Hot air cooking apparatus equipped with means for heating the tank by heat conduction

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hot air cooking apparatus for the realization of a culinary preparation, comprising: a main body equipped with a cooking chamber; a food receptacle (9) which can be placed in and extracted from said cooking chamber; heating means (11) which allow heating of the air; and circulation means (12) which allow circulation of the heated air in the food receptacle when the latter is placed in the cooking chamber. The apparatus comprises: additional heating means (14) which allow heating of the food receptacle by heat conduction; and a control circuit which is arranged to control the additional heating means once the receptacle is placed in the cooking chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hot air cooking device of the hot air fryer type, which allows food to be cooked by means of hot air circulation in the cooking chamber of the device.

[0002] The main objective of this invention is to expand the functionality of this cooking device to enable it to have multiple cooking modes that allow for the cooking of various different recipes. Background Technology

[0003] Hot air fryers are a type of cooking equipment well known to those skilled in the art. This type of cooking equipment allows for a significant reduction, or even complete elimination, of fat during food cooking, achieved by circulating hot air within a cooking chamber that houses the food to be cooked. Therefore, it is possible to consume more nutritious foods, which can be derived from plants or animals, such as potato chips, vegetables, meat, or fish.

[0004] This type of cooking equipment typically includes a main body and a removable box that allows for the storage of food to be cooked. Food can be placed either directly in the box or in a basket that is itself placed inside the box. Once the food is placed in the box, with or without a basket, the main body of the cooking equipment can be closed to form a cooking cavity containing the box and the food. Hot air is then compressed into the cooking cavity by means of a heating element and an air circulation system; the circulation of the hot air within the cooking cavity ensures the food is cooked.

[0005] The air circulation device includes a ventilator that allows air to circulate in a ring within the main body of the cooking appliance, thereby delivering the air to the cooking chamber via a heating device. The heated air circulates within the chamber, then leaves the cooking chamber and undergoes a new round of circulation within the main body of the cooking appliance.

[0006] Although this hot air cooking device already allows for the cooking of a variety of different food preparations through healthy food cooking by means of hot air circulation in the cooking chamber, there is still a desire to expand the functionality of this hot air cooking device so that more food preparations can be cooked that cannot be cooked by means of conventional hot air cooking devices. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a hot air cooking apparatus for preparing food. The cooking apparatus includes: a main body equipped with a cooking chamber; a food storage box capable of being placed in and removed from the cooking chamber; a heating device that allows heating of air; and a circulation device that allows the heated air to circulate within the food storage box when it is placed in the cooking chamber. Notably, the cooking apparatus includes an additional heating device that allows heating of the food storage box by heat conduction.

[0008] Therefore, cooking modes can be expanded using the hot air cooking apparatus according to the invention. In practice, conventional cooking can always be achieved using an air heating device and a means for circulating the heated air. The apparatus can also enable the cooking of liquids, such as soups or sauced dishes, placed in the chamber, which are heated by heat conduction using an additional heating device. The apparatus can also allow steam cooking when a basket containing food is placed in the chamber and water is placed at the bottom; heating the water by heat conduction using the additional heating device allows the water to boil and generate steam, thus ensuring the cooking of the food within the basket itself. Steam cooking, followed by cooking using hot air circulating in the cooking chamber, is also conceivable using the apparatus according to the invention.

[0009] According to the invention, the cooking device includes a control circuit arranged to control the additional heating device according to a cooking preparation mode selected by the user once the box is placed in the cooking cavity. Once the box is placed in the cooking cavity, the control circuit also controls an air heating device and a device for circulating heated air according to the user-selected cooking preparation mode.

[0010] According to the invention, the additional heating device is disposed on the food storage box. Furthermore, the additional heating device includes a first electrical and mechanical connection system arranged to connect to a second complementary connection system disposed on the main body of the cooking appliance when the box is positioned in the cooking cavity. Positioning the additional heating device on the box allows for better heat conduction and temperature control within the box. According to the invention, the control circuitry is arranged to control the additional heating device once the connection between the first and second connection systems is established.

[0011] According to the invention, the first connection system includes two conductive pins, and the second connection system includes two conductive connectors, each having two flexible tabs. When the housing is positioned in the cooking cavity, each conductive pin passes through the conductive connector by being clamped between the two tabs. Various variations are conceivable, for example, by reversing the pins and tabs on the first and second connection systems.

[0012] Preferably, according to this embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the additional heating device is positioned below and in contact with the bottom of the container. This allows for proper heating of the bottom of the container via heat conduction. Various variations are conceivable, for example, by placing the additional heating device in contact with the lower contour of the container.

[0013] Preferably, according to this embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the additional heating device includes a resistive member equipped with two ends, the first connection system being arranged at the ends.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the cooking apparatus of the present invention, the main body includes: an electric motor controlled by the control circuit, and a pinion driven to rotate by the electric motor. Additionally, the housing includes: a bottom, a gear rotatably mounted below the bottom, and a drive shaft rotatably mounted above the bottom and driven to rotate by the gear, the drive shaft capable of receiving cooking attachments for rotation. Furthermore, the apparatus is configured such that the gear engages with the pinion when the housing is positioned within the cooking cavity. Therefore, the cooking apparatus allows food contained within the housing to be mixed or stirred during cooking.

[0015] According to this embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the additional heating device and the first connecting system, as described above, are arranged around the gear below the bottom of the housing. Preferably, the first connecting system and the gear have the same external dimensions as the motor and gear disposed on the main body of the cooking apparatus. This design has the advantage of reducing the external dimensions of the cooking apparatus.

[0016] According to this embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus includes a sealing element disposed between the drive shaft and the bottom of the housing. This allows liquid to be contained within the housing without compromising its seal.

[0017] Preferably, according to this embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the cooking apparatus includes a cooking attachment consisting of stirring blades. Other attachments are conceivable, such as knives for chopping or mixing food in the bin, or even a mixer.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the cooking apparatus, the main body includes a base and a drawer, the drawer being removably mounted on the base between an engaged position and a disengaged position, in which the cooking cavity is closed and in the disengaged position, the cooking cavity is open, and the box is secured to the drawer. Preferably, the cooking apparatus includes a removable basket configured to be placed in and removed from the box. A variant of the cooking apparatus is conceivable, according to which the main body includes a lid that allows the box to be received in the cooking cavity with or without the basket, the closure of the lid allowing the cooking cavity to be closed. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description based on the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the hot air cooking apparatus according to the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A front view of the main body of a hot air cooking appliance, showing that the appliance does not have drawers;

[0022] Figure 3 Shown from a first-person perspective Figure 1 A drawer of a hot air cooking appliance, the drawer comprising a case;

[0023] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 A second perspective of the drawer shows the presence of accessories embedded in the box;

[0024] Figure 5 It shows Figure 3 and Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the drawer;

[0025] Figure 6 The connection between a first electrical and mechanical connection system for an additional heating device arranged on the box and a second complementary connection system arranged on the main body of the hot air cooking equipment is shown;

[0026] Figure 7 It shows Figure 6 The conductive connector of the second complementary connection system shown in the figure;

[0027] Figure 8 A design variation of the main body of a hot air cooking device is shown, which includes an additional heating device;

[0028] Figure 9 against Figure 8 This variant of the main body illustrates a box located within the cooking cavity of the main body;

[0029] Figure 10 against Figure 8 and Figure 9 This variant illustrates the presence of support feet on the box. Detailed Implementation

[0030] In the following description, the term "device" is used to refer to the cooking apparatus according to the invention.

[0031] The terms “upper,” “lower,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “vertical,” and “horizontal” that may be used in this specification are used with reference to the normal position of the device placed in its functional configuration, facing the user, and resting on the cooking surface.

[0032] Furthermore, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to define the same features or their equivalents according to different design variations of the device to which the invention is the subject, unless otherwise stated herein.

[0033] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The device 1 includes a main body 2 and a drawer 3. The drawer 3 is removable from the main body 2. The main body 2 includes a heating unit 4 in its upper part 2a and a base 5 in its lower part 2b. A cooking cavity 6 is defined inside the base 5. The drawer 3 includes a front panel 7, a handle 8, and a compartment 9 for storing food to be cooked; when the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5 of the main body 2, the compartment 9 is housed in the cooking cavity 6, which is closed by means of the front panel 7. The drawer 3 is removed by pulling it forward relative to the main body 2, which allows the compartment 9 to be disengaged from the cooking cavity 6. The heating unit 4 allows hot air to circulate downward toward the cooking cavity 6, such that when the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5 of the main body 2, the hot air circulates in the cooking cavity 6 and the compartment 9. The heating unit 4 includes an air inlet 10, a resistance-type heating element 11, and a ventilator-type circulation device 12. The resistance-type heating element 11 heats the circulating air, and the ventilator-type circulation device 12 circulates the air and propels it into the cooking chamber 6 by passing it through the heating element 11 beforehand. The device 1 also includes a control circuit (not shown) that allows control of the heating element 11 and the circulation device 12 based on a cooking program selected on a selection keypad (not shown) arranged on the body 2 when the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5 of the body 2. These features are conventionally present in hot air cooking appliances of the hot air fryer type; those skilled in the art will be able to implement the device 1 according to the invention with reference to these features.

[0034] The device 1 according to the invention advantageously allows the box 9 to be heated by heat conduction when it is placed in the cooking chamber 6. This allows for the expansion of the functionality of the device 1, for example, by cooking liquids contained in the box 9, or even by steam cooking by placing a basket (not shown) in the box 9 with water at the bottom, the basket being removably placed in the box 9 and holding the food to be cooked. Such removable baskets are already known in conventional hot air cooking equipment. Different designs of the device 1 can be envisioned to achieve this heating of the box 9 by heat conduction:

[0035] According to special reference Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figures 5 to 7In a first embodiment of the illustrated device 1, the housing 9 includes a bottom 13, beneath which an additional heating device 14 is fixed. The additional heating device 14 ensures heating of the housing 9 by heat conduction. The additional heating device 14 is fixed below the bottom 13 of the housing 9, for example, by crimping or welding; a fixing flange (not shown) may also be provided. Preferably, according to this first design, the additional heating device 14 is in direct contact with the bottom 13 of the housing 9; however, a variation is contemplated in which a small gap is maintained between the additional heating device 14 and the bottom 13 of the housing 9 using an adapted fixing flange.

[0036] According to the first design of device 1, the additional heating device 14 includes a resistive member 15, which has an open circular shape and two downwardly curved ends 15a, 15b, particularly as Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown. Each of the two ends 15a, 15b includes a conductive pin 16, 17, which defines a first electrical and mechanical connection system 18. The cooking cavity 6 of the body 2 has a bottom 19 including two recesses 20, 21, which are arranged correspondingly to the two ends 15a, 15b of the resistive member 15, such that when the drawer 3 is placed on the body 2 and the box 9 is engaged in the cooking cavity 6, the two conductive pins 16, 17 engage in the two recesses 20, 21 respectively. The rear ends 20a, 21a of the recesses 20, 21 each include conductive connectors 22, 23. These conductive connectors 22, 23 each include two flexible and conductive sheets 24, 25, such as... Figure 7 The details are shown below. When drawer 3 is properly placed on base 5 of body 2, its front 7 closes cooking cavity 6, and two conductive pins 16, 17 pass through conductive connectors 22, 23 respectively by being clamped between two sheets 24. These two conductive connectors 22, 23 together constitute a second connection system 26 complementary to the first electrical and mechanical connection system 18. This second connection system 26 is connected to the control circuit of device 1; therefore, the control circuit also allows the additional heating device 14 to be controlled according to the cooking program selected by the user on the selection keypad when drawer 3 is placed on base 5.

[0037] According to reference Figures 8 to 10In the second design of the device 8 shown, the additional heating device 14 is no longer arranged below the bottom 13 of the box 9 as in the first design described above, but is arranged above the bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6. The additional heating device 14 includes a resistive member 27 arranged in a serpentine pattern to form two circular fork-shaped pieces 28, 29, the ends 28a, 29a of which are spaced apart and define a channel 30. When the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5 of the main body 2, the bottom 13 of the box 9 is positioned above the resistive member 27 with a slight gap, as... Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, this also allows for heating of the bottom 13 of the box 9 via thermal conduction. The two ends 27a, 27b of the resistive member 27 are connected to a control circuit that allows activation of the resistive member 27 according to a user-selected cooking program when the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5. According to a second design of the device 1, the bottom 13 of the box 9 includes... Figure 10 The two support feet 31 and 32 shown are in contact with the bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6 and allow the bottom 13 of the box 9 to be properly positioned above the circular fork-shaped parts 28 and 29 of the resistive member 27 with a small gap.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the first design described above, the base 5 of the main body 2 includes a compartment 33, which is arranged below the bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6. This compartment 33 specifically allows for the housing of a motor that drives a pinion 35 to rotate along the vertical axis X1. Recesses 20 and 21 on the bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6 are also placed within the thickness of this compartment 33, with the motor and pinion 35 positioned between these two recesses. The motor is controlled by a control circuit according to a cooking program selected by the user. The bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6 includes a receiving portion 36 in its rear portion 19a, between the two recesses 20 and 21 and at the height of the two conductive connectors 22 and 23. This receiving portion protrudes relative to the bottom 19 and houses the pinion 35. The receiving portion 36 has a window 37 at its front, through which the front portion 35a of the pinion 35 slightly protrudes, thereby communicating with the cooking cavity 6. Similarly, in… Figures 8 to 10 In the second design, a receiving portion 36 is visible in the rear 19a of the bottom 19 of the cooking cavity 6. This receiving portion 36 houses a pinion 35, which has a front portion 35a that slightly extends beyond the window 37. In this second design, the resistive member 27 is positioned around the receiving portion 36, thereby allowing access to the front portion 35a of the pinion 35 via a channel 30 passing through the two ends 28a, 29a of the fork-shaped members 28 and 29 of the resistive member 27.

[0039] Reference Figures 1 to 5 In the first design described above, the box 9 includes a shell 38 below the central portion of its bottom 13, the shell 38 including a window 40 at the rear of its outline 39. A gear 41 is rotatably mounted along an axis X2 perpendicular to the bottom 13 of the box 9, which is parallel to the vertical axis X1 when the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5 of the body 2. The gear 41 is housed in the shell 38 and has a rear portion 41a that slightly extends beyond the window 40. When the drawer 3 is properly placed on the base 5, the cooking cavity 6 is closed, and the rear portion 41a of the gear 41 engages with the front portion 35a of the pinion 35; thus, actuation of the electric motor allows the drive gear 41 to rotate along its axis X2. The gear 41 is fastened to a drive shaft 42 that extends upward along the axis X2 and passes through the bottom 13 of the box 9. A sealing element 43 is arranged between the bottom 13 of the box 9 and the drive shaft 42 to prevent liquid placed in the box 9 from flowing through the bottom 13. The drive shaft 42 allows the cooking attachment 44 to rotate along axis X2, the cooking attachment 44 being removably mounted in the housing 9. Figure 4 In this design, attachment 44 is a stirring blade, but other cooking attachments, such as mixing or grinding attachments, are conceivable. The housing 9 includes a guide bearing 45 above its bottom 13, which is arranged along axis X2 and allows for the reception of attachment 44 for guiding its rotation along axis X2. Attachment 44 engages with a drive shaft 42 housed within the bearing 45. Figure 3 As shown, the resistor 15 is arranged around the shell 38 below the bottom 13 of the box 9, roughly on the periphery of the bottom 13. Two conductive pins 16 and 17 are provided at the rear of the box 9, in the extension of the window 40 of the shell 38. When the drawer 3 is placed on the base 5, the box 9 is housed in the cooking cavity 6. The shell 38 of the two conductive pins 16 and 17 and the housing gear 41 has the same external dimensions as the housing portion 36 of the motor and the housing gear 35.

[0040] This embodiment, which specifically uses a housing 38 for housing the gear 41, a drive shaft 42 fastened to the gear 41 and passing through the bottom 13 of the housing 9, and a guide bearing 45 for rotatably housing the accessory 44 driven by the drive shaft 42, is preferably similar to... Figures 8 to 10 The second design approach is the same as previously described. For example... Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the size of the channel 30 between the two ends 28a, 29a of the fork-shaped members 28, 29 of the resistor member 27 is determined to allow the housing 38 of the box 9 to be introduced between the ends 28a, 29a, so that the gear 41 engages with the pinion 35.

[0041] support Figures 1 to 7 and Figures 8 to 10The foregoing description of the two design options does not limit other variations of the device 1 that can be conceived within the framework of the present invention. For example, it is conceivable to implement the additional heating device 14 differently on the lower profile 46 of the housing 9, for example. A variation can also be provided for a device for driving the accessory 44 removably mounted in the housing 9, instead of the pinion 35 and gear 41. It is also conceivable to implement the invention in a device 1 without drawer 3, but having a cover (not shown) arranged on the upper part 2a of the body 2, the opening of which allows the housing 9 to be positioned in the cooking cavity 6 and, conversely, removed from the cooking cavity 6.

Claims

1. A hot air cooking device (1) for cooking prepared food, comprising: The main body (2) is equipped with a cooking cavity (6); A food storage box (9) capable of being placed in and removed from the cooking cavity; a heating device (11) allowing heating of air; and a circulation device (12) allowing the heated air to circulate within the food storage box when it is placed in the cooking cavity, characterized in that the device (1) comprises: an additional heating device (14) allowing heating of the food storage box (9) by heat conduction; and a control circuit arranged to control the additional heating device once the box is placed in the cooking cavity, the additional heating device (14) being disposed on the food storage box (9), the additional heating device comprising a first electrical and mechanical connection system ( 18), the first electrical and mechanical connection system (18) is arranged to connect to a second complementary connection system (26) disposed on the body (2) when the food storage box (9) is positioned in the cooking cavity (6), the control circuit is arranged to control the additional heating device once the connection between the first and second connection systems is made, the first electrical and mechanical connection system (18) includes two conductive pins (16, 17), and the second complementary connection system (26) includes two conductive connectors (22, 23), each of the two conductive connectors (22, 23) having two flexible tabs (24, 25), each conductive pin passing through the conductive connector by clamping between the two tabs of the conductive connector when the food storage box (9) is positioned in the cooking cavity. The main body (2) includes a base (5) and a drawer (3), the drawer (3) being removably mounted on the base between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the cooking cavity (6) is closed, and in the disengaged position, the cooking cavity (6) is open, and the food storage box (9) is secured to the drawer (3). The main body (2) includes: an electric motor controlled by the control circuit, and a pinion (35) driven to rotate by the electric motor, and the food storage box (9) includes: a bottom (13), a gear (41) rotatably mounted below the bottom, and a drive shaft (42) rotatably mounted above the bottom and driven to rotate by the gear, the drive shaft being capable of receiving cooking accessories (44) for rotation, and the device (1) is configured such that the gear (41) engages with the pinion (35) when the food storage box (9) is positioned in the cooking cavity (6).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The additional heating device (14) is positioned below the bottom (13) of the food storage box (9) and in contact with the bottom.

3. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The additional heating device (14) includes a resistive member (15) equipped with two ends (15a, 15b), at which the first electrical and mechanical connection system (18) is arranged.

4. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The additional heating device (14) and the first electrical and mechanical connection system (18) are arranged around the gear (41) below the bottom of the food storage box (9).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, comprising a sealing element (43) disposed between the drive shaft (42) and the bottom (13) of the food storage box (9).

6. The device (1) according to claim 4, comprising a cooking attachment (44) consisting of stirring blades.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, comprising a removable basket configured to be placed in and removed from the food storage box (9).

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