DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to a cooking appliance. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a gas stove. Further, embodiments of the disclosure disclose a frameless gas stove.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Gas stoves have been used extensively around the world as cooking appliance in both indoor and outdoor cooking. Gas stoves inherit characteristics of providing even heat distribution, accurate cooking temperatures, faster cooking time in a time and cost-effective manner.

Generally, gas stoves may be classified based on the scale of usage, where the outdoor stoves are made of metallic frame and configured to support the heavy utensils. While, the gas stoves used for domestic purposes may be formed with metals such as stainless steel, iron, and the like, and includes a frame having a support plate for supporting a utensil. The frame also includes walls extending from periphery of the support plate. In some arrangements walls extending from the support plate may rest on a platform, while in some arrangements legs may be fixed to the frame or the walls, to support the frame on a platform. One or more burners are mounted on top surface of the frame and are connected to fuel lines, which are configured on a bottom surface of the support plate. Further, support arms are mounted on the support plate around the one or more burners, for supporting the utensil. A control knob is configured to the fuel line, to control the amount of fuel supplied to each burner during use of the gas stove. The gas stove also includes a hole provided proximal to the one or more burners for mixing air along with the fuel received from the fuel source. Air provides the oxygen required for combustion of fuel in the one or more burners.

During use, the user operates the control knob to an open position for allowing flow of fuel from the fuel source to the one or more burners. While fuel is flowing through the fuel lines, air also enters the burner area via the hole. The air mixes with the fuel, before flowing into the one or more burners. Thus, a flame is produced when the user ignites the fuel-air mixture routed to the one or more burners, which is used for cooking.

However, due to construction of the conventional gas stoves, heat generated by the one or more burners gets dissipated to the side walls of the frame and to the platform on which the gas stove is mounted. Also, provision of side walls obstructs free flow of air into the burner, thereby affecting the air-fuel mixture flowing into the one or more burners. All these factors inherently affect efficiency of the gas stove.

With the advancement’s in technology, efforts have been made to develop frameless gas stoves. The conventional frameless gas stoves may include a metallic plate elevated from the platform using leg supports. However, the conventional frameless gas stoves still dissipate the heat generated by the fuel to the atmosphere through conduction and convention which affects the performance of the gas stove.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitation associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of conventional assemblies are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of an assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a frameless cooking apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a glass plate forming a cooking surface and includes one or more through holes. A silver sheet is bonded to a bottom surface of the glass plate. The apparatus includes at least one burner assembly fixed to the glass plate and extends above the glass plate from the one or more through holes. The at least one burner assembly is connectable to a fuel source. A plurality of leg supports are fixed to the glass plate, for elevating the glass plate from a surface.

In an embodiment, the glass plate is a toughened glass, and the thickness of the glass plate ranges from about 7.95 mm to about 8.05 mm.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of leg supports are formed in a tapered configuration with a trapezoidal shape at connected end and circular shape at free end.

In an embodiment, height of each of the plurality of leg supports ranges from about 60mm to about 70mm.

In an embodiment, the plurality of leg supports are made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of leg supports includes a resilient shoe for gripping the apparatus on the surface.

In an embodiment, one or more control knob is coupled to a fluid line associated with the at least one burner assembly for regulating flow of fuel into each of the at least one burner assembly.

In an embodiment, a support frame is mounted concentric to each of the at least one burner assembly.

In an embodiment, the support frame includes a plurality of arms for supporting a utensil.

In an embodiment, the silver sheet is perforated, the sliver sheet minimises heat dissipation from the glass plate.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates perspective view of the frameless cooking apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the frameless cooking apparatus of Figure 1 with two burners, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates a silver sheet bonded to the bottom surface of the frameless cooking apparatus of Figure 1.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assemblies, structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure the frameless cooking apparatus, which may vary based on the configuration of the cooking apparatus. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

Embodiments of the disclosure disclose, a frameless cooking apparatus such as gas stove. Gas stoves, as generally known are widely used in domestic applications for cooking food, boiling water, and the like. The gas stoves may include one or more burners which utilise the fuel such as Liquid Petroleum Gas [LPG] along with air for producing the flame. The intensity of the flame generated mainly depends on amount of oxygen available in the vicinity of the gas stove. Also, the efficiency of the gas stove depends on heat dissipation through the surface of the gas stove. In other words, lesser the heat dissipates to the surroundings better the efficiency. The apparatus of the present disclosure, is configured to minimise heat dissipation, thereby improving efficiency, particularly thermal efficiency of the cooking apparatus.

The apparatus comprises a glass plate, which forms a cooking surface for cooking ingredients in a utensil. The glass plate is a toughened glass of a predetermined thickness. An upper surface of the glass plate may be a polished surface, and a silver sheet may be bonded to a bottom surface of the glass plate. The glass plate comprises one or more holes, for accommodating at least one burner assembly. The at least one burner assembly is fixed to the glass plate such that, the at least one burner assembly extends above the glass plate from the one or more holes. The at least one burner assembly is also connected to a fuel source, for producing flame by combustion of fuel. A support frame is mounted concentrically to the at least one burner assembly. The support frame includes a plurality of support arms, which extend above the at least one burner assembly for supporting the utensil. A plurality of leg supports are fixed to the glass plate, for elevating the glass plate from a platform. One or more control knob may be provided in the fuel line which connects the at least one burner assembly, for regulating the flow of fuel into each of the at least one burner assembly. This configuration of the apparatus, also prevents scattering of glass plate in cases of damage, thereby prevent accidental damage to a user.

In an embodiment, the word toughened glass used herein above and below is a type of safety glass processed by controlled thermal or chemical treatments to increase its strength compared with normal glass. Toughening puts the outer surfaces of the glass into compression and the interior into tension. Such stresses cause the glass, when broken, to crumble into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards as plate glass. The granular chunks are less likely to cause injury.
The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the Figures, the same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs. Also, in the figures the complete configuration of the vehicle including storage compartment is not shown for the purpose of simplicity.

Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure which illustrates perspective view of a frameless cooking apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) is configured to reduce heat dissipation, thereby improving thermal efficiency of the apparatus (100).

The apparatus (100) comprises a glass plate (1) which forms a cooking surface for cooking ingredients in a utensil. The glass plate (1) is a toughened glass whose thickness may vary depending on the scale of operation, and number of burners. As an example, the thickness of the glass plate (1) may range from about 7.95 mm to about 8.05 mm for a cooking apparatus with two-burner configuration [as shown in Figure 2] and three-burner configuration. The glass plate (1) includes a top surface (1a) and a bottom surface (1b). The top surface (1a) of the glass plate (1) may be a finished surface and act as the cooking surface, and the bottom surface (1b) acts as a fixing surface. The glass plate (1) may include one or more through holes (4) for receiving at least one burner assembly (2). The at least one burner assembly (2) may be fixed to the bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1) such that, the at least one burner assembly (2) extends above the top surface (1a) of the glass plate (1) from the one or more through holes (4). The extension of the at least one burner assembly (2) is considered such that optimum flame contact may be established with the utensil for optimum heat transfer. The at least one burner assembly (2) is also connected to a fuel source, for producing flame by combustion of fuel. The at least one burner assembly (2) includes a plurality of jet nozzles (2a) for releasing flame produced in the at least one burner assembly (2) in the form of jets. The jets of flame, enables uniform distribution of flame above the glass plate (1), thereby enable uniform distribution of the heat to the utensil. A support frame (3) may be mounted concentrically to each of the at least one burner assembly (2). The support frame (3) is a plate like structure, for supporting a plurality of support arms (5), which extend above the at least one burner assembly (2) for supporting the utensil. The support frame (3) mounted on the glass plate (1), may be at least one of square shape, circular shape, rectangular shape or any other shape which serves the purpose. The plurality of support arms (5) may extend at a predetermined distance to facilitate optimum thermal contact between the utensil and the at least one burner assembly (2). The plurality of support arms (5) are provided along periphery of the support frame (3). The plurality of support arms (5) may be equidistant to one another on the support frame (3). The plurality of support arms (5) may be a ‘V’ shaped arm or a ‘L’ shaped arm fixed to the support frame (3).

A plurality of leg supports (8) are fixed to the glass plate (1), for elevating the glass plate (1) from a platform. The plurality of leg supports (8) may be fixed to the glass plate (1) by a fastener (9). The plurality of leg supports (8) may be formed in a tapered configuration and include a connected end (8a) and a free end (8b). The connected end (8a) of each of the plurality of leg supports (8) are configured with a trapezoidal shape, to reinforce support capacity of the glass plate (1). The free end (8b) of each of the plurality of leg supports (8) engages with the platform, thereby elevating the glass plate (1) from the platform. The free end (8b) may be configured in a circular cross-section, and also includes a damper shoe (8c) for gripping the apparatus (100) on the platform. The material of the damper shoe (8c) may be selected from at least one of rubber material, Poly Vinyl Chloride material and the like, which serves the purpose of gripping the apparatus (100) on the platform. This configuration of the plurality of leg supports (8) ensures that support capacity of the glass plate (1) is improved for each burner of at least one burner assembly (2). In an embodiment, the trapezoidal shape of the plurality of leg supports (8) improves support capacity of the glass plate (1) up to 100kg for each burner of at least one burner assembly (2). As an example, the support capacity of the apparatus (100) may be improved to 300kg for three burner configurations. Further, height of each of the plurality of leg supports (8) may range from about 60mm to about 70mm, which enables larger flow of air into the at least one burner assembly (2). The height also enables maintenance, without the need for flipping the of the apparatus (100) by the user. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of leg supports (8) may be made of polymeric material including Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic, which provide damping characteristics to the apparatus (100) during use.

Further, the at least one burner assembly (2) is connected to a fuel source [not shown in Figures] through fuel line (10) which extend in the bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1). The fuel lines (10) have one end connected to the fuel source through a hose [not shown in figures] and the other end to an air-fuel mixer (11) of each of the at least one burner assembly (2). The fuel supply line (10) may be branched so that a single supply line connects all the burners.

Further, the apparatus (100) further includes one or more control knob (6) coupled to the fuel line (10) which connects the at least one burner assembly (2), for regulating the flow of fuel into each of the at least one burner assembly (2). The one or more control knob (6) may be provided on a bracket (7), mounted on the glass plate (1) such that the one or more control knob (6) is accessible to the user. The one or more control knob (6) may be a valve selected from group such as but not limiting to mechanical valves, electrical valves and electro-mechanical valves.

Referring to Figure 3, which illustrates a bottom view of the cooking apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, a silver sheet (12) may be bonded to the bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1). The silver sheet (12) may be bonded to the glass plate (1) using suitable adhesives. The silver sheet (12) may be selected with a predetermined thickness to ensure optimum thermal properties. In an embodiment, the silver sheet (12) may include perforations (12a), for improving thermal characteristics. The provision of sliver sheet (12) in the bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1), reduces heat dissipation through the glass plate (1), thereby minimising heat losses from the cooking apparatus (100). Thus, improving thermal efficiency of the cooking apparatus (100). Also, bonding of the silver sheet (12) to the bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1), prevents scattering of glass particles in cases of damage of the glass plate (1), thereby prevent accidental damage to the user. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the perforated silver sheet (12) may be polymeric or a metallic sheet coated with silver. This configuration of the bottom surface (1b) reduces heat dissipation due to low thermal conductivity characteristic of the silver sheet (12). Hence, the heat may be concentrated near the at least one burner assembly (2), and thereby improve the efficiency of the cooking apparatus (100).

In an operational embodiment, the user may operate the one or more control knob (6) to route fuel to the at least one burner assembly (2) via the fuel supply line (10) to ignite the fuel. Flow of fuel in the fuel supply line (10), simultaneously allows air to enter into the at least one burner assembly (2) via the provision (10a). Flame is produced, when upon air-fuel mixture reaching the at least one burner assembly (2). The flame heats the utensil placed on the plurality of support arms (5), for cooking.

In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus of the present disclosure is simple in construction, economical, and easy to assemble.

In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus of the present disclosure is efficient in view of less heat dissipation to surroundings.

In an embodiment, the cooking apparatus (100) of the present disclosure is safe, as the bonded silver sheet (12) prevents scattering of the glass particles.

Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERALS

REFERRAL NUMERALS DESCRIPTION
100 Cooking apparatus
1 Glass plate
1a Top surface
1b Bottom surface
2 Burner assembly
2a Jet nozzles
3 Support frame
4 One or more through Holes
5 Plurality of support arms
6 Control knob
7 Bracket
8 Plurality of leg supports
8a Connected end of Plurality of leg supports
8b Free end of the plurality of leg supports
8c Damper shoe
9 Fastener
10 Fuel supply line
11 Air-fuel mixers
12 Silver sheet
12a Perforations in the sliver sheet

,CLAIMS:
1. A frameless cooking apparatus (100), comprising:
a glass plate (1) forming a cooking surface, the glass plate (1) comprises one or more through holes (4);
a silver sheet (12) bonded to a bottom surface (1b) of the glass plate (1);
at least one burner assembly (2) fixed to the glass plate (1), the at least one burner assembly (2) extends above the glass plate (1) from the one or more through holes (4), wherein, the at least one burner assembly (2) is connectable to a fuel source; and
a plurality of leg supports (8) fixed to the glass plate (1), for elevating the glass plate (1) from a platform.

2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass plate (1) is a toughened glass, and the thickness of the glass plate (1) ranges from about 7.95 mm to about 8.05 mm.

3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leg supports (8) are formed in a tapered configuration with a trapezoidal shape at connected end (8a) and circular shape at free end (8b).

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein height of each of the plurality of leg supports (8) ranges from about 60mm to about 70mm.

5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of leg supports (8) are made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene plastic.

6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of leg supports (8) includes a resilient shoe (8c) for gripping the apparatus (100) on the platform.

7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises one or more control knob (6) coupled to a fluid line associated with the at least one burner assembly (2) for regulating flow of fuel into each of the at least one burner assembly (2).

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a support frame (3) mounted concentric to each of the at least one burner assembly (2).

9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support frame (3) includes a plurality of support arms (5) for supporting a utensil.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silver sheet (12) is perforated, the sliver sheet (12) minimises heat dissipation from the glass plate (1).