Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COOKING RANGE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to the field of cooking and more
specifically to a
cooking range.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Traditionally, a cooking range includes two or more heat sources (e.g.,
gas burners)
positioned adjacent to each other. These heat sources may be utilized to cook
food on the
cooking range. Such traditional cooking ranges, however, may be deficient.
SUMMARY
[0003] A cooking range comprises: a frame having an upper rim surrounding an
upper opening
of a cavity; a pan coupled to the frame, the pan extending downward into the
upper opening of
the cavity, the pan having an upper level and a lower level, the lower level
being positioned
vertically lower than the upper level, the pan further having one or more
upward extending
ridges that separate the upper level from the lower level, wherein the top-
most portion of each of
the ridges is positioned vertically higher than the upper level; and a
plurality of heat sources,
wherein the first heat source is configured to provide a higher maximum
thermal output than
each of the second, third, and fourth heat sources, wherein the maximum
thermal output of the
first heat source is at least about 26,000 British thermal units (BTUs), and
wherein the
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Date Recue/Date Received 2020-04-21
maximum thermal output of each of the second, third, and fourth heat sources
is at least about
18,000 BTUs.
[0005] In a second example, a cooking range comprises a frame having an upper
rim
surrounding an upper opening of a cavity; a pan coupled to the frame, the pan
extending
downward into the upper opening of the cavity, the pan having an upper level
and a lower
level, the lower level being positioned vertically lower than the upper level;
and a plurality of
heat sources, wherein a first heat source of the plurality of heat sources is
positioned within
the lower level, wherein a second heat source of the plurality of heat sources
is positioned
within the upper level, wherein the first heat source is positioned vertically
lower than the
second heat source, wherein the first heat source is configured to provide a
higher maximum
thermal output than the second heat source.
[0006] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the first and
second heat
sources are gas burners; and gas outlet orifices of the first heat source are
positioned
vertically lower than gas outlet orifices of the second heat source.
[0007] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the upper
level comprises
two upper level portions; and the two upper level portions are positioned on
opposing sides of
the lower level.
[0008] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the upper
level surrounds
the lower level.
[0009] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the pan
further comprises
one or more upward extending ridges that separate the upper level from the
lower level,
wherein the top-most portion of each of the ridges is positioned vertically
higher than the
upper level.
[0010] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the first heat source is at least about 30,000 British thermal units
(BTUs).
[0011] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the first heat source is at least about 28,000 British thermal units
(BTUs).
[0012] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the first heat source is at least about 26,000 British thermal units
(BTUs).
[0013] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the second heat source is at least about 18,000 British thermal
units (BTUs).
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[0014] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the first heat source is greater than the maximum thermal output of
the second heat
source by at least about 5,000 British thermal units (BTUs) ¨ 7,000 BTUs.
[0015] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein at least two
additional
heat sources of the plurality of heat sources are positioned within the upper
level; and thc first
heat source is further configured to provide a higher maximum thermal output
than each of
the at least two additional heat sources.
100161 Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the second
heat source
and the at least two additional heat sources surround the first heat source.
[0017] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the top-most
portion of
the first heat source is positioned vertically lower than the upper level.
[0018] In a third example, a cooking range pan comprises an upper flange
configured to be
coupled to a frame of a cooking range; an upper level coupled to the upper
flange and
comprising one or more heat source holes that extend through a depth of the
upper level; and
a lower level coupled to the upper level and comprising one or more additional
heat source
holes that extend through a depth of the lower level, wherein the lower level
is positioned
vertically lower than the upper level, wherein each of the heat source holes
and the additional
heat source holes are configured to surround a portion of a respective heat
source of the
cooking range.
[0019] Another example includes any such cooking range pan, wherein the upper
level
comprises two upper level portions; and the two upper level portions are
positioned on
opposing sides of the lower level.
[0020] Another example includes any such cooking range pan, wherein the upper
level
surrounds the lower level.
[0021] Another example includes any such cooking range pan, wherein the pan
further
comprises one or more upward extending ridges that separate the upper level
from the lower
level, wherein the top-most portion of each of the ridges is positioned
vertically higher than
the upper level.
[0022] Another example includes any such cooking range pan, wherein the one or
more
additional heat source holes of the lower level comprises a single additional
heat source hole.
[0023] Another example includes any such cooking range pan, wherein the one or
more heat
source holes of the upper level comprise at least three heat source holes that
surround the one
or more additional heat source holes of the lower level.
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[0024] In a fourth example, a cooking range comprises: a frame; a cooking
vessel support
grate coupled to the frame to provide an upper surface to support a plurality
of cooking
vessels; a pan coupled to one of the cooking vessel support grate and the
frame to have an
upper surface disposed below the cooking vessel support grate and projected
laterally under
the area of the cooking vessel support grate, the pan comprising: an upper
level comprising
one or more heat source holes that extend through a depth of the upper level;
and a lower
level coupled to the upper level and comprising one or more additional heat
source holes that
extend through a depth of the lower level, wherein the lower level is
positioned vertically
lower than the upper level, wherein each of the heat source holes and the
additional heat
source holes are configured to accommodate a conduit to a respective heat
source of the
cooking range; a plurality of heat sources, each heat source having a burner
with a plurality
of orifices for providing a flame, wherein a first heat source of the
plurality of heat sources is
positioned within the lower level, wherein a second heat source of the
plurality of heat
sources is positioned within the upper level; a source of fuel in fluid
communication with
each of the burners of the respective heat sources via the associated conduit
thereof, in which
each of the burners is configured with a control of the fuel to the heat
source to provide a
flame having a maximum upper height when the control is providing a maximum
quantity of
fuel to each burner to provide a maximum thermal output of the burner; and
wherein the first
heat source is configured to provide a higher maximum thermal output than the
second heat
source.
[0025] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the first heat
source is
configured to have at least one of the orifices of the burner and the flame
maximum upper
height disposed more distal from the upper surface of the cooking vessel
support grate than a
corresponding one of the orifices of the burner and flame maximum upper height
of the
.. second heat source is distal from the upper surface of the food support
grate.
[0026] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the first heat source is at least about 25,000 British thermal units
(BTUs).
[0027] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the second heat source is at least about 18,000 British thermal
units (BTUs), and
wherein the maximum thermal output of the first heat source is greater than
the maximum
thermal output of the second heat source by at least about 5,000 BTUs.
[0028] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of the second heat source is at least about 18,000 British thermal
units (BTUs) and the
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first heat source has a maximum thermal output of 5,000 BTU more than the
second heat
source.
[0029] Another example includes any such cooking range, further comprising a
third, a
fourth, and a fifth heat source of the plurality of heat sources, wherein each
of the second,
third, fourth, and fifth heat sources surround the first heat source.
[0030] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the third,
fourth, and fifth
heat sources are each positioned within the upper level.
[0031] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of at least one of the third and fourth heat sources is at least about
18,000 British
thermal units (BTUs).
[0032] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of each of the third and fourth heat sources is at least about 18,000
British thermal
units (BTUs).
[0033] Another example includes any such cooking range, wherein the maximum
thermal
output of each of the second, third, and fourth heat sources is at least about
23,000 British
thermal units (BTUs), and the maximum thermal output of the first heat source
is at least
about 30,000 BTUs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0034] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its
features and
advantages, reference is now made to the following description, taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. IA is a side view illustration of an example cooking range having
an example
pan, where components of the cooking range are shown partially in a section
view;
[0036] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a kitchen appliance having the example
cooking
range and the example pan of FIG. 1A;
[0037] FIG. IC is a top view of the range portion of the kitchen appliance of
FIG. 1B;
[0038] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the example pan of FIGS. 1A-1C;
[0039] FIG. 2B is a top view of the example pan of FIG. 2A;
[0040] FIG. 2C is a front view of the example pan of FIG. 2A;
[0041] FIG. 2D is a side view of the example pan of FIG. 2A;
[0042] FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 2B, taken
along section
line E-E of FIG. 2B;
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[0043] FIG. 3A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
[0044] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 3A, taken
along section
line B-B of FIG. 3A;
[0045] FIG. 3C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 3A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 3A;
[0046] FIG. 4A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
[0047] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 4A, taken
along section
.. line B-B of FIG. 4A;
[0048] FIG. 4C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 4A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 4A;
[0049] FIG. 5A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
[0050] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 5A, taken
along section
line B-B of FIG. 5A;
[0051] FIG. 5C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 5A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 5A;
[0052] FIG. 6A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
[0053] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 6A, taken
along section
line B-B of FIG. 6A;
[0054] FIG. 6C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 6A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 6A;
[0055] FIG, 7A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
[0056] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 7A, taken
along section
line B-B of FIG. 7A;
[0057] FIG. 7C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 7A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 7A;
[0058] FIG. 8A is a top view of a portion of an example cooking range having
another
example pan;
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[0059] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 8A, taken
along section
line B-B of FIG. 8A; and
[0060] FIG. 8C is another cross-sectional view of the example pan of FIG. 8A,
taken along
section line C-C of FIG. 8A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0061] Embodiments of the present disclosure are best understood by referring
to FIGS. IA-
SC of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts
of the various
drawings.
[0062] Traditionally, a cooking range includes two or more heat sources (e.g.,
gas burners)
positioned adjacent to each other. These heat sources may be utilized to cook
food on the
cooking range. Such traditional cooking ranges, however, may be deficient. For
example, a
user may desire to have a cooking range with a heat source that has high
maximum thermal
output, such as a maximum thermal output of at least 20,000 British thermal
units (BTUs) in
order to more quickly boil water, more quickly heat liquids in cooking, or for
providing a
very hot cooking vessel (e.g., pot, pan, griddle, skillet, wok) to rapidly
sear food or stir fry
meals. Such heat sources, however, may run the risk of overheating other
components, may
interfere with the functioning of other heat sources (e.g., may restrict the
air flow to another
gas burner), or may increase the risk of starting a fire in the kitchen (e.g.,
rising hot air from
the heat sources may overheat surrounding surfaces to dangerous levels).
Additionally, the
ability to utilize a heat source that has high maximum thermal output may be
limited by how
much air might be needed by adjacent and surrounding heat sources to also
achieve complete
combustion. In residential kitchens, users may need to compromise between
excessive
clearances from potentially flammable materials (e.g., such as walls and
cabinets) and a
desired high maximum thermal output. As such, typical cooking ranges do not
include a
heat source having a high maximum thermal output.
[0063] Furthermore, the few cooking ranges that do include a heat source
having a high
maximum thermal output tend to require a large footprint (and/or heat
resistant upper panels)
so that the heat sources can be positioned further way from each other, and so
that the heat
sources can also be positioned further away from surrounding walls or
cabinets. Such a large
footprint may not be desirable, especially in residential settings where
kitchen space may be
at a premium. Additionally, even with the large footprint, typical cooking
ranges may have
been prevented from having a heat source with a high maximum thermal output
because the
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heat source would need to be positioned too close to a support grate in the
vertical direction.
This lack of distance in the vertical direction tends to restrict the flow of
air reaching the
cooking gases of a gas burner, preventing the cooking gas from being combusted
completely.
Complete combustion of cooking gas is required to avoid health hazards (such
as from carbon
monoxide, or from the soot created by partially combusted fuel), and is
further required to
meet health and safety standards.
[00641 Contrary to these traditional cooking ranges, the cooking range 1000
and/or pan 200
of FIGS. 1A-8C may address one or more of these deficiencies. For example, the
cooking
range 1000 may include a pan 200 that has an upper level 205 and a lower level
210, both of
which may include one or more heat sources 300 (e.g., 300, 300"). The lower
level 210 may
be positioned vertically lower than the upper level 205. Also, the heat
source(s) 300" within
the lower level 210 may be positioned vertically lower than the heat source(s)
300' within the
upper level 205. In some examples, the vertical distance between the lower
level 210 and the
upper level 205 (and/or between the heat source(s) 300" and the heat source(s)
300') may
allow the heat source 300" to be a heat source having a high maximum thermal
output (e.g., a
maximum thermal output of at least 20,000 BTUs), without overheating
components that
would be placed in a cavity below the cooking range and/or without interfering
with the
operation of the other heat sources 300, in some examples. Also, the vertical
distance may
allow the heat source 300" to have a higher maximum thermal output than that
of the heat
sources 300'. In such examples, the vertical distance may provide an air gap
between the heat
sources 300', 300" that allows a sufficient amount of air to reach the heat
source(s) 300", even
when, for example, the heat sources 300', 300" are all emitting their maximum
thermal
output, in some examples. Furthermore, in such examples, the vertical distance
may prevent
cooking range 1000 from requiring an undue amount of spacing between the heat
sources
300', 300" and/or between adjacent surfaces (e.g., cabinetry) and the heat
sources 300', 300".
[0065] It should be understood that the vertical distance (e.g., the vertical
distance between
the lower level 210 and the upper level 205 and/or between the heat source(s)
300" and the
heat source(s) 300') is generally referred to as relative distance from the
ground, or a relative
distance from a top surface of a cooking vessel support grate (discussed
below). An example
function of the lower level 210 of the pan 200 is to provide more air flow to
the heat sources
300" (e.g., burners) therein and enable high thermal output when adjacent or
surrounding heat
sources 300' (e.g., burners) in the upper level 205 also operate at a
relatively high output,
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CA 3028520 2018-12-27
such as 1, 2, or 4 adjacent heat sources 300' having a thermal output of at
least 5,000 BTUs
less than the heat source(s) 300" in the lower level 210.
[0066] To achieve this and other beneficial functions, the heat source(s) 300"
in the lower
level 210 may be configured in several ways relative to the heat sources 300
in the upper
level 205 of the pan 200. For example, the top most portion of the gas
orifice(s) of the heat
sources 300" within the lower level 210 may be vertically lower (e.g.,
vertically offset) than
the top most portion of the gas orifice(s) of the heat sources 300' within the
upper level 205.
As another example, the maximum upper height of a flame emitted by the heat
source(s) 300"
(when emitting the flame at the maximum thermal output) within the lower level
210 may be
vertically lower (e.g., vertically offset) than the maximum upper height of a
flame emitted by
the heat source(s) 300' (when emitting the flame at the maximum thermal
output) within the
upper level 205. Generally, the benefits are achieved when the heat source(s)
300" within the
lower level 210 are configured to either have at least one (i.e., one, the
other, or both) of: (1)
its gas orifices disposed more vertically distal from the upper surface of the
cooking vessel
.. support grate (or disposed more vertically closer to the ground) than the
gas orifices of the
heat source(s) 300' within the upper level 205; and (2) its flame having a
maximum upper
height that is disposed more vertically distal from the upper surface of the
cooking vessel
support grate (or disposed more vertically closer to the ground) than the
maximum upper
height of the flame emitted by the heat source(s) 300' within the upper level
205.
[0067] FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example cooking range 1000 having an example
pan 200.
The cooking range 1000 may be any range used for cooking. As an example, the
cooking
range 1000 may be a gas cooking range, an electric cooking range, any other
cooking range,
or any combination of the preceding. The cooking range 1000 may be integrated
with an
oven, a kitchen appliance that sits on the floor, any other kitchen appliance
(e.g., a warming
drawer, microwave oven, etc.), any similar cooking equipment, or any
combination of the
preceding. An example of such an integrated cooking range 1000 is illustrated
in FIGS. 1B-
1C, which illustrates the cooking range 1000 being integrated with an
appliance having an
oven 1001. Alternatively, the cooking range 1000 may be a self-contained unit
that fits
inside of (and is supported by) an upper rim surrounding an opening or cavity
(e.g., a
rectangular hole) in a counter, counter top, cabinet unit, or cabinet top. The
oven, appliance,
counter, counter top, cabinet unit, or cabinet top of the cooking range 1000
(e.g., an
integrated or self-contained cooking range 1000) may be referred to as a frame
100 for the
cooking range 1000.
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[0068] As is illustrated in FIG. 1A, the frame 100 for the cooking range 1000
may have an
upper rim 110 that surrounds an upper opening 122 of a cavity 120 within the
frame 100.
The cavity 120 may contain other components of the cooking range 1000 (or of
the integrated
appliance), such as gas valves, gas lines, supply tubes, and/or venturi
devices to control the
flow and pressure of the gas to heat sources 300. The cavity 120 may also
contain electronic
devices, such as digital or analog controls for an oven 1001 below the cooking
range 1000, or
transceivers used to communicate with external controllers (e.g., wireless
devices like Smart
Phones and Tablet computers with Wi Fi or near field communication hardware).
[0069] The cooking range 1000 may include one or more heat sources 300 (e.g.,
300' and
300") that generate heat for cooking. The heat sources 300 may be any type of
heat sources
for use in a cooking range. For example, the heat sources 300 may be gas
burners that emit a
flame when turned on. Such gas burners may include gas orifices 310 that
release
combustion gas, emanating flames from the gas burners. As another example, the
heat
sources 300 may be electric resistance heating coils. Each of the heat sources
300 may have
a maximum thermal output, which refers to the maximum amount of thermal energy
that can
be provided by the heat source. The maximum thermal output of a heat source
300 may be
the maximum thermal output advertised by the manufacturer / seller / installer
of the heat
source 300. In other examples, the maximum thermal output of a heat source 300
may be the
maximum thermal output that is actually output by the heat source 300 when in
operation in
the cooking range 1000. In further examples, the maximum thermal output of a
heat source
300 may be the maximum thermal output that is advertised or actually output by
the heat
source 300 when the heat source 300 is provided with the maximum quantity of
fuel by a
controller (e.g., the gas line or gas knob is fully turned on). This maximum
thermal output
may emit a flame having a maximum upper height (e.g., the top-most portion of
the flame).
In some examples, this maximum thermal output may correspond to the number of
orifices
310 in the heat source 300 that provide flames. The heat sources 300 may
increase in
diameter to provide more orifices 310 and/or use an inner and outer gas
manifold to provide
concentric rings of small adjacent flames from adjacent orifices 310 in each
ring of the heat
source 300. Further details regarding the maximum thermal output of example
heat sources
300 are discussed below.
[0070] The cooking range 1000 may include any number of heat sources 300. For
example,
the cooking range 1000 may include 1 heat source 300, 2 heat sources 300, 3
heat sources
300, 4 heat sources 300, 5 heat sources 300, 6 heat sources 300, or any other
number of heat
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
sources 300. As is seen in FIGS. 18 and IC, the illustrated cooking range 1000
includes 5
gas burners 300 (e.g., gas burners 300' and 300"). As is further illustrated,
the gas burners
300 are spaced apart from each other, so as to provide a hot flame under the
desired portions
of the cooking vessel support grate 600. This causes the flame regions to not
overlap.
.. Additionally, as is seen in FIG. 1B and IC, the gas burners 300' surround
the centralized gas
burner 300". To control the cooking range 1000 (or other aspects of the
appliance, such as
the oven 1001), the cooking range 1000 may include a control panel 130 and/and
or heat
source control knobs 140, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 1C. Further
details regarding
examples of the heat sources 300 are discussed in detail below.
.. [0071] The cooking range 1000 may further include a pan 200 coupled to the
frame 100
(and/or the cooking vessel support grate 600). The pan 200 may provide a
cleanable surface
to catch and contain food drippings, food splatters, accidental spills, fluid
boiling over from a
pot, spilt food, or any combination of the preceding. The pan 200 may be
coupled to the
frame 100, and may extend downward into the upper opening 122 of the cavity
120. To
couple the pan 200 to the frame 100, the pan 200 may include an upper flange
202 that is
positioned on (e.g., rested on) the upper rim 110 of the frame 100. This may
cause the pan
200 to be suspended from the upper rim 100 of the frame 100. The pan 200 may
be made of
stainless steel (e.g., highly polished stainless steel), porcelain, any other
cooking material, or
any combination of the preceding.
10072] The upper flange 202 of the pan 200 may surround a pan body 204. The
pan body
204 may include an upper level 205 and a lower level 210. One or more heat
sources 300'
may be positioned within the upper level 205 (as is illustrated in FIG. IC)
and one or more
heat sources 300" may be positioned within the lower level 210 (as is
illustrated in FIGS. IA-
IC). The upper level 205 may include any number of heat source 300 positioned
within the
.. upper level 205 (where heat sources 300 positioned within the upper level
205 are referred to
as heat sources 300'). For example, the upper level 205 may include one heat
source 300',
two heat sources 300', three heat sources 300', four heat sources 300, five
heat sources 300',
six heat sources 300', or any other number of heat sources 300'. The lower
level 210 may
also include any number of heat source 300 positioned within the lower level
210 (where heat
.. sources 300 positioned within the lower level 210 are referred to as heat
sources 300"). For
example, the lower level 210 may include one heat source 300", two heat
sources 300", three
heat sources 300", four heat sources 300", five heat sources 300", six heat
sources 300", or
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any other number of heat sources 300". As is illustrated in FIGS. IA-IC, the
upper level 205
includes four heat source 300' and the lower level 210 includes one heat
source 300".
100731 In order for the heat sources 300 to be positioned within the upper
level 205 and lower
level 210, the levels 205 and 210 may include heat source holes 211 that
extend entirely
through the corresponding depth of the pan body 204. The heat source holes 211
may allow
the heat source 300 to extend upward from the cavity 120 and into the pan 200,
causing the
pan 200 to surround the heat sources 300. In some examples, the pan 200 may
surround the
sides and bottom of the heat source 300, causing the heat source 300 to be
disposed proximal
to a bottom of the pan 200. In such examples, the heat sources 300 (or the
orifices 310 of the
heat sources 300) may be positioned upward from the bottom surface of levels
205, 210 to
allow for the flow of air to react with combustibles gas (e.g., propane or
natural gas). In
some examples, each of the heat source holes 211 may accommodate a conduit of
a
respective heat source 300. This conduit may deliver a source of fuel to the
heat source 300
(e.g., it may deliver gas to a gas burner), thereby allowing a source of the
fuel (e.g., a gas
.. line) to be in fluid communication with the heat source 300 through the
depth of the pan 200.
[0074] As is illustrated in FIG. 1A, the lower level 210 of the pan 200 may be
positioned
vertically lower than the upper level 205 of the pan 200 (e.g., in relation to
the cooking vessel
support grate 600, in relation to the upper flange 202 of the pan 200, etc.).
In FIG. 1A, this
difference in vertical height between the lower level 210 and the upper level
205 is illustrated
by arrow 212. The difference in vertical height between the lower level 210
and the upper
level 205 (i.e., arrow 212) may be any amount. For example, the difference in
vertical height
may be, or may be about (i.e., where "about" refers to +I- 10 percent), 0.5
inches, 1 inch, 2
inches, 3 inches, 5 inches, 6 inches, any other amount, a range of (or a range
of about) 0.5
inches ¨ 6 inches, 0.5 inches ¨ 5 inches, 0.5 inches ¨ 3 inches, 0.5 inches ¨
2 inches, at least
0.5 inches, at least I inch, at least 1.5 inches, at least 2 inches, at least
3 inches, or any other
range.
[0075] In some examples, the difference in vertical height between the lower
level 210 and
the upper level 205 may cause the top-most portion of the heat source(s) 300"
positioned
within the lower level 210 to be positioned vertically lower than the upper
level 205, as is
seen in FIGS. IA and 3B. In some examples, the difference in vertical height
between the
lower level 210 and the upper level 205 may cause the heat source(s) 300"
positioned within
the lower level 210 to be positioned vertically lower than one or more (or
all) of the heat
source(s) 300' positioned within the upper level 205. This difference in
vertical height is
12
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
illustrated by arrow 213 (an example of which is shown in FIG. 3B, which shows
the vertical
height difference between a top-most portion of a heat source 300" and a top-
most portion of
a heat source 300'). The difference in vertical height between the heat
source(s) 300"
positioned within the lower level 210 and the heat source(s) 300' positioned
within the upper
level 205 (e.g., between the top most portions of the heat sources 300', 300",
between the
orifices 310 of the heat sources 300', 300", between a maximum upper height of
flames
emitted by heat sources 300', 300") may be any amount. For example, the
difference in
vertical height may be, or may be about, 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 2 inches, 3
inches, 5 inches, 6
inches, any other amount, a range of (or range of about) 0.5 inches ¨ 6
inches, 0.5 inches ¨ 5
inches, 0.5 inches ¨ 3 inches, 0.5 inches ¨ 2 inches, at least 0.5 inches, at
least 1 inch, at least
1.5 inches, at least 2 inches, at least 3 inches, or any other range. In a
preferable example, the
difference in vertical height may be any height difference that causes the
orifices 310 of the
heat source(s) 300" to be positioned vertically lower than the orifices 310 of
the heat
source(s) 300'. In another preferable example, the difference in vertical
height may be any
height difference that causes the top-most portion of the heat source(s) 300"
to be positioned
vertically lower than the top-most portion of the heat source(s) 300' (e.g.,
when considered
relative to the top 601 of the grate 600).
[0076] The lower vertical positioning of the heat source(s) 300" within the
lower level 210
may allow these heat sources 300" to be heat sources having a high maximum
thermal output,
in some examples. As such, each of the heat sources 300" may have a high
maximum
thermal output of, or about, 20,000 BTUs, 26,000 BTUs, 28,000 BTUs, 30,000
BTUs, 35,000
BTUs, any other amount over 20,000 BTUs, a range of (or a range of about)
20,000 ¨35,000
BTUs, 20,000 ¨ 30,000 BTUs, 20,000 ¨ 28,000 BTUs, 20,000 ¨ 26,000 BTUs, at
least
20,000 BTUs, at least 26,000 BTUs, at least 28,000 BTUs, at least 35,000 BTUs,
or any other
range above 20,000 BTUs. The cooking range 1000 may include one or more of
these heat
sources 300" having a high maximum thermal output because the lower vertical
positioning
of the heat source(s) 300" (in relation to the heat source 300') may create an
air gap between
the heat sources 300', 300" that allows a sufficient amount of air to reach
the heat source(s)
300". This sufficient amount of air may allow a heat source 300" having a high
maximum
thermal output to be positioned in the cooking range 1000 (in the lower level
210) without
unduly affecting the other heat sources 300, and without being unduly affected
by the other
heat source 300. As such, the air gap may prevent the heat sources 300', 300"
from
competing with each other for sufficient oxygen, and may thereby allow the
heat source 300"
13
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
to emit its high maximum thermal output, even when the other heat sources 300
are also
emitting their maximum thermal output. Instead, the air gap between the heat
sources 300,
300" may help create a wide vertical annulus surrounding the heat source 300"
which may
provide more opportunity for air to flow to the orifices 310 of the heat
source 300".
[0077] The cooking range 1000 may also include one or more of these heat
source 300"
having a high maximum thermal output because the lower vertical positioning of
the heat
source(s) 300" (in relation to the heat sources 300') may create a larger
vertical air gap
between the heat sources 300" and an upper surface 601 of a cooking vessel
support grate
600 (discussed further below). This vertical air gap between the heat
source(s) 300" and the
cooling vessel support grate 600 may also help create a wide vertical annulus
surrounding the
heat source 300" which may provide more opportunity for air to flow to the
orifices 310 of
the heat source 300". Also, because the heat source 300" has a high maximum
thermal
output, it may emit a larger diameter flame "crown" (e.g., from a ring of
orifices 310), which
may reduce one or more disadvantages caused by the larger vertical air gap
between the heat
source 300" and the cooling vessel support grate 600. For example, typically
it is desirable to
space the flames of a heat source closer to a cooking vessel support grate, so
as to increase
the transfer efficiency from the flames. However, in some examples, the heat
source 300"
may emit larger flames because the heat source 300" may generally have a
larger diameter
gas ring and wider and/or more numerous orifices 310 to accommodate a larger
gas flow.
.. These larger flames emitted by the heat source 300" may allow for
sufficient transfer
efficiency despite the larger vertical air gap.
[0078] The lower vertical positioning of the heat source(s) 300" within the
lower level 210
(in comparison to the higher vertical positioning of the heat source(s) 300'
within the upper
level 205) may allow the heat source(s) 300', 300" to be positioned closer
together in the
.. horizontal direction (saving kitchen counter space, for example), while
still allowing the heat
source(s) 300', 300" to each provide their maximum thermal output, in some
examples. This
spacing between adjacent heat source(s) 300', 300" is illustrated by arrow 214
(an example of
which is shown in FIG. 38, which shows the horizontal distance between the
center-point of
a heat source 300" and the center-point of an adjacent heat source 300'). This
horizontal
distance between adjacent heat source(s) 300', 300" may be (or may be about) 8
inches, 9
inches, 10 inches, 12 inches, 14 inches, 16 inches, 18 inches, 20 inches, 24
inches, any other
amount greater than 8 inches, a range of (or a range of about) 8 inches ¨ 20
inches, 10 inches
¨ 20 inches, 8 inches ¨ 10 inches, at least 8 inches, at least 10 inches, at
least 20 inches, less
14
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
than 20 inches, less than 15 inches, or any other range greater than 8 inches.
In some
examples, the smaller spacing between adjacent heat sources 300, 300' may be
able to
accommodate typical size cooking vessels (e.g., pots, pans, and griddles) used
in either
industrial, commercial, or consumer kitchens.
.. [0079] The lower vertical positioning of the heat source(s) 300" within the
lower level 210
(in comparison to the higher vertical positioning of the heat source(s) 300'
within the upper
level 205) may allow these heat sources 300" to have a higher maximum thermal
output than
that of the heat source(s) 300' positioned within the upper level 205, in some
examples. The
maximum thermal output of the heat source(s) 300" positioned within the lower
level 210
may be higher than that of the heat source(s) 300' positioned within the upper
level 205 by
any amount. For example, one or more (or all) of the heat source(s) 300" may
each have a
maximum thermal output that is higher than that of each of one or more (or
all) of the heat
source(s) 300' by (or by about) 500 BTUs, 1,000 BTUs, 2,000 BTUs, 5,000 BTUs,
7,500
BTUs, 10,000 BTUs, any other amount, by a range of (or by a range of about)
500 ¨ 10,000
BTUs, 1,000¨ 10,000 BTUs, 5,000¨ 10,000 BTUs, 5,000 ¨7,000 BTUs, or any other
range.
[0080] As a preferable example of this, each of the heat sources 300" (e.g., a
single
centralized heat source 300") positioned within the lower level 210 may have a
maximum
thermal output of at least about 25,000 BTUs (and more preferably at least
about 28,000
BTUs), while each of the heat sources 300' (e.g., two or more heat sources
300') positioned
within the upper level 205 may have a maximum thermal output of at least about
18,000
BTUs (but less than that of the heat sources 300"). As another preferable
example of this,
each of the heat sources 300' (e.g., a single centralized heat source 300")
positioned within
the lower level 210 may have a maximum thermal output of at least 28,000 BTUs
or at least
about 28,000 BTUs, while each of the heat sources 300' (e.g., four adjacent
heat sources 300',
as is seen in FIG. 1B) positioned within the upper level 205 may have a
maximum thermal
output of at least 15,000 BTUs or at least about 15,000 BTUs (but less than
that of the heat
sources 300").
[0081] As a further preferable example, each of the heat sources 300" (e.g., a
single
centralized heat source 300") positioned within the lower level 210 may have a
maximum
thermal output of at least 26,000 BTUs or at least about 26,000 BTUs, while
each of the heat
sources 300' (e.g., three or more heat sources 300', or three or more adjacent
heat source 300')
positioned within the upper level 205 may have a maximum thermal output of at
least 18,000
BTUs or at least about 18,000 BTUs (but less than that of the heat sources
300"). As another
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
preferable example, each of the heat sources 300' (e.g., a single centralized
heat source 300")
positioned within the lower level 210 may have a maximum thermal output of
about 30,000
BTUs (or at least about 30,000 BTUs), while each of the heat sources 300'
(e.g., three or
more heat sources 300', or three or more adjacent heat source 300') positioned
within the
upper level 205 may have a maximum thermal output of about 23,000 BTUs (or at
least about
23,000 BTUs, but less than that of the heat sources 300").
[0082] Although heat source(s) 300" positioned within the lower level 210 of
the pan 200
have been described above as having a maximum thermal output that is higher
than the
maximum thermal output of the heat source(s) 300' positioned within the upper
level 205, in
some, examples, the heat source(s) 300" may have a maximum thermal -output
that is not
higher than the maximum thermal output of the heat source(s) 300. For example,
the heat
source(s) 300', 300" may have the same maximum thermal output, or the heat
source(s) 300"
may have a maximum thermal output that is lower than that of one or more (or
all) of the heat
sources 300.
[0083] As is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the cooking range 1000 may also
include one or
more cooking vessel support grates 600 disposed over and resting on the pan
200. The
cooking vessel support grate 600 may be a support structure that supports a
cooking vessel
(e.g., a cooking pan, a cooking pot, etc.) over one or more of the heat
sources 300 (e.g., gas
burners), allowing the cooking vessel to be heated by the heat emitted by the
heat sources
300. The cooking vessel support grate 600 may expand over an entire width of
the pan 200,
allowing it to support cooking vessels over the entire width of the pan 200.
An upper surface
(e.g., the upper surface of the upper level 205) of the pan 200 may be
disposed below the
cooking vessel support grate 600, and the pan 200 may project laterally
underneath the area
of the cooking vessel support grate 600.
[0084] The cooking range 1000 may include any number of cooking vessel support
grates
600. For example, the cooking range 1000 may include 1 cooking vessel support
grate 600, 2
cooking vessel support grates 600, 3 cooking vessel support grates 600, 4
cooking vessel
support grates 600, or any other number of cooking vessel support grates 600.
In examples
where the cooking range 1000 includes multiple cooking vessel support grates
600, the
cooking vessel support grates 600 may be positioned adjacent to each other on
the pan 200.
As is illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1C, the cooking range 1000 includes 3 cooking
vessel support
grates 600 (e.g., 600a-600c).
16
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
[0085] The cooking vessel support grate 600 may include an upper surface (or
plane) 601
that supports the cooking vessel over one or more of the heat source 300. The
upper surface
601 may be defined by an expanse of interconnected support members. The
interconnected
support members may be shaped in any manner, and connected in any
configuration that
allows the support members to support one or more cooking vessels. In addition
to
supporting the cooking vessel above the heat sources 300, the interconnected
support
members of the upper surface 601 may also provide for the flow of air to react
with the
combustible gas of the heat source 300 (if any), and may allow various
elements of the
cooking process (e.g., hot combustion gas products, heated air, water vapor
and carbon
dioxide) to escape upward out of the cooking range 1000.
[0086] The cooking vessel support grate 600 may further include two or more
legs 602 that
extend downward from the upper surface 601 (e.g., extend downward from the
interconnected support members that define the upper surface 601). When the
cooking vessel
support grate 600 is positioned on the cooking range 1000, the downward
extending legs 602
may rest on the pan 200, holding the upper surface 601 a desired distance
above pan 200
and/or the heat sources 300.
[0087] FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate various views of the example pan 200 of FIGS. IA-
IC. As is
seen in FIGS. 2A-2E, the pan 200 may include an upper level 205 (which may be
shallow
and planar), and may further include a lower level 210. The upper level 205
may include two
(or more) upper level portions 205', 205". In FIGS. 2A-2E, the upper level 205
includes two
upper level portions (i.e., a first upper level portion 205' and a second
upper level portion
205") that are positioned on opposing sides of the lower level 210.
[0088] The upper level 205 may include 4 heat sources 300' (not illustrated in
FIGS. 2A-2E),
with 2 of these heat sources 300' being positioned in the first upper level
portion 205' and the
other 2 heat sources 300' being positioned in the second upper level portion
205". These heat
sources 300' may extend into the pan 200 through the heat source holes 211.
The lower level
210 may include a single centralized heat source 300", which may extend into
the pan 200
through the respective heat source hole 211. The heat source 300" in the lower
level 210 may
be the highest output heat source. That is, it may have a higher maximum
thermal output
than any of the other heat sources 300. As an example of this, the heat source
300"
positioned in the lower level 210 may have a maximum thermal output of at
least about
26,000 BTUs, while the four heat sources 300' positioned in the upper level
205 may each
have a maximum thermal output of at least about 18,000 BTUs (but also less
than the
17
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
maximum thermal output of heat source 300"). As a result of being positioned
in the lower
level 210 of the otherwise planar pan 200, the heat source 300" may have
orifices 310 that are
positioned vertically lower (e.g., disposed below) the orifices 310 of the
other heat sources
300'. Such positioning may avoid competition for oxygen to support combustion
when it is
desirable to energize each of the heat sources 300', 300' at the maximum
thermal output.
[0089] The pan 200 may also include one or more upward extending ridges 220
(e.g., 220',
220'') that separate the upper level 205 from the lower level 210. As is seen
in FIGS. 2A-2E,
the pan 200 may include two upward extending ridges 220', 220", where the
upward
extending ridge 220' separates the first upper level portion 205' from the
lower level 210, and
the upward extending ridge 220" separates the second upper level portion 205''
from the
lower level 210. The upward extending ridges 200 may prevent fluid spilled in
the upper
level 205 from flowing into the lower level 210 and the heat source 300". The
upward
extending ridges 200 may also facilitate cleaning of the upper level 205 and
lower level 210
with cleaning fluids (e.g., soap or detergent, and water), as this fluid can
be retained in each
level 205, 210 as it is cleaned or soaked separately from other levels 205,
210. The upward
extending ridges 220 may each include a top-most portion that is positioned
vertically higher
than the upper level 205, so as to prevent fluid from flowing into lower level
210. This
difference in vertical height between the top-most portion of the upward
extending ridge 220
and the upper level 205 is illustrated as arrow 215. The difference in
vertical height may be
any amount. For example, the difference in vertical height may be (or may be
about) 0.1
inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, 1 inch, 1.5 inches, a
range of (or a range
of about) 0.1 ¨ 1 inch, 0.2 ¨ 1 inch, 0.4 ¨ 1 inch, or any other range greater
than 0,1 inches.
[0090] The pan 200 may also include one or more raised rims 230 that each pass
through a
heat source hole 211 and surround a portion of a heat source 300', 300" (e.g.,
surround a gas
flow tube 320 of the heat source 300). The gap or margin between each heat
source 300 (or a
portion of the heat source 300) and the inner periphery of each heat source
hole 211 may be
sealed with a gasket or compression type fitting to prevent the flow of liquid
into the cavity
120 below the pan 200.
[0091] FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate various views of a portion of an example cooking
range 1000
having another example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS. 3A-
3C may
be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS. 1A-2E.
However,
the pan 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C may include only a single upper level 205 (as
opposed to an
upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205', 205"), and the
upper level 205 may
18
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C may
include a lower
level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E. Also, while not
illustrated in
FIGS. 3A-3C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 3A-3C may include one or more upward
extending
ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0092] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate various views of a portion of another example
cooking range
1000 having a further example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of
FIGS. 4A-
4C may be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS.
1A-2E.
I lowever, the pan 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C may include only a single upper level
205 (as opposed
to an upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205', 205"), and
the upper level
205 may surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C
may
include a lower level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E.
Also, while not
illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 4A-4C may include one or more
upward
extending ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0093] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate various views of a portion of another example
cooking range
1000 having a further example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of
FIGS. 5A-
5C may be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS.
1A-2E.
However, the pan 200 of FIGS. 5A-5C may include only a single upper level 205
(as opposed
to an upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205, 205"), and the
upper level
205 may surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS. 5A-5C
may
include a lower level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E.
Also, while not
illustrated in FIGS, 5A-5C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 5A-5C may include one or more
upward
extending ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0094] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate various views of a portion of another example
cooking range
1000 having a further example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of
FIGS. 6A-
6C may be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS.
1A-2E.
However, the pan 200 of FIGS. 6A-6C may include only a single upper level 205
(as opposed
to an upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205', 205"), and
the upper level
205 may surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS. 6A-6C
may
include a lower level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E.
Also, while not
illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 6A-6C may include one or more
upward
extending ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0095] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate various views of a portion of another example
cooking range
1000 having a further example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of
FIGS. 7A-
19
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
7C may be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS.
1A-2E.
However, the pan 200 of FIGS. 7A-7C may include only a single upper level 205
(as opposed
to an upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205, 205"), and the
upper level
205 may surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS. 7A-7C
may
include a lower level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E.
Also, while not
illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 7A-7C may include one or more
upward
extending ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0096] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate various views of a portion of another example
cooking range
1000 having a further example pan 200. The cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of
FIGS. 8A-
8C may be substantially similar to the cooking range 1000 and pan 200 of FIGS.
IA-2E.
However, the lower level 210 (and heat source 300", such as a heat source 300"
having a high
maximum thermal output) may be positioned in the front right corner of the pan
200 (as
opposed to being positioned in the center, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2E).
Furthermore,
while FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate the lower level 210 (and heat source 300") being
positioned in
the front right corner of the pan 200, the lower level 210 (and heat source
300") may be
positioned in back right corner of the pan 200, the front left corner of the
pan 200, the front
right corner of the pan 200, or any other location on the pan 200.
Additionally, the pan 200
may include multiple separate lower levels 210, such as a first lower level
210 (and heat
source 300") positioned in the front right corner of the pan 200 and a second
lower level 210
(and heat source 300") positioned in the front left corner of the pan 200.
[0097] Also, the pan 200 of FIGS. 8A-8C may include only a single upper level
205 (as
opposed to an upper level 205 having multiple upper level portions 205',
205"), and the upper
level 205 may surround the lower level 210. Additionally, the pan 200 of FIGS.
8A-8C may
include a lower level 210 having a different shape than that in FIGS. 1A-2E.
Also, while not
illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, the pan 200 of FIGS. 8A-8C may include one or more
upward
extending ridges 220 and/or raised rims 230.
[0098] Modifications, additions, and/or substitutions may be made to the
cooking range
1000, the components of the cooking range 1000, the functions of the cooking
range 1000,
the pan 200, the components of the pan 200, and/or the functions of the pan
200 without
departing from the scope of the specification. For example, the cooking range
1000 and/or
the pan 200 may have any dimensions, may include additional components, and/or
may not
include one or more of the components discussed above. Furthermore, it should
be
appreciated that the heat sources 300, 300" may have multiple concentric
manifolds or
CA 3028520 2018-12-27
singular circular manifolds, may have any shape manifold, and may have any
placement or
combination of heat source 300', 300". As such, the heat sources 300', 300"
are not limited to
the size, shape, placement, or combination that may be inferred from the
drawings and
description of the various examples.
[0099] This specification has been written with reference to various non-
limiting and non-
exhaustive embodiments or examples. However, it will be recognized by persons
having
ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or
combinations of any of
the disclosed embodiments or examples (or portions thereof) may be made within
the scope
of this specification. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this
specification supports
additional embodiments or examples not expressly set forth in this
specification, Such
embodiments or examples may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying,
reorganizing, or removing any of the disclosed components, elements, features,
aspects,
characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting and
non-exhaustive
embodiments or examples described in this specification.
21
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