Cooking Device with Ventilation and Filtration System

Abstract

A cooking device with a ventilation and filtration system is disclosed that may be a mobile cart. The ventilation and filtration system provides removal of heated and effluent-laden air from the vicinity of the cooking device utilizing a manually telescoping vent having a handle for positioning the vent. The telescoping vent piece may be easily manually removable and reattachable for cleaning. Further, the downdraft ventilator is in communication with a filtration and effluent removal system that may have one or more filters and may also have a drip tray.

1 . A cooking device comprising:
 a housing;   one or more heating elements;   a vent assembly with a manually removable first duct portion having an inlet, and a second duct portion in communication with the manually removable first duct portion;   at least one filter for removing effluents from air, in communication with a volume of air flowing through the second duct portion;   at least one effluent trapping and filtration assembly to receive the at least one filter;   a motor for moving a volume of air into the inlet and through the at least one filter; and   an access opening in the housing to remove or insert the at least one filters into the at least one effluent trapping and filtration assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one effluent trapping and filtration assembly comprises a filter housing with the at least one filter therein that is slidably accessible from the access opening in the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one effluent trapping and filtration assembly comprises an exhaust duct filter housing with the at least one filter therein, which is accessible from the access opening in the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The cooking device of  claim 1  further comprising at least one removable grease and condensate tray in the effluent trapping and filtration assembly that is removable from the access opening in the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The cooking device of  claim 2  wherein the at least one filter is one or more selected from a group consisting of a grease filter, a particulate filter, and a carbon filter. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking device of  claim 3  wherein the at least one filter is one or more selected from a group consisting of a particulate filter, and a carbon filter. 
     
     
         7 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one filter is a grease filter. 
     
     
         8 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one filter is a particulate filter. 
     
     
         9 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the at least one filter is a carbon filter. 
     
     
         10 . The cooking device of  claim 1  wherein the housing further comprises a cart having wheels and a cart handle. 
     
     
         11 . A cooking device comprising:
 a housing;   one or more heating elements;   a ventilation and filtration assembly comprising:
 a first duct portion having an inlet, 
 a manual height adjustment device for the first duct portion, 
 a second duct portion in communication with a first duct portion, 
 at least one filter for removing effluents from air in communication with a volume of air flowing through the second duct portion; 
 a motor for moving a volume of air into the inlet and through the at least one filter; and 
 an access opening in the housing to remove or insert the at least one filter into at least one effluent trapping and filtration assembly. 
   
     
     
         12 . The cooking device of  claim 11  wherein the manual height adjustment device comprises a handle connected to the top of the vent assembly for manually raising and lowering at least the vent assembly inlet and first duct portion. 
     
     
         13 . The cooking device of  claim 12  further comprising a first duct portion that is removable and the handle is configured for removing and replacing at least the first duct portion. 
     
     
         14 . The cooking device of  claim 12  wherein the handle is removable and reattachable. 
     
     
         15 . The cooking device of  claim 11  wherein the ventilation and filtration assembly comprises a filter housing that is accessible from the access opening in the housing wherein the filter housing houses the at least one filter;
 wherein the at least one filter is configured to be manually removable and the at least one filter is selected from a group consisting of a grease filter, a particulate filter, and a carbon filter. 
 
     
     
         16 . The cooking device of  claim 15  wherein the at least one filter is a grease filter selected from a group consisting of a mesh filter, an impingement filter, a baffle filter, a cyclonic filter, or another grease entrapment device, and the at least one filter further comprises a particulate filter that is one selected from a group consisting of a mesh filter, a bag filter, a cartridge filter, and a carbon filter. 
     
     
         17 . The cooking device of  claim 11  further comprising at least one removable grease and condensate tray in the effluent trapping and filtration assembly that is removable from the access opening in the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The cooking device of  claim 11  wherein the housing further comprises wheels and a cart handle. 
     
     
         19 . The cooking device of  claim 1  further comprising a fire-suppression system having a sensor for detecting at least one selected from a group consisting of a temperature, a resistance, a heat, a smoke, and a fire. 
     
     
         20 . A method of removing effluents from a cooking device comprising:
 a. drawing a volume of air proximate to the cooking device into a ventilation inlet using a motor;   b. directing the air through at least one substantially vertical duct;   c. directing the air over a substantially horizontal surface for collecting effluents thereon;   d. directing the air through at least one filter for filtration of effluents;   e. directing the air through a baffle in communication with the motor; and   f. directing the air through a substantially vertical exhaust filter.