opening may be shaped as a
square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, any other shape, or any
combination of the preceding. The interior opening 141 may have any
size. For example, the interior opening 141 may have a diameter of
approximately (i.e., +/-1 inch) 10 inches, approximately 8 inches,
approximately 6 inches, approximately 5 inches, approximately 4
inches, approximately 3 inches, or any other size. As another
example, the interior opening 141 may have a diameter that is
larger than a diameter of a standard cooking vessel, such as the
diameter of a 3 quart saute pan, the diameter of a 4 quart sauce
pan, or the diameter of a 7 quart stockpot.
[0080] The interior opening 141 may be positioned in any location
on the removable outer plate 140. For example, the interior opening
141 may be located in the center of the removable outer plate 140
(e.g., from side-to-side and/or front-to-back), or located off-set
from the center of the removable outer plate 140 (e.g., from
side-to-side and/or front-to-back). The interior opening 141 may be
positioned in a location directly above the gas burner 120. In such
an example, the center of the interior opening 141 may be
vertically in-line with the center of the gas burner 120. As
another example, the interior opening 141 may be positioned in any
other location that is above the gas burner 120, such as in a
location that is off-set from the center of the gas burner 120.
[0081] The interior opening 141 may include a flange 142 (shown in
FIG. 1B). The flange 142 may be any type of supporting element
(such as a ridge or a ledge) that may support the removable inner
plate 150. The flange 142 may have any size and/or shape.
Furthermore, the flange 142 may be continuous around all or a
portion of the perimeter of the interior opening 141, or the flange
142 may be segmented (with a gap between each segment) around all
or a portion of the perimeter of the interior opening 141.
[0082] The cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may further include a
removable inner plate 150 positioned on the flange 142 of the
removable outer plate 140. The removable inner plate 150 may
include any type of surface for cooking. For example, the removable
inner plate 150 may be a cast-iron surface for cooking. The
removable inner plate 150 may be positioned on the flange 142, so
that the flange 142 may support the removable inner plate 150. The
removable inner plate 150 may be positioned so as to be removable.
For example, an operator may lift the removable inner plate 150 off
of the flange 142, thereby separating the removable inner plate 150
from the platen 130 and the removable outer plate 140. The
removable inner plate 150 may be removed in any manner. As an
example, the removable inner plate 150 may include a tool opening
or recess 151 that may allow an operator to use a tool to lift the
removable inner plate 150 from the flange 142.
[0083] When positioned on the flange 142, the removable inner plate
150 may be flush with the removable outer plate 140 and/or the
platen 130. For example, the removable inner plate 150 may be
vertically flush with the removable outer plate 140 and/or the
platen 130. In such an example, there may be no change in height
(or substantially no change in height) between the top surface of
the platen 130, the top surface of the removable outer plate 140,
and the top surface of the removable inner plate 150. As another
example, the removable inner plate 150 may be horizontally flush
with the removable outer plate 140. In such an example, there may
be no gap (or substantially no gap) between the inner perimeter of
the interior opening 141 and the outer perimeter of the removable
inner plate 150.
[0084] The removable inner plate 150 may have any shape. For
example, the removable inner plate 150 may be shaped as a square, a
rectangle, a circle, an oval, any other shape, or any combination
of the preceding. As is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D, the removable
inner plate 150 is shaped as a circle. In such an example, the
removable inner plate 150 and the removable outer plate 140 may be
concentric, and the removable outer plate 140 may symmetrically
surround the removable inner plate 150. As another example, the
removable inner plate 150 may be shaped as a circle, and the
removable outer plate 140 may be shaped as a rectangle or square.
In such an example, the removable outer plate 140 may be offset
from the center of symmetry of the removable inner plate 150 and/or
the center of symmetry of the platen 130.
[0085] The removable inner plate 150 may have any size. For
example, the removable inner plate 150 may have any length, width,
diameter, and/or thickness. The removable inner plate 150 may have
the same (or substantially the same) thickness as the removable
outer plate 140 and/or the platen 130. Alternatively, the removable
inner plate 150 may have a different thickness than the removable
outer plate 140 and/or the platen 130. For example, the removable
inner plate 150 may be thicker than the removable outer plate 140
and/or the platen 130. In such an example, the removable inner
plate 150 may extend downward to be closer to the flame than the
removable outer plate 140 and/or the platen 130.
[0086] The removable inner plate 150 may have a bottom surface 152
(shown in FIG. 1B) that faces the gas burner 120. The bottom
surface 152 may have any shape. For example, the bottom surface 152
may be flat. As another example, the bottom surface 152 may be
non-planar. In such an example, the bottom surface may slope
downward towards the gas burner 120. Furthermore, the bottom
surface 152 may include one or more ridges, grooves, or
corrugations. The ridges, grooves, or corrugations may be
concentric or radial. The ridges, grooves, or corrugations may
provide the removable inner plate 150 with a higher heat absorbing
efficiency, for example.
[0087] As is discussed above, the interior opening 141 (within
which the removable inner plate 150 is positioned) may be
positioned in any location on the removable outer plate 140. For
example, the interior opening 141 may be positioned above or
directly above the gas burner 120. In such an example, the
removable inner plate 150 may also be above or directly above the
gas burner 120. The removable inner plate 150 may be positioned
directly above the gas burner 120, so that a center of the
removable inner plate 150 may be vertically in-line with the center
of the gas burner 120. Alternatively, the removable inner plate 150
may be positioned in any other location that is above the gas
burner 120, such as in a location where the center of the removable
inner plate 150 is off-set from the center of the gas burner
120.
[0088] The removable inner plate 150 may be made of (or constructed
of) any material that may be used as a cooking surface, and the
material may have any thermal conductivity for conducting heat for
cooking. For example, the removable inner plate 150 may be made of
steel, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,
cast-iron, any other metal, glass, any other material that may be
used as a cooking surface, or any combination of the surface.
Furthermore, the removable inner plate 150 may be made of a
material that allows the removable inner plate 150 to act as an
optimum black body to absorb all of (or most of) the heat produced
by the gas burner 120. For example, the removable inner plate 150
may be made of cast-iron (such as a heavy duty, high grade
cast-iron). In such an example, the removable inner plate 150 may
have a high heat absorption rate. By acting like a black body, the
removable inner plate 150 may absorb heat generated by the gas
burner 120, producing higher than average surface temperatures. The
removable inner plate 150 may be heated to a temperature as high as
980.degree. F. (or higher), for example.
[0089] By including three sections of a cooking surface (e.g., the
platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the removable inner
plate 150), the cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may provide a
wide range of temperatures at which a cooking vessel may be heated.
For example, the center of the removable inner plate 150 may have
the highest temperature, the perimeter of the removable inner plate
150 may have a lower temperature, the removable outer plate 140 may
have an even lower temperature, and the platen 130 may have an even
further lower temperature. As such, if the operator wants to cook
one cooking vessel at a high temperature, the operator may place
the cooking vessel at the center of the removable inner plate 150.
Furthermore, if the operator wants to cook another cooking vessel
at a lower temperature, the operator may place that cooking vessel
halfway between the removable outer plate 140 and the platen 130.
Additionally, if the operator wants to cook a further cooking
vessel at an even lower temperature, the operator may place that
cooking vessel on the platen 130. Also, in order to cook at
different temperatures, the operator may first place a cooking
vessel at the center of the removable inner plate 150 in order to
cook the cooking vessel at a high temperature for any amount of
time, and then may move the same cooking vessel to the removable
outer plate 140 and/or the platen 130 in order to cook the cooking
vessel at a lower temperature for any amount of time. As such, the
range 100 may provide multiple temperature choices over each of the
three different sections of the cooking surface. Additionally, the
range 100 may have a smooth temperature gradient from the center of
the removable inner plate 150 to the platen 130. For example, a
concentric temperature profile may be created starting from the
removable inner plate 150, and decreasing temperature rings may
spread outwards towards the outer edges of the platen 130.
[0090] As is discussed above, the platen 130, the removable outer
plate 140, and the removable inner plate 150 may each have a
thermal conductivity for conducting heat for cooking. The thermal
conductivities of each of the platen 130, the removable outer plate
140, and the removable inner plate 150 may be the same. For
example, the platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the
removable inner plate 150 may each be made of the same material
(e.g., steel) with the same thermal conductivity.
[0091] Alternatively, the thermal conductivities of one or more of
the platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the removable
inner plate 150 may be different. The removable inner plate 150 may
have a thermal conductivity that is greater than the thermal
conductivity of the removable outer plate 140 and the thermal
conductivity of the platen 130. For example, the removable inner
plate 150 may be made of cast iron with a thermal conductivity of,
for example, 55 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C., while the removable outer
plate 140 may be made of stainless steel with a thermal
conductivity of, for example, 16 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C., and the
platen 130 may be made of mild steel with a thermal conductivity
of, for example, 43 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C. This lower thermal
conductivity of the removable outer plate 140 (in comparison to the
higher thermal conductivity of the removable inner plate 150) may
increase the thermal resistance between the removable inner plate
150 and the platen 130, which may cause the removable outer plate
140 to act as an insulator for the removable inner plate 150,
thereby reducing the loss of heat at the removable inner plate 150.
As such, the removable inner plate 150 may by more easily heated,
may be heated to a higher temperature, and/or may retain the heat
for a longer period of time. Therefore, a cooking vessel may be
heated to a higher temperature, without the removable inner plate
150 being removed.
[0092] In addition to the thermal conductivity of the removable
inner plate 150 being greater than the thermal conductivities of
the removable outer plate 140 and the platen 130, the thermal
conductivity of the platen 130 may also be greater than the thermal
conductivity of the removable outer plate 140. For example, the
platen 130 may be made of mild steel with a thermal conductivity
of, for example, 43 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C., while the removable
outer plate 140 may be made of stainless steel with a thermal
conductivity of, for example, 16 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C. It should
be appreciated that the purpose of the higher thermal conductivity
of the platen 130 in comparison to the removable outer plate 140 is
to create a smooth spatial thermal gradient across the platen 130,
reaching a lower, but still useful cooking temperature at the
perimeter adjacent the upper rim 113. Alternatively, in addition to
the thermal conductivity of the removable inner plate 150 being
greater than the thermal conductivities of the removable outer
plate 140 and the platen 130, the thermal conductivity of the
removable outer plate 140 may also be greater than the thermal
conductivity of the platen 130. For example, the removable outer
plate 140 may be made of mild steel with a thermal conductivity of,
for example, 43 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C., while the platen 130 may
be made of stainless steel with a thermal conductivity of, for
example, 16 W/(m K) at 25.degree. C.
[0093] As is discussed above, changing the thermal conductivity of
the platen 130, removable inner plate 140, and/or the removable
inner plate 150 with regard to each other (such as selecting
different materials and/or compositions for the platen 130,
removable inner plate 140, and/or the removable inner plate 150)
may be just one manner of modulating the thermal resistance between
the removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130. Another manner of
modulating the thermal resistance between the removable inner plate
150 and the platen 130 may include changing the thickness of the
removable outer plate 140 with regard to the platen 130. For
example, the removable outer plate 140 may have lower thickness
with regard to the platen 130, which may increase the thermal
resistance between the removable inner plate 150 and the platen
130. In such an example, such an increase in the thermal resistance
between the removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130 may cause
the removable outer plate 140 to act as an insulator for the
removable inner plate 150, thereby reducing the loss of heat at the
removable inner plate 150. As such, the removable inner plate 150
may by more easily heated, may be heated to a higher temperature,
and/or may retain the heat for a longer period of time. The
removable outer plate 140 may have a thickness that is lower than
the thickness of the platen 130 by any amount. For example, the
removable outer plate 140 may have a thickness that is lower than
the thickness of the platen 130 by 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3
inches, 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.8 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, 2
inches, 2.5 inches, 3 inches, or any other size. As another
example, the removable outer plate 140 may have a thickness that is
lower than the thickness of the platen 130 by approximately (+/-0.1
inches) 0.1 inches, approximately 0.2 inches, approximately 0.3
inches, approximately 0.5 inches, approximately 0.6 inches,
approximately 0.8 inches, approximately 1 inch, approximately 1.5
inches, approximately 2 inches, approximately 2.5 inches,
approximately 3 inches, or any other approximate size.
[0094] A further manner of modulating the thermal resistance
between the removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130 may
include changing the contact area between the removable outer plate
140 and the platen 130. For example, the removable outer plate 140
may have a smaller (or more limited) contact area with regard to
the platen 130, which may increase the thermal resistance between
the removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130. In such an
example, such an increase in the thermal resistance between the
removable inner plate 150 and the platen 130 may cause the
removable outer plate 140 to act as an insulator for the removable
inner plate 150, thereby reducing the loss of heat at the removable
inner plate 150. As such, the removable inner plate 150 may by more
easily heated, may be heated to a higher temperature, and/or may
retain the heat for a longer period of time. The smaller (or more
limited) contact area of the removable outer plate 140 with regard
to the platen 130 may be caused by one or more horizontal gaps
between the perimeter of the removable outer plate 140 and the
perimeter of the interior opening 131 of the platen 130. The
horizontal gaps may have any size, such as 0.05 inches, 0.1 inches,
0.15 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.5 inches, approximately
(+/-0.05 inches) 0.05 inches, approximately 0.1 inches,
approximately 0.15 inches, approximately 0.2 inches, approximately
0.3 inches, approximately 0.5 inches, or any other size or
approximate size. The smaller (or more limited) contact area of the
removable outer plate 140 with regard to the platen 130 may also be
caused by a smaller flange 132 (and/or a segmented flange 132) of
the interior opening 131, thereby providing less contact between
the removable outer plate 140 and the platen 130.
[0095] The thermal resistance between the removable inner plate 150
and the platen 130 may be modulated in any other manner.
Additionally, the thermal resistance between the removable inner
plate 150 and the platen 130 may be modulated using any combination
of one or more of any of these manners.
[0096] As illustrated, the cooking unit 109 of the range 100
further includes a perforated enclosure 160. The perforated
enclosure 160 may be any device that may direct the heat from the
gas burner 120 to the removable inner plate 150. For example, the
perforated enclosure 160 may trap, reflect, and/or focus the
radiant heat from the gas burner 120 on the removable inner plate
150. Such direction by the perforated enclosure 160 may cause the
removable inner plate 150 to be more easily heated by the gas
burner 120. For example, such direction of the heat may allow the
removable inner plate 150 to reach temperatures as high as
980.degree. F. (or higher) for an 18'' French top, at 35,000
Btu/hour. Such a high central temperature may enable the
preparation of a broader range of various food types, with desired
results. Furthermore, the direction of the heat may increase burner
combustion and heat transfer efficiencies. For example, the
direction of the heat may prevent the heat from escaping (through a
vent, for example), and thereby allow such heat to further increase
the temperature of the removable inner plate 150.
[0097] The perforated enclosure 160 may cause preferential heating
of the removable inner plate 150. For example, by trapping,
reflecting, and/or focusing the radiant heat from the gas burner
120 on the removable inner plate 150, the perforated enclosure 160
may cause the removable inner plate 150 to be heated more than
(and/or more quickly than) either the removable outer plate 140 or
the platen 130. In such an example, the radiant heat trapped,
reflected, and/or focused by the perforated enclosure 160 may be
radiated by the perforated enclosure 160 toward the removable inner
plate 150, causing the removable inner plate 150 to be heated by
both the radiant heat from the gas burner 120 and the radiant heat
directed toward the removable inner plate 150 by the perforated
enclosure 160. Use of the perforated enclosure 160 with a gas
burner 120 and a removable inner plate 150 may increase the
temperature of the removable inner plate 150 in comparison to when
a perforated enclosure 160 is not used. For example, use of the
perforated enclosure 160 may increase the temperature of the
removable inner plate 150 by at least approximately (i.e., +/-10
degrees) 20.degree. F., at least approximately 30.degree. F., at
least approximately 40.degree. F., or at least approximately
50.degree. F. in comparison to when a perforated enclosure 160 is
not used.
[0098] The perforated enclosure 160 may have any shape. For
example, the perforated enclosure 160 may be shaped as a cylinder,
a cone, an inverted cone (e.g., inverted frusto-conical shape), a
tube, any other shape, or any combination of the preceding. As
illustrated, the perforated enclosure 160 is shaped as an inverted
cone. Such an inverted cone shape may further reflect and focus the
radiant and convective heat upward and towards the removable inner
plate 150, producing extremely high cooking temperatures, for
example. The inverted cone shape of the perforated enclosure 160
may include sides having any degree of angle.
[0099] The perforated enclosure 160 may have any size. For example,
the perforated enclosure 160 may have a diameter that is greater
than the diameter of the gas burner 120 and less than or equal to
the diameter of the removable outer plate 140. As another example,
the perforated enclosure 160 may have a diameter that is equal or
approximately equal (i.e., equal+/-0.5 inches) to the size of the
interior opening 131 of the platen 130, the size of the flange 132
of the of the interior opening 131 of the platen 130, the size of
the interior opening 141 of the removable outer plate 140, the size
of the flange 142 of the interior opening 141 of the removable
outer plate 140, or the size of the removable inner plate 150. As
such, the perforated enclosure 160 may be aligned (or substantially
aligned) with the interior opening 131 of the platen 130, the
flange 132 of the interior opening 131 of the platen 130, the
interior opening 141 of the removable outer plate 140, the flange
142 of the interior opening 141 of the removable outer plate 140,
or the perimeter of the removable inner plate 150. Furthermore,
when shaped as an inverted cone, for example, the diameter of the
perforated enclosure 160 may increase over the height of the
perforated enclosure 160. In such an example, the initial diameter
of the perforated enclosure 160 may be greater than the diameter of
the gas burner 120, and the final diameter of the perforated
enclosure 160 may be greater than the initial diameter but less
than or equal to the diameter of the removable outer plate 140.
[0100] As another example, the perforated enclosure 160 may have a
diameter of approximately 1/2 to approximately 1/3 (i.e., 1/2+/-
1/10 to 1/3+/- 1/10) of the width of the platen 130. As a further
example, the perforated enclosure 160 may have a diameter (or
width) of less than approximately 1/4 to approximately 1/3 (i.e.,
1/4+/- 1/10 to 1/3+/- 1/10) of a width of the combustion chamber
110. As another example, the perforated enclosure 160 may have a
diameter (or width) of less than approximately 1/4 to approximately
2/3 (i.e., 1/4+/- 1/10 to 2/3+/- 1/10) of a width of the combustion
chamber 110. The perforated enclosure 160 may also have any height.
For example, the perforated enclosure 160 may have a height of
approximately (i.e., +/-1 inch) 3 inches to 7 inches. The
perforated enclosure 160 may further have any thickness. For
example, the perforated enclosure 160 may have a thickness of
approximately (i.e., +/-0.3 mm) 1 mm to approximately 2 mm.
[0101] The perforated enclosure 160 may be made of (or constructed
of) any material. For example, the perforated enclosure 160 may be
made of steel, mild steel, stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,
any other metal, or any combination of the preceding. As
illustrated, the perforated enclosure 160 is made of high grade and
fully welded stainless steel.
[0102] The perforated enclosure 160 may be positioned in any
location in the combustion chamber 110 that may allow the
perforated enclosure 160 to direct the heat from the gas burner 120
to the removable inner plate 150. As an example, the perforated
enclosure 160 may be located above (such as entirely above) the gas
burner 120. As another example, the perforated enclosure 160 may be
positioned so as to surround the outer perimeter (e.g., periphery)
of the gas burner 120 (thereby surrounding the flame generated by
the gas burner 120), as is illustrated in FIG. 1B. In addition to
surrounding the outer perimeter of the gas burner 120, the
perforated enclosure 160 may be horizontally spaced from the outer
perimeter of the gas burner 120. This horizontal spacing may create
a horizontal gap in-between the outer perimeter of the gas burner
120 and the inward facing side of the perforated enclosure 160.
This horizontal gap may be any distance.
[0103] The perforated enclosure 160 may include one or more
perforations 162 (shown in FIG. 1B). The perforations 162 may allow
air to enter the perforated enclosure 160, so as to allow the gas
burner 120 to generate a flame. For example, the perforations 162
may provide a pathway for air to flow inward to support the
combustion of gas at the gas burner 120. One example of this
movement of air is discussed below. For example, the bottom 111 of
the combustion chamber 110 may include slats 121 (shown in FIG.
1B). These slats 121 may direct air from holes in the combustion
chamber 110 to the perforated enclosure 160. This directed air may
then flow inside of the perforated enclosure 160 through the
perforations 162, allowing for combustion of the gas from the gas
burner 120 and generation of a flame. An illustration of this flow
of air is shown in FIG. 1B, as the double headed arrows 164. In
such an example, the air flows between the slats 121 and through
the perforations 162 in order to reach the gas burner 120.
[0104] A perforation 162 may be any type of opening in the
perforated enclosure 160. The perforation 162 may have any shape.
For example, the perforation 162 may be shaped as a square, a
rectangle, a circle, an oval, an irregular shape, any other shape,
or any combination of the preceding. The perforation 162 may have
any size. For example, the perforation 160 may be sized to allow
sufficient air to enter the perforated enclosure 160 (as is
discussed above) so as to allow the gas burner 120 to generate the
flame, but may also be sized to reduce (or prevent) heat from
escaping the perforated enclosure 160. In such an example, the
perforation 162 may have a diameter of approximately (i.e., +/-0.1
inches) 0.5 inches to approximately 1.5 inches.
[0105] The perforated enclosure 160 may include any number of
perforations 162. For example, the perforated enclosure 160 may
include 1 perforation 162, 2 perforations 162, 10 perforations 162,
20 perforations 162, 100 perforations 162, 1,000 perforations 162,
or any other number of perforations 162. The perforations 162 may
make up approximately (i.e., +/-2 percent) 20 percent to
approximately 40 percent of a surface area of the perforated
enclosure 160, approximately 15 percent to approximately 45 percent
of a surface area of the perforated enclosure 160, at least
approximately 20 percent of a surface area of the perforated
enclosure, or any other range of the surface area of the perforated
enclosure 160.
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the perforated enclosure 160 may
extend upward towards the platen 130, the removable outer plate
140, and the removable inner plate 150. Furthermore, the perforated
enclosure 160 may be positioned (and/or sized) to create a vertical
spacing between a top portion (such as the upper rim) of the
perforated enclosure 160 and a bottom portion (or side) of the
platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the removable inner
plate 150. This vertical spacing may create a vertical gap 161
(shown in FIG. 1B) in-between the top portion (or the upper rim) of
the perforated enclosure 160 and the bottom portion (or side) of
the platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the removable
inner plate 150. The gap 161 may provide a passageway for the hot
combustion gases (which comprise water, carbon dioxide and heated
gas) to travel from inside the perforated enclosure 160, through
the gap 161, and to a flue 170 for venting the gas. When these hot
combustion gases rise and flow over an upper edge (or rim) of the
perforated enclosure 160 and toward the upper rim 113, they are
forced in close proximity to the underside of platen 130 (thereby
heating the platen 130 to the portions (such as the perimeter
portions) of the platen 130 that in contact with the upper rim
113), and contribute to the gradual thermal gradient that radiates
outward from the removable outer plate 140. This unimpeded flow of
gas may be permitted by the gap 161 and also by the substantially
open cavity between the sidewalls 111 and an exterior of the
perforated enclosure 160. An example of this flow of gas is
illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1D, as the double black lined arrows
166. In such an example, the gas may exit the perforated enclosure
160 through the gap 161, flow underneath the removable inner plate
150, flow underneath the removable outer plate 140, flow underneath
the platen 130, and flow to the flue 170 for venting out of the
range 100. The flue 170 may be any device for venting the gas.
Furthermore, it may have any size and/or shape, and may be
positioned at any location on the range 100 (such as in the back of
the range 100).
[0107] The gap 161 may be any distance. For example, the gap 161
may be sized to allow gas (such as gas that was not combusted) to
vent through the gap 161 (towards the flue 170), but may be further
sized to reduce (or prevent) heat from escaping the perforated
enclosure 160. In such an example, the gap 161 may be approximately
(i.e., +/-0.2 inches) 0.5 inches, approximately 1 inch,
approximately 1.5 inches, approximately 2 inches, approximately 2.5
inches, or any other distance. As another example, the gap 161 may
be less than approximately (i.e., +/-0.2 inches) 1 inch, less than
approximately 2 inches, less than approximately 2.5 inches, or any
other range. As a further example, the gap 161 may be at least
approximately (i.e., +/-0.2 inches) 0.5 inches, at least
approximately 1 inch, at least approximately 1.5 inches, at least
approximately 2 inches, at least approximately 2.5 inches, or at
least any other approximate distance. Preferably, the gap 161 is
approximately 1/10 to approximately 1/14 (i.e., 1/10+/- 1/20 to
1/14+/- 1/20) of the height of the combustion chamber 110.
[0108] As is discussed above, the cooking unit 109 of the range 100
may further include slats 121. These slats 121 may direct air from
holes in the combustion chamber 110 to the perforated enclosure
160, as is discussed above. Additionally, the slats 121 may
surround the lower unobstructed region around the outside of the
perforated enclosure 160 to radiate heat back toward the underside
of the platen 130. This unobstructed region may provide for
adequate air flow into the center of the perforated enclosure 160
to fully burn the feed gas exiting the orifices of the burner
120.
[0109] The cooking unit 109 of the range 100 may further include
heat shields (not shown). The heat shields may be disposed proximal
to the bottom of the combustion chamber 110, and may reflect
radiated heat from the perforated enclosure 160 toward the platen
130 (thereby further heating the platen 130). The cooking unit 109
may include any number of heat shields. Furthermore, the slats 121
(discussed above) may operate as heat shields.
[0110] Modifications, additions, combinations, or omissions may be
made to the range 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. For example, although the range 100 has
been described above as including a perforated enclosure 160, the
range 100 may not include a perforated enclosure. As another
example, although the upper rim 113 has been described above as
being a part of the range 100, the upper rim 113 may be a part of
the combustion chamber 110 of the range 100.
[0111] Furthermore, although the cooking surface of the range 100
has been described above as including three sections (i.e., the
platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the removable inner
plate 150), the cooking surface may include any number of sections.
For example, the cooking surface may only include a platen 130. As
another example, the cooking surface may only include a platen 130
and a removable inner plate 150. As a further example, the cooking
surface may include more than three sections, such as a platen 130,
two or more removable outer plates 140, and a removable inner plate
150.
[0112] Additionally, although the platen 130 has been described
above as only including a single interior opening 131, the platen
130 may have any number of interior openings 131 with any number of
removable outer plates 140 (and removable inner plates 150)
positioned on the flanges 132 of the interior openings 131. These
interior openings 131 may be positioned adjacent to each other.
Also, although the removable outer plate 140 has been described
above as only including a single interior opening 141, the
removable outer plate 140 may have any number of interior openings
141 with any number of removable inner plates 150 positioned on the
flanges 142 of the interior openings 141. These interior openings
141 may be positioned adjacent to each other.
[0113] Furthermore, although the range 100 has been described above
as including only one cooking unit 109, the range 100 may include
more than cooking unit 109, such as 2 cooking units 109 (as is seen
in FIGS. 1A-1D), 3 cooking units 109, 4 cooking units 109, or any
other number of cooking units 109. Each cooking unit 109 of a range
100 may be identical. Furthermore, one or more of the cooking units
109 of a range may be different than the others. For example, the
range 100 may include a first cooking unit 109 that includes a
perforated enclosure 160, and a second cooking unit 109 that does
not include a perforated enclosure 160.
[0114] Additionally, although the platen 130, removable outer plate
140, and removable inner plate 150 are described above as being
made of (or constructed of) a material, in other examples, the
platen 130, removable outer plate 140, and/or removable inner plate
150 may further (or alternatively) be laminated, coated, or clad in
the material, or in any other material(s). Furthermore, the platen
130, removable outer plate 140, and removable inner plate 150 may
have the same surface finish, or one or more of the platen 130,
removable outer plate 140, and removable inner plate 150 may have
different surface finishes. For example, the removable outer plate
140 may have a different surface finish than the platen 130 and the
removable inner plate 150, thereby distinguishing the boundaries
between the platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, and the
removable inner plate 150.
[0115] FIGS. 2-3 illustrate additional examples of a cooking range.
As illustrated, the range 100 includes a first cooking unit 109
having a first gas burner 120, a first platen 130 positioned on a
first portion of an upper rim 113 of the range 100, a removable
outer plate 140 positioned on a flange 132 of the platen 130, and a
removable inner plate 150 positioned on a flange 142 of the
removable outer plate 140. The range 100 further includes a second
cooking unit 109' having a second gas burner 120' and a second
platen 130' positioned over a remaining portion of the upper rim
113 of the range 100. As illustrated, the second gas burner 120' is
a linear flame source. This linear flame source may allow the
second platen 130' to be heated uniformly along the entire second
platen 130', for example. Furthermore, adjusting the temperature of
the second platen 130' may alter the temperature gradient between
the second platen 130' and the first platen 130.
[0116] As discussed above, the range 100 includes a first cooking
unit 109. The first cooking unit 109 may include a first combustion
chamber 110, a first gas burner 120, a first platen 130, a first
removable outer plate 140, a first removable inner plate 150, and a
perforated enclosure 160, as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The first
combustion chamber 110, the first gas burner 120, the first platen
130, the first removable outer plate 140, the first removable inner
plate 150, and the perforated enclosure 160 of FIGS. 2-3 may each
be substantially similar to the combustion chamber 110, the gas
burner 120, the platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, the
removable inner plate 150, and the perforated enclosure 160 of
FIGS. 1A-1D.
[0117] Similar to the platen 130 of FIGS. 1A-1D, the first platen
130 may have any shape. For example, the first platen 130 may be
shaped as a square, a rectangle, a circle, an oval, any other
shape, or any combination of the preceding. Furthermore, the platen
130 may have the same shape as the combustion chamber 110. The
first platen 130 may be subdivided into two platen parts 130A and
130B. These platen parts 130A and 130B may be coupled together
(when positioned on the rim 113 of the range 100) to form the full
first platen 130. The platen parts 130A and 130B may make up any
portion of the shape of the first platen 130. For example, both
platen parts 130A and 130B may make up identical portions of the
first platen 130. As another example, the platen part 130A may be
bigger than the platen part 130B, or vice versa. As is illustrated
in FIGS. 2-3, the first platen 130 is shaped as a square, and the
platen parts 130A and 130B are shaped as rectangles with identical
sizes.
[0118] The range 100 further includes a second cooking unit 109'.
The second cooking unit 109' may include a second combustion
chamber 110', a second gas burner 120', and a second platen 130'.
The second combustion chamber 110' may be substantially similar to
the first combustion chamber 110. Additionally, the second
combustion chamber 110' may be the same size and/or shape as the
first combustion chamber 110, or may be a different size and/or
shape than the first combustion chamber 110.
[0119] The second gas burner 120' may be positioned at the bottom
111' of the second combustion chamber 110'. The second gas burner
110' may be any device that may generate a flame. The second gas
burner 120' may generate the flame using any type of gas (or fuel).
For example, the second gas burner 120' may generate the flame
using propane, butane, methane, any other ignitable gas, or any
combination of the preceding. The second gas burner 120' may
include (or be associated with) any type of igniter for igniting
the gas to generate the flame. The second gas burner 120' may have
any size and/or shape. For example, the second gas burner 120' may
have a length that is longer than a width of the perforated
enclosure 160, equal to the width of the perforated enclosure, or
smaller than the width of the perforated enclosure 150.
[0120] As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the second gas burner 120' is a
linear flame source (as opposed to the central gas source of the
first gas burner 120). The linear flame source may uniformly heat
all (or a large portion) of the second platen 130' to a uniform
temperature or approximately a uniform temperature (i.e., uniform
temperature +/-5.degree. F.). Additionally, the linear flame source
may bias the temperature distribution on the first platen 130. The
linear flame source may have any shaped track for uniformly heating
the second platen 130'. For example, the linear flame source may
have an oval shaped track (or a U shaped track), as is illustrated
in FIG. 3. As other examples, the linear flame source may have a
square shaped track, a rectangle shape track, a circle shaped
track, a spiral shaped track, a zig-zag shaped track, any other
track that may uniformly heat the second platen 130', or any
combination of the preceding. Furthermore, the linear flame source
may have one or more portions that are oval shaped (or U shaped),
square shaped, a rectangle shaped, circle shaped, spiral shaped,
zig-zag shaped, any other shape that may uniformly heat the second
platen 130', or any combination of the preceding.
[0121] The second gas burner 120' may be positioned at any location
at the bottom 111' of the second combustion chamber 110'. For
example, the second gas burner 120' may be positioned all along the
bottom 111' of the second combustion chamber 110', so as to
uniformly heat the second platen 130'. The second gas burner 120'
may be positioned in any manner onto the bottom 111'. For example,
the second gas burner 120' may be welded onto the bottom 111',
screwed onto the bottom 111', clipped onto the bottom 111',
positioned in any other manner, or any combination of the
preceding. In use, an operator may turn the external knob 182'
(shown in FIG. 3) clockwise (or counter-clockwise) to cause gas to
be supplied to the second gas burner 120', and to cause an igniter
included in (or associated with) the second gas burner 120' to
ignite the gas and generate a flame. The operator may further
utilize the external knob 182' to increase the supply of gas,
decrease the supply of gas, or shut off the supply of gas to the
second gas burner 120'. As is discussed above, this may allow the
second platen 130' to be heated uniformly along all (or a large
portion) of the second platen 130', and may further allow the
temperature distribution on the first platen 130 to be biased. The
external knob 182' of the second cooking unit 109' may be operated
independently of the external knob 182 of the first cooking unit
109. As such, an operator may turn on the second gas burner 120',
turn off the second gas burner 120', or otherwise modulate the
second gas burner 120' independently of the first gas burner 120 of
the first cooking unit 109.
[0122] The second platen 130' may be positioned on the remaining
portion of the upper rim 113. As such, the second platen 130' may
only cover the second combustion chamber 110', and may not cover
the first combustion chamber 110. The second platen 130' may be
substantially similar to the platen 130 of FIGS. 1A-1D and the
first platen 130 of FIGS. 2-3. However, the second platen 130' may
not include an internal opening, for example. Instead, the second
platen 130' may cover the entire second combustion chamber 110' (as
opposed to a portion of the combustion chamber being covered by a
removable outer plate and a removable inner plate, as is
illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1D and further illustrated in the first
cooking unit 109 of FIGS. 2-3).
[0123] FIG. 4 illustrates an example temperature gradient over a
first platen 130 and a second platen 130' of a range 100 of FIGS.
2-3. As seen in FIG. 4, the temperature gradient can be skewed by
the range 100 of FIGS. 2-3, such as extended to a lower temperature
when the second gas burner 120' is off (as is seen by line A),
provided with a plateau of constant temperature when the second gas
burner 120' is turned on (as is seen by line B), or skewed to a
higher temperature on the left side of first platen 130 as the gas
flow to the second gas burner 120' is increased (as is seen by line
C). Skewing of the temperature gradient provides the cook or chef
(or other user) with the ability to vary the area available at
different temperature ranges to accommodate the different vessel
sizes and number of separate vessels of different food stuff being
cooked at one time.
[0124] FIG. 5 illustrates an additional example of a cooking range.
As is illustrated in FIG. 5, the range 100 includes a first cooking
unit 109 and a second cooking unit 109'. The first cooking unit 109
and the second cooking unit 109' of FIG. 5 may be substantially
similar to the first cooking unit 109 and the second cooking unit
109' of FIGS. 2-3. However, the range 100 of FIG. 5 may only have a
single combustion chamber 110 (as opposed to both a first
combustion chamber 110 and a second combustion chamber 110'), for
example. As is illustrated, the first gas burner 120 and the second
gas burner 120' may both be positioned at the bottom 111 of the
same combustion chamber 110. Furthermore, the same combustion
chamber 110 may be covered by both the first platen 130 (and the
removable outer plate 140 and the removable inner plate 150) and
the second platen 130'. The first platen 130 (and the removable
outer plate 140 and the removable inner plate 150) may cover any
portion of the combustion chamber 110 and the second platen 130'
may also cover any portion of the combustion chamber 110. For
example, both the first platen 130 (and the removable outer plate
140 and the removable inner plate 150) and the second platen 130'
may be the same size, and may cover the same amount of the
combustion chamber 110. As another example, the second platen 130'
may be smaller than the first platen 130 (and the removable outer
plate 140 and the removable inner plate 150) and may therefore
cover less of the combustion chamber 110, or vice versa.
[0125] FIG. 6 illustrates an additional example of a cooking range.
As is illustrated in FIG. 6, the range 100 includes a first cooking
unit 109 and a second cooking unit 109'. The first cooking unit 109
and the second cooking unit 109' of FIG. 6 may be substantially
similar to the first cooking unit 109 and the second cooking unit
109' of FIG. 5. However, the first cooking unit 109 of FIG. 6 may
not include a perforated enclosure 160, for example. Furthermore,
the first platen 130, the removable outer plate 140, the removable
inner plate 150, and the second platen 130 may all be made of (or
constructed of) the same material, such as stainless steel.
[0126] Modifications, additions, combinations, or omissions may be
made to the range 100 of FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6 without departing from
the scope of the invention. For example, although the range 100 has
been illustrated as including two cooking units 109, the range 100
may include any number of cooking units 109, such as 3 cooking
units 109, 4 cooking units 109, 5 cooking units 109, or any other
number of cooking units 109. Furthermore, any of the cooking units
109 may be substantially similar to the first cooking unit 109 or
the second cooking unit 109'. Additionally, any of the elements of
the range 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D may be added to, combined with, or
substituted for any of the elements of the ranges 100 of FIGS. 2-3
and 5-6, or vice versa.
[0127] FIG. 7 illustrates an example method of manufacturing,
installing, and/or using a cooking range. One or more of the steps
(such as all of the steps) of method 700 may be performed using the
range 100 of FIGS. 1A-1D or the ranges 100 of FIGS. 2-3 and 5-6.
Furthermore, one or more of the steps (such as all of the steps) of
method 700 may be performed by a manufacturer of a cooking range, a
re-seller of a cooking range, a shipper of a cooking range, an
installer of a cooking range, and/or a user of a cooking range.
[0128] The method 700 begins at step 700. At step 705, a removable
outer plate 140 may be positioned on a flange 132 of a platen 130
of a range 100 for cooking. The range 100 may be any of the ranges
100 of FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6, or any other cooking range. The removable
outer plate 140 may be positioned on the flange 132 of the platen
130 in order to initially install the removable outer plate 140 on
the range 100, or to re-position the removable outer plate 140 back
on the platen 130 after it was removed earlier (e.g., for cleaning
or in order to cook using an open flame). The removable outer plate
140 may be positioned on the flange 132 of the platen 130 in any
manner. For example, a person may lift the removable outer plate
140, position the removable outer plate 140 at least partially over
the platen 130, and then lay the removable outer plate 140 down on
the flange 132 of the platen 130.
[0129] At step 715, a removable inner plate 150 may be positioned
on a flange 142 of the removable outer plate 140. The removable
inner plate 150 may be positioned on the flange 142 of the
removable outer plate 140 in order to initially install the
removable inner plate 150 on the range 100, or to re-position the
removable inner plate 150 back on the removable outer plate 140
after it was removed earlier (e.g., for cleaning or in order to
cook using an open flame). The removable inner plate 150 may be
positioned on the flange 142 of the removable outer plate 140 in
any manner. For example, a person may lift the removable inner
plate 150, position the removable inner plate 150 at least
partially over the removable outer plate 140, and then lay the
removable inner plate 150 down on the flange 142 of the removable
outer plate 140. After step 715 is complete, the method 700 may
move to step 720, where the method 700 ends.
[0130] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method
700. For example, the method 700 may further include a step of
positioning the platen 130 on an upper rim 113 of the range 100.
The platen 130 may be positioned on the upper rim 113 in any
manner. Furthermore, the platen 130 may be secured on the upper rim
113 in any manner, as is discussed above. The steps of method 700
may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order.
[0131] Experimental Results:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Is there Material of Material of Minimum
Maximum Average Maximum Temp, drop a perforated the removable the
removable time time time removable (F.) to edge enclosure Material
of outer plate inner plate to boil to boil to boil inner plate of
platen 160? platen 130 140 150 (minutes ) (minutes) (minutes) temp.
(F.) 130 YES CAST CAST CAST 29:19 35:12 32:35 942 278 IRON IRON
IRON YES CAST S/S CAST 26:20 29:24 27:43 948 286 IRON IRON YES
STEEL STEEL STEEL 27:46 29:58 28:52 867 237 YES STEEL S/S CAST
25:08 27:57 26:53 939 308 IRON YES STEEL STEEL CAST 27:28 31:08
28:51 935 304 IRON NO CAST CAST CAST 863 232 IRON IRON IRON
[0132] TABLE 1 is a summary of test results for different
combinations of materials used to vary the thermal resistance
between the removable outer plate 140, the removable inner plate
150, and the surrounding platen 130. The temperature of the center
of the removable inner plate 150 was measured as well as the edge
or periphery of the surrounding platen 130. The temperature
represents the steady state that was reached approximately 25-35
minutes after gas ignition.
[0133] Each configuration that also deployed the perforated
enclosure 160 was also evaluated multiple times to determine how
long it would take to boil 7 quarts of water that was stored in a 9
inch diameter aluminum vessel. The vessel, with room temperature
water, was placed on the removable inner plate 150 after the
temperature at the removable inner plate 150 had reached a steady
state.
[0134] The last row in the Table 1 shows the temperature reached
with a conventional French top, in which each of the removable
outer plate 140, the removable inner plate 150, and the surrounding
platen 130 is made of cast iron, and the perforated enclosure 160
is not deployed. Other than for the all mild steel construction,
the perforated enclosure 160 increased the center temperature by
about 70 to 90.degree. F. The perforated enclosure 160 did not
significantly improve the all steel construction from the all cast
iron construction of the last row.
[0135] While the perforated enclosure 160 increased the center
temperature of the all cast construction by about 80.degree. F.,
and the temperature range by about 40.degree. F., it did not
improve the boiling time. The shortest average boiling times, about
27 and 28 minutes, where achieved with the higher thermal
resistance of the stainless steel (S/S) removable outer plate 140,
when the platen 130 and removable inner plate 150 was mild steel
and cast iron respectively.
[0136] This specification has been written with reference to
various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples.
However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in
the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations
of any of the disclosed embodiments or examples (or portions
thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. Thus,
it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports
additional embodiments or examples not expressly set forth in this
specification. Such embodiments or examples may be obtained, for
example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the
disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects,
characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various
non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments or examples described
in this specification. In this manner, Applicant reserves the right
to amend the claims during prosecution to add features as variously
described in this specification.
* * * * *