IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0545789
(2012-07-10)
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등록번호 |
US-8327756
(2012-12-11)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Hoffman, Steve
- Cordero, Jesus
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
36 |
초록
▼
An oven system is disclosed that includes an oven housing. A door is hingedly attached to the housing through a locking assembly designed to lock and seal an opening in the housing. The locking assembly includes floating latch and hinge systems which can be translated into and away from the opening
An oven system is disclosed that includes an oven housing. A door is hingedly attached to the housing through a locking assembly designed to lock and seal an opening in the housing. The locking assembly includes floating latch and hinge systems which can be translated into and away from the opening of the housing.
대표청구항
▼
1. An oven for heating food products under pressure, the oven comprising: a housing having side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, the walls defining an enclosure with a cavity inside in which the food products are placed for heating, the front wall of the housing including an opening which permit
1. An oven for heating food products under pressure, the oven comprising: a housing having side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, the walls defining an enclosure with a cavity inside in which the food products are placed for heating, the front wall of the housing including an opening which permits access to the cavity;a door hingedly mounted to the housing through a hinge assembly and including a latch for closing off the opening in the oven, the door having a first hinge component, and a first door latch component;a locking assembly attached to the housing and configured to engage with and lock the door to the housing, the locking assembly including: a first lock subassembly located adjacent to one of the side walls, the first lock subassembly including a first actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected so as to transition laterally along the sidewall in a sealing direction substantially perpendicular to the front wall, the first actuator plate having a second door latch component mounted on the actuator plate and adapted to engage with the first door latch component on the door for latching the door to the first actuator plate when the door is closed against the front wall of the oven, a locking device mounted to the housing and engaged with the first actuator plate, the locking device adapted to transition the first actuator plate in the sealing direction from an unsealed position to a sealed position, the first actuator plate being further from the front wall of the housing in the sealed position than in the unsealed position, the first actuator plate when transitioned by the locking device between the unsealed position and the sealed position is adapted to transition the first and second door latch components in the sealing direction when they are engaged, wherein the transition of the first and second door latch components in the sealing direction functions to pull the door into the front wall of the oven;a second lock subassembly located adjacent to another side wall, the second lock subassembly including a second actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected so as to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction, a connector assembly attached to the second actuator plate and the first actuator plate such that transition of the first actuator plate in the sealing direction causes the second actuator plate to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction, a second hinge component mounted on the second actuator plate and engaged with the first hinge component for hingedly attaching the door to the second actuator plate, the second actuator plate adapted to transition the first and second hinge components in the sealing direction when the first actuator plate transitions the first and second door latch components in the sealing direction, the transition in the sealing direction of the first and second hinge components functioning to pull the hinged door into the front wall of the oven. 2. The oven of claim 1, wherein the a locking device is an actuation lever pivotally mounted to the housing, the lever including a lever arm that extends forwardly past the front wall of the housing and adjacent to the door, the lever having a lever mounting plate connected to the arm and pivotally mounted to the housing; and wherein the first actuator plate is connected to the lever mounting plate such that rotation of the lever causes the first actuator plate to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction, and wherein the rotation of the lever causes the second actuator plate to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction. 3. The oven of claim 1, wherein the door has a front surface, a back surface, and wherein the first hinge component and the first door latch component are accessible from the back surface of the door. 4. The oven of claim 1 wherein the connector assembly includes a first connector arm connected to the first actuator plate, a second connector arm connected to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar attached to the first and second connector arms. 5. The oven of claim 1 wherein the first lock subassembly includes a first linkage connecting the first actuator plate to the locking device, the first linkage adapted to cause actuation of the locking device to produce lateral motion of the first actuator plate, wherein the second latch component is pivotally mounted on the first actuator plate, and wherein the second latch component is biased against pivoting; and wherein the second lock subassembly includes a second linkage connecting the second actuator plate to the connector assembly and adapted to cause the actuation of the locking device to produce lateral motion of the second actuator plate. 6. The oven of claim 5 wherein the connector assembly includes a first connector arm attached to the linkage, a second connector arm attached to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar extending from one side of the oven to the other, the crossbar attached to the first connector arm though a bracket such that upward movement of the first connector are causes rotation of the crossbar; and wherein the crossbar is attached to the second connector arm through a bracket such that rotation of the crossbar causes the second connector arm to move upward. 7. The oven of claim 2 wherein the first lock subassembly includes a first linkage connecting the first actuator plate to the lever plate, the first linkage adapted to cause the rotary motion of the lever to produce lateral motion of the first actuator plate, wherein the second latch component is pivotally mounted on the first actuator plate, and wherein the second latch component is biased against pivoting; and wherein the second lock subassembly includes a second linkage connecting the second actuator plate to the connector assembly and adapted to cause the rotary motion of the lever to produce lateral motion of the second actuator plate. 8. The oven of claim 7 wherein the connector assembly includes a first connector arm attached to the lever plate, a second connector arm attached to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar extending from one side of the oven to the other, the crossbar attached to the first connector arm though a bracket such that upward movement of the first connector arm causes rotation of the crossbar; and wherein the crossbar is attached to the second connector arm through a bracket such that rotation Of the crossbar causes the second connector are to move upward. 9. The oven of claim 7 wherein the first linkage is attached to the lever plate and the actuation plate on opposite sides of the location where the lever plate is pivotally attached to the housing, and wherein the lever has a locking position in which the location of the linkage attachment to the lever plate is on the opposite side of where the lever plate is pivotally attached to the housing from the front wall. 10. The oven of claim 1, wherein a release bar is attached to the second latch component at a point spaced apart from where the second latch component attaches to the actuator plate, the release bar adapted to pivot the second latch component out of engagement with the first latch component when the release bar is translated relative to the actuation plate, and where the oven includes a button mounted on the oven and connected to the release bar, the button adapted to cause the release bar to translate when the button is depressed. 11. The oven of claim 1, further comprising a pressure release system including a release valve mounted to the housing, the release valve having an open and closed position, and a conduit connected to the housing and communicating with the cavity, the release valve controlling flow of pressurized air out of the conduit. 12. The oven of claim 11, wherein the release system includes an accumulator connected to the release valve, the release valve channeling the flow of air from within the cavity to the accumulator, the accumulator adapted to capture moisture in the air prior release to the atmosphere. 13. The oven of claim 11, wherein the release valve includes an actuation switch, the actuation switch having a first state wherein the valve is in its open position and a second state wherein the valve is in its closed position, and wherein the actuation of the switch between its first and second states is controlled by the position of the first actuator plate. 14. The oven of claim 13, wherein the actuation switch is a depression switch and wherein the first state corresponds to the depression switch not being depressed, and wherein the first actuator plate includes a surface that is adapted to engage with and depress the depression switch for causing the switch to be in its second state. 15. The oven of claim 11, wherein the release system includes a first limit valve mounted to the housing and including a conduit communicating with the cavity, the limit valve configured to permit pressurized air to flow out of the conduit when the pressure within the conduit exceeds a prescribed threshold value. 16. The oven of claim 15, wherein the first limit valve includes a weighted cap with a surface that blocks the conduit when the pressure within the conduit is below the prescribed threshold value, and wherein the cap is adapted to transition relative to the conduit when the pressure in the conduit is above the prescribed threshold value, the pressure in the conduit causing the cap to transition. 17. An oven for heating food products under pressure, the oven comprising: a housing having side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, the walls defining an enclosure with a cavity inside in which the food products are placed for heating, the front wall of the housing including an opening which permits access to the cavity;a door hingedly attached to the housing through a hinge assembly for closing off the opening in the oven, the door including a first hinge component, and a first door latch component;a locking assembly attached to the housing and configured to engage with and lock the door to the housing, the locking assembly including: an actuation lever pivotally mounted to the housing, the lever includes a lever arm that extends forwardly past the front wall of the housing adjacent to the door, and a lever mounting plate connected to the arm and pivotally mounted to the housing;a first lock subassembly located adjacent to one of the side walls, the first lock subassembly including a first actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected to the lever mounting plate such that rotation of the lever causes the first actuator plate to transition laterally along the sidewall in a sealing direction toward either the front or rear walls, the first actuator plate having a second door latch component mounted on the actuator plate and adapted to engage with the first door latch component on the door for latching the door to the first actuator plate when the door is closed against the front wall of the oven, the first actuator plate adapted to transition the first and second door latch components when they are engaged in the sealing direction when the lever is pivoted between a first open position and a second sealed position, the transition in the sealing direction functioning to pull the locked door into the front wall of the oven; anda second lock subassembly located adjacent to one of the side walls on the opposite side of the oven from the first lock subassembly, the second lock subassembly including a second actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected so as to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction, a connector assembly attached to the second actuator plate and the first actuator plate such that pivoting of the lever causes the second actuator plate to transition laterally along the sidewall in the sealing direction, the second actuator plate having a second hinge component mounted on the actuator plate and engaged with the first hinge component for hingedly attaching the door to the second actuator plate, the second actuator plate adapted to transition the first and second hinge components in the sealing direction when the lever is pivoted between its first open position and its second sealed position, the transition in the sealing direction functioning to pull the hinged door into the front wall of the oven. 18. The oven of claim 17 wherein the connector assembly includes a first connector arm attached to the lever plate, a second connector arm attached to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar attached to the first and second connector arms. 19. The oven of claim 17 wherein the first lock subassembly includes a first linkage connecting the first actuator plate to the lever plate, the first linkage adapted to cause the rotary motion of the lever to produce lateral motion of the first actuator plate, wherein the second latch component is pivotally mounted on the first actuator plate, and wherein the second latch component is biased against pivoting; and wherein the second lock subassembly includes a second linkage connecting the second actuator plate to the connector assembly and adapted to cause the rotary motion of the lever to produce lateral motion of the second actuator plate. 20. The oven of claim 19 wherein the connector assembly includes a first connector arm attached to the lever plate, a second connector arm attached to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar extending from one side of the oven to the other, the crossbar attached to the first connector arm though a bracket such that upward movement of the first connector arm causes rotation of the crossbar; and wherein the crossbar is attached to the second connector arm through a bracket such that rotation of the crossbar causes the second connector arm to move upward. 21. The oven of claim 19 wherein the first linkage is attached to the lever plate and the actuation plate on opposite sides of the location where the lever plate is pivotally attached to the housing, and wherein the lever has a pressure lock position in which the location of the linkage attachment to the lever plate is on the opposite side of where the lever plate is pivotally attached to the housing from the front wall. 22. The oven of claim 20, wherein a release bar is attached to the second latch component at a point spaced apart from where the second latch component attaches to the actuator plate, the release bar adapted to pivot the second latch component out of engagement with the first latch component when the release bar is translated relative to the actuation plate, and where the oven includes a button mounted on the oven and connected to the release bar, the button adapted to cause the release bar to translate when the button is depressed. 23. The oven of claim 17, further comprising a pressure release system including a release valve mounted to the housing, the release valve having an open and closed position, and a conduit connected to the housing and communicating with the cavity, the release valve controlling flow of pressurized air out of the conduit; and an accumulator connected to the release valve, the release valve channeling the flow of air from within the cavity to the accumulator, the accumulator adapted to capture moisture in the air prior release to the atmosphere. 24. The oven of claim 23, wherein the release valve includes an actuation switch, the actuation switch having a first state wherein the valve is in its open position and a second state wherein the valve is in its closed position, and wherein the switch is actuated between its first and second states by the lever. 25. The oven of claim 24, wherein the actuation switch is a depression switch and wherein the first state corresponds to the depression switch not being depressed, and wherein the lever plate includes a surface that is adapted to engage with and depress the depression switch for causing the switch to be in its second state. 26. The oven of claim 23, wherein the release system includes a first limit valve mounted to the housing and including a conduit communicating with the cavity, the limit valve configured to permit pressurized air to flow out of the conduit when the pressure within the conduit exceeds a threshold pressure value. 27. The oven of claim 26, wherein the first limit valve includes a weighted cap with a surface that blocks the conduit when the pressure within the conduit is below the prescribed threshold value, and wherein the cap is adapted to transition relative to the conduit when the pressure in the conduit is above the threshold pressure value, the pressure in the conduit causing the cap to transition. 28. An oven for heating food products under pressure, the oven comprising: a housing having side walls, a rear wall and a front wall, the walls defining an enclosure with a cavity inside in which the food products are placed for heating, the front wall of the housing including an opening which permits access to the cavity;a door hingedly attached to the housing through a hinge assembly for closing off the opening in the oven, the door including a first hinge component, and a first door latch component;a locking assembly attached to the housing and configured to engage with and lock the door to the housing, the locking assembly including: an actuation lever pivotally mounted to the housing, the lever includes a lever arm that extends forwardly past the front wall of the housing adjacent to the door, and a lever mounting plate connected to the arm and pivotally mounted to the housing;a first lock subassembly located adjacent to one of the side walls, the first lock subassembly including a first actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected to the lever mounting plate through a first linkage, the first linkage adapted to cause the pivoting motion of the lever to produce lateral motion of the first actuator plate along the side wall in a sealing direction substantially perpendicular to the front wall, the first actuator plate having a second door latch component mounted on the actuator plate and adapted to engage with the first door latch component on the door for latching the door to the first actuator plate when the door is closed against the front wall of the oven, the first actuator plate adapted to transition the first and second door latch components when they are engaged in the sealing direction when the lever is pivoted between a first unsealed position and a second sealed position, the transition of the first actuator plate in the sealing direction functioning to pull the locked door into the front wall of the oven, and the second latch component being pivotally mounted on the first actuator plate so as to be biased against pivoting;a second lock subassembly located adjacent to one of the side walls on the opposite side of the oven from the first lock subassembly, the second lock subassembly including a second actuator plate slideably disposed adjacent to the side wall and connected to a connector assembly through a second linkage, the second linkage adapted to cause motion of the connector assembly to produce lateral motion of the second actuator plate along the side wall in the sealing direction, the second actuator plate having a second hinge component mounted on the actuator plate and engaged with the first hinge component for hingedly attaching the door to the second actuator plate, the second actuator plate adapted to transition the first and second hinge components in the sealing direction when the lever is pivoted between its first unsealed position and its second sealed position, the transition of the second actuator plate in the sealing direction functioning to pull the hinged door into the front wall of the oven; andthe connector assembly attaching the second actuator plate to the first actuator plate or lever such that pivoting of the lever causes the second actuator plate to transition laterally along the side wall in the sealing direction, the connector assembly including a first connector arm attached to the lever plate, a second connector arm attached to the second actuator plate, and a crossbar extending from one side of the oven to the other, the crossbar being attached to the first connector arm though a bracket such that upward movement of the first connector arm causes rotation of the crossbar, and the crossbar being attached to the second connector arm through a bracket such that rotation of the crossbar causes the second connector arm to move upward, and wherein the second linkage is connected to the second connector arm such that upward or downward movement of the connector arm rotates the second linkage so as to cause lateral transition of the second actuator plate.
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