Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02252975 1998-10-19
W0 97/40318 PCT/EP97/OlBB6
~rame for a Cooktop
The invention relate~ to a frame for a cooktop consisting
of profiled sec~iona, wherein the profiled sections enclose the
cooktop at le~st partially and have a visual surface, and wherein
the fra~e is connected to a receiving device, which maintains
electrical installation units in an arrangement underneath ~he
cooktop .
Such frame~ are known from DE 88 01 334 U1. Such a frame
is used, for example, for creating a transition between a ceramic
cooktop and an adjoining work top.
Here, the frame primarily takes on the job of fixing the
cooktop in place and to achieve a vi~ual border. The profiled
sections e~close the cooktop on all ~ides for fixing it in place.
In this ca~e the profiled ~ection~ ar- mostly connected in one
piece to form a closed frame. However, it is also conceivable to
provide individual profiled sections, which are then connected
with each other.
The vi~ual surface extends past the edge areas of the
cooktop and the work top, as well as past the gap between the
cooktop and the work top to provide a visual border. The plastic
material fro~ which the fra~e is made is tinted to provide a
pleasant exterior, or in connection with higher-priced frames the
visual surface i~ enameled. Enamelling ha~ the disadvantaye that
it can eaqlly become scratched when pot~ are pulled over th~
frame. Furthermore, it i~ not pos~i~le to provide graphically
designed decors at ju~tifiable cost.
It i~ the object of the invention to create a frame for a
cooktop wherein the visual surface can be univer~ally de~igned.
CA 02252975 1998-10-19
wo 97/40318 PCT/EP97/01~86
The object of the invention iB attained in that the visual
surface is covered with a foil.
It ia possible to reproduce all manner of surface
stru~tures, for example wood, stone, chromium, etc. by means of
the foil. Complicated graphic structures in particular can be
pictured on the foil.
Since the foil is applied to the frame a3 a separate part,
the physical properties of the visual ~urface can also be changed.
The foil can be ~cratch-resistant and pressure-resistant, for
example. It is also advantageou-Q if the foil i~ resistant to
chemicals.
As a characteristic feature it should furthermore be
stressed that the frames can be produced in very small lots, since
every frame can be covered individually with a foil.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention
it is provided, that the profiled sections are combined into one
piece, that the profiled sections and/or the foil are made of a
pressure-3etting pla~tic material, wherein the plastic material
for the profiled sections is not tinted. It i9 possible to omit
the tinting of the plastic material, ~ince here only the visual
surface i8 facing the observer. The pre~sure-setting plastic will
primarily be on a melamine basi~ and can be fi~erglass-reinforced.
When using different materials it is al60 possibIe to make use of
different material properties, so that the frame can be
individually matched.
A method in accordance with the invention for producing a
frame for a cooktop i9 distinguished in that a foil is applied to
a ~isual surface of the frame and is connected with the frame.
.. .. .. . .
CA 022~297~ 1998-10-lg
w0 97/40318 PCT/EP97/01886
I~ in this connection it i9 provided that the foil i8
inserted into ~ compression mold, a plastic material i~
furthermore inserted into the compression mold, and that the
plastic material, together with the foil, is pressed to form the
frame while heat is being ~upplied, the frame can be produced in a
Eingle work step. For example, the plastic material can be cut
off in the correct length from a ~emi-finished material. The
plastic material is brought into a moldable state by mean~ of the
supply of heat. The shapi~g of the frame is provided by means of
presaing it in the compre~sion mold. The foil i~ simultaneously
pressed on the visual surface and i8 intima~ely connected with it
by means of the supplied heat.
It ha-Q been shown to be ad~antageous i~ a provision i3 made
to cut the dimensions of the foil to such a size that, following
thermal pressing, it laterally projects pa~t the ~isual ~urface,
and that ~he projecting portion~ are cut o~f in the course of
deburring the frame.
Because the foil has larger dimensions than the vi3ual
surface, scrap is reduced to a minimum, since a complete covering
of the vi-~ual surface i8 always a-Qsured, even if the foil is
displaced in respect to the frame during the preQQing operation.
Furthermore, a defined border with the vi~ual surface is created
in that the projecting portion~ are cut off at the end.
In accordance with an alternative method of the invention
it i3 provided that the foil i~ placed on the visual surface of
the frame made of plastic, and is connected with i~ by ~upplying
heat. In this case the frame is a pre-a~embled element produced,
for example, ~y an extrUQiOn molding process. It can then be
covered with the foil later.
CA 02252975 1998-10-19
wo 97/40318 PCT/EP97/01~86
The invention will be explained in greater detail below by
means of an exemplary embodiment repre~ented in the drawings.
Shown are in:
Fig. 1, a ceramic coo~top and a frame in a per~pective
representation, and
Figs. 2a to d, the method steps for producing the frame in
accordance with Fig. l.
A ceramic cooktop lO, which ie ~urrounded by a fra~e 20, is
repre~ented in Fig. 1. The frame 20 consists of individual
profiled 3ections, which are connected with each other to form one
piece. The profiled sections have a vertical ~trip 22, to which a
plate i9 connected at right angles. The plate constitutes a
visual surface 21, which face~ upward. The plate and the strip 22
are combined in a T-shape in cros~ section. The vi~ual surface 21
is embodied to be flat here. Howe~er, any other arbitrary s~rface
profile is also concei~able. For example, a corrugated profile or
prongs can be provided. A foil 40 ha~ been placed on the visual
surface 21 itself.
A receiving device for electrical installation elements can
be connected to the strip 22. For example, potential fastening
devices are pro~ided on the -~trip 22 to this end. However, it is
also conceivable that the recei~ing device is connected in one
piece wi~h the frame 20.
The method for producing the frame 20 repre~ented in Fig
will be explained in greater detail in what follows ~y means of
Fig~. 2 a to d.
A compression mold i~ represented in Fig. 2a, which
consist~ of a first and second mold half 31 and 32. The first
mold half 31 has a die 35, into which a receptacle has been cut.
CA 02252975 1998-10-19
Wo 97/40318 PCT/~P97/018B6
The receptacle con~titutes the negative contour of the frame 20.
A recess 34 has been cut into the ~econd mold half 32. The die 35
of the first mold half can be placed into it.
For executing the production method, first the foil 40 i8
in~erted into the rece~ 34 of the ~econd mold half 32 while the
compression mold is open. In thi~ case the ~ide of the foil 40
which, for example, has the decor, the surface structure, etc.,
points in the direction facing away from the die 35.
In a second method step, which can be seen in Fig. 2b, a
plastic material 23 is cut to ~ize and inserted on top of the foil
40 into the second mold half 32. The recess 34 has been widened
toward the top for recei~ing the foil 40 and the plastic material
23. The plastic material 23 and the foil 40 therefore are
supported against a shoulder and are arranged at a distance from
the bottom surface of the rece~ 34.
Thereafter the compression mold is closed, as shown in Fig.
2c. To this end, the ~ir~t mold half 31 i8 moved on the ~econd
one, 32. In the proces~, the die 35 penetrates into the recess
34. The plastic material 23 is brought into a deformable state by
the application of heat, BO that in the course of cloRing the
compression mold it flows into the receptacle 33. The strip 22 of
the frame 20 is formed in this way. The plate which carries the
~isual surface 21, is created between the front face of the die 35
and the second mold half 32. In the cour~e of the entry of the
die 35, the foil 40 is simultaneously pulled further i~to the
recess 34 and is placed over the ~isual surface 21 of the frame,
which is being created.
With the compression mold closed, the entire negative frame
contour iB filled with the plastic material 23 and the foil 40.
CA 02252975 l998- lO- l9
WO 97/40318 PCTJEP97/OlB86
Because of this, pre~sure i8 created in the compression mold. As
a result o~ the pressure and the supplied heat, the foil 40 and
the visual Qurface 21 of the frame 20 are connected to each other.
The frame 20 cures after a dwell time. The compression mold can
then be opened again and the frame 20 expelled, as represented in
Fig. 2d. As can be seen from thi~ representation, in its raw
state the foil 40 had larger dimen3ions than the visual surface 21
of the frame 20, ~o that scrap pieces project past the visual
surface 21. The~e projecting pieces are cut off in a final
deburring step. This situation is shown in Fig. 2c.
For deburring, the frame 20 is inQerted, with it~ visual
surface 21 facing downward, into a reces~ 61 of a recei~ing
element 60. Here, the strip 22 project~ above the receiving
element 60. The projecting piece~ of the foil 40 are then cut off
by means of a tool 50, and the plate carrying the visual plate 21
is deburred. 3ecause cutting off the projecting parts and
deburring take place at the same time, it is possible to always
assure a flush border of the foil 40 with the vlsual surface 21.
