Claims
- 1. A method for assembling a planar cooktop panel into a generally planar cooktop surface comprising the steps of:
- applying a sealing material to a first surface of a unitary support ring;
- placing the planar cooktop panel in contact with said sealing material;
- placing said planar cooktop panel, unitary support ring and sealing material in a mold, allowing said sealing material to cure,
- securing a second surface of said unitary support ring to a down-turning flange located about a periphery of an opening in a cooktop;
- thereby securing said planar cooktop panel in said opening in said cooktop.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said sealing material is formed into a U-shaped cross-section having a void region by said mold and including the further step of extruding a further amount of said sealing material to fill a gap between said glass-ceramic panel and said down-turning flange and further to fill said void region of said U-shaped cross-section of said sealing material.
- 3. A method for assembling a cooktop assembly comprising the steps of:
- securing a bottom face of a ceramic glass panel to a first substantially flat surface of a unitary support ring with a sealing material;
- pre-curing said sealing material inside a mold;
- securing a second substantially flat surface of said unitary support ring to a down-turning flange located about a perimeter of an opening in a cooktop thereby securing said glass-ceramic panel within said opening in said cooktop.
- 4. A method for assembling a cooktop assembly comprising the steps of:
- securing a bottom face of a ceramic glass panel to a first substantially flat surface of a unitary support ring with an amount of a sealing material;
- forming said sealing material into a U-shaped cross-section having a void region;
- pre-curing said sealing material while in said general U-shape;
- securing a second substantially flat surface of said unitary support ring to a down-turning flange located about a perimeter of an opening in a cooktop thereby securing said glass-ceramic panel within said opening in said cooktop, said glass-ceramic panel forming a gap with said down-turning flange; and
- extruding a further amount of said sealing material to fill said gap between said glass-ceramic panel and said down-turning flange and further to fill said void region of said U-shaped cross-section of said amount of sealing material; and
- curing said further amount of said sealing material.
- 5. A method of assembling a cooktop assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said sealing material is silicone.
- 6. A method of assembling a cooktop assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein said silicone is pre-cured and cured using ultraviolet light.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/444,719, filed Dec. 1, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,831.
US Referenced Citations (7)
Foreign Referenced Citations (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
3110087 |
Sep 1982 |
DEX |
3440868 |
Jun 1985 |
DEX |
Non-Patent Literature Citations (2)
Entry |
Moeller, "Trends in Glass-Ceramic Cooktops", Mar. 1988, Appliance Manufacturer. |
Randolph, "Choosing Heating Elements for Glass-Ceramic Systems", Mar., 1988, Appliance Manufacturer. |
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
444719 |
Dec 1989 |
|