DESC:MODULAR GAS STOVE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a modular gas stove. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular gas stove with dis-engageable burner assembly units.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The conventionally known gas stoves include a frame and top that are placed on a kitchen top or a slab. The purpose of the frame is to house various pipes, gas regulates, gas inlet nozzles and knobs. In known gas stoves sometimes burners and mixing tube are also formed in the frame. Further, in some cases the burners, their respective drip trays, and their respective pan support rest on the top of the gas stoves. In either scenario, the type and size of the burners used in the gas stove are fixed and user has to use the fixed burners, irrespective of the fact that they correspond to the cooking requirements or not. Accordingly, frame and top of conventionally known gas stoves occupy large space of a cooking area. Also, cleaning of the cooking area occupied by the frame and the top is cumbersome. Further, the known gas stoves are not modular and do not provide flexibility of usage of variety of burners during cooking operation.
[0003] Thus, in view of the above, there is a need for a compact and modular gas stove that provides flexibility of usage to a user without compromising on safety of operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An embodiment of the present invention discloses a modular gas stove having a base unit to house a gas inlet nozzle, elongated gas pipes and one or more knobs. The base unit is detachably connected to a main gas pipeline. The modular gas stove also includes one or more burner assembly units having respective elongated connecting arms to position the one or more burner assembly units perpendicularly away from the base unit such that major axis of the base unit and major axis of each of the one or more burner assembly units are perpendicular to each other; separate the one or more burner assembly units from the base unit by the length of the elongated connecting arms and detachably engage the one or more burner assembly units to the base unit. Further, an attachment assembly is configured to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the base unit and each burner assembly unit from the one or more burner assembly units. One or more components of the attachment assembly are formed in both the base unit and the one or more burner assembly units.
[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the burner assembly unit engaged with the base unit is one of: same as the other burner assembly units and different in type and size from the other burner assembly units and is varied based on the instant cooking requirement of a user. Further, the burner assembly units are independent from each other in terms of operation and orientation, such that while one burner assembly unit is engaged with the base unit and in operational state, the other burner assembly unit is one of: engaged and disengaged from the base unit.
[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base unit also includes one or more vacuum lock assemblies and one or more components of the attachment assembly.
[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, when the one or more vacuum lock assemblies are actuated to a locked position, a vacuum is created between the vacuum lock assemblies and a second surface amounting to mounting of the base unit to the second surface. Further, when the one or more vacuum lock assemblies are actuated to an unlocked position, the created vacuum is released amounting to unmounting of the base unit from the second surface.
[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, each burner assembly unit from the one or more burner assembly units includes one or more jets, mixing tube, burner, drip tray, pan support, auto ignition arrangement and one or more components of the attachment assembly.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the mixing tube includes a primary mixer and a secondary mixer for ingress of ambient air for mixing with the cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes, such that the primary mixer is formed close to the one or more jets and the secondary mixer is formed close to the burner.
[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal insulation member is provided below the mixing tube to reduce transfer of excess heat out of the respective burner assembly unit during operation.
[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the auto ignition arrangement is split between the burner assembly unit and the base unit, such that a wire for initiation of the auto ignition has two portions coupled via connectors provided on the respective burner assembly unit and the base unit.
[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, an attachment of the two connectors forms a seamless wire connection path for auto ignition and the detachment of the two connectors breaks the wire connection path for auto ignition.
[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more burner assembly units include manual ignition arrangement.
[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base unit is configured to mount on one of: a first surface and a second surface at a given instance.
[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the each of the burner assembly unit from the one or more burner assembly unit is configured to rest on the second surface, such that the second surface is different and perpendicular to the first surface.
[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first surface is a wall and the second surface is a flat surface, such as a slab and flat top in one of: a kitchen, cooking area and cookhouse.
[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment assembly includes a push type lock split between the respective burner assembly unit and the base unit to fixedly hold the burner assembly unit upon engagement with the base unit, wherein when the burner assembly unit is pushed towards the base unit for the engagement, a sliding portion of the push type lock in the burner assembly unit slides through a mouth portion of one or more connectors in the base unit and pushes a plunger in the base unit to an open position and compression of a spring arrangement holding the plunger amounting to opening of flow of cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, for the disengagement an unlock button on the base unit housing is pressed amounting to decompression of the spring arrangement and pushing of the plunger to a closed position leading to pushing of the sliding portion out of the mouth of the one or more connector and closing of the flow of cooking gas.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The following drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiments for enabling the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.
[0020] Figure 1 (a) illustrates a perspective view of a modular gas stove in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] Figure 1 (b) illustrates a perspective view of the modular gas stove in disengaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] Figure 1 (c) illustrates a front view of the modular gas stove in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 1 (d) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 1 (e) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove in disengaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 1 (f) illustrates a right-side view of the modular gas stove in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 1 (g) illustrates a left side view of the modular gas stove in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 1 (h) illustrates a back view of the modular gas stove in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 2 (a) illustrates a perspective view of the modular gas stove with two burner assembly units in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 2 (b) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove with two burner assembly units in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 2 (c) illustrates a side view of the modular gas stove with two burner assembly units in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] Figures 2(d) to 2(f) illustrate bottom view of the modular gas stove in accordance with embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] Figures 3(a) to 3(f) illustrate a vacuum lock assembly for the modular gas stove in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and
[0033] Figures 4(a) to 4(c) illustrate engagement and disengagement of a base unit and burner assembly units in accordance with embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0034] The following disclosure is provided in order to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. Exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For the purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0035] Figure 1 (a) illustrates a perspective view of a modular gas stove 100 in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(b) illustrates a perspective view of the modular gas stove 100 in disengaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (c) illustrates a front view of the modular gas stove 100 in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (d) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove 100 in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (e) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove 100 in disengaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (f) illustrates a right-side view of the modular gas stove 100 in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (g) illustrates a left side view of the modular gas stove 100 in engaged state in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (h) illustrates a back view of the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity description of figures 1(a) to 1(h) have been provided together.
[0036] The modular gas stove 100 disclosed in the present invention is a standalone cooking appliance which is compact, sleek, lightweight and portable. Further, as a result of compact, sleek, lightweight and portable structure the modular gas stove 100 does not require sophisticated support structure for mounting or resting on, as required by generally known gas stoves. The modular gas stove 100 of the present invention may be used in any location with main gas pipeline. Accordingly, without any limitation, the modular gas stove 100 may be used in kitchen, cooking area, cookhouse and a bakery.
[0037] The modular gas stove 100 may operate on a cooking gas. In an embodiment of the present invention, the cooking gas may, without any limitation, be LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) or PNG (Piped Natural Gas) or any other known cooking gas.
[0038] The modular gas stove 100 may include a base unit 102, one or more burner assembly units 104 and an attachment assembly. The modular gas stove 100 may at any given instance support a single or plurality of burner assembly units. In the present description for sake of clarity it has been assumed that two burner assembly units are engageable and disengageable with the base unit 102 in the gas stove. The example of two burner assembly units is merely illustrative and it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, a single burner assembly unit has been referred as either burner assembly unit 105 or burner assembly unit 107. Also, a combination of the two burner assembly units has been referred as burner assembly units 104 or one or more burner assembly units 104.
[0039] In an embodiment of the present invention, the base unit 102 and burner assembly units 104 may be in engaged state via the attachment assembly during the operation of the modular gas stove 100. Thus, the burner assembly units 104 may be moved in the direction of the arrow in the figures 1(b) and 1(e), such that when moved towards the base unit 102 with requisite force, the burner assembly units 104 may get engaged to the base unit 102 via the attachment assembly. In another embodiment of the present invention, the base unit 102 and burner assembly units 104 may be in disengaged state during non-operation of the modular gas stove 100, such that the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104 may completely disjoint from each other, as illustrated in figures 1(b) and 1(e). Further, when moved away from the base unit 102, the burner assembly units 104 may get completely disengaged from the base unit 102.
[0040] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the base unit 102 and burner assembly units 104 may be in disengaged state during non-operation of the modular gas stove 100, such that the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104 may not be completely disjoint from each other and the burner assembly units 104 may pivot above the base unit 102 via a pivoting mechanism. The disengaged state in which the burner assembly units 104 pivot about the base unit 102 have been illustrated in figures 2(a)-2(c).
[0041] It may be understood that engagement and disengagement of burner assembly unit 105 and burner assembly unit 107 is independent of engagement and disengagement of each other. Thus, a single burner assembly unit 105 may be engaged at a given instance of time and operate smoothly, while the other burner assembly unit 107 remain disengaged and non-operational.
[0042] The operation of the modular gas stove 100 may be understood as a state in which cooking gas flows from the base unit 102 to the burner assembly units 104 and the burner assembly units 104 are ready to be ignited for cooking. The non-operation of the modular gas stove 100 may be understood as a state in which cooking gas does not flow from the base unit 102 to the burner assembly units 104, as the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104 are disengaged. Accordingly, in the non-operational state the burner assembly units 104 cannot be ignited for cooking.
[0043] The base unit 102 may be configured to house a gas inlet nozzle 106, elongated gas pipes, one or more knobs 108, one or more vacuum lock assemblies 110 and one or more components of the attachment assembly. The one or more components of the attachment assembly may include an unlock button 120 to facilitate disengagement of the burner assembly units 104 from the base unit 102. Further, the base unit 102 may be detachably connected to a main gas pipeline. The parts of the base unit 102 have been discussed in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
[0044] The base unit 102 may be configured to mount on a first surface or a second surface at a given instance. The second surface is different and perpendicular to the first surface. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first surface may, without any limitation, be a wall and the second surface may, without any limitation be, a flat surface. The flat surface may be a slab and flat top in a kitchen, cooking area, cookhouse and the like.
[0045] Further, each burner assembly unit 105, 107 from the burner assembly units 104 may have respective elongated connecting arms 112, one or more jets, a mixing tube, a burner 114, a drip tray 116, a pan support 118, an auto ignition arrangement and one or more components of the attachment assembly.
[0046] Each of the elongated connecting arm 112 may be configured to position the burner assembly units 104 perpendicularly away from the base unit 102 such that major axis of the base unit XX’ and major axis of each of the burner assembly units YY’ are perpendicular to each other. Also, the elongated connecting arm 112 may separate the burner assembly units 104 from the base unit 102 by the length of the elongated connecting arms L and detachably engage the burner assembly units 104 to the base unit 102. The parts of the burner assembly unit 104 have been discussed in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the each of the burner assembly unit 105, 107 from the burner assembly units 104 may be configured to rest on the second surface. As mentioned above, the second surface is different and perpendicular to the first surface. Accordingly, if the base unit 102 is mounted on the first surface, the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104 rest perpendicular to the base unit 102, i.e., on the second surface. Further, if the base unit 102 is mounted on the second surface, the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104 rest on same surface, i.e., on the second surface.
[0048] Further, the attachment assembly may be configured to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the base unit 102 and each burner assembly unit 105, 107 from the one or more burner assembly units 104. One or more components of the attachment assembly may be formed in both the base unit 102 and the burner assembly units 104. The parts of attachment assembly have been discussed in detail in subsequent paragraphs.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the burner assembly unit 105 engaged with the base unit 102 is same as the other burner assembly units 107. In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the burner assembly unit 105 engaged with the base unit 102 is different in type and size from the other burner assembly units 107. It may be understood that the variation in the type and the size of the burner assembly units 104 is based on the instant cooking requirement of a user. Further, the variation in the type and the size may be indicative of the variation in the number of jets in the burner 114, diameter of the burner 114, diameter of the drip tray 116, diameter of the pan support 118, length the elongated connecting arm 112 and width of the elongated connecting arm 112.
[0050] Figure 2 (a) illustrates a perspective view of the modular gas stove 100 with two burner assembly units 105, 107 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (b) illustrates a top view of the modular gas stove 100 with two burner assembly units 105, 107 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (c) illustrates a side view of the modular gas stove 100 with two burner assembly units 105, 107 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 2(d) to 2(f) illustrate bottom view of the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity description of figures 2(a) to 2(f) have been provided together.
[0051] The burner assembly units 104 are configured to engage and disengage from the base unit 102 via the respective elongated connecting arms 112. Further, the elongated connecting arm 112 enables the burner assembly units 104 to pivot in upward direction in disengaged state. In an embodiment of the present invention, the burner assembly units 105, 107 may be independent of each other in operation and orientation. For example, while one burner assembly unit 105 may pivot above the base unit 102 and be non-operational, major axis of said burner assembly unit 105 may be perpendicular to major axis of other burner assembly unit 107 which is in operating orientation. In another example, in case cleaning of a kitchen top is desired, the burner assembly units 105, 107 may be tilted or pivoted upwards individually or together to a non-operating orientation and be pivoted back to the operating orientation for engagement with the base unit 102.
[0052] As mentioned above, the base unit 102 may be configured to house the gas inlet nozzle 106, the elongated gas pipes 202, the one or more knobs 108, the one or more vacuum lock assemblies 110 and the one or more components of the attachment assembly. The one or more components of the attachment assembly have been elaborated in subsequent paragraphs.
[0053] The gas inlet nozzle 106 may be configured to detachably couple the base unit 102 to a main gas pipeline. Accordingly, the gas inlet nozzle 106 may be ingress point for cooking gas into the modular gas stove 100. The gas inlet nozzle 106 may be coupled to the elongated gas pipes 202 in the base unit 102. The elongated gas pipes 202 may be configured to carry the cooking gas from the gas inlet nozzle 106 to the engagement point of the one or more jets of the burner assembly units 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the elongated gas pipes 202 may include valves (not shown), such that actuation of the valves under influence of the attachment assembly may open and close flow of cooking gas to the burner assembly units 104.
[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, the gas inlet nozzle 106 may be partially inside the base unit housing 204 and partially outside. Further, the elongated gas pipe 202 may be fully encased in the base unit housing 204. Figures 2(e) and 2(f) illustrate the base unit housing 204 without bottom cover 208, amounting to exposure of the elongated gas pipes 202.
[0055] Further, the one or more knobs 108 may be formed on front side of the base unit housing 204. It may be understood that each burner assembly unit 105, 107 may have a corresponding knob 108. The knobs 108 may be configured to control pressure of the cooking gas supplied to the burner assembly units 104 to control heat profile of burner’s flame. Further, each knob 108 may be rotatable about a shaft (not shown) for the variation of the cooking gas pressure. The shaft may be coupled to a valve (not shown), such that upon rotation of the knob 108, the shaft may rotate amounting to transition of the valve between open, close, and intermediate state.
[0056] The one or more vacuum lock assemblies 110 may be partially formed on top side 206 of the base unit housing 204, partially inside the base unit housing 204 and partially on the bottom cover 208 of the base unit housing 204. Further, the one or more vacuum lock assemblies 110 may be configured to facilitate mounting of the base unit 102 to the second surface. Detailed disclosure of various components of the vacuum lock assemblies 110 is provided in subsequent paragraphs.
[0057] As mentioned above, each burner assembly unit 105, 107 may include the respective elongated connecting arms 112, the one or more jets, the mixing tube 210, the burner 114, the drip tray 116, the pan support 118, the auto ignition arrangement 212 and the one or more components of the attachment assembly. The one or more components of the attachment assembly in the burner assembly units 104 have been elaborated in subsequent paragraphs.
[0058] The one or more jets in each of the burner assembly unit 105, 107 may be configured to engage with elongated gas pipe 202 in the base unit 102 via the attachment assembly. Upon complete locking of the burner assembly unit 105, 107 with the base unit 102, the flow of cooking gas from the elongated gas pipe 202 in the base unit 102 may be opened for the one or more jets in the burner assembly unit 105, 107. In case, of disengagement of the burner assembly unit 105, 107 from the base unit 102 or improper or loose engagement of the burner assembly unit 105, 107 to the base unit 102, the attachment assembly blocks flow of the cooking gas outside the elongated gas pipe 202.
[0059] The one or more jets may be coupled to the mixing tube 210. The mixing tube 210 may be configured to receive the cooking gas from the one or more jets and mix ambient air with the received cooking gas, before passing the mixed air to the burner 114 for ignition. The mixing of the cooking gas with the ambient air improves flammability profile of the cooking gas and also assists in providing requisite pressure for the cooking gas. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mixing tube 210 may be integrated in the burner assembly unit 104. The mixing tube 210 may have a primary mixer 214 and secondary mixer 216. The primary mixer 214 and the secondary mixer 216 may be understood as inlets in the mixing tube 210 for ingress of the ambient air into the mixing tube 210. The primary mixer 214 may be formed close to the one or more jets and the secondary mixer 216 may be formed close to the burner 114.
[0060] In an embodiment of the present invention, a thermal insulation member may be provided below the mixing tube 210 to reduce transfer of excess heat out of the respective burner assembly unit 105, 107 during operation. The thermal insulation member may be a syndanio sheet attached to the bottom of the mixing tube 210.
[0061] The burner 114 may include plurality of narrow nozzles, a combustion chamber and nozzle cover 218. The combustion chamber may receive ambient air from the secondary mixer 216 and mix the received ambient air with the mixed air received from the remaining portion of the mixing tube 210. Further, the cooking gas mixed with ambient air may pass from the combustion chamber to the nozzles and out of the burner 114 for ignition. The nozzle cover 218 may have plurality of through holes corresponding to outlet of each nozzle. Further, the nozzle cover 218 may be assembled on top of the nozzles and may be configured to prevent ingress of contaminants into the nozzles to prevent blockage of the nozzles and enable cleanliness of the nozzles. In an embodiment of the present invention, the knob 108 may control pressure of mixed gas egressing the nozzles.
[0062] The drip tray 116 is attached around the circumference of burner 114. The drip tray 116 may be configured to capture by products and waste dripping, chipping, or separating from either the food item or utensils coming in contact with the burner assembly units 104 during cooking operation. The pan support 118 is mounted over the drip tray 116. The pan support 118 balances utensils over the burner assembly units 104. Further, the pan support 118 provides desired gap between base of the utensil and the burner 114 to allow passage of ambient air into the burner 114 via the secondary mixer 216. Also, a direct placement of the utensil over the burner 114 may amount to deformation of the base of the utensil.
[0063] The auto ignition arrangement 212 may be connected detachably with the burner assembly units 104. The auto ignition arrangement 212 is split between the burner assembly units 104 and the base unit 102. A wire for initiation of the auto ignition may have two portions coupled via connectors provided on the respective burner assembly unit 104 and the base unit 102. Further, an attachment of the two connectors forms a seamless wire connection path for auto ignition and the detachment of the two connectors breaks the wire connection path for auto ignition. Accordingly, when the burner assembly unit 104 is disengaged from the base unit 102, the connectors in the burner assembly unit 104 and the base unit 102 may be detached, amounting to deactivation of the auto ignition feature of the modular gas stove 100.
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the modular gas stove 100 of the present invention may have manual ignition arrangement.
[0065] In an embodiment of the present invention, the drip tray 116, the pan support 118 and the nozzle cover 218 may be detachable components of the burner assembly units 104. In another embodiment of the present invention, the drip tray 116, the pan support 118 and the nozzle cover 218 may be integrated components of the burner assembly units 104. Further, the jet, the mixing tube 210 and the burner 114 may be integral part of the burner assembly units 104 may be fixedly attached to the burner assembly units 104.
[0066] Figure 3(a) illustrates a single vacuum lock assembly 110 for the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(b) illustrates exploded view of the vacuum lock assembly 110 for the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3(c) and 3(d) illustrate sectional view of the vacuum lock assembly 110 for the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figures 3(e) and 3(f) illustrate operating states of the vacuum lock assembly 110 for the modular gas stove 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of brevity description of figures 3(a) to 3(f) have been provided together.
[0067] The vacuum lock assembly 110 may include a vacuum knob 302, a lock 304, a shaft 306 with cam profile, a vacuum housing 308 and a rubber pad 310 with center shaft. The vacuum knob 302 may be positioned on the top side 206 of the base unit housing 204. The lock 304, the shaft 306 with cam profile and the vacuum housing 308 may be positioned inside the base unit housing 204. Further, the rubber pad 310 may be positioned at the bottom 208 of the base unit housing 204.
[0068] The vacuum lock assembly 110 shown is operated by turning of the vacuum knob 302. When the vacuum knob 302 is turned to the lock position, as illustrated in figure 3(f), the cam profile attached with the center shaft 306 is pushed upwards by a corresponding cam profile given in the vacuum housing 308. Further, when the center shaft 306 moves up, it pulls the rubber pad’s center portion upwards thus creates a vacuum. The created vacuum locks and mounts the base unit 102 on the second surface and prevents movement of the base unit 102. Further, when the vacuum knob 302 is turned to the unlock position, as illustrated in figure 3(e), the cam profile attached with the center shaft 306 is pushed downwards by a corresponding cam profile given in the vacuum housing 308. Further, when the center shaft 306 moves down, it pushes the rubber pad’s center portion downwards thus releasing the vacuum and unmounting of the base unit 102 from the second surface.
[0069] Figures 4(a) to 4(c) illustrate engagement and disengagement of a base unit 102 and burner assembly units 104 in accordance with embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of brevity description of figures 4(a) to 4(c) have been provided together.
[0070] As illustrated in figures 4(a) to 4(c), the attachment assembly may include a push type lock split between the respective burner assembly unit 104 and the base unit 102 to fixedly hold the burner assembly units 104 upon engagement with the base unit 102. The push type lock assembly includes a sliding portion 402 in the burner assembly unit 104, mouth 404 portion of connectors in the base unit 102 corresponding to the sliding portion 402 of the burner assembly unit 104, a plunger 408 in the base unit 102 and a spring arrangement in the base unit 102.
[0071] During operation, when the burner assembly unit 104 is pushed towards the base unit 102 for engagement to the base unit 102, the sliding portion 402 of the burner assembly units 104 slides through the mouth 404 portion of the one or more connectors in the base unit 102 and pushes the plunger 408 in the base unit 102 to an open position from a closed position. The plunger 408 is held by the spring arrangement in the closed position. The pushing of the plunger 408 amounts to compression of the spring arrangement and opening of the flow of cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes 202 to the jets and to the mixing tube 210. In such an engaged state, the burner assembly unit 104 cannot be separated from the base unit 102 merely by pulling out and the burner assembly units 104 is locked to the base unit 102.
[0072] Further, when an unlock button 120 present on top side 206 of the base unit housing 204 is pressed, the spring arrangement tends to decompress and the plunger 408 is pushed by the spring arrangement to the closed position, amounting to pushing of the sliding portion 402 out of the mouth 404 portion of the connectors. After, the sliding portion 402 is out of the mouth 404 portion of the connectors, the burner assembly units 104 may be free to be pulled out for disengagement from the base unit 102. The plunger 408 in the closed position blocks the passage of the cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes 202 to the jets and the mixing tube 210.
[0073] The modular gas stove 100 disclosed by the present invention is compact and occupies very less space compared to the known gas stoves. This is achieved by integrating mixing tube 210 and the drip tray 116 into a single part i.e., the burner assembly unit 104 which is detachable. Thus, the number of parts in the gas stove are reduced the number of parts.
[0074] Further, as the base unit 102 can be mounted to a wall or the kitchen top, the overall modular gas stove 100 is very compact and occupies less space. Furthermore, the burner assembly unit 104 rests on the flat surface such as a kitchen top and thus, eliminating the need for the glass top or steel top construction. The elimination of the glass top or steel top construction makes the cleaning of all the components of the gas stove easier, in addition to easy cleaning of the kitchen tops upon disengagement of the burner assembly units 104 and dismounting of the base unit 102. Further, raw materials used in the modular gas stove 100 of the present invention are reduced as there is no glass top or steel top. Additionally, the overall weight of the modular gas stove 100 gets reduced resulting in a cost-effective product. The inventive gas stove also saves space in the kitchen and is easy to handle without affecting the efficiency of the stove.
[0075] Further, the disengagement of the burner assembly unit 104 provides flexibility to a user to use burner assembly units 104 of variable size and type, based on requirement. Since a single gas stove supports multiple type of burner assembly units 104, the gas stove provides wider accessibility and ease of usage. Also, as user just needs to purchase burner assembly units 104 and use with the same base unit 102, the cost of operation in diverse scenarios is reduced.
[0076] Additionally, the push type lock provided in the attachment assembly ensures that when the burner assembly unit 104 is not properly engaged with the base unit 102, the cooking gas flow is closed. Thus, the push type lock provides safe engagement and disengagement.
[0077] While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described and illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merely illustrative. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without departing from or offending the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. ,CLAIMS:I/ We claim:
1. A modular gas stove (100) comprising:
a base unit (102) to house a gas inlet nozzle (106), elongated gas pipes (202) and one or more knobs (108), the base unit (102) is detachably connected to a main gas pipeline;
one or more burner assembly units (104) having respective elongated connecting arms (112) to:
position the one or more burner assembly units (104) perpendicularly away from the base unit (102) such that major axis of the base unit XX’ and major axis of each of the one or more burner assembly units YY’ are perpendicular to each other;
separate the one or more burner assembly units (104) from the base unit (102) by the length of the elongated connecting arms L; and
detachably engage the one or more burner assembly units (104) to the base unit (102);
an attachment assembly configured to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the base unit (102) and each burner assembly unit (105, 107) from the one or more burner assembly units (104), wherein one or more components of the attachment assembly are formed in both the base unit (102) and the one or more burner assembly units (104).
2. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the burner assembly unit (105) engaged with the base unit (102) is one of: same as the other burner assembly units (107) and different in type and size from the other burner assembly units (107) and is varied based on the instant cooking requirement of a user.
3. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the burner assembly units (105, 107) are independent from each other in terms of operation and orientation, such that while one burner assembly unit (105) is engaged with the base unit (102) and in operational state, the other burner assembly unit (107) is one of: engaged and disengaged from the base unit (102).
4. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit (102) also includes one or more vacuum lock assemblies (110) and one or more components of the attachment assembly.
5. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein when the one or more vacuum lock assemblies (110) are actuated to a locked position, a vacuum is created between the vacuum lock assemblies (110) and a second surface amounting to mounting of the base unit (102) to the second surface.
6. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the one or more vacuum lock assemblies (110) are actuated to an unlocked position, the created vacuum is released amounting to unmounting of the base unit (102) from the second surface.
7. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each burner assembly unit (105, 107) from the one or more burner assembly units (104) includes one or more jets, mixing tube (210), burner (114), drip tray (116), pan support (118), auto ignition arrangement (212) and one or more components of the attachment assembly.
8. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the mixing tube (210) includes a primary mixer (214) and a secondary mixer (216) for ingress of ambient air for mixing with the cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes (202), such that the primary mixer (214) is formed close to the one or more jets and the secondary mixer (216) is formed close to the burner (114).
9. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a thermal insulation member is provided below the mixing tube (210) to reduce transfer of excess heat out of the respective burner assembly unit (105, 107) during operation.
10. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the auto ignition arrangement (212) is split between the burner assembly unit (105, 107) and the base unit (102), such that a wire for initiation of the auto ignition has two portions coupled via connectors provided on the respective burner assembly unit (105, 107) and the base unit (102).
11. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 10, wherein an attachment of the two connectors forms a seamless wire connection path for auto ignition and the detachment of the two connectors breaks the wire connection path for auto ignition.
12. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more burner assembly units (104) include manual ignition arrangement.
13. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base unit (102) is configured to mount on one of: a first surface and a second surface at a given instance.
14. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the each of the burner assembly unit (105, 107) from the one or more burner assembly units (104) is configured to rest on the second surface, such that the second surface is different and perpendicular to the first surface.
15. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first surface is a wall and the second surface is a flat surface, such as a slab and flat top in one of: a kitchen, cooking area and cookhouse.
16. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly includes a push type lock split between the respective burner assembly unit (104) and the base unit (102) to fixedly hold the burner assembly unit (104) upon engagement with the base unit (102), wherein when the burner assembly unit (104) is pushed towards the base unit (102) for the engagement, a sliding portion (402) of the push type lock in the burner assembly unit (104) slides through a mouth (404) portion of one or more connectors in the base unit (102) and pushes a plunger (408) in the base unit (102) to an open position and compression of a spring arrangement holding the plunger (408) amounting to opening of flow of cooking gas from the elongated gas pipes (202).
17. The modular gas stove (100) as claimed in claim 16, wherein for the disengagement an unlock button on the base unit (102) housing is pressed amounting to decompression of the spring arrangement and pushing of the plunger (408) to a closed position leading to pushing of the sliding portion (402) out of the mouth (404) of the one or more connector and closing of the flow of cooking gas.