COOKING OVEN WITH HEATING ELEMENT ACCESSIBLE SEPARABLE FROM REMAINDER WITHOUT HAVING TO REMOVE A DOOR OR SIDE WALLS OF OUTER WRAPPER

Abstract

A cooking oven including: (1) an inner liner providing a cooking chamber and an opening thereto, the inner liner comprising a bottom wall extending rearward from the opening; (2) a first outer wrapper outward of the inner liner, the first outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall below the bottom wall of the inner liner; (3) a heating element coupled to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the heating element extending between the bottom walls; (4) a forward panel coupled to the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; and (5) a bracket attached to the forward panel and fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper via a fastener that is manipulable from the external environment to an unfastened state where the bottom wall of the first outer bracket is not fastened to the bracket.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a cooking oven, and more specifically, to a cooking oven where a heating element and bottom walls of a wrapper are removable as a package from a remainder of the cooking oven via fasteners that are accessible from the external environment.

Some cooking ovens provide baking functionality. To provide the baking functionality, the cooking ovens include a heating element disposed beneath a bottom wall defining part of a cooking cavity that accepts a food item for the baking function. The heating element is sometimes attached to a bottom wall of a first outer wrapper as a baking subassembly.

However, there is a problem in that, the heating element may perform suboptimally, and to remove the baking subassembly for servicing of the heating element, a door and side walls of a second outer wrapper typically must first be removed. Initial removal of the door and the side walls of the second outer wrapper is problematic because the removal typically cannot be performed within the owner's house and must be performed off site. The owner sometimes requests an exchange of the cooking oven in need of service with a new cooking oven instead, which is a significant cost. Further, even if product exchange is not requested, the door and the side walls may not be properly aligned after repair of the heating element and reassembly. The lack of proper alignment of the door and the side walls disappoints the owner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure addresses that problem with a cooking oven that includes a heating element and a bottom wall of an outer wrapper that are coupled as a package, and the package is separable from a remainder of the cooking oven via fasteners that are accessible for manipulation from an external environment.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking oven comprises: (1) an inner liner at least partially defining a cooking chamber and forming an opening into the cooking chamber, the inner liner comprising a bottom wall extending rearward from the opening and forming a floor of the cooking chamber; (2) a first outer wrapper at least partially enveloping the inner liner, the first outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall that is disposed below the bottom wall of the inner liner; (3) a heating element coupled to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the heating element at least partially disposed between the bottom wall of the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; (4) a forward panel coupled to the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; and (5) a bracket that is attached to the forward panel and fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper in a releasable manner via a first fastener comprising (a) a head accessible from an external environment and (b) a threaded shaft extending from the head and, in a first fastened state, extending through (i) an aperture through the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a first aperture of the bracket that is aligned with the aperture of the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a cooking oven of the present disclosure set within cabinetry within a kitchen;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating the cooking oven including a door in an open position allowing access to a cooking chamber, which is provided by an inner liner, from an external environment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating the door in a closed position denying access to the cooking chamber from the external environment;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating a second outer wrapper of the cooking oven including a bottom wall in a fastened state fastened to a rear wall and a side wall of the second outer wrapper with fasteners;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating the second outer wrapper further including a top wall;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating the cooking oven further includes a human-machine interface accessible from the external environment for a user to command cooking operations;

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a cross-section of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line VII-VII of FIG. 5, illustrating the cooking oven further including a forward panel through which an opening into the cooking chamber is accessible;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the same cross-section as FIG. 7, illustrating the forward panel including a first portion that is substantially vertical and presenting a forward surface facing the door (when the door is in the closed position);

FIG. 9 is an elevational side view of a cross-section of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line IX-IX of FIG. 6, illustrating the cooking oven including a first outer wrapper partially enveloping the inner liner;

FIG. 10 is a slight perspective view of area X of FIG. 9, illustrating the cooking oven further including a heating element disposed between the inner liner and a bottom wall of the first outer wrapper;

FIG. 11 is a slight perspective view of area XI of FIG. 9, illustrating the cooking oven further including a bracket that couples the forward panel to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and an aperture through a bottom wall of the second outer wrapper to permit access from the external environment to a fastener that fastens the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the bracket together;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a cross-section of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line XII-XII of FIG. 6, illustrating a bottom wall of the inner liner shown in phantom view and a pair of hinges coupling the door to the side wall and another side wall of the second outer wrapper;

FIG. 13 is a front overhead perspective view of area XIII of FIG. 13, illustrating the cooking oven further including a heating element bracket coupling the heating element to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper;

FIG. 14 is a rear overhead perspective view of area XIV of FIG. 13 again illustrating the heating element bracket;

FIG. 15 is a slight forward perspective view of area XV of FIG. 9, illustrating projections extending upward from the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper to limit downward movement of the heating element;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of a cross-section of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line XVI-XVI of FIG. 5, illustrating the first portion of the forward panel presenting a rearward surface facing the bracket;

FIG. 17 is a slight overhead perspective view of area XVII of FIG. 16, illustrating the cooking oven further including the fastener in fastened state fastening a first portion of the bracket and the bottom wall of the first inner wrapper together;

FIG. 18 is an underneath perspective view of area XVIII of FIG. 16, illustrating a head of the fastener accessible for manipulation from the external environment through the aperture through the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper;

FIG. 19 is a rear underneath perspective view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1, illustrating fasteners in a fastened state fastening the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper to a rear wall and the side walls of the second outer wrapper;

FIG. 20 is the same as FIG. 18 but this time illustrating the fastener that had fastened the bracket and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper in the fastened state at FIG. 18 now in an unfastened state no longer fastening the bracket and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper together;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line XXI-XXI of FIG. 6, illustrating the hinge including a first portion attached to the side wall of the second outer wrapper, a second portion attached to the door, and a pin about which the second portion rotates as the door is manipulated to, from, and between the open position and the closed position;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 having been turned upside down, the fasteners in the unfastened state no longer fastening the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper to the side walls and the rear wall of the second outer wrapper or the bottom wall and (i) the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, (ii) the heating element, and (iii) the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper having been moved, as a package, to a separated state separated from a remainder of the cooking oven; and

FIG. 23 is an elevational view of the cooking oven of FIG. 1 taken through line XXIII-XXIII of FIG. 6, illustrating the cooking oven further including a second heating element (such as to provide cooking by broiling), a third heating element (such as to provide cooking via air frying), and a magnetron (such as to provide cooking by microwave emissions).

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a cooking oven. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding 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 the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, a cooking oven 10 includes an inner liner 12. The inner liner 12 at least partially defines a cooking chamber 14. For example, the inner liner 12 includes a bottom wall 16, a top wall 18 opposing the bottom wall 16, side walls 20, 22 that oppose each other that are generally orthogonal to the bottom wall 16 and the top wall 18, and a rear wall 24 that is generally orthogonal to the bottom wall 16, the top wall 18, and the side walls 20, 22. One contiguous piece of material, such as drawn metal, can provide all of the bottom wall 16, top wall 18, side walls 20, 22, and rear wall 24 of the inner liner 12. In addition, the inner liner 12 forms an opening 26 into the cooking chamber 14. The top wall 18, the bottom wall 16, the side walls 20, 22, and the rear wall 24 are all disposed rearward 28 of the opening 26. The rear wall 24 is disposed rearward 28 of the top wall 18, the bottom wall 16, and the side walls 20, 22. The bottom wall 16 forms a floor 30 of the cooking chamber 14.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 10 and 11, in embodiments, the inner liner 12 further includes a flange 32 that extends away from the opening 26. For example, the flange 32 includes a downward portion 34 that extends downward 36 from the opening 26 near the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12. The downward portion 34 is substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12. The inner liner 12 can include a lip 38 that defines the opening 26. The flange 32 is rearward 28 of the lip 38.

The cooking oven 10 further includes a door 40. The door 40 is manipulable to, from, and between a closed position 42 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 3) and an open position 44 (see FIG. 2). In the closed position 42, the door 40 denies access from an external environment 46 through the opening 26 and into the cooking chamber 14. “External environment” here means external to the cooking oven 10, such as in a kitchen environment, as illustrated at FIG. 1, when the cooking oven 10 is removed from cabinetry 48 (see FIG. 1). In the open position 44, the door 40 permits access (e.g., does not deny) from the external environment 46 through the opening 26 and into the cooking chamber 14.

In use of the cooking oven 10, a user (not illustrated) can manipulate the door 40 from the closed position 42 to the open position 44. The user can then place a food item 50 (see FIG. 2) within the cooking chamber 14. The user can then manipulate the door 40 back to the closed position 42. The user can then command the cooking oven 10 to perform a cooking operation on the food item 50, such as via a human-machine interface 52 accessible from the external environment 46.

The cooking oven 10 further includes a first outer wrapper 54. The first outer wrapper 54 at least partially envelopes the inner liner 12. For example, the first outer wrapper 54 can include a bottom wall 56 that is disposed below the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12, a rear wall 58 that is disposed rearward 28 of the rear wall 24 of the inner liner 12, and a top wall 60 disposed above the top wall 18 of the inner liner 12. The first outer wrapper 54 can further include opposing side walls (not illustrated) that are disposed laterally outward of the side walls of the inner liner 12, but the first outer wrapper 54 need not include such opposing side walls. In embodiments, the top wall 60 of the first outer wrapper 54 is fastened to the rear wall 24 of the inner liner 12.

In embodiments, the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54 is not fastened to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The non-fastening permits easier separation of the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 (and components attached thereto, as will be discussed) from the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54. For example, in embodiments, the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54 abuts the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. In such embodiments, the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 includes tabs 62 (see, e.g., FIG. 10) that abut, but are not fastened to, an inward surface 64 of the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54. The tabs 62 can extend angularly upward 66 and rearward 28 from a primary portion 68 of the bottom wall 56 that is generally horizontal. The rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54 can have an angled section 70 that transitions from the primary portion 68 of the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 to a primary portion 72 of the rear wall 58 that is generally vertical.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 12 through 14, the cooking oven 10 further includes a heating element 74. The heating element 74 is coupled to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the cooking oven 10 further includes a heating element bracket 76. The heating element bracket 76 includes a first portion 78 and a second portion 80. The first portion 78 is fastened to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 with a fastener 82. The second portion 80 is fastened to the heating element 74 with a fastener 84. The heating element bracket 76 is not attached to the inner liner 12, which allows the heating element 74 together with the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 to be separated from the inner liner 12, as will be further discussed. The first portion 78 and the second portion 80 can be generally orthogonal to each other. The bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 can include two slots 86 within which a different one of two corners 88 of the first portion 78 of the heating element bracket 76 is disposed.

The heating element 74 is at least partially disposed between the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the heating element 74 has a horizontally oriented portion 90 that is disposed entirely or nearly entirely between the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The horizontally oriented portion 90 is disposed nearly entirely between the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The horizontally oriented portion 90 forward 92 of the heating element bracket 76 is disposed entirely between the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The horizontally oriented portion 90 is shaped to form a perimeter of a “U” when viewed from above.

Referring additionally to FIG. 15, in embodiments, such as that illustrated, the first outer wrapper 54 includes projections 94 that extend upward 66 from the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 toward the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12. The projections 94 are disposed under and partially around the heating element 74, particularly a lateral crossbar 96 thereof. The projections 94 include a V-shape cutout 98 facing the heating element 74. The projections 94 do not contact the heating element 74. The projections 94 are positioned to limit downward 36 movement of the heating element 74 away from the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 16 and 17, the cooking oven 10 further includes a forward panel 100. The forward panel 100 is coupled to both the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the forward panel 100 includes a first portion 102 that is substantially vertically oriented. The first portion 102 provides a forward surface 104 (see, e.g., FIGS. 7 and 8) that faces the door 40, when the door 40 is in the closed position 42. In addition, the first portion 102 provides a rearward surface 106 that faces the heating element 74 and a space 108 between the inner liner 12 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The forward panel 100 includes a central aperture 110 (see FIGS. 11 and 16) through the first portion 102. The central aperture 110 laterally surrounds the lip 38 of the inner liner 12 and the opening 26 into the cooking chamber 14. The first portion 102 includes a transition portion 112 to provide a change in depth (forward 92-to-rearward 28) of the first portion 102. The transition portion 112 and the first portion 102 near the central aperture 110 form a recess 114 to receive a securing ring 116 that is disposed between the transition portion 112 and the lip 38 of the inner liner 12. The first portion 102 near the central aperture 110 is disposed rearward 28 of the securing ring 116. The rearward surface 106 of the first portion 102 near the central aperture 110 faces the flange 32 of the inner liner 12. The securing ring 116 includes prongs 118 that extend rearward 28 from the recess 114 through apertures 120 through the first portion 102 of the forward panel 100 and through slots 122 of the flange 32 of the inner liner 12 that are aligned with the apertures 120. The prongs 118 are bent inward to couple the forward panel 100 and the inner liner 12 together. The forward panel 100 further includes a second portion 124 that extends rearward 28 from the first portion 102 of the forward panel 100. The second portion 124 includes a bottom section 126 that is substantially horizontally oriented and is disposed between the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12 and the first outer wrapper 54.

The cooking oven 10 further includes a bracket 128 that participates in the releasable coupling of the forward panel 100 to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54. The bracket 128 is attached to the forward panel 100, in particular the second portion 124 of the forward panel 100. For example, as in the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 128 is substantially L-shaped and includes a first portion 130 that is substantially horizontally oriented and a second portion 132 that is substantially vertically oriented. The second portion 124 of the forward panel 100 includes a tab 134 that is substantially vertically oriented and an aperture 136 through the tab 134. Likewise, the second portion 132 of the bracket 128 includes an aperture 138 therethrough that is aligned with the aperture 136 through the tab 134 of the forward panel 100. A fastener 140 extends through the aperture 136 through the tab 134 of the forward panel 100 and the aperture 138 through the second portion 132 of the bracket 128 to fasten the forward panel 100 and the bracket 128 together. The tab 134 of the forward panel 100 is disposed laterally outward of the second portion 132 of the bracket 128. The tab 134 of the forward panel 100 and the second portion 132 of the bracket 128 are flush against each other and are both oriented orthogonal to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 18-20, the bracket 128 is fastened to the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 in a releasable manner. The bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 includes an aperture 142 therethrough. The first portion 130 of the bracket 128 has an aperture 144 therethrough. The aperture 144 of the first portion 130 of the bracket 128 and the aperture 142 through the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 are aligned. A fastener 146, in a fastened state 190 (see, e.g., FIGS. 17 and 18), fastens the first portion 130 of the bracket 128 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 together. More particularly, the fastener 146 includes a head 148 and a threaded shaft 150 that extends upward 66 from the head 148. The threaded shaft 150 extends through the aperture 142 through the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the aperture 144 of the first portion 130 of the bracket 128. The threaded shaft 150 extends laterally inward of the tab 134 of the second portion 124 of the forward panel 100.

In embodiments, such as that illustrated, the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 comprises a recess 152. The first portion 130 of the bracket 128 is disposed within the recess 152, substantially flush against the bottom wall 56.

In embodiments, such as that illustrated, the cooking oven 10 further includes a second outer wrapper 154. The second outer wrapper 154 at least partially envelopes the first outer wrapper 54 and the inner liner 12. For example, the second outer wrapper 154 can include a top wall 156, a bottom wall 158, opposing side walls 160, 162, and a rear wall 164. The top wall 156 and the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 oppose each other. The top wall 156 of the second outer wrapper 154 is disposed above the top wall 60 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the top wall 18 of the inner liner 12. The bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 is disposed below the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the bottom wall 16 of the inner liner 12. The rear wall 164 of the second outer wrapper 154 is disposed rearward 28 of the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the rear wall 24 of the first inner liner 12. The opposing side walls 160, 162 are disposed laterally outward of the inner liner 12 and in particular the opposing side walls of the inner liner 12. In short, the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154 sandwich the side walls 20, 22 of the inner liner 12. The bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 is fastened, in a fastened state 166, to the rear wall 164 of the second outer wrapper 154 and the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154 with fasteners 168. The fasteners 168 are exposed to, and manipulable from, the external environment 46.

Referring additionally to FIG. 21, in embodiments, such as that illustrated, the cooking oven 10 further includes a hinge 170 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8, 9, 12, 16-18, and 20). The hinge 170 couples the door 40 to the second outer wrapper 154. More particularly, the hinge 170 includes a first portion 172 that is fastened to the second outer wrapper 154. The first portion 172 of the hinge 170 is disposed above the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154. The first portion 172 of the hinge 170 is disposed laterally inward of the side wall 162 of the second outer wrapper 154 and laterally outward of the bracket 128 connecting the forward panel 100 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 together.

In addition, the hinge 170 includes a second portion 174. The second portion 174 is attached to the door 40. The second portion 174 rotates about a pin 176 which is attached to the first portion 172.

Referring additionally to FIG. 22, as mentioned, the fasteners 168 fasten the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 to the rear wall 164 and the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154, in the fastened state 166 thereof. However, because the fasteners 168 are manipulable from the external environment 46, a technician can manipulate the fasteners 168 to take an unfastened state 182, such as with a screwdriver, wrench, or specialty tool. In the unfastened state 166, the fasteners 168 do not fasten the bottom wall 158 to the rear wall 164 and the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154.

As mentioned, the head 148 of the fastener 146 fastening the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the bracket 128 together is accessible from the external environment 46. For example, when the cooking oven 10 includes the second outer wrapper 154 with the bottom wall 158, the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 includes an aperture 178 therethrough that allows access to the head 148 of the fastener 146 from the external environment 46. For example, the technician can insert the screwdriver or other tool through the aperture 178 of the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 to manipulate the fastener 146 via the head 148. The fastener 146 can be manipulated to take an unfastened state 180 (see FIG. 20). In the unfastened state 180 of the fastener 146, the threaded shaft 150 of the fastener 146 is removed from the aperture 142 of the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the aperture 144 of the bracket 128.

When the fastener 146 is in the unfastened state 180, and the fasteners 168 are in the unfastened state 182, the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54, the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154, and the heating element 74 are manipulable together as a package 184 (see FIG. 22) to take a separated state 186. In the separated state 186, the package 184 is separated from a remainder 188 of the cooking oven 10. In other words, the door 40, the inner liner 12, and so on all remain together as the remainder 188. Because the package 184 is separable to the separated state 186 from the remainder 188 of the cooking oven 10, the door 40 remains part of the remainder 188 of the cooking oven 10, such as by remaining coupled to the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154 through the hinge 170.

The technician can then replace the heating element 74 of the package 184, or do whatever repair is required to the package 184. The package 184, with the new heating element 74 or otherwise repaired component, can then be combined again with the remainder 188 of the cooking oven 10. The fastener 146 is then manipulated back to the fastened state 190. The fasteners 168 are then manipulated back to the fastened state 166.

In embodiments, the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 and the bottom wall 56 of the first outer wrapper 54 are fastened together with fasteners 202 (see FIGS. 12 and 19). The fasteners 202 each include a head 204 that is inaccessible from the external environment 46. Accordingly, the bottom wall 158 of the second outer wrapper 154 cannot be separated from the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper 54 without first moving the package 184 to the separated state 186.

The present disclosure addresses the problem set forth in the Background, among other reasons, because the technician can repair or replace the heating element 74 without having to first remove the door 40 or the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154. The repair can thus be performed within a kitchen 192 (see FIG. 1) of the owner of the cooking oven 10, without having to move the cooking oven 10 to an off-site repair facility. Performing the repair within the kitchen 192 lessens the likelihood that the owner would request a replacement cooking oven 10. Further, because neither the door 40 nor the opposing side walls 160, 162 of the second outer wrapper 154 have to be removed to repair or replace the heating element 74, issues with misalignment of the door 40 or opposing side walls 160, 162 upon reassembly are avoided. Thus, the present disclosure avoids significant costs and improves owner satisfaction.

Referring additionally to FIG. 23, the cooking capabilities of the cooking oven 10 are not particularly limited. The cooking oven 10 can use the heating element 74 to perform baking functions. In addition to the heating element 74, the cooking oven 10 can include a second heating element 194 (see FIG. 9) and a third heating element 196. The second heating element 194 can be disposed between the top wall 18 of the inner liner 12 and the top wall 60 of the first outer wrapper 54. The cooking oven 10 can use the second heating element 194 to perform broiling functions. The third heating element 196 can be disposed between the rear wall 24 of the inner liner 12 and the rear wall 58 of the first outer wrapper 54. The cooking oven 10 can use the third heating element 196 to perform air frying or other forced air cooking functions. In such instances, the cooking oven 10 can further include a fan 198 associated with the third heating element 196. Further, the cooking element can include a magnetron 200 and waveguide (not illustrated), such as disposed between the top wall 60 of the first outer wrapper 54 and the top wall 156 of the second outer wrapper 154. The cooking oven 10 can use the magnetron 200 to perform microwave cooking functions. The cooking oven 10 can include any one of, or none of, the second heating element 194, the third heating element 196, and the magnetron 200.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cooking oven comprises: (1) an inner liner at least partially defining a cooking chamber and forming an opening into the cooking chamber, the inner liner comprising a bottom wall extending rearward from the opening and forming a floor of the cooking chamber; (2) a first outer wrapper at least partially enveloping the inner liner, the first outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall that is disposed below the bottom wall of the inner liner; (3) a heating element coupled to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the heating element at least partially disposed between the bottom wall of the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; (4) a forward panel coupled to the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; and (5) a bracket that is attached to the forward panel and fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper in a releasable manner via a first fastener comprising (a) a head accessible from an external environment and (b) a threaded shaft extending from the head and, in a fastened state, extending through (i) an aperture through the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a first aperture of the bracket that is aligned with the aperture of the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the first aspect is presented, wherein (i) the first fastener further includes an unfastened state where threaded shaft of the first fastener is removed from the aperture of the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the aperture of the bracket; and (ii) in the unfastened state of the first fastener, the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the heating element are manipulable together to a separated state separated from a remainder of the cooking oven.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the second aspect further comprises: a door manipulable to, from, and between (i) a closed position denying access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber and (ii) an open position permitting access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber, wherein, the door is coupled to the remainder of the cooking oven, when the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the heating element are manipulated to the separated state.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through third aspects is presented, wherein the inner liner further comprises (i) opposing side walls substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall and disposed rearward from the opening and (ii) a flange extending away from the opening, the flange comprising a downward portion that extends downward from the opening and substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall of the inner liner.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the fourth aspect is presented, wherein the forward panel comprises a vertical portion that is substantially vertically oriented and faces the flange of the inner liner.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through fifth aspects is presented, wherein the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper comprises a recess within which a first portion of the bracket is disposed, the first portion being substantially flush against the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper.

According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through sixth aspects is presented, wherein the first outer wrapper further comprises projections extending upward from the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the projections not contacting the heating element but positioned to limit downward movement of the heating element.

According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through seventh aspects further comprises: a heating element bracket comprising (i) a first portion fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a second portion fastened to the heating element.

According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through eighth aspects is presented, wherein (a) the inner liner further comprises (i) a rear wall disposed reward of the bottom wall and disposed generally orthogonal thereto and (ii) a top wall opposing the bottom wall and disposed generally orthogonal to the rear wall; and (b) the first outer wrapper further comprises (i) a rear wall disposed rearward of a rear wall of the inner liner and abutting the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a top wall disposed above the top wall of the inner liner and fastened to the rear wall of inner liner.

According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the ninth aspect is presented, wherein the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper comprises tabs that abut, but are not fastened to, an inward surface of the rear wall of the first outer wrapper.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through tenth aspects is presented, wherein the forward panel comprises (i) a first portion that is substantially vertically oriented and a central aperture that laterally surrounds the opening into the cooking chamber, and (ii) a second portion that extends rearward from the first portion and is attached to the bracket.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the eleventh aspect is presented, wherein (a) the second portion of the forward panel comprises (i) a tab that is substantially vertically oriented and (ii) an aperture through the tab that is aligned with a second aperture through the bracket, and (b) a second fastener extends through the aperture through the tab of the forward panel and the second aperture of the bracket to fasten the forward panel and the bracket together.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the twelfth aspect is presented, wherein the bracket further comprises (i) a first portion that is substantially horizontally oriented and through which the first aperture is disposed and (ii) a second portion that is substantially vertically oriented and through which the second aperture is disposed.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the thirteenth aspect is presented, wherein the tab of the forward panel is disposed laterally outward of the second portion of the bracket.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the first through fourteenth aspects further comprises: a second outer wrapper at least partially enveloping the first outer wrapper and the inner liner, the second outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall that is disposed below the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, wherein, the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper comprises an aperture therethrough allowing access to the head of the first fastener from the external environment.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the fifteenth aspect is presented, wherein the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper are fastened together with third fasteners comprising heads that are inaccessible from the external environment.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the fifteenth through sixteenth aspects is presented, wherein (a) the second outer wrapper further comprises (i) a rear wall that is disposed rearward of the rear wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) opposing side walls outward of the inner liner, and (b) the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper is fastened, in a fastened state, to the rear wall and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper with third fasteners that are exposed to, and manipulable from, the external environment.

According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the seventeenth aspect is presented, wherein (i) in a second unfastened state, the third fasteners do not fasten the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper to the rear wall and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper, and (ii) in the first unfastened state of the first fastener and the second unfastened state of the third fasteners, the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper, the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, and the heating element are manipulable together as a package to take a separated state separated from a remainder of the cooking oven.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of any one of the seventeenth through eighteenth aspects further comprises a door coupled to the second outer wrapper through a hinge attached to both the door and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper, the door manipulable to, from, and between (i) a closed position denying access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber and (ii) an open position permitting access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, the cooking oven of the nineteenth aspect is presented, wherein in the first unfastened state of the first fastener, the second unfastened state of the third fasteners, and the separated state of the package, the door remains coupled to the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

Claims

1. A cooking oven comprising: an inner liner at least partially defining a cooking chamber and forming an opening into the cooking chamber, the inner liner comprising a bottom wall extending rearward from the opening and forming a floor of the cooking chamber;a first outer wrapper at least partially enveloping the inner liner, the first outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall that is disposed below the bottom wall of the inner liner;a heating element coupled to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the heating element at least partially disposed between the bottom wall of the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper;a forward panel coupled to the inner liner and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper; anda bracket that is attached to the forward panel and fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper in a releasable manner via a first fastener comprising (a) a head accessible from an external environment and (b) a threaded shaft extending from the head and, in a fastened state, extending through (i) an aperture through the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a first aperture of the bracket that is aligned with the aperture of the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper.

2. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the first fastener further includes a first unfastened state where the threaded shaft of the first fastener is removed from the aperture of the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the aperture of the bracket; andin the first unfastened state of the first fastener, the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the heating element are manipulable together to a separated state separated from a remainder of the cooking oven.

3. The cooking oven of claim 2 further comprising: a door manipulable to, from, and between (i) a closed position denying access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber and (ii) an open position permitting access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber,wherein, the door is coupled to the remainder of the cooking oven, when the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and the heating element are manipulated to the separated state.

4. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the inner liner further comprises (i) opposing side walls substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall and disposed rearward from the opening and (ii) a flange extending away from the opening, the flange comprising a downward portion that extends downward from the opening and substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall of the inner liner.

5. The cooking oven of claim 4, wherein the forward panel comprises a vertical portion that is substantially vertically oriented and faces the flange of the inner liner.

6. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper comprises a recess within which a first portion of the bracket is disposed, the first portion being substantially flush against the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper.

7. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the first outer wrapper further comprises projections extending upward from the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, the projections not contacting the heating element but positioned to limit downward movement of the heating element.

8. The cooking oven of claim 1 further comprising: a heating element bracket comprising (i) a first portion fastened to the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a second portion fastened to the heating element.

9. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the inner liner further comprises (i) a rear wall disposed reward of the bottom wall and disposed generally orthogonal thereto and (ii) a top wall opposing the bottom wall and disposed generally orthogonal to the rear wall; andthe first outer wrapper further comprises (i) a rear wall disposed rearward of a rear wall of the inner liner and abutting the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) a top wall disposed above the top wall of the inner liner and fastened to the rear wall of inner liner.

10. The cooking oven of claim 9, wherein the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper comprises tabs that abut, but are not fastened to, an inward surface of the rear wall of the first outer wrapper.

11. The cooking oven of claim 1, wherein the forward panel comprises (i) a first portion that is substantially vertically oriented and a central aperture that laterally surrounds the opening into the cooking chamber, and (ii) a second portion that extends rearward from the first portion and is attached to the bracket.

12. The cooking oven of claim 11, wherein the second portion of the forward panel comprises (i) a tab that is substantially vertically oriented and (ii) an aperture through the tab that is aligned with a second aperture through the bracket, anda second fastener extends through the aperture through the tab of the forward panel and the second aperture of the bracket to fasten the forward panel and the bracket together.

13. The cooking oven of claim 12, wherein the bracket further comprises (i) a first portion that is substantially horizontally oriented and through which the first aperture is disposed and (ii) a second portion that is substantially vertically oriented and through which the second aperture is disposed.

14. The cooking oven of claim 13, wherein the tab of the forward panel is disposed laterally outward of the second portion of the bracket.

15. The cooking oven of claim 1 further comprising: a second outer wrapper at least partially enveloping the first outer wrapper and the inner liner, the second outer wrapper comprising a bottom wall that is disposed below the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper,wherein, the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper comprises an aperture therethrough allowing access to the head of the first fastener from the external environment.

16. The cooking oven of claim 15, wherein the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper and the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper are fastened together with third fasteners comprising heads that are inaccessible from the external environment.

17. The cooking oven of claim 15, wherein the second outer wrapper further comprises (i) a rear wall that is disposed rearward of the rear wall of the first outer wrapper and (ii) opposing side walls outward of the inner liner, andthe bottom wall of the second outer wrapper is fastened, in a fastened state, to the rear wall and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper with third fasteners that are exposed to, and manipulable from, the external environment.

18. The cooking oven of claim 17, wherein in a second unfastened state, the third fasteners do not fasten the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper to the rear wall and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper, andin the first unfastened state of the first fastener and the second unfastened state of the third fasteners, the bottom wall of the second outer wrapper, the bottom wall of the first outer wrapper, and the heating element are manipulable together as a package to take a separated state separated from a remainder of the cooking oven.

19. The cooking oven of claim 17 further comprising: a door coupled to the second outer wrapper through a hinge attached to both the door and the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper, the door manipulable to, from, and between (i) a closed position denying access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber and (ii) an open position permitting access from the external environment through the opening and into the cooking chamber.

20. The cooking oven of claim 19, wherein in the first unfastened state of the first fastener, the second unfastened state of the third fasteners, and the separated state of the package, the door remains coupled to the opposing side walls of the second outer wrapper.