STACKED BURNER WITH CHANNEL FOR IMPROVED IGNITION

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to a cooking burner and more specifically, to a stacked burner arrangement with ignition ports defined in a burner base.

In various aspects, what may be referred to as a stacked burner arrangement may include a flame spreader defining two sets of flame outlet ports. Each set of outlet ports generally encircles the burner with the ports being sized or otherwise configured to exhibit desired properties, which may vary depending on the overall configuration of the burner. The two sets of outlet ports are mutually spaced in a vertical arrangement, with one set being positioned above the other. In one general arrangement, such a burner can include a base that is positioned adjacent the cooktop surface of the related cooking appliance (which may be a stand-alone cooking hob or may be incorporated in a range or the like). The base is configured to receive a flow of gaseous fuel from a holder that is commonly affixed below the cooktop surface. The holder may be configured to mix the gaseous fuel with air in a desired proportional range and/or the burner may be configured to draw in air for mixing with the supplied gaseous fuel. The burner base defines a cavity and supports a spreader above the cavity to enclose a chamber to distribute the fuel/air mix to the first set of ports, which can be defined around an interface between the base and the spreader. In this manner, the spreader can include an internal wall that separates a lower portion of the spreader, associated with the first set of ports, with an upper portion, associated with the second set of ports. A second cavity is defined within the spreader opposite the internal wall and can be enclosed by a cap to define a second distribution chamber associated with the second ports, with the base and spreader being configured to further selectively supply fuel to the second distribution chamber.

In various aspects a burner according to the above description can include an ignition cavity extending inwardly from the side of the burner, including within respective portions of the base and the spreader. An ignition electrode can be positioned within the ignition cavity so as to produce an ignition spark between the electrode and a portion of the base or the spreader. In some implementations, channels can be defined in the lower surface of the spreader from the lower cavity of the spreader into an adjacent portion of the ignition cavity to provide fuel to the cavity. In this respect, it is desired that the ignition spark reliably cause ignition of the fuel/air mix emitted from at least one of the channels. Ignition of the gas then can cause ignition of the fuel passing through the first ports to ignite the lower portion of the burner. When fuel is provided to the upper ports, the upper portion of the burner will then ignite by way of the lower flames. Burners of this type have been developed with the above-mentioned channels defined only in the spreader, particularly along portions of the lower surface within the ignition cavity, with additional channels in the spreader being defined around the perimeter to define the first set of ports. In such arrangements, the adjacent upper surface of the base is flat and uninterrupted so as to enclose both the channels that define the ignition ports and the first set of burner ports. Burners of the type described above may have limited reliability in igniting the first burner ports, in general and/or within a generally desirable time interval. Additionally, they may exhibit undesired flame quality, including the “lifting” of the flames away from the burner, at least during ignition, such that further advances may be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion, the first side wall including at least one channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion, an upper surface of the base extending inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted by a first plurality of channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and being partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending over the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. A plurality of flame ports extends between the first distribution chamber and an exterior of the burner and is defined by a first plurality of channels extending through the lower portion of the spreader and at least one adjacent first continuously planar portion of the upper surface of the base within the annular main portion. At least one ignition port extends between the first distribution chamber and the exterior of the burner within the ignition portion and is defined by at least one second channel extending through the first side wall and at least one adjacent second continuously planar portion of the spreader.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a burner. The burner has a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. The first side wall includes at least one channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The base also has a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted a first plurality of channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending over the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cooktop including multiple burners according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a burner according to the disclosure in association with a portion of a cooktop surface;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the burner of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the burner of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is further partially exploded view of the burner of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan detail view of a base of the burner;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of a spreader that can be assembled with the base of the burner;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the spreader assembled with the base of the burner;

FIG. 9 is a front detail view of a portion of a burner with an alternative spreader; and

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the alternative spreader; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective detail view of a portion of the alternative spreader assembled with the base.

The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components related to a cooking burner Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in FIG. 1. Unless stated otherwise, the term “front” shall refer to the surface of the element closer to an intended viewer, and the term “rear” shall refer to the surface of the element further from the intended viewer. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Ordinal modifiers (i.e., “first”, “second”, etc.) may be used to distinguish between various structures of a disclosed article in various contexts, but such ordinals are not necessarily intended to apply to such elements outside of the particular context in which they are used and that, in various aspects different ones of the same class of elements may be identified with the same, context-specific ordinal. In such instances, other particular designations of the elements are used to clarify the overall relationship between such elements. Ordinals are not used to designate a position of the elements, nor do they exclude additional, or intervening, non-ordered elements or signify an importance or rank of the elements within a particular class.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.

For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “about”, “approximately”, or “substantially” are intended to mean that a value of a parameter is close to a stated value or position. However, minor differences may prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. Thus, unless otherwise noted, differences of up to ten percent (10%) for a given value are reasonable differences from the ideal goal of exactly as described. In many instances, a significant difference can be when the difference is greater than ten percent (10%), except as where would be generally understood otherwise by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the context in which such term is used.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, reference numeral 10 generally designates a burner for a cooktop 12. The burner 10 includes a base 14 defining a first side wall 16 having an annular main portion 18 and an ignition portion 20 extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion 18. The first side wall 16 includes at least one ignition channel 22 extending from an interior 24 thereof to an exterior 26 within the ignition portion 20. An upper surface 28 of the base 14 extends inwardly from the first side wall 16. The burner 10 further includes a spreader 30 removably disposed over the base 14. The spreader 30 defines a lower portion 32 with a lower surface 34 resting on the upper surface 28 of the base 14 to enclose a first distribution chamber 36 within respective portions of the base 14 and the spreader 30. The lower surface 34 is interrupted by a first plurality of port channels 38 defined in the lower portion 32 of the spreader 30 and being partially enclosed by the upper surface 28 of the base 14 to define a first set of flame ports 40 from the first distribution chamber 36 to the exterior 26 of the burner 10. The lower surface 34 further defines a continuous planar portion 42 extending over the ignition portion 20 of the first side wall 16, including over the at least one ignition channel 22 in the side wall 16 of the base 14, to enclose at least one respective ignition port 44 from the first distribution chamber 36 to the exterior 26 within the ignition portion 20.

As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2-4, the base 14 defines a lower wall 46. In one respect, the lower wall 46 defines a bottom face 48 of the base 14 on the exterior 26 of the burner 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the bottom face 48 is configured to rest on an adjacent portion of the cooktop 12 to support the burner 10 thereon. With continued reference to FIG. 1, when positioned on cooktop 12, the base 14 is configured to align with holder 50, which is positioned beneath the surface 13 of the cooktop 12 (including, in some implementations, by being mounted to the surface 13) on opposite the burner 10. As can be appreciated, the holder 50 is configured to direct a flow of fuel (including various gaseous cooking fuels, including, but not limited to natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or the like) to the burner 10 to provide fuel for combustion at least by way of the first flame ports 40.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the cooktop 12 cooktop includes a cooktop surface 13 and at least one burner 10, as described herein. As can be appreciated, the cooktop 12 can be a part of a cooking appliance that may include a stand-alone cooking hob or a range that can include a cooking ho in connection with an oven in a single appliance. As shown in FIG. 1, two burners 10 can be included along cooktop 12. In further aspects, four or more such burners 10 can be included and can be in different sizes in accordance with the general principles further described herein.

As further shown in the figures, the present burner 10 is configured as what may be generally referred to as a “stacked” burner, wherein the spreader 30, which primarily defines the above-mentioned first plurality of flame ports 40 by way of the included first plurality of port channels 38, further defines a second plurality of flame ports 52. As shown, the second plurality of flame ports 52 is positioned vertically above the first plurality of flame ports 40. The second plurality of flame ports 52 can be used to provide a second set of flames for burner 10 such that multiple levels of cooking heat can be provided for the burner 10. By way of example, the flow of fuel to the burner 10 can be controlled (as discussed further below) so as to fuel only the first flame ports 40 such that the burner 10 can have a “low” range of operation for warming or simmering of food products and the like. The flow of fuel can be further controlled to also fuel the second flame ports 52 in addition to the first flame ports 40 to provide a “high” range of operation for medium to high levels of cooking and/or boiling water or the like. In this arrangement, the respective flame ports 40 and 52 can be configured to provide various desired operating ranges and/or flame profiles for the specific desired operation of burner 10 within the described framework. In the present example the first flame ports 40 can be configured to produce smaller flames for a lower output, with the second flame ports 52 being configured to produce relatively larger flames for a higher heat output. In the present example, the first flame ports 40 are defined by between 45 and 55 first port channels 38, each being enclosed on the respective lower ends (e.g., at the intersections of the first port channels 38 with the lower surface 34 of the spreader 30 to define respective areas of about 4 mm² to about 5 mm². In the specific example of FIGS. 1-8, the burner 10 defines the first flame ports 40, each having a respective width W₁ of about 1.8 mm and a height H₁ of about 2.9 mm. In a similar respect, the second flame ports 52 can be defined by a plurality of second port channels 54 open on an upper surface 56 of the spreader 30. The second port channels 54 are enclosed by a burner cap 58 and, more specifically, by the lower surface 60 of the cap 58, which may be generally planer so as to be in supported contact with the upper surface 56 of the spreader 30 (with other arrangements being possible, as discussed further below). In such an example, the burner 10 can define between about 35 to 40 second flame ports 52 with respective areas of between about 12 mm and about 14 mm. In the specific example of FIGS. 1-8, the burner 10 defines second flame ports 52, each having respective widths W2 of about 2 mm and heights H2 of about 6.7 mm.

To facilitate the stacked port arrangement discussed herein, spreader 30 can further define an interior wall 62 that extends generally horizontally (i.e., parallel with the cooktop 12 surface 13) within the second side wall 64 of the spreader 30 that extends between the above-described lower surface 34 and second surface 56 of spreader 30. As shown, the interior wall 62 is spaced above the lower surface 34 so as to enclose the first distribution chamber 36 within the lower portion 32 of the spreader 30. As further shown, the interior wall 62 also defines, opposite the first distribution chamber 36, as second distribution chamber 66 for directing fuel or a fuel-air mix to the second flame ports 52. The second distribution chamber 66 is further enclosed over the upper surface 56 of the spreader 30 by the above-mentioned burner cap 58. As is to be appreciated, the present arrangement, in which the respective flows of fuel to the first flame ports 40 and the second flame ports 52 are separately controlled, may be configured to provide separate flows of fuel or fuel-air mix to the first distribution chamber 36 and the second distribution chamber 66. In particular, the base 14 can include a first inlet 68, associated with a first stem 72 that extends below the bottom face 48 of the base 14, to direct fuel or fuel-air mix to the first distribution chamber 36. Additionally, the base 14 can define a pass-through 70 that extends through the lower wall 46 thereof. The spreader 30 defines a second inlet 74 adjacent the pass-through 70 to direct the flow of fuel or fuel-air mix past the first distribution chamber 36 and into the second distribution chamber 66.

The above-described holder 50 is further arranged to direct separate flows of fuel to the burner 10 and, in particular, the above-described first inlet 68 and pass-through 70, for further direction into the first distribution chamber 36 and second distribution chamber 66, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the holder 50 is configured to connect with a first fuel line 76 associated with a respective valve that controls the flow of fuel therethrough. The first fuel line 76 is associated with a first spud 80 mounted in the holder 50 and aligned with the first inlet 68 in a spaced apart arrangement that facilitates mixture of ambient air with the fuel emanating from the first spud 80. In this manner, the control of fuel flowing through the first fuel line 76 controls the fuel flow to the first flame ports 40. In a similar manner, the holder 50 is further configured to connect with a second fuel line 78 associated with a respective valve that controls the flow of fuel therethrough. The second fuel line 78 is associated with a second spud 82 (FIG. 5) mounted in the holder 50 and aligned with pass through 70 in a spaced apart arrangement that facilitates mixture of ambient air with the fuel emanating from the second spud 82. In this manner, the control of fuel flowing through the second fuel line 78 controls the fuel flow to the second flame ports 52. In various arrangements, the valves respectively associated with the first and second fuel lines 76, 78 can be controlled by a single knob with distinct operational ranges for control and ignition of the first flame ports 40, as well as control of the second flame ports 52, although other arrangements are possible.

In at least the present arrangement, the burner 10 is operated by first igniting the first flame ports 40, with the burner 10 being configured for operation of first flame ports 40 alone in one operating mode. If use of the second flame ports 52 is desired, the associated control is manipulated such that fuel is provided to the second fuel line 78. The resulting flow of fuel-air mix from the second flame ports 52 is, according, such that the combustion associated with the first flame ports 40 causes ignition of the second flame ports 52. In this respect, the first flame ports 40 are ignited by activation of an igniter electrode 84 positioned and configured to generate an electrical arc between the igniter electrode 84 and a portion of the burner 10. In the present arrangement, the igniter electrode 84 is positioned at least partially within the ignition portion 20 of the burner 10 such that the electrical arc generated is proximate at least one of the depicted ignition ports 44, as discussed further below. As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the igniter electrode 84 is retained by the holder 48 with a portion thereof beneath the surface 13 of cooktop 12. The operative portion of the igniter electrode 84 extends through the cooktop surface 13 and into the ignition portion 20 of the burner 10. More particularly, the above-described bottom wall 46 of the base 14 extends outside of the first side wall 16 within the ignition portion 20 and defines an aperture 85 (FIG. 6) through which the igniter electrode 84 extends for desired positioning within the ignition portion 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1-8, at least one ignition port 44 extends between the first distribution chamber 36 and the exterior 26 of the burner 10 within the ignition portion 20. According to the present disclosure, the ignition port 44 is defined by at least one ignition channel 22 extending through the first side wall 16 of the base 14. As particularly shown in FIGS. 4-6, ignition channel 22 is open to and interrupts the upper surface 28 of base 14. In this manner, ignition channel 22 is enclosed to define ignition port 44 by an overlying sub-portion of the adjacent second continuously planar portion 42 of the spreader 30, which is defined on the lower surface 34 thereof. In one aspect, the continuously planar portion 42 is characterized by the absence of port channels 38 or other similar channel structures or the like within such portion 42. In this respect, the continuously planar portion 42 may have some variation due at least to manufacturing processes and/or materials and or may have some overall curvature over the span of the surface while still being considered continuously planar for purposes of this discussion so long as at least the sub-portions enclosing the ignition channel 22 is planar and/or otherwise uninterrupted. In at least another aspect, the continuously planar portion 42 corresponds with a portion of the spreader 30 that overlies the ignition portion 20 of the base 14 to further define part of the ignition portion 20 within the spreader 30, wherein the lower surface 34 has a similar profile along a corresponding horizontal plane to that of the first side wall 16 of the base 14, at least within the ignition portion 20. In one aspect, the above-described first flame ports 40, which extend between the first distribution chamber 36 and the exterior of the burner 10, are defined in a similar manner to the to the ignition ports 44 in what can be characterized as an arrangement opposite to that of the ignition ports 44. Specifically, the first flame ports 40 are defined by the first plurality of port channels 38, which extend through the lower portion 32 of the spreader 30, and the upper surface 28 of the base 14, which may be similarly characterized as continuously planar within the annular main portion 18. In this arrangement, the first flame ports 40 are primarily defined in the spreader 30, whereas the ignition ports 44 are primarily defined in the base 14.

As shown in the figures, the present implementation of burner 10 includes two ignition channels 22 symmetrically disposed about a centerline C that radially bisects the ignition portion 20 of the first side wall 16. Such an arrangement can allow for faster and more reliable ignition of the first flame ports 40, compared to an arrangement with a single ignition port 44, in that the disclosed arrangement provides a flow of fuel adjacent to the ignition spark generated by the igniter electrode 84, which may occur at various locations within the ignition portion 20, including on either side of the centerline C. In this respect, it is to be understood that ignition of the first flame ports will be sequential around the circumference of the spreader 30, starting from whichever side of the centerline C on which the ignition spark occurs.

As particularly shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the ignition channels 22 can be defined, respectively, as a rectangular section set into the upper surface 28 of the base 14. More specifically, the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surface 86 of the side wall 16 within the ignition portion 20 along an entire inward radial side 88a of the rectangular section disposed toward the center line C and defined between an inward circumferential side 88b and an outward circumferential side 88c to define an outlet 90 from the ignition channel 22 to the ignition portion 20. Additionally, the rectangular section can intersect an interior surface 92 of the first side wall 16 at adjacent ends of the inward circumferential side 88b and an outward radial side 88c of the rectangular section to define an inlet 94 to the ignition channel 22 from the first distribution chamber 36. As shown, the inlet 94 is disposed at a corner of the rectangular section between the inward circumferential side 88b and an outward radial side 88c that aligns with an interior bend of the interior surface 92 of the first side wall 16 that is defined at the ignition portion 20.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 6, the rectangular section can be such that the ignition channel 22 defines a width W₂ in a direction away from the ignition portion 20 and circumferentially into the of first side wall 16 within the ignition portion 20. In one implementation, the width can be between 4 mm and 5 mm. In a further implementation the width can be between 4.5 and 5.0 mm, and more specifically 4.98 mm, with the dimensions listed (here and elsewhere) as understandably varying based, at least, on reasonable manufacturing tolerances associated with the materials and manufacturing processes associated with the related structures, including, but not limited to when described as being “about” the specified dimension. The rectangular section can define a length L₂ along the first side wall 16 within the ignition portion 20 and radially into the first side wall 16. In one implementation, the length L₂ can be between 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm. In a further implementation, the length L₂ can be about 5 mm. An intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall 16 along the interior surface 92 can define the above-described inlets 94 to the respective ignition channels 22. In one implementation, the inlet 94 can be about 2 mm wide. In a similar manner, an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall 16 at the exterior surface 86 of the can define the above-described outlet 90 within the ignition portion 20. In one implementation, the outlet 90 can be about 5 mm wide. The rectangular section and, accordingly, the corresponding ignition channels 22 can have a depth D₂ (in a direction away from the upper surface 28 of between 0.8 mm and 1.3 mm. In one implementation, the depth D₂ can be 0.85 mm. In at least one aspect shown in particular in FIG. 8, the length L₂ of the ignition channels 22 can be such that the outlet 90 extends radially outward beyond the lower the lower surface 34 of the spreader 30 such that a corresponding innermost one of the first flame ports 40 is at least partially unclosed adjacent the ignition channel 22 with increased exposure of the outlet 90 and the corresponding flame produced during ignition to such first flame port 40.

The above-described placement and configuration of the ignition ports 44 can allow for more reliable ignition of the first flame ports 40, particularly in conditions where there is slight circumferential misalignment between the spreader 30 and the base 14. Additionally, the placement and configuration of the ignition ports 44 described herein can help maintain ignition times of less than four seconds, maintain an acceptable flame length, at least within the ignition portion 20 (i.e., such that the flames resulting from ignition of the fuel-air mix emanating from the ignition ports 44 do not extend to a length where yellow tips are visible, including but not limited to when used with a butane fuel), and reduce or eliminate flame lifting at the first flame ports 40 during ignition of the burner 10.

Further, the incorporation of the above-described ignition channels 22, can allow the present base 14 to be used in alternative configurations of burner 10, including those with different configurations of spreader 30. In one such aspect, the base 14 is useable in an additional burner 110 that includes an alternative spreader 130. Notably, the spreader 130 is configured in a similar manner to spreader 30 to realize the above-described stacked burner arrangement. In one respect, the spreader 130 differs from spreader 30 in that the port channels 138 have respective widths W3 that are greater than the widths W1 of the port channels 38 of spreader 30, which may affect the ignition characteristics of the resulting burner 110. Accordingly, the ignition channels 22, as described above, are additionally configured to operate according to the above-described parameters with the spreader 130. In at least one such aspect, the ignition channel 22 extends radially outward from the lower surface 134 of the spreader 130 such that at least a portion of at least the corresponding innermost first flame port 140 is exposed below and outside of the ignition channel 22 in a manner similar to that of the spreader 30 described above. As further shown, the upper surface 28 of the base 14 encloses the remaining port channels 138 to enclose the associated first flame ports 140 in a similar manner to that which is described above in connection with burner 10. Additionally, the spreader 130 includes a continuously planar portion 142 that at least partially encloses the ignition channels 22 to define the ignition ports 44, as described above. In another aspect, the spreader 130 includes closed second flame ports 152 defined by holes through the second side wall 164. In other aspects, the spreader 130 may be similar to spreader 30 and may include similar features, unless otherwise specified. As can be appreciated, burner 110 can be included with a cooktop 12 in a similar manner to that which is shown in connection with burner 10 in FIG. 1, as well as the cooktop variations described in connection therewith.

The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion, the first side wall including at least one ignition channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion, an upper surface of the base extending inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted by a first plurality of port channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and being partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of flame ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending within the ignition portion of the first side wall, including over at least a portion of the at least one channel in the side wall of the base, to at least partially enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

In the burner of ¶ [0041], the spreader can further define an interior wall enclosing the first distribution chamber within the lower portion of the spreader and a second side wall extending from the interior wall opposite the lower portion to partially enclose a second distribution chamber, and a second set of flame ports can extend through the second side wall from the second distribution chamber to the exterior of the burner.

The burner of ¶ [0042], can further include a cap removably disposed on an upper surface of the second side wall and enclosing the second distribution chamber with the interior wall and the second side wall.

In the burner of ¶ [0043], the second set of flame ports can be defined by a second plurality of flame channels open to the upper surface of the second side wall, and the cap can enclose the second plurality of channels to define the second plurality of ports.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0044], the at least one channel can be defined as a rectangular section in the upper surface of the base.

In the burner of ¶ [0046], the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surface of the side wall within the ignition portion along an entire first side of the rectangular section defined between a second side and a third side.

In the burner of ¶¶ [0045] or [0046], the rectangular section can intersect an interior surface of the side wall at adjacent ends of adjacent first and second sides of the rectangular section.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0047], the rectangular section can define a width in a direction away from the ignition portion and axially into the first side wall, the width being between 4 mm and 5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0048], the rectangular section can define a length along the first side wall within the ignition portion and radially into the first side wall, and the length can be between 4.5 mm and 5.5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0049], an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall can define an inlet to the at least one channel from and an interior surface of the first side wall, the opening having a width of about 2 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0045] to [0050], an intersection between the rectangular section and the first side wall can define an outlet from the at least one channel to an exterior surface of the first side wall within the ignition portion, the outlet having a width of about 5 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0051], the at least one ignition channel can have a depth in a direction away from the upper surface of between 0.8 mm and 1.3 mm.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0052], the base can define a lower wall at least partially extending within the ignition portion and defining an aperture configured to receive at least one ignitor electrode therethrough for generating an electronic arc between the ignitor electrode and a portion of the first side wall within the ignition portion.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0041] to [0053], the at least one ignition channel included in the first side wall can include two ignition channels symmetrically disposed about a centerline radially bisecting the ignition portion.

According to yet another aspect, a burner for a cooktop includes a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The burner further includes a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. A plurality of flame ports extends between the first distribution chamber and an exterior of the burner and is defined by a first plurality of port channels extending through the lower portion of the spreader and at least one adjacent first continuously planar portion of the upper surface of the base within the annular main portion. At least one ignition port extends between the first distribution chamber and the exterior of the burner within the ignition portion and is defined by at least one ignition channel extending through the first side wall and at least one adjacent second continuously planar portion of the spreader.

In the burner of ¶ [0055], the spreader can further define an interior wall enclosing the first distribution chamber within the lower portion of the spreader and a second side wall extending from the interior wall opposite the lower portion to partially enclose a second distribution chamber, and a second set of ports can extend through the second side wall from the second distribution chamber to the exterior of the burner.

The burner of ¶ [0056] can further include a cap removably disposed on an upper surface of the second side wall and enclosing the second distribution chamber with the interior wall and the second side wall.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0055] to [0057], the at least one channel can be defined as a rectangular section in the upper surface of the base, the rectangular section can intersect an exterior surface of the side wall within the ignition portion along an entire first side of the rectangular section defined between a second side and a third side, and the rectangular section can intersect an interior surface of the side wall at adjacent ends of adjacent first and second sides of the rectangular section.

In the burner of any of ¶¶ [0056] to [0058], the base can define a lower wall at least partially extending within the ignition portion and defining an aperture configured to receive at least one ignitor electrode therethrough for generating an electronic arc between the ignitor electrode and a portion of the first side wall within the ignition portion, and the at least one channel included in the first side wall includes two channels symmetrically disposed about a centerline radially bisecting the ignition portion.

According to yet another aspect, a cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a burner. The burner has a base defining a first side wall having an annular main portion and an ignition portion extending inwardly with respect to the annular main portion. The first side wall includes at least one ignition channel extending from an interior thereof to an exterior within the ignition portion. An upper surface of the base extends inwardly from the side wall. The base also has a spreader removably disposed over the base. The spreader defines a lower portion with a lower surface resting on the upper surface of the base to enclose a first distribution chamber within respective portions of the base and the spreader. The lower surface is interrupted a first plurality of port channels defined in the lower portion of the spreader and partially enclosed by the upper surface of the base to define a first set of ports from the first distribution chamber to an exterior of the burner. The lower surface further defines a continuous planar portion extending within the ignition portion of the first side wall, including at least partially over the at least one ignition channel in the side wall of the base, to at least partially enclose at least one respective ignition port from the first distribution chamber to the exterior within the ignition portion.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.

It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.