SEALING SYSTEM FOR AN OVEN CAVITY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealing system for an oven cavity (10) of an oven, in particular of a cooking oven. The sealing system includes an outer steam-tight gasket (20) attachable or attached at a front frame (26), which encloses a cavity frame (12) of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses a front opening of said oven cavity (10). The sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket (18) attachable or attached at the cavity frame (12) and/or at the front frame (26), so that the inner heat resistant gasket (18) is aligned at least partially at the cavity frame (12) and at an inner panel (16) of an oven door (14) for closing the oven cavity (10) in a closed state of said oven door (14). The sealing system includes a gap sealing (19) arrangeable or arranged within a gap between the cavity frame (12) and the front frame (26), so that the gap sealing (19) encloses completely or partially the cavity frame (12). The inner heat resistant gasket (18) and the outer steam-tight gasket (20) are attachable or attached in such a way, that said inner heat resistant gasket (18) and outer steam-tight gasket (20) are aligned at the inner panel (16) of the oven door (14) at least in the closed state of said oven door (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a sealing system for an oven cavity. In particular, the present invention relates to a sealing system for an oven cavity of a cooking oven. Further, the present invention relates to an oven, in particular a cooking oven.

There are different types of sealings between an oven door and an oven cavity. For high temperatures gaskets made of fibreglass are used. Said fibreglass gaskets are suitable for pyrolytic cleaning functions. For steam or high humidity gaskets made of silicone are used. Said silicone gaskets are suitable for steam cooking functions.

However, the fibreglass gaskets are not suitable for ovens with high humidity, while the silicone gaskets are not suitable for oven with high temperature.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealing system for an oven cavity, which allows processes with high temperature and high humidity, wherein the environment of said oven cavity is protected against high temperature as well as high humidity.

The object is achieved by the sealing system for an oven cavity according to claim 1.

According to the present invention a sealing system for an oven cavity of an oven, in particular of a cooking oven, is provided, wherein:

• • the sealing system includes an outer steam-tight gasket attachable or attached at a front frame, which encloses a cavity frame of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses a front opening of said oven cavity,
  • the sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket attachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or the front frame, so that the inner heat resistant gasket is aligned at least partially at the cavity frame and at an inner panel of an oven door for closing the oven cavity in a closed state of said oven door,
  • the sealing system includes a gap sealing arrangeable or arranged within a gap between the cavity frame and the front frame, so that the gap sealing encloses completely or partially the cavity frame, and
  • the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket are attachable or attached in such a way, that said inner heat resistant gasket and outer steam-tight gasket are aligned at the inner panel of the oven door at least in the closed state of said oven door.

The core of the present invention is the sealing system with two different gaskets, i.e. the outer steam-tight gasket and the inner heat resistant gasket. The outer steam-tight gasket provides an outer sealing of the oven cavity, while the inner heat resistant gasket provides an inner sealing of said oven cavity. The complete circumference of the front opening of the oven cavity is sealed by the outer steam-tight gasket. Further, a part of the circumference or the complete circumference of the front opening of the oven cavity is sealed by the inner heat resistant gasket. The inner heat resistant gasket provides a thermal shield for the outer steam-tight gasket. The gap sealing between the cavity frame and the front frame ensures that water or humidity cannot enter the interior of an oven compartment.

In particular, the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket are formed as separate gaskets. Preferably said inner heat resistant gasket and outer steam-tight gasket are arrangeable or arranged at a distance from each other. By this way, the air chamber between the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket in the closed state of the oven door acts as thermal insulator.

Preferably, the outer steam-tight gasket is made of silicone, graphite, ceramic material or the like.

In contrast, the inner heat resistant gasket is preferably made of fibreglass or any other material heat resistant up to 500° C.

Further, the inner heat resistant gasket may be clampable between the cavity frame and a front frame enclosing said cavity frame.

Moreover, the outer steam-tight gasket may have an elongated cross-section, wherein the longitudinal axis of said elongated cross-section extends perpendicular to the plane of the inner glass panel in the mounted state of the outer steam-tight gasket and in the closed state of the oven door.

According to an embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door, wherein at least one contact line is formed between said inner heat resistant gasket and the cavity frame in the closed state of the oven door.

According to another embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or front the frame, wherein at least one contact line is formed between said inner heat resistant gasket and the inner panel of the oven door in the closed state of the oven door.

For example, the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door or at the cavity frame, respectively, by clips, bolts, screws or the like.

Moreover, the outer steam-tight gasket is attached or attachable at the front frame enclosing the cavity frame of the oven cavity.

Optionally, the outer steam-tight gasket is coated by a heat resistant layer. For example, said heat resistant layer is made of the same or a similar material as the inner heat resistant gasket.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to an oven, in particular a cooking oven, comprising at least one sealing system mentioned above, wherein:

• • the oven comprises at least one oven cavity,
  • the oven cavity includes a cavity frame enclosing a front opening of said oven cavity,
  • the oven cavity includes a front frame enclosing the cavity frame of said oven cavity,
  • the front sides of the cavity frame and the front frame extend within one plane,
  • the oven comprises at least one oven door for closing the front opening of said oven cavity, and
  • at least that portion of the inner side of the oven door arranged in front of the cavity frame and front frame in the closed state of the oven door extends within one plane.

In particular, the inner side of the oven door extends within one single plane.

Preferably, the cavity frame and the front frame are thermally isolated from each other.

Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a sealing system for an oven cavity according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of a sealing system for an oven cavity 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes a cavity frame 12 enclosing a front opening of said oven cavity 10. Further, a front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by an oven door 14. Said oven door includes an inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes an inner heat resistant gasket 18 and an outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

Preferably, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 has an elongated cross-section, wherein the longitudinal axis of said elongated cross-section extends perpendicular to the plane of the inner glass panel 16 in the closed state of the oven door.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16 of the oven door 14 by fixing elements 22. For example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16 by clips, bolts, screws or the like. The fixing element 22 is represented symbolically by two parallel dashes. In the closed state of the oven door 14, a contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and an inner side of the cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side of the cavity frame 12. In the first embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has an oval cross-section.

For example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is made of fibreglass, while the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is made of silicone.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner glass panel 16 of the oven door 14 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips, bolts, screws or the like. In the second embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has a triangular cross-section, wherein two sides of said triangular cross-section are concave. In the closed state of the oven door 14, two contact lines 24 are formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the cavity frame 12. Both two contact lines 24 are arranged at one side of the triangular cross-section. The one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the front side of the cavity frame 12, while the other contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner side of the cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side and front side of the cavity frame 12. The concave sides of the triangular cross-section are aligned at the cavity frame 12 and at the inner glass panel 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

In this example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the inner side of the cavity frame 12 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips, bolts, screws or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 may be fixed at the front side of the front frame 26 by said fixing elements 22. In the third embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has an elongated cross-section. The longitudinal axis of said elongated cross-section extends perpendicular to the plane of the inner glass panel 16. In the closed state of the oven door 14, one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16. The contact line 24 is formed at the front side of the inner heat resistant gasket 18. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side of the cavity frame 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12.

The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

In this example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at the front side of the cavity frame 12 by fixing elements 22, e.g. by clips, bolts, screws or the like. Alternatively or additionally, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 may be fixed at the front side of the front frame 26 by said fixing elements 22. In the fourth embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has a substantially rectangular cross-section. In this example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is hollow. In the closed state of the oven door 14, one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16. The contact line 24 is formed at the front side of the inner heat resistant gasket 18. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side of the cavity frame 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at an inner side of the outer steam-tight gasket 20 by fixing elements 22. For example, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is connected to the outer steam-tight gasket 20 by metal clips, rivets, high temperature glue or by stitching. In the fifth embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has a substantially trapezoid cross-section. In the closed state of the oven door 14, one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16, while another contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner side of the cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side and front side of the cavity frame 12. The trapezoid cross-section of the inner heat resistant gasket 18 includes two concave sides, wherein said concave sides are aligned at the cavity frame 12 and at the inner glass panel 16.

FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12.

The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is fixed at an inner side of the outer steam-tight gasket 20. In the sixth embodiment, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 has the substantially trapezoid cross-section. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the one contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner glass panel 16, while the other contact line 24 is formed between the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the inner side of the cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 extends partially or completely along the inner side and front side of the cavity frame 12.

In this embodiment, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is coated by a high temperature layer. For example, said high temperature layer is made of the same or a similar material as the inner heat resistant gasket 18. The high temperature layer may comprise a high temperature coating, glass coating or glass fibre coating.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic sectional side view of the sealing system for the oven cavity 10 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The oven cavity 10 includes the cavity frame 12 enclosing the front opening of said oven cavity 10. The front frame 26 encloses completely or partially the cavity frame 12. The oven cavity 10 is closed by the oven door 14 including the inner glass panel 16.

The sealing system includes the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is clamped between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. In the closed state of the oven door 14, the inner heat resistant gasket 18 is arranged between the cavity frame 12, the front frame 26 and the inner glass panel 16. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 encloses completely the cavity frame 12. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 is aligned at the outer side of the cavity frame 12. The cross-section of the inner heat resistant gasket 18 may be circular, rectangular or of an arbitrary profile.

Additionally, the sealing system according to the seventh embodiment includes a gap sealing 19 filling the gap between the cavity frame 12 and the front frame 26. The gap sealing 19 ensures that water or humidity cannot enter the interior of an oven compartment.

The outer steam-tight gasket 20 is attached at the front frame 26 enclosing the cavity frame 12 of the oven cavity 10. The cavity frame 12 and the front frame 16 are thermally isolated from each other. Thus, the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is exposed to a relative low temperature during a pyrolytic cleaning process. In this example, the cross-section of the outer steam-tight gasket 20 has a special profile. In general, the cross-section of the outer steam-tight gasket 20 may be circular, rectangular or of an arbitrary profile.

The sealing system with the inner heat resistant gasket 18 and the outer steam-tight gasket 20 is suitable for a cooking oven with pyrolytic cleaning function and steam cooking function. The inner heat resistant gasket 18 acts as protection for the outer steam-tight gasket 20. The energy loss during the pyrolytic cleaning function is low.

Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 oven cavity
• 12 cavity frame
• 14 oven door
• 16 inner glass panel
• 18 inner heat resistant gasket
• 19 gap sealing
• 20 outer steam-tight gasket
• 22 fixing element
• 24 contact line
• 26 front frame

Claims

1. A sealing system for an oven cavity of a cooking oven, comprising: an outer steam-tight gasket attachable or attached at a front frame, which encloses a cavity frame of the oven cavity, which in turn encloses a front opening of said oven cavity,an inner heat resistant gasket attachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or at the front frame, so that the inner heat resistant gasket is aligned at least partially at the cavity frame and at an inner panel of an oven door for closing the oven cavity in a closed state of said oven door, anda gap sealing arrangeable or arranged within a gap between the cavity frame and the front frame, so that the gap sealing encloses completely or partially the cavity frame,the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket being attachable or attached in such a way that said inner heat resistant gasket and said outer steam-tight gasket are aligned at the inner panel of the oven door at least in the closed state of said oven door.

2. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket and the outer steam-tight gasket are formed as separate gaskets, wherein said inner heat resistant gasket and outer steam-tight gasket are arrangeable or arranged at a distance from each other.

3. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tight gasket is made of silicone, graphite, ceramic material or the like.

4. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is made of fibreglass or any other material heat resistant up to 500° C.

5. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is clampable between the cavity frame and the front frame enclosing said cavity frame.

6. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tight gasket has an elongated cross-section having a longitudinal axis that extends perpendicular to a plane of the inner panel in a mounted state of the outer steam-tight gasket and in the closed state of the oven door.

7. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door, wherein at least one contact line is formed between said inner heat resistant gasket and the cavity frame in the closed state of the oven door.

8. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the cavity frame and/or the front frame, wherein at least one contact line is formed between said inner heat resistant gasket and the inner panel of the oven door in the closed state of the oven door.

9. The sealing system according to claim 6, wherein the inner heat resistant gasket is attachable or attached at the inner panel of the oven door or at the cavity frame, respectively, by clips, bolts, screws or the like.

10. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tight gasket is attached or attachable at the front frame enclosing the cavity frame of the oven cavity.

11. The sealing system according to claim 1, wherein the outer steam-tight gasket is coated by a heat resistant layer.

12. A cooking oven comprising at least one sealing system according to claim 1, wherein: the oven comprises at least one oven cavity,the oven cavity includes a cavity frame enclosing a front opening of said oven cavity,the oven cavity includes a front frame enclosing the cavity frame of said oven cavity,front sides of the cavity frame and the front frame extend within one plane,the oven comprises at least one oven door for closing the front opening of said oven cavity, andat least that portion of an inner side of the oven door arranged in front of the cavity frame and front frame in a closed state of the oven door extends within one plane.

13. The oven according to claim 12, wherein the inner side of the oven door extends within one single plane.

14. The oven according to claim 12, wherein the cavity frame and the front frame are thermally isolated from each other.

15. A cooking oven comprising: a cavity frame enclosing a front opening of an oven cavity, a door adapted to close the front opening of the oven cavity in a closed state thereof, a front frame enclosing the cavity frame in a vicinity of said front opening, an outer steam-tight gasket clamped between the cavity frame and the front frame, said steam-tight gasket extending completely around the front opening of the oven cavity and sealing against an inner glass panel of said door in the closed state thereof, and an inner heat-resistant gasket formed separately from the outer steam-tight gasket and extending at least partially along the front opening of the oven cavity, the steam-tight gasket being adapted to provide a heat seal between the cavity frame and an inner glass panel of said door in said closed state, said heat-resistant gasket being either: a) fixed to said cavity frame and extends forward thereof so that in the closed state of said door the heat-resistant gasket is brought into contact with the inner glass panel along a contact line therebetween to provide said seal between the cavity frame and the inner glass panel;b) fixed to the inner glass panel of said door and extends rearward therefrom so that in the closed state of said door the heat-resistant gasket is brought into contact with the cavity frame along a contact line therebetween to provide said seal between the cavity frame and the inner glass panel; orc) fixed to said steam-tight gasket such that in the closed state of said door said heat-resistant gasket contacts each of the cavity frame and the glass panel of said door along respective contact lines disposed respectively therebetween, which cooperate to provide said seal between the cavity frame and the inner glass panel;wherein the inner heat-resistant gasket thermally shields the outer steam-tight gasket in the closed state of said door when the cooking oven is in operation to cook food within the oven cavity.

16. The cooking oven according to claim 15, the cavity frame and the front frame being thermally isolated from one another, and wherein the outer steam-tight gasket and the inner heat-resistant gasket are arranged a distance from one another thereby defining an air chamber that forms a thermal insulation therebetween in the closed state of said door.

17. The cooking oven according to claim 16, said outer steam-tight gasket being made of silicone, said inner heat-resistant gasket being made of fiberglass.