Claims:We Claim:
1. A platform (10) for a stove (12), said platform (10) comprising :
- a housing (14) comprising a fan (16) and a drive unit (18), said housing (14) fitted on one side of said platform (10);
- an opening (20) with at least one flexible flap (22), said opening (20) provided on a side of said platform (10) which is opposite to said housing (14);
- a passage (24) connecting said housing (14) and said opening (20) for the flow of air from said fan (16), and
- a control unit (26) connected to said drive unit (18), said control unit (26) adapted to control a movement of said at least one flexible flap (22) to direct air from said fan (16) to an user of said platform (10) during cooking.

2. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drive unit (18) comprises a motor (28) connected to said fan (16), said motor adapted to operate said fan (16).

3. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control unit (26) controls an actuator (30) to move said at least one flexible flap (22) during an operating condition of said fan (16).

4. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one flexible flap (22) is detachable from said opening (20) for cleaning purpose.

5. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a filter (32) fitted on a surface (34) of said housing (14), adapted to filter impurities in atmospheric air which is drew by said fan (16).

6. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one storage slot (36) made on at least one side of said platform (10) to store items (42).

7. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one strage slot (36) is fitted as an external component to said platform (10).

8. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a type of said fan (16) is chosen from any one of a cross fan type and an axial type.

9. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platform (10) is made of a heat resistant and anti-flammable material.

10. The platform (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a flexible light unit (38) having a light source (40) fitted on said platform (10) to illuminate said stove (12).
, Description:Field of the invention
[0001] This disclosure relates to platform for a stove. More particularly, it relates to the platform having a fan housing to provide cool airflow to a user during cooking.

Background of the invention
[0002] Now a days, it is in practice to provide a system to cool a countertop stove so that the surrounding of the stove and the user of the stove is safe from heat and to reduce the damage if accidently touched the stove during periods of operation. Many products are available in market, to provide the cool air to the user of the stove. For instance by providing a desktop fan unit in proximity to the stove and the like.

[0003] A US patent US6213115 B2 a portable, self-contained stove system including a container and a platform which selectively fits into storage and cooking positions with respect to the container. The platform is configured to be selectively mounted on a container and to selectively support a cooking surface thereon. Platforms are disclosed which are specially designed to separate the flow path of fire out of the container from that of oxygen flowing into the container. Platforms are also disclosed which are adjustable such that they can be selectively disposed within a container before and/or after use.

Brief description of the invention:

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a platform for a stove.

[0005] The object is solved by the platform for the stove having the features according to claim 1.

[0006] The invention relates to the platform for the stove. The platform comprises a housing comprising a fan and a drive unit. The housing is fitted on one side of the platform. The platform further comprises an opening with at least one flexible flap wherein the opening is made on a side opposite to the housing of the platform. The housing comprises a passage connecting the housing and the opening for the flow of air from the fan. The platform comprises a control unit connected to the drive unit. The control unit adapted to control a movement of the at least one flexible flap to direct air from the fan to a user of the platform during cooking.

[0007] A feature of this invention is that, the drive unit comprises a motor connected to the fan. The motor is adapted to operate the fan.

[0008] Another feature of this invention is that, the control unit comprises an actuator adapted to move the at least one flexible flap during an operating condition of the fan.

[0009] Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one flexible flap is detachable from said opening for cleaning purpose.

[0010] Another feature of this invention is that, the platform comprises a filter fitted on a surface of the housing. The filter is adapted to filter impurities in the atmospheric air, which is drawn by the fan.

[0011] Another feature of this invention is that, at least one slot is made on at least one side of the platform to store items.

[0012] Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one slot is fitted as an external component to the platform.

[0013] Another feature of this invention is that, a type of the fan is chosen from any one of a cross fan type and an axial type.

[0014] Another feature of this invention is that, the platform is made of a heat resistant and anti-flammable material.

[0015] Another feature of this invention is that, the platform comprises a flexible light unit having a light source fitted on the platform to illuminate the stove.

[0016] The above-disclosed platform functions as a multi-purpose component for the stove. The platform works as a store space to store multiple components comprising a vegetable cutter, spice boxes, knife set and the like. The removal of dirt present under the platform is easier when compared to the conventional methods. It provides a cost-effective, compact solution as the disclosed platform does not take an extra space on the countertop. The fan housing in the platform provides the airflow in the kitchen environment without any risk of the airflow blowing out of the gas flame and thus reducing the risk of the gas explosion as compared to a separate desk fan used in the same environment.

[0017] Adjustable speed of the fan and the flexible flaps helps in providing the cooling effect and the comfort for the user using the stove during cooking. The usage of the flexible light unit on the platform to illuminate the stove provides the light during the power cuts, as the light unit is operated using a 12V battery. However, the battery mentioned is not restricted to 12V battery, but can be any rechargeable battery available in the market or any power bank. The above-disclosed platform design is applied to any kitchen appliance or home appliance such as mixer grinders, induction cook tops, juicers, coffee makers, microwave ovens etc., wherein the appliance is positioned a work surface/slab/countertop.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings;
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a platform for a stove, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;
[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a stove positioned on a platform according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of a platform, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0021] Figure 4 illustrates a light unit fitted on the platform, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0022] Figure 1 illustrates a platform for a stove, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. The platform 10 comprises, a housing 14 comprising a fan 16 and a drive unit 18. The housing 14 is fitted on one side of the platform 10. The platform 10 further comprises an opening 20 with at least one flexible flap 22 wherein the opening 20 is made on a side of the platform 10, which is opposite to the housing 14. The housing 14 comprises a passage 24 connecting the housing 14 and the opening 20 for the flow of air from the fan 16. The platform 10 comprises a control unit 26 connected to the drive unit 18. The control unit 26 adapted to control a movement of the at least one flexible flap 22 to direct air from the fan 16 to a user of the platform 10 during cooking. Also, the control unit 26 controls the rotation of the fan 16 through the drive unit 18.

[0023] Further, the construction and the components of the platform 10 are explained as follows. The platform 10 is made of a heat –resistant and an anti-flammable material in order to avoid the heating of the platform 10 during cooking. The drive unit 18 present in the housing 14 comprises a motor 28 connected to the fan 16 adapted to operate the fan 16 upon activating a switch/radio button present on the control unit 26. The motor 28 as disclosed above can be any kind of electric motor that is compact in size and is known in the state of the art. According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor 28 is a stepper motor. The control unit 26 and the drive unit 18 are electronically connected and the by operating a control button/radio button 27on the control unit 26, the user can control the speed of the fan 16 for increasing/ decreasing the cool airflow to the user during cooking.

[0024] The control unit 26 further comprises an actuator 30 to operate /move the at least one flexible flap 22 fitted in the opening 20 of the platform 10. According to one embodiment of the invention, the flexible flap 22 fitted in the opening 20 is adjusted manually. In this embodiment, the control unit 26 comprises the control knob/button to adjust the speed of the fan 16 and the user of the platform 10 adjusts the flexible flap 22 manually as per his requirement. The actuator 30 is used to move the at least one flexible flap 22 in a swing movement. The working of the actuator 30 in moving the at least one flexible flap 22 and the drive unit 18 operating the fan 16 in the housing 14 is known to a person skilled in the art.

[0025] The flexible flap 22 is fitted in the opening 20 of the platform 10 such that, it is detachable from the opening 20 for the cleaning purposes. The flexible flaps 22 are fitted in the opening 20 using any one of the fitting techniques comprising a snap fit, a screw fit, a fastener and the like. The flaps 22 are made of the material chosen from a group of materials comprising plastic, rubber and the like that are elastic and bendable in nature. The housing 14 fitted to the platform 10 comprises a filter 32 adapted to filter the impurities in the atmospheric air that is drawn by the fan 16. The filter 32 is fitted on rear surface of the housing 14, i.e., the surface that is present on a side opposite to the fan 16, in other words, the housing 14 is in between the filter 32 and the passage 24. The housing 14 comprises a casing (not shown) enclosing the motor and the fan 16 to avoid the spill/flow of the food or impure particles from the outside atmosphere.

[0026] Figure 2 illustrates a stove positioned on the platform, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. The stove 11 is chosen from any one of the type of stoves comprising a single burner stove and a multi-burner stove. According to one embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the platform 10 is made corresponding to the dimensions of the stove 12. The platform 10 is designed such a way that, a two or more burners stove 12 can be positioned with ease without much hassle onto the platform 10. In case of the three or more burner stove 12, a split fan arrangement (not shown) is fitted to the platform 10 and the air from the split fan arrangement is redirected to the flexible flaps 22 via corresponding passages made in the platform 10.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the platform, in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. The platform 10 comprises at least one storage slot 36 (or tray?) for storing the items 42. The items 42 that can be stored in the slots 26 are chosen from a group of items 42 comprising a vegetable cutter, a spice storage box, a peeler, a mobile phone holder, a lighter and the like. The storage slots 36 can be any shape depending on the requirement of the user and the sliding of the storage slot 36 inwards and outwards of the platform is made using any one of the sliding technique comprising a slide out technique, a pivot out technique and the like. The storage slot 36 is made either on the sides of the platform 10 where the extension of at least one slot 36 is in same line to the platform 10.

[0028] The at least one storage slot 36 is made on the front side of the platform 10 where the sliding out of the storage slot 36 is perpendicular to the platform 10. According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage slot 36 is made such a way that, the storage slot is used to store the lid containers, lids, plates and any of the small utensils comprising ice-cream bowls, spoons, forks and the like. However, it is to be noted that, the storing of the items 42 in the storage slot 36 is not restricted to the above –disclosed items 42 but can be any of the items that are known in the state of the art.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage slot 36 is made as an external component and is attached to the platform 10 using at least one connecting element (not shown). The connecting element is chosen from a group of connecting element comprising a bush, a shaft, a clip, a bolt, a pin, a screw, a fastener and the like. According to an embodiment of the invention, the connecting element can be a combination of at least any two above-disclosed elements.

[0030] Figure 4 illustrates a light unit fitted on the platform in accordance to one embodiment of the invention. The light unit 38 comprising a light source 40 and a drive unit (not shown) to operate the light source 40, are fitted to at least one portion of the platform 10. The light unit 38 is made flexible such that, the user of the platform 10 adjusts the height and position of the light source 40 as per the requirement. According to one embodiment of the invention, the light source 40 is powered using a battery fitted in the drive unit. The drive unit switches ON the light source 40 automatically upon detecting less illumination at the surroundings of the platform 10 or on press of a button. According to one embodiment of the invention, the light unit 38 is connected to an electric source via a wired means. The light unit 38 is fitted to the platform in a position such that, the heat/vapors during cooking does not affect the light unit 38. According to one embodiment of the invention, the light unit 38 is positioned in a space between the stove 12 and a chimney.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the platform 10 is used as a stand for the stove 12. The platform 10 is lifted at one side or is kept aside for cleaning the surface under the platform 10. It is to be noted that, the position of the fan 16 is positioned anywhere on the platform 10 and the flexible flap 22 connecting to the fan housing 14 and the control unit 26 is positioned on the platform 10 accordingly.

[0032] The above-disclosed platform 10 functions as a multi-purpose component for the stove 12. The platform 10 works as a store space to store multiple components comprising a vegetable cutter, spice boxes, knife set and the like. The removal of dirt present under the platform 10 is easier when compared to the conventional methods. It provides a cost-effective, compact solution as the disclosed platform 10 does not take an extra space on the countertop, but made with the similar dimensions of the stove 12. The fan housing 14 in the platform 11 provides the airflow in the kitchen environment without any risk of the airflow blowing out of the gas flame and thus reducing the risk of the gas explosion as compared to a separate desk fan used in the same environment.

[0033] Further, adjustable speed of the fan 16 and the flexible flaps 22 helps in providing the cooling effect and the comfort for the user using the stove 12 during cooking. The usage of the flexible light unit 38 on the platform to illuminate the stove 12 provides the light during the power cuts, as the light unit is operated using a 12V battery. The above-disclosed platform 10 design is applied to any kitchen appliance or home appliance such as mixer grinders, induction cook tops, juicers, coffee makers, microwave ovens etc., wherein the appliance is positioned a work surface/slab/countertop.

[0034] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

List of Reference Signs
10 platform
12 stove
14 housing
16 fan
18 drive unit
20 opening
22 at least one flexible flap
24 passage
26 control unit
27 radio button on the control unit
28 motor
30 actuator
32 filter
34 surface
36 at least one slot
38 light unit
40 light source
42 items